"How would I?" Rachel denied in embarrassment.

“But you did!” Hazel muttered. “You have been reluctant to look right at me. If things were normal, you should have begun yelling at me by now! But you haven't.”

"...What's wrong with you? You imagine things?" Rachel laughed with tears.

"That's because I know you only do that because you care about me too much." Hazel smiled and forced herself into Rachel’s arms, whispering, "Mom, no matter what my identity is, we have been together for more than 20 years. You and Dad will always be my parents. The feelings between us will never change because of this."

Rachel looked suspiciously at...