Ch 6: Science and the Art of Persuasion

Almost 20 years before scientists begin mapping DNA, I wonder about genetic possibilities in my high school biology class, while at the same time, a broken heart drives me to leave home.

A lot of adopted kids begin to ask questions when they first learn about genetics in high school biology. I was no different. Despite the fact it was now a stunning silver gray, I knew Mom originally had black hair. From the one photo I had seen, I figured Marlee had black hair, too. The photo was in black and white, so I couldn’t tell for certain, but it was definitely much darker than mine. If Mom’s first husband and my supposed father, Bob, had black hair, too, where did my red hair come from? Was it possible for two black-haired parents to have two red-haired kids?