Editor’s note:  My Genetic Family is a fictional short story authored by ECM reporter Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson.

By Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson ©

January 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - Allen Smithee opened the sealed envelope, glanced at the directions, and proceeded to swab his inside cheek to provide the first of three DNA samples. At the end of the day he finished the last test, sealed the samples into the return envelope and mailed away for his DNA matches.