While the book is called Zephany, I find it difficult to keep calling her that.
I often think about the young woman at the centre of this traumatic tragi-drama that has played itself out over two decades, while she lived her life as Miché Solomon.
Her identity was finally made public last week, alongside the release of the book, which I can’t wait to get my hands on.
Over the years, public sympathy has rightfully been with Morné and Celeste Nurse, who are the original victims of this awful story.
But time has moved on and consequently we are forced to look at the events through different filters, especially now that Miché is an adult and a mother herself.
TRAUMATIC LOSS: Parents Celeste and Morné Nurse. Photo: Supplied.
For those determined to judge the situation, Miché’s adult emotional reasoning and perspectives as a mother brings a new dynamic that wasn’t present before, meaning she will obviously process the world differently now.
Over the last five years, I have tried understanding, have been party to many conversations and read so many opinions about what happened and how Miché is choosing to deal with it.
I have heard people criticising her for her obvious emotional distance from her biological parents; and the fact that she continues to love the woman who stole her from her hospital cot, while she lay sleeping next to her mother as a newborn baby 22 years ago.
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION: Michael, Lavona Solomon. Photo: Supplied.
It seems people expected her to sever her emotional connection with Lavona Solomon the moment she found out the truth and hatefully reject the woman who had lovingly raised her; and whom, until that very moment, she had no reason to distrust.
They expected her to embrace and love a family that she had only just met.
The whole story is so mind-bending that I went as far as having lunch with Morné, to try and understand it from a father’s point of view.
He gave me many insights, but I admit I didn’t feel any the wiser afterwards.
While I wait to read the book, I have come to at least one conclusion related to Miché’s critics.
The fact is, there is no one fully understanding this story, not even for the person at the centre of it.
To some degree or another, everyone involved is a loser; but in the end, the opinion that matters most, belongs to Miché.
I suspect it is going to take her a lifetime to come to terms with the series of events that have ultimately defined her for now.
But there is nothing she can say or do that can make me criticise her.
We simply cannot know the emotional turmoil and psychological conflict that results from having the foundations of your existence pulled from under you like this; having the core of your social trust and confidence shaken to their roots.
Miché is the guinea pig and as such, whatever she says or does, must be accepted as part and parcel of the journey.
PENNED: The book, Zephany. Photo: Supplied.
And those of you lambasting her for making money off her book, and a possible film, it seems to me that that is all the benefit she is getting.
And I’m certain that if, given the choice, she would much rather have the anonymous peace, ignorant bliss and security of five years ago anyway.
So let her have the security of the money at least!