Amy's Father
Disclaimer: I lay no claim on Dawson's Creek or any of its characters.
Summary: Someone from Jen's past reads about her death in the paper and goes to Capeside for her funeral, creating drama and turmoil for the friends.
A/N: Some of the names used are ones I made up because they weren't used in the show.
Chapter 1
On the way to work Wednesday morning, he stopped at the gas station to fill his car and grab the newspaper. It was a regular habit – having the paper between appointments with a good cup of coffee made the time pass by all that much quicker.
"Hey Cindy," he greeted his secretary/receptionist, "When is my first appointment today?"
"In about ten minutes, Dr. Evans." She handed him the patient's file.
"Ah, Amber McKensie, one of my favorites. She always has something interesting to talk to me about," he declared looking at the name on the folder. "Let me know when she gets here," he told her, placing the file on top of his paper before walking into his office.
It was 11:30 before he got the chance to relax and open the newspaper. The morning had been hectic, but then again, when wasn't it when it was spent counseling so many troubled souls? He scanned the headlines, exasperated that there was no good news – as usual. He flipped to the Life section and came across the obituaries. He laughed a little to himself, thinking how much of an oxymoron it was to put death notices in a section called "Life."
He skimmed through them, not expecting to see anyone he knew. That's why his breath caught in his throat when he came across a name so close to his past: Jennifer Lindley.
He ran his hand through his hair, not able to believe that Jen was… He couldn't even finish the thought. Slowly he willed himself to read the words beneath Jen's name.
Jennifer "Jen" Lindley passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 21, 2003 at Capeside Memorial Hospital in Capeside, Massachusetts after a long illness at the age of 25.
Jen was born on May 14, 1978 in the Upper West Side of New York City. She moved to Capeside at the age of 16 where she finished her last three years of high school. She attended Boston Bay College for two years before returning to her childhood home and attending New York University. She lived in New York until her death.
Jen left behind her parents Theodore Lindley and Helen Ryan, her grandmother Evelyn Ryan, her daughter Amy Lindley, her close friends Joey Potter, Dawson Leery, Jack and Andie McPhee and Pacey Witter as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandfather Harold Ryan, and her grandparents Sarah and Michael Lindley.
Services will be held in Capeside, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 25, 2003 at 12pm at the Capeside Cemetery.
Flowers can be sent to the Potter Bed and Breakfast in Capeside in care of Evelyn Ryan. Contributions can be made in Jen's name to The American Heart Society.
As he finished reading, he wasn't any closer to believing the hard truth. After the initial shock wore off, he reread the article, noting that Grams was still alive, a Godsend, seeing as she had almost lost her battle with breast cancer four years ago. He continued reading over Jen's survivors until he came to the words "her daughter Amy." He froze. Jen had a baby? When? He tried to think about how long it had been since he last saw her. "It has to have been around two years," he thought to himself. Then he gasped. "She could be mine!" he exclaimed out loud, much louder than he had intended.
"Is everything okay Dr. Evans?" Cindy called into the room after hearing his outburst.
He looked down at the paper again. "Saturday, May 25," he read
"Yeah… hey Cindy, could you do me a favor and cancel all of my appointments for Friday? I have to go out of town this weekend."
"Sure."
It was settled. He would go to Capeside and attend Jen's funeral. He needed to know what happened to Jen. He wanted to pay his respects and see everyone again. But most of all, he not only wanted, but needed to know if he had a daughter.
TBC
A/N: Any guesses on who Dr. Evans is? It's probably really obvious… Leave me some feedback on my new story and I'll update as soon as possible.