He pulls into the driveway. He knows that he has to act fast. He pulls on his sunglasses, and grabs the manila envelope on his passenger's seat. He climbs out of the car, and makes a beeline for the front door. He knocks on the door, and looks at his watch.
Gemma opens the door. She takes a look at the tall, blonde man, standing on her front porch. She waits for him to say something, but he doesn't.
"Can I help you?"
He holds out a package, "Ma'am, you've been served."
"What for?"
"I just deliver the papers," he replies, and walks away. He jumps in his car, and backs out of the driveway. He speeds away.
She watches the black car speed off. She stands in the doorway, dumbfounded. She sighs, and heads into the house, to find her glasses. She puts them on, and takes a look at the front of the package. She furrows her brow, when she realizes that she's just been duped. Her name is the only thing written on the package.
She rips it open, and pulls out the papers inside. She takes a look at the paper. Before she begins to read, she realizes that this is a copy of an original. She pushes her glasses back on her nose, and begins to read.
Son,
I know that you're young, and you don't understand everything that's going on. One day you will. I don't want you to have to lead the same life I have. The same life your brother, Jackson will. He's too much like me, for his own good. He, managed to inherit all of the bad traits, on my side, and your mother's. You, seemed to have gotten all the good, for the most part, anyway.
Love you,
Dad.
She swallows hard, realizing that the handwriting is John's. It's not dated. She puts that page aside, and moves on to the next.
Son,
Hopefully you are an adult, when you read this letter. Then, maybe you will have the maturity to understand. I sent you away, because I didn't want any harm to come of you. The day you were born, was one of the scariest days of my life. You, and your brother were both so small, and so fragile. You, were a surprise. We didn't know that you were hiding in there. You were in worse shape, and they had to send you away, to a children's hospital. And, that is when I decided, I might not be able to save both of you, but I would try.
I never told your mother, about you. You know this, as when you see her, she calls you by your brother's name. Thanks for being such a sport, about the whole thing. More letters will follow.
Love,
Dad.
She places that page aside, and turns to the next. The handwriting is different. She swallows hard, when she begins to read.
Mom,
You don't even know I exist. I was taken from you, when I was just minutes old. I was identical to my brother. When you did see me, you had no idea. It's been too long. I'll be back. Maybe, this time, I'll be brave enough to come in.
Love,
Benjamin.
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of her cell phone ringing. She reaches for her phone.
"Hello?" her voice is shaky.
"Where are you? I need you in here."
"I'm on my way."
"You ok?"
"Fine," she lies.
"See you when you get here."
She leaves the house, and climbs into her car. So many thoughts run through her mind. She pulls out of the driveway, and heads for the shop.
"You should really check your backseat, before you lock the door," a voice behind her suggests.
She pulls into a vacant parking lot. She puts the car into park, and kills the engine.
"Who are you, and how did you get into my car?"
"I have a lot of skills," he answers.
She looks at him, closely. She shakes her head.
"You're the chicken shit that ran off, earlier."
"Yes, I am."
"How do I know that any of this is true? Things don't stay secret for that long, around here."
"In your world, they do."
"Is this some sort of sick joke?"
"No."
"It seems that way."
"It's not."
"How do I know that I can trust you? I have know idea who you are."
He takes his sunglasses off. He stares at her, with big, bright eyes.
"Because, we've met before."
"I think that I would remember."
"I wouldn't be so sure. I look much different now. My hair is much darker. I have a tan, I don't look quite so pasty, and sick. I am several feet taller, and I weigh a lot more. The last time I saw you, I was about six."
"Stop, this is not funny. I don't know who you are, or what you want, but making a mockery of my son's death, is not ok."
"Gemma, I am not making a mockery of anything."
"I don't believe any of this."
"Then why are you so worked up? If you don't believe any of it, why are you allowing a stranger to remain in the backseat of your car? If you didn't think that you knew who I was, you would never allow me to be here. You would have kicked my ass out, and probably shot me, by now. You wouldn't be holding a conversation with me."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Benjamin."
"No," she shakes her head.
"I'm Benjamin, I am your son."
"I don't believe you."
"That's why they invented DNA."