I took some time off from writing this to see Come From Away with family. The musical is touring all across the US (and world) and I highly recommend it. The show is about how a small town in Newfoundland rallied together to help thousands of people stranded there after the airspace over thte US was closed on 9/ll. I had read one of the books about the community years earlier and was stunned. This musical will warm the most cynical hearts.

Back to the story!

Chapter Six:

With great hesitation, the first person I called that day was my father.

"I always knew," he said. "The fact that there was only a passing similarity between us and we never managed to bond as father and son. I knew in my gut I wasn't your father."

"You'll always have a place in my heart dad," I said. "I don't think there will ever be another person I can call my father besides you."

"I loved you like you were my own," he said. "But I failed you. I know I did. I hope we can stay in touch."

"We will dad," I said. "I promise."

"I wonder why your mom didn't want him in your life," he said. "He sounds like a brilliant man."

"If I had to guess, she was afraid of being abandoned again," I said. "I don't know for sure."

"Have you spoken with her yet?"

"She's the next person I'm going to call. I'd like for you to visit her in DC if you're up for it, as it will be difficult to see for a while with all the attention I'm getting."

"That is no problem at all," he said. "I'll book plane reservations right away."

"I can pay-"

"I can too. Don't worry about it."

"I love you dad."

"I am so glad you do son. I love you too."

Reid hung up and poured himself a second cup of coffee. The conversation with his mother promised to be more difficult. He really didn't know what to expect.

The nurses arranged for him to Facetime with his mother. He had done this a couple times while on cases so the technology wasn't completely foreign to her.

"Hi Mom," he said.

"Hi honey," she said sweetly. "How's the case going?"

"I'm not on a case right now. I'll explain in a minute. Do you remember a Jacob Jensen?"

"How could I forget him?" she said. "He didn't think highly of himself because of the way his father treated him, but he had potential for brilliance, the likes of which a teacher only sees once in a lifetime."

"Wow."

"He told you he was your father, didn't he? That traitor," she said with an edge.

"He's dead mom," I said softly. "His niece told me. I am the sole heir to his fortune."

"What killed him or was it one of his kids, like he'd joke to me about?"

"Wait," Reid said. "You saw him after you went into Bennington?"

"He visited a few times," she said lightly. "I liked to hear about what he was up to. He kept trying to give me gifts, but I refused as I didn't want you to know about him."

"Why?" I asked with a hint of anger. "He sounded like an incredible father figure."

"Because, I didn't want you exposed to that kind of life," she said. "When he reached out the first time, I was afraid he'd take you away from me and stick me in a looney bin where I'd never see you again. I wasn't in my right mind at the time. After I was committed and on better drugs, I could see I was wrong. But by then you were all grown up and you half-siblings who were already nasty little beings I didn't want you associated with. So, Jacob would visit and I'd threaten Jacob with all sorts of things if he told you who he was. It became a game for us."

"When's the last time you saw him?"

"I can't really remember. I just remember him saying he wouldn't be visiting again as he wasn't in good health. He said he loved me and he loved you even if he could never see you."

"I scan the visitor logs regularly," I said thoughtfully. "How did I miss him?"

"He told me once he always had the aliases, he used deleted, from the visitor logs and had the cameras remotely looped so they would miss him. I guess he bought a new security system for the building after you put me up here."

"Did he tell you anything else about what he has done in my life?" I asked.

"He took it personally when you went to prison," she said. "He couldn't do much, but once you were released, he had a friend buy the prison you were held in and made those who hurt you pay."

"Wow," I said.

"Son, I know my reasons for keeping him away from you aren't quite rational, but I just didn't want to change your world. You had been through so much and deserved to chart your own path. I hope with all this money on you now, that you can find a path within it."

"Mom, I don't what to think," I said. "I'm not angry at you. A little shocked, but not angry. I won't be seeing you for a little while at the media will be all over me but dad is coming to see you."

"I understand Spencer," she said. "You're a good son. I love you."

"I love you too mom," I said. "I'm glad I caught you on a good day."

"Me too," she said. "I hope there will be more better days for both of us."

"That is all we can hope for," I said.

I hung up and took a deep breath. Nico appeared.

"You look exhausted," she said. "Let me order something for us for lunch."

"I'm not that hungry," I said.

"I know," she said. "But a little protein wouldn't hurt after what must have been a difficult set of phone calls."

"I'm not dropping the assault charge," I said suddenly. "Their behavior has screwed with enough of my life. I'm not a letting this drop, even if I have to get on the witness stand."

"I agree," she said. "If he's smart, he'll cop a plea and get a couple weeks in jail. It won't kill him and will send a strong message to not screw with you."

"Did you know he visited my mom?"

She nodded.

"It's in his notes. He really loved your mom. It didn't matter her state of mind. They loved each other even if she refused to let you see him."

I didn't say anything. I was exhausted and it wasn't even noon.

"Spencer, there is a mental health counselor who, believe it or not has dealt with situations like this. It might not hurt to meet with him."

"Is he discreet?"

"He wouldn't be in business if he wasn't, and he makes house calls."

"I'll meet with him in couple days," I said. "I want to see what other secrets he might be hiding from me. Tomorrow I want to tour the California research facility and meet with the board to allay any fears that I plan on making broad changes."

"It is your company, so you can do what you want," she said.

"I want to be smart about it though."

Nico laughed. "I doubt you're never not smart about anything."

I didn't say anything. My head was still heavy with the fact that my biological father visited my mom without me knowing it.

"I'm ordering us lunch," Nico said. "How about some of the best chicken club sandwiches you will ever taste in your lifetime?"

My lips perked up slightly.

"Seriously?"

"You'd be amazed at a what chefs here can do with simple recipes."

"This sounds out of left field, but I've been wanting to ask you this for a while: Are you named after Christa Paffgen?"

"You are good," she said. "My mother at the time was into gothic rock and considered herself a rebel. That fad faded once she became a mother, but when she was pregnant, she wanted an edgy name for me. I turned out to be a square anyway."

"You aren't a square," I said. "I don't know what you are, but you aren't a square."

"Tell that to my kids," she said.

"I look forward to meeting them one day."

"They'd love to meet you too. Oh, and my husband is a huge a Star Trek dork, so you might have to wipe up some drool when he sees your wing."

"I don't mind," I said. "They sound positively normal."

"Cheers, normalcy," Nico said. "Whatever that is."

"I truly have no idea."