Everything was stilled for several seconds, Tom couldn't tear his eyes from the little boy in front of him. Several thoughts ran in his head but he was unable to formulate them, finally he was able to shook himself out.
"Silas," he called out, "can you take Heath with you and give him some pie and milk? Thanks"
"But, sir, you don't have to...I ain't hungry"
"Heath, I need to read the letter and anyway growing boys need to eat"
"But I don't eat much." He feebly replied.
"No buts, now go with Silas I will call out when I'm finished"
Tom looked at his son going toward the kitchen with Silas and his eyes remained fixed on the door in which Heath entered.
"So he's yours." Said Howard breaking the silence.
"Yes, it's amazing he looks like Nicky"
"I know...does Victoria knows about his mother?" Softly asked Fred.
"No, when I came back from Strawberry I was so ashamed by my actions...you know I was hit during a robbery and I lost my memory, Leah saved my life; when I regained consciousness I didn't recall who I was: all I knew was that my name was Tom. I fell in love with her, when I regained my memory I told her about my family and I left her. Why didn't she write me about our child"
"Maybe the answer is in the letter." Said Fred.
"Tom a word of caution, something bad happened to that boy, there are faint bruises on his face and he's far too small for his age"
"Howard, Leah would never hurt a fly"
"Sorry to be the one to break the news; but Heath told me that his mother died two years ago." Said Fred.
"Then who took the boy in?...I know I will get the answer from the letter. Fred, Howard would you mind waiting for me in the parlor, I've got to read to get some answers"
When he entered the study he poured himself a shot of whiskey and gulped it down and then he refilled the glass. His hands were shaking when he opened the envelope. He was surprised when he found two letters.
The first one was from Rachel, as he read through it, his grip on the glass tightened and halfway through the letter, he broke the glass. The missive was brief it only said that Leah had died two years prior due to a stray bullet and only recently, had Rachel learned the true identity of Tom. She continued saying that Heath was placed in custody of his uncle and she ended the letter pleading Tom to take in Heath, or at least to find a good family willing to adopt the little boy. It was what she didn't write that made Tom's blood cold. He had briefly met Leah's brother and he knew he was a drunkard and he feared what could have happened to his son in these last two years.
The second letter was more difficult to read, it was from Leah, she had never had intentions to mail it, only if something happened to her Tom would had received it. She stated her love for his son and Tom and that she was ashamed for what she had done, but she was happy for the outcome. She pointed out that his little angel was a bright boy always happy and carefree. She finished stating that she didn't want to ruin a happy marriage, that was the reason that she had never wrote Tom about her pregnancy. The letter was dated few days before her death, maybe something, a sense of precognition made her write the letter.
After reading the two letters, Tom remained motionless, unaware of the blood dripping from his hand. 'What I have done? Why did I never check that I had fathered a child? I was such a coward, that I had never told Vic, and this caused pain and suffering to a innocent child,' he thought.
Howard and Fred were chatting about Tom and his newfound son when they heard Tom approaching. His eyes were puffy and red, his cheeks still had the signs of dried tears.
"What are you going to do"
"The right thing, I've lost eight years of Heath's life and I don't want to lose another day of it." He stated.
"What about Victoria"
"I'm sure she will accept Heath. She will be furious with me...you know she'll give a hell of a punch. She will yell angrily that I lied to her, and that I broke our marriage vows, and I think for several nights I will have to use one of the guest rooms." He said with a little smirk trying to ease the situation.
"And the children"
"Jarrod, I think will think it through logically, he would blame me, but I'm sure he will welcome his little brother. The twins will be happy to have a new playmate they are only six, too young to understand and remains Nick, I'm afraid of his reaction, and afraid that he will lash out at Heath. It will take time but I hope everything will set"
"You know that people will talk"
"I don't care! He's my son and I won't hide him under a rug"
"When are you planning to tell Victoria"
"I will send a telegram asking her to come back, and I will speak to her as soon as she arrives"
"Mr. Silas there's no need, I ain't hungry." Said Heath while watching the black man cutting a large slice of pie.
"Mr. Barkley said to give you some pie and a glass of milk"
"But I ain't hungry"
"Mr. Heath, you know that lying is a sin"
"But I's not that hungry"
"Hush boy, now sit down and enjoy your pie: you are skin and bones." Silas looked sadly at the boy. 'This boys needs to eat more, later I will ask him about his favorite food, I will fatten him up in no time'
Heath devoured the pie in front of him, and gulped down the milk paying attention not to spill a single drop on the table. After awhile they heard the booming voice of Tom Barkley calling for them.
"Thank you Silas, you can leave us"
"Mr. Barkley, thank you for the pie it was very good. I reckon you read the letters"
"Yes Heath...what I'm going to say it's very difficult"
"I understand you don't want the likes of me working for you...it don't matter, I will work for Mr. Keller. He will arrive in three weeks"
Tom was stunned by Heath's reply, his son had no clue that they were related and that he merely came here for work…
"No, that's not what I meant." He said while getting nearer Heath. He placed both his hand on Heath's tiny shoulders, he could feel Heath flinching and the little body tensing up by his touch. He squatted in front of him so he would be less treating.
"Nine years ago I was in Strawberry...someone robbed me and an angel saved my life. She was your mama. When I regained consciousness I could remember only my name. We fell in love...after awhile my memory came back and I had to come back to my family...I didn't know about you...Heath, I'm your father." He finished, his eyes brimming with tears, then he engulfed Heath in a hug. At first he didn't understand why Heath didn't return the hug, but after few seconds he could fell Heath's body tensing up as he was afraid of him.
"Don't worry I don't want to hurt you"
"Are you really my papa?" asked Heath, in a small voice.
"Yes I'm your papa." Said Tom with a broken voice, he was happy then after few seconds that he could feel Heath's tiny arms returning awkwardly the hug.