Chapter 4

"What are you talking about dad? David is your son?"

"It's really the only explanation that makes sense."

"That doesn't make sense at all."

"I know I sound crazy, but it all makes sense to me."

"Why don't you explain it to me."

"I will, but I think I'll wait and I'll explain it to all of you."

"All of us?"

"You, David, Jake and Tad. David has an appointment today with Dr. Benton. I'll call him to my office afterwards."

"That's going to be an awkward meeting."

"You're telling me."

"Not to mention Jake just got out on bail for shooting the man. Now you're going to have them in the same room."

"And tell them they might be brothers. Ugh."

"Dr. Hayward your arm seems to be healing well. No sign of infection or muscle damage."

"That's what I like to hear."

"You should be able to start physical therapy next week and possibly be back in the OR next month, if the healing continues like this."

"I'm encouraged by your enthusiasm in my recovery doctor. Although I probably will take more time off from the OR."

"I guess even I have to take pride in my own work. I'll see you next week for another follow-up."

"Thank you doctor. You've done good work."

"Oh Dr. Hayward. You are wanted up in Dr. Martin's office."

"Do you know why?"

"No. He just instructed me to relay the message."

"Okay, thanks."

David opened the door to Joe's office and walked in. "What was it you wanted to talk about Joe? Benton said you wanted to talk to me. I hope it's about your son shooting me." He went on until he saw Jeff, Tad and Jake also in the room. "What is this Joe?"

"David would you just please take a seat."

"If you're going to try and drop the charges against Jake, you're going to be wasting your breath."

"It's nothing like that David." Jeff said this time.

"We don't even know what this is about." Tad said.

"I don't know that I feel safe enough to sit down in here."

"Please just sit down. There is something you all need to know. What you do with it is up to you."

"Okay, I'll stay and hear you out, but I reserve the right to leave."

"Of course. Jeff do you want to start?"

"I was reviewing your files earlier today."

"You were what? You're not even on staff here."

"Would you just let me get to the point?"

"Yeah I can sue you later."

"So I was going through the files, and there was a lab report. It had the results from the screening the lab did on my blood, from the donation I made for your surgery."

"And this means what?"

"The results almost mirrored the blood panel run on yours. Here take a look." Jeff told him, handing the file to David.

He took a few minutes, looking over the words and numbers in front of him. "I see what you mean. It's extremely rare to see blood comparisons like this."

"That's exactly why we were questioning it?"

"Can I see them?" Jake asked.

"As a physician I'll allow it, but as the person who shot me...just be glad I'm just as curious about this." Jake took a moment to look at the papers.

"So what exactly are we going to do with this?" David asked of the two men.

"Well that's really what we wanted to discuss. Dad." Jeff said, turning to his father.

"When I heard Jeff tell me about these, it got me thinking. I think I know why these results are the way they are."

"Let's hear it Joe. What is your explanation?"

Here goes nothing. He thought. "I think the reason the bloods match so closely, because you're brothers."

David looked confused and started to think that maybe the old man was losing his mind. "Joe, what are you talking about?"

"You and Jeff have the same father. Therefore many of the markers in your blood match." Joe rephrased. Jake and Tad not understanding what their usually sensible father was saying.

"I'm completely serious David."

"Dad, I love you." Tad started. "But this, even I don't believe this."

"I'm going to explain, but it's true."

"Just hear him out." Jeff added to the three men who didn't want to believe what their elder was telling them.

"It was April of 1971. I was raising 2 kids by myself, here in Pine Valley. I attended a medical conference in Los Angeles on behalf of the hospital. Me and a couple of other doctors I met at the conference, went to some high end club for a drink. We were sitting at the bar when we noticed a table of ladies. We went to their table and we talked for a little while. The woman I happened to be sitting next to, had told me she was an actress. She mentioned that her name was Rosie Wells."

"That was my mother's stage name." David stated, realizing that what he was saying made some sort of sense. Joe Martin knew his mother. "You mean to tell me you remember the name of a woman you met over 36 years ago?"

"I could never forget her name or her face. When your mother was in town, I was sure I recognized her, only she went by Vanessa Bennett. The name made it hard to remember, but these tests results just made it all come together."

"Okay so you met Vanessa, then what?" Jake asked.

"Most of the women at the table were single actresses and the other guys left with them. It was Rosie and I left at the table. She started talking about how she was married but her husband didn't even bother with her."

"Of course she would have said that. She never cared about my father. All she was worried about was his social status and his money."

"I'm just telling you what she told me, David. I don't hold anything against your father and I don't intended to talk badly about him. I was still grieving over the loss of my wife Helen and I was lonely. She asked if we could have a nightcap in my hotel room. That she wasn't ready to go home yet. She was a beautiful woman who obviously wanted some company, I couldn't deny her that."

"Please stop right there Joe. I don't think I can stomach you talking about sleeping with my mother. I assume that's what happened?"

"Yes. She left shortly after and I never saw her again. At least until she came to Pine Valley last year."

"I still don't know if I believe this. I'm out of here. Joe I hope it was good for you, my mother was never good for anything else." He said with a half laugh, getting up and leaving the room.

"Just let him go dad. He'll realize what your saying is true. I get it. Up until a few minutes ago he had a good father and a viper for a mother. And now you might be his father and his mother was a cheating viper. Hell I can't even imagine my father sleeping around." Tad rationalized the whole thing.

"I can't even believe I'm about to ask my father this, but did you use protection?" Jake asked, almost wincing at the words.

"Of course. But we all know it's not a hundred percent."

"So David Hayward could really be our brother?" Tad asked what the three Martin sons were all hoping was a joke.

"I believe so. Without a DNA test, we won't know for certain, but it's up to David if he wants to take one."

"So you could go on without ever knowing the truth?" Jake asked.

"It's not like he's five years old Tad. He's a man who knows who he is and where he came from. It's not like he wants to go around calling me daddy now." Joe reminded them.

"True. But he's about to have a child. A child that could be your grandchild. My nephew. Our nephew. And you don't mind if you never know?" Jeff asked this time.

"I want to know, but I can't force the man to take a DNA test let alone ask to play doting grandpa."

"Maybe he'll agree. If not to prove it true to prove it untrue." Jake added.