Chapter 5

"What is it? Is something wrong with your arm?" She asked a pacing David.

"Oh no, my arm is fine. But here is something wrong with Joe Martin. Like I've been saying for months."

"What are you talking about, David? What's wrong with Joe?"

"So I get through my appointment and Benton tells me Joe wants to see me in his office, and he doesn't know why. I get up to his office and I walk in the room. Jake, Tad, and Jeff are in there along with Joe."

"What was the meeting about."

"He tells me to sit down. He proceeds to tell me that he and Jeff went through my medical files and found that Jeff and I have similar blood makeups. I tell him to get to the point and he says these findings are the way they are because Jeff is my brother. Can you believe that Erica?"

"Joe said this? Joe Martin?"

"Yes that Joe Martin."

"And how is Jeff your brother?"

"Joe says that he slept with my mother. That he's my father."

"Really? Joe and Vanessa?"

"That's what he says. How dumb does he think I am? Just because he makes up some ridiculous ploy, and tells me he's my father, doesn't mean that I'm just going to forget Jake shot me."

"Maybe he's telling the truth, David. Joe doesn't lie. I don't think he'd say that you were his son for the hell of it."

"You can't actually believe that Joe is my father? Erica come on. This is Joe Martin for god sakes. I can't even imagine him sleeping around, much less with my mother."

"But if he said that it happened, why would he lie? Sleeping with your mother isn't something you'd want anyone to know."

"I just can't wrap my head around this. And he asked if I wanted to take a DNA test."

"Why don't you just take the test? If you think it'll be negative and it'll prove he's lying or maybe doesn't remember correctly, than why not do it?"

"Because this whole thing is ridiculous and has no merit. Why even bother with it?"

"Because I know you David. You need to know the answer. You'll never stop thinking about it if you don't know for sure."

"You think I should?"

"I think you need too."

"What if..."

"What if it's a match? I don't know, but we'll figure it out. It doesn't have to change anything. You are who you. Why don't you call Joe and ask him to set it up. The sooner you get this over with, the sooner we can get back to us."

"You're right. You're always right, Erica. That's why I married you. For guidance and direction. And maybe because I love you."

Jeff walked back into his father's office. It had been two hours since his father told his story and the man still sat at his desk. "Don't tell me you're waiting for him to walk back through the door and ask for a DNA test?"

"I sat here for hours trying to convince myself that he's not my son. How can I be? I detest the man. Tad and Jake absolutely hate him. For heavens sake, your brother shot him only 2 days ago."

"It'll all work out dad. It always has."

"They're are so many senarios playing out in my head. If he's my son, do I love him like I raised him? Or do I just pretend I he doesn't exist? If he isn't, do I keep my distance or just pretend this whole thing never happened?"

"Let's just take it one step at a time. As of right now we don't know anything for sure. We don't even know if we'll ever know the truth." Jeff said, just in time for the phone to ring. Joe picks it up and answers.

"Joe Martin. Uh huh. Okay. Today. 4pm. I'll have everything set up. Okay. Bye." He said hanging up the phone with an almost relieved facial expression.

"What was that?"

"It was David. He wants to do the DNA as soon as possible."

"Really? Wonder what changed his mind."

"He said he just needs to know the answer. Whatever the answer is."

"You said 4? As in an hour from now?"

"There is no sense in dragging this out. We have the resources and I'm taking advantage of that. I'll even pay for the testing out of my salary if I have too."

"Can I ask one more question before I leave for the day?"

"What Jeff?"

"What outcome are you hoping for?"

"I really don't think I can answer that. I love all my children and I keep thinking, why wouldn't I love another one just as much. But then the person in question is David Hayward. We've fought enough times to consider our relationship a small war. Would I try for some kind of relationship if he wanted it, yes. Would I force the issue, no."

"But this could all go away. If the two of you aren't a match, this all goes away. But if you are a match, you would jump at the chance to be called 'Dad' by him."

"Well when you put it that way. I'm going down to the lab and get everything squared away before he gets here." With that the older man walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

David arrived at the hospital for the second time that day. He walked up to the nurses station, "Where is Joe Martin? We have an appointment."

"I'm right here David." Said the old man who had heard him talking with the nurse. "Everthing is set up here in cubicle 2."

"Okay, let's get this show on the road." He said, following Joe into the nearby room.

"I thought Erica would have come with you?"

"She wasn't feeling well. I told her it wouldn't be that long and that she should stay home."

"Is everything alright with her and the baby?" Joe asked, an overwhelming amount of concern coming over him.

"Yes, I just think it's the stress of the last couple days getting to her." He said, making a point that Jake is responsible for the stress on Erica too. "You sound a little bit like a concern, how should I say it, father?"

"I'm concerned for a close friend David. I've known Erica for years, It doesn't have anything to with you."

"I'm sorry didn't mean to upset you."

"Well I hope everything's fine. There are two swabs each. One for the lab here and one for a lab of your choosing. I knew you'd want an outside source handling a seperate test."

"Thanks Joe. For making it easy to disprove your suspicions."

"Believe whatever you want David. I'm just trying to make sure everyone has the information they need. Whether or not it's what they want to hear."

"Okay. Well thanks again. I'll just drop these off at an undisclosed location today. How long do you think before your results will be back?"

"I told the lab to put a rush on them. Maybe five, six days. I'll have you paged."

"If I pull some strings, I should have these within a week. I'll call you."

"Okay." Joe said before David turned to leave. Sometimes the man got under his skin but he just couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to it, like the way a father and son get along.