Three days after Stephanie arrived in Trenton, Helen Plum passed away. Stephanie wasn't a viable donor because she was pregnant. "Pumpkin, it isn't your fault," Frank said. He held Stephanie as she cried. Helen Plum deteriorated faster than expected. The doctor said she had several weeks before that happened. However, when your number was up, nothing the doctor said could extend your life. Helen's only chance of survival was a direct donor.
"Dad, I didn't know I was pregnant. The pregnancy test I took last week was negative," Stephanie replied, sitting at the kitchen table. She stayed at her dad's house instead of renting a hotel room. Frank installed a door leading into the hallway from the garage. He was tired of the nosy neighbours watching who entered and left his house. It was none of their business.
"What did the doctor say?" Frank wondered. He placed a cup of ginger tea on the kitchen table for Stephanie to sip.
"My hormone levels weren't high enough to register. I'm only six weeks, so I guess that makes sense. Enzo's over the moon. He's staying in Italy with Nando."
"Couldn't catch a flight?"
"Not without an extra layover. Nando's a good kid but becomes a handful when overly tired. I wouldn't have Enzo travel alone with a child," Stephanie replied. She took a few deep breaths. "I want to run a paternity test on Nando."
Frank raised a brow, something Stephanie wished she could do. "Is there a sample for Manoso?" Frank asked.
Stephanie blushed, then explained, "Mary Lou grabbed the toothbrush Carlos left behind and processed it for paternal alleles. We only need a sample from Nando, which I have in my purse. I must drop it off today before the sample degenerates too much."
"You should ask Mary Lou to submit the sample," Frank suggested. "She can get it done without too many people knowing."
"No, Dad. It has to be me. Do you mind driving me to the lab in Ewing?" Stephanie asked, checking the map on her smartphone.
Frank waited until Stephanie finished her tea before taking her to the lab in Ewing Township. He stayed inside the car while Stephanie went inside. "Hi, I was wondering if you could help me," Stephanie said. "I have my nephew's toothbrush. My sister's ex-husband claims he isn't the boy's father. I wonder if you could compare the sample to my results from another test."
"What do you mean by another test?" the woman asked.
"Well, I have a copy of the alleles the lab compares for paternity tests. The lab didn't compare it to a child's sample. I couldn't get one until now because I live across the country. Can you run a comparison on the same alleles for the child?" Stephanie wondered.
The woman smiled. "You'll be surprised how often that happens. It's best if we run both samples simultaneously, but I can get the results within a couple of days," she promised.
"I'm leaving tomorrow night," Stephanie lied. "Is there a way to get the results sooner?"
"I can stay late to run them, but you'll have to pay the extra," the woman replied.
"Okay. That's fine," Stephanie said. The technician completed the transaction and promised to have the results ready by the morning. Stephanie gave the woman an altered version of the document. She wanted to ensure the lab technician didn't modify the results from Nando's sample to show the child was a match when it wasn't.
Frank smiled when Stephanie climbed back into the car. "You forgot Manoso's results," Frank said, passing her the page.
"I gave the technician a copy that I altered at your house," Stephanie explained.
"Don't you trust the lab?" Frank asked, raising a brow.
"It's not that, Dad. I know Ranger has people watching the medical facilities and labs in the area," Stephanie replied. Frank looked furious that Ranger would order his men to break the patient privacy laws. "Dad, I didn't give them my real name. Ranger only searches for his name and mine."
"Pumpkin, it's still an invasion of your privacy," Frank said.
"I agree. However," Stephanie replied, shrugging off his concern, "Ranger didn't know I scrubbed that information from his searches before he or Bobby could access the data. It didn't bother me when Bobby received my medical records after incidents with my skips. But they didn't need to know when I got my last exam with my gynecologist. Those results weren't their business."
"When would the paternity results be ready?" Frank asked.
"In the morning. I wanted to know sooner than later," she replied. "It set me back a few hundred dollars."
When learning of Helen's death, Angie Morelli dropped off a lasagna, which Stephanie decided to cook for dinner. Several women in the Burg delivered casseroles in disposable metal pans. Frank had problems finding space in the refrigerator and freezer. "I need to give these to Valerie," Frank complained when another neighbour brought food.
Stephanie and Frank talked about Valerie and her brood of children. It seemed Valerie hadn't learned about contraception. Stephanie couldn't imagine having that many children to support.
Yvonne Campbell manually entered the results of the document Isabel Marconi supplied. Without a name, Yvonne assigned it a number. Although Yvonne couldn't remember where she'd seen the woman, Isabel looked familiar.
She checked the machine used to extract the DNA from the sample. It wasn't ready yet, so Yvonne returned to entering the sparse patient information. Sophia never provided a birthdate or other identifying details about the child.
Several hours later, the machine beeped. Yvonne placed the sample inside another machine to map the chromosome sequence. She watched as the results appeared on her computer. Shaking her head, Yvonne transferred the results to the patient's file. The unidentified male was not the boy's father.
For a split second, Yvonne considered modifying the results to align. It was unethical to force a man to pay child support for another man's child. Yvonne prayed the boy's aunt wouldn't be disappointed. After saving the file, Yvonne printed a copy, then sealed it inside an envelope. The document got locked inside the file cabinet for additional security.
Yvonne went home to relax. She had to work at ten that morning. The bedside clock said the time was five o'clock. It would be a short sleep for her.
Driving Helen's car, Stephanie arrived at the lab just as Yvonne unlocked the doors. "Morning," Yvonne greeted. Stephanie noticed Yvonne's hair got pulled into a messy bun. The dark circles beneath her eyes indicated a lack of sleep. Stephanie realized Yvonne stayed late to run the labs.
"Are the results ready?" Stephanie asked. Yvonne sleepily nodded and went to the locked cabinet. She removed the envelope to give Stephanie.
"I'm sorry, Sophia. It wasn't a match," Yvonne said as Stephanie turned to the door.
"Thanks for checking," Stephanie replied. Smiling, she exited the lab.
Stephanie was still smiling when she returned to her father's house. She parked in the driveway, not caring if the neighbours were watching. Comparing the DNA results was more important than the Burg bitches' opinion.
Frank grabbed the highlighter and ruler Stephanie had left in her bedroom. He sat at the table to watch Stephanie line up the sequence checks and highlight the identical numbers. "Is Manoso Nando's biological father?" Frank asked.
"Absolutely," Stephanie replied. "Everything is identical. It's a ninety-nine point nine percent match. Dad, we knew Manoso was the father. I only wanted to prove my claim."
"Are you sharing the results with him?"
"No." Stephanie took a picture of the matching test results, sending it to Enzo. Frank watched Stephanie tear the papers, then dump them into the fireplace to burn. Stephanie watched the flickering flames curl the pieces into thin, black scraps before they broke into ashes.
Stephanie checked her watch. It was time to change for the funeral. Frank decided against having an evening visitation for Helen at Stoles' Funeral Home - previously named Stiva. With Edna's approval, Frank arranged a two-hour visitation at the church before the funeral mass.
Edna stood at the foot of Helen's coffin, staring into the horde of people waiting to pay their last respects to Helen Plum. Many octogenarians made fools of themselves as they fought to view the body before anyone else. The inappropriateness of the women's attitude didn't slip past Edna's perception, who finally realized her past actions at visitations were uncouth.
Frank stood beside Edna, prepared to catch her if she fell. Stephanie stood beside her sister, Valerie, who was sobbing. In order, the family stood in line with Edna, Frank, Valerie, Angie, Mary Alice, and Stephanie. Angie was crying, while Mary Alice appeared nearly happy. Mary Alice wasn't pleased. Like her Aunt Stephanie, Mary Alice preferred to cry in private.
Stephanie noticed Mary Alice swaying from side to side. Wrapping her arm across Mary Alice's shoulder, Stephanie squeezed her, letting her know she would help her get through the day. Mary Alice struggled as each person said, "I'm sorry for your loss." The words got annoying after a while. Stephanie waited for the crowd to move into the nave before tucking a photograph of Nando into the coffin's satin liner.
"I hate when people say they're sorry for my loss," Mary Alice snarled when they had a moment alone. "Did they kill Grandma Plum? Why are they sorry? For contributing to her alcoholism? For being judgmental bitches?" Stephanie stifled a laugh. She felt the same way as her niece.
Stephanie's tears flowed when the coffin lid closed, concealing her mother. The finality hit her like an eighteen-wheeler. She wished Enzo was there to hold her. Familiar arms wrapped around Stephanie. It wasn't Enzo. "You're gonna be alright," the heavily accented voice said. Stephanie opened her eyes to look at her friend.
"Hector," she whispered. "Why are you here?"
"I had to see you," he replied, gently moving Stephanie away from her family. "I know about your son with the boss."
"How?" Stephanie asked. "Did you break into the records at the lab?"
"No. Julie wants to confirm paternity. She is on a trip to New York. I will arrange to have the test run tomorrow in an independent lab," Hector offered. "Bobby collected Ranger's sample during his routine medical exam. He promised to ship it here."
"Oh. I don't have another sample. Should I get Enzo to get a cheek swab and courier it here?" Stephanie asked.
"That will work. Have a doctor collect the sample," Hector replied.
Stephanie sent Enzo a message with her request. His response surprised her. "Oh. Enzo sent the sample here with his cousin. Dino's flight lands in the morning at John F. Kennedy International Airport," Stephanie explained, shaking her head. Enzo anticipated the possibility and arranged to meet her needs.
"Your husband?" Hector asked, pointing to her phone. Stephanie nodded. Hector was curious about who Stephanie married. He had to be special if she got over Ranger.
"I have to get inside for mass," Stephanie said when Frank caught her eye. Hector escorted Stephanie to her seat before sliding in beside her. He held her hand, garnering glances from women across the aisle. Stephanie paid attention during mass. The priest talked about forgiveness and spreading gossip.
Edna wiped her tears as the priest spoke. Stephanie went to the pulpit when the priest asked for the last reading. With a strong voice, Stephanie recited the verse in Latin, surprising many people in the congregation. She glanced up to see Lester Santos standing in the back with his eyes open.
With a small smile, Stephanie completed the reading. Stephanie watched Lester slip into the back pew. She returned to her seat beside Hector, who grabbed her hand.
After mass, Stephanie went to the cemetery to witness the internment. Valerie went home with her girls. She thought seeing the casket lowered into the partially frozen ground was traumatic.
Everyone met at the lodge, where Frank got his friends to organize the repast; the technical name for the reception following a funeral. Antipasto on four-inch toothpicks, diced fruit, miniature pastries, bite-sized cakes, shrimp rolls and bruschetta garnished with balsamic vinaigrette got served for the guests to enjoy as they mingled.
Stephanie approached Lester. He wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her close. "I missed you, Beautiful," he whispered. His lips brushed across her forehead.
"I missed you," she reciprocated. "How's work at Rangeman?"
"Very different without you keeping us sane," Lester replied. "Where are you hiding?"
"Does it matter?" Stephanie asked.
"Not really. But I want to visit you sometime," Lester replied. "I can get a buddy of mine to fly Hector and me in his plane."
With a sigh, Stephanie chose to contact Enzo. She didn't want to reveal her location without his knowledge. It was something that always pissed her off about Ranger. He'd make a unilateral decision and expected her to follow it. "Hang on," Stephanie said. She dialled the number and hoped she didn't interrupt Enzo's dinner routine with Nando.
Stephanie smiled when Enzo answered the phone, "How's my gorgeous wife?"
"I'm good," she replied. "I want to tell some old friends where I'm living. Do you mind if I share?"
"Lester and Hector?" Enzo asked. Stephanie's giggle answered the question. "It's fine, Steph. You can tell them about Nando if you want. I trust them."
"Me too," Stephanie replied. She ended the call and tucked the phone back into her purse. Stephanie wrapped one arm around each man and whispered, "Vince and Nando say hi."
Lester gasped. "And is he your husband?" Lester asked, grabbing her ring-adorned hand.
"Yes. Nando is my son," Stephanie replied.
"Is that why I had to bring the sample?" Lester asked. Stephanie shrugged when Hector nodded. "Julie?"
"Her too," Hector replied.
Stephanie was exhausted from the funeral. She went to her father's car to collect her luggage, having decided to stay in New York for a few days. Lester opened the trunk of his rental vehicle for Stephanie. He wanted to drive her to New York to catch up for the past few years.
"Why Vince?" Lester asked.
Shrugging, Stephanie replied, "We didn't plan to fall in love. Our relationship started as friends, and it grew from there."
"What happened between you and Ranger?" Lester asked.
Stephanie was prepared for the question and refused to lie to her friend. "We were getting too close. He got scared. Ranger gave me the most pleasurable night in our convoluted relationship, then told me to fix my relationship with Morelli."
"Shit!" Lester replied. "Is that why you left?"
"That and I was pregnant with his child. Dad sent him a letter but thought it was a lie. Ranger thinks Nando belongs to Morelli," Stephanie explained.
"Does he?" Lester asked.
"No!" Stephanie snapped. "I broke up with Morelli a year before I got pregnant. Ranger and I were exclusive." Stephanie quickly amended, "At least I wasn't fucking around."
"Why did you consent to a paternity test?" Lester asked.
"I already have results confirming Carlos is Nando's sperm donor. However, it won't hold up in court, not that I plan to sue the fucker Carlos for support. Vince is Nando's father. I'm only cooperating, for Julie's sake. She wants and deserves to know if she has another half-brother."
"Does Ranger know he has another child?" Lester asked.
Stephanie snapped, "I already answered the question, Lester. It hasn't changed from the last time you asked. Stop wasting my time with repetitive questions."
"Sorry," Lester replied. "Do you have a picture?"
Stephanie retrieved the one on her phone to show him. He glanced at the photograph, taking a more extended look when he stopped at the traffic light. "I can see bits of you and Ranger. Nando's a perfect blend, and his skin is only a shade darker than yours," Lester said.
"Sorry for snapping at you. My hormones are already raging," Stephanie said apologetically.
"Are you pregnant?" Lester stupidly asked.
"Yes," Stephanie replied, laughing at the silly question. "I'm too young for menopause."
"Do you wish Ranger was your husband?" It was a valid question. One Stephanie didn't want to answer. However, Lester deserved to hear the truth from her.
"Maybe when I saw the positive pregnancy test. But no, I don't want to be married to Ranger. I never realized our twisted relationship was toxic until I got away from everything. Enzo showed me how to be in a loving, respectful relationship. I don't want anyone else. I'm happily married to Vincenzo Bianco," Stephanie explained.
"Was it really that bad with Ranger?"
Stephanie patted Lester's hand on the steering wheel. "Yes, Lester. You know how Ranger operates. He often decided I needed protection without consulting me. I didn't particularly appreciate getting controlled. Did you ever hear the story of why Ranger and I slept together?" Stephanie asked.
Lester chuckled. "Ranger said he couldn't resist the temptation when you threw yourself at him."
"Ah. So that was Ranger's story. It couldn't be farther from the truth. I was in an unhealthy relationship with Joe Morelli because my mother expected me to marry him. Ranger kept kissing me in the alley beside Vinnie's bond office. I never threw myself at him. Ranger was always the one to initiate anything between us. When I needed help with Eddie DeChooch, Ranger offered to help me if I slept with him. We had never had sex before I agreed to that deal. Anyway, a month after he helped me catch DeChooch, Ranger entered my apartment. He strolled into my bedroom and stripped me bare. Ranger collected on the deal," Stephanie explained.
Lester was furious. "Did he?" Lester demanded, unable to say the word in his mind.
"No, Lester. He did not. I had a lot of opportunities to stop it from happening. Everything felt too good to stop. I let him take control that night. Do you want to know what happened in the morning?" Stephanie asked.
"Yes."
"Ranger told me to fix my relationship with Morelli," Stephanie replied. "When he repeated those words a second time, I realized he never loved me."
"Did you love him?"
"At the time? Yes, but not anymore. I'm in love with my husband now."