My
Journal
By
Harriman Nelson
2
It
wasn’t long before Angie had put me through to Lee’s videophone. He was alone
in his cabin, a couple of charts spread out on his desk.
“Lee,
I, er, have something to tell you….”
“I
know. Ames called and replayed the broadcast.”
“And?”
I managed, embarrassed.
“He
looks like you,” Lee mused.
“Are
you disappointed in me? If…if this excuse for a piss pot really is my…son?” I
added, sick to my stomach.
“In
you, no way. And we all do things we might regret later.”
“Lee, I
swear I don’t remember that woman. And she never once sought me out about a child.
But, whatever happens, I want you to know that even if Ronald turns out to be
my offspring, he’s certainly no son of mine. Not in any way that counts, at least.”
“Listen
to me, Harry. Until we know more, you have to be the bigger man in this. Accept
their little home test for now. Publicly acknowledge the possibility. But
request a legitimate lab test, so there’s no doubt about it. If they’re not trying
to scam you, then they should want the test.”
“Yes,
yes, but….what do you think about…me?”
“You
can’t change the past, Harry. If he’s your son, he’s your son. I’m not saying
you have to love him, but….”
“I
don’t even like him!” I interrupted. “My God, he called you pond scum and
believes he’s entitled to YOUR inheritance!
“I
don’t think I like him either. But you have to do the right thing, Harry. Show
the world at least you’ll accept the relationship if there is one. That you are
a man of honor. Perhaps offer them some kind of monetary compensation for all
the years he grew up without a father. Maybe even include him as a heir."
“I
don’t want to give that bastard, and I don’t mean in the relative sense, one
red cent! Not with that attitude of his. The woman, well, yes, maybe something
for what she must have gone through raising a son on her own. At least I don’t
think there was step-father. I’m having Angie do a background check on both of
them.”
Just
then Maleficent jumped up on Lee’s desk and pawed at Lee’s shirt pocket.
“She
has you well trained, Lee,” I chuckled as he pulled a couple of fish shaped
treats out of his pocket for her.
“Lee? Is Mallie in here?"
Chip said as he entered from the open doorway, "ahhh, there you are. We need to let the skipper go over all
of these charts in peace so he won't get us lost, oh, hi, Admiral," he added as he saw me on the videophone and picked
up the ship's or rather his cat.
“Well,”
I said, “I’d better sign off, Lee. I don't want you to miss a spot and get lost, either.”
“Very funny. And good
luck with the Hawthorne's. And keep your cool.”
“That,
my boy, will be like being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
We
laughed and ended the call.
And so, still in my office, the
background check as complete as both Angie and Ames can research things, my stomach is in a knot, dreading tomorrow.
God
help me.
