Chapter 1: The Truth Comes Out

This is one of those stories that are hard to believe; they could make a movie about the ups and downs of my life. I was happily married for over thirty years, or so I thought. I have three offspring whom I love dearly. I've owned my own business which began as a service station, (gas station if it makes more sense to you). It is now also a convenience store. I'm not wealthy but I make a pretty good living.

Let me begin a few years back when my son was admitted to the hospital. He was twenty-eight at the time. He is married and has a wife and two kids of his own. He was diagnosed with some type of kidney problem. My wife Annabelle, whom I called Annie, and I were scared for our son's life. The doctors told us if they couldn't get the kidney problem under control that he might need a kidney transplant.

We didn't know what to do to help our son. The doctor told us that we might talk with family members just in case the transplant was necessary. Of course, it was my son so I went into the lab and asked them to check my status and see how compatible I would be. My wife didn't know that I did this. I thought I would give him a kidney before mentioning it to the rest of the family.

The test came back the next day and we were not a match. I asked the doctor why not. After all, he was my son. What was wrong with my kidneys? I was getting rather loud when I told the doctor that I drank a few beers but didn't smoke. The doctor was getting a little embarrassed but I didn't care. I told him how I felt. Finally, the doctor asked me to step into his office.

"Mr. Weller, you and your son are not a match because according to the test, you are not his biological father. I'm sorry to have to tell you but you were raising your voice a little too loud. I will tell you that we have made mistakes before so my assistants are rerunning the test."

I was almost in shock as I left the office. He has been my son for twenty-eight years. I can't believe this is happening. I didn't want to mention it to Annie, just in case it was wrong. I do have to say that I looked upset when I saw her. Everything you can imagine went through my mind. What about Janice, my oldest daughter, or Mandy, the little love of my life. Were they my children? Janice at the time was twenty-six and Mandy was twenty. God how I hoped that the doctor was wrong.

It'd been two days and I haven't been myself. Of course part of it was my son possibly dying and the other was whether he was my son in the first place. Annie, Brad's wife, Gail, and I were sitting in the waiting room.

The doctor came out and said, "I have good news."

I was so happy, I thought he was going to tell me the test was wrong and that my kidneys were a perfect match. Instead, he did have good news, actually better news, for Brad that is.

"Brad's kidneys have been responding to treatment. He won't need a transplant after all. In fact, his body is adjusting so well to treatment that he can be released in a couple of days. He will have to watch his diet but other than that, he should have a complete recovery."

Everyone was so happy for Brad. The women were crying and Annie kissed me. There was so much relief on her face. I hadn't told her about the test yet. I would come back and talk to the doctor the next day.

I did ask Janice, Mandy and Annie for a DNA sample. They asked me what for and I explained to them that if any of us had this problem such as Brad had that the doctor could supply treatment much quicker if he had this information. Annie looked a little nervous but agreed. The others didn't think twice about it and it was nothing but a swab taken in the mouth. In fact, Janice did one on her kids and husband so they would be ready if there ever was a problem.

The following day I went to see the doctor at the hospital and gave him all the samples. He did tell me the bad news that Brad and I weren't related by blood. I asked him to do the test on all the samples I gave him and to put them on record so other family members would be on file if ever necessary. I would pay for all the tests.

"Mr. Weller, are any of these your family?"

"They are all my family; my two daughters and my son-in-law and my grandchildren, my daughter's kids and of course my wife. I do want to know if the ones marked Janice and Mandy are my biological children. Even though they are adults, they are my kids and have been their whole life."

A few days later, Brad was released from the hospital. He would have to recuperate for another week and then he could go back to work. Everyone was so happy that he didn't have to go through dialysis or worse, a transplant.

I tried to keep calm but it wasn't easy. I really needed to know if the girls were of my blood. Annie would ask me most every night how come I was acting so funny. I just told her we've been through a lot in our life and I was thinking about our kids, which wasn't a lie.

I came home from work one evening and Annie was sitting on a chair at the table and she was looking over some papers and was crying. I knew it was the hospital results. They must have mailed them to the house.

"When did you do this and why?" she asked me.

"I went to get my kidneys checked to give to my son. Since I was his father I figured it was my place. When the doctor told me I wasn't his biological father I sent the tests in from the girls. I don't know if they're mine are not."

As I picked up the papers, Annie said, "Janice is not yours but Mandy is." She was crying heavily at the time. "What happens now Dan?"

I was standing there; I was lost for words. I didn't know what happens next. I had just found out after thirty years of marriage, that two of my kids, whom I supported their whole life, were not mine.

I looked over at Annie, "We talk and we talk some more. Maybe we stay together, maybe we separate."

"Dan, that was over twenty eight years ago. Can't we leave the past in the past?"

"No, we can't. You had sex with someone, and I want to know whose kids I supported for their entire life. According to these tests, Janice and Brad are brother and sister. It would mean that you were fucking someone for at least a five year period, so it wasn't a one time fling or a mistake. Who the hell did you have an affair with? Hell, it had to be in our first year of marriage."

"It was Harvey; he was the one I had the affair with. It was stupid, wrong, but it's over."

"I guess it's over! Since Harvey Kittle died around twenty five years ago. He was one of our best friends and you slept with him? Did his wife Mary know about this? Was she part of your sexual escapades?"