Chapter 4

Paul Exposito, Former Paul Jenkins.
Age: 22
Studies: Community College
Current Employment: It Support Specialist
Lives Alone, No Relatives Known.
No Girlfriend Known.

“No relatives known”, read John. After four years and thousands of dollars spent on private investigators, he had found his nephew. He studied his picture. He was still chubby, but not as much as before. His face was a bit less round, and his clothes, although clean, looked somewhat worn.

“Paul Exposito” thought John. An apt name, since “Exposito” is the Spanish word for a “Foundling”, a child without a family.

After Emily’s letter Paul had cut every contact with the family, him included. “If only he had answered me,” he thought for umpteenth time, “we could have been able to fix everything.” Unfortunately his numerous emails were never answered.

Long conversations were held at the circle and the whole fiasco was attributed to teen immaturity and callousness, combined with an emphasis on the physical gratification aspect of the circle. A big change then was that the older members started to highlight the “love” and “safe place” aspects of the parties. New members were coached by their parents and older siblings, and in general the atmosphere changed from a purely sexual thing to a exchange of love. At that time, however, Martha and Emily had already left the circle. Mike, on the other hand, was still a regular attendant to the parties. That was not strange because, since the day Paul left, neither Martha nor Emily had sexually touched -or allowed to be touched by- him at all.

“Hi uncle John!” said Emily.

“Hi, beautiful!” answered him. “Is Martha home?”

“She should arrive at any time now.” Martha worked as assistant manager in a local bank and her hours were pretty much set.

“Great. How’s job”

“Same-o, same-o.”

Emily was a clerk in the City Hall. Not the most exciting job in the world, but it was a steady job, which considering the economy actually was not so bad.

“Your aunt wants to start planning Lisa’s baby shower, so make sure of calling her this week.” Although Emily and her mom weren’t part of the circle anymore, they were in good terms with their relatives, specially with aunt Bridget. In an ironical twist of fate Lisa, the cousin who had started the fiasco, had married an almost clone of Paul and brought him into the circle. She was 5-months pregnant now.

“OK. Why don’t you sit and I’ll bring you a soda?”

“Thanks”.

He sat on “his” couch to wait. It used to be Emily’s father’s couch, but after his death John was the only older male visiting them. When Martha was in the Circle she had no need for a boyfriend and, after leaving it, John was the only man she had intercourse with, generally one or two times a week. He also serviced Emily when she was between boyfriends.

Mike had left home after getting his degree and now lived in a studio apartment nearby. He had said he wanted his freedom, but the real reason was that he was frustrated of living with two hot females and not having sex with any of them.

“Hi sis!” said John.

“Hi bro!” smiled Martha. “Isn’t one day early for our weekly time?”

“Actually I’m here for another reason,” he said. “We found Paul.”

“Paul!” cried Emily. “Where is my brother?”

Martha’s eyes started to water. “Where is my son? Is he ok? Is he happy?”

He had planned to give them a summary, but instead he just handed them the envelope.

Martha took it and opened it with trembling hands. The first thing she saw was a photography. Yes, he was Paul. He was dressed in a white shirt and blue tie, sitting in some kind of office cubicle.

“He’s lost weight and his hair is different.” noticed Emily. “But he’s him all right.”

“Paul Exposito?” What kind of name is that? Martha wondered aloud.

“Well...” he started, but suddenly Emily sighed.

“Don’t you understand, mom? Exposito means “orphan without family” in Spanish.”

At that moment John had two crying women in his hands. His best move, he decided, was to let them cry.

After a few minutes both women were spent and John continued.

“He’s been living in Portland for the last four years. He went to community college there, graduated and now works in a big company. The thing is, he’s alone. No relatives...” he raised his eyes, but the women were calm. “No girlfriends known.”

“When can we see him?” Emily asked.

“Visiting him is no problem. Now, we don’t know how will he react. Maybe he will hug you, maybe he will close the door in your face. I simply don’t know.” said John.

“I don’t care,” said Emily. “He’s my brother and I will go to him. If he shuts his door in my face I will sit at the entrance until he allows me in.”

“And I will be sitting next to you.” said her mom.

“Ok,” said John. “I will book three tickets.” “Two,” said Martha. “Sorry bro, but I think this is something we have to do by ourselves.”

“I understand,” he said, smiling. “Go, Martha. Go to your son and bring him back.”

Both women were standing in front of a building whose façade had seen better days. According to the report, Paul rented a small two-bedroom apartment in the fourth floor. The intercom panel had two columns of buttons, one of which was “4C - P. Exposito.”