The Fourth Life: Chapter 28

Ray said, "Zeus I called you in to tell you something.  John McBain called.  The DNA test was rushed through, by him personally.  Your DNA and Carlo's is a match.  He's your father, 99.9%."


Zeus swallowed.  He wasn't sure he felt the way he expected.  On one hand, it made him happy to know half of where he came from.  On the other, it made him sick to think his own flesh and blood would do these terrible things to him.  He sighed, "All right.  I'm Hesser's son."


"You are, but in many, ways, you're not.  You realize that."


"Yes.  I know.  He didn't raise me.  The orphanage staff did."


"Zeus, I've never asked you about that.  Where they sufficient caretakers?"


"I suppose.  I was fed, washed, clothed.  Did they love me?  I don't remember.  I don't think I was shown a heck of a lot of love until I met Tea, to be honest."


"That's a long time without it.  How do you feel that played into your development, and possibly your mistakes?"


"Probably a huge part of it.  I didn't belong anywhere.  When I met Todd, I felt I was going to have a place to belong and be important.  Later, when he moved on and didn't need me, I wandered around, without anyone.  Carlo found me and pounced.  He knew what kind of man I was, and what I lacked.  It was easy for him."


"I see."  Ray said.  "What can I do for you, now?"


"I want to see Todd.  Can you get him here?"


"I can try.  I have to say, it will be in the interest of both of you that I know what this is about."


"He can help me, and I probably can help him.  I think he should know the latest, and maybe he can help me with my search for my mother."


"That sounds fair.  I'll ask him.  I'll call him this morning and see when he is free."


"Thank you, Ray."


"Zeus, I hear you had a visitor yesterday."


"Visitors.  Yeah."


"Tea came here, didn't she?"


"She did.  She brought Danielle, and..." he choked up, "my new baby daughter.  She let me see her, and hold her."


Ray said, "That's beautiful, isn't it?  How did it make you feel?"


"Important.  Needed.  Like I have purpose."


"Well you are, and you do.  That's your daughter, Zeus."


"I know she is.  And she was made in love, and it's so different for me."


"I realize this.  A big step.  You're also a different man now than you were when Sam was born."


His face shadowed.  "I know that.  I was not a good father to that little boy.  I could never see him...the way he deserved to be seen."


"And Todd does."


"Yes.  He's an excellent father.  He loves that boy, and the boy loves him."


"Clearly."


"Tea said one other thing, Ray."


"Do you want to share it with me?"


"Yeah," he broke, "she admitted that she still loves me,"  Zeus cried onto his own hands.  


Ray waited and then said, "You're either crying because you're so happy, or that you think you cannot be what she wants."


"Both.  But I sure as hell want to try."


Ray said, "I'm going to call Todd now.  Let's just say I have a feeling he'll be here.  So the meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. today, and if it's not all right with Todd, I will let you know.  Otherwise, come down at that time."


"Thanks."  He said, standing up.  "Can you help me learn to be a good husband to her, and a good father to Isabella?"


"That's a pretty name.  Yes, I can.  And it won't be hard, Zeus, or long."


The man exited, and Ray dialed the phone.


***


Todd decided to take Ray up on the offer to meet with Zeus about Hesser.  He was prepared to give the guy a break with the info about his mother that he felt he had gathered.  Though he did not have proof, the lack of a death certificate for Kathleen Finn's child, and her heartfelt story, were pushing him in that direction.  Of course, a simple DNA test could be done between the two of them for the definitive answer.  Should he give Zeus hope by letting him know?


Todd entered Ray's office and sat down.  For some reason, he always chose the same chair, as did Zeus, and they faced directly across from each other.  When Zeus entered the room, Todd said, "Hey."


Zeus said, "Hey.  Good to see you."


"Same, especially when you're not weepy and shaky.  I'm glad to see that's passing."


"It is.  I feel better.  I owe a lot to Ray."


"Who in this story of ours doesn't?"


"Good question."  Zeus said.  Ray remained silent, and let the men proceed.


"You called me here, wanted to meet?"


"I did.  I wanted to tell you a few things.  Some of it might help you.  I've been to see Carlo, to ask him if he's my father."


Todd feigned stupidity about this, "I see.  What did Sir Baldness say?"


Zeus, blew out a small laugh, and then said, "He admitted it, finally."


Todd said, "You believe him then?"   


"I did, and there was a DNA test.  He is.  I'm his son."


"I'm sorry," Todd said, "unless you're not."


"I am, but it helps me put things together, you know."


"What else did he say?"


"He calls you really creative names."


"Hmf, that makes sense.  What else?"


"He said I'm worthless.  Not worthy of being in his bloodline.  The usual."


"You're probably better off that you aren't in his favor.  That would make you a rat, or a snake, one or the other."


"I have to tell you, there's more.  He has it in bad for you."


"No surprise."


"He...threatened to take out your whole family.  While you watch."


Todd struggled to maintain his composure.  "Nothing new.  He won't get a chance.  He'll be taking his last breath on a stretcher."  


"I know.  But you should know about it.  At least I thought."


"No, you were right to tell me."


Ray, who sat observing, wasn't so sure.  He said, "Zeus, tell Todd the positive news."


"Tea let me see my girls."


"That's great, Zeus.  Really."


"There might be a chance for us."


"One thing I can tell you about Tea.  She does love you.  You love her the way she always wished for."


"She's said that to me before.  I love her more than anything."  He seemed wistful.


Todd said, "Listen, I have an idea that I know who your mother might be.  It's a long shot, like anything else..."


"What?  You know my mother?"  Zeus seemed hopeful and also stunned.


"Not positively.  But, I have reason to believe your mother is alive and in Statesville Prison."


"Who is she?"


"I'm not positive, Zeus, you have to understand that."


"I do.  But please, if you know something..."


"I think she's Kathleen Finn, the previous Mayor."


Zeus did not speak, but his eyes widened.  "How do you think this?"


"I met with her, for a story, last year when she was involved in the prostitution ring.  It was all connected to Carlo in the end.  She told me about her affair with Hesser.  She really loved him, and he lied to her.  She had a child with him, that died.  We researched it and could not find a death certificate for said baby."


"She loved him?  She had a baby with him, that she said died.  Not dead.  Could be me,"  he was thinking aloud.


"You're an orphan, aren't you?"


"Yes.  I grew up in Greece, in an orphanage."


"Then it could be.  I can talk to John, get you a DNA test."


"I'd appreciate it."


"Believe me, she's not a really bad person at all.  She was dragged into Carlo's mess without knowing.  She was young, she loved the guy.  I don't believe she's malicious.  Not intentionally, anyway."


"Thank you, Todd."


"I hope you'll allow me to post this other information in The Sun.  As another part of our expose, I'll detail what Hesser did to his own flesh and blood.  If you're okay with that?"


"Fine, make sure to drag him through the mud."


"No problem.  That comes easy.  This evening's edition, I can promise you. I'm headed over there now."  Todd stood, as did Zeus.  "Hey listen, give Tea time.  She won't leave you.  She just has to get over things."


"Thanks."


"No problem.  Ray, see you next week."  Todd said.


"Yeah, Todd, see you next week."  Ray said.


As he walked out, Zeus looked after him and said, "He's so strong.  I don't get it."


"Neither do I, but that's Todd."


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