CHAPTER 36

The test came back. Bob picked up the envelope, along with the rest of the mail, both his and Curtis’s. He made himself sit down at his desk in his room, sort his mail from his roommate’s, and then turn the envelope around several times, almost afraid to open it. He wanted to share the moment with someone, but it was his life that would be most affected by the truth inside the envelope. What if he were Jay’s father? How would his folks react to finding out they had a grandson?

At that fateful Thanksgiving dinner Dr. Matthews had said that it was his intention to allow Jay to be adopted, that he was in the process of getting a divorce, and at his age he did not believe he could care for Jay.

Bob wondered what legalities he would face as a single parent himself if he tried to adopt the child. He could bear the suspense no longer. He reached for a letter opener and was about to slide it through the envelope flap when he heard Curtis’s footsteps on the back stairs of their apartment.

When Curtis opened the door, Bob came rushing out from his room, waving the brown envelope.

“You are just in time, my man! In this envelope lies my future.”

“You got the results? Yes or no?”

“About to find out now.”

He pulled a white sheet of paper out and read silently while Curtis watched Bob’s face. When he realized that Bob’s eyes were becoming wider and wider as he came to the conclusion at the bottom of the page, Curtis said, “Well, tell me!”

Bob grinned.

“Jay is my son.”

Overcome with emotion, he sat down at the kitchen table. “I need to call your father. Think that would be all right?”

“Of course.” Curtis glanced at his watch. “It’s probably a good time, six-thirty.”

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “I’ll get him for you.”

He dialed the number, gave the cell phone to Bob.

“Dr. Matthews, Bob Sato here. The news came today. I am Jay’s father.”

Responding to Don’s congratulations, Bob said, “Thank you very much. And I surely appreciate any help you can give me. Yes, sir, I’ll be in touch. Thanks again for everything.”

Bob looked over at Curtis. “Your father congratulated me but said there were some legal issues I will have to consider. He said I will need legal counsel to guide me in claiming Jay as my son. He is going to help me. I don’t suppose my standing as a first-year law student will have any effect.”

“You never know,” Curtis replied, trying to sound encouraging.

* * *

Don met with Frank Jones and told him that the DNA test proved that Bob Sato was Jay’s biological father.

“And does he want to adopt him?”

“Yes, Frank, he does. What kinds of legal problems will he have to face?”

“He should, of course, have a lawyer, and a family court will expect the lawyer to look after what’s best for the minor child.”

“That makes sense to me. And Frank, Bob told me that he called his parents in California and they were thrilled.”

Frank nodded.

“That is good to hear, and I do believe that with the DNA results, Bob should be in a position to adopt. Should not be a problem.”

“Good. I do care about Jay and want the best for him. Bob seems to be well-grounded, and I think he will no doubt become a fine lawyer. Any judge will see that as a professional, he will be able to support his son. And it is good that he has his family’s support.”

“Agreed. Now Don, as far as your divorce is concerned, progress is being made. Documents I have received from Alisha’s lawyer indicate that she is not contesting the divorce, seeks no alimony, and is agreeable to the child’s adoption and doesn’t want shared custody. And Don, I see no reason to tell her that the child’s biological father has been found, because per rules of the sperm bank, donors are not identified unless they sign a document that they wish to be known.”

“That should bode well for Bob. He does not need any extra problems. He has already asked me and Leanne to be godparents.”

“Really? How does your ex-wife feel about that?”

“Frank, she’s pleased. When she was Jay’s babysitter when I went to Philly, she really bonded with him. Man, I have to tell you that I have hopes that someday, somehow, I may get my family back. Am I being foolish or premature thinking such a thing may happen? I’m almost afraid…”

“Listen, my friend, there should always be hope. Stranger things have happened. Both of you are good people, and I, for one, believe that things will work out for you.”

* * *

“Leanne, this is Don. How are you?”

“I’m just fine, Don. What’s up?”

“I had to call to let you know how much I appreciate what you did.”

“What did I do?”

“You brought us together on Thanksgiving. Who knew what was going to happen that day? What were the chances that…that Jay’s real father would be revealed?”

His response was sober and clearly deeply felt, and it struck Leanne as completely genuine.

“I, for one, have learned a whole lot about myself. As a physician I am used to making considered decisions. I cannot recall a time when I gave a patient casual or questionable advice. But on a personal level, I had no inkling that I could be as weak and as vulnerable as the next man. I never thought that I was capable of behavior that would be so disastrous, causing so much pain and disruption in our lives. Fact is, I wasn’t thinking, certainly not with my full faculties. Can you…will you…forgive me?”

“Oh, Don, as I told you, the past is just that, past, and we can’t change what has already happened. And as for forgiveness, consider it done. Remember, the fault was not all yours. It takes two to keep a marriage healthy.”

“You are a saint.”

“No, I’m not! I have many imperfections, you know that.”

“Stay well, Leanne.”

“You do the same, Don.”

As she hung up the telephone, Leanne felt a surge of hope.

God willing, I might get my family back.