Chapter 12

Collins

I had finally arrived at my parents house. I came later then expected. I had to deal with my family's lawyer, he had been out lawyer for as long as I could remember and he was the best in the state. He was also the one who had drafted up the document between Diane and I. I needed him on standby just in case something happened. Well, it had taken over half an hour to see this guy. It would have saved me some time by just calling him. But this matter was too delicate to discuss on the phone. Hence why I was late.

Driving up I saw a couple of cars out in the driveway. I guess everyone was here. Before I could knock on the door my mom was opening it.

"Hello sweetie. Everyone is here including that PI"she said giving me a kiss on the cheek.

Damn he was efficient. I didn't expect him to be here this early. I nodded my head and strolled into the living room.

Everyone was here, Eric and Rachel, my dad, Zion, Michael, Judy and Brian, Sara and Ashley. There was an uncomfortable silence in the room.

"OK what do we have?" I said to my p.i. No use beating around the bush.

We all took a seat. Then the investigator took out a pad with notes. Then he proceeded,

"Diane Reyes. Used to be known as Diane deVilluneba. Legally changed her name 6 years ago. Her mother, Esther fell pregnant during her time as a maid in the Timmons mansion"

At this Eric flinched. I have a pretty good feeling that there was going to be some airing of dirty laundry.

"Her father was supposedly Ramon deVilluneba. At least that's what was listed on her birth certificate. But there is some inconstancies with the said birth certificate. Ramón had been dead for two years before Diane had even been conceived, in Colombia"

"I'm sorry, what?! You didn't sign her birth certificate?" Rachel demanded of her husband.

Eric said nothing. His jaw was shut in a stubborn manner.

Wow, Eric did not even sign her birth certificate. Wow he really wanted nothing to do with her. I don't know how I should feel about him. The man was my godfather for crying out loud. He used to babysit me in his office. I loved and looked up to this man. I was confused. I didn't know how to feel anymore.

"Actually no he was not on the certificate" the p.i answered Rachel. At this Rachel glared at Eric with so much hate and contempt. Nevertheless, the p.i continued with his report.

"Well, going on. Two days after Esther had given birth to Diane, mother and daughter were arrested by the U.S Immigration Services. An anonymous tip came in and they were both set to be deported back to Columbia. It seemed her mother had entered the country illegally.

Well she was given one phone call during lockup for help. Her phone call was to a Mr. Eric Timmons; her employer. Well there are no records that suggest Mr. Timmons sent any help or came to the lockup"

He was once again cut off by Rachel.

"You bastard! How could you? To your own flesh and blood?

What were you thinking? Oh I know. You were counting on her being deported and shipped out of your life, huh?" She yelled at him, raining curses on him. Eric said nothing at all. His eyes were kept trained on the investigator. Glaring daggers at him.

Probably because he was the cause of his wife's meltdown.

When she finally calmed down (meaning Morgan had to be pull her off and set her far away from Eric) the p.i continued unfazed. I really got to learn his name.

"Well they weren't deported. Luckily Diane's mother had lived in this country for five years and through the help of an attorney was granted temporary citizenship. After her release she continued to live in the Timmons house for almost nineteen years with her daughter. Still working as a maid" he paused for a sip of water.

"The child Diane, grew up in the Timmons mansion. She went to the Regent Academy and was severely bullied and abused at school. Beaten, tossed down stairs, teased, pranked, insulted by both her teachers and fellow students" at this he glanced up at the Timmons children. I finally clued in. Wait come on they couldn't have done those things. There had to be a mistake. They couldn't be that cruel. But the way that Ashley was shifting her eyes uncomfortably was starting to make me doubt myself.

"Diane met and started to date Mr. Collins Dwight. She fell pregnant and left the Timmons mansion with her mother. She and Esther were homeless for six weeks. Occasionally, they were able to find a room in the Women's shelter. They both worked three jobs, Diane taking up extra shifts up at work all through out her term. After saving up enough money and with some help rented a one bedroom in Frisk"

When he said this I felt pain in my chest. My child did not have the best prenatal care that I was more than capable of giving.

Who knows what could have gone wrong when Diane was pregnant? I screwed up big time.

There was no way I could ever atone for what I had done. I had done wrong them both wrong. There would never be enough apologies I could ever say or plead that will make up for what I had done to him or her and his/her mother. And I had no one to blame but myself. This was all my fault. I was a coward and a fool.

As he went on my heart and gut clenched in horror and pain.

He talked on and on of how her struggles and pain. How she had to keep two jobs until her eighth month. It talked about her one and only visit to the hospital because she did not have the time or the money. Her doctors report stated that she was suffering from pre-eclampsia. Coupled with her overworking, it must have been hell. It certainly was not good for the baby.

There was no way I could ever atone for what I had done. I had done wrong them both wrong. There would never be enough apologies I could ever say or plead that will make up for what I had done to him or her and his/her mother. And I had no one to blame but myself. This was all my fault. I was a coward and a fool.

As he went on my heart and gut clenched in horror and pain.

He talked on and on of how her struggles and pain. How she had to keep two jobs until her eighth month. It talked about her one and only visit to the hospital because she did not have the time or the money. Her doctors report stated that she was suffering from pre-eclampsia. Coupled with her overworking, it must have been hell. It certainly was not good for the baby.

Thankfully he stopped and I figured he was getting to the good part.

Damn was I wrong. It got worse, if that was even possible.

"Three weeks before her due date Diane tripped down the stairs of her apartment building and fell three flights down"

My gut clenched. No. No. No. This could not be happening.

"She was taken to the hospital. And on February 4th 2005 she gave birth to a boy. Named Jaun-David Mario-Jose Reyes after her grandparents"

To this I let out a big sigh of relief and gratitude. Yes. She hadn't lost the baby. My mom has tears in her eyes and my dad looked proud. They were grandparents. I had a son. A son!

To say that I was thrilled would be an understatement. I had to say that I was thrilled would be an understatement. I had not cared what I had conceived. But I was finally put out of my constant speculations. I had a son. A son. I was ecstatic. My parents were beyond thrilled. My mom was still crying with joy. I knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling. This was so surreal. Everyone congratulated me. Well everyone except Rachel. She was sitting there by herself.

When the excitement died down, the p.i continued his report.

It gave details about how she struggled and keeping two jobs working day and night. It was so sad and pathetic. But at this point I just wanted to know how my son was doing. Diane's mental and physical health were not really my primary concern at this moment. Call me heartless but right now my main worry was my son.

My son. It felt so great to finally say that. I was picturing what I would do with him and what I would teach him. How to get girls and play pranks in his friends.

I was so caught up in my world that I did not hear his next words. He started talking about her life right now. I embraced myself for the worst. I could only imagine what horrible environment my son was facing.

But what shocked me was it was not anything I ever imagined.