Chapter 21Don’t speak to my wife
Chapter Twenty-One
DON’T SPEAK TO MY WIFE
“Really?” Frank asked incredulously as Manny and Ivy walked into the conference room of Lancaster Vancouver.
Normally, the couple prided themselves on being punctual. This morning was an exception. They were nearly an hour late for the meeting Emmanuel had set.
Ivy was starting to wonder if she was being a terrible wife. While she had brooched the topic of Manny seeing a therapist, she hadn’t pushed the issue. So, in the interim, he was dealing with his feelings by working out his frustrations sexually. Except for this morning, their recent couplings were fuelled with a feral intensity. Each time, Manny would push the boundaries of their joining. It had triggered his dominant sexual side.
This morning was different. Ivy could tell by the delicate laps he delivered to her nether lips as he woke her up. Manny had been achingly tender as he made loving affirmations. They’d almost made it out the door on time, but Manny had taken one look at her as she bent to put on her heels, and said, “ fuck it. Frank will wait.”
It was as if Frank had heard Emmanuel’s declaration because they were currently being graced with her cousin’s fiercest stink eye.
“You know, if you two were going to be late, you could have called and let me know.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Manny uttered halfheartedly. “I’m going to order breakfast. Doc, the works?”
Ivy nodded. “Frank, did you have breakfast?”
“Of course. I was starving while I waited for you two to finish bumping uglies.”
“Nothing ugly about it,” Manny quipped. It was so uncharacteristic Frank’s jaw dropped. Ivy had to stifle a giggle.
“What the hell got into him?” Looking between them, Frank shook his head. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
That made Manny grin broadly.
Ivy wasn't sure how she expected her husband to behave the morning they were supposed to meet a twin he had only recently learned about. However, it wasn’t like this. Manny seemed calmer than he had been since this whole fiasco started. His smile came easily, and his body posture was relaxed, like he didn’t have a care in the world. Although it wasn’t what she expected, she would take it as a blessing.
Manny had been more introspective since reading Frank’s files on Leonardo. Frank had encouraged her husband to wait to go over the file until she was with him. Then he had contacted her to provide her with a heads up.
“I found some information about Leonardo. It’s really messed up. I think he’s going to need your help to process it.”
“Process what?”
“It’s Leonardo’s sealed medical records from when he was a child. I called in a favour and got his Children’s Aid Society (CAS) records. Both were extensive. The system failed him. Even fifty years ago, they shouldn’t have left him in that environment. He should have been taken away from his mother and put in care.”
“It’s that bad?”
“A lot of that kid’s childhood was pure hell. It makes me want to lay hands on someone. I can’t imagine growing up like that. How can anyone treat a child like that?”
When Ivy got home, they sat in Manny’s office and read the files together. Frank’s warning did little to prepare her for the amount of emergency trips Leonardo had. Her heart broke a thousand times. She knew the files affected Manny as well. It wouldn’t have been possible for him not to feel what his brother went through as a child. Manny was a father. When one of their little daredevils got hurt, as tough as her husband was, he felt it. He also gave heavily to charities that aided children. So, for him to learn about the abuse that Leonardo suffered from the time he turned seven, crushed him.
The physical abuse was extensive. There were a litany of injuries ranging from welts, contusions, burns, joint dislocations, and fractures. Additionally, malnutrition had been reported many times.
“What the hell kind of woman was my mother?” Manny asked. “How did she do this to her child?”
Although the files didn’t contain answers, they discovered as they read that Concetta also had injuries. What Ivy didn’t understand was the lack of involvement and/or action from CAS. The organisations was a government agency responsible for investigating abuse and neglect. It was clear both were present. Yet, CAS barely intervened and when they did, the investigations wouldn’t be opened for long before they were closed.
“This could have been my childhood, Doc.”
Ivy’s heart broke at the anguish she heard in his voice. She stood and hugged him, and he pulled her into his lap. While he held her, all she could think of were his words. Yeah, Larson was tough on Manny at times, but for the most part her husband’s upbringing was charmed. He certainly never went without. There was no physical abuse. Maybe Larson had gotten in his face a few times, but Grace wouldn’t let it go any further. Her mother-in-law protected her son. Why hadn’t Manny’s biological mother done the same with Leonardo?
The woman had a history of addiction, Ivy recalled. At the risk of being disloyal to Manny. Ivy thought about how she would feel if she was Leonardo and was raised in that environment, only to find out she had a twin, like Emmanuel Campbell Scott. Hell, when she first met Manny, hadn’t she considered him a golden boy? It was easy to discount his discipline and work ethic because of who his family was. Maybe if she was Leonardo and didn’t know what kind of man Manny was, she would harbour some ill will towards him, too.
Proving how much the couple was in sync, Manny said, “I guess after having this upbringing, I can see why he isn’t a fan of mine.”
“Does that change how you handle Leonardo?”
“Hell no! Why should it? Did I decide which of us got what life? No. Let’s say I take into account his horrible childhood. I can’t excuse what he almost did to us. His action rocked the foundation we spent decades building. How do I let him get away with that?”
Ivy sighed. “I don’t know but maybe keep an open mind. Hear him out.”
“One of the things I love most about you is your heart. You are being very considerate of someone you haven’t met.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, but I wasn’t being altruistic. I am looking out for the man I love. Leonardo may have some answers that give you peace about your past.”
“Speaking of which, I am ready to meet him and try to get some of those answers. Wanna take a trip to Vancouver?”
“Of course I will be with you.”
Frank insisted that he be there for the meeting. At first, Manny objected. Her husband didn’t think Frank’s presence was needed, but Ivy certainly saw the benefit of his presence. There was no way to predict how Manny would react when he came face to face with Leonardo. Eventually, Manny relented when Frank offered to be the bait to lure Leonardo to the meeting.
“How do you plan to have Leonardo show up to meet you?”
Ivy wasn’t sure she agreed with how the men orchestrated this meetup. However, it was like Frank pointed out, “There is no way to know if Leonardo will show up if Emmanuel issues a sit-down invitation. I think the element of surprise will be beneficial.”
The circumstances of the meeting wasn’t the only thing she wasn’t fond of. Ivy was completely shocked when she learned Manny had the means to control Leonardo’s entire life. Well, at least financially.
“Don’t you think that’s drastic?”
“No more so than knowingly pinning his son on me. What kind of family was I born into? These people can’t parent for shit. If they aren’t selling their child, they are imposing paternity on someone else.”
What could Ivy say to his comment? Manny’s feelings were valid. She was worried this situation would make him someone he wasn't. However, this was who her husband was. It had never been his MO to start altercations with anyone, but if someone messed with him, well… all bets were off. Why would he deal with this situation any differently?
While they waited for Leonardo’s arrival, Frank reiterated how important it was for Manny to keep his cool. The actual goal was to gather as much information as possible. Ivy had suggested the discussion take place at a round table. Hopefully, it would foster a less confrontational meeting.
At exactly the appointed time, a knock sounded. Ivy grasped Manny's hands. Neither looked at each other. They glued their eyes to the door as Frank got up to answer it. Her cousin greeted Leonardo, and Ivy was astounded when he responded. He sounded exactly like Manny.
If the sound of his voice was jarring, it didn’t compare to seeing Leonardo as he entered the room.
Of course, she knew they were identical twins. She had Voogled him and still wasn’t prepared. Leonardo was Manny with longer hair and a swarthier complexion. Their similarities didn’t stop with their looks, they also shared mannerisms. Leonardo walked into the room like he owned it. It was eerily familiar. The man seemed unbothered as Frank closed the door behind them. When he took in the occupants.
He tilted his head, scoffed as if accepting his fate and said, “ahh, well played.”
Then he smiled. Damn if that wasn’t Manny’s smile.
“Emmanuel, I suppose this meeting is long overdue. Ivy, it is lovely to meet you,” he said, extending his hand towards her. Manny tensed beside him.
“Don’t speak to my wife.”
Her hot-headed husband stood and brushed his twin’s hand away.
Great, so much for this meeting going peacefully. Ivy and Frank exchanged looks as they silently shared the same sentiment.
The two men looked intently at each other for an extended period. Ivy could only imagine how surreal it felt for Manny to look into the mirror eyes of his twin. Eventually, Leonardo raised his hands, palm up, and inclined his head to the right. Only then did Manny resume his seat.
“Is it alright if I sit as well?” Although Leonardo didn’t smile when he spoke, there was the slightest bit of humour in his tone. Manny jutted his chin in his brother’s direction and Leonardo took his seat.
“You’ve come a long way to meet me. I imagine you didn’t travel all this distance just to stare at me,” Leonardo stated. His posture was the very picture of unbothered. Like his brother, he was also used to taking charge.
“No, I certainly didn’t. I have many questions for you, but let’s start with why you pinned your son on me.”
It was subtle, but Leonardo’s posture stiffened at the statement. “It was an uncharacteristic lapse in judgment on my part. I obviously owe you and your wife an apology for drawing you into this… situation.”
Manny’s jaw ticked as his hand balled into a tight fist. Ivy covered it, and she felt it flex beneath her touch before he uncurled his hand. She left her hand there, letting him know she was with him.
“I understand why you are angry. Look, I get I shouldn’t have done what I did. I had hoped I could find a way to make this right. It turns out it wasn’t an easy bell to unring. Believe me, if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have involved you in this situation.”
Ivy didn’t know what she was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It surprised her that Leonardo was so… transparent. He sounded sincere to her, but a glance at Manny told Ivy her husband either couldn’t sense his sincerity or didn’t care, or both.
“What am I supposed to do with that? Do you know what your ‘error in judgment’ could have cost me?”
Leonardo’s gaze drifted briefly to her. “I didn’t consider the full ramifications. Please tell your wife and family how sorry I am for the upheaval my actions might have caused.”
It didn’t go without notice that Manny didn’t acknowledge his brother’s apology. Ivy was certain he wasn’t in a place to hear it, much less accept it. Depending on the kind of man his twin turned out to be, she hoped someday it would be the foundation of healing. After everything her husband had been through, she felt he really needed it. She was always going to be ‘Team Manny’.
“When did you find out?” Although Manny didn’t elaborate, Leonardo seemed to know exactly what he was asking.
“About ten months ago.”
Manny shook his head. “Wait! What? You only found out that I was your twin ten months ago?”
“Yes.” Leonardo nodded.
Frank and Manny exchanged confused looks.
“No, that can’t be true. You gave Jasmine Journee Emannuel’s name from the start,” Ivy interjected. What he was saying made no sense.
“Yes, I did.”
See! I knew it!
“This is… embarrassing. I knew of him, but I didn’t know we were brothers until later. I just thought I looked like some mogul. So, when I met some chick, I gave her his name.”
“You fucking what? How many women have you slept with and gave my name to?”
“It was only twice. A few tops. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have given her any name but mine. I realised my mistake almost right away. I didn’t know how to correct it.”
Ivy didn’t know Leonardo but knew when someone looked tortured.
A thought struck her, and she snapped her fingers then. “Is that why you told her your nickname is Leo?”
A stricken look briefly blanketed his features. Leonardo cleared his throat, and it was gone. “Yes. You spoke to her?”
“Are you talking to my wife again?”
“Be for real. You wanted your wife, and your friend here. I imagine you wanted them here for support. I’m guessing the two people you trust most. Although your friend has been quiet so far, I guessing at some point he will have questions as well. It’s unreasonable that we won’t communicate.” Leonardo had a bite in his tone that wasn’t there previously.
Ivy could pinpoint exactly when his unbothered demeanour departed. When the topic of Jasmine Journee came up. Interesting.
Manny didn’t push back, instead, he just glared at his brother.
“Well since, I was invited into the conversation… did I hear you right? You found out Emmanuel was your brother ten months ago. My question is, how did you come to find out that information?” Frank asked.
“I finally read my mother’s journals.”
“So, you know who our father is?” Emmanuel asked.
God. He sounded so hopeful. His body leaned forward, eager to receive the information.
“No,” Leonardo answered, causing Manny’s shoulder to sag.
“I was hoping with your resources you were able to find out. Mom didn’t say who he was. Just that he had lied to her.” Leonardo’s jaw ticked. “He really did a number on her. Took one of her twins. She made a tough call, one she never got over.”
“Well, she had all that money to comfort her.”
“Watch your fucking mouth. Don’t you dare talk about my mother. You weren’t there to see how it affected her.”
Given the information in the files, Ivy didn’t expect Leonardo to defend his mother. The man was livid. He looked like he wanted to come across the table at Manny.
No one knew better than her how hurt her husband was. Manny hadn’t been the same since he found out he had a twin. Each new revelation tore at him. Leaving gnashes in his psyche. His hand shook slightly beneath hers. Her fingers slipped between his. Offering her strength.
“How could I be there? I was the one she sold.”
Leonardo snarled at Manny. “Poor you. If you think about it really hard, you’ll find you got the better end of the deal. Sacrifices were made for your, perfect, life.”
The room fell silent as Leonardo’s words sunk in. No doubt, the others’ minds ran on Leonardo’s medical records and his dismal childhood. If you can call it a childhood.
It was Frank who finally broke the silence. “When you found out he was your brother, why didn’t you reach out to Emmanuel and let him know?”
“It was no longer so simple by then. Other people were involved. I was trying to figure out how to make it right.”
Leonardo ran his hand through his hair. The gesture was so familiar. When Manny had long hair, he often did that. Only Leonardo’s gesture was the mirror action.
“In all these months, you haven’t been able to figure that out?” Manny hurled the accusation at his brother.
“It’s a fucked-up situation. I get you are pissed, and you have every right to be. I can’t undo the damage that was caused. At this point, all I can try to do is fill in the pieces I have. And I get you don’t owe me anything, but maybe you can do the same for me.”
“Why would I help you?” Manny demanded.
“I think you are looking at this from the wrong angle. Neither of us asked to be separated at birth. We both deserve to know what happened. Just maybe, if we put our heads together, we can figure it out.”
“I don’t fucking trust you,” Manny answered.
Holding up his hand, he said, “which is fair. I’m not asking you to trust me. Let’s just work together to get the answers we both need. I’ll figure out a way to resolve the paternity situation. If you don’t want anything to do with me afterwards, then we never have to speak again.”
“Excuse me, Leonardo, you said you want to resolve the paternity issue,” Ivy said.
“Yes. I do.”
“Then you would be willing to give me a DNA sample?”
“Of course. I would like to have it cleared up.”
“Well, since you are being so helpful. Can we get an affidavit that you are the father?” Frank interjected.
“I see why you brought them with you. They look out for you. Yeah, I have no problem with signing the document. If I had known about this meeting, I too would have brought along my buddy, who is an attorney.”
“Is he gay too?”
“Frank!” Both Ivy and Manny called.
“Sorry, what? Your buddy, I assume he is your closest friend?”
Leonardo nodded. “Yes. Since university.”
Well, that is uncanny.
“Shit! No kidding. Is he gay?” Frank asked again.
“No. Why?”
“Oh, because that shit would be eerie. I’m curious what other parallels your lives have.”
Manny shot Frank an exasperated look. Leonardo chuckled at the exchange. Then turned to Manny and asked, “so can we work together?”
Tap, tap. The sound came from the entrance.
“Frank, can you do me a solid and get the door?” Manny asked.
Ivy didn’t know anyone else would be joining them but, from the look on her husband’s face. He knew who was on the other side of the door.
“Um sure,” Frank answered. From his expression, Ivy was certain he didn’t know who it was either. What the hell was Manny up to?
“Shit!” Frank exclaimed.
“I’m sorry. Am I in the wrong place?” A familiar voice asked.
“No, I’m certain you are in the right place.”
Leonardo’s face was crimson in rage. “You fucking didn’t!” he spat at Manny in a low voice, just above a whisper.
“I most certainly did,” her husband answered smugly.
“You bastard,” Leonardo hissed. He shot to his feet as she entered the room.
“Jasmine,” he breathed.
Jasmine Journee halted, and her entire body stiffened as she heard him call her name. Their eyes locked. She tilted her head to the side. God, she looked forlorn. Her purse fell to the floor. Frank’s movement to retrieve her purse broke the trance which Leonardo seemed to have held her in. Only then was she alerted to the other occupants in the room.
Her eyes scanned the table and then widened comically in shock when they landed on Manny. Jasmine Journee looked from Leonardo to Manny.
The woman looked completely shell-shocked.
“What the hell is going on here?”