Chapter 8
Hearing the Truth
Jessica
I sit nervouslyat my desk in the lecture hall of my class. I haven’t been able to get what I overheard out of my head. I don’t want to believe my mother is that evil. Maybe I heard things wrong.
There’s no way she ruined so many lives like it was nothing. I have to find out the truth. I didn’t lie to Daddy about the project for my class. However, the testing part was optional.
I wasn’t going to do it. Then I overheard Mama and Cousin Corinne arguing that morning before Daddy picked me up to take me to my first day at work.
The things Cousin Corinne said made my stomach turn. I have questioned everything since. My head has been a mess, which is why I haven’t gone to see Miss Cakes yet.
I don’t want to mess this opportunity up because I can’t stay focused. My heart has been so heavy. If I heard them right, that means I have no idea who I am.
I feel lost, confused, and betrayed. I can’t imagine how Daddy is going to feel. My father has been everything to me since I was a little girl. We did everything together.
This information threatens everything I know. It will change my life if it’s true. I can’t help wondering if my Daddy will hate me.
As I stare off into space, their words come back to me full force. It’s as if I’m stand right outside the kitchen once again.
“Donna, you owe me. I’m tired of you making promises and not keeping your word,” Cousin Corinne hissed as I walked toward the kitchen to grab a banana for breakfast before Daddy arrived to pick me up.
“Will you hush? Quiet down. Jess is here,” Mama hissed back.
“Good, maybe I should tell her who her real daddy is. Nineteen years, Donna. That’s how long you’ve kept me waiting. Always some damn excuse. Meanwhile, you’re never in short supply of the finer things in life.
“You need to pay up. I need the money. My husband can’t work, and things are starting to get tight. You need to do right by me.”
“If you don’t shut the hell up. You idiot. You could ruin everything with your big, fat mouth.”
“I wonder what those Monroes would think. You didn’t just screw over Trevor. Wait until her real father finds out.
“I’m giving you until her birthday. That little party Trev has planned for Jess will be the perfect opportunity to say what needs to be said. I’m going right to that ranch to spill everything to his entire family.”
“Corinne, I’m warning you. If I go down, you’re coming with me. You’re the captain of this sinking ship as much as I am, honey.”
All the blood drained from my face. The sound of a car pulling up grabbed my attention. I turned and ran from the house, hoping it was Daddy coming to get me.
“Miss Monroe?”
I focus as my professor calls my name. Looking around, I see everyone is gone. I look into her brown eyes and try not to burst into tears.
I clear my throat. “Um, Professor Marcy, I was wondering. The DNA testing. Could it … I mean, say a person took one of those. Could they find out who their father is? Like if, let’s say someone thought another family member was their father and not who they thought was their biological dad. Could this test tell them the truth?”
Professor Marcy looks at me thoughtfully. “This type of test wouldn’t be able to distinguish between let’s say father and son or brothers, not even close relatives like cousins. Not if you’re looking for paternity.
“It doesn’t work that way. It would only identify the relation. For true parentage, there is a test though.
“The person would need to do a DNA family reconstruction test. This will allow for the type of answers you’re asking about,” Professor Marcy says.
“Oh, do you know how long those can take?”
“I’ll give you information for a place I know of. I do believe you can get the results within five days from the date all samples are provided. The great part is you can use close relatives to get it done. You don’t need the parties involved,” she replies.
Tears begin to flow down my face as my lips tremble. I try to think of who I could get to provide me with a sample. I don’t want to needlessly hurt my daddy with my suspicions.
I could be wrong. Papa Vernon would be furious. Everyone knows he can’t stand my mama. Cousin Cliff, I’m as close to him as I am my daddy.
He’s like Daddy’s best friend. He’d want to help me and Daddy out while still helping to protect my daddy in the process. I’ll ask him.
I suck in a deep breath. “I’d like that information, please.”