Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 74450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“That’s good. Great, actually,” Azure piped up.
“Jasper here is an EMT. Good careers for my boys. What are you? ’Bout six-three?”
“Six-three and a half,” Caspian replied with a smile.
“I’m six-two. Jasper is what? Six-one?”
“Mmm hmm, yeah, and Harrison is six-four. We’re all tall. Harrison and I have hazel eyes like you, Dad.”
“Caspian got his mama’s eyes, though. Jasper, they were amazing. The first thing I noticed about her. They didn’t even look real. Like a baby doll’s or something. Your mama had strong features. I hate to keep repeating myself, but I’m just amazed as I sit here looking at you… talkin’ to you. If you’re my son… then damn it!” He hit the table with his fist, making the surface shake. “I’m so damn sorry.
“There ain’t no words in the English dictionary that can sum up how I feel right now. But I want us to at least be friends if you’re mine. I know you just want to pick my brain and get to the bottom of this. To get closure.” Caspian’s heart raced triple-time. Emotions were waking within him. “But I can’t promise I’ll be able to leave you alone. If we confirm you’re my blood, then you’re going to have to become part of the family. I can’t be finally aware I have a son and never talk to him again.”
“I wouldn’t want to not talk to you again.” Caspian shrugged. “I just wanted you to know and understand that I’m not looking for anything.”
“You sounded just like your mama when you said that… and the way you turned your head just so. She was real nonchalant, too. Not very emotional about serious things. When she was done with me, she ain’t make a big stink. Weren’t no tears and screaming like most women did when they found out I was foolin’ around or broke up with them. She just went on about her way. I loved and hated that about her. I think everyone did. She had principles, and she was a strong woman. She looked delicate as a daisy with her tiny self, but she had the heart of a lion. All the guys wanted her. I felt lucky she wanted me too, but then, I couldn’t handle it. I didn’t understand what I had until she was gone. I had the girl everyone wanted.” He smiled proudly.
“Everyone? Well, you did luck out then, didn’t you,” he teased.
“Yeah. The football captain wanted her. Jerry. Bobby wanted your mama, too. Everyone did. But she chose me…” He pointed at himself proudly, though sadness gleamed in his eyes.
Caspian thought about what he said. “You said, Bobby wanted my mama, too?”
“Yeah, he had a bit of a crush on her. He actually saw her at school before I did. He claimed I stole her, but it wasn’t my fault she wasn’t interested in him.” He shrugged. “And I damn sure wasn’t going to turn down getting her number. Your mama was one of the best-lookin’ girls in our high school. She turned people’s heads and made a lot of friends ’cause she was funny and down-to-earth. Unfortunately, she fell for the bad boy.” He pointed to himself. “She deserved better.”
They continued their conversation until Caspian’s phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number.
“I hate answering unknown calls, but I’m waiting for some leads and—”
“Go right ahead.” Harrison encouraged as he slipped his credit card beside the bill.
Caspian picked up the call, surprised to hear back from the DNA testing facility. After answering a few of their questions, he was told the earliest available date for an appointment.
“Looks like we can get in this upcomin’ Friday, at 10:00 A.M. They’re about half a mile east of Oxmoor Mall.”
“That’ll work. I’ll make it work.”
Caspian confirmed the date and ended the call.
“When do we get the results?” Harrison asked.
“Well, they’ll do a cheek swab. Doesn’t take long like I said. The result times vary but he told me the turnaround time is typically within fourteen business days. At higher peak times, the time frame increases.”
They continued to talk a while longer, during which time Harrison shared more memories regarding his mother. Caspian would’ve been lying to himself if he didn’t admit he found some comfort in that. Three hours later, the four of them were on their feet, heading out the door.
“I wish you hadn’t paid for dinner, Harrison, but thank you all the same.”
“No, it was my pleasure.” Instead of shaking his hand, the man grabbed him and hugged him tight, patting his back. “Come ’ere pretty lady,” he said with a chuckle as he embraced Azure, too. “I tell you this much. If this guy is mine, he’s a chip off the ol’ block.”
“Oh, really? How so?” Azure’s cheekbones rose high and glowed with a reddish hue.
“We definitely always got the pretty ones.” Harrison winked at her, then walked to a big, older gray truck. “See ya Friday, Caspian!”