Short stories

Family

The phone rang, making him jump. He put his pen on his desk and picked up the receiver, his heart pounding.

“Yes?”

“Hello Mr. Carter. Evelyn Roberts.”

“Hello Mrs. Roberts. How are you?”

“Very well, thank you. And you?”

“Top shape. What can I do for you?”

“I’m calling because I have good news for you about the investigation that we’re doing for you.”

He stood up, very attentive.

“Oh yeah?”

“Come to my office late in the afternoon, please. I have some papers to give you.”

“Very well. I’ll be there.”

He put down the phone, his heart beating hard in his chest. She had papers to give him… What kind of papers? He had already signed a lot since the beginning of the investigation. What else could he sign? It was difficult to stay focused the rest of the day. He looked forward to finish his work. When he could finally leave, he went directly to Evelyn’s office. The latter met him, shaking his hand. She motioned him to sit comfortably while she rummaged in her filing cabinet to find a file.

“So? You have good news for me?”

She smiled while settling into her leather chair.

“Of course! Take a look at those papers, Mr. Carter. This is the old address of your mother, and her first name and maiden name. There’s even a phone number.”

“Oh yeah?”

“This one is for your grandparents. We don’t know if they still live at that address, but you can always try.”

“Oh…”

“That’s all we can do for you.”

* * * * *

Back to his apartment, he gnawed his nails while walking around. He had a glass of scotch in hand. He didn’t know what to do. He was glad that they traced his mother’s first address, and her name. Except he didn’t know if he wanted to talk to her. And there was nothing in the record concerning his father. Was he still with his mother? Surely not! From what he had read, his mother was only fifteen when she became pregnant.

His thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking at the door.

“It’s open!” he cried, finishing his glass.

“Hi little rascal,” a female voice whispered. “Why don’t you join me in the hall? I was so excited to see you. I have something important to tell you.”

A beautiful woman slowly entered the room, a small smile on her lips. She walked over to him. She dropped her bag on the floor and grabbed him by the neck to kiss him, but stopped. Seeing the expression on his face, she stepped back, frowning.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s okay,” he replied, taking another glass of scotch. “Did you had a nice day?”

“Yes, and you?”

“I… I had a lot of work, but I’m fine.”

Without another word, he looked away to scan the ice in his glass. She watched him for a moment without saying anything, wondering what went wrong. He was acting so weird… She no longer recognized him. She approached him and, with a sudden gesture, stole his glass.

“I’ll give it back to you only if you tell me what is wrong.”

“But everything’s okay!”