The NEIGHBORHOOD

Chapter 8 The Test

A few days later, Everlee and I were talking in the bedroom. We were discussing our plans for the day, which no one knew about except for us, Sarah, and Beth. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Mother came in.

I could barely look at her.

"Bridget, what is wrong with you?" she asked. "You've been so quiet lately, and have hardly spoken to me."

She looked worried. Maybe she suspected that I knew her secret.

"I'm sorry, Mother...Mom...." I said. "I think that Everlee and I have just been having too much fun the past few days and I've just been tired. Maybe we should rest today while you guys go to the water park."

Grammy and Pops had suggested taking us to the water park. They had bought us season tickets every year, and we could easily go every day if we wanted to, so it's not like we would be missing out on much.

"That's fine, dear, "she said. "Wellesley will love the attention. You girls need to rest up. We have a dinner on Friday and I want you looking your best. Do you remember Walter Simmons, from Simmons and Bagley? He and his associate, Gregory, have been asking about you girls. They invited us out for dinner at The Regale. I think there might be a purpose."

That was all she ever called it. A purpose. What she meant was that they would be willing to offer benefits in exchange for permission from our parents to have us on their arms at social events, and eventually enjoy the other benefits we could give once we turned 18, which would also ensure a marriage proposal. I was disgusted, but I needed to buy some time, so I put on my best smile.

"As long as they're both extremely good looking, Mother," I teased. "I need the benefits of enjoying the view if I'm going to put up with someone forever/"

She smiled and walked out the door. Mission accomplished.

Later that day, while they were gone, Beth arrived. We quickly piled in her SUV and headed towards the drug center downtown, where DNA tests were also performed. As she and I sat inside, she turned to me and took a deep breath, as if she had an announcement.

"I need to tell you something...," she said nervously. "Please don't be mad."

"I don't think she could ever be as mad at you as she is at Quinn." Everlee suggested. "In case that helps."

Beth laughed gently.

"Corey's dad is a police officer. He wasn't able to help in my case because he was related to my child--possibly you---but I did get him to call in a favor for today. An officer will be here shortly with a court order to rush results. We will know for sure this evening."

"I'm not mad," I said. "How will I be notified? I mean, I know that we know what the results are going to say. I can feel it. But with the very slight chance that it's not, ya know, what we are thinking, I would hate for someone to show up at Grammy's door just to tell me I'm really her granddaughter and my mother---Quinn's--real daughter."

"I understand," she said. "I would hate that, too. But I did ask them to leave you and your family alone if they really are your family. I will send word with Sarah if it's negative. She will come by just to hang out and tell you when you're alone with her."

I agreed to that. After all, there was no need to upset Grammy and Pops without a reason, though I suspected that they already knew what had happened. I hadn't given it too much thought because I truly loved them so much and was heartbroken at the thought of them covering up something like this. I never would have believed that they had it in them to hurt an innocent person like Beth. I hoped there would be some sort of reason for their actions that meant them being innocent.