Catherine's Secrets

Chapter 2

Steve paced the patio as he pulled out his phone to call Danny. He'd been here for a week and had been dodging everyone's questions. How was he to tell his best friend about his newly found children he was going to have to swallow the fear. His heart pounded in his chest as he heard the dial tone.

"Hey Steve, how's it going? All set for the funeral this morning?"

"Yeah, it's all set. Listen buddy, I have to tell you something. Remember when I said she left me money in the will?"

"Yeah, why does it matter? What'd she leave you? If you tell me a million dollars I'm gonna hang up the phone. Because you are already stingy enough with your wallet." Steve rolls his eyes as he transfers the phone to his other ear.

"No Daniel. I'm trying to tell you something pal, it's serious just listen." Danny takes a sip of his water after he tells Steve to continue over the phone.

"I have two daughters Danny." Danny immediately spits his water everywhere.

"Excuse me what? Did I hear that correctly?" Steve runs his fingers over the bridge of his nose.

"Yes two daughters Danny, one is eight and the other is fourteen. Catherine had two of my children and gave them to her mother who has raised them this entire time on the promise I wasn't told. Danny I can't even begin to express the anger I feel." Danny felt himself getting angry.

"You mean that bitch not only has been playing with your emotions this entire twenty years but also hid your kids from you too?"

"Yes Danny that sounds about right. I've been trying and trying to find her and I just can't. I might have to go to her." Danny undoubtedly doesn't agree with him.

"Worry about your kids, Steve. She always comes around when it's convenient for her. You'll have your chance to see her again."

"I know Danny I just have some stuff I need to get off my chest."

"And you will Steve." Danny pauses for a moment before he asks him. "What are their names?" Steve smiles.

"Stephanie Jacklyn and Julie Ann."

"Ahh Stephanie the oldest?"

"How'd you know?"

"She's got the female version of your name, Steven Jack." Steve had missed that. How did he not catch that.

"That's funny Danny I didn't even catch that."

"Daddy! I need help with the bow on my dress!" Steve turns around to see Julie running to him.

"Danny I got to go I'll see you tomorrow." Steve hangs up the phone and puts it in his pocket as his daughter haults in front of him.

"Hey baby, let me see." He says as she turns around to let him tie the bow on her dress.

Steve sat next to his daughters as they sat in silence with tears streaming as the preacher talked about what an amazing person LouAnn was. Internally Steven was blazing with anger both at LouAnn and Catherine. He had never felt such anger inside him. He was thrilled her mother had decided to finally let him in on the secret that he had two children, but the other half of him wishes she could hear his wrath. He would never have known about them if she hadn't died.