The past is a mystery! (A Ghostbusters story)

End of Prologue

As morning dawned over New York, Egon Spengler was already making his way to Ray's bookstore. Last night had given him a lot to think about. Even though Janine assured him that this was never his fault, he couldn't help but blame himself. He needed to hear another opinion. And nobody was suited better than his best friend Ray. Egon hoped that they still were best friends. They're relationship had been rather non existent the last 15 years, and when Egon had called his old friend 5 years ago to try to convince him of Gozer's return, all Ray did was tell him that he lost his mind. Now things had changed, again. But this time for the better. Jonathan had been able to convince his friends with proof, solid evidence that Egon knew he had lacked. If he had shown them actual evidence sooner, then those 15 years alone in Summerville could have been avoided. Arriving at his friend's store, he took a deep breath, sorting his thoughts. It was time that he finally told Ray the whole truth about his family.

Bracing himself for whatever Ray was going to say after Egon was done talking, he opened the door, the bell above ringing and notifying Ray of a visitor. Ray, who was scribbling something in a notebook, looked up. He smiled when he noticed Egon in the doorway.
-Didn't think you'd be here so early, Egon, he said, putting away the notebook and pencil.

Egon stepped forward and stood in front of Ray, who immediately noticed that something was wrong. Egon's face had remained expressionless but Ray could see a mixture of fear and sadness in his friend's eyes.
-What's wrong?, Ray asked.
-There's something I need to tell you, Ray, Egon answered.
Ray smiled at Egon sympathetically, making the latter feel a bit more at ease.
-Look, Ray. I never told you what I'm about to tell you because I was afraid of your reaction. Jonathan isn't my only child..., Egon said looking straight at Ray, to see his reaction. Ray's eyes widened at the revelation of Egon having another child.
-But-, But how come they're not here?, he asked, intrigued.

Egon sighed, and then told Ray the whole story, how he and Melanie had met at Columbia with neither Ray or Peter even noticing, how they had gotten together and eventually married. How Egon had reacted when Melanie revealed that she was pregnant, how she had quite literally kicked him out. That he never got and never will meet his daughter Callie, even though he knew what she looked like, he had explained that Melanie had sent him photos. He told him how Jonathan found him and that he didn't even know that he had a son.

Once he'd finished he added, his voice shaking:
-I..., I just think that I could have handled things differently and that if I had done that, things wouldn't have turned out the way they did. This is all my fault!
Ray walked out from behind the counter, stopping next to Egon and resting his hand on his friend's shoulder, having a sympathetic and understanding expression on his face.
-You did nothing and I repeat nothing wrong, Egon. All of this already happened, you cannot change it. But you can shape your future! Be the man you want to be. And don't worry about Gozer! No chance they'll win when we all work together!, Ray said, smiling widely.
Egon smiled, slightly, in return and said:
-Thank you Ray, I needed that.
______________________________________________________________________

Later that day, Winston, Ray, Egon, Peter and Jonathan, Janine had excused herself saying that she would only disturb their meeting, met in Winston's office to discuss their plans on how to defeat Gozer.

-So. What is the plan Egon?, Winston said, sitting in his office chair and looking at Egon, who like the rest had gathered around Winston's desk.
-Well..., Egon started unfolding a piece of paper on the desk in front of him. Pointing at it he added:
-This is a not very detailed drawing of the farm I have been living on.
-That doesn't look very nice, aren't you worrying that that thing will collapse?, Peter asked with an uncertain expression. Egon shot a glance in his direction, not answering the question and continued with his explanation:
-Anyway. The silos will act as some sort of super capacitor.