Liar's Moon

Sixteen

"Come on in, Alex," Babs Duncan offered. The two of them walked across the floor of her house and made their way to the living room. Her face had a look of politeness mixed with concern. The banker's face was as stern and as cold as ever.
"Sit down," Babs said, "I made you a drink."
"No thank you," the banker said, and the two of them sat down.
After a few seconds, he looked to the woman.
"What is it you couldn't tell me over the phone? Are they alright? Where are they?"
Babs lowered her head as she stared at her folded hands.
"Jack and Ginny are in Mentir, Louisiana," she told him, "Now, I just talked to Dr. Black on the phone and he was contacted by a Dr. Mullen in Mentir."
Alex Peterson's face was puzzled. He stared at Babs, urging her to continue.
"Why a doctor?"
Babs sighed, "It seems that, uh... Ginny's pregnant."
Fear hung over the banker's face. His eyes widened as he spoke under his breath.
"I prayed this wouldn't happen," he sighed in thought. He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Would Ginny have to get an abortion?"
He looked to Babs, whose expression was serious and unmoving.
"There won't be an abortion, Alex."
Alex's eyes narrowed at the woman. "Are you crazy?"
Babs shook her head, "No, no I'm not crazy."
She stood up from the couch and walked away.
"I'm just very selfish and very, very stupid."
Alex grew more angry.
"What in heaven's name are you talking about?!" he yelled.
Still not facing him, Babs stood still.
"God knows I've wanted to tell you this so many times before, Alex, but I just never could do it."
She began to sob while the banker sat still on the couch, waiting for her to continue.
"What..?"
"Jack," Babs began, "he- he's not your son."
Alex's brows furrowed, and he stood up from his seat.
"What do you mean, 'not my son?'"
Babs turned to the ban and began to confess to him through teary eyes.
"I lied to you. I lied to you, Alex. Jack is really Cecil's son."
Alex still remained skeptical. "But the tests.. Dr. Black confirmed that Jack wasn't Cecil's son. So he's got to be mine!" he told her.
Babs shook her head, "No! No, he's not. And that's the truth of it."
She stepped closer to the man, looking into his eyes.
"Do you remember Nancy, my friend who worked for Dr. Black then?" she asked, "She switched the files, Alex. Your blood type for Cecil's. Dr. Black never knew anything about it."
The banker was dumbfounded at the explanation. He grew deep in thought, wanting her to continue.
"Why...? Why'd you do it?"
Babs sighed, "I gave you everything, Alex, and you took it. And then, just like that, you left me for Connie Tubman and all her money. The only thing you left me were my dreams."
Alex turned around and began to pace around the room.
"You always did dream too much," he said as he faced her.
"You loved me, Alex," she responded.
Anger built inside of him. His brows furrowed.
"For almost twenty years, you let me believe that Jack is my son."
He stepped closer to her as he continued, "Can you imagine the guilt I felt? The pain, the suffering of not being able to acknowledge your own son?! Can you imagine that?! And now i got my daughter out there being hunted down like a wild animal!"
Tears built up in Babs' eyes. "But I loved you! Damn you, I still do!"
She put her hands on the collar of Alex's grey sport coat, only to be quickly pushed away, making her fall. She continued to cry as she placed a manicured hand to her temple.
"I pity you, Babs," Alex told her, "I pity you."
After another moment of thought, he continued.
"Now, did you at least tell the doctor the truth?"
"I thought I should tell you first," Babs responded.
The banker lowered his voice, piercing the woman with his icy blue stare.
"I'll call them. No tellin' what them kids might do."
He held his head up and stepped away.

In the Mentir hospital, the phone in Dr. Mullen's office began to ring. But Dr. Mullen was not present. He was outside in the backyard, basking himself in the greenery. The phone continued to ring, but with no avail. This went on for a few seconds until a woman walked over to pick it up.
"Dr. Brian Mullen's office," the woman spoke. "Yes? Oh, yes Mr. Peterson. Ginny should be here soon."
The woman waited for the banker's response, and a smile grew on her face as he explained to her.
"I'll tell the doctor right away. Oh, he'll be so glad to hear that!" she told him, "Thank you for callin'! Bye!"
Putting the phone down, the nurse opened the window closest to the desk and called out to the doctor.
"Ginny Duncan's father just called! It's all some big mistake!"
Dr. Mullen, relieved at the news, smiled at the nurse and began to stand up. He took a moment in the backyard once more before making his way back to his office.