The Harper Generations: Country Roads

Val's logic: the truth shall set you free

Misty

I learned with Val there's only one way to go. Tell the damn truth. It makes your life so much easier. Do we listen? Nope. It takes us several times to screw the pooch to realize Val's logic is always correct. The truth will set you free.

Grandma invited Uncle Raymond over the next day to explain a few things like his mother is a conniving bitch who stabbed him in the back multiple times. Raymond didn't find this funny. We found it downright hilarious since it was the truth. Eh, what can you do?

Then came the tricky part. Telling Raymond about the possibility of him having a grown daughter he never knew about. Can you imagine finding out you have a kid out there and not knowing? Better yet, your girlfriend took off with said kid without telling you.

I pity Raymond's ex if it's true. I pity Grandma Mary even more when he learns the entire truth. Oh, who was I kidding? These people deserve what is coming.

Dad refused to let me hang out with him, Grandma Naomi, and Raymond while Grandma and Dad talked to him. But I wanted to be the fly on the wall to get the juicy details.

Oh, well, I'll bug my boyfriend.

******
West

Mom and I sat with Raymond at her kitchen table while Mom explained the possibility of Raymond having a daughter. Raymond stared at Mom as she wove this unbelievable tale. Then came the confusion.

"I don't understand," Raymond said, shaking his head in confusion. "You're telling me that I might have a child I knew nothing about?"

Mom nodded.

"How do you know this?"

Mom glanced at me for help.

"Misty and her friends have been diving into her mom's family history. Misty wanted to learn more about her mom's side since Cora died after giving birth. It's not unheard of kids wanting to know about their family's background. They discovered a link between you and their cousin's girlfriend during their search. It's a one-in-a-million chance the girl could be your daughter," I explained.

"Gloria never mentioned a pregnancy to me." Raymond shook his head.

"She might not have had a chance if your mom found out. Mary wasn't a fan of anyone who wasn't straight or white. I discovered that when I dated Cora."

Raymond looked at me before running his hand through his hair and lowering his head with his hand on the back of his neck. "That would explain why Mom wasn't friendly to Gloria when I introduced them. So, I didn't bother bringing Gloria around again."

"How long did you and Gloria date before she left town?"

"Two years. She even moved in with me six months before she left. We made plans for a future together. Then, one day, I found her and her stuff gone. She didn't even leave me a note or anything."

"Did you try calling her?"

"Several times. She wouldn't answer my calls or messages. Eventually, I gave up. I don't understand. Why wouldn't Gloria tell me why she was leaving? I would have protected her."

"We don't know." I shook my head. "The only people who can give you those answers are Gloria and Mary. I doubt either one will open their mouths."

"Raymond, I understand you are confused about the situation. But shouldn't you find out if that girl is your daughter?" Mom asked.

"And then what?" Raymond asked.

"Then get to know her. What could it hurt?"

Raymond gave Mom a weary look. Everything was riding on this paternity test. If it was a match, Raymond and this girl needed answers. If it wasn't, he opened up a can of worms we can't reseal and disrupted two lives.