Love in the Minor Key

Chapter Twelve: The Beginning

“Gabe!” Dan yelled when he noticed that Gabriel was unconscious. “Somebody! Somebody get a doctor! My brother's passed out. Please!”

Nurses and doctors ran in, telling Dan that he couldn't come along and that it's best if he just went out to the waiting room. He fought it but eventually gave up. He began to remember many things about Jasmine as the possibility of Gabe dying reeled in his head. As he was walking back, he had a flashback to the night in the alleyway.

“Hey, Dan!” Dan's boss called out. “Would you please take out the trash for me?”

“Yes Sir,” Dan nodded happily now that he knew he was in love.

Dan grabbed the full bag of trash going out the door into the alleyway. He threw the bag away and began to turn around. Before he could walk away. He saw a woman up against the alley’s back wall. He was scared to get closer, but when he did, he saw that it was Jasmine. She had on a very tattered, and a bit too small, outfit on that was now covered in blood. He ran over to her and picking her up in his arms, calling an ambulance.

“Don't leave me, Jazz,” Dan begged. “Please stay with me. You're the only person that has ever showed me any kind of love. I love you. Don't leave me.”

“Just read the note,” she smiled before going completely lifeless. With tears in his eyes, he tucked the letter away as the ambulance came to get her body.

Dan snapped back into reality, feeling that warm feeling drain from his body as he walked towards the front desk. He emotionlessly grabbed his items and went back out to the waiting room. When he got there, Hope and Phil were nowhere to be found, which drained him even more. He angrily got out his phone, seeing a text from Phil.

Hope and I decided to grab lunch. Seeya when we get back :-) xoxo
You can stay out for all I care.
What's wrong?
Nothing. Just can't deal with people right now.
Well Hope has something to tell you.
Whatever she tells me is probably nothing new.
Actually is. Will talk when we get back. We're in the parking lot now.
***
Hello. Is this Professor Howell?
Yes. Who is this?
It's Emily. I am in your class.
Oh okay. What do you need, Emily.
Well you offered me private lessons and I want to take you up on that offer.
And what do you want to learn from private lessons?
Want to learn how to really use my hands, mouth, and how to project my voice.
Are you trying to be sexual?
Maybe…
I have a boyfriend.
So do I.¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I will have to get back to you on that one.
Fine by me.

“Hey,” Phil greeted, the two walking up as Dan put his phone in his pocket.

“Hi...” Dan growled, Hope and Phil looking at the angry boy.

“We didn't do anything more than just lunch,” Phil sighed as if reading the man's mind.

“I don't give a fuck if you did or not,” Dan shrugged. “You can give me another nephew for all I care.”

“What's wrong, Dan?” Hope asked, concern filling her voice.

“Doesn't matter,” Dan laughed. “So what is this shocking news you had to tell me.”

“Gabe isn't your brother,” Hope blurted out. “When our dad was still alive, she successfully got DNA from him and Liam. Neither of them came back positive, but it was positive in relations. While you were sleeping on the way, I got a sample from you. Within two hours, they got results. He's not your brother. He's your son.”

“What the actual fuck?!” Dan yelled, pulling out the sheet of paper he had held for over seven years and reading it for the very first time. “Fuck! She… She fucking told me! She… She wanted me to raise you guys, and she even has a hidden will. I could've prevented everything bad that happened to you guy. I should've read this. I should've!”

“Everything will be okay, Dan” Phil reassured.

“No it's not!” Dan snapped. “I just found my sister, found out I had a son and I could've prevented this potential death. As soon as I find out anything about Gabe, I'm leaving. I don't need a ride, because I have one. I don't care where you guys go, but I don't want you at my house until I tell you you can, okay?”

“What are you planning to do?” Phil asked, concern in his voice.

“Not bringing harm to my body if that's what you think,” Dan shrugged. “I just have a few things to do.”

“Okay,” Phil sighed before the doctor walked up to them.

“Gabriel is doing okay,” the doctor said. “There was a new chef who didn't know he was allergic to oregano. He'll be fine.”

“May I please talk to you privately?” Dan asked, the doctor nodding before they went into a meeting room.

“What do you need?” she asked after they sat down.

“I was wondering,” Dan said nervously, “if it was possible to take Gabriel home. I will furnish a room just for him, I'll get an in-home nurse, and have on-call medical help. I'm sure you found out about the DNA results, so I want to take him home.”

“We will work on the paperwork,” she nodded, making Dan smile. “I will send a social worker with you to help arrange what is needed for Gabriel's room. We'll provide a moving truck with the furniture and everything you need. I'll call it in. Just give the social worker your address and we'll have everything move in.“

“Please don't tell Hope,” Dan begged. “I want to surprise her. Send her and Phil somewhere for me. Can you do that?”

“Yes, Sir,” she smiled. “Well you may want to get going. You have a house to rearrange.”

“Thank you again,” he smirked, him plotting his next move.