Not Mine

~Part 6~

     After some time, James cooled down a little, and looked up at John, who was frozen in shock.
     "Dammit, John, this didn't happen, kay?"
     John nodded in fear, and James left the room, leaving Maria on the ground, bruised and bleeding. He quickly ran over to her, "Wait so Alex is my dad? But he's Philip's dad? But are we brothers? Is this why we have so much in common?"
     Maria didn't respond, and was stuck on the ground, shaking.
     "Mom?" Still no response. He ran to grab a phone, but James grabbed him before he could find one.
     "Let go of me!" He tried kicking him, but failed. "Dad, please?"
     "I'm not your dad..."
     "You may not be responsible for me being here, but you're the one who taught me everything I know. You taught me how to be a decent human being. No one else could do a better job."
     Tears started forming in James's eyes before he finally gave in, "Fine, call whatever help you want, I don't care..."
     John gave him a quick hug before running off again to get a phone and calling 9-1-1.
     "Hello? Yes, my mom is really hurt..." They sent an ambulance on the way, and James stayed in his room, hoping he wouldn't have to explain anything.
     When the medical team arrived, they asked if there was anyone there who could explain what just happened and why Maria was in such poor condition.
     James decided to own up for his actions and came out to where they were. He told them the whole story, hoping nothing bad would happen. They didn't care about what he did at that moment, they just wanted to make sure Maria was safe, so they loaded her into the ambulance and let John and James ride in the back, then drove off.
     When they arrived at the hospital, after everything was set up, John texted Philip and asked if he maybe wanted to come hang out, since he was kind-of stuck there until he could get a ride home. They didn't use their car, after all. Philip texted back that his dad wouldn't bring him but maybe he would try to ride his bike or something. John told him maybe he could come tomorrow, since he wasn't sure how long riding a bike to the hospital would take. Philip agreed, maybe James could drive them both up tomorrow.
     It started getting late, Maria was still unconscious, and they needed to get home, so a couple nurses offered to drive them home. The rest of the night went quickly, for nothing happened.
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     The next day, James decided to give John the choice of whether he wanted to go to school or not that day.
     John wanted to see Philip, but he also wanted to visit his mom... He started thinking about the past, being called those names... That was why... How did they know but not him? He'd have to ask his mom when she woke up... If she woke up...
     No. Of course she'd wake up. It was just a simple fight, right? He needed something to distract his mind so he went on a jog around the neighborhood. When he got back, James asked if he wanted to go visit his mom, he had gotten a call from the hospital saying she was awake and recovering. Yes! She's okay!
     "Of course!" He started running around the house, excited to hear.
     "Okay, calmmmmm down, so we were going to bring Philip today, right?"
     John started thinking again, 'Wait. Philip. If Alex is my dad... and Alex is his dad... But Maria is my mom... Who's his mom? Had it been Alex's fault this whole time?' There were so many pieces to put together... But for now, he just wanted to visit his mom.
     He quickly got his shoes on and sprinted out to the car, texting Philip telling him to come outside and wait for him. Philip asked if it was okay if he brought Alex. John asked James, who said it was fine, they'd be over in a couple minutes.
     When they got to Alex's house, Philip ran outside and got in the back with John. Alex came outside, holding a small envelope, but trying to hide it in his coat. John saw it though, and a '$' on it. He thought yet again, 'Wait. Is this where my dad gets all his money? Why is it so secreti- ohhh wait this has to do with my mom doesn't it...' He saw Alex slip the envelope into the door and they headed off to the hospital.
     John and Philip ran over to the elevator to get to the right floor, but Alex and James stayed behind in the lobby, talking about something. John wasn't quite sure what, maybe he'd ask later.