The Hidden Truth

Chapter Sixteen: Dilemmas

After work the next day I thought about heading straight to the library to check out the old newspapers. I figured that I might find something about my mother's family there. The only problem I had was that I have no clue what her maiden name was, so I had to go to the courthouse to find out.

I walk in and head straight to one of the security guards manning the entrance and ask, "Do you know where I can find old marriage certificates?"

"That would be in the administration building two blocks to the right." the guard replies.

"Thank you sir." I say as I turn around and start to head back out the doors I came in.

The same guard stops me in my tracks as he says, "They closed at five but they will open again tomorrow morning at eight."

Again I thank the man for the information and leave. Walking to my car I try to figure out how I can get those records when they are only open while I'm at work. Time after time the only thing that came to my mind was to run late for work one morning and call in to my boss explaining that I had car troubles. The less my boss knew the better but I feared that I'd be making waves at work and I may lose my job over this. Or worse, my boss may ask for proof which I wouldn't have. Either way I need to come up with an alternative option.

Later that night I try not to think about my dilemma. Instead I begin setting up the kitchen for the guys to come over. One by one they show up like usual and I answer the door each time to allow them in. While the night draws on my issue continues to return to the surface. At the intermission break I step outside for some fresh air where I'm joined by Larry. The two of us have a friendly chat that leads into my problem coming out.

"I think it's best you don't say anything to Jose he can't be trusted."

"Larry you know these guys better than I do, do you think any of them would have a solution?"

"Well since Ray is in accounting he might be able to help us."

At that point he calls Ray outside with us as he explains what we need his assistance with. I didn't know if it was a good idea to include him in on this but Larry insisted it was perfectly fine. I guess I still have a problem feeling comfortable around these guys enough to drop my guard.

As the two guys chat I find that Larry isn't telling him everything which I'm perfectly fine with. I start to wonder if Larry doesn't trust him either. Or maybe it's just that he doesn't need that information to give me what I need. After Ray agrees to find out what I'm looking for all three of us head back inside laughing as if we had a funny conversation. Soon the night ends and I'm satisfied that I don't have to return to the courthouse.

*****

Night after night Ray shows up for every poker game but he doesn't have any information for me quite yet. Several more days pass by and he still hasn't come back with any information and I start to become nervous. I begin to wonder if there are no records anywhere to be found. Or maybe Jose found out what we were doing and put an end to it. Either way I still need to find out what my mother's maiden name was. I thought about asking my so-called aunt but I doubted she would give me the information.

By Saturday there still was no news so when Alex came over I asked him what the last name of the family he lives with is. Unfortunately he had no clue. Instead he reads me again, coming up with the same thing as he did before. Again she's in the library, reading a book. The same questions arise as they did before as well as the feeling that Alex is holding back information. This time I asked him, "Why do I have a feeling that you're not telling me everything?"

"If you don't like the information I'm giving you then I can quit. Besides I can only tell you what I see. I can't help it if she always has her nose buried in a book."

"I guess you're right but why do you always abruptly stop?"

"Have you ever thought that maybe what I'm seeing isn't completely clear?"

At that moment I couldn't help but think that maybe I was pushing him too hard. So, I suggested that maybe we take a break. It's not like I knew how or what he went through while he was reading me. Although his quick reply and hostility towards me after this long apart is not reassuring. The only thing that I knew for a fact was that as long as she is reading a book in a library there is still hope. Unfortunately I also knew from past experience that her health can decline rapidly in the wrong environment.

When Monday night rolled around I stressed my urgency to Larry. Telling him how important it is that I find her on time. He in return, talked with Ray outside on my back-porch. However, I was not included in this talk which made me wonder what they were talking about. Instead of having fun with the guys, my head filled with worrisome thoughts. For the rest of the night I remained mute.