The Truth Always Comes Out

                Chapter 3:  The Truth Comes Out

          Blaine picks up the laptop that holds the evidence and slowly walks down the stairs. He feels like a prisoner taking his final walk before his execution. Only he won't be killed, but his life as he knows is over. He walks toward the living room not caring that tears continue to flow down his face. Blaine hears voices clearly, discussing how they are going to break the news to him. He walks into the living room unnoticed. Blaine's father looks up and sees Blaine frozen like a statue. “Blaine,” his father says shocked to see him standing there. Angela and Jack Hill turn around at the same time and are speechless as they view a sad looking boy.

          All eyes are on Blaine as he sets his laptop down on top of an antique table and looks directly at his Dad. He finally speaks, forcing words out of his mouth that he never thought he would ever say. “Are you my Father? Are you my biological Father?” He stares into his Father's eyes while his eyes are begging him to say, yes. “Please say yes.” Blaine wishes to himself. Tom slowly walks toward his son, puts his hands on Blaine's shoulders firmly, and looks directly into his son's eyes and sadly whispers, “No.” Blaine's head falls to his chest as he tries to comprehend the answer. His body starts to shiver. His mind is spinning as his world falls apart into a million pieces. He feels his legs giving out and he starts falling to the ground. His Father catches him in his strong safe arms. He holds Blaine tightly, not wanting to let him go. He gentle speaks into Blaine's ear, “I love you son. It will be okay, I promise you. It will be okay.” as tears fall down Tom's face. Tom softly sets Blaine down on the couch as he goes to get him a glass of cold water. Blaine covers his face with his hands and his head falls to his knees.  

          Angela rushes to her son's side and rubs his back trying to reassure him. Tom returns with a glass of cold water and places it on the table that is near Blaine. After a few minutes of waiting silently Angela moves to sit on the table so she is facing Blaine. She tells Blaine to sit up and he slowly rises, his head is still hanging down though. She gently forces Blaine's head up by cupping her soft hands around his face and carefully lifting. She whispers “Look at me honey, look at me. It is going to be okay.”  Blaine slowly opens his eyes and sees the loving eyes of his Mother. He begins to calm down. “Now listen to me. Do you understand?” she tells her son. Blaine nods yes, as his Mother tenderly wipes the tears that have fallen down his face. “Blaine I want you to take a drink of water. Blaine did as he was told. Now, take a few deep breaths so you can calm down before I talk to you. Do you understand?” his Mother asks. Again, Blaine did as he was told. Angela turned towards Jack Hill and told him to go and wait in the study until they call for him. Tom walked with Jack Hill and showed him to the study. Angela grabs a tissue and dabs her eyes and wipes away her own tears. Angela sits on the couch next to Blaine. She has Blaine turn so he is now facing her. She gently holds his hands in hers while Tom sits behind her giving support. Blaine found it difficult to look at his parents but he did the best he could. His Mother began to speak knowing the secret that she held for19 years was about to be revealed to her son. “Blaine I am going to tell you something I should have told you many years ago. It is going to be difficult to hear but we are going to get through this together as a family. For the next few minutes though I need you to do me a favor. I need you to just listen to what I have to say before asking any questions. I may not be able to get through it if I have to stop. I will answer all your questions after I am finished. Do you understand?” she asked. “Yes,” Blaine said. “Can you do that for me?” she continues. “Yes,” Blaine answered. Blaine's Mom finally asked, “Are you ready to listen?” Blaine softly answered, “Yes.” Taking in a deep breath Angela begin to tell Blaine the truth.

          “On July 13th 1994 we were at your Father's law office celebrating the opening of his first law office. It was getting late and I needed to head home because the babysitter for Cooper had to leave. I started walking home when a man came up behind me. He covered my mouth and carried me into the alley across from the law office. He had a knife and threatened to kill me and my family. Now, I am not going to tell you the details of what happened but Blaine I was raped and assaulted in the alley. After it happened I went back to the law office and your Father took me to the hospital. They took care of me there. I filed a complaint with the police and gave them a description of the man who raped me. A few weeks later he was caught. He went to trial and was found guilty and sent to prison for 15 years. His name is J__.” Before she could say it Blaine whispers, “Jack Hill.” “Yes,” his Mother says as she continues, not knowing how Blaine new the name. “About a month after the attack I found out I was pregnant. Your Father and I were so excited because we had been trying for such a long time to have another child. We also realized that there was a small chance that Jack Hill could be the Father. We quickly decided that we wanted this baby, we wanted you. We were going to love this baby no matter who the Father was. After you were born we had a paternity test done. We found out that Jack Hill was indeed your biological Father. I need you to know Blaine, that after it was confirmed that Jack Hill was your biological Father I had some trouble caring for you. When I looked at you I could see Jack Hill and it scared me. You had some of Jack Hill's traits like the color of your eyes and your black curly hair. I felt uncomfortable around you. I did not hold you and care for you like I should have. This feeling lasted for only a few months but during this time Blaine, your Father cared for you and loved you with all his heart.” Angela touches Tom's hand that is still on her shoulder supporting her like the husband he has always been. “We had Jack Hill sign away his parental rights immediately after your paternity was determined and then your Father legally adopted you. We didn't want you to know how you were conceived or who your biological father was for obvious reasons. We thought it would be best for everyone because no one knew the truth except me, your dad, and Jack Hill.” Angela looked at Blaine and said, “I am going to stop now. Do you have any questions? Can you tell me what you are thinking or feeling?”  Blaine sat motionless wanting to wake from this nightmare.

          As tears filled Blaine's eyes and fell slowly down his face all he could say to his Mother is, “I'm sorry this happened to you.” His Mother pleaded. ”Talk to us Blaine, what are you feeling, what are you thinking. Talk to us Blaine, please don't shut us out.” Blaine looked at his parent's faces and said. “I don't know what I am feeling. I just feel numb and I need some time alone to think. I'm going to go up to my room if you don't mind.” he said as he stood up wanting to leave. “Wait, you can't go yet Blaine. There is something else you need to know.” his Father said. Blaine stopped walking and returned to the couch and sat down again not really wanting to hear any more. “Blaine, the man in the study is Jack Hill. He contacted us a few days ago needing our help.” explained his Mother. “Why would you even want to help him?” Blaine asked his Mother disgustedly. “Blaine, I want you to listen to what he has to say. Then you can decide if you want to help him or not.” said his Mother.

          Tom goes to the study and comes back with a very quiet Jack Hill. Blaine stares at the man who did such an awful thing to his Mother. Blaine can feel his blood start to boil as he clenches his fists in anger. “Hi Blaine,” Jack says nervously. “I know I gave up all my rights as your Father but I am here because I am your Father really.” Blaine explodes and yells, “Don't say that!” as he rushes toward Jack Hill knocking him down to the floor with his arms swinging with all his might. Blaine's fists are landing punches on his face and stomach. Tom gets Blaine off Jack and wraps Blaine up in a tight hug so his arms cannot move. Blaine is breathing heavily as his anger shows for the first time. Angela helps Jack up and makes sure he is okay. She notices his lip is bleeding and there is some bruising around his eye. She goes into the kitchen and gets some ice and puts it in a bag. She gives the ice to Jack Hill and he places it on his face. She sees Tom talking to Blaine softly trying to get him to calm down. “Relax Blaine, calm down. Are your hands okay?” Blaine finally relaxes and says, “Yes” to his Father. Angela gently grabs Blaine's hands and walks him back to the couch. “Okay, let's try this again. Blaine I don't want that to happen again. Do you understand?” she tells him. “Yes,” Blaine mumbles. “Jack, do you want to explain to Blaine why you are here now? I promise you he will stay seated and listen.” Angela says while looking at her son.

Jack Hill slowly walks toward Blaine and says, “I didn't mean to upset you Blaine, but I am here because I really need your help. I have a 23 year old son named Joey who I love dearly. A few years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. He has been fighting with all his might to beat it by undergoing chemo and radiation treatments ever since he was diagnosed. He has been told now that he needs a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a suitable donor or match. No one in the family matches and he only has a few months to live if we can't find a match. Last Friday I came to talk to your parents. I explained the situation and asked them if you could be tested. Blaine interrupts,” So you want me to get tested to see if I am a match, so I can possible save your son. Boy, after what you did to my Mother you have a lot of nerve.” Blaine is shaking his head because this situation is so absurd when his Father says. “Blaine, you have already best tested. The blood test you had done on Saturday was to see if you were a match.” Blaine drops his head and says, “I'm a match aren't I.” Slowly lifting his head Blaine looks at Jack Hill he says, “Why else would you be here.” Blaine rubs his eyes with his hands and mumbles. “Can this day get any worse?”

          Jack Hill begins to plead for his son.” Please Blaine, Joey is not involved in any of this mess. He had nothing to do with your Mother's attack and rape. He was an innocent child only 3 years old. I hurt your Mother. Please don't hold it against Joey. He is a good boy with a good heart. I wasn't there for him when he was growing up, but I can be there for him know. If I needed the transplant I wouldn't ask you but I will ask for my son's sake. His life is just beginning. He has dreams he wants to follow just like you. Will you please help Joey? Please, I will do anything you ask. He only has a few months to live. I don't want to lose him.” Blaine looks at Jack Hill's face. He sees the love he has for his son as well as the tears that have fallen. The living room is silent as everyone is waiting for Blaine to speak.

          “Right now, I need to go to my room. I need some time to be by myself and comprehend what I have learned today. I need some time.” Blaine announces. He picks up his laptop and slowly begins to walk out of the living room when he hears Jack Hill ask. “What should I tell Joey?” Blaine stops and slowly turns so he is facing Jack Hill and answers. “You can tell Joey he unfortunately has an ass for a father. Now get out of my face.”

          Tom walks Jack Hill out of his house and sternly warns him. “I will contact you when Blaine has made his decision, don't call us. But, you need to understand something, Blaine's well being is our main concern right now and we will not rush him into making any decision until he is ready.” Tom closes the front door.

          Tom returns to the living room and hears Angela quietly encouraging Blaine to talk to them. Pleading with him to share what he is thinking and feeling. Blaine stands silently and doesn't know what to say to his parents. He doesn't know what he is feeling so he says, “I'm going upstairs, I need some time to be by myself and think.” Angela finally accepts his decision and says, “Blaine we will give the time you need, but please don't shut us out. Remember we are here for you and we love you.

          Blaine is finally able to head up to his bedroom, slowly walking up the stairs one step at a time with his head down. He opens his bedroom door, looks inside and feels sad, and sees his past life spread out in front of him. He steps into his room feeling like a stranger in a place that was home a few hours ago. He sets his laptop down on his desk. He flops down on his bed and stares at the ceiling wishing he never discovered the truth, because now his life has changed forever. He covers his eyes with his right arm and cries himself to sleep.