A new life

Two

One day later. October 9 1996

Shauna

"They're taking too long." I looked  at my watch for the umpteenth time, anxious to see Billy again.

"Scott told me they would be by one, but probably they went to the precinct first." Pam said calmly. We both were waiting in my car for Billy and Scott to come back home. Billy had called me the day before, he had given me a small hint of what had happened to him but he didn't give much more details "I'd rather tell you in person.", he had said. Then Pam called and asked me to pick her at her place to go to Billy's house. I had an awful feeling Billy was hiding something from me.

"I know, I'm over reacting. I know now Billy is safe but these days have been like hell. And he was unusually quiet. "

"Here they are!" Pam exclaimed happily when she saw a car coming. We went out of my car and walked slowly to the guys' car. I was excited and nervous and insecure all at the same time. 

Billy went out of his car and gave me a smile. But it wasn't his usual carefree, wide smile. I said nothing, just ran to him and hugged him as if I could make him forget whatever he had gone through "Don't you dare to scare me like this again, okay?" I tried to joke. "I've missed you so much!" I just wasn't able to hold my tears back and noticed they were blending with Billy's.

"I missed you too, much more than you imagine." He finally said. He tightened his hug as if he didn't want to let me go. "I thought I would never see you again."

"Well, you won't get rid of me just like that." I smiled, and so did he. But again, it wasn't his smile. I wondered when I would see it again. If I ever saw it again, that's it.

"There's something I need to tell you." His tone was more serious than ever. "Can we go for a walk?" He turned to Pam, who didn't want to let Scott go either "Will you come with us, Pam? After all we won't be here without you."

"It was nothing, but..."

"No, you come with us too. Please." Billy insisted. He and Scott exchanged a glance and he nodded. 

We got in the guys car and Billy drove to the lake side. We walked to the park and sat on the grass. 

"I don't know who's my father." It was as if Billy had dropped a bomb. 

"What...what do you mean?" 

"The man who took us, he knew my Mother very well, before she even met my Father. He kept giving hints I could be his son..."

I stayed in shock, not knowing what to say or what to do.  My hand searched for Billy's, it was as if she had a capacity of decision I just lacked of. 

"He was probably playing mind games with you." I managed to say.

"But what if he wasn't, Shauna? What if I'm the son of a murderer? Will you go on with me like that?"

"Look at me, Billy Henderson. I will go on with you no matter what, and that's final." 

"I try to see things in a rational way but after all I've known these days, I just can't." Billy got up and walked away from us, closely followed by Scott. 

"Their mother was involved in their kidnapping." Pam began to explain me "She had had an affair with this guy back in the seventies, he was the boss in a gang and she was part of it, she was his girl. Things took a turn when someone in the gang was arrested and died while in custody, this man went nuts and put a bomb in a patrol car. Some officers died or were hurt, then she got scared of him and managed to go out of the gang and have him arrested.That's how she met their father. He's been in prison for all this time ..."

"And now he wants revenge." I finished the sentence. "Holy God..." I quickly got up and run to where Billy and Scott were. "Pam has just told me..." I almost whispered. "Look, I don't care who your father is, I know you and I know how sensitive and funny and smart caring you are, and that's all what matters for me."

"You say that now and I appreciate it, but what if things change in the future, can you assure me you'll never be afraid of me?"

"Never, you hear me? I will never be afraid of you, you can be a hundred percent sure of that. And besides, this is just one dreadful hypothesis, don't give it for sure just like that."

"No, I know that, but something inside tells me this guy was telling the truth. Something my folks didn't in eighteen years." Billy said bitterly. "They've always insisted us on doing the right thing and however they've lied us in the most important thing in their lives. How can I trust him again, Shauna? How on earth can I? Fuck, right now I don't even want to go home. I'm thinking of finding a job and..."

"You're too hurt as to think clearly, Billy. And you can't be talking seriously about dropping out from school, your grades are really good and the only one who will lose it's you. Don't let anger take decisions for you, please. "

"No, you're right in that. I'm not thinking clearly now, I know. I'm sorry."

"Hey, you have nothing to apologize for. But I don't want you to take decisions out of anger that you will regret later." 

"Thanks baby, I don't know what would I do without you or Scott." 

"Don't exaggerate! I'm  not doing anything special."

"Yeah, you do." He held my hand "You're my safe harbor."

"And always will, no matter what. Hey, why don't we all come to my home and order a pizza or something ? We all deserve it don't we? And we could watch a Marx Brothers movie, I think we all deserve a good laugh." 

"Don't let anyone tell you you're not the best." Billy said "Let's go."