Behind The Truth

Sending for what !!

It was Saturday, 3 pm. Penny had just finished her classes. As she was about to head home, Dave appeared.

“Hey, Penny,” he called out.

“Hey, Dave. What’s up?” Penny replied.

Dave, a little shy, said, “I was wondering… would you like to come to our family dinner?”

Penny hesitated. “I’m not sure about that, Dave.”

“Please,” Dave insisted. “Just once.”

Penny smiled. “Okay.”

Dave drove her to his house.  Zoe answered the door.

“Hi, I’m Penny Morris,” Penny said.

“Hello there, young lady. Come in,” Zoe replied warmly, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Once inside, Zoe leaned in to Dave. “Are you sure about this, Dave?” she whispered urgently.  “What if she’s just after you? I don’t trust her. I bet Rachel planned this whole thing to steal you away!”

Dave sighed. “Stop it, Zoe. I’ve told you a million times, Rachel is dead, and this girl isn’t a gold digger. Let’s just have a nice dinner, okay?”

Dinner went well.  Later, in the car, Dave spoke.

“Penny, may I ask something?”

“Sure, Dave.”

“Have you had a recent medical checkup?”

“Not yet,” Penny replied.

“Okay,” Dave said. “Before you go home, I’d like to send you for a checkup – for your medical records.”

Penny, a little surprised but not suspicious, agreed.  Dave drove her to a clinic.  He called out, “Doctor Grace!”

Doctor Grace emerged. “Oh, is this the person you were telling me about?”

“Yes, this is Penny Morris,” Dave replied.

Grace took Penny aside and collected samples.  It was only then that Penny realized this wasn’t just a routine checkup.

Afterward, back in the car, Penny finally asked, “Dave, why did you send me for a DNA test?”

Dave hesitated, his nervousness palpable. “Penny, I… I need to tell you something.”

“Tell me!” Penny urged, her curiosity peaking.

“I think… I think you might be my daughter,” Dave confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.  “That’s why I sent you for the test.”

Penny’s eyes widened. “You’re mistaken! How could you be my dad?”

“I noticed a few things,” Dave explained, trying to keep his voice calm. “First, your pendant – it has my signature design. There are no others like it. Second, your mother… the woman I impregnated when she was twelve or thirteen. Third, your mom’s journal…  Fourth, I was known as ‘DM’ back then. And lastly… your age.”

Tears welled up in Penny’s eyes. Dave reached over and gently took her hand, offering comfort. Then, knowing she needed time, he pulled away, giving her space to process the shocking revelation.

Monday. Penny sat alone in the park, lost in thought, when Dave appeared and sat beside her.

“Look, Dave, I’m so sorry for overreacting last night,” Penny began, her voice soft.  “I was just… overwhelmed.”

“It’s okay,” Dave reassured her.  “We’re just waiting for the results.”

Penny nodded.  Just then, a girl and a boy ran up, yelling, “Dad!”

Dave’s face lit up. He hugged them both, kissing their foreheads.  He turned to Penny. “Penny, these are my kids. Diana Marie, my daughter from my first marriage, and George Estregan, my son from my second marriage with Zoe.”

Then, turning to his children, Dave said, “Kids, this is Penny Morris.”

Diana, who introduced herself as DM or Ana, spoke first.  “Hi, Penny.  I’m eight, in fourth grade. What about you?”

Penny smiled.  “I’m American-British. I just came from Wales. I was a firefighter, but I’m here to study medicine… well, nursing now.”

DM, clearly outgoing, continued, “Oh, okay.  My mom and dad got divorced when I was born.  Mom still visits.  My stepmom’s a little jealous of me and Dad.”

Dave chuckled. “I’ll give you two some time together. Keep an eye on little George, okay?”

Penny smiled. “You’re lucky to have a dad like him,” she said to DM.

“Yeah, he’s the best,” DM agreed.  “Penny, do you have a dad or mom?”

Penny’s smile faded. “No. Only Mom, and she died when I was thirteen, almost fourteen. My stepfather… he wasn’t my real dad. He only dated Mom for her money, and he was abusive. That’s why Mom had miscarriages, and he didn’t care.  Luckily, he was gone by her last pregnancy, but the baby didn’t survive. Mom was devastated, but at least she was safe.”

DM’s expression turned serious.  “I’m so sorry.  My parents were married for ten years.  It was fine at first, but then things got rough. Dad’s job is dangerous, and Mom couldn’t handle it. They divorced, but Mom still visits. George isn’t my biological brother, but he’s my brother by love.”

Penny shared her own story. “I was eight, in high school.  Mom had a boyfriend. At first, it was good, but then we found out he was only with her for our money. He drank a lot, and when Mom tried to stop him, he’d beat her. Because of that, she had two miscarriages.  He was finally kicked out during her last pregnancy. We thought the baby would be okay, but it didn’t survive at seven months.  Mom was heartbroken, but at least she was safe and never dated again.”

DM asked, “How did your mom die?”

Penny’s voice cracked.  “I was in the UK, training.  She died in the US.  That day, my sister and I had a video chat.  We were laughing, having a great time.  Before she ended the call, she said she loved us… not knowing it would be the last time I ever heard her voice.  The next day, we got the call… they told us Mom was dead.  I cried and cried.  I couldn’t see her body, attend the funeral…  I was consumed by grief and sadness.  She was only twenty-seven; so young!  I had so many questions… What did she do wrong?  Why didn’t she live longer?  Why couldn’t I see my future kids?  My sister was depressed and… she took her own life. My grandparents divorced.  I lost everything.  I felt like nothing until I got help from a grief counselor.  After three years, I became a firefighter.”

DM was quiet for a moment, then said, “Wow. I love your story, and I’m so sorry for your loss.  Sometimes, life just… sucks.”

Penny smiled through her tears. “The lesson I learned is to never give up, even when things are hardest.”

DM grinned. “Okay, no more sad stories. Let’s go find Dad and George!”

And with a newfound connection, Penny and DM set off to find Dave and his younger son.