487 DNA Test 2 (1/2)

Mr. Pickens left us to go find the paperwork while we headed for the exit. Just outside, two familiar faces were standing around, talking. Jack Patterson and his lawyer. The sound of the doors opening and closing got their attention.

Mrs. Atkins shot them a glare before leading me and her husband to a shady spot under the tree. The closer we got to summer, the warmer it got.

”Excuse me.” A deep masculine voice said. We all turned to see Jack walking our way.

Mrs. Atkins reacted, taking a step towards him, but by doing so, she was also blocking me. ”What is it?”

”I just wanted to come over and introduce myself properly.” I heard him say. ”I'm Jack Patterson. Uncle to Jeremy.”

”And to Jake. You're an uncle to Jake too.” Mrs. Atkins stated.

”We can't be too sure just yet.” He replied. My heartbeat got loud. ”We'll have the DNA tested today so I would like to ask if you could have Jake tested today as well.”

”We already plan on doing so.” Mrs. Atkins said with some attitude. ”I suggest you and your family start working on your apology.”

”What?”

She took a step closer to him. They were eye-to-eye; he may have been tall compared to me, but Mrs. Atkins was tall too. The whole Atkins family were known for being tall. ”You abandoned Jake. With some terribly sick woman. And then you have the nerve to claim that you aren't related?? There's no free pass here. No matter what, to me, Jeremy is the loser here. Even if they don't share a dad, they share a mom. They're blood. Don't try and feed us some sap story. You two knew what kind of woman she was and that's why you took Jeremy, isn't it?”

I couldn't see the man with Mrs. Atkins in front of me, and there wasn't much to hear because nothing was said.

”That's what I thought.” Mrs. Atkins backed away. ”You're a sorry excuse for a human. Only God knows what to do with you.” She turned on her heel, pulled me to her side and walked me back to the car. ”Wayne. Get the papers from George. We'll be in the car.”

”Sure, honey.” Mr. Atkins could only say to our backs.

Mrs. Atkins didn't let me go until we got to the car. ”Sorry about that, Jake. I know he's your uncle but...”

”I'm okay.” I looked up at her. ”Are you okay?”

She gave me a gentle smile, looking more like herself. ”I needed to get that off my chest. I just-thinking back, I.” She paused to stop the stuttering. ”I just want them to know what you went through. And that they could have made a difference if they chose to do so. Instead they chose to ignore, and it was wrong.” She looked a little sad. ”Don't you wish things could be different sometimes?”

”Not so much anymore.” I told her honestly. Mr. Atkins and I talked about this before. ”Overall, I like where I am now. Physically and mentally.”

My eyes stung. I nodded and patted her back with one hand. I was still scared. Still claustrophobic. Still traumatized. But now, I was also loved. Mrs. Atkins cared so much from day one.

”Hey, hey, who is comforting who here?” Mr. Atkins walked up and joined us by the car, waving some papers. We broke apart. ”Are you a hugger now, Jake?”

I blushed. ”Only sometimes.” If the moment calls for it.