The Wrong Side Of The Tracks (Leighton)

by Amanda Austin

  Her Grandma left the room and pulled the door shut behind her. Alex sat on the bed hugging her knees. She had a bad feeling about this. What if she was wrong and her Mom found out they did all of this? She would have to endure the wrath of her Mom for nothing. There was also the possibility she was right, then what? She glanced at the clothes her Grandma had laid out, with her Leighton Prep hoodie. The last time she had worn it was the day she met Kenzie, and spent the night with Karter. Even if she wasn't ready for the truth, she was going to suck it up and talk to Dr. Trist. Any possible relationship with Karter was on hold until she knew for sure she wasn't related to him.

  Alex heard the doorbell chime as she pulled on her hoodie. She rushed into the bathroom to brush her teeth and try to wash off some of her smeared eye liner. When she made her way to the bottom of the stairs her Grandma was already sitting on the sofa in the den next to Dr. Trist, nodding as he gestured to some of the papers he had laid out on the glass coffee table. Alex sat Indian style on the floor, on the other side of the table.

  Dr. Trist was one of those old men that you could tell was handsome when he was younger. He was in great shape for his age, most doctors are. He wasn't wearing his usual white coat, just a black button down shirt and crisp khakis. He greeted Alex with a much more real and informal smile than she had seen before at his office. Seeing your doctor in your living room was like seeing your pool cleaner at a five star restaurant.

  "Good morning Alex, I heard you didn't want to get up this morning."

  She looked at him strangely. Was that a medical question or a friend of her Grandma's question? "Yeah, it's Saturday."

  He nodded, still smiling. "Well I don't have a lot of time I have appointments at the office in less than an hour. Your Grandma said you were concerned about who your biological parents are." Alex squirmed uncomfortably on the floor, trying to ignore the mocking tone in his voice. If he was going to laugh at her, he could leave now.

  Her Grandma was already all over it though, "Dr. Trist this hasn't come about without any help. Individuals have come forward and are filling her head with crazy ideas and Alex just needs a little bit of help putting these ideas to rest."

  Dr. Trist listened to her Grandma and nodded, then turned his attention back to Alex. "Well, you are in luck Alex. Have you heard of stem-cell research?"

  Alex shook her head, and waited for him to explain.

  "Well my team at the university was experimenting with umbilical cord blood, back in the early nineties. It was very expensive to extract it, and bank it, and run tests on it but your Mother was very interested in the positive effects so she decided to participate in it."

  Alex cringed a little, imagining jars of her and her brothers' blood sitting on Dr. Trist's book case. He must have sensed how unimpressed she was because he added, "It was handled very professionally. We sent the blood to a bank to be stored."

  "But, why? What is the purpose of saving it?"

  "Well there are many diseases that have been cured by cord blood. If you or your brother were to be diagnosed with a form of cancer in your blood or bones we could use the other one's cord blood to cure it."

  Alex nodded slowly. "So you came here to show me papers to prove you took my blood when I was born so there's no way my Mom isn't my Mom," she asked skeptically.

  Dr. Trist smiled, "Better than that. Like I said cord blood research was very new back then. So we did multiple tests and experiments on you and your brother's bloods, like mixing them and monitoring the results. These are printouts of you and Donavon's blood work from your umbilical cords."

  Alex picked up one of the sheets of paper and stared at the medical terminology, trying to appear interested. Dr. Trist pointed at another sheet of paper still on the table, "In your hand are Donavon's results, and these are yours. This chart shows your parent cells, F is for female and M is for male, your Mom and Dad. Those are the two cells that were combined to form your cells."

  Alex stared at the two charts next to each other, mentally comparing the lists of molecular pictures labeled ‘F’. Dr. Trist had stood up and was speaking quietly to her Grandma.

  "Thank-you so much for coming over on such short notice, I know it was kind of a strange request."

  "It was my pleasure, since neither one of the kid's came down with any rare diseases at least all my research was finally put to good use."

  Her Grandma laughed, "Thank God they didn't, you sound disappointed! Do you need those papers back?"

  "Oh no, they're just copies. You're welcome to keep them," said Dr. Trist as he carried his black shoulder bag towards the door.

  "Wait!" Alex shouted much louder than she had intended to, startling her Grandma. She grabbed the charts off the table and rushed over to him. "Why are these two diagrams different?" Dr. Trist pulled his glasses out of the front pocket of his shirt and held them up to his eyes as he examined the section she was pointing at.

  "I'll be damned...”

  "What? What is it?" her Grandma asked frantically. Alex could tell by the alarm on her face that she was scared her plan was blowing up in her face. There was also a tiny glimmer of hope in her expression though, like she had almost wished Alex was right about her birth mom. And if she was right that meant she still had a piece of her daughter with her.

  Dr. Trist went back to the coffee table and picked up another sheet of paper and ran his fingers across the words like he was speed reading.

  "It looks like there are some variations in some of the cells," he said distractedly as he kept reading.

  "Is that normal?" Alex asked shakily. Suddenly she was wishing she had never brought any of this up last night. People keep secrets for a reason, and if secrets had been kept for this many years it was only because the truth was more dangerous than the secret.

  Dr. Trist looked at her over his glasses, "Don't worry Keri Raker is definitely the mother of you and Donavon."

  Her Grandma sunk onto the couch behind them, obviously relieved, letting out a small sigh.

  "But...there are some small variations in your father cells."

  Her poor Grandma shot back up, "What are you saying?" she demanded.

  Dr. Trist put a comforting hand on her Grandma's shoulder. "I never noticed it before because the father cells are very similar, but there are some variations. There's a chance that I'm wrong though, you may want to have an actual DNA test done."

  "Can't you just go get the blood and test it yourself," Alex asked.

  "I wish I could, but the cord blood is only preserved for five or six years and then it' discarded because it's no longer good. I would need a new sample of you and your father's blood to be sure."

  "How sure are you that they have different fathers? What’s the chance that you’re wrong?" her Grandma asked bluntly.

  "Honestly?"

  "Yes," she snapped back at him.

  "Blood doesn't lie. Especially pure forms of blood cells like those in an umbilical cord. If there are any variations, then they have different fathers."

  The three of them stood there in silence for a few agonizing minutes. Alex couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not in her wildest dreams could she have imagined this. She was so set on proving that her Mom wasn't her Mom, she hadn't even considered the fact that maybe her Dad wasn't her Dad. "I'll just show myself out," Dr. Trist whispered and headed towards the door again.

  Her Grandma folded her into her arms, and Alex could feel her trembling.

  "I'm so sorry honey. I had no idea. I swear if I knew, I never would have had him come over here. I was just trying to help you."

  Alex pulled away from her and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie. She felt her legs carrying her towards the door.

  "Where are you going? Alex!"

  "I need to go for a walk," she sobbed.

  "No! We need to talk about this," her Grandma said as she hurried to get in front of her.

  Alex stopped and shouted, "I don't want to talk! I'm sick of talking! Just get out of my way!" She wa
lked past her and out the door without looking back. She was too numb to even feel guilty about yelling at her.

  She made it to the end of the driveway in record time and cut across the road into the high grass. She could feel the briars clinging to her jeans as she pushed through the brush creating her own path. Once she made it into the woods she stopped and took in the tall trees and sound of rushing water, glancing both ways. She followed the creek until she came to the part where the high rock wall crossed and created the barrier for the swimming hole. She crossed the slippery rocks as quickly as possible without hesitating or considering the possibility she may fall into the freezing water.

  By the time she reached Kenzie's door she looked like hell. Her boots were muddy and the bottoms of her pants were soaked. She had briars and burdocks stuck to her hoodie, and she hadn't even brushed her hair or put on any make-up before she ran out of the house. She stood in front of their door breathing heavily and pounding until she finally heard the lock click. Mrs. James pulled the door open, and looked like she had just run in the same marathon as Alex.

  "Kenzie stayed at a friend's house last night..."

  Alex cut her off before she could finish, "Is Karter here?"

  Mrs. James stepped aside and opened the door, "You can check honey. I don't know I was asleep."

  Alex didn't even try to hide rolling her eyes at her. How did she not even know where her own kids are? She walked past her and through the living room to Karter's bedroom. She knocked lightly and then walked in, not waiting for a response, and closed the door behind her. His curtains were thick and black, and blocked out all the morning sunlight. She leaned against the door in the dark and began crying uncontrollably.

  Within a few minutes she felt Karter's body against hers; he squeezed her tight against him to prevent her from shaking. It seemed like it took forever for her to catch her breath and stop the sobs from escaping. Her chest heaved up and down with every deep shaky breath she took. He kept his strong arms around her and tilted his head back so he could look at her.

  "What happened to you?" he asked as he picked a dried leaf out of her hair.

  Alex sniffled, "I ran here."

  "Why? Were the police chasing you?" He smirked at his own joke, but his face grew serious again when he realized she didn't even crack a tiny smile.

  She stared past him and spoke quietly, "I found out this morning...my Mom..." the sobs crept back up on her and she couldn't finish what she was saying.

  Karter pulled away from her creating some space between them, "So we are related?"

  Alex shook her head, "No. That's not it," she managed to say in between gulps for air.

  Karter took her by her hand and led her to his bed, gesturing for her to sit. She sunk down without any argument, with her feet still on the floor. He knelt down in front of her on the carpet and pulled her muddy boots off, tossing them to the side. She struggled to get her sweatshirt over her head. He pulled it the rest of the way off from her, revealing the wrinkled tank top she had worn to bed the night before. The bottoms of her jeans were soaked from running along the creek. He put a tan hand on each one of her hips and started working them down from her waist. She lifted her bottom to make it easier for him, not even feeling the least bit turned on. She just wanted her wet clothes off so she could curl up under his down comforter. Thank God she was wearing a cute simple pair of black boy-shorts and not a thong, or old stretched out Granny panties. She curled up onto the mattress and pulled the blanket up and over her head. She felt him climbing over her, and lying down next to her. He propped himself up on his side and placed his one hand on her stomach like he had the first night she slept there.

  “I’m sorry I was such an asshole to you that day in the woods. I was wrong about you. I just thought you were this spoiled little prep-school girl with a perfect life. And that you were snooping around The Boxes looking for some entertainment.”

  Alex snorted, “Yeah, my life is far from perfect.”

  “I see that now. What happened today?”

  “My Grandma had this doctor come over, to prove that Aunt Sandra wasn’t my mom. And he did. Then he proved that my Dad wasn’t my Dad.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, he had blood work results from when Donavon and I were born. And my Mom definitely gave birth to both of us, but the male DNA is different. One of us isn’t my Dad’s kid.”

  Karter brushed her hair back out of eyes and comforted her, “Alex there’s a reason my Mom thought you were Sandra’s daughter. You could be her twin. If either of you aren’t a Raker, it’s your brother. You need to talk to your parents before you get all crazy about this. There could be a logical explanation, or maybe the doctor you talked to this morning could be wrong. And if your Mom did have an affair, your Dad could already know, they may have worked through it. ”

  Alex shook her head, he didn’t get it. There was never any doubt in her mind she was a Raker, she didn’t need a doctor or tests to confirm that. The issue was her Mom and possibly her Dad had been lying to her basically her whole life, they had deceived her. And a week ago she had a perfect family. Her Dad was the mayor, her Mom was an annoying soccer-mom, and they lived in their perfect house and had perfect Sunday dinners. Now, her Mom was a lying cheater, and her brother wasn’t even really her brother. And how could her Mom punish her and judge her, when she was running around having affairs and children out of wedlock?

  Alex tried to roll away from him, but he was on top of the blanket and she couldn’t get away. “Look, Kenzie and I have different dads; I don’t even know my Dad. It’s not about who brought you into the world, it’s about how you live once you get here. I know it seems like the end of the world right now, but trust me it’s not.”

  Alex rolled her eyes, “You don’t get it! You never had a real family; you don’t know what you’re missing. I did, and now it’s gone.”

  Karter climbed over her and pulled a pair of jeans on over his basketball shorts.

  “Wait. I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Just shut up! I was wrong; you are exactly what I thought you were when I met you, a spoiled little bitch!” He slammed the bedroom door shut behind him. Alex flopped back down on the pillows. She was too drained to chase after him. She knew she was wrong, but she didn’t care.

  Alex blinked several times waiting for her eyes to adjust. She felt like she had just slept off a wild night. It took her a few moments to remember where she was, she must have fell asleep after Karter stormed out. She had meant to just rest for a couple minutes and get herself together, then she had had every intention of getting up and going to apologize to him.

  “Hey baby,” giggled Kenzie as she wrapped her legs around Alex’s and pretended to spoon her.

  “What time is it,” she grumbled as she rubbed her eyes.

  “Like four. Are you naked?”

  “No,” she giggled.

  “Karter told me what happened, are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I won’t be though if I don’t get back to my Grandma’s.”

  “She just called.”

  “WHAT?!”

  “She just wanted to make sure you were here. I told her you were sleeping and she said to get you up and have you call her.”

  Alex fumbled around the blankets looking for her phone, and then remembered she didn’t have it anymore.

  “Let me use your phone, before she sends over the SWAT team.”

  Kenzie held out her phone and she snatched it and frantically dialed her Grandma’s phone number. After two short rings she picked up, she must have been sitting by the phone waiting.

  “Hello?”

  “Grandma, it’s me. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I just laid down and...”

  She cut Alex off while she stumbled through her apology, “Alex I’m not angry. I was just worried. You need to get back here though, your father just called and he is coming to pick you up in a few hours.” Then she added in a hushed voice, “and we need to talk
to before you leave.”

  “I’m on my way. How’d you get this number though?”

  Her Grandma chuckled, “Honey you need to stop underestimating me. I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. All I had to do was hit redial on the phone in the kitchen.”

  Alex hung up and scanned the bedroom floor for her dirty clothes.

  Kenzie pouted, “You’re leaving me? You never play with me anymore!”

  “I have to.”

  Kenzie stopped joking around and her face grew serious, “What are you going do to do about, you know everything?”

  Alex shook her head while she pulled on her boots, “I don’t know. Something.”

  OMAR JAMES

  Even the blue sky and chirping birds didn’t change the depressing atmosphere of the cemetery. The list of places Alex could hide at while she skipped school was pretty limited though. She didn’t want her Grandma to be disappointed in her so she couldn’t hide there, her own house was definitely off limits, Karter and Kenzie were both at school, and if she went anywhere in town she was positive word would get back to her Mom.

  Since her Dad picked her up from her Grandma’s house, she hadn’t spoken a single word to him or her Mom. They assumed her silence and somber attitude was the result of them going on a family trip without her. Little did they know she could care less they left her behind, it wasn’t a “family-trip” if the people on the trip weren’t really a family. It took every ounce of her being not to throw her Grandma under the bus and tell her fake family what she had learned while they were away. She woke up every day and went to school and came home and retreated to her room like a zombie for the whole week. Last night she called her Grandma and begged her to come get her for the weekend, and to her shock her Mom told her when she dropped her off at Leighton Prep that her Grandma would be picking her up. During her lunch period she walked outside, and just kept walking, and this was where she ended up. Even though she was pretty satisfied with the proof the doctor showed her that she was indeed Keri Raker’s daughter, she couldn’t let go of her fascination with Alessandra.