A Family Affair - First Born

by Marilyn McPherson

  There were a lot of people in the church, and it was difficult to see if Jack’s second wife, or the little witch as Margaret now referred to her, was here. Margaret hoped not, as she did not want any scenes at the funeral. Of course, everyone knew about Nikki’s affair with Kane by now, and neither of them was welcome as a result. If Margaret spotted either one of them, it would be difficult for her to remain calm. She hoped they had the decency to stay away.

  From Margaret’s perspective, the affair between Nikki and Kane made sense on some levels. Those two kids were closer in age in any case. Apparently Kane wanted nothing more to do with Nikki since their affair was discovered. It was a sorry tale which resulted in Jack’s death. Margaret took a deep breath. If only the little witch hadn’t married Jack in the first place.

  Once the formal part of the funeral was over, Margaret collected her things, and prepared to depart for the cemetery. Jack was going to be buried in the Bradley plot next to all four of their parents. It was what he would have wanted.

  Margaret had invited a smaller number of friends and family to the cemetery in order to say goodbye to Jack in a more intimate setting. Tom drove her to the plot, and on arrival she was pleased to see that Nikki was not there. People took their turn to drop earth onto Jack’s casket and say their goodbyes. When Margaret’s turn came, she stood above him, silent for a few moments.

  “Jack,” she whispered. “You know that I am sorry. I knew that you were sorry. I’m glad we had the time to reconcile our differences. I will miss you, my love.”

  The finality of Jack’s passing was only just starting to dawn on Margaret, and she sobbed into one of her hand-embroidered silk handkerchiefs. Tom’s broad arms suddenly found her. It had been a long time since she had felt this close to him, and it was comforting. Thank goodness Tom was there.

  “Let’s go for a walk, Mum,” he suggested, leading her away from the plot.

  Tom led them to a small grassy bank in the middle of the cemetery. Old birch trees lined the path, and Margaret knew it wouldn’t be long before their leaves started to turn orange. Perhaps she should consider donating money to the cemetery’s garden program. Margaret realised there were other issues she needed to think through. She dried her eyes so she could talk to her son properly. “Tell me something, Tom.”

  “Yes.”

  “What is going on between Ellen and you?”

  Tom looked surprised with the question. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t be coy, son. It’s me. I can tell from looking at the two of you that something is wrong.”

  “Nothing is wrong.”

  “Poppycock! I don’t wish to be the last person to hear about whatever is going on.”

  Tom took a deep breath. “Mother.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not going to discuss my marital issues with you.”

  “So there are issues.”

  “There is nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Please, Tom.”

  “Let’s not do this. Ellen and I are going to be fine. I love her and we are committed to staying together, regardless of the bumps in the road. This can’t be what is foremost in your thoughts today. Please tell me that it is not.”

  “If you’re implying that your father isn’t on my mind, well... you don’t need to worry about that. Of course, he is. The whole situation is on my mind.”

  “How do you mean?”

  Margaret paused. “I still don’t understand why he had a heart attack.”

  “You know why - he found out his wife had been cheating on him.” Tom said the word wife with loathing. He obviously didn’t want anything to do with the little witch now either. “And what’s more – it was with his own son.”

  “I don’t think that’s it,” Margaret said, with conviction.

  “No?” Tom obviously thought differently.

  “No.”

  “Why, Mother?”

  “Their marriage was not going well. An affair would not have troubled him as much as you might think.”

  “And who told you that?”

  “He did of course.”

  “He was confiding in you?” Tom said in surprise. From his tone, he obviously didn’t believe her.

  “Yes, towards the end.”

  “Maybe you misunderstood something he said. I can’t believe he was doing that.”

  “I wasn’t always the best wife. I’m not too proud to admit that. But since the divorce, we started to talk. I mean, really talk to each other – more than during the last ten years of marriage. We were meeting for coffee every now and again. He used to tell her he was playing golf, apparently. It felt like the time when we were first dating. I missed him, you know, after he married that horrid young woman.”

  “And therefore, you don’t think Dad was too bothered when he found out about Nikki’s affair?”

  “No, but...”

  “But what?”

  “Well, that’s what I don’t understand. The man I knew shouldn’t have cared that she cheated on him, yet he did have a heart attack. Something doesn’t add up.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “I think there is a very good chance we would have remarried.”

  Tom raised his eyebrows. “Really?”

  “Yes. Last week he asked me for the details of my divorce lawyer. Silly old fool went and died before he could make everything right.”

  “Well, it’s an interesting theory. I guess it doesn’t matter now.”

  “I want to know what happened in your courtyard. I want to know what was said.”

  “Well, there are two people you can ask, Mother.”

  Margaret narrowed her eyes. Tom was obviously not going to do her bidding, and there was no way that she could ask. “I couldn’t even look at either of them.”

  Tom stood up. “Well, you are looking less emotional now, Mother. Would you like to head back to the gravesite and say goodbye to people.”

  “Yes. I’m glad you are here, Tom. Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For caring about your mother. I love you, son.”

  “I love you too, Mum. I’ll always be here for you. Both Ellen and I will.” Margaret ignored that last comment.

  As they rounded the bend in the path, she could tell that a few people had left, and a few more people had arrived. But there was a middle-aged couple whom she did not recognise. “Who are they, Tom? The lady in the red shirt, and the man in the grey suit.”

  Tom looked in the direction she indicated. “Ah, that’s Nikki’s parents – Janet and Ken Lucas. I remember them from Dad’s party. Don’t make a scene. They have probably come to pay their respects.”

  “I can’t believe they’d have the nerve...”

  “Now, Mother... today is not a day for conflict.”

  Margaret’s pulse started to race. “No, no... I’m not happy with them being here. I’m going to ask them to leave.”

  Tom rolled his eyes, not wanting to argue any further. He didn’t have to worry. She would be discreet but firm.

  Margaret was surprised to see Janet look in her direction as she approached. Did this woman know who she was? In any case, Janet and Ken were about to learn a valuable lesson in social etiquette – you do not show up at your son-in-law’s funeral if your daughter is responsible for his death.

  Just as Margaret was about to unleash a tidal wave of built-up frustration at the unsuspecting couple, Janet surprised her by clinging onto her arm. “Oh, Margaret,” Janet said. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “How do you know who I am?” Margaret demanded.

  “Well, I just assumed. You are Jack’s first wife Margaret, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Of course I am.”

  “I came here today to tell you how ashamed we are of Nikki’s behaviour. We do not condone it, and we have told her so. My husband and I are very sorry for the pain Nikki has caused your family.”

  Margaret’s anger was dissipating rapidly. Nikki was obviously nothing like her mothe
r – who seemed to understand morals and to know which boundaries in life shouldn’t be crossed. The apology seemed genuine. Perhaps it was okay for Nikki’s parents to be here after all.

  “Thank you,” Margaret said awkwardly. “I appreciate your words.”

  “This whole situation is desperately wrong,” Janet added. “I’m not handling it very well myself. For the first time in my life, I am embarrassed by my daughter’s decisions.”

  “What do you mean?” Margaret was becoming more curious.

  “Nikki tells us that she is in love with Kane.”

  “Tom tells me that Kane doesn’t want anything to do with her.”

  “I didn’t know that. Well, if it’s true, she will need to accept his decision. It’s a sorry mess. How are your sons handling their father’s death? I see Tom is here.”

  “Tom is my only son.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “I said, Tom is my only son. Tom is handling the death of his father with dignity, although I imagine, on the inside, he is suffering as we all are. He has been a tower of strength to me during the past few days.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought Kane was your...”

  “Kane is the product of my late husband’s affair many years ago. Apparently, he and his receptionist, Sarah, carried on behind my back. I never knew. Anyway, she gave birth to Kane, and gave him up for adoption. Jack claimed he didn’t know about the child, but now, I’m not sure what to think.”

  Margaret suddenly noticed that Janet’s face was turning white. “What is it, Janet? You’re changing colour before my eyes.”

  “Did you just tell me that Kane is Sarah’s son?”

  “Yes.”

  “We didn’t know that. We assumed that Sarah’s first son was estranged from the family.”

  “I don’t understand what that has to do with...”

  “Margaret, please. Don’t you understand? Nikki is not my biological daughter. She was also Sarah’s child – her second born. Nikki doesn’t know that.”

  Both women stared at each other.

  “Oh, Lord! It’s all making sense to me,” Margaret exclaimed. “Tom said that Jack collapsed after he saw them together. Is it possible that Jack knew this? Could Jack have known they are half siblings?”

  “Yes, my husband told him.”

  “And neither of them thought to tell the girl herself?” Margaret was horrified.

  “My husband asked Jack not to tell Nikki about her true biological mother. It was for selfish reasons...”

  “How could you not tell her, Janet?”

  “We didn’t know about Kane. We thought he was your child. Jack didn’t tell us.”

  “I can’t believe Jack kept that to himself. What was he thinking? I knew there was more to this story than I was being led to believe. He must have felt so shocked to see them together.”

  “How could this happen?” Janet was looking around for her husband. “Nikki is pregnant with her half-brother’s child. How can I tell her that?”

  “Well, someone better tell those kids. Listen up, Janet - you need to tell Nikki the truth tonight, or I will. Do you understand?”

  Janet nodded. “We should have told her years ago. This is all our fault. We just never thought Sarah’s son would re-emerge into your family. Why didn’t Jack tell us?”

  Margaret looked at Janet with sudden pity. The woman needed to sort her own family issues out as a matter of some urgency. “I think you should best leave, Janet.”

  “Yes.” Janet turned to Ken who had reappeared. He had been out of earshot during the women’s conversation. They had a lot to talk about.

  After today, Margaret didn’t want anything to do with this troubled family. It was going to be her new mission in life to keep Tom away from them too.

  Chapter 29

  Ellen could tell that Tom was starting to lose his cool, and he was normally a very patient man. His phone conversation with Margaret had lasted thirty minutes so far, and Ellen could hear the drama in her voice from six feet away. Margaret was obviously upset. They all were. Jack’s death was hard to accept. Nikki and Kane being related was also difficult to comprehend. The family was in an emotional state of shock. Tom’s family lunch had been organised with the best of intentions – he wanted to bring everyone closer. Unfortunately it had achieved the exact opposite. It had split the family into irreconcilable parts.

  When Tom finally put the phone down, he tried to explain. “She is worried that Nikki is going to sue Jack’s estate. Apparently, Jack didn’t make her sign a pre-nuptial agreement.”

  “Well he wouldn’t have had time.”

  “No.”

  “Nikki has her own money. I wouldn’t have thought she was likely to sue, given everything that has happened. Is that the main thing your mother is worried about?”

  “No.” Tom sighed. “She thinks Jack’s death could have been avoided if everyone had been honest about Nikki’s parentage. She thinks Dad would have divorced Nikki and remarried her, given time.”

  Ellen remembered some of her earlier conversations with Jack when he described how much he was enjoying his new life. She doubted he would have reunited with Margaret under any circumstances. It was hard to reconcile Margaret’s attitude with her memories from speaking to Jack, although they hadn’t seen him for a few weeks before his death. Ellen supposed it was possible that he and Margaret had grown closer. They would never know now.

  It had now been a week since Jack’s funeral; a week since Tom had learnt about Ellen’s night with Ever since Kane. that day, Tom had been acting differently towards her. He was upset to have lost his father and to have lost trust in the woman he loved. And he wasn’t letting Ellen comfort him. He was choosing to face both issues alone.

  “I’m sorry she is upset,” Ellen said. “I’m sorry about a lot of things.”

  Tom looked at Ellen knowingly. “I know I’ve been a little distant, Elle. I have just needed some space to process everything. I miss the old man so much. I can’t believe that I can’t pick up the phone and call him. None of this makes sense to me.”

  “My dishonesty hasn’t helped either. I promise to be one hundred per cent honest with you in the future. Even if I think it will hurt you.”

  “I know why you didn’t tell me. Once you’d determined that the baby was mine, you saw our future together, and didn’t want to ruin what was otherwise so perfect. I might have done the same thing.”

  “I swear to you that I didn’t choose what happened with Kane. I don’t remember any of it. I woke up, and it had happened, in a past sense.”

  “Hey, I know. You don’t need to explain again.”

  “I just need you to understand that I would never choose another man over you, especially not him.”

  “Elle, Kane’s not part of our life any longer, and I forgive you for what happened.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yes. I will always forgive you, but give me that opportunity yourself next time. Tell me immediately. Don’t make me find out from someone else. That’s the thing that hurts the most.” Tom bent down at Ellen’s feet. It was obvious there was more he wanted to say. “After what happened between Chloe and me, I will never be able to judge you for your mistakes. I’m disappointed, don’t misunderstand me. But I would have loved you and this child, no matter who the father was.”

  Tears started to fill Ellen’s eyes. He loved her, and everything was going to be fine. “Can you hold me, Tom?”

  “Of course.” He embraced her with an almost desperate urgency. After a few minutes, he pulled away. A new thought was written all over his face. “Elle, I was wondering something - have you spoken to Nikki since the funeral?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Mum wanted to know. She kept saying that we need to distance ourselves from their family. I hate to admit it, but I think I agree with Mother on this one.”

  “Well, I hope you don’t mind then, but I did call her. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. I won’t see her or
talk to her again if you don’t wish me to.” That was the least that Ellen could do.

  “It’s okay. I was actually curious myself. How did she handle the news?”

  “Not well. Her parents went straight to her apartment after leaving the funeral to tell her everything. It must have been quite a shock.”

  “I still can’t believe it - Kane and her having the same mother. What are the chances of that?”

  “A million to one. She is devastated, you know. She accepts full responsibility for Jack’s heart attack now.”

  “Well, Dad knew the truth apparently. He should have told Nikki before it was too late.”

  Ellen shook her head. “He would never have thought it was possible for them to...” Ellen couldn’t say the words. “Nikki’s not sure whether she should keep the baby now, given what is now known. She is going to see a specialist next week for advice.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.”

  “The funny thing about this situation is that she doesn’t believe that Kane is her half-brother. She says she would know if he was. She wants them to be tested, but apparently he is still not returning her calls.”

  “They don’t look anything alike - that is for certain,” Tom said.

  “I was thinking that too. Is it possible that Ken and Janet could be wrong about everything?”

  “Nothing would surprise me now.”

  “No.”

  “Anyway, Kane will have to be tested for paternity if Nikki does keep the child. She will be able to determine if they are related at that point. If needed, her lawyer could issue Kane with a court order. Hopefully he’ll do the right thing, and it won’t come to that.”

  “I could hardly understand what she was saying. There was a lot of crying.”

  “We can’t blame her for being upset.”

  “No. But I sensed that she also feels guilty about deciding not to attend the funeral.”

  “Mum would have thrown her out if she had shown up.”

  “I know.” Ellen could clearly imagine Margaret throwing Nikki out of the funeral. The woman wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. “You know... she can’t believe that Jack knew that Sarah was her biological mother, and didn’t tell her. And so now, she feels betrayed by him too.”