~~Chapter 1

Rochester, New York November 14, 1920-
 The sunrise was early. Too early. The young girl thought as she stared out the window and into the sun. She then turned her gaze over to her young husband still asleep in bed. Snoring softly while he slept on.
  The sun was now almost fully lit, casting strange shadows a crossed the room. The man stirred and opened his eyes, looked at her sitting there. He smiled “Up early again?” He teased. She smiled back “Couldn’t sleep, any longer. I might be going out soon.” The man nodded “Don’t be gone to long.” she nodded back ‘I’ll try not to be. Look after Jackie for me.” The man closed his eyes and went back to sleep
Looking away from him, her eyes continued their journey a crossed the small room and finally came to rest on a small wooden bed, laying on the floor. Inside asleep laid her nearly two year old son, now just eighteen months. The young girl slowly moved away from the window and over to the little bed. Kneeling down she gently planted a single kiss on his pale forehead. The little boy stirred, but did not wake up. She gently ran her fingers through his short blond hair, the same color as her own. “I love you my little Jackie.”
Then she continued across the one room house, grabbed up her shawl and opened the front door, stepping outside into the early rising sun. She began to wander down, a small patch of dirty snow covered sidewalk that lead to the market street.  
The market streets were wild with movement. So engulfed in their own affairs that no one noticed the young girl wandering towards the bread stand.
 She made her way through the crowds unnoticed. Upon reaching the stand she grabbed a single loaf of bread and disappeared in to the crowed.
 A few by standers had witnessed her actions, and were now shouting, and a few came running after her. She ran fast, now questioning if it was all worth this.  Then suddenly she felt hands grabbing her and shoving her down. She couldn’t stop herself falling, unable to stand any longer; she gave into the hands holding her, beating her down to the ground.
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 The candle on the table flickered dark shadows over the face of the doctor as he stared down at his patient, a young woman. She was small with a pale face and long flowing blonde hair. She was dressed only in a dark blue colored dress, covered in dirt. Her shawl had been hung on the wall hook; it was also dirty and torn. She had been brought in hours earlier by the police, a common thief. She was very weak, and it appeared that she had been ill for some time now.
The people who had given chase had hardly been merciful in their actions and she was very badly bruised and broken from the assault.  The doctor thought that this was truly uncalled for, since she was most likely poor and in need of the food, and had clearly suffered enough.    The doctor knew that there was a very little chance that she would live through the night. Her body had been pushed to its limit, and the damage inside was too much.  Looking down that the women he could see her trying hard to open her eyes, mumbling whispers in her sleep.
“My so...my son.”  A knock came then at the door and he could her voices outside. The nurse form the front desk was standing there then in the door way. With her was a young man he could hardly see. The nurse wasn’t speaking to him the doctor though. Instead the voice he heard came form the young man and what he said made the doctors heart almost stop beating.
“Yes that is my wife.” In a moment the nurse had joined him in the room. “The man is her husband doctor. He’s been looking for her apparently.” The doctor nodded.
“Did he mention her name?” the nurse shook her head. “I didn’t ask sir, I didn’t think it was…” the doctor cut her off. “No there will be time for that later. Right now I should go speak to him myself.”
     Slowly the doctor made his way out into the hallway. A man stood there, the woman’s husband and in his arms he held their baby boy.
 The man looked nothing at all like the young girl. The man was tall with short black hair and hollow looking blue eyes. He was dressed plainly in a pair of tan pants, and a dirty white shirt, complete with a grayish sweater with a tear in the sleeve. All his clothes looked to be far too big.
  The child he held was wrapped only in a small blue blanket, ripped in one corner. Under that he appeared to be wearing a dark blue knitted sweater. He’s eyes were wide and bright blue. He appeared to be nearly falling asleep.
 The doctor looked to the man with a shaken look.”  I don’t think, I don’t think she has much of a chance. It seems she has been sick a long time, and shes just not strong enough to heal.” The husband seemed confused. “But she never ….I never knew she was sick.” The doctor nodded sadly. “ I’m truly sorry . I wish I had better news for you.”
   The man glanced down at the child in his arm, and then he asked “Will you take my son in to see his mother?” The doctor nodded as the man handed the baby to him. Then with the baby in his he headed back in to the room.
   Upon entering he found that the young mother had awakened. She gazed about the room, confused. “Where...am I?” she asked in a soft voice that was warm in tone but scared. The doctor headed towards her. “In the hospital. You need to rest, you’re very weak. Your Husband is here, and your son.” She nodded slowly, glancing downward at her bruised body.  She now spoke again. “I won’t live long, will I.” she whispered. This was a statement, not a question. “You can’t talk like that, not when you have a child to live for.” the doctor said in a tone that was somewhat firm, enough to get her to look at him. In doing so she caught sight of her son. Staring at the child in his arms she smiled weakly and whispered. “Let me hold my baby, just this last time.”
The doctor gently placed the baby in her arms.
The woman held her son close. The doctor smiled watching the two of them, in his mind he was still refusing to give up on the idea that she wouldn’t live. “He’s a sweet baby.” the woman nodded. “His name is Jack.” she turned to face her son kissing him on his soft cheeks “I love you Jackie” she whispered, her eyes closing again.
 Moments later, she died.
  Quickly the doctor gathered up the small child and tried his best to get her heart going again. It was too late though. Out in the hallway the young man was watching all of this through the crack in the door. He turned away then sobbing. He couldn’t stand to be there anymore, there was nothing left for him anymore. He looked over at the table by him. On it was a small of paper and a pen. He knew what he had to do now. 

Meanwhile the doctor had given up trying, the young girl was gone forever. Once again the doctor gathered up the small child, who was staring up at him with huge blue eyes. ‘I’m sorry little fellow” the doctor said. “Daddy” the boy replied back. The doctor shook his head and brought him out into the hallway. Looking around for the child's father, he realized that the man had vanished.
 Still holding the baby the doctor had the entire building Searched for the man, but he was no where to be found. Not knowing what else to do, with the child still in his hands, the doctor returned to the room.
   It was then that he saw it. Left on the table in the hallway just out side the doorway was a note which read simply- “Take care of our son, Jack. RW”........
  
  A week had passed, and finally things would be getting back to normal. The doctor was just filing out the last papers that would send the baby to a foster home, until he could be adopted. Taking care of the little tike had been long and over bearing.
   No matter what he did the baby just wouldn’t stop running, or at least toddling around and getting into things. He was so young he didn’t really understand what was going on and in way it was best that he didn’t. There had been times when he had started crying for his mother, and had taken hours to settle down. It had only been under the care of his head nurse that the child had made it this far.
   Slowly he looked back down at file. Name of child was still blank. Now he knew for a fact that a child with no given name at this age would have little chance of finding a new family. He wrote down Jack as the first name, according to the note and the boy’s mother that was the true name, only no last name. A single letter wasn’t much help. If only the girl had told me their last name, her or the man, the doctor thought, wishing he could to back to that night and ask.
   He looked over at Jack laying in his little bed nearby, his blue eyes wide, gazing up at the white washed ceiling. What to call you he thought. He thought back to last names of his past, Hunter, Williams, what?
   Suddenly he heard the little boy cry out, looking over he saw the child reaching for a small painting that hung form the wall. It was a painting of water reeds, painted by his Aunt, a little over a year ago.
  He smiled that the child, “You like that Jack?” The doctor asked softly. The baby continued to motion.  “Dat dat” he called out. Then the doctor knew just what the last name should be, smiling he wrote down the name, Jack Reed.
“A name fit for a king.” he thought. A knock turned his attention to the doorway. The women from the home had come to claim the child. Clara Tyler had taken care of children for the whole her life. She was so full of sunshine that everyone called her sunny Claire.
She held the tiny boy in her arms now. “Who could ever leave should a child?” Jack gazed up at her seeming to like this attention. Clara turned to face the doctor. ‘What his name?” She asked. The doctor was still buried in a mass of forms and paperwork. His desk had nearly disappeared, replaced by a mountain of pure white.
“Sorry Clara, what was that?” “His name” she asked again.
“Does he have one?’ The doctor nodded. “Jack. Jack Reed.” Clara looked around the room slightly confused. ‘Doesn’t he have belongings?” “None, most babies come in with nothing but the clothes on their back and the food in their stomachs.”
Clara nodded. “Well in that case, send in the final paper work as quick as you can. I don’t normally come this early but with the holidays coming up time is limited.’ She turned to the door, pausing for a second. “It’s a pity; he probably won’t be with me long.” The doctor frowned
 “What do you mean?”
“Nowadays now one wants to take in child, with money being as tight as it is, and asking them to take in a child with no personal history is nearly impossible. After about a year or two he’ll be sent to an orphanage. The doctor had to agree with her. “I’m afraid you may be right. He may have just lost his only chance at having a family” It was then that the door had reopened and a tall, slightly balding man stepped in to join them. This man was Adam Valenti and he had been called down from the New York Records hall in Auburn.
“Ah Mr. Valenti” said the doctor coming back out from behind his snow mountain of a desk to shake the man’s hand. “Thank you for stopping by on such short notice.’ Mr. Valenti nodded slowly,  he  clearly wasn’t the cheerful type. What he was, was an overpaid workaholic who’s life was all about seeing how big a pay check he could earn in a year. Now taking in his surroundings he caught sight of Cara still holding baby jack in her arms. If he was surprised to see a baby there he didn’t show it, all he really did was frown, a look he was well known for. “What is this all about?” he asked finally proving to Clara that he did know how to talk, for a few minutes she was beginning to think that he didn’t know how to.
The doctor meanwhile had leaped back into the snow and was now holding a small piece of paper. ‘this right here is what it’s all about” he said. It was the note written and left by the child father. The police had studied the note as best as they could but couldn’t obtain any idea as to whom the man was. As for the mother no one had ever seen her before. She had been wearing a wedding ring, but it had no name on it. She had been buried by the church behind the hospital.
The newspapers had even stepped in and published a photo of Jack asking for information but no one had come forward. The man called Valenti listened to all of this being explained, wearing a hard expression. He had always lived a life of ease, and now it was strange to come acrossed a child whose life had probably never been an easy one, and now to have lost both parents in the same night. It was hard to understand the unfairness behind it all. The baby looked up at him from Clara’s arms. His eyes were wide and blue. His face was blank and confused looking. Whose child was this they all seemed to be thinking.
The doctor at this point held out the note again ‘I would like this to be put away in your keeping until this child comes of age. It’s probably best that he not learn the truth until he is old enough to understand.” “In that case he’ll find out when he’s 21.” Valenti muttered as he took the note, folded it neatly. Glancing outside Clara saw that the car had arrived to drive her to the home. Nodding a look of thanks to the doctor she carried Jack outside and holding him tightly climbed into the back seat. Jack had fallen back asleep now, and was sleeping very soundly. He was completely unaware that his life had been forever changed or that the real difficulties of his life had only just begun.

~~                                                                                                                               Chapter   2
October 16, 1929. Rochester, New York, City Orphanage, -9 years later   
The young boy gazed over that the other children sleeping near him in the bed. The room seemed colder than before, no heat was given off from the blankets. The boy moved to his side trying to steal whatever heat he could. The child next to him moaned at being woken. “Jack you nit, can’t a body get any sleep?”
 This was how it had been for the past 9 years. No pleasing anyone. Even at the first home he couldn’t please anyone, even at the age of 3. Well one family that had liked him, for a while. Till they saw a child whose mother had been some great wealthy somebody who’s twice removed cousin had known someone who knew the president. The same thing happed again and again. That’s when he had been sent here, to the Rochester Orphanage. The last stop for unwanted children was his nickname for it.
Jack tried to stay as still as he could, but it didn’t seem to be an option. The morning sun was coming soon and before long breakfast would be passed out.....
A kick from the front of the bed sat him up straight. An angry looking face stared down at him. ‘Jack Reed up now or you lose your breakfast.” Jack nodded slowly still half awake. It was Ruth Leefens, the women who ran the home who had been shouting. She was old looking for her age and hated children.
Jack for some reason had always been her least favored. As he pulled him self from bed she glared that him disapproving. “It’s no wondering your still here. You might as well accept I am the only mother you’ve got.” Jack looked up at her angry. He had often heard this speech, and hated it every time.
Most times he had learned to keep still but this time he was fed up. “You’re not my mother you never will be.” He muttered. A slap a crossed the face snapped him up. “You think you can do better than me.” Leefens challenged
“It’s your last mother who you made you in to this She was weak. Don’t you go and sentence your self to the same path.” Jack nodded, thinking hard to himself: I could do much better than you, and don’t insult my real mother.  But he didn’t say a word of it.
This was the typical morning but for Jack he had often dreamed it would be the last. According to everyone he should have accepted long ago that he was alone, but he could break that feeling that there was something else out there waiting for him to come and find. Just waiting for a family to come for him.  It hadn’t been easy though to support that feeling.
Only a year ago he had been openly talking to the other children about how his parents were only gone for a while and would be coming back for him soon. After all since no one seemed to know what had happened to them who was to say that they weren’t.
 It had been then that Leefens had dragged him into the kitchen and after slapping him hard had roared at him that his parents were never coming back. When he had asked why and how she knew this, she had revealed to him the secret of his origin. “Your mother’s dead you idiot, she died years ago. And your father left you for dead on the same day 8 years ago! Does that sound like he really wants you back?” He had run then sobbing to the dorm room and had been unwilling to talk to anyone for a week after wards. It was still shocking now a year later, but he had more so come to grips with it all.
He headed down the dark hallway to the room where they all ate. There wasn’t ever anything good on the table, and today it was something that looked like oatmeal and was both hard and cold as a block of ice.
It was a Saturday which meant no schooling. Every other day but on the weekends Jack went to the small school down the block with the other children. He loved reading the books about travelers who leave their lives behind and go in search of a better one. But today instead of schooling it was cleaning day. Jack was ordered to cleanout the basement which was without a doubt the worst job. It took forever it seemed to get one section of the room clean. Leefens wasn’t very understanding about this and refused to give him anything but 2 slices of bread for dinner.
That night he once again found himself awake and sleepless. Only this time he noticed some thing. The room window was open a crack. Knowing he could get in big trouble for his, he had already made up his mind. He was through with this life of loneliness. He was going to find his family once and for all.
Jack had never really been out on his own before, it was just like seeing everything for the fist time. In books he had read about how the hero makes a getaway in someway. With Huckleberry Finn it had been the raft and with Oliver twist by foot. Instinct would have to be the guide in this case, and after his own narrow escape through that window he was now ready to try anything that came his way.  About a block away form the orphanage was a bus stop that only ran about 2-3 buses nightly. It was chance that one could take him away from here for only 5 dollars. He had earned that money on a bet about a year before and was just holding on to it for such a time as now.
The list of places on the destination menu was limited down to Auburn and Buffalo. He went with Auburn because it came first in the alphabet.
It was a short trip about an hour, and it was leaving now or never. Standing before the ticket booth he was both nervous and excited. “One for Auburn” he mumbled trying to look older and braver than he felt, dressed in his parish black sweater, and dark blue pants. On his back he was carrying a small bag of belongings. Clearly he didn’t fit the normal appearance of a 10 year old boy but the man behind the counter took no notice of this and simply hand the small boy a ticket for cheap. What luck?
The streetlights had been flying by for nearly20 minutes. Boring as it was Jack couldn’t seem to relax. It was only him and the driver. It was his 2nd shift in a row and the Driver, whose tag read Thomson, was clearly tried. Still he had taken a notice to the small boy and couldn’t understand why he was just sitting there alone. “You heading to see family?” he finally asked unable to keep quiet. Jack shrugged “maybe” He knew his father had left him but did that mean that he shouldn’t try to find him.
 The something began to click in his mind. The more he thought about it the more he felt why it all should be about his father, and not about himself. So many years he had wasted on this false hope and now he just wanted to be rid of it. That night Jack made himself a promise that he would from now on live life alone without thinking to his father and his past. Besides he reasoned who’s to say that his father hadn’t died or something. In which case there would be no need to ever try and look for him.
He soon fell asleep and ended up sleeping the rest of the trip. The driver looked back him, all curled up in his seat. His hair was falling over his face. The bus slowly pulled into the station. That the sound of the brakes, Jack woke up.
Quickly he gathered up his things and headed off the bus. It was a cool night, very dark but he wasn’t afraid. Not really anyway. His eyes though were so big and frighten that the driver couldn’t help but feel bad as he watched him walk down the street. ‘Good luck lad.” He called out. Jack didn’t know where to go from there. It was already very late, and as wore out as he was. He curled up on a doorway and soon fell back asleep It was a angry voice the next morning that woke him up “What do you mean by sleeping outside my store!?” It was a loud angry voice and for a spilt second jack thought he was back the orphanage.
The Voice as it turned out belonged to Gerald Jackson, the shop owner. He appeared to be in his late forties and was wearing a uniform shirt. Jack sat up quickly “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to it’s just I was so tried.” The man just shook his head, but he was smiling now. “Aw don’t worry about it. It’s rather pleasing to see the customers arriving so early. Come one and all to Jackson’s Food store.” “Sorry “Jack replied “But I wasn’t here to buy anything, Mr. Jackson.” Glancing around him, his eyes landed on a help wanted sign in the window. ‘I was wondering just now, maybe I could help you out here. Could I work for you?”
 Mr. Jackson looked surprised by this. He opened the door to the shop and motioned for Jack to follow him inside. “So how old are you?” He asked “I’m 10 sir” Jack answered back, trying to be very polite. “You got a name?” was the second question “Yes sir it’s Jack, Jack Reed.” The man had taken off his coat and was now hanging it up. “You live around here?” “Well I sort of just got in last night.’ Jack replied. The man looked interested at this. Also a bit concerned for the child’s safety. ‘You’re a runway huh? Your parents going to be looking for you?
Jack shook his head “I don’t have any parents.” Right then Jackson knew there was no way that left this boy leave with no place to go. He leaned carefully on the counter. ‘All right Jack, I’ll help you out. I need someone who can do stocking.” The he added. “I have some spare space in the back room. You can stay there.’ He led jack down a small side hallway and kicked open the door to the storage room. There was an olden mattress on the floor in one of the corners with a table. It was a small room but neat.
Jack could hardly believe his wonderful luck. “Thank you sir, Thank you so much.” Mr. Jackson nodded. “Just prove that you’re worth it by working hard that’s all I ask.” He glanced down at the bag jack was still holding in his hand, “Travel kind of light huh?” jack shrugged “I don’t have much stuff, only a few clothes.” He pulled them out and placed them neatly on the bed, most of them were 3rd hand nearly from having so many owners before him. Aside from the clothes bundle there was a small blue blanket of some kind.
 Jackson looked at it with a strange look. Jack grabbed it up and placed it carefully on the table. “I don’t know where I got this, they told me I was wrapped in it when I came to the hospital.” Jackson was confused by this. “When you came to the hospital, were you sick when you were little.” Jack shook his head. “No, I wasn’t but I guess my mother was. She died back when I was little and my father left me there at the hospital.” He lowered his eyes a little bit “I guess I was too much trouble or something.” Jackson wasn’t at all prepared to hear this.   “Your father left you there at the hospital, how old were you?” jack look thoughtful. “Not real sure cause no one knows when I was born, I think I was about 2 or something close to that.” Jackson had heard enough, this child had to stay, he looked so innocent and helpless glancing around the room, the first real bedroom he had ever known. It was far beyond anything he had ever come a crossed in his lifetime and he knew that should this boy leave lord knows what would happen to him.
He then handed Jack a small bundle of clothes. “Here save your other clothes for later and put these on” Jack in a hurry grabbed the clothes and as Jackson left the room he gave it another quick. It was a rather small room, full of boxes. Still it was a place to stay.
Jack came back up to the front now wearing his new clothes. The sun was up fully now and the store was getting rather full of people. Some looked over at him with interest a few even gave him an approving smile.
 He could see Mr. Jackson talking to a woman. She was wearing a lovely down jacket and had her hair down just perfect. She looked over at Jack but his attention was else where.
A younger girl about 9 years old was standing over at the candy display. She was the spiting image of the older woman. She had the same brown hair and blue eyes, but here face was so friendly looking and sweet. She turned and looked at him, smiling brightly. “Hello there” Jack swallowed hard. “Hi I’m Jack” The woman called over to them. ‘Annette we need to get going you’ll be late for school.” The girl called Annette looked back at Jack. ‘It was nice to meet you Jack. I’ll see you again.”
All in one day a new job, a new home and a new friend. It was the perfect start but in this case it was only the beginning of a new life.

~~ Chapter 3
June 30, 1941, Auburn, New York 11 years later.-
   It was the early summer of 1940; time was slowing down for many. It was the second year of World War II. It was hoped that this would be the last year. The New Year had come and gone leaving the 1930’s behind. It was the start of a new era set ready for peace.  For many it was a time of change. Jack Reed’s life was no stranger to change.    
   He was now 21. Taller now, but with the same short blonde hair and pale face, and his eyes were still as innocent looking. He was ready to face an open world head first. He was also facing now up to a huge coming change in his life. The job he had held on to for nearly 11 years was going to be taken from him. He had been working at Jackson’s store ever since that one day and now the store was going to be closing. This was his last day on the job.
He carefully leaned the broom against the wall next to the storage room. That’s what the room was now used solely for, but it had once been his room. Mr. Jackson was waiting for him up at the counter. Jack couldn’t help but feel a bit down about all this, in a way he wasn’t just losing his job, but also losing a home, and worst of all Jackson would be leaving the state next year to enjoy retirement. But he like jack was also ready to move on. Standing next to the counter was Tommy Bane’s, another of the workers there. He and Jack had become pretty good friends working together, only now Tommy would also be leaving, only he would be off to join the Navy. It was a interesting choice Jack thought, one that he hadn’t given to much tought to growing up. Still they had to say here goodbyes now, since Tommy was heading out tomorrow. “I’ll see you around Jack, take care of your self.” Jack nodded to him, “yeah, take care of yourself out there.” Passing by the counter He heard Jackson say. “I’ll miss seeing you around here, both of you. It’s going to be too quiet.” Jack completely understood. ‘I’ll be around, remember I now live down the last block.” 
Jackson stepped out now from behind the counter, a cleaning rag in his hand. He would never admit it but he hated saying goodbyes as much as the next person, but he was truly going to miss jack, whom he still thought of as that frightened child who had come into his life all those years ago. He had never had any children of his own and Jack had given him a slight taste of what parent hood might have been like. “You’ve been a great help to me these past years, I can’t thank you enough.” Jack shrugged not needing all this praise. “It was nothing, and anyway you gave me a home in trade, it was the most I could do to pay you back.” Jackson had in truth been a mentor to him as well, schooling him, and had been something of a father figure. Only now he was going to lose that, He then slowly headed out the door. It wasn’t like he was heading out into a cold and unfriendly world. In reality though, it was not at all bad, in fact there were still many things left to be grateful for. In just the past year he had become engaged, and had moved in with his fiancée.
He paused for a second and turned into the post office a minute to pick up an important piece of mail. As he now headed down the streets of Auburn, New York facing the world was the last thing on his mind.
   In his hand he held a letter which sealed his fate for the New Year. He walked down the apple blossom covered side walks that lead to their home. Their house was a small, one story house, Blue with a white roof. It had a good size back yard with a flower garden
  . Upon reaching home he caught sight of his new fiancée,   Annette Calford, whom most everyone called Annie, out back working in the garden. She had become the love of his life the moment that they had met, back that day at the store. Her parents lived only a few blocks away and stopped by often, so Soon after they meet there they had become friends and then 6 years later he had asked her out. They had courted for some time and then Jack had asked her to marry him. As far as where to live this had come along on a rather sad note, when Annette’s grandparents had died their house had been left open to who ever in the family wanted it. Since her older brother didn’t need it Annette was given their old house as well as a great deal of inheritance, which was to be lived off of until Jack found work.
    Tall with her long cinnamon hair she had stood apart from everyone else. Quiet as a mouse he crept up behind her and without a word, put his hands over her eyes. Annette surprised let out a gasp.
   Jack grinned playfully. “Guess who?”   Annette smiled with relief. “Jack. This really isn’t funny.” Jack refused to give up. “You have to guess who”   Annette sighed
“It’s Charles Chaplin, right?” She then turned around to face Jack.  “Oh darn it’s only you. “ Jack laughed “Yeah, it’s only me!”   Annette shook her head. “You’re too much. I should have known that it was you. I could have smelled you from at least a mile away from here with all that darn collage you put on”
  Jack smiled “Well you know I worked today. Oh and by the way I made a stop at the post office today and this was there waiting for me.”  He held up the letter.  Annette smiled, taking a seat on the small bench “I really hope that you did it this time.’ Jack nodded, sitting down next to her. “Yeah me too.”
   Quickly Jack tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter. The letter itself brought nothing but the same old bad news. That Jack was once again being denied a new job. Taking one look at his face Annette knew at once what the letter had said.  Leaning over to him she wrapped him very tightly in a warm hug. “I’m sorry Jack you tried your hardest.”
    Jack shook his head in defeat. “I am getting really sick of trying. And according to this it wasn’t my hardest.” He pulled away from Annette. “No matter what I do it will never be good enough. It’s just not fair.” he muttered angrily
    “Not everything in this world is meant to be fair.” She replied “And I know that if you just keep trying just as hard, you’ll make it.” Jack turned to her surprised.
 “After all this you still believe that?” He asked.   Annette smiled “Jack you have never failed me yet, and I don’t plan for you to any time soon.” With that hand in hand the two turned and headed back towards the house.

~~  Chapter   4
    Upon reaching the house the two caught sight of a fancy car pulling up to their house.   Annette turned pale. “Oh my God….. it’s my mother!” For the past few weeks Annette had been dreading having her mother come and visit them, since Jack had moved in. It now seemed that the time was now. Only this was probably the worst time, seeing how the house was a mess, and nothing in it’s place. Jack had only finished unpacking so things were not totally t
idy, but even the smallest sight of dirt could set off Mrs. Calford.
Once they got in though the back door Jack grabbed up his coat and shoes and threw them up the stairs just as the front door came flying open. There stood Annette's mother.
 By some evil chance of fate Jack happened to be standing there as Mrs. Calford entered the house. She sized him up, with a scowl on her face. Just then Annette came rushing up beside him. “Mother.” She said. “I wasn’t expecting you till next week.”
 Mrs. Calford nodded sourly “What a coincidence. I wasn’t expecting to see Jack here either.” Jack slowly backed off.
Mrs. Beth Calford wasn't one to mess with.
  She had hated Jack from the moment she had heard of the engagement. Strange though she wasn’t a really stern looking woman at all, she was actually the opposite. Her face was always made up with a fair decor of make-up. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun, and her dresses were always bright and sunny looking. 
Still for whatever the reason, she had targeted Jack as a person to be disliked. Even Annette couldn’t figure it out. She moved quickly to prevent a fight.
“Mother, won’t you stay for tea?” She asked weakly. Mrs. Calford nodded following her daughter into the living room.  Jack followed behind keeping his distance. He sat down in the chair far away from her, all the while still trying to look glad to see her. If only he thought.
   The visit had not started out as a cheerful one. Mrs. Calford keep the conversation aimed mostly at Annette, but seemed to include Jack more than unseal, even though she refused to call him by his first name alone “So Mr.. Reed any luck so far in finding a new means of income?”
Jack shook his head no. Ever since he had learned that the store was going to close he had been trying hard to find a new job.  However Mrs. Calford said nothing, which was odd. Normally she loved to grind him down. It even seemed that she had finally come to grips with her daughter’s engagement to Jack, and that she was still unaware that the two had still not adapted to being the prefect pair of house keepers. However that was the only grip she had with things.
    However the minute that Annette stepped out into the kitchen to prepare more tea for her mother, and more “strong coffee” for her and Jack Mrs. Calford moved in for the kill” You realize of course Mr.. Reed that in your current state of unemployment you may not be fully prepared to properly care for my daughter?”  Jack nodded “I know that I will never be half as rich as you are Mrs. Calford, However, I do swear to you that Annette will always have my heart. “
    Mrs. Calford chuckled ‘Do you think that that could ever be enough? My daughter was meant to marry a man who could fully support her. I really don’t see a poor little orphan boy doing so” That was harsh blow and at that very moment Annette reentered the room. Her face was tinted red with anger. “Mother, may I speak with you alone for a moment!”
   Alone in the kitchen, Annette let her anger lash out at her ill-mannered mother. “You had no right what so ever to do that to him. After all he has put up with; I would think you could find it in your heart to show him a little bit of respect. He has tried so hard to please you. Tell me just what it is that you want from that man?”
“ I want nothing from him.’ Mrs. Calford sniffed. “What could I possibly want from that cheap little...?” “No!!”   Annette shouted slamming her hand hard on the kitchen table. “Don’t you ever call him that!! “  
Annette’s mother shook her heard. “I can’t imagine why not. God knows he’ll never worry about us going to war with Germany. The army wouldn’t even take him”   Annette frowned “You know very well why he couldn’t go.” Mrs. Calford rolled her eyes. ‘Yes I know that little ‘possible’ case of flat feet. If you ask me he was probably just faking it.”
  Annette had had more an enough of this bickering. “That’s it Mother; I have had enough of your insults and I’m asking you very politely to get out of this house NOW!!” She shouted. Angrily muttering under her breath, Mrs. Calford left.  Annette was not sorry to see her go.

  
 Out on the back porch, Jack was watching the being of the sunset. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Annette take a seat next to him. “Jack” She began “I am so sorry for anything that my mother said to you. She just doesn’t understand. She never has and she probably never will.” 
   Jack turned to face her, a single thought on his mind. “She may be right you know. Maybe I can’t fully support.....” His voice trailed off.  Annette shook her head taking his hand “No Jack.”
  “I never want you to even think that. You are an amazing person. I don’t want money to be the sole center of our relationship the way it is with my parents.
 I only want it to be love, and I do love you Jack. You understand that I love only you, regardless of your past, or income, just you.”
    Jack gazed up into her brownish eyes. “Do you know how many people have told me that in my lifetime?”   Annette again shook her head.  “No, but I’m sure that someone did.” Jack lowered his eyes “No one ever did, no one ever cared enough. You were the very first. I never even knew what love really was until I met you, And now I am not so sure that I can hold on to that.”  Annette nodded understanding his pain.
    Just then the phone rang from inside the house.   Annette gave Jacks hand a single squeeze, and said “Don’t stay out here too long. It’s almost time for supper.” Then she hurried into the house. Jack watched her leave. Once alone he buried his face in his hand wishing he could just disappear.
 He wasn’t usually beaten down this easy, but in an away he had grown almost jealous of Annette over the years. She had both parents not mention an older brother and God knows how many Aunts and Uncles. It was beyond painful for him to just sit there while Annette and her mother would talk, and then to feel so unaccepted. It was always better when her father came along. At least he was friendly towards jack and would talk to him, but he still got the idea that he wasn’t really interested.  Jack was trying to be strong but the pain just was too much at times.
 It was strange though on how many times people had asked him if he missed his parents. Truth be told, he was never really sure how to answer that. He knew he should miss his mother but it was hard when he couldn’t remember her. The smell of lilacs and a hint of a song were not much to work with. It was more like he missed the idea of having a mother. As for his father, that long ago promise to himself to not let that control his life carried on, and he felt no loss there. 
“You’ve got to grow up Jack” he muttered to himself. He could have told that to himself for hours but it would never have done any good, just made him feel worse. “You don’t have to listen to her, she’s just one opinion that doesn’t matter, and she’s only the mother of the woman I want to marry.” This thought wasn’t really as comforting as he had hoped it would be, honestly the more he thought it all over the lower he felt. He had sat out here enough now; he had to get back to reality before his mind exploded with all these thoughts.  He got up from his seat and headed inside

~~Chapter 5
     That night Jack had laid in bed for almost 2 hours before he realized sleep wasn’t going to come easily. He had slept in this room for over a month now, and still he just couldn’t get used to it. He quietly got up from bed and paced around the bedroom trying to wear himself out.  Annette, stirred by the movement looked over her shoulder and watched him pace. “Jack you know you make me very nervous when you do that.”
   Jack took a seat on the end of the bed. “Sorry, I just can’t sleep, to many things on my mind.”  Though she was only partly awake, Annette sat up now. “Things like what, tell me please.” He hated to sound like he was dwelling on this but Annette would get it out of him sooner or later, she always did, so he did tell her. “Honestly I just believe that your mother still hates him, I thought it was a simple phase.”   Annette sighed shaking her head and flipped on the light by the bed, light filled the small room. “She doesn't hate you, Jack. She just acts overly picky and doesn't like a lot of people.”
Jack moaned falling backwards on to the bed. “No she just hates me. No questions about it.” Then he looked up at   Annette. “By the way, how are you feeling tonight? No feeling sick to your stomach.”
    Annette shook her head. “No, not tonight, and it’s died down a bit in the morning as well.” Jack frowned “You should really see the doctor about that.”  Annette flopped down on the pillow. “I don’t see why. It’s probably just the stomach flu; I catch that at least twice a year.”
  Jack sat up looking straight at her. “I’ve never heard of a stomach flu that lasted almost an entire month and only at certain times of the day.”   Annette sighed leaning over to turn out the light. “Well maybe tomorrow then. Right now it’s time for bed. Now come on and go to sleep...”  He crawled in next to her, holding her in his arms. But instead of going back to sleep they kissed passionately, holding on to each other as if they were afraid to let go.
This wasn’t the first time jack and Annette had gone against the idea of pre-marriage relationships. The last time had been when they had first become engaged nearly a month ago. It had been a life changing experience, only it was still unclear just how much so.…………..

   The next morning came early, and to Jack there was nothing more annoying than having to get out of his nice warm bed. The sweet smell of breakfast being prepared finally carried him down the stairs. While Annette prepared breakfast, Jack worked on filling out yet another job application.
     The task would have been easy had he not had such mixed feelings on writing down his last name. He had always gone by the last name that had been given to him, Reed, only he hadn’t he slightest idea where it had come from and knew that it wasn’t really his
     However the case of not knowing the actual date of his birth had always been a bigger problem. He had been told that he had been about a year and a half old when he had arrived at the hospital   
   As for knowing the true date he was at a total loss. The state system had given him a replacement date, April 18. Still there had always been that strange feeling that there was still something missing in his life.
  Now staring down that the application before him, Jack didn’t even feel like trying anymore. “It’s no use.” He muttered “I can’t even fill in what my middle name is.”
  Annette nodded “That’s true, But I’m sure that the orphanage would know.”
   Jack shook his head “I already tried that, but they claim that they know nothing else about me, or where I came from. They don’t even know who my mother and father were. No one does.  Not even Miss Leefens and she was the one that raised me.’
    Jack shook his head in disgust “I’ll never forget her.
She always tried to get us all to believe that she was like a real mother. I never could believe that, neither did anyone else, and …… she didn’t take it well.”
     Annette shuddered at the thought, what it must have been like to grow up in an orphanage with such a controlling woman as that. “How horrible that must have been for you.” Jack nodded slowly, “Yeah, but now that is all in the past. Right now I have got to get this darn thing done.”  While Jack went on with his writing,   Annette began to sort through the mail that Jack had brought home the other day. It was then that she came a crossed a letter addressed to Jack.
   She handed it to him. ‘Here this came for you.” Jack stared at the letter in disbelief. “Oh my God. This is from the New York Hall of records.’ As he started to read the letter his eyes grew wider.
   Annette glanced over his shoulder trying to read the letter. “What is it?” She asked.  Jack looked up at her surprised ‘It’s from the head for the records department.
They say that they have acquired something that legally belongs to me.”
   Now it was Annette turn to look surprised. “What could they have of yours?” She asked. Jack read the letter again.” It doesn’t say. It just says to report there sometime soon to collect.”
   He turned to Annette. ‘Maybe I should go now.” Then he caught sight of breakfast and he changed his mind. “Well maybe after breakfast.’   Annette laughed. ‘I guess that they really weren’t kidding when they said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Then she added. ‘Oh and make sure that your home in time for dinner, I’m making pot roast.”...
   Heading down the street, a little bit of excitement filled Jack. What was this mystery item that awaited him, and in what way did it concern him. Upon reaching the Records hall, his mind was so full of questions he thought that he would burst.
   The man at the front desk directed him towards a small office at the far end of a hall. After waiting there for what felt like an hour, another man entered the room.
   He was kind of tall with very short brownish hair, and looked to be in his early thirties. “Hello there. I am Brendon Camren and you must be Jack Reed.”
  Jack nodded eager to get on with business. “I got your letter it said that you had something of mine.” Mr.. Camren nodded. “Yes, this.” He held out a small white envelope. ‘This was placed in the systems care several years ago by the Child Care System of New York.  They were told to return it to you when you became of age. That time is now, so here you are.’ He handed the envelope to Jack. Both excited and nervous he tore into it.
   Inside there was a small rather dirty piece of paper.
The writing was smudged and a little hard to make out. However the meaning behind the words stated themselves very clearly. The note read ‘Take care of our son Jack. RW.”
  

~~                                                         Chapter 6   
Hands shaking Jack turned to face Mr. Camren “Where... Where did you get this? Who wrote it?” Camren sighed “Mr. Reed as you know 19 years ago your father disappeared.”
   “This note is the only known clue that he left behind.” Jack stared at the note. “You mean that my father wrote this?” He reread the end part. “So then whoever RW is, he’s my father.”
      Mr. Camren nodded. ‘You also realize Mr. Reed that with this new found information if you wish to find your father that can now be done. ‘Jack, full of anger leaped to his feet. “Find him! I want nothing to do with him. After all he put me through, how can you even think such a thing?”
   Mr.. Camren shook his head. “Forgive me Mr.. Reed I had no idea that you felt that way. Now of course no one is ever going to force you to find your father if you don’t want them too.”
   Now calm, Jack retook his seat. ‘No forgive me. I just haven’t felt like myself lately.” Then he turned to Mr.. Camren. “Was there anything else left? Perhaps some clue as to whom my mother was?”
    Again Mr.. Camren shook his head. “No, nothing else.”  Jack nodded disappointed “Oh well, if that is all I suppose I’ll be on my way.” Half way out the door, he turned back to face Mr. Camren. ‘”Thank you.” He whispered. Note in his hand he headed back home.
 The sky didn’t seem quite so blue and more, nor was he skipping along as he had before. The world seemed dark and unfriendly.
     The house was empty and quiet when he arrived, Annette gone out for the afternoon, leaving him alone. Right now being left alone was very high on Jack’s list.
   He sat down at the kitchen table and stared at the note. RW, those two letters burned themselves deep in to his brain. Who had his father been? Was he still alive and if so where was he now?”
  He was still sitting there when   Annette arrived home. Her face was full of excitement. ‘Jack I have the best news in the whole world.
  Quickly Jack placed the note in his pocket and turned to her. “What? What happened?”  Annette rushed over to him. ‘Well you remember how you wanted me to see the doctor. Well I did it; I went to see the doctor.”  Jack nodded “Well what did he say?”    Annette grinned “Well I wasn’t really sure that first, but it turns out that I was right all along.” She exclaimed grabbing his hands. “Jack I’m pregnant!!”
     Jack just sat there, unable to speak or move.
 It was crazy but for the first time in his life he had lost the ability to speak.   Annette stared at him concerned “Jack are you all right?’ Jack shook his head “yeah, it’s just…are you sure.” Annette nodded and Jack couldn’t help but feel very guilty. Our lives are ruined he thought, If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have. It’s my entire fault. Annette was sitting there still smiling and waiting for him to say something. Jack finally looked back at her “All I can say is that I am sorry.”   Annette looked at him confused “You’re sorry for what?” Jack looked up in to her eyes “I am sorry that I did this to you.”
    Annette smiled “Jack, I not mad at you I am happy we’re having a baby! You’re going to be a father.’ Jack got up from the table and walked over to the window, brushing his blonde hair out of his face. “I can’t be a father, I don’t even know what it’s like to have one. There’s no way…I’m not ready, we’re not ready...”
       Annette walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him warmly “you are going to be a great father. Besides you have eight months to get ready.’ Jack turned to her surprised
“You mean you have been pregnant for a month already and I never noticed and what about the wedding we already agreed not to have any children until we got married.”
       Annette shrugged “If it makes you feel better I didn’t know either, and the wedding is in 6 months so it should work out.” Then another thought crossed Jacks mind “And what about your mother she’ll kill me when she finds out.”   Annette retook her seat “Well she doesn’t need to know yet.” Jack looked at her amused “Wait a minute, your not going to tell you own mother?”
      Annette frowned “I will but lets not jump into it right away.  It will just give her something more to complain about. Then her expression changed “Oh by the way how did it go that the records hall? What did they have of yours?”
    Jack fingered the note in his pocket then quickly changed his mind. “Oh nothing they made a mistake. It wasn’t me that they wanted.”
    Annette frowned “you would think with a system as huge and as powerful as theirs is that they would be more careful. Messing with people like this, it’s seemed a bit out of line” Jack shrugged “Well it’s really not a big deal .forget about it.”   

Again, sleeping that night was out of the question. Thoughts ran in and out of Jacks mind, Thoughts on his father, the baby and whether or not lying to   Annette had been a real good idea. They had had always been totally honest with each other. It seemed strange hiding something.
 Sometime around 3 am he finally fell asleep, but even while he slept he couldn’t forget. In his dreams a figure haunted his sleep.  It was a girl, that much he could make that out, but the details were hidden form him. As if he wasn’t suppose to see. She was singing and calling to him. The words made no sense to him though
“Bright stars…... my eye… sleep… love” The voice though was so familiar sounding. He woke up suddenly shaking all over. That dream had not been an unfamiliar one. In fact he had, had it several times before. Then most recent had been over a month ago though.
  Annette feeling the movement awoke as well. She glanced over surprised to find him up. ‘Jack what is it what's wrong?” She sounded more concerned than sleepy. Jack only shook his head in return. Annette refused to give up. ‘Jack your shaking all over what’s wrong.” Jack was finally able to speak. “I just had that same dream.”
  Annette sighed “Not again. I can believe your still having that.” Jack agreed “I can’t understand where it came from. I’ve just always had it” “Maybe it’s an early memory.’ Annette supplied.
   “No, that can’t be it. I have no memories of...before. You know that” Annette yawned “Can you get back to sleep. Or should I make some cocoa.’ Jack shook his head. ‘No cocoa sounds good but I think I'd rather try to sleep.” As before this proved to be easier said then down. But sleep did finally come.
   Around 9 am, the next morning the sound of the phone ringing woke him up, glancing down next to him he could see Annette curled up, sound asleep. She could have slept through a tornado, flood and probably an earthquake without even flinching.
     Not wanting to wake her quickly got out of bed and raced down the hall and grabbed the phone in mid ring. “Hello” He panted “Hello” the voice on the other end replied.  “This is Mr.. Camren is there a Mr. Reed there by chance.’ Jack sighed “Yes. This is him.” In the back of his mind he thought what in Gods name did Camren want with him now and so early. “
   “Hello Mr. Reed.” Camren continued I hate to disturb you so early but something important has come up. Would you be able meet me at my office sometime today.” Jack nodded ‘Okay how’s noon sound?” The line crackled “That will be fine.” Camren replied “We can talk more then, don’t be late.” Then the line went dead.
      That morning at breakfast Jack could only stare that his pancakes   Annette looked a up at him a little surprised ‘You’re not hungry again?”  Jack sighed “Not really.” Annette frowned “Last night you barley touched your pot roast your most favorite food in the world and now you don’t want breakfast.  Are you feeling all right?”
     Jack nodded “Sure. I feel fine; I just have a ton on my mind the wedding, the baby.”    The he added “Oh, by the way I might have to make a run into the city again today.” Annette frowned “Why? I thought you just went there yester day.”
  Jack shrugged trying really hard to think of an excuse. ‘Oh no real reason I just feel like going for a walk is all.”
     Annette sighed “if you ask my opinion the city is no place to be taking a walk, we would all be better off taking strolls in the country.” Jack shook his head “It’s far to quiet in the country besides I wanted to stop and say hello to Mr. Jackson. Beside maybe he knows of some job openings. “
       Annette nodded “No one could ever beat his prices they were the fairest in all of Auburn. If you do get a chance to see him tell him I said hello.”  
Jack nodded “I’ll do that I know you were always his favorite customer. It’s strange not working for him anymore” Glancing up at the small clock that hung over the sink Jack saw that it was almost 11 o’clock his appointment with Camren was at noon, he’d have to hurry....
  A short while later he found him self in front of the record hall a place he never thought he’d see again. Once inside he wanders down the familiar halls until he found himself in front of the door to Camren office. He opened the wooden door and walked in Camren looked up at him from his desk. “Ah Mr.. Reed right on time. Take a seat please.” Jack sat down in one of the chairs.”  “All right what is this all about?” Jack asked .Camren cleared his throat and began to explained “Mr.. Reed, as you know no one has seen or heard form your father in over twenty years.”
    Jack leaned forward “Yes go on.” “What my point is Mr. Reed” Camren continue
“That in the case that you father had died there maybe a chance that he or even your mother may have left a will. And with you being the only know next of kin you would then inherit.”  Jack nodded, interested “Am I to assume that for this to happen we would first have to find out who my father or mother was?”
     Camren sighed “Mr. Reed I understand if you still refuse to find your father, but I hope that you would that least consider this opportunity.”
   Jack looked thoughtful then he asked “Lets say that there had been some money left by my parents would I also inherit that as well?” Camren nodded “Yes you would get every thing”
  Jack sighed, he really didn’t want to go ahead with this however, and there could be money involved.  That was something he and Annette needed very badly. The wedding was already burning a hole in their savings, and now with a baby coming they were stuck. Besides he had always had this desperate longing to know who his mother was and this might be his one and only chance.   Not knowing what else to do, Jack nodded his head. “All right I agree. Let’s find him.” Camren seemed more excited then him. Alight I’ll put in a call to the police see what they come up with. I’ll take this to the FBI if I have to.”
 

~~Chapter 7
  The weeks and months had passed by quickly. The 4th of July came and went, as did Halloween. Before long it was the middle of November. Still Jack had heard nothing from Camren. In time he finally given up, that little bit of hope of gaining any money. 
  As Annette’s middle had grown, so had their need for money. They still had been keeping the pregnancy a secret, but knew that it couldn’t last for much longer. With the 6th month approaching they were going to be caught soon
As far as money So far he had only been able to get small jobs here and there. They had been a big help in bringing in money but only for a short time. However now only few days after his last job, There had been a small part of good news. Jack had got a positive rely on a job request.
   The reply called for an interview that would be taking place in a few days. It had been a big break through. At last the morning of the day arrived he got up early to get ready. He was just finishing up with shaving when the hallway rang.
   Somewhat annoyed at being interrupted he went to answer it. He recognized the voice right away. “Hello Mr. Reed.’ Camren said from the other end “I know it’s been a long time, but I have some good news for you and I need to meet with you right away”
  Jack frowned this day was not a good day to be making runs in to the city. Still if it had anything to do with gaining money he wouldn’t even need the job after all.
 He knew that this might make Annette very angry still he was going to try. “All right how’s 2 o’clock sound” He turned around and saw Annette staring at him. “Jack um who was that.”
  Jack grabbed at the first name that came to him. “Just Um… Albert Stones,”   Annette frowned “Albert who?” “He’s an old friend of mine.”  He was lying through his teeth almost as if he had been born to do it.  Annette nodded “Tell me you weren't planning   on meeting him today were you? Remember you’ve got that job interview to go to.”
   Jack nodded “No of course I didn’t forget. We were setting something up for next week.’   Annette smiled “All right. Just making sure.”   Jack practically ran down the street to the record hall maybe if he hurried he could still make the interview.  Finally he found himself outside the door to Camren office. He knocked loudly. “Come in” He heard coming form the other side
 He charged into the cramped office. Panting he collapsed into a leather back chairs. ‘Alight” he continued to pant. “What was it you found out? A birth certificate, an address what.’ Camren seemed surprised to, see jack so bent out of shape. “Just relax Mr. Reed take it easy, and I’ll get straight to the point I have some rather good news for you.
   Then he paused and headed over to open one of the windows that lined the office wall. ‘Sorry it’s very hot in here.’ He explained. Jack drummed his fingers over the
chairs arm Come on Camren I’m in a bit of a rush here.” He thought to him self, but he said nothing. Mr.. Camren retook his seat. “All right the news is that we found your father.” Jack’s heart pounded hard, he’s breathing grew raspy
“You found him?!? Alive.” Camren nodded. “Just other day it was through the hand writing on the note we found out the identity of your father.”
  Jack slowly sat up straight. “Well who is he?” Camren glance down at a piece of paper on his desk “His name is Robert Warren. His address is...”
But Jack had stopped listening. Warren, he had a real last name. Jack Warren. He thought to him self. That’s me.
   Meanwhile Camren continued “Sadly we were unable to uncover any thing on your mother. However we can give you this” he handed the name and address to Jack along with some other papers.
  Jack looked at them confused. “But what’s all this other stuff.” Camren scratched his forehead. “Just some legal papers you need to sign, saying that you received the information.”
  Jack nodded “I guess I’ll bring this back later. Then he remembered something important. “Wait does this mean that there is no will?” Camren shook his head “I am afraid not. Maybe with your mother but you’d have to ask your father about that.”
  Jack nodded. “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. But thank you anyway. He tucked the address into his coat pocket. “Well I guess I should be heading home now.” In the back of his mind sure panic was breaking out. There was no will. No money and worst of all no job. How could this have happened? Why was it that the whole world was now against him?
  Walking home he walked as slowly as he could. He was not looking forward to explaining this all to   Annette. Then he realized that if   Annette ever found this out, God only knows what could happen.
    Annette family had always been very big on pride. Something like this could result in instant shame, for not only him but for Annette as well. Maybe he deserved it. But he knew Annette did not.
  No one as caring as her could ever deserve that. By the time he had reached home. He had made up his mind.   Annette could never find out about this
 

~~Chapter 8  
      It had been almost a week since Jack had returned from Carmen’s office. He hadn’t mentioned a word of it to Annette. However his lying hadn’t gone on punished, as a result of missing the interview, he had lost his chances of finding a job.
 This however had also been something to keep silent about. When Annette had asked him why he was denied he had explained that they had simply gone and changed their minds. The papers, long forgotten, he had hidden upstairs in their bedroom desk. Annette barley ever used it anymore so it was bond to be a safe place.
   In order to forget all this he told Annette he was going off to spend the day at the movies, leaving her alone for the day. She was in the middle of making her lunch when the phone rang. Even though her stomach growled so she had to answer it. “Hello” She said. “Hello is Annette there?” The voice on the other end chirped.
     Annette moaned “Oh hello mother.” “Annette dear, I’m glad I caught you at home. I was just wondering, would you happen to have that recipe for pecan bread lying around. I lost my copy’   Annette couldn’t help but sigh with relief. That goodness she wasn’t calling to pick a fight, lately that’s all they seemed to do and it was getting beyond annoying. She missed those times when they had been close, but in a funny sort of way it seemed her mother was pushing her away, almost as if she was afraid to be close.  “All right mother. I’ll look for it and get back to you as soon as I can.” She heard the phone click, thanks for saying goodbye she thought.  Shaking her head a little she hung up the phone and went back to fixing lunch. On her way into the kitchen she had to stop for the second, the baby was kicking. Smiling to herself she patted her stomach.
After eating lunch, she headed upstairs to check the bedroom desk, where she kept her recipes and Jack, his collection of sports clipping. She reached over and pulled open one of the many drawers. Inside she found an unfamiliar packet of papers.
   “Oops, wrong drawer.” She thought to herself, but what were these papers anyway. She pulled them out and studied them. As she read her eyes grew wide “Oh my God.” she thought..........
Meanwhile jack was in fact not at any movies, he had instead gone off to the park for a while to just think. With all that had been happening with his father, the baby, and the endless task of finding work he just needed sometime alone. He had been sitting on that park bench for hours now thinking over and over in his mind. One main being what a failure he was for not being able to find work in all this time. The inheritance would soon run out, and then who knows what would happen. The other main thought that kept coming up was what Brendon had said about there maybe being a will, and how he had hoped for that money. Really though looking back now he wasn't really sure that money was all that had driven him to try and find this man. Maybe just maybe he was hoping to find out that his father had planned on coming back but had perhaps been unable to.
 It was crazy but this small part of his still wanted to have back the family he once had, and in a way finding Robert was a little way of doing so. Only it wasn't feeling as great as he had hoped. And then there was that news of nothing more being known about his mother. He had had high hopes on learning about her, but had gained nothing.
I should tell Annette. This thought suddenly entered his mind before he even knew he had been thinking about it. I can't his mind on reality thought back, but then the other part responded with; why not?
She's loved you all those years knowing about your past, she's never shown any sign of shame. She'll love you. But still the reality part came back with but what if she thinks I'm crazy? What if she leaks this to her family and they find out that my own father has been living less than a 2 hour drive away from me and never came by. They already don't know all that happened, what will happen when they do. These people live for pride, they'd never let me live it down. The other part of his mind was now fighting a losing battle. Fine have it your way, but what if she finds out anyway. Would you not rather her hear it from you? Remember what she told you when you first went out.
Jack moaned to himself as this memory too him back to that night that he had taken Annette out for a walk to the park for their first date. She had smiled at him in such a caring way that he felt completely safe knowing she was there. She had told him about her mother being the best quilter in Auburn, about her father going to war, and then returning wounded but still the same father she had always known. About how her older brother Dillon had made it through law school and was trying to finding work as a lawyer, and then about her older sister Tanya moving out west as a highly paid teacher. Then she had dropped the bomb shell and asked him, about his family. "You live with Mr. Jackson. Are you two related?'
 Jack had hesitated for a moment and then said "he's a friend of my father. I was set here to work for him." It had tore him in two to lie but the truth was that he had been ashamed to admit it after hearing about her great family life. Annette however had merely nodded and they had continued on. That is until they had reached Annette's doorstep, and then he had gone and broke like a dam. 'I lied to you" he had said softly. Annette raised an eyebrow and look at him concerned. "What do you mean?" "About why I stay with Jackson, The truth is he's not a friend of my family. I don't have any family."
Annette had been a bit surprised by this but hadn't really shown it. 'What do you mean?' Jack swallowed hard "I don't know who my parents were Annette. My mother died back when I was very young, and my father took off the same night. He left me behind in some hospital in Rochester. I was given a new last name and birthday and put in an orphanage. I was never adopted because no one knew anything. I ran away when I was ten, came here and found a job working for Mr. Jackson." He had been so sure that she would be angry or hurt hat he hadn't just told her before. Instead she asked "why didn't you just tell me?'
 "I was embarrassed, I guess. I mean it's pretty bad that I can't tell you my real last name or even how old I really am. I just wanted you to like me." Then Annette had taken his hand. 'I do like you Jack and I would prefer to like you for the person you are, and not something that's based on a lie. So you don't have a family, that doesn't matter to me I still like you." It was a blessing to hear these words when for so long he had felt no pride whatsoever in people learning about him. 
He had turned to face her and had felt his own face drawing closer to hers. Their faces had come very close, too close and before he knew what was going to happen next they had shared their first kiss.
The memory had left Jack with a strange feeling of dread and relief. He had swore to himself that he would never again lie to Annette, and here he had gone and told her not only one lie, but several to back that one up. I can't live like this forever he thought. I need to tell her. Then the reality came back to him. What if this time she's not as understanding? Jack shook his head and muttered to himself. I don't care; she deserves to hear the truth. He got up and turned towards home.
He didn’t get home till after dark, but still he wasn’t really sure he could go through with it just yet. Stalling for a little while longer He made his way into the living room and flopped down on the small couch.  Then he reached for the sports section of the newspaper trying to think hard of how he should explain
   He barely noticed as Annette entered the room, there was a small hint of anger in her face, and she was holding something behind her back. “Jack,” she began “is there something going on that you want to tell, me about.” Jack looked up and shook his head “No, why?”  
Annette frowned and took a seat next to him.   “Jack I need you to be completely honest with me is there something going on.” Again Jack shook his head ‘No” Deep down he felt awful for lying to her. 
     Annette had, had enough angrily she stood up and threw the papers on the coffee table. “You’re a lair “She replied loudly her face full of fury. Jack turned pale as he at the papers in shock “Where did you get those...”  He began but   Annette cut him off.
     “That is not the point; the point is you have been lying to me all along. How could you do that? How can you lie to me about finding your father when I am going to be marrying you, never mind carrying your child?”
  Slowly Jack got up and walked over to the fireplace leaning against it. “I just didn’t want you to find out. ” Then he turned to face her. “I was afraid you would leave me if you knew.”
     Annette backed off hurt “You think I would do that to you. What kind of person do you think I am?”  Again Jack turned away. “I just did what I thought was right,” he said   Annette stared at him in disgust “You think lying to me is right. You know Jack there I times I think my mother was right about you all along.”
   Hearing this Jack lost all self control full of anger he picked up a small glass china vase off of the mantle and threw it against the wall, shattering it.
   With out saying a word,   Annette rushed over to the wall and gently began to pick the shattered pieces of the broken vase. It had been an engagement present from her parents. Jack stood behind her unable to speak or moved shocked by his own violent outburst. My god he thought what have I become.
    Looking down upon   Annette he softly muttered “I ... I’m sorry   Annie. I didn’t mean to...” Slowly   Annette looked up at him form the floor her face was blank. “Get out. “She whispered. Jack looked down at her confused “what did you say?’   Annette lowered her eyes “I said Get Out!!” her voice getting louder and angrier.
   Slowly Jack nodded his head “All right. I’ll go.” He turned and slowly headed out the door. Looking back, he could still see her cradling the broken vase, crying softly.
   Jack couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He quickly stepped outside, closing the door behind him.  As he headed down the dark streets his mind was not set on where he was going or when he would be coming back. There was only one thought on his mind. What had he done now?
  Not knowing what else to do he started walking down the street,. He had never in life felt worse than right now. His whole life had been ruined by one stupid mistake. Why did he have to go and get so upset? It hadn’t been Annette; he should have just told her the truth from the start. But no, I had to hide it from her and act like everything was okay. And know I’ve lost her. He could feel his heart breaking but he didn’t cry. He hadn’t in well over 12 years. In some way he felt like all the emotion in him was falling out.
 He had been walking for what seemed like hour when he found him self in front of the records hall. The suddenly he remembered the address Camren had given him the other day.
   He reached in to his coat pocket and pulled it out. He hesitated for a moment. Then he opened the folded piece of paper. It read #259, Evens Ave. Rochester, New York. 14th floor, Apt 431.
    Looking around Jack caught sight of a trash can. He knew he could just pitch the address and be down with it. He’d never have to hear the truth. But there was something that was holding him back.  Perhaps there was a part of him that needed to know the truth. And this man could help him. Who knows maybe his father was that man he had dreamed of as a child who could save him and love him like a son again. He then remembered that little promise he had made himself years ago. I swore I wouldn’t make him the sole person in my life, but then again it’s a little late for that.
Glancing at his waist watch he saw that it was 10 O’clock. The last bus for Rochester left at 10:30. Slowly he turned and stared walking towards the bus stop.....
      

~~Chapter 9
  The ride was longer than he had thought. It had been so long since he had been to the Rochester. He had never dreamed that he would be coming back.   But then again that had been a long time ago At last they arrived that the bus terminal
      Once off he headed over to the information box, it was located directly beside the ticket office. Gently he knocked on the glass window with his fist.
The women on the over side looked up at him   Annoyed that he had interrupted her radio program. “Yeah.” she asked rudely.
    “Um,” Jack stuttered nervously “Um, do you happen to know where I find Evens Ave.”    The women checked a large map behind her then turned back to face Jack. “Yeah it’s about 20 blocks form here. You’d be smart to take a taxi.”
 Jack shook his head “I haven’t got any money...”  Then before he could say another word the women handed him a ten dollar bill “Here take. Now get outta here and let me get back to my program before I call the cops.” Jack nodded “Thank you.” Quickly as he could he left the terminal.
   Ten minutes later Jack found him self once again riding down the streets of Rochester. It was where Jack had spent the first 13 years of his life, and now to return to it all in search of his father. It all seemed so strangely ironic and familiar to him.
  That was the last thing on his mind before the cab pulled up along side the apt building. Slowly and a little bit afraid he made his way inside, the floor boards creeping loudly below his feet, The entire Apartment complex seemed old, and falling apart.
   Once inside, Jack found him self standing in a small what appeared to a lobby. It consisted of only a small front desk and one rusty elevator. He walked over to it rechecking the address as he walked. He pressed the button marked 14th floor and the elevator started to creak up ward.
   The elevator creaked and moaned so wildly that for a moment Jack was terrified at the thought of the dang thing crashing. But somehow they completed the journey and he stepped out on to floor 14th safe and sound.
  He started down the hallway. His eyes slowly began to scan the gray numbers painted on the door; At last he found room 431.
   His whole body felt sweaty and his feet felt like they were cemented to the floor. Before he knew what he was doing he saw his hand reaching up towards the door and he knocked.
    A second or two later a rather raspy and loud voice from the other side of the door replied “Be there in a sec.” Jack knew that he still had a chance to escape. Then door knob began to turn. He had lost his chance, before he could think of what to do next. The door came creeping open.
   In the doorway stood a man, He was tall with short dark hair and a rather grim sunken face. He looked to be in his late fifties. He glared at Jack with his dark brown eyes.” Yes. What can I do for you?” He asked his voice sounded dry and harsh.
    Jack nervously cleared his throat. “Are you by chance Robert Warren?” The man nodded “Yeah.” Jack felt a cold chill race through him. Slowly he looked the man straight in the eye. “Mr.. Warren… I... I’m…I’m your son. Jack.” he muttered. Suddenly he saw a flash of movement and heard a loud banging sound.
  It took him a moment to realize what had happened. His father had slammed the door in his face. Jack stood there unmoving stunned from the other side he could hear someone crying.
   Jack felt like crying himself. “I wasn’t good enough for you was I “He shouted at the door. “I wasn’t good enough for you then and I don’t plan to be now. So just forget I ever came here.” He slammed his fist hard against the door hoping for some kind of reaction. But there was only silence now. He leaned against the door way trying to calm down. “Please…” he finally got out. “I just want to talk to you.” There was no answer. More heart broken than ever before, and also mostly annoyed he left the apartment complex.