The Fix-It Man

by Donald Wells

  “I’m so glad Ms. Lee was here when I was served with those papers, she really helped me to calm down.”

  “Like she said, we’re all like family.”

  “You know, Gertrude really is a sweet girl.”

  I screwed up my face in confusion.

  “Who’s Gertrude?”

  “Ms. Lee, that’s her first name.”

  “Ger‌—‌Gertrude?”

  68

  After spending a week in New York, we were back home in Castle Ridge and Hannah was having a good day, although she wasn’t as active as usual.

  Dr. Ramsey said that we should let her play, but to limit the amount of time she played, and guide her to less strenuous activities.

  Toward afternoon, I picked her up from the living room floor where she was talking with her dolls and sat her on my lap.

  “How’s my baby girl doing, hmm?”

  “I’m a little tired.”

  “Did you like Dr. Ramsey?”

  “Yeah, he was nice; he gave me a lollipop every day.”

  I kissed the top of her head. “He’s going to help you get all better.”

  “Daddy, what’s hemo… plas… ginger roll?”

  “Hemoplastigingeritusis, that’s the name of your blood boo boo.”

  She giggled. “Blood boo boo, I like that name better.”

  I gave her a little squeeze. “Me too,”

  Felicia walked into the room, along with the nurse we had hired to watch over Hannah.

  “Come here baby, Mrs. Johnson is going to lay you down for a nap.”

  Hannah yawned as she lifted her arms toward Felicia.

  “Bye bye daddy.”

  “Goodbye baby girl, I’ll see you when you wake up.”

  The nurse took Hannah away and Felicia sat beside me on the sofa. The living room actually had three matching sofas and two matching loveseats, through the floor to ceiling windows I could see the tree we were married under, it was leafless now in early November.

  “Have you heard anything new from McCarthy?” Felicia asked.

  I shook my head no.

  “Is something wrong? I don’t mean Hannah; I mean something else. You’ve been… I don’t know, a little distant lately.”

  I stared at her. She had come home from one of her “spa trips” just before Hannah took ill, and I couldn’t help but notice that she seemed happier than when she left. I wondered if things between her and Tyler Denton were heating up, and that soon, maybe I would be the one getting once a year visits with her.

  “No, everything’s fine,”

  “I’m not the only one who’s noticed it; Janey says you seem different lately too. She says you used to stop by the diner once in a while to talk, but that you haven’t been by in a long time.”

  “I’ve just been busy with work, you know we’ve got the Marine version of the Faron Engine rolling out next month and it takes a lot of my time.”

  “Maybe you should take time off after the roll-out.”

  “Yeah, or maybe I should find my own spa and go off alone for a week.”

  She stared at me then and I pretended not to notice, after a few moments of silence, she took my hand.

  “Do you resent my spa trips?”

  “It’s just that you seem so happy when you return. It makes me wonder what you’re getting there, that you’re not getting here.”

  She averted her eyes from mine, while letting go of my hand.

  “It’s just nice to get away.”

  “From me?”

  “No! God, why would you ask me that?”

  “Sometimes I wonder if I make you happy, that’s all.”

  “Johnny, all I’ve ever wanted is to be with you.”

  “I love you Felicia.”

  “I love you too, now tell me, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, I guess I’ve just been in a morose mood lately.”

  “This is about Hannah, isn’t it? You’re more worried about her than you’ve let on, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I suppose so.”

  “Oh, I know how you feel. I’m scared too, but I’ve been keeping it inside so I didn’t upset you.”

  I stared into her eyes.

  “I’ll find Thorne, Felicia. Trust me. I will not let anything happen to our baby.”

  She smiled at me and I could see the tension leave her.

  “No you won’t, will you? You know, sometimes I forget who you are.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  Felicia got up from the sofa.

  “It just means that I need to relax more and have faith. In fact, I’m going to go cook dinner, any requests?”

  “How about lasagna?”

  “Sounds good,” She said, and then she kissed me and headed for the kitchen.

  After she left, I sat there wondering why I didn’t just say it. Just ask her if she’s having an affair.

  Because you already know the answer John, that’s why.

  My phone rang. I checked the caller I.D. and there was none.

  “Hello?”

  “John, It’s Richard, and I’m sorry but I’ve got bad news.”

  “Damn it, what’s wrong Richard?”

  “I met with the slaver but there was absolutely no opportunity for me to grab him. They came for me at two a.m., three days before the scheduled meeting time and stuffed me naked into the back of a van with a blindfold on. But the meeting did take place and I’ve gained some trust.”

  “Are you telling me that he sold you women?”

  “Five of them, I told Ahmed, that’s the slaver, I told him that I needed more as soon as possible, because I had a buyer of my own in Bolivia.”

  “Where are the women now?”

  “I handed them over to a relief agency, they’ll be sending them back home soon, three of them were Australian and the other two were from Germany.”

  “So when is your next meeting?”

  “John I’m sorry, but I don’t know, it could be in a week or it could be a month or more.”

  “I know you’re doing all you can, but please find Thorne soon, if it’s through this slaver fine, if not, then try something else, but my little girl is running out of time.”

  “I know what’s at stake John and I won’t fail you. I’ll call you when I have news, goodbye.”

  I said, “Goodbye Richard,” and clicked off, and then I went upstairs to be with my daughter, even if it was only to watch her sleep.

  69

  By the following February, Hannah was so weak that she had to be hospitalized.

  Dr. Ramsey said that it might only be weeks before her conditioned worsened to the point where she would slip into a coma.

  McCarthy had been to another meeting with the white slaver Ahmed, but told me that it would have been suicide to try to abduct him, since six bodyguards were protecting the man at the time. His next scheduled meeting was to take place sometime this week.

  I was sick with worry for Hannah and quietly going insane.

  To make matters worse, a friend of Hannah’s, Sabrina, a five-year-old girl she had met in the hospital, had died late last night from liver disease. Not only did Hannah mourn her friend, but I could see that my baby was afraid. I felt helpless, frustrated and angry.

  Hannah was four-years-old, and yet, she was now being forced to face her own mortality. I had to do something, anything, to try to save her.

  Felicia and I were in the hospital cafeteria having coffee, while upstairs, Hannah was having tests done.

  I reached across the table and took Felicia’s hand. “I have to ask you something, it’s about your marriage to David.”

  “Yes?”

  “Were you ever unfaithful to him, particularly around the time of Hannah’s conception? Is it even remotely possible that someone else could be her father?”

  “God no, don’t you think I would have said something by now?”

  “When you say no, is that just to the possibility that someone other than Thorne could be Hannah’s father,
or is that, no, I was never unfaithful?”

  Felicia stared at me, trying to read my thoughts.

  “That’s no to both.”

  I released her hand. She had just lied to me.

  I knew that she had been sending Denton money while she was married to Thorne.

  “Is there anything else you want to know.” She said. “Perhaps about our marriage?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”

  “Such as, have I ever been unfaithful to you during our marriage?”

  “Baby, I can honestly say that I don’t want to know.”

  “What’s going on? I thought you trusted me?”

  I smiled, trying to diffuse the tension.

  “I do trust you; I’m just so scared for Hannah that I can’t think straight. I’m sorry, I know you would say something if there was even a chance that Thorne wasn’t really her father.”

  Felicia laid her head on the table. “We’ve got to find David.”

  “I promise you I’ll do everything I can to cure Hannah.”

  Felicia stood suddenly.

  “I’m going back to Hannah’s room. I want to be there when she returns from the tests.”

  I’m staying here. Ms. Lee’s meeting me, something about the custody battle.”

  “Oh God, as if Hannah being sick weren’t enough. Come up and join us when you’re done, okay?”

  I nodded. “When I’m done,”

  After Felicia left, I took out my phone.

  “Hello, Dr. Ramsey, this is John Faron.”

  “Hello John, Hannah is nearly finished with her tests.”

  “That’s fine, but tell me doctor, if I gave you a sample of blood, could you determine if it was from Hannah’s biological father?”

  “Certainly,”

  “Good, I’ll have one for you soon.”

  As I hung up with the doctor, Ms. Lee entered the cafeteria.

  “Hello John.”

  “Hi, what’s this news about the lawsuit?”

  “I’m so sorry, we’ve fought it as long as we could, but the judge has ordered that you take a DNA test within the next thirty days or be in contempt of court.”

  “I told the lawyers to press for a DNA test based on blood, not saliva, were they able to do it?”

  “Yes. While a saliva sample is the generally accepted norm, it’s actually not uncommon for people to request that blood be taken instead. Some people have an aversion to having their mouth’s swabbed. The lawyers told the judge that you have an unusually sensitive gag reflex.”

  “Great, the judge probably thinks I’m a nut. But, I’ve been expecting this test and… I think I may have a way around it.”

  “But John, DNA is irrefutable.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on Ms. Lee. Now, I need a plane ready as soon as possible.”

  “Yes John, and what is your destination?”

  “It’s a town in Vermont called Doyleston,”

  “Will you need me on this trip?”

  “No Ms. Lee, this trip I’m making all by myself.”

  I left her and headed to the airport, destination‌—‌Tyler Denton.

  70

  I was boarding the plane when my phone rang.

  It was Felicia.

  “Hello baby,”

  “Johnny, Ms. Lee said you’re on your way to Doyleston. What is it you think you know?”

  “I know that your spa trips weren’t spa trips. I know that you’ve been giving money to someone named Tyler Denton and I know that you’ve been lying to me, for years.”

  “Listen to me; I’m not having an affair. Tyler Denton is not Hannah’s biological father.”

  “I’m not willing to take that chance. I’ll let Dr. Ramsey determine whether or not he’s her father. I’m going to find Denton and bring him back to New York even if I have to kidnap him.”

  Over the sound of my heart rending, I could hear Felicia begin to cry.

  “I love you, come home and I’ll tell you everything. Please baby?”

  I said, “Goodbye Felicia,” and turned off my phone. I then talked to the pilot. “How long?”

  “About an hour Sir,”

  I sat back in my seat, while wondering if my marriage had just ended.

  * * *

  I arrived at the airfield near Doyleston a little after four, and told the limo driver to take me to Dingo’s Garage on Fulton Street. In the file Bill had on Denton, it said that this is where he worked.

  The limo parked across the street. I looked over at the garage and saw Denton standing near the curb, and damn if he didn’t look like me.

  What the hell Felicia, one of me wasn’t enough?

  Not only did Denton look like me, but he was looking at me, or rather at the limo, as if he were waiting for me to emerge. Felicia must have called and warned him, and instead of running, Denton had decided to fight for her.

  Well, I got news for you Mr. Denton; I’m not fighting for her. I’m fighting for my daughter, and mister, you don’t stand a chance.

  I stepped from the limo amid a darkening sky and watched Denton come to attention, he gave me the once over and then looked away, as if he were nervous, maybe even a little afraid.

  Smart man, I was about to march across the street when a phone rang in the limo. The driver answered it and after a brief conversation, he handed the phone to me.

  “Mr. Faron, it’s a Mr. Healy, says it’s urgent.”

  I took the phone. “Yes Bill?”

  “I have someone that wants to talk to you.”

  “I’ve already talked to Felicia, now I’m going to talk to Tyler Denton.”

  “John, hold on please,” I heard Bill pass the phone to someone.

  “Johnny?”

  “Janey?”

  “Yes, listen, Tyler Denton isn’t who you want.”

  “You’re telling me that he’s not Hannah’s father, trouble is Janey, I know I can’t trust you.”

  “I have always walked the line between being both your friend and Felicia’s, and let me tell you, it wasn’t always easy, but I have never lied to you. I swear it.”

  Across the street, Tyler Denton was staring at me with a cocked head, probably wondering who the hell I was talking to at a time like this.

  “Johnny go see his wife.”

  “What?”

  “Tyler Denton’s wife, go see her and you’ll understand.”

  “Janey?”

  Suddenly, Bill was back on the line.

  “John, Janey won’t tell me what’s going on, but I’d listen to her, oh, and Felicia is on her way there.”

  I said, “Goodbye Bill,” and handed the driver back his phone.

  I then stared at Denton, while the cold night air whipped about me, causing my left hand, the one I’d broken years ago, to emit a dull ache. A moment later, I got back in the limo and searched through the file again.

  “Take me to 332 Union Street.”

  “Yes Sir.” The driver said.

  And off we went to meet the wife.

  71

  The house at 332 Union Street turned out to be the best-looking house on the block, and the rest of the homes were also well-maintained.

  The two-story colonial was painted blue with a white trim and the yard appeared edged, even in winter. It was surrounded by a white picket fence and on the porch, an American flag hung beside the doorbell.

  I looked around. A porch swing was suspended on chains and near it sat a child’s bicycle with training wheels attached, the bike was pink, so it was probably a girl’s.

  I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

  From within, I could hear a tinkling of bells, and then a female voice called from the back of the house and told me to, “Come on in, the door’s not locked.”

  I tried the knob and found her to be correct.

  Why the hell did Janey send me here?

  I was in the living room. A large sofa and dual recliners with a TV mounted on the wall, in a corner sat a box of toys.

>   I called out. “Mrs. Denton?”

  “I’m in the kitchen, the last room down the hall.”

  I looked in the direction her voice had come from and saw a bright light at the end of a dimly lit hallway.

  I started down the hall and then halted, in shock.

  To my left, about shoulder high, hung a picture of Hannah, the picture was taken when she was about three. I then looked around and realized that both sides of the hall held pictures, and many of them were of Hannah and Felicia.

  Besides the pictures of Hannah, there were pictures of other children, two boys and two girls. The oldest girl was wearing braces on her legs, but her face shined with a happiness that spoke of her being well loved.

  The youngest girl, perhaps three or four, looked so much like Hannah that at first glance I thought it was her.

  She called out to me. “The pictures are nice, aren’t they?”

  I said, “You have beautiful children.” as realization began to dawn on me.

  “Hannah’s beautiful too; I wish I could meet her.”

  “Maybe someday,” I said, while listening intently for her voice.

  “No, I doubt it will ever happen, it’s too risky.”

  I’ll be damned! It is her.

  I was nearly at the door when I spotted my own photo.

  Actually, it was a framed picture of me on the cover of a weekly news magazine. It was taken at the time my engine was first revealed. It showed me standing atop a life-size model of one painted like a globe of the world.

  “You’d be surprised what money can do. If I threw enough at your problem, you might get off with a suspended sentence.”

  “Don’t you have enough problems of your own?”

  “I’m never too busy to help family… Mona.”

  I took two more steps and entered the kitchen.

  She was seated at the head of a wooden table with six chairs around it, a cup of coffee in her hand. She looked good. Four children had not harmed her figure a bit, and her eyes held a sense of peace and contentment that I’d never seen there in her youth.

  She smiled at me. “Hello Muscleman,”

  72

  “To be blunt, I was a crack whore.”