Page 14 of Almost Paradise

“Here it is,” she says. “That was the last thing you ever texted to me. After that, you sent your father.”

I abruptly stand up and say, “My father? That’s who you were talking about when you said I sent a proxy?” I ask Audrey. “I’ve never involved my father in a relationship.”

“We weren’t in a relationship. It was only sex.” I do take a step back at those stinging words. I think a punch in the gut would hurt less. “Well, your father showed up. He threatened me and sent me a cease-and-desist letter. All on your behalf because you couldn’t bother to come say the words to my face.”

Audrey slides another piece of paper across the table. This time, I snatch it before Wyatt can get to it. As if I have no control over my own body, I fall back into my chair. Right there in black and white is a letter from an attorney on my behalf demanding that she stop all attempts at contact before I am forced to seek legal action.

“That didn’t stop me,” Nia says. “I went to the court to petition a paternity test. Your father showed up, and we went to a private lab. Actually, the lab came to me. It came back that you’re the father. Your lawyer showed up next and advised that you’re willing to pay child support but that’s it. He said if I contacted you again, you’d take me to court and do everything in your power to take the baby from me. Your father was there too. He said you’d send my baby all alone to some boarding school in Europe because even though you could take him from me, you weren’t interested in raising him. Not a child with someone like me. You couldn’t even come and say those things to my face, and now you want to march in here and pretend like it never happened. The fucking audacity of you, Drake Paradise!” she practically yells into the dining room. Audrey slides three more sheets of paper across the table.

One is the paternity test results. The other is a letter agreeing to pay three thousand dollars a month in child support. There’s a drafted lawsuit for full custody of a minor child. It was never served, and I imagine it was filed to scare her.

“No way,” I say. “My father would never do this. What the hell are you two playing at?” I don’t give them time to answer. I reach across the table and point a finger in Nia’s face. “If you think you can besmirch my father’s good name with this—” I can’t think of a word. All I can do is hold up one of the pieces of paper and wave it in the air.

“Did you see the name of Mr. Paradise’s attorney? Howard Banks. I have already confirmed that Mr. Banks was employed by Paradise Construction and worked directly with Donald Paradise for over thirty years. The cease-and-desist letter is signed by Mr. Banks, Mr. Paradise. Do you deny that’s your father’s attorney?” I glance at the paper again, and there’s no denying that it’s from Howard.

I point to Nia and say, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but—”

“Please do not address my client,” Audrey admonishes again.

“You’re disparaging a dead man. You want me to believe my father knew I had fathered a child and actively tried to keep me from finding out. Why would he do that?”

Nia sighs and stands. “Why do you think? Look at me, and then look at you.” She gestures at me.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Mr. Paradise, come on,” Audrey says. She puts her head down and shakes it. “Please don’t play that role. You know exactly what Ms. Nash means.”

“Excuse me?” I say to her. “I assure you, I do not.”

Audrey purses her lips and turns back to Nia. “Of all the white boys on earth.” She whispers the same words Nia’s brother said a few days ago, and just like then, I’m offended.

“Excuse me,” I say to her. “What the hell are you getting at? Do you have a problem with me being—"

“Okay,” Wyatt says, interrupting me before I can finish my thought. “Let’s tone it down. Can we keep these?” He gestures at the pieces of paper.

“We have copies,” Audrey says while she types something on her iPad.

“Thank you. I’ll read through these this afternoon. Now, we’re here because of Carter, not to discuss text messages and letters that my client knows nothing about.” Hearing the name of my son immediately puts me at ease. “When can Drake meet him?”

“Don’t say my son’s name,” Nia practically hisses at Wyatt. Audrey puts a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

“He’s your client now?” Audrey asks. “I thought you were a friend.”

“When can I see my son?” I ask, getting everyone’s attention.

“When hell freezes over,” Nia says.

Wyatt holds up his hand, signaling for me to remain quiet. “I’m not here as a lawyer.” Both women snort in disbelief. “I’m here as a friend, and I’ve known Drake since we were freshmen in college. He would never, ever do something like this. Please, give us some time to get to the bottom of these letters and text messages. In the meantime, he has a child, who I’m sure would love to get to know his father.”

“He has two father figures. His uncle and his grandfather. He’s fine,” Audrey says.

“But they aren’t his father,” I say. “I am.”

“How convenient,” she mutters under her breath.

“If I did this, why would I be here now?” I ask Nia.

“I don’t know, Paradise. Guilt. Grief. Maybe you’re not a complete sociopath. I’m not a therapist or a mind reader.” She crosses her arms and looks away.

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