Life and Death

Watching Joey walk back in the arms of her boyfriend is sweet, yet a bit annoying. Wishing I could find a sweet girl like her to date. One that has never been with my brother. Laughing as Simon walks back and brings a refill. Losing myself in liquid was all I had planned for the night. So I settled in and made small talk with Simon as we watched some program he had on the tele.
Hearing my phone I looked and didn't know the number so I pressed ignore and shoved it back in my pocket. It rang again and I ignored it again, thinking if it was important they'd leave a voicemail. On the 3rd call I was frustrated so I flipped open my phone and with the most annoyed tone, answered. "Hello?"
A mild little voice came on the phone. "I am trying to get ahold of Dominic. Could you tell me how to reach him?"
Of course it was some girl trying to find Dom. There WAS always some girl looking for him. "I'm sorry I am not my brother's keeper. Did you try calling him on his own number?" Wanting to slam his phone down, but resisting the urge. "Look, I'm sorry that was rude. I haven't seen Dom all day. Can I take a message?"
"I had a lady here that claims he is the father of her son. I can't tell you much more than that, but I do need him to come as soon as possible."
Looking down and talking slowly. "A child? A son? Dominic?" Taking a breath. "I will call him, where are you?"
After getting the information he pays Simon and runs out the door. Feeling bad for not telling Joey goodbye he makes a mental note to call her later. Opening his phone he calls Dominic. When he hears his brother he can't quite find the right words. "Hey bro, look I need you to meet me at the CM Medical Center as soon as possible. It's important."
"Dammit Hugh, what have you done this time? Did ya break something? Can it wait, cause I have this fine ass honey sittin on my lap and I am getting ready to fuck her."
Shaking his head at his brother's ignorance. "No, I didn't break something. There is a lady who says you are her baby's father there and you need to go see what is up."
"Interesting, well, looks like that isn't gonna happen. I am in it for sex, any kids aren't part of the package. Listen I'll tell you what. You go there and buy her off, tell her we'll pay her to keep quiet. Ladies love money. You know my account number. Keep it under 3 million. Love you brother!"
Standing in shock as he hears his phone beep, alerting him that the call had been ended. He looks around and decides since he always cleans up Dominic's messes, one more wouldn't kill him. But as he walked he told himself this was it. He couldn't keep doing this. Dominic was never going to learn to take care of himself if Hugh babysat him.
By the time he made it to the medical center he was angry. Angry at Dom, but mostly angry at himself. He isn't a stooge, but for years he's been Dom's stooge. How unfair that he had become the older brother and Dominic, the actual older one, had become so out of control that he hated him.
Flinging the doors open and walking inside he told the gentleman at the front desk who he was and why he was there and was sent to the 3rd floor. He stepped off the elevator and saw a small little woman wearing a lab coat and smiled. "Hi I am Hugh, someone called me looking for my brother Dominic?"
"Is your brother coming?" She looks past Hugh towards the door and then looks up at him and frowns. "Well, this isn't good. I will have to call someone to pick up the child. He can't stay here seeing as how he's been here all day."
"Can't he go home with his mom? Besides, I need to talk to her anyways."
Looking at Hugh she sighs. "Come to my office please." She leads him into her office and sits him down, then sits on the edge of her desk. "I am sure he would love to go home with his mom, but the truth is he can't. His mom is very sick, she can't raise him anymore. She might not make it til tomorrow."
"She's sick? Who is she? I know my brother has been with alot of women, but I know some names. Maybe I can help figure out if this child is my own nephew." Looking at her as he leans forward. "She's dying? Is she in pain? Can I see her?"
"I am not sure you should see her. She looks pretty bad. But, if you think you know her I guess it wouldn't hurt." Standing up and leading him into a room full of machines. "Anna, I couldn't find Dominic, but his brother is here. Can he come in?"
"Anna? I know her!" Moving past the doctor he stands beside Anna and smiles. "The girl who broke my brother's heart. What happened? The doctor says you are sick?"
Trying to smile as she looks up at Hugh. "I have a blood disease. I am dying. I need to see Dominic. We made a son." Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. "Hugh, you take my son. Take him to Dominic, let him see our little angel." Drawing in a deep breath. "Doctor, I don't have much time. Can I see my baby one more time?"
The doctor rushes out and walks back in with a little boy. Picking him up and putting him on the bed with his mother she looks at Hugh and then back to Anna. "Scott, give mommy a kiss and hold her tight."
Watching as he sees the little boy hugging Anna. He takes her hand and smiles. "It's okay Anna, I'll make sure he is taken care of. You don't have to worry." Feeling her squeeze his hand slightly she lets go and hugs her son one more time before motioning for the doctor to take him.
As she lays there watching her little boy leave she closes her eyes, as one tear falls down her cheeks the machines around her all start going off. Hugh jumps and runs to get help. As the staff runs in to try to save her, he stands there and watches all their efforts fail. As she is pronounced dead he runs out of the room and throws up in the closest garbage can.
"Hugh? I hate to bother you right now, but I need to ask you for a favor." The doctor smiles and hands him a bottle of water and 2 pills. "This will help." As she watches him take the pills she leads him to an exam room. "Look, you and your brother have the same parents right? Can I get a swab of your cheek? I can test you and see if you and Scott have any of the same DNA. It's not 100% but its close enough. It will take a few minutes, since I have a little magic on my side."
"If you think it will help, sure. I just lost my dad so I feel for that little guy. If he is my nephew, then he needs to be with us."
Prepping her supplies she explains everything to Hugh, then she swabs his cheek and places the swab in a test tube. "You can stay in here or you can go out there and I will call you back. It's up to you."
Wanting to move but feeling like he is unable to he sits there. "I'll wait."
As she runs the tests she makes small talk. "His name is Scott, I guess after a team? Something like that. He is 5 and his birthday is in the fall. He is a sweet little guy, but very quiet. Oh, and he doesn't have the blood disease his mother has. We ran those tests when she came in. He is healthy, in case you were wondering."
"Oh, that's good. So, what if he isn't Dominic's son? Do you have any other family you can call for him? Or does he become a ward of the state?" Watching her as she runs the tests. "I mean I don't want that to happen, but Dominic told me to come here and buy her off. I don't know what I am going to do." Looking at her helpless.
" Well Hugh, you need to figure it out because his DNA is a match to yours. A few things are off, but he is your nephew without a doubt."
Feeling the words sink in he sits there speechless. Watching her as she goes on and on about the genetic make up and the factors which prove he is Dom's son.
"Can I see him?"
The doctor smiles and nods before putting her tubes down and walking out of the room. After a few minutes she walks back in holding Scott's hand. "Scott, this is your uncle Hugh. He wants to meet you." Leading Scott to Hugh then excusing herself from the room. "I'll be back in just a minute."
Hugh kneels down on the floor and looks at the little boy. Spotting several similarities between Dominic and Scott right away. "Hi Scott. I am your dad's brother."
"I know, you are Hugh. You play for the Scotties. I seen you playing before. Mommy took me to the giant cup to watch my daddy. He doesn't know about me. Mommy said somethings are better left alone."
Smiling at the little boy who had Dominic's gift of chattering away. "So you came to the world cup? I didn't see you. You should've come said hi."
"I wanted to but mommy said no. She was sick and didn't want him to know about me. I was her secret."
Looking at the little boy. "Her secret? Why were you her secret? Do you even know?"
Nodding. "Daddy gave her money to wash me out of her tummy, but mommy couldn't. So she left town and it was just us. When she got sick she came back and tried to find him. But, she was too sick and now she is gone. And I am all alone."
Watching as the little boy cries he picks him up and hugs him. "You have me, so you won't be alone." Patting his back as the panic runs through him. Dominic knew Anna was pregnant and tried to get her to have an abortion. The hate and anger started to build up in him. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew he needed to be there for Scott.
Walking in the room with a small suitcase. "This is all he had when they came in. He said they didn't have much." Handing Hugh a bunch of papers and then having him sign a few spots. "You two can leave when ever you are ready.  If you need anything please feel free to call."
Thanking her and heading out of the medical center still holding Scott as he walked to his flat. Unsure of what would happen when he saw Dominic, but knowing that he had just done the right thing. Dominic was a loser and would always be a loser. His penis ruled his world, Hugh had known it but never accepted it until that very minute.
As he walked he thought about poor Anna, who wouldn't take her baby's life. He admired her. It was time he stood up to Dominic as well. Reaching for the door he felt a fire build inside him. One that would help him through. Looking up in the sky and smiling as he silently thanks his dad for giving him the courage to stand up to Dominic for once.