Haunted Nights, Chapter 36
Since Simone’s announcement a few days ago, she had become a regular fixture
at family meals in the Johnston house. So had Jonah.
Simone and Warren were beginning to have even more of an ease with one
another than before. Tanya kept her distance, but she couldn’t stop staring
at Simone. Jonah was happy for both Simone and Warren, yet had a weariness
that he tried to keep to himself.
“ So, Mr. J, did you like the notes I put on your chapters?”
“ Indeed I did, Simone. You have good insight.”
“ It’s been fabulous reading your stories. You’ve had a terrific life.”
“ It’s been different, I assure you. You got your paper back?”
“ Yes.”, Simone sighed. “ I hate to admit it, but you were right in the
way you tore up the paper. My focus was off. It will take more research to
get the paper where you see it should go, but I think if I make the changes,
I should get a great grade.”
“ Good. Don’t want you wasting that education.”
The doorbell rang. All of them turned towards the door when the maid arrived.
“ Dr. Johnston, Mr. Brady is here to see you.”
Tanya exhaled. “ Bring him in here.”
A young gentlemen came into the dining room. “ Dr. Johnston. Dr. Johnston.
I have the preliminary test results. Maybe, we could do this privately.”
“ Mr. Brady, I assure you, whatever’s in those envelopes, this young lady
wants to know the results too.”, Warren replied. “ Tell us.”
Brady gave both Tanya and Warren three envelopes, then took out his notebook.
“ I waited for the results from the other labs to return. They all said
the same thing – the young lady has the maternal genetic markers of your daughter.
According to the DNA sample you left, there can be no doubt – this young
woman is your granddaughter.”
Simone and Warren broke into simultaneous smiles. Simone jumped up and
hugged Warren, who could be heard repeating, “ I knew it. I knew it. I knew
it.” Simone and Warren were so involved with their hugs that they didn’t
even notice Tanya, who had a bewildered look on her face. Finally, she spoke
up.
“ Thank you, Mr. Brady. Make sure we get the completed results when they
come in. Margaret will see you to the door.”
Brady and the maid left. Simone and Warren were huddled together. Jonah
looked at Tanya, who seemed to be mindlessly staring at the test results.
She cleared her throat.
“ Well, it seems as if you were telling the truth.” Before anyone could
reply, Tanya got up and left the room. Simone looked over at Jonah, who shrugged
his shoulders.
“ You know I didn’t need the test, Simone.”
“ I know Mr. J.”
“ No…none of the Mr. J stuff. You call me Grandfather, Grandpa, whatever
you want.”
“ I always wanted a Granddaddy.”
“ Granddaddy it is, then. Jonah, I need to discuss somethings with you
in the Library. You go research for that paper, young lady.”
“ Yes, Granddaddy.”
Warren and Jonah left for the Library, and Simone went back to the guest
house.
She pulled out her computer and began typing an email.
Dear
Kay,
Remember the last time that I wrote you that I
thought something big was going down.
I WAS RIGHT!
Fasten your seatbelt, Kay. And, you must promise
me that you will NOT tell a soul what I’m about to tell you. You’re my best
friend Kay, and I’m trusting you.
Ok…
Warren Johnston is my GRANDFATHER!
MY GRANDFATHER!!
It seems as if my mother is a world-class liar.
Her parents didn’t die as she had said. She lied about that SO MUCH ELSE!
I can’t even get into it right now because it’s all too much. But, the short
end of it is that I have GRANDPARENTS!
Warren, my grandfather, my ‘ Granddaddy’ – I can’t
believe I’m calling him that, is happy. He believed me right away. My grandmother,
Tanya, well, she’s a bit frosty, but I’m hoping it will get better.
Kay, I can’t tell you how happy I am. I told them
about my Mom, Dad and Whitney. But, I also told them that if Daddy or Whitney
find out, it’s gotta be from Mom right now. I have no intentions of coming
home right now. I don’t want to. I could never face my father with this
lie. When I see him again, the truth must be out. So, I’m going to stay
here, do my job, and my school, and get to know my grandparents. I’m hoping
that my mother understands that her lies must stop, but she’s been lying
for so long, I doubt she knows how to tell the truth.
Don’t lie to your baby, Kay. He or she deserves
the truth from the moment they’re born. You owe them that.
Now, about you? How’s your life? What’s up? Before
you get too big, you’re going to have to come down here and visit me. I
can be your tour guide, plus I miss you so much.
Write me ASAP!! I’ll answer whatever questions
I can for you.
Love,
Simone
Jonah sat across from Warren in the Library.
“ You do know that this changes many things for me, Jonah.”
“ Sir.”
“ I have grandchildren, Jonah. They must be provided for.”
“ You want me to contact Phillip March for you?”
“ Yes. There are names to be put to certain trusts, and my will needs to
be changed.”
“ I understand.”
“ I have grandchildren. A legacy. I want you to contact the best investigators
you know. I want them brought here. I’m going to find my grandson.”
Tanya Lincoln Johnston was in her home office when there was a knock on
the door.
“ I left instructions that I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
The door opened and a voice from the past called out.
“ I thought you might see ME, Mother.”