Chapter 3 - THE BOY WITH HIS NAME
I read the birth certificate three times.
Daniel Shaw was nine years old.
Marcus Bennett was listed as his father.
The date of birth put Daniel’s conception during the second year of our marriage.
“Tell me this is a mistake,” I said.
Marcus tried to speak.
His breath stalled, and he steadied himself against the door.
Rebecca reached toward him with practiced concern.
I saw that gesture and hated it more than I hated the paper.
“Don’t touch him,” I said.
She withdrew her hand.
“It wasn’t an affair,” Marcus whispered.
I laughed once, a sound that hurt my throat.
“Does the word change if you whisper it?”
Rebecca lifted her chin.
“I didn't know he was married when we met.”
“We met?”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Before medical school, Claire.”
“Then why does the birth certificate have a date from our marriage?”
Silence answered me.
David stepped forward.
“The certificate was amended.”
Rebecca looked startled.
Marcus opened his eyes.
“David.”
“No,” David said.
“You have lied to her enough.”
He took the folder from Rebecca and pointed to a stamp near the bottom.
The acknowledgement of paternity had been recorded just seven months earlier.
That did not explain why the form carried Marcus’s name.
It made the timing crueler.
Rebecca’s face reddened.
“I was told everything was settled.”
“By whom?” I asked.
“Marcus.”
Marcus shook his head with slow disbelief.
“I signed what the hospital lawyer gave me.”
The hospital lawyer.
I had arrived expecting turkey on rye to fix a distance between us.
Instead, people I had never met were discussing lawyers and a child with my husband’s surname.
“Why is Daniel in the hospital?”
Rebecca’s anger abruptly dissolved.
“He needs a bone marrow transplant.”
I looked at Marcus.
His hand was trembling.
“And Marcus?”
David took a breath.
“Marcus was identified as a potential donor.”
Rebecca looked down.
“Until the newest tests came back.”
“What tests?”
The elevator chimed at the end of the hallway.
A man in a charcoal suit stepped out with two security officers.
He looked directly at Marcus.
May you like
“Dr. Bennett,” he said, “we need to discuss the falsified records.”
