What do you mean my blood is not a match? I am that boy’s father!” shouted Collins.
“I’m sorry, sir neither you nor the boy’s mother are a match,” said the doctor. Collins looked at Evans. She was a five foot six, medium sized package of energy.
“What are you looking at me for?” she asked. “Who is this boy’s father?” demanded Collins. “How dare you ask me that! You are his father.” “Then why don’t our blood samples match?” “How do I know? I’m not a doctor.”
“Who is his father?” roared Collins. He felt bigger than his five foot ten size in his fury. “You!” shouted Evans.
“Stop lying!”
“I don’t have to stand here, listening to hysterics, while my son is dying. Doctor, what can you do for my son?” asked Evans.
“Are there other family members who can donate blood?” asked the doctor. “He has an older brother.”
“Can he come and test for compatibility? Time is of the essence.”
“Of course, I’ll phone him now,” said Evans, getting out her cell phone. Collins knocked it out of her hand.
“What is your problem?” she asked, bending to pick up the phone. Collins kicked it away. “Do you want to be responsible for the death of that boy?” she demanded.
“Who is his father?” demanded Collins. Evans picked up her phone, and asked Adams to come to the hospital.
“You haven’t told me who that boy’s father is,” said Collins.
“What’s going on?” asked Nelson, Collins’s brother, as he joined the pair. “Scott needs blood. My blood is not a match,” said Collins, glaring at Evans. “They can test my blood,” said Nelson.
“What’s the point? They need immediate family members.” “I want them to test me. Is there any harm in testing?”
“I guess not.” Collins spoke to a nurse, then he noticed Nelson and Evans sharing a look. Evans had never looked at him like that. He approached Nelson, and he and Evans looked away from each other.
“The nurse will take your blood sample,” he said. Nelson nodded, and left with the nurse. Collins watched Evans, she was talking on her phone, as if she had not shared a special look with her brother-in-law.
Nelson returned. Minutes later, the doctor hurried to them.
“Can I speak to Mr Nelson Edwards?” he asked. Nelson stood and approached. Collins joined him. “What’s going on?” he demanded.
“Mr Nelson Edwards is a match. Mr Edwards, do you mind donating blood to your nephew?” asked the doctor.
“Of course, I’ll donate. Can we do it now?” asked Nelson.
“Of course. Come with me, please.” Nelson and the doctor left. Collins turned to Evans. “How is Nelson a match, when I’m not?” he demanded.
“Why ask me? Am I the one who said they are a match?” “Tell me who that boy’s father is!”
“As far as I know, it’s you.”
“Stop lying!” Evans gave him a long look, then she looked away from him.
“I want a paternity test, on both the children,” said Collins. Evans did not even look at him. “I said…”
“Am I stopping you?” asked Evans. Collins stared at her. Her voice had sounded tired. He felt his blood going cold. How had Evans cheated on him? When had she cheated? He looked away from her. Did he want to know the answers to those questions? He did not have an answer.
Evans's phone rang, and she answered it. She spoke for a while, then she dialed a number when the call ended. Collins could hear her talking to one of his aunts.
“Collins wants to do paternity tests with both the children,” she said. Collins looked at her in surprise. Why would she tell members of his family something like that? Would it not reflect badly on her?
“No, I’m not going to stop him,” said Evans. She listened, shaking her head.
“He’s your son, you want him to stop, you tell him to stop. I’m tired,” said Evans, then she cut the call. She closed her eyes and sighed. She was still beautiful. He had not noticed that in a long time. He wanted to ask her what she was tired of, but he did not want to know.
Nelson returned. He sat beside Evans.
“They’re giving him blood, then the doctor will give us an update,” he said. Collins watched Evans nodding. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He drew in a breath, the look in her eyes was unlike any look that he had ever received. It pierced through him and gave him a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“Do the tests, right now. If you don’t, I will,” she said. His heart was pounding. “What tests?” asked Nelson.
“Collins wants to do paternity tests with both the children,” said Evans. “What? Why? How can you think of doing such a thing?” asked Nelson. “Because my son does not have my blood type,” said Collins.
“Parents don’t always share blood types with their children.” “Let him do it,” said Evans.
“No!”
“They are his children, he’s entitled to…”
“No! Do the elders know about this? You can’t do this, But,” said Nelson to Collins.
“Why not?” asked Evans. Collins looked at her in surprise. Surely it was in her interests to keep him from doing the tests?
“Because he’s insulting you! Can’t you see that he’s accusing you of being unfaithful to him?” “I’m not insulted. I think it’s a good idea. Every man should do paternity testing. You never know if the kids you claim are yours.” “What are you saying?” asked Collins.
“Do the tests. Once the test results are out, we will never have this discussion again,” said Evans.
“You see? She’s telling you that you are the father, and she’s insulted that you’d dare think otherwise,” said Nelson. Collins looked from him to Evans. She had lost interest in the conversation.
They all sat in silence. Adams arrived. He hugged them in turn, then he sat beside his mother and held her hand.
“The nurse told me that Scott had received blood,” he said. “Your uncle was a match, he donated blood,” said Evans.
