"Dad, am I adopted?"
"Holy cow, Jim. What made you ask that. I was in the delivery room when you were born. They let me watch. You looked like a little potato with arms and legs. It was one of the best experiences of my life. It's an amazing thing to watch new life coming into the world. In fact, I watched all of you kids being born. I was busting my shirt buttons watching that. You're Mom had a tough time with you. You were really big and she had a hysterectomy after you were born."
"Well, I was thinking back about something that came up in biology class last semester. It was about the genetics of eye color. He said if the parents had blue eyes they couldn't have a brown eyed baby. I told them you and Mom had blue eyes and mine were brown. He said I was probably adopted unless there was a brown eye gene in the family. Gary and Sarah have brown eyes too."
"Well, I know for a fact you weren't adopted."
Then it hit me. Maybe I wasn't his father. My mouth fell open but my mind went into denial. No way she would cheat on me. She loves me, she's a wonderful mother, she's a loving wife. Our sex life is great. She is always receptive to my advances. She wants it as much as I do. Many a night I was wondering if she was going to wake up the neighbors with her wild orgasms. I never saw any suspicious things that would even hint at her being a cheater. It just couldn't happen. I shook it off figuring something had to be wrong with all of this.
"Let's see what the internet says about that."
"Dad, the internet is full of bad information."
"I know, but let's see what we can find. There has to be an explanation."
I cranked up my search engine and did some eye color searches.
"There, see that. It's about recessive genes. Brown eye genes are dominant. If your Grandmas and Grandpas had brown eyes you could too."
"What color are their eyes. Dad.?"
I opened the family pictures folder. I found one of Amy's Mom and Dad taken at our wedding. I zoomed in and saw two pair of blue eyes. A little ball of ice was forming in my gut. I knew my parents had blue eyes too. We only had black and white pictures of both of our grandparents so I wasn't sure about them.
"Dad, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Let's not jump to conclusions. There had to be some explanation. You're Mom would never do that. I have a friend that works at a police lab. He does all kinds of genetic testing for court. Let me see what he says. And don't say a thing to anyone about this. I don't want to falsely accuse your Mom of anything."
"OK, Dad. I'll wait till you find out."
*******************
"Hi, John. This is Eric. How have you been?'
"Hey, Eric. Long time no see. I'm good. How about you?"
"I'm doing OK. I need to pick you brain. Can we meet for lunch."
"Sure, I can get away. We're actually having a slow day. How about the Olive Garden on 5th and Main. Say, 12:30."
"Perfect. I'll see you there."
"Bye."
**********************
"Hi, John. Good to see you again."
"Good to see you too. What's this all about?"
"Well. Jim had something come up in his biology class. They were talking about genetics and eye color. He asked me about it. I couldn't find much on the internet so I thought of you. The question is, can blue eyed parents have brown eyed kids."
He thinks a minute.
"Why do I suspect this is more than a question about biology. Is this about your kids."
"OK, I'll level with you. My parents and Amy's parents have blue eyes. Amy and I have blue eyes. My kids all have brown eyes. Are they mine?"
He thinks a minute.
"You put me in a bad spot. How do you want it, sugar coated or straight out."
The ice berg in my stomach just got bigger. I know the answer.
"They aren't mine, right?"
"Pretty slim chance. Depends on how far back the recessive brown gene is. The farther back it is the less likely they have brown eyes."
It's all I can do to maintain my composure.
"Thanks, John. I need to go now."
"Eric, take it easy on your self. Please. This is gonna be hard for you. I watched my brother go through this. Don't give up on yourself. It gets easier. How quick it gets easier is up to you."
I shake his hand and leave.
I pull out of the parking lot trying to stay composed. I realize I shouldn't be driving in my condition. I pull into a shopping center and park.
I lay my head on the steering wheel and lose it. My tears fall like rain. My gut is in turmoil. I open the door and toss my lunch. Every horrible thought goes through my mind. How could she do this. How can she be such a loving wife and mother and lay with another man. How could she let me raise another man's children. My ego and my pride is ripped to shreds. My heart has been torn from my chest. I cry for what seems like forever.
I lift my head. I need to go somewhere and think. I need to figure out what to do. I head back to my office. As I walk in my secretary Sally, looks at me. Her mouth falls open. After ten years of working for me she knows me like a book.
"My god, Eric. What's the matter. You look terrible."
I go and sit at my desk. She follows and puts her arm on my shoulder.
"What is it, Eric? What's happened?"
"It's the worst day of my life. I think Amy cheated on me and her lover is the father of my children."
"Oh god, Eric. How terrible. I can't believe she did that. Are you sure?"
"Almost certain. I haven't talked to her yet. I'm way to upset to do it now."
"You need to talk to her. Maybe it isn't true. Go home now and talk to her."
"I don't think I can now. I need time to think."
"Please don't do anything rash. I'm sure there is a good explanation."
"I hope so, Sally. I really hope so."