Page 67 of Finding Parker

Professor Zenner and I had become close during my time at college. I had confided in him on many occasions after my grandmother passed, and an equal amount before. He seemed quite impressed with my grades, and my ability to understand everything which was taught to me. I was fascinated with his family history, and their involvement in World War II. I stayed many a day after school and shared thoughts with him.

“I did a background study on you and found out about your parents. Your grandfather and your grandmother. And I waited…” he paused.

“For you to graduate. You see, son. I needed you.”

I shook my head in wonder.

He raised his finger again and lightly shook his head.

“The story I told you. The woman in the restaurant. Downes and I. In 2005?” he raised his eyebrows slightly.

I nodded my head, recalling the story of the woman with a daughter and no husband. The spiritual awakening which caused Kenton to become the fine man he is today.

“It wasn’t exactly true. That’s when,” he paused and began to cry.

He raised his hand to his face and attempted to wipe the tears from his eyes. As I reached for his face, he shook his head, “I need…this.”

“That’s when I found out I had a daughter. One I never knew of. After obtaining a strand of her hair through a Private Investigator, I confirmed what I had been told. She was my daughter. One I had never known existed,” he tilted his head to the side.

“I can find her. Downes and I can find her,” I sat up in my seat.

“I can bring her here. Where is she?’ I asked frantically.

“It’s…” he paused and raised his hand, pointing toward the south wall.

“It’s Victoria.”

PARKER. In light shock, and rather confused, I stood from my seat.

“Sit,” Kenton said as he pointed to the chair.

“But. I don’t…”

He raised his index finger, motioning for me to listen.

“Twenty-three years ago, I met her mother in a bar. She was one of many. A bar fly, and what I later learned was a virgin the night I met her. I never knew,” he shook his head and began to cry again.

“We had a one-night stand. And Victoria is the result. I didn’t know until I found out through a friend of a friend who had prescribed her mother’s painkillers. There aren’t many doctors who make house visits these days, and he was one of them. He had diagnosed her chronic pain from a fall at work, and was describing the condition of her hip to me. Although she was young,” he paused and pointed to the cup of water.

After a sip of water, he continued, “her bone disintegrated. He was fascinated. He was further fascinated by the fourteen year old girl who brought him a plate of food she’d prepared while he was there.”

He hesitated and shook his head lightly, “The girl? Victoria. When he mentioned the mother’s name, I sat up in my chair, recognizing it from years before. Fisker. An odd name,” he nodded.

“After a little investigation, and a bit of her hair from school, I found out,” he closed his eyes and remained still.

I had so many questions. My mind began to race. None of these things explained his health. Or his current condition. Or anything. Confused, I stood and began to pace the room.

“What’s wrong with you? No bullshit.”

“I found out about seven months ago I had lung cancer,” he began to cough deeply.

“I opted for no treatment, and to die. I figured it’s what I deserved. But, before I left his earth, I wanted to introduce you to Victoria, and hope for the best.”

“That’s when I started placing advertisements to try to lure you to me,” he nodded.

“They didn’t work,” he began to laugh and the laughing brought a coughing spasm.

“We knew from the Private Investigator she spent all of her time away from home at the bookstore. Downes developed the idea of the ad which finally got your attention,” he shook his head slightly, as if embarrassed.