Cheating Wife Abandons Family After Shocking DNA Test 

 

Jeb Phillip’s sister-in-law Barbara gave everyone in the family one of those kits to trace their ancestors. Her own family had all spit in a test tube and were excited with the results. It turns out they were 100% Swedish/Nwegian, not a lick of any other blood. Barbara knew her husband’s family were muts and thought it would be interesting to learn how mixed up they were. “It’ll be fun,” she shouted. She had no idea that mixed up can have so many different meanings.

“You never know how these things are going to end.” But Barbara is one of those women that can light up a room just by walking into it. So the entire Philips family did the spit in the test tube and we’re going to reveal the results right after Easter dinner. Ma Phillips Haley did it upright. The dinner table overflowed with an assortment of vegetables and other side dishes to accompany the great roast of lamb and Spanish rice. All family favorites. Jeb’s siblings, older brother Hal, short for Harold, and younger sister Marty were there with their spouses. Jeb had invited his current squeeze, but she bowed out to spend the day at her grandparents. The relationship was in its infancy, so they were lucky not to be required to eat twice on Easter. Jeb’s dad, Harold, Senior, did the honors by slicing the lamb and passing out a slice to the outstretched plates of each person around the family table. Even Marty took a slice, obviously over her two-year experiment with vegetarianism.

With their plates filled, Hal said Grace and Harold gave a toast. To the love and the kindness this family has shown each other. If anyone noticed the tears falling from Haley’s eyes, no one made mention of it. Haley had a habit of

crying when she was happy, when she watched old movies, or on those rare occasions when she was sad. The family was inured to Haley’s tears. When everyone finished eating, Hal and Jeb cleared the table. This was a custom in the Philips house. Ma cooked with Marty’s help. The boys cleared the table and filled the dishwasher. Jeb and Hal came back to the table to find everyone sitting with their unopened envelopes in front of their seats. The plan was to read the results and then dig into the banana cream pie for dessert. As the envelopes were being opened, Haley got up from the table and excused herself.

Everyone assumed she was going to use the bathroom and continued to read the results from the testing service. Harold read his first. 95% British/Irish, 5% Dutch. As soon as Hal opened his envelope, Barbara grabbed it from his hands, too excited to wait. I knew it. I knew you had an interesting mix. 46% British/Irish, 28% French/German, and 26% Iberian. That’s Spanish and Portuguese, right? Barbara handed the printout back to her husband and leaned to her left to look at Marty’s printout.

almost exactly the same, except Marty has more French/German and less Iberian.

What’s yours say, Jeb? Jeb was staring at the printout. The look on his face showed the confusion raging in his mind.

He looked up from the page to focus on Barbara’s smiling face, then to his brother and sister sitting on each side of Barbara. He finally swiveled to the head of the table. His father was staring back at him. He couldn’t read his father’s eyes. The silence was interrupted by Hal. Did I just hear the garage door open? And where’s mom? Al got up from the table and looked out the front window. Dad, mom’s pulling out of the drive. What the heck is going on?

Marty pulled out her phone and dialed her mother’s cell. Everyone was now staring at Marty as she waited for Haley to answer her phone. The room was quiet.

Quiet enough to hear Haley’s voice when she picked up. I’m sorry, baby. Tell everyone that I’m sorry. And then the line went dead. Dad, what’s going on?

Harold looked like he had aged 10 years in the last 10 minutes. Jeb, why don’t you read what the service sent you? Jeb hesitated. Did his father really want this made public? Go ahead, son. Fun. It says I’m 50% Italian, 22% Iberian, and 28% French/German.

Suddenly, Jeb remembered all the ribbing Ted Rizzo and he got in school because they looked similar. He looked at his father. Dad, did you know? The rest of the family sat in stunned silence, watching and waiting for Harold’s answer. I started to suspect it when I saw you and Ted Rizzo standing close together on your junior high baseball team. It happened about the same time that Ted’s mother and father split up.

No one knew why they split, but it didn’t take a genius to make an assumption that Ted’s mother saw the same thing I did. Harold addressed the others. I hate to be rude, but I think Jeb and I need to discuss this alone outside on the porch. How Marty, I think you should give your mother a little time before you call her. And when you do, please be kind. This is no time to drill her for answers. I have my own questions that I believe should be answered first. Please respect your mothers and my privacy. Jeb, grab your drink and let’s head outside. Jeb and Harold walked out to the porch and sat down. Jeb didn’t wait to ask his first question. So, is Mr. Rizzo my father?

Well, I’m your father. Please don’t insult the 22 years I spent raising you by denying me that title. Sorry, Dad.

That came out wrong. Me, too. What I meant to say is just because I didn’t contribute to your DNA doesn’t mean you’re not my son or that I don’t love you just as much as I always have. But to answer your question, maybe Rizzo is your biological father. I don’t know.

We’ll have to ask your mother when she’s ready. Where do you think she went?

Harold actually laughed. Where else? I suspect she’s sitting on your aunt April’s sofa right now, balling her eyes out in her sister’s arms. Dad, you said you started to suspect over 12 years ago. Why didn’t you ever confront mom and ask her about it? A bunch of reasons. For one, I didn’t want anything to come between you and me. By the time I began to suspect it, I was hopelessly in love with you as my son. I’ve always been proud of you and proud to be your father. I didn’t want anything to change. Harold took a drink from his whiskey glass and continued. I hope you don’t think any less of me as a man, but the second reason is I love your mother so damn much that I didn’t want that to change either. As far as I could tell, your mother was in love with me. She showed me that love every day we were married. When I reflect on it, her love only intensified after you were born. If she had a fling with Ted’s father, she tried to make it up to me for the past 20 plus years. I was happy to let her, but if you like the status quo, why did you go along with Barbara’s suggestion for the DNA tests? Hell, Jeb, you know your brother’s wife. Do you think she’d ever let it go? That girl is so damn innocent. She never dreamt our family could have a skeleton in our closet.

Your brother is lucky. Both father and son laughed as Harold refilled Jeb’s glass with two fingers of wild turkey.

Besides, it was time to bring it to a head. Your mother and I have had a secret between us all these years, and I wanted to know the who, what, and why. I probably could have done it in a better setting. But I guess I got a case of the stupid that. And I thought your mother would approach me with some answers before it got this far. I really didn’t expect her to take off like that. Now, the two of them sat and let the quiet of Haley’s backyard fill their senses, neither a word. Haley’s spring flowers, the white liies, blue irises, and multicolored pansies graced the brick patio. It was truly a peaceful, beautiful space. 10 minutes went by in silence before Hal stuck his head out the back door. Dad, Jeb, we’re all going to take off unless you need us here.

Marty tried calling mom again, but it went to voicemail. You know, Marty and Barbara, neither of those two could let it go. Marty was standing right behind Hal when he said this and made her displeasure known by punching her oldest brother in the arm. Marty hugged her dad and then her brother Jeb, practically squeezing his breath away. There were tears in her eyes. Marty’s husband shook everyone’s hand and led Marty away.

Barbara was next, repeating the sequence, hugging Harold and squeezing Jeb while kissing his cheek before Hal let her out the side gate. Harold watched them leave and pointed Jeb to the patio chair. Let’s finish our drinks. I’d like you to do me a favor.

Could you ask Ted if he knows how to get in touch with his father? Jeb looked over at his father. Why? You’re not going to do something stupid, are you?

No, not that it hasn’t crossed my mind once or twice. Or sometimes I fantasize about hurting him, but right now I just need to talk with him before I talk to your mother. That’s the trouble with infidelity, Jeb. It robs you of the trust you have in your spouse’s words and actions. Remember that if and when you get married, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stray and you may think you can pull it off without hurting your marriage, but it always takes at least a little chip out of the relationship, no matter how inconsequential the betrayal may seem at the time. Okay, Dad, as long as you promise, I’ll give Ted a call tomorrow. Last I heard, Mr. Rizzo was selling cars up north in Dallas. What are you going to tell Ted? Jeb asked.

Let’s wait till our family situation gets squared away. Then Ted and I will talk about our relationship. I expect Ted’s always wondered himself if he doesn’t already know. Thanks. I’d like to surprise Tony Rizzo if I can. Now that the lid was blown off the kettle, no one wanted to waste any time. Jeb called Ted Monday morning and after the usual catchup, found out where Ted’s father worked without revealing the why.

Just two friends shooting the How’s your mom? How’s your dad? What are they up to? Tuesday at 3 p.m. Harold Phillips was knocking on Tony Rizzo’s sales office door jam at the Lexus dealership where Tony worked. As Tony looked up from the papers on his desk, the old feelings were welling up inside Harold. The desire to punch this right in the nose. Harold. It had been over a dozen years and Tony couldn’t think of a reason his old neighbor was standing in his doorway. Harold took a moment to collect himself. Hi, Tony. I was wondering if you had a moment to talk. It’s private, so maybe we could go somewhere a little less public. Tony’s thoughts were starting to catch up.

Sure, let’s grab a car and go for a ride. Tony grabbed a set of keys to a car and held the door open for Harold.

They drove to a nearby park and got out without saying a word. Both men sat on the bench facing a small pond. I want to know about you and Haley. Tony was still catching up. Harold’s words weren’t what he expected. His face showed the surprise. What do you mean me and Haley?

There never was anything between me and your wife. Tony’s attempt at deflection pissed Harold off. What do you mean?

Nothing. Don’t mess with me, Tony. It doesn’t take a genius to see Jeb and Ted are brothers and Jeb’s DNA just came back. He’s half Italian Rizzo. Although the situation was hilarious to Tony, he was smart enough to realize it wouldn’t be funny to Harold. After all, Tony had a dozen years to get used to the idea.

Harold was only now going to learn the truth. Tony stifled the laugh. Gizes Harold. Haven’t you and Haley talked? It wasn’t me that you were looking for. At first, I thought it was you banging my ex, Sophia. When I saw Jeb and Ted playing in the ballpark together, I figured they both had to be your sons because I never touched your wife. In fact, I was ready to go down and kick your ass. Luckily, I picked a fight with Sophia first. Told her I was going to make you pay. That’s when Sophia told me the truth. Paul Mazetti is Ted’s father, Mazetti, that no good guy who lived on the corner before he moved west. Dad was stunned. You mean Mazetti was involved with both Sophia and Haley? Sophia didn’t say if she knew anything about Haley, although she suspected, I guess.

What Sophia did say was Mazetti was most likely Ted’s father because they were having an affair when she got pregnant.