When it Rain, it Pours Short Story

A man, Ken drove on an oddly empty highway as it began to pour. I have to keep going. Denise is waiting for me at home with the baby.

Suddenly, a young man ran out of the woods and onto the road. Lightning struck him before he collapsed.

Ken was too focused on his phone that almost hit the young man, but he abruptly stopped right in front of the shocked young man. He got out of his car and yelled from behind the car door, “Sir, sir?! Can you hear me?!”

He walked up to the young man and he saw the burns on his neck and his tattered clothes.

He called 9–1–1 and an ambulance arrived soon after.

“Are you the boy’s father?” asked the paramedic as he lifted the gurney into the back of the ambulance.

“Oh, no, he ran out of those woods and into the road, then got struck by lightning.”

“Well, do you know him?”

“I’ve never met this boy.”

“He looks kind of like Bobby Jones, the missing boy from the news,” the other paramedic said as she looked him up and down.

“Maybe a little, he did go missing a few months ago though,” the first paramedic replied.

“We better call his mother to make sure.”

“Is he going to be okay?” Ken asked.

“He should be alright, but we’ll see when he regains consciousness.”

The paramedics drove away.

A few days later, Ken visited the boy in the hospital to check on his condition.

With a bouquet of daisies in one hand and a card in the other, Ken entered the boy’s hospital room. “Hey buddy, I see you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

“Who are you? Are you my dad?” Bobby replied as he sat up.

“No, you don’t know me, but I kind of know you. I saw you run onto the highway as I was driving last Friday.” Ken set the daises into the empty vase on the table next to the bed.

Bobby’s mother walked in with some food from the hospital cafeteria. “Who are–oh, you must be the man who found my boy, the nurse told me a man would visit Bobby today. I am so grateful for you. He’d been missing for three months.”

“I know, I heard.”

“How did you find him?”

“I saw him run into the road and he was struck by lightning. I called 9–1–1 when I drove up to him.”

“Thank you so much again. What was your name again?”

“Ken Zeller.” He reached out for a handshake and she reciprocated.

“Candelena Jones, but you can call me Candy or Lena.”

Ken pulled his arm back to his side.

“Ken Zeller, that name sounds familiar. Didn’t we date a few–17 years ago. Wow, it’s been so long.”

“Oh, I better go. Here’s the card I got for him.” Ken rushed out of the room and out of the hospital.

Candy tried to catch up with him, but he was too fast.

I knew the bad feeling I had about this was right. He must be my son. I have a new wife and a baby girl. What should I do now? He thought as he walked to his car.

He turned the key and started his car. I can’t confront them. This is all too much right now. Should I talk to Denise about this? I never even told her about Candy. He drove home to his loving wife and baby.

Once he parked in the driveway, he sat in his car for a few minutes to recollect his thoughts. He began to sweat. What if she asked why he looked so tense or distressed? He turned off the car and got out. He held his wet jacket over his arm as walked to the front door. He unlocked it and went upstairs to take a shower.

He trudged downstairs and sat at the dinner table.

“Hi, honey, how was work?” Denise asked.

Ken looked down at his plate and spotted a crack in it. He looked up when he heard his wife.

Denise scooped some peas onto his plate. Ken delved into the small pile of peas and tried to keep them on his spoon. He succeeded.

“Ken?” Denise sat down. “How was work?”

“Huh? It was fine.” He dropped his butter knife on the floor and picked it up. “I think I’m gonna turn in early.”

“Are you alright? It’s seven and you just don’t seem like yourself. Did something happen today that you’re not telling me about? — Did you get fired?”

“No, I just had a long day at work and I’m exhausted.”

“Alright, I’ll clean up Kate and I’ll-”

“I really need some rest, alone.”

“Fine, if you need to talk, I’ll be down here taking care of Kate.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Ken walked upstairs and slumped into bed. What am I supposed to do? I can’t tell her. She might leave me and take Kate away from me. Maybe I should talk to Candy first.

The next day, during Ken’s lunch, he visited Bobby at the hospital.

He asked the receptionist if Candelena was around and she told him, she was in the hospital cafeteria eating lunch.

He followed the receptionist’s directions to the cafeteria and he found Candy eating a salad in the back of the seating area. “Hey, Candy.” He waved at her and sat at her table.

Candy continued to eat her salad.

“Sorry about leaving so soon yesterday.”

“It’s fine.”

“Why didn’t you tell me I might have a son?”

“I was afraid–you might not care or leave us again.”

“He’s my flesh and blood. I could’ve helped you raise him.”

“I know, but when you broke up with me 17 years ago, I was heartbroken. I found I was pregnant after we broke up and decided to raise Bobby on my own.”

“Should we tell him–I’m his father?”

“No, he’s already been through so much.”

“How did he go missing?”

“I dropped him off at basketball practice one day and he disappeared. His coach said one minute they were running around the outside of the gymnasium and then next, the coach did a headcount and Bobby wasn’t there. He must have run off into the woods.”

“Why do you think he ran into the woods?”

“I don’t know, but he told me he felt like something or someone was missing in his life. I never told him who his father was. I just told him his father left me before he was born.”

“Maybe we should tell him.”

“No, I can’t!”

Everyone else in the seating area looked at Candy in shock as she shouted.

“I have to get back to Bobby.” She stood up, threw out her food, and walked away.

What if I tell him without Candy knowing? She’s always around him, except during lunch and dinner. Ken looked at his watch, he had to get back to work.

The next day, around lunchtime, Ken drove back to the hospital to visit Bobby. I’m gonna tell him. He needs to know, he thought after the receptionist told him, “Ms. Jones is downstairs in the cafeteria.”

“I know, I just want to talk to Bobby.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t allow that. I got direct orders from Ms. Jones to not allow you to talk to Bobby.”

He walked closer to the receptionist and whispered, “But I’m his father.”

“Nevertheless, I will not allow it and we don’t know for sure.”

“What? I was with her before we broke up.”

“Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but there was apparently a rebound guy she slept with after you two broke up.”

“Do you know his name?”

“No, she didn’t tell me. Now, please leave, Mr. Zeller.”

“Fine.” I have to talk to Candy tomorrow. He looked at his watch again. He had to get back to the office.

The day after, he met Candy again in the hospital cafeteria. This time she ate a big bowl of fruit salad. Ken ordered a burger and sat at Candy’s table.

“You again, I’m gonna go eat this in my car.”

“No, wait. You never told me there was a rebound guy.”

“Who told you–the nurse.” She sat back down. “Alright his name was Collin and it was a one-night stand I had after a few weeks of our break up. I was vulnerable and needed a shoulder to cry on. He worked at my office and asked me out. He was someone I could talk to.”

“Have you seen him since then?”

“No, I last saw him months later at the grocery store. I was noticeably pregnant, but he told me, he was too busy with work to help me with the baby.”

“Oh, um–have you contacted him since then?”

“No.”

“Well, maybe meet him for coffee or something to tell him that he might be the father.”

“I don’t know, he’s my friend on Facenook, so I’ll try to contact him through messenger.”

“Alright and don’t tell Bobby about any of this until we know for sure.”

“I’ll think about it.”

A few weeks later, Candy called Ken and told him to meet her at the hospital cafeteria once more. She had told Collin that he might be the father.

“So, did you tell him? What did he say?” Ken asked as he sat on the cushioned seat of the booth.

“He was shocked at first and he wanted to meet Bobby, but I wouldn’t let him. He was then confused as to why I didn’t tell him sooner. I told him, I knew he was busy with work and wouldn’t be able to help with the baby.”

“Did you tell him about me?”

“It didn’t come up.”

“Come on, Candy!” He smacked the table. “You have to tell him so we can do the paternity test.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

“You have to tell him or I will.”

“And how are you gonna tell him? He’s not your friend on Facenook.”

Ken tapped his phone. “There, done.”

“What did you do?”

“I friended Collin on Facenook.”

“But he doesn’t even know you!”

“I think I knew him from high school.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll tell him. Just retract that friend request.”

“Fine, I will. Let me know when you tell him.”

Candy nodded and continued to eat her fruit salad. Ken got up, threw out his paper plate, and left.

A week later, Candy had talked to Collin on the phone and Ken bumped into her register line in the cafeteria.

“What did you get?” Ken asked Candy

“A Caesar salad.”

“Another salad. Are you on a salad kick?”

“No, I like to be healthy — I’ll meet you at the table,” she replied as she walked away.

He followed her after he paid.

“Did you tell him?”

“Yes, I called him-”

“You called him? Why didn’t you tell him in person?”

“I don’t know, I thought it would be awkward in person.”

“Anyway, how did it go?”

“He took it–not so well. He kinda yelled at me a little bit and hung up on me after I told him.”

“Did you call him back?”

“No, I was afraid he wouldn’t answer or yell at me again.”

“Candy, you’ve gotta call him back. Don’t you want Bobby to know who his real father is?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let me know when you call him back.” Ken stormed off.

Another week passed and Ken met Candy in the hospital cafeteria again.

Ken set his tray on the table and sat down. “Did you call him back?”

“Yes, I left him a voicemail and he finally called me back.”

“That’s good, did he agree to take a paternity test?”

“Yes, when should you two take it?”

“Soon.”

“I’ll call the doctor’s office tomorrow to make an appointment.”

The next day, Ken made an appointment for a paternity test for next week.

The week after, it was time, for the paternity test. The doctor swabbed the inside of Collin and Ken’s cheeks for DNA samples.

“So, who do you think will be the father?” Ken asked Collin and Candy.

“It’s gonna be me,” Collin replied.

“I don’t know,” Candy responded with a frown.

The doctor returned. “We won’t know the results of the test for a few days.”

They waited anxiously over the next few days until it was finally time to return to the doctor’s office.

The doctor walked in with a manilla envelope and pulled out the paper with the results. “Ken, you are the father.”

Ken jumped off the hospital bed in excitement. “Yes! Now we can tell Bobby!”

Ken hugged Candy and she pushed him off. Collin left the room.

“You can help finish raising Bobby, but only under one condition. We can’t tell Bobby you’re his father,” Candy said.

“What? I thought the plan was to tell him after the paternity test?”

“I don’t know if he’s ready to know who his real father is.”

“Come on, he’s 17. He’s definitely ready. Knowing I’m his father might fill that hole in his life.”

“Alright, but you have to tell him, with me in the room.”

“How about tomorrow?”

“Fine.”

That night, Ken couldn’t sleep since he was too excited. He was also afraid of how his son would react. What if he doesn’t care or doesn’t want me in his life? No, I’m sure he’ll be happy to have me in his life. Maybe.

The morning after, Ken woke up, took a shower, and got dressed. He sipped his coffee and went off to work.

His mind wandered as he tried to focus on his work. What if he doesn’t like me? What if he hates me for leaving him before he was born?

Five o’clock finally came around and he rushed to the hospital to see Bobby. He hurried to Bobby’s room.

“Bobby!”

“Mr. Zeller!”

“How are you feeling?”

“Better, thanks again for saving me.”

“You’re welcome, but I have something important to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I-got you this new basketball.”

“What’s the real reason you’re here?” Candy chimed in.

“Right, Bobby, I’m–your father.”

“How is that even possible?”

“Well, let me explain. I broke up with your mother before she became pregnant and she never told me about you,” Ken said as he angrily looked at Candy.

Bobby sat up in his hospital bed and hugged his father. “I can’t believe you’re my father. I’ve always wondered who my dad was.”

Ken hugged Bobby back. “And I’m glad I have a son to take care of now.”

“The doctor said they’ll discharge me in a few days. Can you come over for dinner?”

“I don’t know, why don’t we go out to dinner, as long as it’s okay with your mother?” Ken smiled at Candy.

“Sure.”

“Well, I have to get going, but I’ll see you next week at Olivia Garden.”

“Okay, dad.”

Ken drove home. I have to tell Denise. If I don’t, then I have to see Bobby in secret. I have to tell her tonight.

Ken pulled up into the driveway and walked inside.

“Honey, you’re home! How was work? I made spaghetti and meatballs.”

“Denise, I have to talk to you.”

Ken sat down and Denise used tongs to set the spaghetti onto his plate.

Denise also sat down. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Denise, I have a son and before you say anything, he’s 17 and my ex told me about him a few weeks ago.”

“What? How did all of this happen?”

“Well, a few weeks ago, I was driving home from work when I saw a young man run out of the woods. He was struck by lightning and I called 9–1–1. I visited him a few days later and my ex-girlfriend, Candy thought she recognized me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wanted to be sure I was the father.”

“Who else could have been the father?”

“This guy Collin, who she dated after me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about your ex?”

“I didn’t think I had a baby with her.”

“I need to process all of this. I need to go for a drive.”

“What about the baby?”

“Can you take care of her?”

“Sure, I guess.”

Denise returned home later that night. She changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed.

“Denise? How are feeling about all of this?” Ken whispered.

“We’ll talk about it in the morning,” Denise whispered back.

The morning after the truth, Ken took a shower and got dressed for work. Denise made pancakes and poached eggs.

She slammed the plate onto the table almost breaking the plate. “Why couldn’t you tell me about your son sooner? I thought we were in this together and there were no secrets between us.”

“We are in this together. I just thought it was irrelevant to our relationship. It was between Candy and me.”

“Oh, so you couldn’t tell your wife? Did you even tell her about me or your other baby?!”

“No, I haven’t told her yet.”

“You better soon or I’ll leave and take Kate with me.”

“Alright, I’ll tell her. I’m supposed to meet with her and Bobby this weekend.”

“You better tell her then or else.”

“I’ll tell her, don’t worry.”

Ken finished his breakfast and left for work. “I’ll see you later, Denise.”

“Bye.”

The week flew by and the weekend finally arrived. Ken met Candy and Bobby at Olivia Garden for lunch on Saturday.

“Table for three, under the last name Zeller,” Ken told the hostess at the restaurant.

“Do you have any booths available?” Bobby asked the hostess.

They followed the hostess to the back of the restaurant.

“I think so, here’s one in the back,” she replied. She set their menus on the table. “Your waitress

will be right with you.”

They sat down and opened their menus.

“What are you getting Dad?” Bobby asked.

“Probably the lasagna. What do you want, Bobby?”

“Can I get anything?”

“Sure, I’m buying.”

“I’ll get the cheese ravioli.”

“That’s a great choice. I’ve had it before and it’s so cheesy.”

“So, what kind of job do you have?” Bobby closed his menu and set it down on the table.

“I work as a manager for a tech company in town.”

“Which one?”

“Omnicorp.”

“Oh, so what do you do for fun?”

“I actually wanted to talk to you two about something else.

“What is it?”

“I’m married and I have a daughter. Hear me out. I got married a few years ago and we recently had a baby, her name is Kate. She’s five months old.”

“Wow, I have a sister!” Bobby said.

“Do you have any pictures?” Candy asked as she looked away.

Ken took out his phone and showed them pictures of when she was born and the ones from the photo studio at the mall they took a few months ago.

“Aw, she’s cute.” She looked down and sarcastically continued. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about them sooner. I just told my wife, Denise, about you two.”

The waitress arrived and they ordered their food.

Later, the food arrived.

“Bobby, what school do you go to?”

“Evert High School. I’m graduating next year.”

“I’m so proud of you. Have you gone back to school yet after the accident?”

“Yes, I went back on Wednesday.”

“Again, sorry I wasn’t there for your childhood, but I’m here now.”

“It’s okay, you’re here now and that’s all that matters.”

They finished eating and Ken paid the bill.

Ken returned home to his wife and baby.

“Honey, I’m home,” Ken said as he set his coat on the coat rack.

Denise walked out of the kitchen and into the mudroom. “Shhh, I just put Kate down for a nap,” she whispered.

Ken kissed Denise on the cheek and whispered back, “Oh, sorry.”

Denise turned away. “How was your date?”

“My date? You mean my outing with my son and his mother?”

“Yeah.”

“It was good.”

“Did you tell them about me and our baby?”

“Yes, I did.”

“How did she take it?”

“I showed them pictures of Kate and Bobby is excited to meet her.”

“That’s great.”

“I brought leftovers.” He opened up the styrofoam container.

“Oh, we can eat that for dinner.”

When it rain, it pours, but you just have to bring an umbrella to keep yourself and others dry.