Hank

You turn to see Hank by the door, with Tommy shaking his head down at him. Hank was never a big guy, standing only three inches taller than Doe. In fact the same height as her in the high heels she had on now. But he was built stocky, and solid.

The DJ speaks, “Corey and Samantha, come get your mics!”

You turn to Doe, “He won’t get passed Tommy.” you say, with a smile to Doe

“I know. It’s just seeing him. Lately it’s like I’m always being watched from a distance. The little hairs on my neck are almost always standing on edge.” A shiver runs up her spine.

“Why didn’t you contact the judges?”

“Well, it was a distance thing.” She glances at the door where Hank is still talking to Tommy. “Even now…He’s probably outside of the fifty feet.”

You gauge the distance, “No, not really.”

Hank steps outside. And Tommy starts moving back towards the two of you.

Doe looks into your eyes, “He probably wants to talk to you…and I know what about…I…I wanted to tell you in a better, more serene environment than her with two people destroying Paradise by the Dashboard Light…”

“What is it?” You ask after a second to listen to the singers…yes they were crapping the song up, but the looked like they were having fun which is all that matters.

“Remember the weekend before my wedding?”

“Yes. We made love and you left me in my bed.”

“I’m sorry about that, I really am, we’ll talk more about why later, but…That night something very special happened. A miracle in fact.”

“Wha…”You stop short as realization hits. “Courtney?”

Doe nods apprehensively, her eyes searching for any anger. Her lower lip quivers as you stare at her for a second, shocked.

To forestall any crying you quickly move to kiss Doe, taking her in your arms and hugging her tight as you do so. She melts into your arms, a relieved sigh escaping into your mouth. After breaking the kiss you say, “I think I knew that from the moment I saw her. I just pushed it to the back of my head, and didn’t think of it. Then everyone kept giving me strange looks and sarcastic comments when I mentioned Hank being the father.”

Tommy steps up to the bar next to you, “Hey, John, that POS Hank wants to talk to you. Said he’d be reasonable. That fucker was shaking like he wanted to punch someone. You want me to tell him to get the fuck on out of here?”