Children Unknown

By Michael Paterson

Twenty-three years ago, I was just a young guy out of university with a brand new degree in computer science. My ex-wife, Liz, had graduated with a nursing degree and we were married shortly after graduating. Our life was great. We were young and in love and had the world by the ass. A couple of years after getting married we bit the bullet and purchased a small house in Vancouver, British Columbia. It wasn't too far from St. Paul's Hospital where Liz was a midwife. The commute to my job took all of 10 minutes by bus in inclement weather, or about a 30-minute walk.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: michael paterson
• Release date: Mar 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386617709

Michael Paterson

I write from my childhood for the love of adventure. My imagination has never changed writing is part of who I am.

Book preview

Children Unknown

michael paterson

Published by Michael Paterson, 2019.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

CHILDREN UNKNOWN

First edition. March 2, 2019.

Copyright © 2019 michael paterson.

ISBN: 978-1386617709

Written by michael paterson.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Children Unknown

Also By michael paterson

© 2018 Copyright By Michael Paterson 

Children Unknown

Chapter 1

I was sitting at the bar of my favourite watering hole one Friday after a very long work week. It had become my habit to stop in here after work on a Friday before heading home since the beer was Ice cold and the food is always excellent. And, it wasn't that there was anything pressing waiting for me at home; by the way, that's by choice.

My favourite server in the whole world, Lexi, was standing at the bar chatting with me about nothing in particular when she mentioned that a young couple had come in that she hadn't seen before. Since the other server was occupied with another table Lexi walked over to where the young couple stood, appearing unsure of where to sit. She greeted them and a brief discussion ensued that ended with Lexi pointing directly at me.

The young couple came over. As they walked towards me I could see that they must be brother and sister, and maybe even twins. They looked vaguely familiar for some reason, but I knew I'd never seen them before. We're sorry to intrude, sir, but is your name Paterson? the young woman asked.

Yes, it is. Why? I replied. I had no clue who these people were or what they could possibly want with me. I wasn't being unfriendly, but not totally welcoming either. Mr John Paul Paterson, you go by John or sometimes JP? she continued her questioning. Yes. Now, since you seem to know who I am, would you tell me who I'm talking with? I hadn't been called JP for quite a few years.

I, we, think that you could be our father. We're Rebecca and Jack, she said, hesitantly and somewhat hopefully, as if their nPaterson explained everything. They didn't. I'm sorry. I don't know who you think I am, but I've never had any kids in my life. You must be mistaken, I answered her.

This was a fact. I'd been divorced for over twenty years, and I knew that my ex wife and I didn't have children. If she had kids, it wasn't by me, and I hadn't been in any relationships since then, that would have resulted in two kids the age of this couple. Please excuse me. I have to go, I said to the young couple, then to the server,Lexi, can you put this on my tab, please? I'll see you next Friday as usual. I got up and left the bar. The young couple didn't say anything, just watched me walk out.

I drove home to my cabin attached to a ski lodge that I owned part of. The cabin could be accessed, with permission, via the compound or by knowing where to turn off the access road. Well, it wasn't really a cabin, I just called it that. It was a two storey log house with three bedrooms, two baths, living room, den and kitchen-dining room and a games room built in the basement of the house which also had a fully functioning bar and a full size pool table.

It had far more room than I needed; it came with the compound  and my partners didn't want to live in it. They owned a large spacious house about a mile or so away. They needed the room because of their seven kids. The visit of the two young people stirred up long-buried memories, memories I had hoped were buried forever.

I am a computer security consultant, and also an instructor at a small community college near Halifax, Nova Scotia. I've been with the college about fifteen years now, and also consult with small and medium sized businesses as a sideline. Though my partner and his wife and I are equal owners of the compound we have little to do with the day-to-day operation of it. We have a very capable manager who runs it for us. We might help out from time to time when it's really busy, but usually we just stay out of the way.

Twenty three years ago, I was just a young guy out of university with a brand new degree