Out in the Open

Molly waited nervously behind Andy’s walking around the parking area she’d made up her mind to take Andy’s advice and go see the solicitor.

Dom felt a bit rattled as he packed up his tools and cleaned up. Rosemary’s visit had set him off, sure he wasn’t happy with himself for what he’d done but he wasn’t happy with her either which was going to make it harder for him to do the right thing by her. Plus he didn’t understand why she hadn’t brought his son out to see him, like he was a secret or something. Even where she lived was a secret but at least now he knew where she worked, her little uniform had told him that.

Dom wasn’t sure what was going on but he accompanied Molly over to the solicitor’s office. Miss Peeg was getting ready to leave when they walked in unannounced.

“Hello, um I wonder if I might speak to Mr. Roberts for a moment,” Molly asked Miss Peeg.

“Oh, well I will ask him if he has time, you are?”

“Sorry, I’m Dom Maloney and this is Molly Weston.”

Richie looked at his watch, “Yeah, show them in…any idea what this is about?”

“No, sir they just walked in.”

Richie had met Dom at the Tavern and knew Molly as his waitress during lunch. He stood up as Molly and Dom came in. “Hi, how are ya?”

“Hello Richie, you know Molly?”

“Yeah I do, have a seat…so ah what brings you in?” he looked at Dom.

“It’s me Mr. Roberts, I’ve um got a problem and Andy said I should talk to you about it.”

Richie picked up a pencil rolling it between his fingers, “okay what’s your problem?”

“I…I don’t have any money…”

“Molly...” Dom admonished.

Richie smiled, “is that your problem?”

Molly smiled a little, “among many but um not what I came to ask you about. This is going to come as a bit of a shock to um Dom,” she turned and looked at Dom, “but I thought I could tell my story once and…well I have a little boy, he’s four years old now, I’ve um had him since he was almost one year old, eleven months and a few days but…he’s not my son.”

“What do you mean, Molly?” Dom sat up straight in his chair, “who does he belong to?”

“I uh had a roommate, I think Nic was about six months old when she moved in and we worked at the same place. She never said much about herself or where she came from and never said who the father was, she hadn’t married him. Anyway she liked to go out a lot and so I babysat and one day um she said she was going to Melbourne with this guy and would be back to get the baby but um…well she never came back.”

“She left him?” Dom asked.

Richie thought he knew the rest of the story, this was Rosemary’s boy she was talking about, he’d bet money on it. “Go on.” He said.

“Yeah, I never heard anything from her, no way to get in touch with her or anything. I had a neighbor who helped me a little, um looking after him when I went to work. I helped her out the same way cause we worked different hours. So I lived there for two years, maybe a little longer and I never heard anything from her so I got a job in Coffs and moved. I let my neighbor know in case she showed up, but she never did. Well until now. I know he’s not mine but I’ve had him since he was a baby you know and, I really love the little kid.” Molly took a breath.

“So now she’s found me, knows where I work and where I live. She just showed up at my door the other day and said she wanted the boy back. He doesn’t even know who she is ya know…and another thing, she was drinking I could smell it on her. She always had a lot of guys around and drank a lot when she lived with me. I don’t want to give this little boy up to her. I don’t know if there’s anything I can do or not and so I came to you.”

“You don’t know who the father of this kid is?” Richie asked her. “You haven’t mentioned her name.” He watched Dom.

“I don’t know who the father was she never would say, her name is Rosemary Fitzgerald.”

“What!...” Dom’s chair hit the wall when he stood up.

Molly’s eyes widened looking at Dom.

“Dom, have a seat…you didn’t know you had a kid?” Richie asked him.

“I don’t understand…” he looked at Molly. “Your kid…he’s mine?”

“It looks that way Dom.” Richie bounced his pencil on the desk.

“No…you mean you and Rosemary?” Molly couldn’t believe it.

“Settle down, both of ya. I’ve met Rosemary Fitzgerald and heard her story it matches Molly’s. She said she was going to tell you about your son, she didn’t do it?”

“Yeah, she told me…but I never connected the two…I didn’t know it was…but they have the same name I should have…your little Nic is my son.”

“I didn’t know about you and Rosemary,” tears were forming in Molly’s eyes.

“That was a one off thing Molly it happened four years ago...well obviously…right before I shipped out. I only saw her on Sunday and then she came by the garage today.”

Richie let the two of them talk for a moment, reality sinking into Dom. “So how can I help you?” He looked at Dom.

“I…I don’t know…she lied to me, told me he was in Coffs, somebody was looking after him and that he wasn’t feeling good that’s why she didn’t bring him out to the house. She’s talking marriage…and all this time she had left him…with Molly. I want to know for sure he’s mine, Richie isn’t there some test you can do?”

“Yeah, DNA, you wanna have it done?”

“I sure do.” He ran his hand over his face, “if he’s mine I want him.”

“But…what about me?” Molly wiped her face, “I want him too, I love the little boy.”

“The thing is, Rosemary wants him too. She regrets what she’s done.” Richie tossed the pencil down.

“She won’t have him not after walking out and leaving him like that, I won’ let her.” Dom stood up again.

“You’ll have to go to court to get custody.”

Dom stared at him a minute, “will you represent me?”

Richie was a little conflicted because of his relationship with Rosemary, “I can’t but I know somebody who can, she specializes in these kinds of cases.”

“Are you representing Rosemary?” Dom asked giving him a direct look.

“She hasn’t contacted me about it. I can’t take your case, Dom.”

Dom lifted his head, “okay, so who’s this solicitor I need to see.”

Richie opened his desk drawer and pulled out a card, “she’s the best.” He handed it to Dom.

“I should never have come over here,” Molly picked up her bag.

“I’m glad you did, Molly.” Dom said.

“I’m going to lose him, I can’t…stand it.” She began sobbing and Richie got up and opened his door.

“Miss Peeg, maybe a pot of tea?”

“Yes sir, right away sir.” Miss Peeg busied herself with the tea kettle.

Richie felt for the young couple in front of him. He didn’t know what their relationship was but Dom’s concern over Molly clearly indicated something between them. He knew Dom to be a decent hardworking young man. He had no idea who Molly was but she was attached to the kid after caring for him for three years. It was a difficult situation.

On the other hand he also knew Rosemary in a way he wished now he didn’t. She was a troubled young woman and he thought her chances in a custody battle with Dom were slim. Still if she engaged him to represent her he would.

Miss Peeg brought in a tray and handed Molly a cup of tea, “there you are dear,” she said softly and catching Richie’s eye she quietly closed the door.

“You okay now Molly?” Dom had his arm around her shoulders.

“I’m sorry I knew when I came in here I had no rights no legal rights over Nic. It’s just that, I’m the only mum he knows. I’ve looked after him, made sure he’s had all his shots and medical check-ups, his dental visits, everything.” She looked up at Richie wiping tears.

“If it’s a question of money Richie, I can pay you.” Dom said.

“Money doesn’t have anything to do with it Dom, I’m acquainted with Rosemary…helped her out a couple of times. The name I gave you there…you go with her, she’s tough she’ll get you what you want. Molly, I don’t know what to say really, he’s Dom’s kid…at least we’re going on the assumption that he is, I’d have that DNA testing done, there’s a clinic in Coffs I’ll give you the name of. It’s up to you, Dom if you want Molly to look after him until this thing comes up. I’ll tell ya though, they may appoint somebody from the child protection services to take him until it’s settled.”

“So the one who is going to suffer the most out of all of this mess is Nic, don’t seem right does it, little innocent kid, he’s four years old.” Dom ran his hand though his hair. “I want you to look after him, Molly for now…and then…I don’t know.” He fell back into the chair. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.” Dom finished up his tea and looked at his watch, “probably need to go get him from school, it’s getting late…Richie what do I owe you for your time?”

“Not a damn thing, Dom. I wish you luck, man.” Richie shook his hand and walked with them to the door.