My Way Home Is Through You

Ray Toro sat in the small office with his lawyer in silence. He tried his best not to show that he was shaking. After a few moments of initial shock, he took a deep breath and spoke.

"Yes, Jenna and I dated about five years ago." His voice seemed loud and harsh to his own ears. "I hadn't really heard from her since... You say she died in a car crash?" He fought to keep his lower lip from quivering.

His lawyer nodded solemnly. "Yes. It was during that terrible storm last week. She apparently lost control in the rain and..."

Ray closed his eyes and hung his head. Another moment of silence passed before he spoke again.

"Tony, I appreciate you telling me this, but..." He hesitated. "Why is this a matter for my lawyer?"

Tony shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Ray's apprehension increased. When a guy like Tony Beatty can't just come right out and tell you the problem, you know it's going to be bad.

"The thing is, Ray," he started slowly. "Miss Warren had a little girl. Four years old." He swallowed hard.

"The Will and the birth certificate both name you as this child's father."