All the characters but the Orthon, Williams and Parks firm belong to D.E.K.

Read and review please :D

There, I'm in Detroit... great, I've left about a week ago, and what now ? I'm back. Why ? because I don't trust myself. Stupid fool. But she doesn't trust me either. I am cursed ? of course there's Sam here, my son, my pride and my joy, the only one I have actually. No, wait, my job's kinda cool too. But that's it, gosh, my life is limited to my son and my job, that's pitiful.


- Dad ?
- Uh, oh, yeah what's up buddy ? said Larry suddenly brought back to reality. His son and him were on the sofa in his new apartment.
- You don' t seem happy to be here. Something's wrong ?
- Well, you know...
- Yeah, I meant besides you leaving Ally
- No this little thing taken aside, everything is just fine in my life, Larry said feeling a little uncomfortable. What about your life ?
- Well it just got better.
- How come ?
- Well, you came back here. You know, I've already told you, but I really missed you here. How long will you stay in Detroit this time ?
- I don't know buddy, but for now I'm here.
- Yeah, but Dad, just tell me the truth. Do you think you'll stay for good this time ?
- Why do you wanna know ? I don't know yet.
- Why don't you ? If you say that, it means you're already thinking about leaving again. Why can't you just stay here with me ? ... and mommy, he added after few seconds.
- Sam, your mom and I won't get back together, I've told you that a million times, and I thought I made myself clear. She will always be a good friend of mine, but that's all.
- Okay, Sam replied, clearly disappointed once again. He just couldn't understand why his father and his mother couldn't live together if they were friends, and this time he really wanted to understand what kind of friends can live together, and what kind can't.
After a while, he lifted his head up, and asked :
- If you're friends, I just can't understand why you can't live with us. Friends love each other, and when you love a person, you can share everything with them, why can't you and mom share the house ? I really don't understand.
- That's because you're only 7..
- About to be 8 ! Sam cut.
- Right, okay, but even if you were 8, you wouldn't have lived long enough to understand. I don't even understand. It's just the way things are.
- But you lived with Ally.
- Yes I did.
- So you love mom but you love Ally more.
- Yes.
- So why are you back ? I thought you came back because you loved mom more. Why are you back Dad ?
- Well, here in Detroit ?
- Yeah.
- Because you're here.
- You left Boston because I wasn't there ? I don't believe that. You wouldn't have left in the first place.
- I'm here in Detroit because you're here, if you were in Chicago right now, I'd be in Chicago too. But I left Boston because, well, because uh... for grown-ups reasons.
- It's always grown-ups reasons. Wait, he said running to the table, taking a pencil and a sheet of paper where a list had been established.
- What am I waiting for ?
- Just wait. He wrote few words on the paper and said, One day I'll be a grown-up, right ?
- Yes, of course.
- Okay, when exactly ?
- Why do you ask ? what's this paper ?
- Just answer please.
- Well, when you'll be 21 you'll be officially a grown-up. There. Can I have an explanation now ?
- So in 13 years I'll be a grown-up. Okay, I think I can wait that long. But it'll be hard.
- Wait for what ? Sam, are you gonna tell me or not ?
- Fine, I've made a list of all the questions to which you and mom answered that only grown-ups could understand or be answered.
- What ? Larry said with a smile, taking a quick look at the paper. And is it long ?
- I've only started 6 months ago, so I only have 68 questions, BUT I can't remember all those I should have written down before.
- 68 ?!
- Yeah, you think that's a lot ?
- It's quite a lot yeah.
- Well, then why don't you answer to some of them now. I'd really like to understand some things.
- But I haven't used the "grown-ups" argument that often, I don't understand.
- You use it far less than mom does. She's always telling me that I'm not old enough, or that one day I'll understand... I think that sometimes she only uses that because she doesn't want to think of a way to make me understand things in a non grown-up way. Could you give it a try ?
- Well, let me think. Larry replied, looked at his watch, and faked being concerned by it.
- Dad, we have two hours left, you won't trick me. If you don't want to, just say so, and tell me why.
Larry felt he wouldn't have much choices, he simply had to accept because he couldn't figure one good reason not to, and he was apparently a very bad liar.
- Fine, I'll give it a try. Seeing his son's face lightening up, he added quickly, but only to 15 of them, not all of them.
Sam looked still happy.
- Okay Dad, but you have to answer, to all of them.
- No way, if your mom told you you were too young to be answered to, she must have been right.
- So, you can refuse to answer to 5 of them.
- 10
- 7
- 8
- Deal.

Okay, now what ? I'll have to answer to 7 questions what if I refuse to answer to some of them and the last ones are worse ?


- Buddy, I demand to see the questions before any attempt on answering them.
- Why ?
- Listen, I swear I'll answer the questions that are not "for grown-ups only", but if I refuse one question with my last veto, and the next one I really can't answer, what happens ? Look, I'm willing to make a compromise here, can you work with me or not ? If you don't accept, I'll simply declare our little understanding null and void.
- Fine, don't lawyerize me.
- Lawyerize you ? Larry repeated, laughing a little.
- Yeah, you know, when you begin to talk about veto, compromise, declaring things null and void.. I'm not one of your clients you know ?
- I know, sorry. So do we have an understandi.. uh I mean, are you okay ? I take a look at the questions, I tell you those I won't answer, and I'll answer to the others.
- Okay, but you don't have to use the 8 "vetoes", he said quoting vetoes with his fingers in the air. And, I have a bonus question since I agree to the "compromise".
- What ? no !
- Please, Dad, I really want to understand this one, and it's not about baby making. Please ?!
- You can ensure me I won't be tricked ?
- Yes, plus I know you can answer it.
- Okay, fine. Find 15 questions, Larry said, finally giving up.

Sam took the pencil and the sheet and sat down at the table. Larry stood up, went to the kitchen to prepare some coffee. He read a paper, took the phone and asked the operator for the number of a law firm : Orthon, Williams and Parks. He wrote down the number, and called it.
- Hello, Larry Paul, attorney at law, I was wondering if by any chance you were looking for a new associate ?
- Well, I don't really know, but I'll ask. How can I reach you ? Oh wait, there's one of my bosses. She put him on hold. Larry took a quick look at Sam, still absorbed by the list of questions, and was about to tell him to be quick if he wanted to have 7 answers when the secretary started speaking again.
- Mr Orthon has agreed to meet you tomorrow.
- To meet me ? uh okay, great. Just between you and me, does he often meet people who are calling for a job without checking them out before ?
- Apparently you're not a total stranger to him.
- Really ? Okay then, did he say when exactly he wants to meet me tomorrow ?
- 10.30 or noon for lunch. It's up to you.
- Let's say 10.30 then.
- Okay, see you tomorrow then.
- Thanks a lot, see you tomorrow. He hung up.

That was weird. How does he know me ? Does my reputation in Boston followed me here ? I've got to admit that I was well respected there, but here ? Weird. And look at him, still picking the questions. If only I had been able to find out one reason, just one single reason to refuse. It will certainly be an interesting moment..

Larry came back from the kitchen and sat on the sofa again. He observed his son, waiting for him and his questions, feeling a little nervous about them and about the appointment of the next day. 5 minutes later, Sam finally stood up and came to sit on the sofa too. He gave his father the list and kept a piece of paper in his hands.
- What's that ?
- The bonus question. You can't look at it, I don't want you to prepare a lie or something.
- A lie ? You think I'm a liar ?
- Don't try to waste time Dad, you know I don't think you're a liar, you're just a father and I know you might want to lie about that, even if I don't know why. It took me more time than I thought it would to pick the questions, so you've got 30 seconds to find those you won't answer to.
- Am I dreaming or are you trying to give me orders ?
- Dad, stop it and just read !

Larry felt pissed off not to be able to buy some more time, but began to read.

On the paper, one could read :
1 - Why didn't you and Mom got married ?
2 - Why are all my friend's moms older than Mom ?
3 - Why did you love Ally ?
4 - How come I've never seen your dad ? and your mom only once ?
5 - How come you never talk about your dad and so little about your mom ?
6 - Mom and you, were you in love ?
7 - Why do I live with Mom when you're away ?
8 - Why does Mom cry every night ?
9 - Why did Mom and you break up ?
10 - How come Mom never found somebody else like you did with Helena and Ally ?
11 - How come you slept at Helena's place when you went to Boston and you never do when you come back here ?
12 - Why do you pretend that everything is fine when it's not ? and why mom does it too ?
13 - How come you look so sad if you say that you're happy I'm here ?
14 - How come you never invited me to Boston ? I had to come by myself.
15 - Why did you marry Helena, and divorce her ?

Larry was quite shocked. The questions were very profound, and some of them even sad. It made him think of so many things he wanted to forget.

- Dad ? 30 seconds are over. Which ones did you choose ?
- Uh, buddy I really need more time. The questions are not that difficult to answer, it's just that it's difficult for me to think about them, because I know the answers, but some of them are still hurting me a lot.
Sam looked worried.
- I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry. Do you want to stop now ? You don't have to answer if it's hurting you.
Larry smiled a little, but sadness could be read in his eyes.
- No buddy, I promised I would answer to those I could, and I will, because apparently it's hurting you to be in the dark, as much as it's hurting me to know the answers. Do you really want to know all those things ?
- Yes.
- Alright, then I'll answer to all of them.
- Really ?
- Yes. But I'd like to have the opportunity to stop after some questions and answer the others tomorrow or Tuesday, or whenever I find time to.
- It's fine with me, Sam smiled. Thanks Dad.
Larry took a deep breath, and asked :
- Which one first ?
- Just follow the order if you want.
- Okay. 1 - Why didn't you and Mom got married ? he read out loud. Can I answer to several questions at the same time ?
- Yes.
- Then I'll answer to questions number 1, 2, 6, and 9, give me your pencil.
Sam handed him the pencil and Larry wrote four crosses next to the four questions.
- Alright, if I may say so.
Your mom and I met when I was 19. She was in high school and I was already in college and one night she came to a party, and she was so beautiful. I was really shy, but she asked me out on a date. I was so amazed that a girl as beautiful as her could want me as her boyfriend that I couldn't refuse.

And we learnt to know each other, we had a really good time, and she taught me how to feel confident, and I loved her for that. And because she was so nice, and so perfect. And even though she was only 16 when we met, she was really clever. She didn't look like she was 16. And we grew up. She went to college, and we were still together. I got used to being with her. It was easy for me. I didn't have much to do. I wanted to be a lawyer, she wanted to be one too. It was easy.

The year I took the bar exam, she got pregnant with you. I was so scared. I wasn't ready to be a father, I wondered "what if I fail the exam ? How will I be able to take care of a little baby ?" But I wanted to have you at the same time. I was excited and scared. So we decided to keep the baby. She would give birth during the summer, once the class would be over. It was perfect. Everything was telling us to have you. And I passed the bar exam, third of my promotion. I was so proud, and I thought that now I would have a great job and a family, that my life couldn't be better.

As time went by, while I was still preparing for the exam, I didn't have much time to talk, or take care of her, I wanted to succeed to ensure us a good life. She made friends in her classes, she went to parties with them, coming back very late at night, but it was okay for me, I didn't have time for her, and she was about to become a mother, I thought she wanted to enjoy parties and student life as much as possible. Once I had passed the exam, I found a job, and we took an apartment out of the campus. And I started to work hard, and she studied a lot. We were apart in the same room. And then you came to the world. That is, still today, the best and most wonderful day of my entire life. I loved you instantly. I was ready, I was mature, I had a job, and I could afford to raise a family. I thought that now you were here, Jam.. uh, your mom would stay at home, and that we would really be together again.

But it never happened. She kept on going to parties, hanging out with her friends, while I was staying at home with you. Not that I blame her, or anything, I mean, she was young, she was still a student. She loved you the same way I did, instantly, but she needed to experiment life some more I guess. I thought about proposing to her, but I decided to wait until I was sure she was ready, I knew she would have accepted, because it was the easy and normal thing to do, but she wasn't ready to be married. I understood for a while, but after 3 years and no real change, I found myself not loving her as lovers do anymore. We didn't know each other anymore. You had a baby sitter during the day, she would come back home in the evenings and go out again. We had a series of argument about that. I would tell her she was acting like a child, a spoiled child. And she would tell me I was already old and boring.

The only thing that we had in common was our love for you. But I was afraid to let you grow up in that kind of environment. I thought it would be better for you if your parents stayed friends, so I told her I wanted to end the relationship before we started hating each other. She changed in a matter of hours. She stopped going out every night, she took care of you every chances she got, but I had stopped loving her, and there was nothing I could do. She's never been able to understand that.

So she broke up with me, thinking that I would realize I still loved her deep down. But I realized she was nothing more than the mother of my son and a friend with whom I spent great moments, had a lot of fun. When she finally accepted the truth, that we would not get back together, she moved to Detroit, to be closer to her family, and start a new life.

Your friends' mothers are older because Ja.. because your mom gave birth to you when she was still quite young. And in a school like the one your in, usually the children's parents are wealthy, which means they certainly studied for a long time, and it's rare to see people succeed in life like we, your Mom and I, do while having a baby in college.

Larry stopped talking. He hadn't looked at Sam a single time while speaking. He couldn't. A long silence settled in the room. He realized he had been talking for 20 to 30 minutes, without any pause. He finally turned his head on his right where his son was sitting, and found him thinking, deeply thinking, and sad too. Really sad. He felt guilty, after all he could have refused to tell him the truth.

- Sam are you okay ?
- Yes.
- You don't seem to be okay.
- I am.
- Sam, talk to me.
- To tell you what ?
- Anything. What are you thinking right now ?
- That I don't understand why mom didn't want to tell me this.
- Because she didn't want you to be sad, she didn't want you to know that if some little things hadn't happen in our lives, we could still be together. And she didn't want you to know that she wasn't ready to be a mother when you were born.
- I'm not sad about that.
- Then, why ?
- Because I just realized that you and mom will never ever be together again.
- I told you that before.
- Yes, but I didn't have a reason to believe it. Now that I have one, I just wish I could imagine how it is like to have a dad and a mom who love each other at home. But I can't.

Larry took him in his arms and hugged him.

- Sam, are you angry at your mom or at me for anything after what you've heard ?
- No, I guess you were right. If you were fighting all the time, it's better you're not together anymore. I'd rather have parents who are friends, than parents who hate each other but pretend not to.
After a while he added, we still have time, could you answer to one or several other questions of the list ?
- Are you sure ? I promised you I would, but don't you think it might be a lot ?
- No, I think the sooner I'll have the answer, the better it will be.

Larry took the list, and after staring at his son, started to look for some other questions...

After a little while, he looked up at his son.

- So ? Have you picked up some questions ?
- Not yet, the thing is, they are all related in one way or another and I don't know where to begin.
- I know what I'd like you to begin with.
- What is it ?
- the 4 and 5 questions, about your parents.
- Oh, those ones...
- Yes.
- Fine. So, 4 - How come you've never seen my dad ? and my mom only once ? and 5 - How come I never talk about my dad and so little about my mum ?
He stood up, went in his bedroom, came back with what looked like a book, and sat down. He opened the book, and Sam understood that it was a photo album.
Larry started :
- Do you see any picture of me and my father ? he said, in a broke voice.
- No... Sam replied, there are none.
- You're right.
- Why is that ? How come you only have pictures of you and your mom and sis ?
- Because, I've never known my father. Never seen him. Not once. Same for your aunt Emily. He left my mum when she got pregnant with me. So I can't tell you anything about him, and believe me when I say I have loads of questions to ask him myself.
- Ok, Sam finally said, with a nod.
- That's why I don't talk about him. I've got nothing to say about him.
- But what about grand ma ?
Larry, who had never heard him refer to his mother as "grand ma" was taken by surprise, and had a hard time finding his way back to concentration.
- Well, my mum and I aren't talking to each other anymore, she came here when I wasn't, didn't she ?
- Yes. Why aren't you talking to each other ?
- When I decided with Jam.. er.. your mom to have you, she warned me that it was going to be hard, us being young and everything, and that I'd better be sure of what I was doing.
- But you were, Dad, and I'm here and healthy, and you've got money and.. I don't see your point.
- My father left my mother, she had to raise me alone, and then she married and had Emily. But being married she never forgot that my father had left, she never forgave him, even though they were young. When things got bad with Jamie, your..
- You can call her Jamie, it doesn't matter.
- Thanks, I'm not used to telling those things to a child of ours.
- You have other children ?
- That was a joke Sam.
- Oh, got it. Keep going.
- Where was I ?
- When things got bad with mom.
- Right. When I left you with your mom, even though I didn't really leave, my mother told me how disappointed she was and that she had always feared I would do this, just like my father did. She told me she should have seen it coming, that it was foreseeable, me being the son of my father.
- But you didn't stop seeing us. You just moved out !
- I left anyway. She couldn't stand it. I was another failure in her life.
Larry stopped and looked down. It was obvious to Sam that he was in real pain bringing up those memories of his.
- Dad, you can stop if you want. I really don't want to see you like that.
- I'm okay, don't worry buddy.
- You should talk to your mom. And you should take me with you. I think she should see that you're anything but a failure. You're not a failure to me Dad.
Larry felt a tear rolling down his cheek, he closed his eyes and hoped Sam hadn't seen it. But Sam had, and he went to his dad, and took him in his arms.
- You know dad, even if I would like you and mom to be together so that we could be a family, I never wished for another dad in my entire life.
- Thank you Sam, Larry said, straightening up the embrace and finally looking at his son, not caring about the tears that might come anymore.
- I really think we should go and see her. I don't remember what she looks like. And aunt Emily ? why don't I see her more often ?
- Well, she's only my step sister, and when we were children, we really loved each other, but now it's different. We have our lives, and since my mother isn't in my life, Emily, I guess, just decided to stay out of it too.
- Dad, this is not good. If I had a brother or a sister, I would not let him down for some stupid reasons. I've only seen her once too. Where do they live ?
- In Chicago. Well, that's where they were living last time I talked to them.
- You mean when I was 3 ?
- Yeah.
- That's a long time ago.
- Indeed.
- Dad, I'll be on vacations next week.
- My god, you really want that to happen.
- Yes, I do. I'll talk to mom about it tonight.
- No, let me do the talking. She will be mad at me if you go to her and ask her, she will feel manipulated. I can hear her already.
- But if you ask her, she might say no.
- It's a possibility, yes.
- Let's do it together then ?
Larry paused, thinking, and finally replied :
- Okay, let's go back, it's time. Go pack your stuff, I'm gonna call her so that she doesn't come here to take you.
- Okay dad.

Larry stood up, looked Sam running to his bedroom, and for the first time in days, he felt happy and serene. But he lost his serenity at the very second he realized he would have to face his mother and sister again, after 5 years.
He went to the phone, dialed Jamie's number and waited.
- Jamie ? Hey ! It's Larry. I just wanted to say that you don't have to come here, Sam's packing his stuff and we'll be on our way in 5 minutes.
- Why ?
- We kinda have to talk about something.
- We have to talk ? We as in you and me ?
- Plus Sam.
- Oh, okay.
Larry noticed the disappointment in her voice.
- Yes, well, gotta go help him packing and everything, see you in 15.
- Fine. 'Later.
She hung up.

Larry went to Sam's bedroom. He was sitting on the bed, looking at a picture of the three of them that usually was on his bedside table, and he put it on his desk. He replaced it by another picture where there was only his father and him.

- What are you doing ? Larry asked.
- This picture is great, but I've accepted it doesn't show the reality. And I'm not hoping it will one day anymore. So I want a picture of you and me there now. And the one with all of us, it's better if it's on the desk with other of you and me. You know, like that it's just a family picture among others.
- You don't have to, you know ?
- I know, but I want to, and.. and I need to.
- Okay. Larry starred a his son, trying to figure out whether he was okay or not. Sam considered the picture on the bedside table, and smiled.
- It really is a great picture of you and me.
- It is.
Larry smiled too, his son was okay. Not great though. But he could live with him being okay considering the past hours.
- Ready to go ? he finally asked.
- Yes, oh dad, I was wondering, could I borrow your album of pictures ? I'd like to see them all.
- Well, I guess.. yes, I guess you can.
- Dad ?
- Yes buddy ?
- What's your father's name ? Do you even know ?
- Of course buddy. James Paul.
- James. Okay. Thanks. And thanks for answering to my questions.
- You're welcome, now let's go or will be late.

They left the apartment, got into Larry's Mercedes and drove to Jamie's place.