LA, spring 2002

It was a sunny day. One Sunday morning , the park was packed with people: Young couples holding hands, walking your love under the shadows of the trees, joggers, gangs of boys and girls joking sitting on the grass, old men sitting on a bench looking pleased how their grandchildren bicycling, on the swings or slides, or just families enjoying a well deserved rest day.

Sam liked those Sundays when he went with the little Samuel and Diane to the park.

He enjoyed teaching his son to ride a bike or play baseball under the watchful eye of Diane who watched them proudly. Yes , it was evident that Diane was proud of her two men .

- Samuel. You must be aware of the ball, but do not lose sight of the launcher. It is important to look into his eyes. Watch his movements and calculates the distance you can hit the ball ...

- Okay Daddy. shoot ! -Samuel said with the impatience of his eight years.-

- Listen to what I say ... -said Sam with all the quietness was capable. You're not listening, and it´s important ...

-Don't talk anymore daddy and get on with it! - Samuel was impatient.

- How dare you to talk your father in that way ?, Very well. You asked for it .

Sam had to give a lesson to Samuel ... Adjusted his cap, he pretended to casually look the other way and when least expected his son, threw the ball as hard as when he was a professional. The ball happened to Samuel almost touching his ear. Samuel tried to hit , but without success. All he did was turn around himself a few times with the bat gripped between her tiny hands before falling ass.

He hurted more his proud wounded that the blow in his ass.

Diane did not like it at all. Then, Sam came to Samuel.

- Are you ok?

- Yes daddy- said little Samuel with a mixture of shame and anger .

- Sorry , but I had to give you a lesson in discipline. The training, theory and played the game , lessons and advice from your coach ... form a whole essential for a player to be formed as such. You do not have attended to me , and look what happened to you. Do you understand now? .

- Yes Daddy, this time his response showed understanding, repentance and humility. Sam was proud of his son.

Diane surprised them from behind.

- You've thrown the ball too hard even for an adult, and I remember you that Samuel is only eight years old! -Diane was very angry- What hell was you doing?...

Boston, spring 2014

I think it's interesting what you´re proposing… -said Frasier to Diane- What do you think about it Sam? .

- ... Sorry, what did you say ? -Sam asked, not knowing what Frasier was talking.

The question was that Frasier had caught Sam off guard . It was an embarrassing situation for him . His mind was far away, in distance and in time . He was in LA twelve long years ago, but Frasier had brought him to Boston. They were still in Boston. They had come to see Samuel play in the final of college baseball. Then things had complicated because of the death of the mother of Diane, and those days Sam and Diane were solving some paperwork issues about Helen´s will... This Saturday morning, Frasier and Lilith had been with them in the Boston Common, to discuss business issues about "Cheers", the bar that both were owners 50%... but Sam had been abstracted watching some kids playing at the park , bringing happy memories of his past.

Are you all right? asked Lilith - You seem a little absent.

- Do not worry -Sam said with a friendly smile- I'm fine ... I was distracted ... that's all .

After lunch with their friends and a fantastic dessert , Sam and Diane were home.

- What happened to you before in the park, Sam? - asked Diane to her husband-.

- Nothing ... nothing ... -Sam lied-.

- Sam, hon, -said Diane in condescending tone- I know you . We together all life and I know when you tell me the truth... And now you are hiding me something.

-Oh girl, all life together, that´s fantastic, isn´t it?...- Sam looked her. She was right ...

- You see ... before in the park, I've seen some kids play, and have brought back memories of when Samuel was small, and the three went to the park on times!.

- Yes, it was fantastic -Diane admitted nostalgically- But ... What do you mean?.

- Well ... You see ... really, nothing. Only I have the feeling that in my life I was late to my key moments: marry you, to have Samuel... –said Sam-.

- Come on, Sam! ..That is nonsense.

-I know! I know!... What happens is that childhood and adolescence of Samuel have spent very quickly. He is now a man, he´s studying a university degree, has his life , his projects, his girlfriend ...

- Where are you going with all it? - Diane inquired eagerly .

- Look, Diane . Soon I will fulfill sixty-five years. Now I find, in all aspects, at full faculties. But I was thinking that when Samuel will get a work, will get married and will have their first child, perhaps I will have more than seventy years. I don´t know how I 'll be physically and mentally by then; I don´t know if I could enjoy my grandson or .. I'll be late for that too... If ... at least we would have had another child...- Sam immediately regretted his words. Unintentionally had sounded like reproach-.

-Sam! I explained at the time that when we had Samuel was beginning to be old to be a mother. Then, we decided not to have another...I was afraid of the risks of a pregnancy at older age…

I know!I know! You're right. We talked it and both agreed that it was the best decision. Sorry if what I said sounded like a reproach ..

- So what do you mean?... that you want that Samuel and Tracy have a child now? -Diane got scared at times- Look, Sam. In the past year we have had many changes in the life of Samuel. I don´t know about you, but to me it has cost me to assimilate .And God knows I've always been an open-minded woman! ...But this madness that you are talking about the future, to have a grandchild ... Forgive me, but I'm not ready for that. I hope you don´t put stupid ideas in head at the boys…

-I have no intention to manipulate the life of my son- Sam was getting angry- you know me, Diane.

- I hope so! -Diane said sternly.-

The two fell silent suddenly. This could lead to a discussion that neither of them wanted. Experience had taught that silence was the best in these cases. Maybe another time they could address this issues more calmly.

It will continue…