Chapter 6

The next few days flew by. Amy left Bobby alone with his thoughts. Bobby slept late and ate well, at Mrs. Mitchell's insistence. By the time Friday rolled around, he felt better than he had in a long time. He supposed proper rest and good food were the reason, although the time he had spent getting to know his son and grandson even better couldn't have hurt any.

Bobby was packing his things and getting ready to leave when Trey approached him.

"Bobby, I was wondering if you'd consider moving in here, with us."

Bobby stopped packing and stared at Trey. "Live here," he asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"I, uh, I don't know what to say."

"I understand if you need time to think about it. Take all the time you need. Just know that the offer stands."

"Thank you. I - I'm going to need at least the weekend by myself to consider it. There are a lot of details that would have to be taken care of: my apartment lease, utilities, mail…." His voice trailed off as he considered the enormity of it all. "I'm not sure what the department would make of a detective suddenly living on the Upper East Side. This isn't exactly the kind of place a police officer can afford, you know." He smiled ruefully.

"I know. It would be an adjustment. You wouldn't have to pay anything, if that's a concern."

"I would insist on paying my own way. I'm perfectly capable of paying for my keep," Bobby responded defensively.

"I know you are. But you're family. Family doesn't have to pay to stay here. Besides, I know things have been tough for you lately, so I thought if you lived here, it would help."

"How do you know things have been tough for me?" Bobby took a step towards Trey and glared at him suspiciously.

"Mom told me briefly what's happened to you this past year. I also know you're on personal leave, and I don't imagine the NYPD pays its employees for personal leave."

"No, they don't," Bobby said relaxing. He hadn't told anyone how seriously in debt he was, and was relieved to discover that Amy and Trey were still unaware of just how bad off he really was.

"Are you sure you want me to live here? I come with a lot of baggage, and we still don't know each other all that well."

"All the more reason for you to move in here," Trey said, gesturing wide with his arms. "So you can get to know us better, and we can get to know you better. Besides, Hudson already calls this 'Boppy's house.' You wouldn't want to disappoint your little guy by moving out again. He wouldn't understand. He still thinks his mommy is coming back."

"You just had to bring Hudson into the argument, didn't you," Bobby said with lips pursed and eyes laughing. "You really hit below the belt with that one."

"He's your Achilles Heel. Why wouldn't I use that to my advantage? Besides, I LOVE having you here. And, you still owe me dinner," Trey reminded him with a grin. Bobby had discovered Trey loved a good hand of poker now and then and bet him a steak dinner that he couldn't beat his old man in a game of 5 card stud. Now, Bobby would be stuck picking up the tab.

"How about tomorrow night, 7:30 at Mason's in Brooklyn?"

"Are they any good?"

"Any good?" Bobby snorted. "They are only the best steak dinner in the five boroughs."

"Oh, that good?" Trey chuckled. "If you say so, then 7:30 it is."

"Do you know where they are located?"

"I can find it in the phone book," Trey took in Bobby's attire and realized he was more dressed up than usual. "Are you going somewhere?"

"I'm..uh…meeting a friend for drinks and dinner," Bobby stammered hesitantly. He really didn't want Trey knowing he was meeting Laura's sister for a date; it just seemed too weird.

"Anyone I know," Trey asked curiously.

"Just a friend," Bobby said as casually as possible.

Trey was still suspicious, but said nothing. "Can I help you carry your things down?"

"Yes, you can take this bag." Bobby handed him one of the bags and picked the other one up off the bed. "Please, give me the weekend to think about your offer. I promise I'll get back to you on Monday."

"Okay. But I'm holding you to that. If you don't call me by Monday evening, I'm calling you. And if that doesn't work, I'll show up on your doorstep demanding an answer," Trey said sternly, even though his eyes were dancing with joy.

"Come on, you," Bobby said, laughing and pushing Trey out the door ahead of him. "I have a dinner date waiting."

Laughing, the two men made their way down the stairs. When they reached the landing on the second floor, they saw Amy.

Bobby stopped in his tracks and stared at her. She was dressed in a purple wrap dress that floated gently and gracefully around her curves. It fell softly to her knees and showed off her long legs to full advantage. She was wearing a pair of silver stilettos that brought her almost to eye level with Bobby and Trey. She was carrying a silver clutch and a soft white shawl; her hair and make-up were tasteful and flawless for an evening out. Bobby swallowed hard at the sight of her.

"Wow, Mom! You look gorgeous," Trey beamed. "Where are you going?"

And with whom, Bobby wondered. A pang of jealousy speared him in his gut. Where did that come from?

"I have a gallery function this evening. The Cassidy show, remember?"

"Oh, that's right," Trey said. "Karen Cassidy is showing her students' sculptures tonight. I'd forgotten about that. Tell her 'Hello' from me. I'll be by in the morning to see the sculptures with Hudson."

"Where is Hudson, by the way? I came up here to say goodbye to him on my way out," Amy commented.

"He's with Gran and Pap," Trey replied, referring to Amy's parents. "They took him to McDonald's to try and wear him out. I thought it would be better for him not to be here when Bobby left to go home."

Amy looked over at Bobby and sighed. "I do wish you'd stay longer. Did Trey tell you he'd like you to consider moving in with us?"

Bobby nodded.

"And," Amy let the word hang in the air.

"He's going to take the weekend to think about it," Trey answered.

"Okay," Amy said, her eyes still on Bobby. "You look nice. More dressed up than usual," she commented, taking in his dark slacks, black button-down shirt and black leather jacket. "You going out?"

"Yes," Bobby said, now wishing he was going with Amy instead. Why do I keep having these thoughts? There's nothing between us anymore. "I'm meeting a friend for dinner and drinks."

"Oh," Amy said. Why does that bother me, she wondered.

Trey took all this in with amusement. Neither one of his parents could take their eyes off each other and neither one had moved since they met up just minutes ago. Trey cleared his throat and spoke.

"Shouldn't we be going downstairs? Both of you have places to go and I don't think you care to be late." He offered his arm to Amy. "May I escort you down the stairs," he asked her grandly.

She grinned and giggled at him and took his arm. "Of course you may, kind sir," she replied, playing along. They stepped around Bobby and made their way down the stairs, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Why does the thought of her going to that gallery opening without me make me feel, I don't know, sad? Empty? Disappointed? Why didn't she ask me? I would have gladly gone with her. Does she think I'm not good enough? Or maybe that I'm still mad at her and would turn her down? I thought she knew better. Should I ask her about it?

Wrapped up in his thoughts, he made his way down the stairs, but wasn't paying very careful attention, and he bumped into Amy as he stepped off the final stair, nearly knocking her over.

"Oh," she exclaimed, stretching her arms out and taking a step in an attempt to regain her balance.

He reached out and grabbed her, wrapping a long arm securely around her and pulling her back upright. Upright just happened to bring her in very close contact with his body, and he jolted inwardly at the sudden physical reaction her nearness had on his body. Amy's hands landed on his chest, and they were suddenly face to face, nose to nose. Neither one moved as their hearts were pounding, whether over the sudden scare of Amy's near fall or the nearness of their bodies, neither one could be sure.

"Thank you," Amy whispered.

"Are you okay," Bobby asked, his voice equally soft.

Amy nodded. Bobby eased his grasp and made certain she had a sure footing before releasing her. Amy stepped back and straightened her dress.

"Well, um…I need to be going," Amy said. She stepped over to Trey and reached up to give him a peck on the cheek. "Bye Sweetheart."

"Bye Mom," Trey replied.

"Amy," Bobby called after her softly as she walked away.

"Yes," she asked, stopping and looking back over her shoulder.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." She smiled broadly at him and then walked away towards the end of the hall. Bobby watched her hips swish gently from side to side and swallowed hard again.

"Bobby, you're going to be late," Trey said with amusement.

"Oh…uh…yeah." He shuffled his feet, then looked over at Trey. "Thanks again for letting me stay in your apartment. I really enjoyed being here and visiting with you."

"Me, too," Trey said as he handed Bobby his bag. "I'm serious about the offer of moving in up there."

"I know you are, and I'm seriously considering it, and I will get back to you on Monday." Bobby moved away towards the front door; Trey followed him.

"Do you need me to help you carry your stuff over to the parking garage?"

"No, I moved my car around earlier today; it's parked out front now."

Bobby stopped at the door. When he leaned over to set down one of his bags, Trey reached around him for the doorknob.

"Here, let me get that for you."

"Thanks," Bobby said, as he reached out to shake Trey's hand.

"Have a nice time, Bobby."

"I will. And, thanks again."

Trey watched Bobby walk down the steps, get into his car and drive away. He wondered when Bobby and his mom would realize there was still a spark between them. It would be a lot of fun to have them back together. I wonder if I should give them a shove, or just let it happen. He decided he would talk to Christy about it on Monday.

Bobby's phone rang shrilly in the early morning, waking him with a start. He grabbed his cell phone and answered it, only to have the harsh ringing continue as the realization struck him that it was not his cell phone ringing, but his regular phone.

"Hello," he grunted into the phone.

"You bastard," Amy voice echoed loudly in his ear. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Wha-? Amy," Bobby asked groggily. He pushed himself up into a sitting position on the bed and ran his free hand across his face. "What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about," Amy answered incredulously. "I'm talking about last night."

"I went out to dinner last night," Bobby said, clearly confused.

"Well it certainly looks like you had more than dinner in the paper this morning!"

"In the paper? What am I doing in the paper?"

"Are you really this clueless? Don't you read the paper?"

"Yes, I read the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times," Bobby said.

"It figures," Amy mumbled. "Get dressed, get a copy of the Post, and get your ass over here," Amy ordered. She hung up abruptly.

Suddenly, all hell seemed to break loose in Bobby's apartment. His cell phones began to ring, both his work and personal phones, and there was a loud banging on his door. He heard keys jangling and the lock rattling.

Eames, thought Bobby, as he answered his work phone.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Detective," Captain Ross's voice boomed in Bobby's ear. "Do you have any idea of the problems you've caused for me and the Department?"

"Not really, but I'm starting to, sir," Bobby answered.

"I take it you haven't seen the Post this morning?"

"No, sir. I was on my out to get a copy." He could hear Eames moving around in his kitchen and hoped she was making coffee.

"Well, take a good long look at it and you better come up with a good answer for me. The Chief of D's is breathing down my neck about this already. I know it's Saturday, and I know you're off on leave, but I want to see you in my office at 11 am today."

"Yes, sir. I'll be there," Bobby answered resignedly. He hung up the phone and moved to sit on the side of his bed. He propped his elbows on his knees and sagged forward. Letting out a big sigh, he thought back over what he had just learned. Somehow a picture was taken of him last night and ended up in today's New York Post, making everyone mad. He glanced up at his bedside alarm clock. 7:30. So much for sleeping in.

He picked up his cell phone and looked at it. Trey. Bobby sighed and called him back.

"Wainwright," Trey answered brusquely.

"Trey, it's Bobby. Now, before you go jumping on me, I haven't seen the paper, but I do have an idea of what's going on. I want to apologize; I had no idea my going out to dinner last night would be such big news."

"Apology accepted; thank you. Just so you know, Mom's pissed."

"I've already been yelled at by her this morning," Bobby said contritely. "She wants to see me; my boss wants to see me. Eames is here, so I'm pretty sure she wants to see me. Do you want to see me, too?"

"I'll be here when you come by to see Mom. You really have no idea, do you?"

"I guess not," Bobby said. "Look, I've got to go. I need time to get showered and dressed so I can see both your mom and my captain this morning."

"Okay. See you soon," Trey said as he hung up.

Bobby closed his cell phone and put it on the table. He stood up and walked into the bathroom, wondering just what it was he had done that had everyone so upset.