Chapter 26
"How does she feel about helping you to raise your grandson?"
"Legally Robby is my son, Adele. I think it will be easier for him when he gets to school and such for me to be 'dad' rather than 'grandpa'."
"Wow, AJ, I always thought as a lawyer and the JAG you went in for honesty above all else! How will Robby handle Francesca as his mother and you as his dad? Or are you even planning on telling him that you really are his grandfather?"
"He will know all about Francesca. I will also tell him what little I know about his natural father. Robby will know that technically I am his grandfather, but just like an adopted child he is my son now."
"I guess I just don't see what the problem would be for people to know Robby is raised by his grandfather not father."
"All I know is that for reasons that only she will ever know, Francesca went to a lot of trouble, on her death bed mind you, to make me her son's father. I don't know if it's the best thing to do, or if there will be complications down the road, but if that is what she wanted I will not disregard her last wish!"
"All right, AJ! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you or disrespect Francesca's wishes in any way."
"It's fine, Adele. I guess I'm still a little touchy on the subject."
"I can understand that!" she said as she leaned over to give him an unexpected hug.
"Ummm…thank you, Adele," both smiled awkwardly at each other.
Obviously trying to change the subject, Adele asked, "So what shall we do today? Do you have all the ingredients for chili or do we need to run to the store?"
"Well, I was planning on your arrival today, but since that's already taken care of…" he teased. "I do have everything I need for chili, but if there's anything special you'd like while you're here we could run to into town and get it."
"I don't need anything special…just act like I'm not even here. What would you be doing if I wasn't here?"
"Robby and I would probably go for a two mile run."
After a long pause in which she simply stared at him incredulously, she finally gasped, "A run!? At his age?!"
AJ almost choked on the sip of coffee he'd just taken. "Robby doesn't actually do the running; he goes along with me in his snuggly while I run."
"Snuggly?"
"I know, it's a silly name, but it's a well thought out device. It's a harness I wear, that supports and balances his weight. The one I bought is actually for runners or hikers. So are you up for a run, Sis?"
"I don't think so…I might just run into town and see what changes there have been. I might be able to come up with something special for dinner."
"Adele, you're my guest, you don't have to cook."
"AJ, I invited myself here to help you and you're making dinner tomorrow night. Plus I rarely get to cook for more than just myself. I want to do this!"
He laughed as he started to clear the table, "Okay, I surrender! I never turn down having a lady cook for me!"
"Pft! I'm not a lady, I'm your sister!"
"Remember you said that I didn't!"
"So has this new lady of yours cooked for you yet?"
"Yes, we were at her house last night. She made some wonderful Cajun blackened beef."
"Oh she does cook! I'm looking forward to meeting her. So was dinner the only thing cooking last night?"
"Adele! That's none of your business!"
"Oh so you have dipped your wick in that well! Is she good?"
"Adele Josephine Chegwidden! That is NONE of your business!"
"Calm down little brother! I didn't mean to put you in a snit!"
"Can we just change the subject please?"
"Sure…I'll head into town while you have your run."
Both nodded, once again uncomfortable with each other.
To be continued…