Chapter 35

Alex was first to awaken as sunlight filtered through the blinds. It seemed that neither she nor Bobby had moved during their sleep – a living sculpture of entangled arms and legs draped and wrapped around one another in the pose they had taken when slumber finally overtook them after their lovemaking. She couldn't help but smile as she watched him: breathing rhythmically, peacefully; no worry lines on his boyish face (another paradox, since that handsome, boyish face was sprouting a full day's worth of gray and silver whiskers). She looked at the unruly curls of salt and pepper hair and couldn't resist running her fingers through.

Her touch roused him from his sleep and, as always, the first thing he did upon awakening and seeing her face was to smile.

His voice was groggy and raspy from sleep. "G'morning," he said, automatically drawing her closer.

"Mmmmm, g'morning," Alex answered, and placed a kiss on his chest before nuzzling into him.

They laid in the quiet, adjusting to the light and their states of consciousness. Bobby's hand absently followed the curves of Alex's side, from shoulder to arm –purposely grazing the side of her breast—from rib cage, to waist, to hip, to butt and thigh, then back up over the same route. Soft, warm fingers awakening every nerve ending along their path.

"Do you know what time it is?" he whispered.

"I don't know. Six, six-thirty," she ventured a guess, while stifling a yawn.

"Uh-uh," he disagreed. "It's time for me to show you again how much I love you."

X X X

Back at Bobby's apartment, Debbie was awake, dressed and brewing a pot of coffee. She had already straightened up the sofa, putting away the blanket and pillow she used, and putting the linens into the washing machine. She wasn't trying to be nosy, but did need to open the fridge and a few cupboards before finding the things she needed (coffee, filters, mugs, etc.). She took notice of how well stocked Bobby's kitchen was –not a typical bachelor kitchen, for sure.

When the coffee was done brewing, she poured herself a mug and returned to the living room. She walked to the bookcases and inspected the various titles, along with the photos and nick-knacks that Bobby had on display. She picked up the frame holding the childhood photo of Frank and Bobby and smiled forlornly, letting out a sigh of regret for the 'normal' family life that none of them had. She replaced the picture and moved on to the next, a silver frame holding a photo of Bobby –looking absolutely dashing in a tuxedo, with his arm around his partner, who was wearing a gorgeous blue dress. They make a nice couple, she thought to herself.

"Hi Mom!" Donnie said as he entered the living room.

"Hi, sweetie," Debbie answered, quickly place the photo down and cross the room to kiss her son 'good morning'.

"Where's Uncle Bobby?"

"He went out last night – I'm pretty sure to his girlfriend's place."

"Well, when's he coming back?" Donnie asked.

"I don't know, honey. I'm sure he'll be back this morning," Debbie smiled. "You want some coffee?"

"I-I c-can get it myself," Donnie answered as he headed to the kitchen.

Donnie took a mug from the cupboard and poured himself some coffee. He then went to Bobby's bottom drawer –the secret Devil Dog stash, and grabbed two.

"Donnie! You shouldn't be going through your Uncle's drawers…and you shouldn't be eating that –that junk –that's not a proper breakfast."

"It's not my breakfast, Mom –it's just a snack before breakfast," he joked, as he took a bite and smiled. "Besides, last night Uncle Bobby said 'help yourself' –he doesn't mind."

"Well, I'm gonna see what I can rustle up here for a nice breakfast. He and Alex could be getting back soon and it'd be nice to have something ready for them –it's the least I can do."

Debbie went back to the fridge and got out eggs and bacon, and all the usual items needed. She then went to cupboard, hoping that Bobby had Bisquick, or at least flour. She wasn't disappointed. "This isn't your typical bachelor kitchen," she called over her shoulder to Donnie, who was on the sofa watching TV.

"Well, I know technically he's not married, but I don't think Uncle Bobby's been much of a bachelor for a while," he teased back. "Anyway, he told me he was a pretty good cook before he and Alex ever hooked up."

"I wish you wouldn't use that expression," Debbie reprimanded.

"Sorry. You know what I mean," Donnie said, as he flipped through the channels.

"Honey, can you come here and reach that big blue bowl for me?"

"Sure," Donnie answered and made his way back to the kitchen. He stretched to reach the top shelf, and finally his fingertips were able to grab the edge of the bowl. "He sure is tall –it's easy for him," Donnie said.

As Debbie began reading the Bisquick instructions and looking for a measuring cup, they heard keys jingling and the lock on the door begin to turn.

"Oh, here they are," Debbie said, slightly disappointed. "I was hoping to have this done by the time they got back."

Donnie and Debbie were both smiling, ready to greet Bobby and Alex as the door swung open.

Their smiles quickly faded, replaced by looks panic and fear for their safety. Instinctively, Donnie stepped in front of his mother to protect her (although both of them realized they didn't stand a chance against an assailant of this size).

Debbie held on to Donnie's shoulders from behind and said, as firmly as she could, "Frank isn't here! Leave us alone!"

She couldn't begin to count the times that she'd had to say that to the various "bill collectors", bookies, leg-breakers, etc. that were always looking for Donnie's father to collect on the bets he'd welshed on. She felt that she and her son would never be able to escape living in fear, just because of their relationship to Frank.

The man had no reply.

Then it occurred to Donnie and Debbie that he looked just as shocked as they did.

"Lady, I know I've got the right apartment, but I'm not looking for Frank. I'm looking for Bobby." The man's eyes darted around the apartment as he stepped into the foyer and began closing the door.

Donnie and Debbie backed up a step, still afraid.

The man scrutinized Donnie then broke into a huge smile. "Relax, kid. I'm your new uncle. Johnny."

Debbie was still leery, fearful, but she felt Donnie's shoulders relax under her grip.

"You're Uncle Bobby's friend, Johnny –with the Harley."

"That's me," Johnny smiled and began approaching them. "I see the resemblance –you look a lot like him when he was teenager," Johnny said, and reached out to shake Donnie's hand. "Good to meet ya'."

Debbie had released her grip on Donnie and was standing off to the side. Johnny extended his hand to her and smiled, "Pleasure to meet you – Debbie? Isn't it?"

Debbie smiled as Johnny's massive hand enveloped hers –strong, yet gentle.

"So where is the big guy?" Johnny asked.

"He should be back any minute. There wasn't room for everyone to sleep so he. . ."

"He spent the night at Alex's place…" Johnny finished her sentence. Johnny grabbed some milk from the fridge and helped himself to two Devil Dogs, as well.

Debbie could finally relax. It seemed that the tattooed giant of a man was who he had claimed to be. He had known her name, Alex's name and he knew his way around the kitchen, too –it was apparent that he'd spent time here before.

Johnny pulled out a chair and sat as he opened his cakes. "I'm really sorry I scared you," he apologized. "I've had Bobby's spare key for years. I usually stop in a lot during the summer 'cause I'm always passing through –going back and forth up the coast to different bike shows and stuff."

"You have your bike now?" Donnie asked.

"Yeah," Johnny said, gesturing with his thumb over his shoulder. "Parked right out front. Left Cape Cod at 4:00 this morning."

Debbie smiled at Donnie's enthusiasm as she watched him head to the living room window for a look.

"If I get tired on the road or just need a shower or a break, I usually stop in," Johnny explained.

Debbie smiled and nodded.

"Wow! I wanna go downstairs later and see it!"

Johnny and Debbie smiled.

"You're in the middle of cooking? Can I give you a hand?" Johnny said

Debbie smiled at the offer as the image of Johnny doing anything in the kitchen popped into her head. "Bobby and his friends certainly are turning out to be interesting," she thought, before answering.

"Oh, I was just going to make some breakfast. I figured it was the least I could do for Bobby for loaning me his couch last night."

Johnny got up and retrieved a mug, then poured himself some coffee. "I've spent a lot of nights on that couch too," he joked.

Debbie was thankful that the box of Bisquick was full. She already knew that Donnie could eat a horse, and she figured that between Bobby and his friend, she'd need to make a double batch.

A surprising revelation came upon her as she mixed the batter. Once she got over his menacing size and looked past the tattoos, she had begun to notice other things: his build, his hair, eyes, handsome face…and that voice. She was finding him quite attractive.

. . .tbc. . .