The drive continued in a very uncomfortable silence. Bobby wanted to speak –to apologize to Alex and at least get the lines of communication flowing between them.
"Even getting yelled at again would be better than this silence," he thought to himself.
He fought every urge he had to open his mouth because he realized she was right: he was grateful for the fact that he was going home and that she hadn't committed him for another stint in Fair Oaks.
As they emerged from the Holland Tunnel back to the New York side, he asked, "Mind if I turn on the radio?" That was as daring a question that he cared to venture.
"Go ahead," Alex answered flatly, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
Bobby reached for the controls and punched the power button. He relaxed back against the seat, grateful for the distraction of the noise.
First, there was static...then music filled the cab. He recognized The Pretenders.
"...It's a thin line, between love and hate..."
He lurched forward and stabbed at the button for the next programmed station as quickly as he could. The last thing he needed was to add fuel to the fire.
More static while the station tuned in properly, followed by music. This time it was Squeeze.
"If I didn't love you I'd hate you..."
Bobby let out frustrated sigh as he lurched forward again, this time hitting the 'power off' button. He sank back against the plush leather, resigned to suffering in silence for the remainder of the ride.
Alex had to fight back the smile of satisfaction that was forcing its way onto her lips. She turned her head to the left, pretending to be checking the side view mirror so that Bobby wouldn't see her enjoyment. It seemed even the 'radio Gods' were on her side.
Finally home, she maneuvered into their parking space and turned off the ignition.
As she flung open her door and climbed down out the truck, she warned Bobby, "Remember to try to act normal. I don't want a million questions from my mother and I definitely don't want RJ picking up the bad vibes."
"Right...normal," Bobby muttered and followed her up the stairs.
Alex opened the lock and Bobby, still a gentleman, reached forward to turn the knob and open the door for her. As they stepped inside, they found Alex's parents sitting on the couch and RJ kneeling on the floor between them, coloring in his book on the coffee table.
When he heard the door unlatch, RJ turned his head and smiled.
"Where's my little boy?" She smiled, teasing him.
He scrambled to his feet and headed towards the front door, giggling and holding his arms out. He ran past Alex, excitedly yelling "Daddy!"
Bobby immediately bent and scooped the little boy into his arms, wrapping him in a big hug and kissing his ears and neck playfully.
"How's my little man?" Bobby said, poking at and tickling his side.
Alex couldn't help but feel slighted, even though she knew all kids went through a phase where they gravitated to one parent more than the other. She also couldn't help the warm feeling that filled her heart whenever she saw Bobby and RJ together.
"You're home early!" Alex's mom said. "We thought you were going for dinner, too."
Alex wrinkled her nose, "Nah, we changed our minds. We ate so much junk for lunch at the car show, none of us was hungry."
"How is Lewis doing?" Johnny Eames asked.
"Oh, he's okay. Same old Lewis. He said to tell ya both 'hi!'" Alex lied again.
Bobby liked his secret revenge of seeing her put on the spot, then felt a pang of guilt. She was, after all, 'covering' for him –to help him save face with the family.
"Do-do you want to stay? Maybe eat dinner with us later?" Bobby asked, still holding RJ on his hip.
"No, no, honey," Mrs. Eames answered. "We're gonna get going. Why don't the three of you just enjoy the rest of your day."
Bobby was disappointed. At least if they stayed, Alex would keep up the charade of their happy family. Once alone, Bobby knew they'd resort to the 'silent treatment' which he dreaded.
Once Mr. and Mrs. Eames said their 'good-byes', Alex headed for the bedroom.
"I'm going to get changed."
"Okay," Bobby nodded, then kicked off his shoes and sat on the sofa.
RJ immediately climbed atop his lab, rolling a little red Matchbox® car up Bobby's arm and across his chest.
Alex emerged from the bedroom, in a comfy-looking pair of pajama bottoms and a matching yellow tank top –which, Bobby noticed, was slightly see-through and provided a tantalizing peek at her breasts when the light hit her just right. He wondered if she wore for spite.
She went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. "You want something to drink?" she called to the living room.
"Apple juice, please!" answered the tiny voice.
Alex smiled and grabbed the bottle of juice from the shelf.
"What about you, Daddy? You want iced tea? Coke?"
"U-um-um, n-no th-thanks," he could barely answer.
"You must be thirsty –and hungry. You haven't eaten all day," Alex replied.
"I'm all right," Bobby answered.
"Suit yourself," Alex mumbled, too low for him to hear.
She went to the living room and sat on the sofa, handing RJ his tippy-cup and setting her iced tea on the end table next to her.
"Thank you, mommy," he politely said, then drank. Once done with his long sip, he held his cup in front of Bobby. "Daddy want some?" he offered.
Bobby took the cup and pretended to be drinking. He handed it back and said "Thank you."
RJ climbed down and returned to his coloring book.
Alex began flipping through the channels, but found nothing that interested her. She stopped on The History Channel and set the remote down on the table.
"Y-you don't have to leave that on for me," Bobby offered. "You can watch what you want."
"That's okay," Alex answered, rising from the couch. I'm going to the bedroom to make a call. Keep an eye on him?"
Bobby nodded and sighed. He wondered whom she was calling, but didn't ask.
X X X
"Hello. Is Dr. Silver still there?"
"Yes, may I ask who's calling?"
"It's Alex Goren."
"Please hold. I'll connect you."
"Thanks."
X X X
"Alex, is everything all right?"
"Yes," she answered, swiping the stray bangs from her forehead. "I just –wanted to apologize the scene I caus…"
"Don't worry about it. You had every right to be angry. Believe me, I've seen people 'go at it' much worse."
"Well, I—I'm not normally like that with Bobby. I'm sorry you had to be in the middle of it."
"It's okay. I presume you made it home safely. He's doing all right?"
"Well, I'll admit the drive home was a bit…tense. He's um, he's in the living room with the baby. I didn't tell him I was calling you."
"If you don't mind, Alex, I'd like to say something to you –if you feel you've calmed down enough."
"Sure, go ahead," Alex said, figuring the day couldn't get much worse, no matter what the doctor said.
"I just want to ask you to remember why you married Bobby –remember how much you love him. Remember: when people are at their worst – at their most unlovable, that's when they need the love of the people around them the most."
"I know. But we're married --he knows I love him. Geez, how else could I put up with him?" she tried to joke.
Dr. Silver chuckled, relieved that she did seem calmer. "You know, Alex –Bobby's family history and his issues with abandonment. Your marriage definitely helped his security issues, but he also knows that a marriage certificate is no guaranty that you're always going to be there with him."
"Did he tell you that?"
"I'm just saying, try to be mindful and sensitive of where he's coming from. His parents were married too – but that didn't keep his father from leaving."
Alex let out a sigh.
"I know I'm asking a lot, but right now, out of the two of you, you're the stronger. He needs you."
"I know," she said and nodded.
"So, don't let him forget his appointment with me Wednesday evening."
"Oh, I won't," she chuckled again.
"Call me, Alex, if you need anything."
"Thanks, Doctor. I will."
X X X
The rest of the afternoon and evening passed without incident. Alex was being civil to Bobby, especially in front of RJ. She offered him something to eat, but he declined, saying he wasn't hungry. She knew the real reason was that he was too nervous –making his stomach too queasy to eat.
"Honey, run and get your pj's on, okay," she said to RJ at almost 9 p.m.
When the little boy toddled down the hallway, Alex turned to Bobby and said, "He's sleeping in our room. I'm calling my dad's friend, Frank tomorrow. He has a security company. I'm getting new locks on the door and all the windows and having an alarm system installed."
"O-okay," Bobby said, inwardly kicking himself for not thinking proactively as she had done.
Alex went to check on RJ's progress. He had undressed himself, but had two legs stuck in one leg hole in his jammies.
"Here, honey. Let Mommy help you," she said as she entered his room.
"I'm stuck," he laughed.
"I see that," Alex smiled. "Do you know what?"
"Uh-uh," he shook his head 'no'.
"Tonight, you're going to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's big bed!" She tried to make it sound as appealing as possible.
"Why?"
"Because," she explained, we missed you so much when we went out today, we wanna snuggle with you all night."
X X X
Alex put RJ in their bed, then stood by the living room doorway. "You coming to bed?"
Bobby looked at the clock on the VCR. "I-it's only 9:15," he answered, then immediately re-thought his answer. He considered himself lucky that she'd invited him at all.
"I am kinda tired."
"Me too. It's been a long day."
He got up from the sofa while clicking off the TV.
RJ smiled and squirmed as both his parents climbed into bed, snuggled on either side of him.
Alex kissed RJ 'good night', saying "Good night, sweetie. Have nice dreams."
Bobby followed suit, then laid still; eyes open –staring through the darkness at the ceiling.
"Good night," Alex, he managed the courage to say.
"G'night," she said, fluffing her pillow just right for a comfortable night's sleep.
About ten minutes later, she felt Bobby turn onto his side, facing RJ. He gently laid a hand across his little boy's tummy –compelled by the need to touch him and feel closer.
Alex turned and faced RJ, too. When she went to touch him, she felt Bobby's hand instead. She left it there, then patted his hand and gently rubbed it.
"Bobby?" she whispered, so as not to disturb the sleeping little boy.
"Uh-huh," he answered.
"Just because I got angry with you today doesn't mean I don't love you. I want to make sure you understand that."
He breathed a sigh of relief. She could actually feel the tension leave his body. He turned his hand palm up and Alex followed his lead, lacing their fingers together.
"I'm s-s-sorry for everything. I-I love you more than you'll ever know."
He couldn't see her smile in the darkness.
They laid in silence –far more comfortable this time—for another five minutes.
The only thing breaking the silence was their breathing –and the growling coming from Bobby's stomach.
"Peanut butter and jelly with chocolate milk sound good?" she whispered.
"Sounds great," he whispered back.
Alex unlaced her fingers, turned and swung her legs off the bed. "I'll be back in a bit," she said.
He watched her figure cross the room and, when she switched on the hall light, caught the sexy silhouette of her breasts through the flimsy material. He ached for her, but certainly wasn't going to press his luck.
"Thank you God," he whispered, still feeling undeserving. "She still loves me." He kissed his son's head.
END Chapter 35