Epilogue

Nora grabbed a towel and fled the bathroom, water dripping from her wet body in her wake.

"Bo! BO! Why aren't you answering the phone?"

Bo grumbled and rolled over. "What?" he mumbled.

"The phone? It's been ringing off the hook!"

"Sorry...I didn't hear it…"

Nora gave him a look, then picked up the receiver while toweling herself dry."

"Hello. Yes, I'm feeling much better, thank you," she said. "I have the documents...yes, I will. I'll see you in court at 9:30." She finished her call while tossing used tissues into the trash, then returned to the bathroom to do her makeup.

"You wouldn't believe the dream I had, Bo. We were living in the 40's again...I think I was born in the wrong era since my subconscious mind keeps taking me back there." She laughed. "Anyway...we lived in this big old house in an old neighborhood with all of these neighbors...and one of the women tried to seduce you! Then you had an old army buddy visit for awhile...his name was Mick. I've dreamed about him before...and we had two kids, a girl and a boy...and...Bo?" she said as she shuffled through her closet for something to wear, "are you awake? It's getting late."

Bo coughed and rolled to his back. "Yeah, I'm getting up," he mumbled putting his legs over the edge of the bed.

Nora looked at him. "Are you alright?" she asked with concern. She crossed the room and placed her hand on his forehead. "You're burning up!"

"I'm fine…" Bo began.

"You are not fine, Bo. You have a fever. Is your throat sore?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Headache?" she asked.

Bo nodded.

"I knew it! You're catching what I had. I told you not to sleep with me."

Bo looked up at her with droopy eyes. "But I like sleeping with you," he mumbled helplessly.

Nora rolled her eyes. "Get in."

"What?"

"I said, get in...get your feet in the bed. You're not going anywhere…"

"I can't stay home, Red. I…"

"Yes, you can. That place can run without you for a day. Now lie down."

Bo reluctantly obeyed, partly because he knew he was fighting a losing battle, and partly because he felt too bad to care.

"I'm calling Larry," she told him. "Until then, take one of these. It will help you sleep."

Bo bolted the pill back with a small drink of water and lay down. Nora covered him with extra blankets to ease his chilling and kissed him on the forehead. He was already drifting to sleep and into the world of dreams…

He was mowing the lawn when the Allied moving van pulled into the Westfield's drive next door followed by a new Cadillac Coupe deVille. The back doors flung open; and two children, a boy and a girl, bolted out and ran to the porch followed by a sleek blonde. When the driver emerged and saw Bo looking his way, he approached the fence separating their yards.

"Hello," he said extending a hand, "I'm your new neighbor. The name's Sam. Sam Rappaport…"

The End

After 15 months, this story (and this 1940's trilogy) finally comes to an end. I want to thank my readers for your patience. This story ended up with a mind of it's own.

And don't worry...there will NOT be another story involving Bo and Nora's new neighbor. ;)