Tony looked at his uncle weirdly when Modo mentioned I was having nightmares.

Throttle sighed and dropped his head. "Not again."

Tony looked at his father and tilted his to the left a bit. "What do you mean 'Not again', dad? It's happened before?"

"Yeah, it has. Before you and Ty were born. I had been sent back to Mars for intense training. I was there for 3 months before Carbine had an idea to get me back to your mother. She had nightmares while I was gone and when I came back. The nightmares started to subside over time, but, and I don't want you telling your mother this, I was tired of waking up every morning and finding her asleep on the sofa. I had been tempted to leave her during that time, but knew that could have ended badly. I knew I had to help her through her nightmares."

"I'm glad you did, dad. It sounds like you were more than worried about mom. Sounds like you were upset with her cause she couldn't stay in bed. It wasn't her fault. Did you have trouble sleeping while on Mars, dad?"

"I was too worn out to have trouble sleeping. I was worried how your mother was doing while I was gone, but I also know that she was in good hands with everyone."

"Good to know, dad. I'm sorry I didn't come to Aunt Charley's funeral 2 yrs. ago. I wanted to, but wasn't sure how to approach mom about wanting to be back in her life after so long."

Throttle smiled and patted his son on the shoulder. "I understand, Tony. I'm glad you're back in our lives again. You have no idea how much we've missed you."

"I know how much you've missed me, dad. I do talk with Uncle Modo quite a bit over the yrs. All we did was talk about you and mom. And Ty, too."

"Ty hasn't mentioned anything about you at all, Tony. I don't think he's missed you at all, but I could be wrong. I want my boys back together. I also want you to meet your new adopted brother."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

I had been on the road back to Chicago to see some friends and visit a passed one. Charley was the best friend I ever had. She never tried to stop me from doing dangerous things like working under the trucks and cars. And she never stopped me from picking things up that were more than I can carry or weighed more than I could handle.

I was about halfway to Chicago when I decided to stop in at a gas station to get gas and something to eat. I took my cellphone out and noticed the time. I was hoping that Tony or the others were still up. It was pretty late. I owed everyone an apology for what I did. I really owe Tony the biggest apology ever. I didn't mean to snap and hurt him. I should have stayed on my meds. Why did I get off them?

I looked down at my cellphone again. It had been 10 mins. since I had stopped to get gas and something to eat. I had been debating the whole time while on the way to Chicago on if I should call and explain, but I have a feeling that Throttle told both Tony and Modo that I was bi-polar and taking meds. I can imagine that Throttle was pissed that I'm off my meds for a week now.

After I got gas and put something in my stomach, I decided to call the house and see if anyone was still up, despite the time.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

11p. The house phone was ringing. Modo answered the phone on the 2nd ring. He prepared himself for the other end of the phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hey Modo. Sorry about earlier today."

"Why didn't you tell me you were bi-polar, Michelle? What were you afraid of? That I might not understand?"

"Yeah actually. I was afraid you would see me differently. Think I wasn't…"

"Wasn't what?"

"Normal. I'm so sorry, Modo. I should have told you. Please forgive me?"

"Of course I do, darlin'. I know you didn't mean to hurt Anthony. Throttle told me about your disorder, as well. That's how I know you are bi-polar. Just come home and we can all talk."

"I'm halfway between there and Chicago. Thought I'd see some friends and say a few things to Charley. I miss her, Modo. She was my best friend. Never stopped me from doing dangerous things or lifting heavy objects."

"She knew better. I have a flower shop there that delivers flowers to her grave every year for her birthday. They should be there today since it would have been her birthday today."

"I'm glad she's still loved even after death. I know I'm nothing like Charley, but…"

"Hold on a min. I don't expect you to be like her, Michelle. I want you to be yourself and no one else. I loved Charley for her. I love you for you, disorder and all. All I ask is that you be upfront with me from here on out."

"I give you my word. No more secrets. Are Throttle or Tony still awake?"

"No. They're both at the other house on the property. Want me to call him?"

"No. I'll call him in the morning. I'm gonna try and make it to the garage before traffic starts to get bad."

While we were talking on the phone, someone walked into the house. "Hold on a min., darlin'."

Modo put his cell phone down to see who had walked into the house. He walked into the kitchen and saw Throttle walk through the mudroom.

"You ok, bro?"

"We need to talk, Modo."

"Let me finish my conversation with Michelle, then we'll talk."

"Actually, I wanna talk about her. Nothing bad, don't worry."

"Should I put the phone on speaker?"

"No. I need your opinion on her."

"Ok. Let me finish up with her then we'll talk."

Throttle nodded then walked over to the table to sit down. Modo walked back over to the coffee table and picked up his phone.

"Darlin', Throttle came by to talk, so I'll let you get back on the road, just be careful on the way there and text me when you get there."

"I will, Modo. Tell Throttle I'll call him sometime tomorrow."

"Will do." Then he hung up. He walked back over to the table and pulled out the chair and sat down.

"So, why didn't you want Michelle to listen in?"

"Cause if she's on the road, I'd rather not hear her get upset or crash. Besides, I need your opinion on what I'm about to ask you."

"Ok. Should I be worried or concerned?"

"Not sure yet. We'll have to see after we talk."

So, Throttle told Modo how he still felt about Michelle.

Modo wasn't sure how to respond to what Throttle just told him.

"I didn't mean to cause a problem between you and her, big fella."

Modo finally found his voice. "You didn't cause any problems, bro. I had a feeling you still had strong feelings for her. I get that. I still feel like I'm betraying Charley's love, but I also know that she would want me to move on. I just had no idea it would be your ex. Let me talk to her and let her know that you still have strong feelings for her. I might have an idea that might benefit both of us."

"What do you mean? I'm not asking you to break up with her, Modo. I don't want you to do that."

"When I said 'that it would benefit both of us', I was referring to an open relationship, then open marriage."

"You would allow me to date Michelle even though she's with you now? How do you think she's going to feel about this?"

"That's why I'm going to talk to her about it. Its just an idea right now. I want you and her to think about it. And yes, I would be fine with you dating her again. I know it would make the boys happy again, but I know its more of what you need. Under all that "happiness" is a miserable guy who lost the love of his life. I can't see you like this anymore, Throttle. It hurts me to know that you're not truly happy anymore. Michelle made you the happiest I've ever seen you. Not even Carbine made you this happy."

"That is true. I was very happy with Michelle, but…"

"Just think about the idea, ok?"

Throttle nodded. "Sure. I'll think about it. Thanks for listening, Modo. I'm glad you didn't get upset."

"I can't get upset with you, bro. You're being honest about how you feel about Michelle and I understand. Why don't you head back to Anthony and both of you come in around 8a. I'm making breakfast."

Throttle smiled. "Sounds good, Modo. Thanks for understanding."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

I had finally arrived in Chicago at around 6a. I stopped in at the garage and noticed that there was a sign on the big sliding door.

'Closed for family emergency. Closed 'til further notice.' "That's…odd. I wonder what happened."

I got back into my car and headed for my old place. I had called Nosedive while on my way back to Chicago and told him that he could live there instead of staying in the loft above the garage.

I texted Modo to let him know that I arrived in Chicago safely. He called right after I sent the text.

"Morning, big guy."

"Mornin', darlin'. Have you stopped by the garage?"

"Yeah, I did. There's a sign om the door that says its closed 'til further notice due to a family emergency."

"I'll call Rimfire and find out what's going on, then I'll call you back. Where are you headed now?"

"To my old place. I let Nosedive have it, but I'm paying the rent on it for him."

"Throttle said you always put everyone else first before yourself."

"Yep. I'm gonna make sure Nosedive is ok."

"Be careful, ok. I lost Charley, I don't wanna lose you too."

I smiled. I knew he couldn't see me smile. "I promise I'll be careful. I'm hoping everything is ok with Rimfire and Christina."

"Me too. I'll let you know." Then I hung up. I had arrived at my old place and sat out front while I was on the phone with Modo.

After I put my phone away, I got out of my car, locked it, then headed up to my old place. I still had a key, so I let myself in.

I called out to Nosedive. He was in the spare bedroom, playing video games. He turned it into a gaming room. I walked in and loved the 65" flat screen TV he had.

"Damn, Dive. Think you need this big?"

He looked at me. "It was free, so I'm not complaining."

"Free is good. What's with the garage being closed 'til further notice?"

Nosedive shut the game console down and put the controller away, then had me take a seat in the other gaming chair next to him.

"Didn't Throttle tell you when he showed up at your place?"

"Tell me what? What happened?"

"Some crazy, smelly dude came to the garage while Christina, Fourby and I were working. They open fired and we scrambled to find safety. Unfortunately, Christina was hit directly in the head. Someone in that guy's group is a sharp shooter cause that was the first shot that was fired. She was hit with deadly accuracy."

"Oh god! How's Rimfire taking the news?"

"He's tore up. He's going to have his wife buried next to Charley."

"I had no idea it had gotten that bad. Brie is a nutcase, but I had no idea that he would go this far."

"What makes it even worse is that they had a 6yr. old son."

"They started having kids late in life. They're like, in their 40's."

"Rimfire is 35 and Christina was 36."

"Doesn't seem like its been that long since I saw them. Damn." Just then, my cell started ringing. I took it out the case and looked to see who was calling. It was Modo.

"Hey."

"Rimfire told me what happened."

"I just found out from Nosedive. I am so sorry, Modo."

"Christina was family. When you do come back, please bring Rimfire and his son with you."

"I can try, but I can't make them come with me. It has to be their choice."

"I know, but he wants to bring his son to live with us in the other house."

"If that's what he wants, then I'd be happy to bring them. Again, I'm so sorry."

"Thanks, darlin'. What do you plan to do while there?"

"Not sure. I was going to take Rimfire, Christina and everyone out to lunch later today, but not right now. I'm probably gonna get some sleep since I drove all night. I might go see how Rimfire is doing later today, though. I understand what he's going through. I had lost my parents decades ago."

"I'll let you get some rest and I'll call Rimfire and let him know that you'll be by later today."

"Ok, Modo. Again, I am so sorry for your loss." Then I ended the call.