Gary opened the door and let it swing open. He and Henry stood in the door way for a few minuets before entering. Bu how the appartment was left you could tell Erica was running late the priviouse day. There was a blanket scrunched up in the corner of the love seat, a few dishes on the table, and some clothes skattered around the laundry basket at the end of the hall. He smiled. Typical Erica fashion never being able to make up her mind, exspeciall when it came to what to wear. He and Henry walked into his bedroom and Henry went over to his closet pulling out his suit case. "Pack as much clothes as you can ok? We can put the rest of your belongings in bags." Gary told him grabbing a hander with a dressy outfit on it. He walked over to Henry's bed and layed the outfit on it smoothing it out. They emptied out this dressers and closet and put his toys and other things in garbage bags. "I'm going to go clean out the fridge while you finish up in here ok?" Henry nodded. If you need anything I'll be right down the hall." He said pointing out the door. "Ok" Henry replied. Gary sighed as he slowly walked out the door. He walked out in the appartment. Her answering machine was blinking. He hisitated. Should he see who it was? It was her privite phone line though. But it could be important. Gary's finger hit the play button. "You have one message. Tuesday April 9th." The machine informed. "Two days ago!" Gary said questionably. "Message one. Beep." "Erica hi Adison just confirming tonight. I thought maybe after we could stop and you can introduce me to some of your friends. I know I've been nagging about the subject but I've just been so tied up at work as of late that I really need to get my social life back in order. Maybe I can meet that Gary fellow that you talk about constantly. But our main objective for tonight finalize the plans for our high school reunion! Call me back." The machine clicked off. Gary let out a deep sigh of relief. It was only a high school reunion and not a date.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
"We ask now that you all join hands as we say good bye to Erica Lynn Paget. Mother, daughter, and dear frined of so many." The pastor stated as they lowered the casket into the hole. Anika and Jake stood on the opposite side of the McGinty's crew lowering their heads trying to to watch their daughter leave this world. Tears dripped from their eyes and splashed onto the ground below. Gary held Marissa asshe also cried and Parick was holding a now hyistartical Henry. "You know what guy's I'm going to take him to the car we'll meet you there." Patrick said to Gary and Marissa. They nodded and Patrick carried Henry back to the car while reasureing him. Gary finally heard the thud of the casket hit botton. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This was it she really wasn't comming back. For the past days no when someone softly knocked on his office door or when a waitress called out his name he looked up quickly only to realize it wasn't her. He knew it wouldn't be her but the thought was all to new all to sudden, Erica wasn gone and not comming back. He looked up from the ground to realize more of the people hand left and only Anika, Jake , his parents, Marissa, Chuck, Jade and himself were left. Gary closed his eyes and put a hand on the side of Marissas head resting it on his chest. "It will be ok," he wispered gently kissing the top of her head, "Let's get you to the car and back to McGinty's." She nodded and he led her over to where Patrick was waiting with Henry. Patrick opened the door with his one free hand and Gary led her into the car and closed the door after Patrick and Henry were in. They wound down the window. "I will be right back ok?" "You be careful you hear me! This isn't the time to be running around the city playing hero Gary!" Marissa informed. "He'll be find right Gare?" Chuck said from the drivers seat, Jade was beside him. "I will be Marissa don't you worrie." He said as they slowly pulled away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gary looked up from his paper "Adison devestates Madison!" He said rolling the paper up and stuffing it in his back pocket as he entered the building. He casually walked onto the elevator and hit the floor of Adisons office. The woman looked him over, silently studying him. "Thats it! Thats where I know you from. Your that... that Hobson fellow that helped save Mr. Takarski's life a few days ago!" The woman said. "I...a...guess you can say that." He replied. "I', his receptionist remeber?" You know you were really something." "Uh.. thanks." They got off the elevator. "Has anyone een up to his office today?" "Umm no.. no I don't think why do you ask?" "No reason." "What are you doing back here?" She questioned stopping infront of the elevator entrance. "Well...Adison ya see he told me to grab something off of his desk for him and bring it to the hospital." "But Mr. Tacarski is out of the hospital." "Yea that's what I said." She gave him a questioning look. "I don't think you should go in there though...that police tape is there for a reason." He started walking backwards down the hall. "Oh no really.. I wouldn't be more than a minuet. Promise!" He reasred her. A man walked out of a door closing it and pausing to look over his belongings. He smiled and started walking down teh hall still looking over his things. "Watch out for the..." The receptionist started. Gary turned around and ran smack into the man. The folder of papers went everywhere "Man behind you!" She finished. "Now look what you've done!" He yelled. "It was an accident!" Gary yelled back. They both crouched down on the floor and started picking up the papers. "I can do it myself I don't need your help!" He yelled again. "Oh ok tough guy you wanna do it yourself then go ahead... do it yourself!" Gary said tossing the papers he collected in the air. One fell on his lap and he picked it up ready to toss it again but stopped. He grabbed for two other pages next to him. "If I may ask why do you need personal infromation on Adison Tacarski?" The man froze. "Well?" The man grabbed the papers out of Gary's hand and got up. "I don't know what your talking about!" He stared wakling down teh hall. "Hey! I'm not donw with you yet!" Gary yelled down teh hall after him. "And I'm own with you yet!" Someone said behind him placing a hand on his back. "Hobson what are you doing here?" He didn't answer. "Hey Hobson why don't you leave playing inspecter gadget to us?" "Brigatti nice to see you too as always," he turned to Armstrong," Armstrong can I help you?" "O--h yea! Your comming with us down to the station!" Gary looked down at his watch. "Ad fun as that sounds kids I gotta go catch a will reading." He started down the hall. "But you know where to find me!" Gary jumped into the elevator. They followed him but got to the elevator to late. Brigatti slammed her hand against the door. "No Man can get to me like that!" She yelled Armstong laughed. "No man can get to YOU at all!" She put her hands on her hips and gave him a look. Gary got off the elevator. He stopped the gaurd at the door. "Did a man about this high," held up his hand, "with blond hair carring a folder leave about five minuets ago?" "A lot of men with blond hair, this high, and with a folder left around 5 minuets ago look around this is a law firm. And besided the higher powers that be held a press confrence. With Adison out and in legal trouble were losing a lot of business!" He replied. "Thanks for nothing pal!" Gary said haeind for the door but stopped. He took a few stpes back and saw on the wall to the right of him a huge picture of Madison Towers whole staff. He ran his finger down row one though four but stopped at row five the eleventh person in. "That's him!" He exclaimed. "Thats who?" The gaurd asked. "That's the man the blond haired man with the folders!" "THAT is Jackson Carter." "Ya don't say!!!" "Yep second best lawyer we got... next to Adison Takarski that is." "Hey thanks you've been a huge help after all!" Gary said running out the door. "No problem... I think." Brigattie and Armstrong stepped out of the elevator. "Hobson!" Brigatti said furiously stamping her foot on the ground. "Where'd he go?" Armstong asked the gaurd. "What do I look like the town busy body?" He retalitated. Armstrong picked him upp and slammed him against the glass window, the whole office was made of glass. "You wanna tell me what you know or do you want to test the thory and really see if these are made of unbreakable glass?" "I know nothing..." he paused, "all I know is that he was interested in Jackson Carter!" Armstrong loosend his grip and let him slid down teh window to his feet. He turned around "Brigattie pull up the file on Jackson Carter." He ordered. Brigattie got on her cell phone and they started for the door. "Thanks for your help... but if I find out you lied to me in any way shape or form you'l be regreating you had for the rest of your life!" Armstrong concluded.
~*~*~*~*~
Gary held the ripped out phone book page in his hand as he knocked on the door. "Just a minuet!" Someone called from inside. Adison aswered the door. "Can I help you Gary?" "You most definitly can!" Gary said pushing his way into Adisons appartment. "Make your self at home." Adison called shutting the door. Gary turned around to face him. "You lied to me!" "About?" "Somewhere in your office there are files... documents records oh I don't know what the hell they are, but that doesn't matter what matters is the fact that your lied to me. You said you had no proof! So what... did it magically appear all out of the sudden now!? Huh?" "Gary calm down. I can see how your upset, but if that information would have leacked out that I still had proof she's lying she would be back for it! I had only met you what 10 minuests ago at the time. I didn't know if I coulnd't trust you or not. Could you blame me!" Gary thought it over. "I guess not but listen to me Adison you've gotten yourself into a real pickel with out even knowing it!" Adison gave him a questioning look. "Jackson found your document's you were going to use to clear your name and stole them." "What?! I never would have thunk it! O Well." "What! O well?" That's it?" Adison laughed. "Gary do you take me for a fool? I have back ups of it on disks. But even there not safe. Gary you need to do me a favor. I need you to go to my office. Under the fourth ciling ile for the left in there are two disks." "oh no.." "Gary you must if she gets them.." His voice trailed off. "Fine!" "Bring them tomarrow 8 pm sharp!" Gary sighed. "Ok ok, I'll do it!" He said heading towards the door. "Tomarrow 8pm sharp." Gary concluded shutting the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Shall we begin?" The lawyer asked. Lois looked at her watch. "Gary would
have liked to be here.... I wonder where he is." "Check the fire department."
Jake yelled across to them. "How dare you!" Bernie yelled back. " I mean what kinda boyfriend would leave their girlfriend, a mother of a small child in a burning down house!" Jake stated. "Gary was found in the house trying to save her he put his own life on the line!" Chuck stepped in. "Yea it shows!" Anika shouted. "Enough of this!" The lawyer yelled. "I personally have places to go and as harsh as that might sound, and your all acting childish! And I'm not going to sit her and listen to this and have my time wasted!" She concluded. "Your right. Go on." Lois informed. "Thank you! Now as I was saying." She pulled out a piece of paper. "All of the money in the savings account goes stright to Henry. All of the jelrewy that she posesses goes to Marissa...." Her voice faded out.
~*~*~*~*~
When he got out onto the street he checked his watch. "5:01!" He raised his hand. "Taxi!" One pulled up and he got in. "Where to?" "McGintys." He stated. Gary looked down, the cat sat next to him. It pawed the paper that was rolled up in his hands. "What? I couldn't stop Jackson! You know what Marissa says somethings are just ment to happen!" It continued to paw at it. Gary opend it up and showed the cat the front page. "See nothing!" He turned it around. "What? Ohhh.. no I dont have the time for this I'm late as it is." It meowed. "Fine!" Gary yelled. "Fine?" The driver questioned. "Fine day isn't it? Um would you make a quick stop at 173 Laurel Ridge Road?" Sure but its's gonna cost ya." He informed. "I don't care just drive!" Gary told him. "Danny Britani a door to door vaccume cleaner salesman of Chicago was severly injured yesterday at 5:00 pm when a local residence dog attacked him." He stopped reading at the sight of the house. "I'll be right back." Gary said getting out of the cab. "5:08..." Gary informed himself. Danny came out of the neighbors house. "Uhhh.... Danny Britani?" "Yea?" "Umm hi I'm Gary Hobson owner of McGinty's restaurant and bar." "How can I help you," he stuck out his hand, "by the way love the wings." "Why thank you. Actually I.. uhh... was wondering why your out so late! You need to get home." Danny smiled. "Thanks for your concern Mr. Hobson but I really need to sell my sweepers cause if I don't my boss is going to be down my throat!" He started walking away. "Danny!" Gary ran up next to him. "If you stop now I will buy all the sweepers you have with you." "But that's 7 sweepers." "I'll take them." Gary said hesitantly. "Are you sure?" "Positive. Drive back to McGinty's with me so I can write you out a check." "Uh ok sure I'll follow you there." Danny said walking towards his van. He turned around. "Mr Hobson.." Gary turned around. "Yea?" "Thanks your a swell guy." "Oh... uh it's nothing. Nothing at all!" Gary got in the cab."Anymore pit stops?" "McGintys thats all!" Gary shot back. "Alright geez!"
~*~*~*~
Gary and Danny walked into McGintys. Chuck ran over to them along with Marissa. "Gary were have you been we've been worried sick!" She stated. "I'll explain later. Um Chuck, Marissa this is Danny Britain. Danny this is Chuck Fishman and Marissa Clark. Patrick go get my check book in my desk drawer and then you can be done for tonight. "Uh sure Mr. H." He said going into Gary's office. He came back out. Gary sat at the bar and opened up his check book. "So how much do I owe ya?" He questioned. "12,370.00" Danny stated. Gary flitched as he wrote out the check and handed it to Danny. "Thanks Mr. Hobson pleasure doing business with you." Danny said exsiting McGintys. "Sweepers?" Chuck questioned. "Yea Merry Christmas." Gary said handing Chuck a sweeper. "It's April." Marissa laughed. "Heres one for you too." He said pulling one over for Marissa. "Night Mr. Hobson." Patrick said as he started for the door. "Hey Patrick wait." "Yea?" "Heres a bonus for ya." He pointed to a green sweeper. "Gee thanks Mr. H. but I don't have any carpet." "Then sell it on E-bay just get it out of here!" Gary said. Patrick took the handle of it and dragged it out the door. Gary turned to Marissa. "How did the will reading go?" "Well...uhh... depends on which aspect you look at. To sum it up it was a shocker!" Marissa stated. "Yea Erica wasn't one for being plain and simple! Wheres Jade Chuck?" Chuck took his eyes off of the sweepers. "Uhh actually shes upstairs with Henry." "Oh good he didn't leave yet. I wanted to say good bye. So when are Anika and Jake coming for him?" He looked at them both. "Well Gary it's funny you should ask that ..... because there not." "Hows that?" "There was a clause so to say in Ericas will," Chuck pulled a piece of paper out of his back pocket, "stating that if my beloved parents are unable to provide the care needed for Henry then custody will be granted to Gary Hobson and he shall become his legal gaurdian." Gary laughed then slapped both their backs. "Thanks you guys. That's nice of you to try and cheer me up. You both almost had me their! If any of you need me I'll be in my office." He started walking away. "Gary!" Marissa yelled. He turned around. "Yea?" "Gary were not kidding this is no joke. You are Henry's legal gaurdian!" "What!? Marissa that can't be!" "It is Gary!" "But... I ... I didn't sigh up for this or even voulenteer for that matter!" "Were talking about a child! Not a charity event Gary!" "I know... I know I'm sorry its's just .. why me!" "Well the kid likes ya thats all." "Yea well I like the kid too hes a great little kid. But cha know what I don't need a fan club right now and you wanna know why... because my life is complicated enought thats why. I mean I can barley take care of myself how am I going to take care on an eight year old and all of Chicago," he said pulling out the paper. "I... I don't know. I mean he can stay here with me and Patrick while your "out". " He slowly sat down at the table next to him. "No... no ... I...I...I can't do this I...I always promised myself I would be a great dad and be their for my kids. I promised myself I wouldnt never miss them growing up. But with the paper...I I can't see him off to school or help him with his homework, take him to the park and play base ball with him, I get home to late usually to even tuck him in at night!" Marissa sat down next to him. "You have so much love to give Gary and Henry adores you. It's going to be hard at first but we'll get though it. I promise. " Gary laid his head down on the table and didn't pick it back up.