Searching

Ch8

Note: Thanks everyone for the awesome reviews. U guys are great!!!!!!!!! For the person who wanted longer Chapters…this one should be longer than the rest, and as for combining the chapters I am just writing this as it comes to my mind and posting, thanks for the advice…I will try to make the next ones longer…Once again Thanks to everyone for reviewing…THE LEAFS RULE (sorry just finished watching the hockey game)…………HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

****************

"Alex stop fidgeting, Rick you too," said Evy as they stood waiting for the door to be opened. "I can't believe Jonathan backing out like that."

"Lucky him" said Alex

"Ditto," added Rick

Evy just looked at both of them, which immediately caused both Rick and Alex to back away, keeping the comments inwardly. She began knocking once again and just as she was about to make contact with the door, it flung open.

"Hidey ho!" saluted Rich enthusiastically.

"Hello," responded Rick amused by the man's greetings.

"Hi," said Evy as she unnoticed by Rich pinched Rick's arm.

"Won't you come in? And who is this cute little boy?" asked Rich as he spotted Alex standing behind his parents as they entered.

Alex began to grumble that he was not cute but made sure to keep it under his breath knowing that he would be in trouble if anything unnecessary was said by he. His only choice was to shake the "funny man's" hand and to greet him sarcastically as his father had done.

"Mary! The O'Connells are here," called Rich to his wife who was still in the kitchen with James.

After having gotten himself together for the past few minutes, James panic attacks returned.

"We'll be there in a second!" responded Mary, "James are you ready."

"Do you mind if I stay here for a little bit? I just need some time."

"Sure take your time, but don't stay in here forever," said Mary smiling.

As Mary joined the group in the living room, James stayed in the kitchen pondering on the situation. He could hear voices and laughter, and he so badly wanted to be out there. He wanted to have a peek before going out, but the house or kitchen was built in a way that made him unable to do so. Shyly and unnoticed, James began to make his way to the rest of the group. He stood there in silence as the others continued to converse. He watched his son and his family and something within him felt the reality of the situation. He felt real. He felt happy. He felt so many things that he would never be able to understand or explain. As he continued to stare at them, he felt that eyes had also fallen upon him. It was the boy.

"Mr. O'Connor is that your father?"

"Oh, James I didn't see you there…No, Alex this is a friend of ours his name is James."

After Alex, had pointed out James' presence, Rick's features changed. Even though it had been many years since he had seen his father, he was still able to recognize the man. Rick stayed seated as his eyes locked with James'.

"Hi," James finally managed to say as he averted his eyes from Rick to the rest of his companions.

"Hi! I remember you. You came along with the O'Connors…I mean Mary and Rich to the museum."

"Yes"

"Are you also interested in ancient artifacts?"

"Somewhat, though I have not really had the chance to study any ancient societies a great detail," added James politely.

"Dad he talks just like you. Are you American too, Mr. James?"

"Yes, I am"

James smiled towards them; this little action of his brought Rick to get angered. – What is he doing here? Did he know I would be here? Is he here for me? But wouldn't he have come directly to me? Why now? What does he want? - Were the thoughts that raced through Rick's mind as he continued to observe the man that he had once called father. No longer able to stand James "hypocrisy", as he saw it, and wanting to be as far away from him as possible caused Rick to stand from where he sat.

"Evy, Alex lets go!" said he sternly not looking at James.

"What?! What are you talking about?"

"I said let's go!"

"What has gotten into you?"

"Listen I am not asking you any questions, I am simply telling you that we are leaving. NOW!"

Rick began walking towards the door without caring for the reactions of those in the room.

"Son, don't do this," said James almost pleading.

"Son?! Sir, you have no right to call me that! My father died a long time ago and I will not allow anyone to refer to me in that manner," said Rick with his back towards the James.

Not understanding what was going on, Evy stood up speechless. She had never seen her husband act so rudely to a stranger, or to even talk to her and Alex in that way. She did know that something was wrong, so she followed him hoping to get what it was that had bothered him so much.

"Alex lets go. Sorry about that…I am…"

"Its alright," responded James as he had expected a similar response, though he had hoped for another.

End OF ch8

Please Review…that is if u want to…ok no…u have to…ok no if u want to…u have to…if u want to…don't listen to me just do as u like…