"I'm not eating that, it tastes like sawdust!" Alan pushed away the rice cake that Charlie had handed to him. It was a few weeks later and Alan

was discovering that following doctor's orders was easier said than done.

"Come on Dad, they don't taste that bad." said Charlie. He was getting a little annoyed.

Alan gave an exasperated sigh. "Can't I at least have some pretzels or something?"

Charlie shook his head. "No Dad. You heard what the doctor said. They have too much sodium."

"I can't stand being told what I can and can't eat. I'm a grown man, for crying out loud!"

Charlie rubbed his eyes. He was getting a headache. "Come on, Dad. I'm eating this stuff with you."

Alan gave a short, bitter laugh. "Yeah, then you go over to Don's and eat his food."

The negative feelings Charlie had been trying to suppress came to the surface. "Dad you have to do what the doctor says. You need to take

care of yourself. You could die!"

Alan was fed up with his son acting like his father. "So, what? You'll just hide in the garage and work on that stupid math problem like you did

when your mom died!"

Alan regretted the words the instant they left his mouth. He knew Charlie still felt horrible about doing that. Alan wanted to take back his cruel

words but it was too late.

"Charlie wait, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

But Charlie had already ran out the door. He picked up his bike from where he left it in the front yard and took off down the street as fast as he

could go. He only slowed down when his legs started to cramp up. Looking around, Charlie saw that he was in front of a cemetery. Getting off his

bike he walked it among the graves until he came to a small white headstone beneath a tree. Leaning his bike against the trunk, Charlie sat down, knees pulled up to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs. Tears stung his eyes.

"Mom...I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. I swear to God I am. Dad says you understood. But-I'm not sure I believe him. I'm scared, Mom. Dad's

been having health problems lately and he's not doing what the doctor says. I don't know what to do Mom. I don't want to lose Dad too." Charlie sat there in silence, almost as if he expected an answer. Red streaked the sky before he got up and rode home. When he arrived, there was an ambulance in the driveway.

Stay Tuned...