(as told by Roger Davis Sunday 7 February)
I pulled the car against the curb and just sat there. Cade was keeping Noah entertained in the back seat of the car Joanne had given me when her and Maureen had bought a better one.
"Scared?" She asked.
Hell, she didn't know the half of it.
"It's been a while...I've left everyone clueless since I left after high school. They don't know about any thing."
"Well, you're here now. Let's go."
I nodded took a deep breathe and got out of the car.
"I'll get Noah, you go ahead...it might not be great to suffocate them with two new people."
I nodded, but the door had opened before I could get a grip on my nerves, damn this was worse than playing a gig, my Mother came, nearly running, towards me.
"Roger, honey! You came!"
"I told you I would."
"And we all know how you are just Mr. Reliable." I heard my brother from the doorway.
So, honestly he's the real reason I did and didn't want to come. Growing up Scott and I always shared the spotlight, where ever he went, I went and vice versa. When you're in kindergarten being twins is cool and then it slowly dawns on you how frustrating it is by the time you hit high school. Teachers...parents...friends inevitably comparing you to each other, some girls thinking that because there is twins they can have both and then, inevitably you keep trying to beath the other, prove you can do things without them attached at your hip. Right before I left we barely spoke and the last time we did...I wish we wouln't have.
"Hey, Scott"
There was obvious tension as we both stared each other down. Damnit, after all these years I would have thought I woud have stopped feeling like I was looking in a mirror.
"Great. There's two. Hi, Ms. Davis, I'm Roger's friend, Cade, it is so kind of you to welcome us into your home. Roger has told me so much about you."
That was lie, but you couldn't blame her for trying. I could tell she was desperately trying to cut the tension as seemed her natural goal in any awkward situation.
"Funny," Scott sneered, "He hasn't said much about you, come to think of it he really hasn't said anything at all in, what has it been, Roger, ten, eleven years?"
I really don't want to have this fight not in front of Noah, not now, not anytime.
"Um...Ms. Davis, could you show me where the restroom is, please?"
And the tree of them went into the house leave Scott and I to face each other.
"Scott..come on, that fight was over eleven years ago. You won. Just give it up. I'm not who I was when that happened... and your not the same guy either."
"How the hell would you know that?"
"Because that is what time does to people, Scott!"
"Who told you that?"
He had softened, he wasn't as pissed. But his question got me, how was I supposed to answer that?
April...Mimi...Angel...Collins...everyone I've met...hell, even Maureen. Not so much in words...
"People."
He came forward and we awkwardly had a "sibling bonding moment" as we headed inside the house.
"So what brought you back here?" I tried...he still seemed...a little...pissed.
He shrugs, "Got a job at the hospital here...they were getting desperate for doctors..."
"Hold up, so it's Dr. Davis? What happened to the piano?"
"It helped pay for school. What's up with the girl?"
"Just a friend...she about to be an aunt and needed a ride and this was on the way..."
"Was that her kid?"
I laughed and then sighed, "I really didn't want to say this twice but, no, she's the babysitter, Noah's mine. His mom...she died of...complications during labor."
I heard the footsteps coming down the hallway...
"I'll explain everything to both of you."
And I did...for the most part...the only AIDS related topic was about Angel, I left out its connection to me, Mimi, or April's death. Just being here put a lot on both of them without adding that to the mix.
Mimi used to say there was something about home that one couldn't avoid...she was right.
Cade and Scott hit it right off after they finally talked civially, dicovering their similar taste in classical music and the Temptations.
Noah successfully charmed his grandmother...overall the day was good.
Except I only got three hours of sleep...
1:00 A.M.
"Roger...come on, wake up...Scott said he'd watch Noah...come on I've got to go...Mark called...Corrine's water broke about an hour ago...Gramps called the apartment...he forgot that I wasn't there...thankfully Mark was there...Come on."
OKay, so I am really not too pleased with this chapter...I wanted to get this one up tonight but I've been multi tasking all afternoon between this and the T.V...There probably won't be another chpater for a bit...maybe a week...you see, I am a very devout Catholic...and with everything going on with the Pope...I'll be spending a good majority of time (outside of school)at church.
So thanks for your patience. Let me know what you think...it obviously not the best...
Um...Thank you to.
Kelby: Okay, how about there being a twin? did you predict that too? ANd by the way I really love that story...it is sooo much better than this one...you've got some serious talent.
Carsonhier: Good length this time?...maybe...maybe not...who knows?...not me...(I probably should though shouldn't I? hmmm...better go check that out)
BwayDiva: still think it's getting better after this chapter?
Thanks everyone!
Oh...what do you guys think about Scott? Keep or put aside?