2005

"I knew I could count on you" Alan said,proud that he had such a generous son.

"How's Charlie?"

"He's at the Koi pond"

"Isn't it a little cold for that?" Don, from childhood, had a protective streak when it came to Charlie.

"I can't drag him inside." Alan said with a sigh.

"I know"

"I'm going to check on him" The retiree told the agent. So, father and son said their goodbyes and hung up.

2003

When Alan got up to get himself some beer;Don followed suit.

"How is mom doing?" Don made himself sound casual as he opened the fridge and got beer for the two of them.

"..Fine..very well" Alan lied.

"She seemed upset last night. You did too."

"Save your interogating for work" Alantold his eldest while opening his bottle. "There's nothing going on."

"Dad, come on! I'm not Charlie!"

2005

Alan noticed that his youngest was still at the Koi pond.

"I told Don the news" the retiree said. "He wants to come with you , for support"

"Mom should have been the one coming with me for support and introductions" Charlie commented bitterly. He threw a pebble into the Koi pond. He still was angry at his mother for not telling the truth.

"Charlie..."

"Don't 'Charlie...' me! I get enough of that from Don!" Charlie snapped, then continued. "I would have told my kid, when he or she was old enough. You knew anyway,why didn't she tell me?"

"She worried about how you would take the news." Alan said gently.

"But I found out anyway!" Charlie argued. "And in the worst possible way! Wouldn't it have been better to find out from her?"

"Hindsight is always twenty/twenty" Alan remarked softly, then added."Let's go inside, you won't be able to go meet anyone if you catch pneumonia."

"Coldness itself does not cause diseases."

With a sigh, Alan went into the house, warmed up some milk, and put some instant coco in it. If Charlie wasn't coming to the warmth, then it would come to him.

Before the professor knew it, Alan was handing him a cup of hot cocoa.

"Warmth doesn't cause disease " the retiree decided to mirror his youngest son's words.

"Thanks." Charlie tried it. The drink was as sweet as he liked it to be.

"Did I put enough sugar?" Alan asked. "You always liked it extra sweet"

"It's fine."

The two sat in silence as Charlie continued to drink his cocoa.

TBC