2005
Charlie began to think of bad scenarios about this alternate universe.
"I want to live with Dad!" He could see a teenage Don yelling. "You don't care about me, Charlie gets all the attention!"
"Charlie requires a lot of attention."
"Charlie?" David called "You okay? What are you thinking about?" The artist noticed a pensive look on his son's face.
"Nothing worth dwelling on"
2004
All too soon, the doctors told Margaret that the end was neigh a few months later, when chemo started to prove futile and the cancer mastesized. She was sent home.
Don took time off, helping his father tend to her by taking the night shift. Charlie lived in the garage.
"Let Charlie be" she told Don. "That's how his mind works"
"Yes mom" Don agreed as he seethed inside, and boxed up his resentment.
On day, she had a serious talk with Alan.
"I want you to promise me, that you'll see other people when I'm gone"
"Margaret..." he began warningly, wanting to avoid this conversation"I need to go to the market"
"Stay!Let me speak." She haphazardly tried to get her frail, pale almost hairless body to sit up.
"Easy" Alan instinctivly helped her. "Don't push yourself"
"When I pass, you're going to need companionship" she began again, when Alan had put some extra pillows behind her back."Sure, you'll have the boys, but they're going marry and have kids...one of these days." She put a cold hand over his warm one.
"I'll get a mail order bride from Russia" Alan tried to lighten the mood, while avoiding the topic.
"Get a couple for the boys, if they don't marry within a few years" she joked. "Seriously though, promise me that you'll see other people"
"Fine...I promise...but not right away" He conceded. How do you say no to the woman you love when she is dying?
"Well, I didn't expect you to put out a personal ad right after the funeral" she joked. Alan laughed to keep from crying.
TBC