2005

"So...do you consult?" David asked.

"Actually I do" Charlie said "For the F.B.I and other..agencies. I even work with my brother on cases"

"He's in the F.B.I?"

"Yeah. He worked in the Albuquerque office until our mother...got sick, then he moved back to L.A" Charlie said.

"I heard about your mother's passing through Greg" David said gently, as he sat down on a chair around Charlie's desk."I'm sorry. She was a great mother to you"

"But not honest!" Charlie thought.

"I know you two are angry at her, but.." Larry began, and turned to Charlie. "You need to look at this from her side. She didn't want to hurt you."

"But she did!" Charlie snapped. Suddenly, Don came in.

"Hey buddy! I was looking for ya" Don began.

"Don, this is my father, David Lev. You were right! It turns out that the head of the math department knew him." Charlie said. "David...this is my brother , Don. He was the one you drew all those years ago"

"Hey!" Don shook the man's hand with mixed feelings. The artist had , on one hand been the 'other man', but his affair with Margaret had made Charlie's existence possible. Don was amazed how the man looked like an older Charlie, except for a few minor differences.

"You sure have grown since I did that drawing!" David teased.

"Guess I have" Don gave his friendly smile.

"Charlie tells met hat you're in the F.B.I"

"Yeah. I am."

"He has his own team!" Charlie boasted.

"That's great!"David said.

Larry wondered what Don was feeling.

2004

The funeral felt like a blur to Alan and Don. While they knew this day would come, living it was an entirely different matter. Charlie, while out of the garage, was in his own world during the whole thing.

Afterwards, the three of them went to the house. It felt so desolate without Margaret's presence, or warmth.

"At least she's in not pain any more" Alan said.

"Yeah..." Don nodded.

"Why did she have to get sick?" Charlie suddenly said, and started to get hysterical"Why?"

"Charlie..." Alan tried to comfort his son with all the strength he had.

"Why?" Charlie threw a couch pillow to the floor.

"Easy buddy" Don said, though he was still peeved at his brother.

"Why her?" Charlie began to pace around the living room. Then, he returned to the garage.

TBC