2004

Alan didn't say anything, though he could see the redness and puffiness around Charlie's eyes. The ride home was silent, as the professor stared into the window, while taking refuge in his own little world.

The next day, the retiree went to do his volunteering at the homeless shelter. A co volunteer reminded him of a younger Margaret, and he found himself staring at her until she gave him a dirty look. Kicking himself, Alan made an extra effort to focus on the work.

Don found himself thinking about his mother, and remembered a conversation they had during one of his visits. This was abouta year before she got sick.

"I'm sorry Donnie" she had said. Margaret wore jeans and a 'happiness is being a grandmother' shirts. Probably as a hint.

"About what mom?"

"About giving Charlie all the attention." she looked at him sadly, while putting away some dishes.

"Mom...it's not your fault that Charlie was..."

"It wasn't your fault either!" she argued before Don could finish.

"You're the blood of my blood, Don, yet I neglected you when Charlie's abilities became apparent, and when opportunities I should have ignored came along..." she trailed off.

"Huh?"

"The point is that, if I were to die tomorrow, I want to express my love today, so you won't be in doubt of it." She finished, kissed him on the cheek, and gave him a hug.

Terry interupted his thoughts with a lead, and work occupied his consciousness for the rest of the day.

2005

"Charlie? You're home!" Alan tried to sound casual.

"Da..This is David" Charlie introduced his biological father simply.

"Boy is this awkward" the artist thought, but said. "Look, I sorry about the affiar..."

"I've been over it for years" Alan said.

"Just for the record. She's the one who broke it off." David said.

"She explained that to me" Alan told him, thinking of the irony of the situation. The 'other man' wasin the house, and had met Charlie.

"I was just showing him some photos" Charlie said nervously, and wondered if Alan was going to say something harsh. "I'm going to scan and make copies of them.

"I see." Alan said. It was surreal to met his wife's ex lover in the flesh. The fact that this man was Charlie's biological father, made things even more complicated.

"You've got a very nice house. I'm glad that Charlie was brought up in it" David said, and meant it.

"Thank you."

"And thank you for being a father to Charlie" the artist added. While annoyed about never getting to met Charlie before this, the artist mostly blamed Margaret, and saw Alan as an accomplice.

"I love him like a son" Alan said.

"Can I ask you something" David requested.

"Sure..."

"When she was sick, did Margaret ever have any intention of telling Charlie the truth?" David knew he was treading on eggs.

"She and I talked of many things, during her last days..." Alan didn't want to make things worse.

"Dad! Haven't you lied enough!" Charlie interupted with a yell"Tell us the the truth!" All his anger at Alan and his mother rose again.

Reluctantly, the retiree admitted "She...made me promise that you'd never find out..."

TBC