2004

Don sighed. It was Mother's Day, but he had been called and so he had to go to work at four in the morning. He had wanted to go visit his mom's grave with his Dad and brother, but now would have to make do sneaking away sometime during the day. It was the least he could do. She was his mother.

Terry understood, and agreed to cover for him. With that, he went to her grave.

"I miss you mom" he said sadly, while putting in the flowers. Then he began to regret all the Mother's Days he didnt' come to visit because of work. "I'm so sorry!" He gently touched the gravestone, and left.

That evening, Charlie brooded and just stared into space. He hadn't come to grips with his mother's death.

"Dinner's ready" Alan said gently.

"I'm not hungry" Charlie said flatly and shook his head.

Come to think of it, Alan didn't really feel hungry either. He started to remember her first mother's day. Don was an infant.

The trio went to breakfast. It was packed, and they had to wait quite a while for a seat.

"Ga!" the baby started to get fidigity in Margaret's arms. Alan took him and gently, but suddenly, lifted him.

"Whoa!" he told little Donnie.

"Ga!" the baby smiled.

Then they played peek a boo.

"boo!' Alan would say as he uncovered his face and little Donnie would laugh.

"He's lucky to have you as a father" Margaret said with a grin.

"Now all he needs is a brother to play with" Alan thought, but knew better than to bring up the subject.

Then, a couple with twins about Don's age came in. Alan and Margaret looked at each other.

"Poor woman!" Margaret comiserated in a whisper.

"Imagine having two Dons around the house!" Alan shuddered.

Finally, they got their table, were seated, put Donnie in a high chair, and looked at the menus.

2005

After a while, David decided to take his son home. When they arrived Charlie grumbled

"My love and purchase of that house is based on a lie!" He looked bitter.

"Well, it's the only one you've got" David said gently, and wrote down his number on a scrap of paper and. "Call me."

The artist walked him to the door. Charlie clumsily opened got the key from his pocket and opened the door.

"Charlie?" Alan was still up.

"He had a little too much to drink." David said. "The trauma of this day has been hard"

"I'll make sure he rests." Alan quickly lead Charlie to a sofa and gave the artist Charlie's cell and home phone.

"Call anytime" Alan said.

"I just might take you up on it.He was so upset at dinner" David nodded.

"He was very close to his mother" Alan whispered.

"I hope he can eventually forgive her" David mused.

"So do I, David, So do I"

TBC