2005

"Amita told me that you didn't show up for classes" Larry said as he came in. "I couldn't help but think that your absence had something to do with your biological father. " He worried that maybe the artist had done or said something to disapoint or anger Charlie.

"He and I got along great! My mother is the reason why I'm absent" Charlie gave a look to his mother's wedding picture. "I've missed so much thanks to her!"

"Your mother loved you. Isn't that what matters in the end?" Larry pointed out.

"Larry's right!" Don assented.

"I didn't get to grow up with Dawn and Marc!" Charlie countered.

"But you grew up with twoloving parents and a brother who would do anything for you!" Larry told him.

"I had a right to know them!" Charlie continued.

"Why don't you and I pay mom's grave a visit" Don suggested. Maybe following David's suggestion would do his brother good.

"No! I already went for her birthday" Charlie didn't want to go.

"Perhaps, it'll do you good?" Larry suggested, knowing how sometimes his friend bottled things up.

Suddenly, the phone rang, and Charlie answered it.

"Hello?"

"It's Brian, from the homeless shelter. It's about your father.."

"What?"

"He came early to volunteer, but then he had a heart attack."

"NO!" Charlie couldn't believe it. Despite everything, he loved Alan like a father.

"What's going on?" Don demanded.

Charlie got the name of the hospital, and hung up the phone.

"Dad's had a heart attack!" Charlie said,

"Oh no!" Larry lamented. He regarded Alan as a dear friend.

"It's my fault!" Charlie wailed. "It's my fault!" The mathematician felt even more guilty about what he had said. Then, he started to feel like a terrible person for the way he had been treating Alan, as a villian. The man had done so much for him! Why did Charlie have to act this way?

"Let's calm down!" Don ordered, he too was worried sick. "And go see Dad.We're going in my car"

Quickly, the trio went into Don's black SUV.

"Dad stopped going to the doctor after mom died" Charlie mused, still in shock.

"She was the one who nagged him into going" Don shook his head.

"I should've nagged him about it!" Charlie lamented. "I live with the man!" He started to realize who unhealthy his father cooked, steaks at least once a week, one token vegetable per meal, nachos to eat during games...Too boot, the retiree didn't excercise.

Don, felt responsible as well. Hadn't his paternal grandfather had two heart attacks, and die from a stroke? Hadn't he promised his mother to take care of Alan? Wasn't he the one who enjoyed Alan's fattening meals without thinking that maybe his father should eat healthier?

Not soon enough, they arrived at the parking lot of the hospital, and were on their way to see their father. Hopefully, he would be okay.

They finally found the right floor, and were able to talk to a doctor after some waiting.

"How is he?" Don asked.

"Luckily , some of the volunteers at that shelter include an LAFD paramedic and a retired cardiologist" she said. "The ambulance came in good time, and the damage was minimal"

"When can we see him?" Charlie had some much he wanted to say.

"You can see him now, but one at a time"

Don generously said, "You first, buddy"

TBC