2005

Tenatively, he followed a nurse to his father's room. When he arrived, it unerved him to see Alan in a hospital gown and some tubes up his nose.The retireelooked so vulnerable and fragile right then.

"Hey..." Charlie said lamely.

"I look worse than I feel" Alan tried to assure him.

. "I'm so sorry!" Charlie began. "About everything!"

"It's okay, Son" Alan told him gently.

"When I got that call, I realized that you are my father!" Charlie said. "In every way that matters!"

"I should get heart attacks more often" Alan deadpanned to relieve the tension. He began to understand why Margaret had developed a morbid sense of humor when she became ill.

"Don't say that!"

"Sorry."

"We're gonna eat healthier from now on!" Charlie continued, wanting to be strong for his father. "I'm going to throw away all the junkfood, and there will be no more steak dinners!"

"Guess I'll have to kiss Don's visits goodbye" Alan joked. He wasn't looking forward to having to eat healthier.

"Dad!" Charlie scolded. "Don's out in the waiting room, would you like me to call him?"The professor knew that his brother was anxious to see Alan.

"Yeah!"

Charlie left the room, and before Alan knew it, Don was there. Like his brother, seeing his Dad in a hospital bed, had a deep effect on him. Alan didn't look like the man the two brothers had growun up with. Plus, it reminded him of when his mother was in the hospital. Don tried to reminde himself that this was not the same thing. Alan was here for a heart attack,and would be fine, if he took care of his health.

"How are you dad?"

"I'm fine..."

Don told his father diplomatically."I talked to the doctor,while Charlie was here, she says you need to improve you diet, and excercise more"

"My grandfather ate like I did, and he lived until his nineties!" Alan groaned.

"Your Dad wasn't so lucky" Don reminded him gently.

"I know..."

Don vowed then and there to take better care of his father, even if it meant eating baby carrots during games when he went to the house.

"She wants to keep you here overnight" Don said to Alan's annoyance. "Just to be on the safe side."

"I'm better off at home!" Alan complained. Hospitals reminded him of Margaret's illness. He had spent so much time in them for operations and chemo.

"I know it's hard, Dad, but it's for your own good. Charlie and I will keep you company" Don promised.

Alan smiled, grateful to have such caring sons.

TBC