Chapter 3

He didn't have to work late, but he still waited until almost 8 o'clock before he drove to his Dad's house.

Wait.

His brother's house. Walking in the front door, he saw his father comfortably ensconced in his recliner, reading. When Charlie had bought the house, Don had believed it was because he just wanted to keep living there, himself. Leaving for college so young, he had missed having a real home during some pretty formative years. Charlie had even admitted as much. But Don was starting to see that things were not always what they seemed to be on the surface, with Charlie. Maybe his own comfort and desires weren't all he had been thinking about. Dad could be living alone in a condo right now, going complete days without so much as speaking to another human…and if he was, would Don himself be showing up for dinner several times a week? His Dad's cooking was great — when Mom had first gotten sick, he had taken it over, and the more he cooked, the better he got. Yet was it just the food that drew Don? Or was it the warmth, the comfort…the feeling of coming home?

Alan looked up, a welcoming smile on his face. "Donnie! I wasn't expecting you tonight — but you know I'm always glad to see you!"

"Hey, Dad." Don flopped onto the couch.

Alan put his book aside and began to get up. "I didn't make dinner tonight, since it was just me. Grabbed a sandwich. But I'm sure there's something in the freezer…"

Don held up a hand. "Dad, no, I'm good. I already ate. Thanks."

Alan settled back in the chair. "I don't think there's a game on tonight, but you can check…"

Don sighed, "Man. Are those really the only reasons I ever come over here?"

Alan picked up his book again and raised an eyebrow, but didn't answer.

Don looked toward the kitchen door, then back to his father. "Just you, huh? Where's Charlie?"

Alan smiled, again. "He has exams planned for every class tomorrow. He's letting the T.A.'s proctor them. Got here about 4 and threw a bag in the car. He's going to drive down the coast until he finds either a motel vacancy or a spot on the beach big enough for a sleeping bag. Said he may have missed Spring Break, but he can still squeeze in an overnighter!"

Don nodded silently.

Alan regarded him for a moment. "I'm glad," he finally said. "He's been working hard, he could use a break. Even if it is only one night." Don still didn't say anything. "Did you have a case you wanted his help on? He didn't even take his lap top, but he'll be home tomorrow evening, I'm sure."

Don looked down at his hands and studied his fingernails. "No, Dad. I was just wondering why you said it was 'just you'…"

Alan quietly put the book aside again. "Everything all right, son?"

Don looked up and smiled. "Yeah. Colby and David are back in full swing, things are getting back on track."

"That's good." Alan waited for the other shoe to drop.

Don idly picked up the newspaper from the coffee table in front of him, scanned a few headlines and dropped it again. "Dad?" He looked at Alan again.

Alan was waiting for him, and smiled. "Yes?"

"When…When Charlie published his…his last book, and they had that dinner for him…"

Alan's smiled faded into confusion. "Wow. That was a while back, Don."

"I know. But, you were going. To the dinner. You were dressed in a suit, and then I came over…"

"I remember."

"Why did you stay here with me? I mean, that was a big deal, for Charlie. And you, as his father. You must have been looking forward to it."

Alan contemplated him silently for a few seconds before he answered. "Well…it's what we have to do sometimes, Don. Parents. You try to be sensitive to where you are needed the most. There have certainly been times when Charlie took precedence over you."

"So you…you felt like evening the score, a little."

Alan spoke forcefully. "No." His tone gentled again and he grinned to lighten his son's mood. "If you would give me those grandchildren I keep asking for, I wouldn't have to explain this." Don smiled back, and Alan continued. "I don't keep some sort of running tally, Don. I can't 'keep score' between my boys. I just do the best I can. Sometimes I make mistakes…but that night, I felt like you came here because you needed something you could only get from this place, and us. So I spoke with Charlie out at the car, and I came back in. Was I wrong?"

Don started to shake his head, then stopped. "I don't know. Was Charlie okay with you backing out at the last minute?"

Alan smiled at Don fondly. "Donnie. Your brother loves you. He could see your distress. He actually brought it up first. 'Dad, if you want to stay…', he said."

Don looked at his fingernails, again. Great. That made him feel better.

"Don, why are you asking about this now? Did you and Charlie have a fight?"

"No…David just ran into a copy of that book, and he…mentioned it, and I started thinking about it…"

Alan picked up his own book again. "Well, don't worry about it, Don. It was so long ago — and I'm sure your brother never thinks about it."

Don was just as sure that he did.