The next day.

I open my eyes with a deep groan. I look at the time. Ten am already? Why did no one woke me up earlier? I try to push myself up and feel a painful streak going through my head. I groan deeply again, laying my hands on my face. I close my eyes as I think about last night. I can remember everything, so this isn't a hangover. I never can remember anything when I've been drinking too much. I need to sit up. I slowly push myself up in a sitting position when I hear a knock on the door. I look at the door, trying to orientate myself.

"Enter." Frances opens the door and looks at me. I take a deep breath when I see her coming inside. "I heard you're not feeling well." She closes the door behind her. "I'm fine, who told you that?" She sits down on the bed, looking at my face. I see her little smile. "Your mother, she told me that you weren't awake early. Britney said that you had too much beer yesterday." I frown and let out a groan. "Cath said that you only had a few beers. You didn't look that drunk either. So, your mother came to check on you and saw you were turning and tossing a lot in your bed. She called me and said that you were mumbling, and you were sweaty."

I rub my face. She leans in. I watch her hand going to my forehead. I look at her face again. "You're not having fever but let me check on you." I only nod. I wonder what's happening to me. "Give me a minute. I need to get my bag." I nod again. She give me a smile. I watch her walking away and drew out a deep breath. The door opens again after a second. Britney comes inside. "Hey." She smiles as she came closer. "How are you feeling?" She sits herself down next to me. "I'm fine." I whisper. She wants to cuddle me, but I push her back. I don't feel good, so I'm not in the mood to cuddle.

Frances came inside again. I can feel Britney straightening her back, getting territorial about me. Frances looks at Britney for a second, then she looks back at me. She keeps smiling. I look in her eyes and see something else in them. "Let me check." I nod at her. She puts her bag down on the bed and takes her stethoscope out. I sit myself straighter so she can check on me, but obviously Britney didn't like it one bit.

"He's fine, you don't have to check on him." Frances looks at Britney for a second. She's not going to let herself be send away by Britney. I can see her determination to treat me, making sure I'm really alright. "Cath has asked me to check on her son. So, please let me do this for her conscious." "He just needs some rest. He will be fine." I hear her tone. I start to frown, which does hurt but I try to ignore the pain now. I'm getting a bad feeling about this. Something isn't right for sure. "Not everything is over with just some rest."

Britney stands up and crosses her arms. Frances and I look at her. Britney looks at Frances up and down, she snorts putting her nose in the air. "What do you know?" Frances' eyebrows went up at that. She holds up her stethoscope. "I think I do, last time I checked I'm still a licensed doctor." I see Britney's face changing. Was will break loose if I don't stop this immature nonsense. I sigh deeply and soundly. Making them both look at me. "Can you keep the cat fight for some other time, please?" I'm feeling anxious. I've never felt like this before. I'm worrying about what's happening to me. And why is Britney acting like this?

I look at Britney's face and for the first time in my life I feel fear washing over me. I don't know why, but my feelings are telling me that she's hiding something from me. Frances sees my expression and sits down. I look at her and I see a worry appearing in her eyes. I inhale deeply and look at Britney again. "Please, Brit, it will only take a few minutes and I'll get some sleep." She looks from me to Frances and back. She drops her arms and walks out of the room, slamming the door behind her. "I'm sorry…" I start. Frances holds her hand up. I look at her face.

"You said that yesterday as well, why are you saying sorry?" "I don't know." I sigh and lay my head against the wall and close my eyes. Frances watches me as she moves a bit. "Sit straight please." I open my eyes again and sit straighter. She checks my eyes, my ears, my throat, I watch how she checks my pulse and my lungs. She's really caring. I see her smiling as she puts her things back in her bag. "What's your verdict, doc?" She giggles and looks at my face. I take her hand unconsciously. She looks at my face with a little smile. I'm starting to get fond of that smile. I see her eyes twinkling and hold my breath.

"You remember if you've taken any medication before you went to bed?" I start to frown as I think about last night. "No, I came to bed, Britney was still awake…" I pause a little. "And we…" I stop talking as I look in her eyes. "I get it." She smiles. "I'm sorry… I went to sleep right after." I really do not know why I'm saying so much sorry to her. "Why do you think you need to apologize to me?" "I don't know." "Don't apologize, Johnny, you're with her and you're engaged. There's nothing to be sorry about." I watch her face. She's not smiling anymore. I'm sure she's not liking the idea. But maybe it's better not to talk about it. It's silent for several moments as I keep watching her face.

"So, am I okay?" She gives me that little smile again. It makes me smile and I feel butterflies. "Yeah, you need to eat a good meal and drink a lot of water today, only water. You'll feel better by this evening." I can see she's not telling me everything. I wonder what's going on. "Okay, I will do that. How's my son?" She smiles a little wider and stands up. "He was just awake, Sean too. I think they love to camp." I smile about it. "Yeah, my son loves everything I used to love when I was his age." She turns back to me and looks in my eyes. "I think you still love those things." She winks.

I inhale deeply. She lifts up her bag. "I'll tell your mother to make some good breakfast for you and that I only allow you to have water today." I only nod at her. She turns to the door. "Thanks… Baby." She turns her head and looks in my eyes. I give her a smile and she smiles back at me. She walks outside, closing the door behind her. I let the air go out slowly. I lift the blanket up and see that I'm naked. I stand up and open my suitcase. I see one of my old jeans and take one. I put them on, not bothering to put a boxer on. Though Britney wants me to wear boxers. I see my boots and take them. I put them on and went for a pee.

Mom sees me coming into the kitchen and smiles. "Here you go, son, Baby told me to give you a good meal." I sit down at the table and look at the plate. I take the fork and start to eat. "I hope you'll feel better soon." I look at her and see her worry. "I've got no idea why I feel like this." She looks at my face. She takes a glass and fills it with tap water. She came to sit down, looking at me as she hands the glass to me. I take it and sip some water. "I wish I could tell ya, but I've got no clue either. You've never been allergic to anything. I can't imagine it would be something like that." I see her deep concern. I take her hand and she sighs.

"I'll be fine, ma, don't worry too much." She looks at my face. "You know I always get worried when my babies feel sick." I give her a smile. "I love you, ma." "I love you too, son. Pa has been complaining this morning." My eyebrows went up. "Why?" "You were very loud last night… he couldn't sleep." I snort and shake my head. "I'll keep it in mind for next time." Mom chuckles. "I'm glad everything still works down there." I sip some water as she watches me. I look at her again when I take another bite from the delicious eggs. I see her serious face. "Just don't get her pregnant, okay?" She stands up. Why is everyone acting so weird today?

Mom turns to the door and I keep looking at her. "Mom?" She stops and turns. "Yes, sweetie?" I straighten my back. I think about last night. Mom sees my face and came back closer. I drink some water as she sits down again. "During the sex last night." I start and look at the food. "Something happened?" "I didn't told Brit, but I had my eyes closed the whole time. I never do that, but somehow I felt like I needed to do that." Mom watches my face and starts to smile. "Who was on your mind?" "Baby." I whisper and look away. "Did you feel like your mood would be gone if you would open your eyes?" I think about the question as I play a little with the food. She lays her hand on my arm, making me look back at her. She's still smiling as her hand rubs my arm a little.

"What's happening to me, ma?" "Everything that should've happened before you left for Juilliard." Mom stands up again. I frown as I watch her walking outside. I'm a little confused about her reply. What does she mean with that? I take a deep breath and eat the rest of the meal. I drink the last bit of water and stand up. I lay my plate and fork in the sink and fill the glass with tap water again. I'm sure I'll be pissing a lot today.

In the early evening.

I sit on the bench, drinking some water as I look at the kids playing football with Jamaal and dad. Britney is searching for Bella. Bella has been escaping from her grip the whole day now. I know Bella is in the stable with Rosco and Britney doesn't go into the stables. Mom came to me and sits down. "How are you feeling, son?" I look at her and see her smile. "A lot better, thanks, ma." I smile back at her. "Do you have any idea how this could happen?" "No, no idea." I look at the field. I see the cattle move as one, how the calves stay close to their mothers. It's always good to see new life in the world.

Mom let her hand go through my hair. I turn my head to look at her again. "I've always thought that you're the one who would make a difference." She whispers. "And did I?" She takes my hand. Her thumb strokes my fingers. I see her smiling. "Yes, you do, you show the world that it doesn't matter where you come from, or what your background is, if you have a big dream you can make it come true." I see her inhaling deeply. I keep looking at her face. "There's a but, right?" She nods. "Yes, there is…" She looks at my face. I know she wants to try to make it sound nice. She cups my jaw. "Mom?" "Your choice in women isn't one of your best sides." I look at my son. I know mom is right, but sometimes it's hard to admit such things.

"I know you don't want to hear this. You never did… but I can't look at this anymore, neither can your father or your son." I look back at her. "I don't know what to do, ma, somehow I always attract the wrong ones, maybe I just don't deserve love. I should've stayed alone with my son." I drink some water. I look at my glass as mom keeps looking at me. "You deserve all the love in this world, son." "I don't know, ma, it doesn't feel that way." I feel like there's a rock in my stomach. I don't know if it's from the way I feel now, or from the fact that mom is right. Have I really been acting desperate with Britney?

"Well, I do know, and I also know who's good for you and who's bad…" I inhale deeply through my nose. Mom keeps looking at my hair and face. I give her a reserved smile. "And Britney is bad news, son." I can see how serious she is about this. "I don't know what to think anymore, ma. Since we got here, I only get confused…" I take mom's hand. "I'm only getting more confused each time I talk about this." I sigh and look down. Mom stands up. "I can see you want to change back to the one you really are, but you're holding yourself back." I drink some water again as I think about her words. I don't want to talk about this anymore. Mom notices it.

"I'm going to finish the last things. Then I'm going to bed." I try to smile at her. She sees my face. "Good night, ma." She leans in to give me a kiss on my forehead. I watch her going inside inside. A car arrives. I turn my head to look at it. Frances steps out and walks to the house. I inhale deeply as I see her coming. I want to drink some water but notice that the glass is empty. I look at it for a second and then back up. I see her standing still. She looks at me with a little smile. "I see you're drinking water." She points at my glass. I look at it again. "Yeah, I was." I see her smiling. I can't help but smile back at her, she's definitely a sight for sore eyes. Somehow, I feel more at ease when I look at her. She sits down next to me and keeps looking at my face.

"How are you feeling?" She checks on my pulse and my eyes. Guess it's the doctor's instinct inside of her. "Much better now I got an angel next to me." I didn't plan to say that. I was only thinking it, but it did came out of my mouth. She giggles. I watch her. "You're still prince Charming." I start to grin. She smiles teasingly. We gaze at each other for some moments. I don't know how she feels, but to me this moment feels like magic. I can feel the connection, the chemistry between us. She takes my hand. I feel a shock going through my body. I feel the butterflies and I swallow. I never had this feeling before.

I start to chuckle nervously and look down at our hands. "Do you have any idea what could've made you feel so ill?" I look back up. I start to frown as I think about it. "I don't know." She turns her head. I watch her looking at someone and turn my head to see at who she's looking. I see Britney, who finally has found Bella. Frances looks back at me. "Does she use any medication or drugs?" I see that Britney is watching us. I think about the question. "Not that I'm aware off." I never saw her taking any medicine or drugs. "You should try to find that out, I wanna know."

I start to frown deeply as I look back at her. "Why?" I see her smile dropping. "The symptoms you had this morning… they were the same as from someone who went through a bad trip from drugs." She explains. I look at Britney. She smiles and waves. I wave back, so I won't make her angry. "What do you mean?" Frances looks back at me. She has been watching Britney. "First of, you were tossing around, your mother told me you were mumbling, you were totally sweaty, but you didn't had a fever… and most of all, and that's what made me think that you had drugs…" She pauses.

I keep looking at her face. "I noticed it in your eyes." "My eyes?" I'm confused. "Yeah, your pupils were wide, they didn't react to the light. People who have been using drugs always have wide pupils." I sit myself straighter. "I don't use drugs, or any medication. I never did or do." "You don't have to justify yourself. I believe you. That's why I asked if maybe your fiancée does." I inhale deeply. "You think she wanted to OD me?" "I don't know, I don't want to make any accusations, Johnny. But it does feel like she was, or is, up to something."

I take a very deep breath and stand up. "Thanks for telling me, Baby, I'll find out and tell you." She stands up as well. "Be careful, okay?" I nod. I try to smile. "Thanks, Baby, for everything." "Thanks, Johnny, for being back in Pampa." I watch and she puts her hands in her back pockets. "I'm going to say good night to my son now and then go home." She steps off the porch. "I'll see you tomorrow?" She turns her head and give me a little smile. "Of course, have a good night." I lift my hand up and wave a little.

Britney came to me with Bella and smiles. "Hey, stud." I look at her. Why is she calling me stud now? "Hey, aren't you tired?" I look at Bella and caress her little head. "Not really, you want to go upstairs and do something?" I see her biting her lip as she looks at me up and down. "You look like a hot sexy rough cowboy." "Not today, Brit, I haven't been feeling all too well today." I look at the tent and got an idea. "You mind if I sleep in the tent?" She looks at the tent. "Why? Don't you want to sleep in a comfy bed?" "I haven't been camping for god knows how long, I would love to do it again for the feeling."

She acts bored about it. "Whatever, then Beebee can join me in bed." She turns to the door. Bella begins to struggle. I watch Britney trying to hold Bella in her arms. "Beebee, calm down. You love sleeping in bed with mommy." She presses Bella more against her. Bella starts to growl. "Come on, Beebee, stop doing this, what's wrong with you?" Bella snaps, she snarls and wants to bite Britney in her face. Britney let her drop out of the reaction and holds her breath. Bella runs away and I turn a bit. She looks at me with an open mouth. "You're okay?" I see her face changing. It's going from astonishment to anger. "This is your fault!" She points at me. "Why is it my fault?" "You gave her meat! You see what happens when you give meat to a dog?" She steps closer to me.

"You really think that dogs get aggressive from eating meat? Look at Rosco." I point at Rosco who lays near the door to the stables. "That doesn't count! Rosco is old." "Old dogs still can bite, besides Rosco is infamous and loved. He has scared a lot of people, but he never has bitten someone." "Ugh! I don't need to hear your memories! I don't want Bella to eat meat! She is my dog!" I see her nostrils flaring up. I wonder why she always reacts so angry to whatever I say. "Then feed her yourself, try to feed her vegetables. Like you say, it's your dog, not mine." She growls in frustration. "I'm going to bed, and you're sleeping in the tent or somewhere else until you realize what you're doing!"

I watch her stomping inside. I look at the tent again, maybe this is for the best. It gives me at least some space to think about what my family is telling me. I walk to the tent and scratch on the opening. "Boys?" I open the tent. I see them looking at me. "You got room for one more?" Bryan's eyebrows go up. "Why, dad?" "Because I sort of got thrown out of my room." Bryan sits straight. "What happened?" I inhale deeply and kneel. Sean sits straight as well. "Well, I wasn't feeling well today, you know that." The boys nod. "Baby has checked on me just some minutes ago and told me her suspicions."

I look at Sean for a second when I said Baby, but he doesn't seem to mind. "What did she say?" Bryan asks. "She thinks that Britney has drugged me." Bryan gasps. I watch him getting angry. "Why would she do that!?" "Shh. Son, calm down." I hold my hand up. "No, dad, I don't want to calm down, I want her gone." He points at the house. I rub my face. "And you shouldn't let yourself being thrown out of your own bedroom!" He's right, I know. "I know that, but I actually told her that I would love to sleep in the tent… that was before she thrown me out." "Okay, but there's no room in the tent." I look around and smile. "You both have made a fort in here, I'm glad you are friends."

I look from my son to Sean. They smile at me. "There's another tent in the garage, my old one. I'll put that up." I stand straight. "You need help, dad?" I look at my son and smile. "I'll be fine, son. Don't stay awake too long, okay?" Bryan nods. I look at Sean. "You too, Sean, your mother will kill me otherwise." Sean starts to chuckle. "Good night, boys." "Good night." I close the tent and walk to the garage to get my old tent.

Bryan lays down and looks at his phone for a second. Sean lays down as well. He looks at the ceiling of the tent. "Your father is nice." Bryan looks at Sean. "Yeah, he's the best." Bryan lays his phone down. He turns on his back and puts his hands under his head. "Is your father in love with my mother?" Sean asks after a few moments. "I think he is, but he doesn't want to admit it." "I ask because since mom saw your father yesterday, she hasn't stopped smiling. When she came home yesterday, she told me all about him, showed me pictures from when they were young." Bryan looks at Sean and smiles.

"That's good, right?" Sean smiles. "I never saw mom smiling like she does now, ever since dad left, she became all serious." "I know what you mean, dad has been all serious too." Bryan inhales deeply. "I never saw him smiling the way he does when he looks your mother. He had told me about their childhood the day before we came here. I was so curious." Sean chuckles about it. "Your mother is really nice." "We need to get them together." Sean whispers. Bryan chuckles. "You think it will work if we do that? Mom always told me that love just happens." "Dad doesn't know how to deal with this. I know he wants to get closer to your mother, but there's the Britney factor. I know dad isn't a cheater. He's not like that." Sean sighs a little. "Let's think about a plan tomorrow, okay? Mom will be here nearly the whole day. The game events start tomorrow." Sean explains. "What's the first game about?"

"You're gonna like this, it's football. Probably your pawpaw will make the teams, he does every year." Bryan turns his head and smiles. He sees that Sean isn't smiling now. "You don't look forward to it?" Sean turns his head a little. "I'm not good in football, remember what I told you in the plane?" Bryan nods. "I love watching football, and you're my favorite quarterback of all time." Bryan chuckles. "I know it sounds stupid." "It's not stupid, we may be brothers one day." "I would like that." "Me too, and you're doing better at catching the ball and throwing it."

"Thanks, Bryan, but still I'm not really looking forward to tomorrow." "I'll make sure you're on my team." "That's really nice, but it's not that. It's just when you see the Castle's they get very fanatic about it." Bryans starts to laugh about it. Sean looks at him. "I'm a Castle too." Sean starts to laugh too. On that moment I walk by the tent and hear them laughing. "Boys." The light turns off and I shake my head a little. I put up my tent up behind the one from the boys, facing the woods. I lay my sleeping bag in it and crawl inside. I close the tent and lay down on my belly. I close my eyes and listen to the sounds. I smile and fall slowly asleep.