CHAPTER 6: FATHER AND SONS

Linus, Audrey, and Rerun made it back to the hotel where they were staying. Rerun was visiting Linus and Audrey's room before he went back to his room. Linus wanted to talk to him before he went to bed. It was about the text he received from their father, Larry.

"He wants to talk to us?" asked a cautious Rerun.

"Apparently," said Linus. "He also promised that he wasn't trying to get us to go to the funeral in a few days. He said it does pertain to Lucy, and her treatment of us."

"Now I'm curious about what he wants to talk to us about," said Rerun.

"Same here," said Linus. "It's not too late, I can call him if you want."

Rerun thought about it for a few seconds, then he said, "Do it, bro." Linus dialed their father's number. It rang for a bit, then Larry answered on the other line. "Hello?"

"Dad, it me, Linus," he answered.

"Linus, I'm so glad you called me back," Larry said, happy to hear from his eldest son.

"Before we start talking, is mom anywhere around? Because I don't want her to be in on our conversation. Rerun and Audrey are here with me."

"Hey, dad," said Rerun.

"Rerun, how are you, son?" asked Larry.

"Okay, I guess. I've been staying clean and off drugs."

"That's great, Rerun. Anyway, to answer your question, Linus, I'm not even at home right now. Your mother is with your Aunt Marion, taking care of the funeral plans."

"Of course, she is," said Linus. "Okay dad, I should let you know all of us are in town already."

"You are?!"

"Yeah. We got in last night. We didn't want to tell you right away because of what's been going on with us. But even though we're letting you know this, we don't want you to tell mom we're here. Not yet, at least. Can you promise that?"

"Yes, I can. Trust me, I am not on your mother's favorite person list as of recently, due to disagreements about how she handled Lucy's situation."

"Come again?" asked Linus.

"We had some disagreements about how she handled the situation with Lucy."

"What kind of disagreements?" asked Rerun.

"Well that what I want to talk to you about. Which hotel are you all at?"

"The Pine downtown," Linus said. "They have a bar downstairs. It's still open. Do you want to meet there?"

"I can swing that. Give me a few minutes and I'll be there."

"Okay, dad. Rerun and I will be waiting for you. I'll see you then."

"See you in a few, son." And Linus hung up his phone.

"So, you're finally going to talk to your dad?" said Audrey.

"Yeah, I guess we are," said Linus. "Unlike mom, who always made excuses for Lucy, dad seemed to side with us. Mom made it hard for him to make any disagreement stick. I think dad suffered like we did, without the abuse, though."

"Well, do you want me to come with you guys?" asked Audrey.

"No," Linus replied. "This is something Rerun and I need to do ourselves. Just give me a call if you have any contractions with the baby."

"Okay, I'll do that, Linus. Good luck." And the couple kissed each other. And Linus and Rerun went downstairs to wait for their father at the bar.

TO BE CONCLUDED…

NEXT UP: PART 3 (THE FUNERAL)