Chapter Five

Brother's Again

"Hey you two, remember us?" Alex says as she walks out of the kitchen. The look on Bobby's face makes Alex smile.

"Leslie. Are you ready to go?"

"Frank if you'd rather do something else besides going to the antique show I'll understand."

Alex grabs a hold of Bobby arm. "I wouldn't mind going to that."

Bobby gives her a questionable look. "Go right ahead, have fun."

"I was telling Alex about the show."

"Come on. Come with us." Frank says. "I have never been to one but Leslie told me that they have food and sell beer. It will give us something to do."

"Sure, why not."

That Afternoon

"Frank, when was the last time you saw Claire?"

"Over eight years. Why in the hell would she want to see me? She kicked my ass out and slammed the door in my face."

"You do remember that you have a daughter, right?"

"Clair remarried over three years ago, you know that. Besides, Michelle has done very well without me."

"How do you that?"

"Bobby, drop it alright."

"Alright, I was just wondering, no pressure from me. I swear."

They continue to walk around the grounds. "How big is this place and where's the food?"

"I smell onions." Bobby says.

"Yeah, I do too."

Bobby points to the left. "Over there."

As they get closer to the food court, with mostly male customers, the aroma of many, many different foods fill the air. Bobby checks the time. "Twelve forty five. Jesus we have been here for over an hour. I wonder where they could be."

As Frank looks around the grounds he says, "Well one thing to remember is that they are spending their own money."

Bobby laughs. "Yeah you're right."

They order their food and neither man has a beer. "How does she look? Does she look old?"

"No she looks good, this new medication that she is on has worked well for her. Her moods seem to be even tempered. However, there is not much emotion when she speaks. Her voice is strong but flat."

"I am almost embarrassed to ask this…...but what does she say about me?"

He patiently waits as Bobby takes the last bite of his sandwich and swallows. He then takes a sip of soda. Puts the can down and leans forward. "Not a damn thing." He tries not to laugh but he cannot help it.

"Screw you." Frank pushes him. "Alright I deserved that."

"Actually she asks me the same question every time I visit. Have you seen your brother?"

"I'm scared. I shouldn't be, should I?"

"I can't help you with that, but one thing that I know and so do you, is that she has to been one of the most forgiving people in the world. She's even forgiven Dad for what he did to her."

Bobby looks up over his brother's shoulder. "There they are." He stands and Alex waves and walks toward him. "Wow." She says. "Some of the items were so beautiful but very expensive. But I was able to get this." She takes out a teapot. "My mom's birthday is next month."

Leslie sits down next to Frank. "Alex did better than I did. I couldn't find anything this time." She takes her jacket off and places it on the chair. "I take it you guys ate."

Frank nods his head. "Yeah but we didn't have dessert."

The Next Morning

"What time are you leaving this morning?" Alex asks.

"In about fifteen minutes. I told him I would pick him up at ten-thirty. What time are you leaving?"

"Marcy is picking me up at one-thirty. I should be home by seven, seven-thirty."

"What kind of shower is it?"

"Jesus, Bobby for the tenth time. Baby, it's a baby shower."

"Sorry, have a good time I'll see you tonight." He kisses her lightly on the lips. "I love you.

"I love you too, drive safe."

"I will."

Bronx, New York

"Hey Bobby, come on in."

"This place is huge. Nice very nice, you live here alone?"

"No. Two roommates, until I can afford my own place, hopefully it won't be much longer."

"Where are they?"

"They're both away for the weekend."

"Ready?"

"Yeah, let's go." As Frank gets in the car he says. "Jesus I'm starting to feel nervous."

"Well you have an hour and a half to get over it, maybe two. Hopefully the traffic will be light."

Carmel Ridge

"Good morning Mom."

"Morning, Bobby." She looks past him. "Where's Alex?"

"She went to a bridal shower."

"Oh who's getting married?"

"No, no a baby shower for some reason I can never remember that."

"How are you feeling Mom? You look tired."

"I had a little trouble sleeping last night."

"Anything serious that was keeping you awake?"

"No."

He says sternly, "Mom?"

"Nothing is bothering me Bobby, honestly."

He sits down next to her and takes a hold of her hand. He stares at her for a moment. She looks up at him. "What, what is the matter?"

He smiles. "I don't believe this, week after week you ask me the same question and the one day I can say yes, you don't ask."

She smiles and taps his cheek. "Have you seen your brother lately?"

TBC