Chapter Eight

Motel 6

Plattsville, New York

Robby falls asleep during the 11 o'clock news, "Robby and I had an interesting talk before," John says as he clicks off the TV. "Poor little guy he's scared and confused."

"It has been a difficult time for all three."

Earlier That Evening

"He's going to die, isn't he Grandpa?" Robby says as he opens the passenger side door of his grandfather's car.

"Oh boy," John's clenches his teeth. "No, Robby," John opens his door, "You mustn't think like that." They enter the vehicle, closing their doors simultaneously.

"Did you see him? He looked so…."

"He is very ill, yes but come on," he places his hand on Robbys' shoulder. "Your Dad is not a quitter, never has been."

John can see tears welling up in the young boys' eyes, Robby sniffles. "You think so?"

"Yes I do." He nudges him, "You have to think positively."

Robby rubs his eyes, nodding his head, not quite convinced but feeling a little better. Being an insightful ex-cop John does notice that there is something else bothering his grandson.

"Talk to me Robby; tell me what's bothering you, there's something else. Isn't there?"

"It's….Mom, she is so…." He bows his head. "Oh never mind."

John taps his arm, "What? Tell me," he pauses waiting patiently for his grandson to continue. "Tell me Robby."

"She pretends that everything is alright but all she does is work, working longer hours than I can remember, it's like…." He rubs his nose as he sniffles. "She doesn't want to come home." John reaches across the carseat placing his arm around him. "Dad was telling me about his father and it….Mom's doing the same thing."

John shakes his head feverishly, "No she's not," he leans his head down to catch his eye. "You can believe me."

"Did you know him? Dads' father."

"No I never met him, he passed away before your Mom and Dad got married."

"I heard her on the phone last Friday she seemed so….I don't know….if she didn't say his name I wouldn't have know who she was talking too. She never said goodbye she just turned off the phone and stared at it. I thought she was going to throw it across the room but she didn't, she tossed it on the couch. I know she is mad at him but….it seems as if she wants to tell him off but she's afraid."

John smiles "You are a very perceptive young man." He rubs the top of Robbys' head. "The problem is between your parents Robby not you. I know your mother," John smiles at the look on his grandsons' face, "Talk to her, tell her how your feeling."

"Maybe later she's a little pre-occupied now."

"Why do you say that? Because she asked you to leave the room," he slowly nods his head. John pokes him on his side, "What's the matter I thought you liked hanging out with your ole Grandpa?"

He pushes his hand away, giggling. "Stop," He pokes him again. "Ok," Robby holds his hands up in defense. "I do, I do."

John places the key into the ignition, "Soon, very soon you'll be hanging out with your Dad." Robby just stares at the older man. "Besides," John says. "I needed and wanted the company, your company." Robby pulls the seat belt across his body as John turns the key to the start the car, "Hungry?" John asks.

"Yeah," he says as he nods his head.

"Let's go get something to eat, then we'll check into the motel."

Bobby's Room

3 a.m. Saturday Morning

The room is slightly illuminated by a small light over the bed. Alex has fallen asleep in the chair, uncomfortable yes but she has lost the battle of keeping her eyes open. She fidgets in the chair as she feels something on her hand. Keeping her eyes closed she moves her hand to brush it away; she bolts up in the chair, "Bobby, honey."

His stare is intense, almost angry. His voice is low and raspy, "Robby?"

"He's with my parents." He lifts his hand and using one finger he gestures for her to come closer. "I know, I…." he coughs, "I know that you were pissed off at me," he sucks in a lung full of air. "But Christ I thought you still loved me."

She bows her head, remembering their last conversation, "I never stopped loving you, is that what you really believe?"

"I," he strains to say the words. "Don't….no," he raises his hand; she takes a strong hold, "Where have you been?"

"I didn't know."

He blurts out the name, "Steven." She nods, "I took care of it."

"Is he, is he still alive?"

She laughs heartily for the first time in a long time, "Yes, I must admit I was pissed but in a way I suppose I understand his thinking." She gazes at the frown on his face. "Alright he wasn't thinking."

"You had," he coughs. "Better get some sleep. You look terrible."

A short flash of vanity, she runs her fingers through her hair, "I do."

"No," he coughs, "You're beautiful even with those red puffy eyes." She can see a slight sparkle in his eyes as he flashes a smile. "I love you too," she says.

He tries his best to keep his eyes open but he can't. After ten hours of waiting for him to awaken, Alex feels comfort in telling him, "It's alright go back to sleep, I'll be here when you wake up." Moments later he is asleep, still holding her hand. She moves the chair closer to the bed, stretching her legs out, she then closes her eyes. She feels a tug on her arm. "I'm still here, Bobby." Soon she too falls asleep.

St. Luke's

10 a.m. Saturday

When the family arrives at the hospital, they find Alex downstairs in the reception area. Fear overwhelms them, "Alex," her mother calls to her. "What?" she stutters, "Wh…why?"

John kneels down in front of his daughter, "Alex what happened?" he asks with a shaky voice.

She frowns, "Huh?" then as if a light has gone on in her head, "Oh, no. He's alright; he's been taken for some tests and x-rays." Three people let out a much-needed exhale. "He woke up about 3 in the morning and he knows that we're here."

"Missus Goren," she turns when she hears her name. She stands holding out her hand, "Doctor Winslow, my parents, John and Sara Eames."

"Nice to meet you both," he shakes their hands. "He's asleep now but if you want you can go up."

That Afternoon

When he wakes this time the room is filled with his family. Robby notices his open eyes first. "Dad," he says. Everyone turns their attention to the man in the bed.

He slowly moves his head in their direction, "Robby," he says with a raspy tone. Robby is next to the bed within moments. Reaching up and over the bed he kisses his father on cheek, already full of stubble. His guests do most of the talking with Bobby managing to get a few words in here and there, after about twenty minutes he gets Alex attention.

"I'm tired," he says rubbing his eyes.

"I think we'd better go and let him get some rest." He reaches patting her butt. She frowns when she turns to face him, her face slightly flushed. "Let Robby stay a minute?" She nods.

She places her arm around her sons' shoulder, "Your Dad wants to talk to you for a minute." She escorts her son to the side of the bed. "See you later." She kisses him on the lips, he smiles. "Come on you two," she links arms with her parents, as she walks with them across the room. "I need a cup of coffee."

"I," he starts to cough. Robby grabs his hand as he sucks in much needed air. "I just want to know how you're doing." He exhales, "Hanging out with all these adults."

"It's not so bad," he whispers. "I had ice cream for lunch." His laugh is a welcome sound to his son but it causes a fit of coughing. After a few moments he settles down, waving his hand. "I'm alright."

"You sure I could get a nurse or something."

He shakes his head, "I'm fine," he gazes upon his sons' worried face. "I'm fine," he smiles. "Now," his eyes start to get heavy. "See you later."

Robby smiles as he nods his head, "Definately."

Sunday Afternoon

Alex and Robby wave as John and Sara leave the motel parking lot. "Are they coming back?"

Alex places her arm around her son, "Yes, on Friday."

"Mom, I'm hungry?"

"You just had breakfast," she checks her watch, "Wow it's after twelve already. Come on let's take a walk to the diner."

He nods, "Alright."

"And this time you are going to have a nutritious meal." They share a laugh. "So what's with this Robert bit?"

"Nothing," he says shyly.

She nudges him on his arm, "What's her name?"

"Her, no….Ashley," he smiles at her, "How did you know?"

"Hey I know everything I'm your Mom and I'm a cop," she pauses. "Besides I saw her that day after school."

"She sits across from me and stares at me all day and when I turn to look at her she just smiles and….I don't know it feels weird."

"Do you talk to her?"

He shakes is head, "No I wouldn't know what to say."

"Hello is always a great icebreaker."

Monday Late Morning

Alex with Robby by her side, walk down the hallway toward his room, "Missus Goren," she turns when she hears her name. "Doctor Winslow, good morning."

He notices the stare from mother and son, the doctor crosses his arms, "Yes he is improving." He smiles, wanting to take credit for the improvement however he knows he is not the cause.

Bobby's Room

Without knocking Steven enters the room, "Bobby I have great," he stops in mid sentence when he notices Alex in the room.

She turns her back on him as she says, "Get out of here Steven,"

"You're fired," Bobby says.

"I didn't think, I'm sorry."

"I will not take away the fact that you are one hell of a lawyer, but Jesus Christ man, we're people not just clients, you know."

"I realize that, I'm really truly sorry I didn't do it with bad intentions."

"Alright, what's the news?" Bobby asks.

"I petitioned the court and when you are released from the hospital you can go home, you don't have to go back to Gainsport."

"Really?" Alex can not hide the smile on her face. "Alright you can stay and thank you Steven."

Bobby slowly sits up, "When did you do all this?"

"Tuesday I was granted a hearing for this morning and the papers were signed," he checks is watch. "Two hours ago."

Bobby has to smile, "Thanks man, all is forgiven, hopefully I will never have to use your services again, except." He pauses, trying to get comfortable, "That fishing trip you promised Robby and I."

Steven smiles as he holds out his hand, "You're on."

Tuesday

"I just spoke with the doctor and your lung function is improving every day, he told me that your recovery time will be several months; rest is the only thing you need and since you can come home with us, should make it even easier."

"And when will that be?" he says hastily.

"Bobby give it time, maybe….hopefully next week." She sits down in her favorite chair in the room.

"Mom can I have fifty cents for the candy machine?"

"Sure," she digs into her purse handing him a dollar. "Thanks Mom, you want anything?"

She shakes her head, "No not now."

"Be right back."

She closes her bag, tossing it on the side table, "Oh guess what?" Not waiting for him to respond she says. "Your son has a girlfriend."

"A girlfriend? I've been in here that long?"

She chuckles softly, "She's nine with blonde hair blue eyes, a real knock out. Her name is Ashley and…."

"She's gonna break his heart."

"Probably, the first of many."

Thursday Night

10 p.m.

"Grace," Nurse Agnes Meyer calls to her younger colleague. "What's the matter?"

Grace turns to Agnes, "I was just thinking, this time last week I never would have thought that he would have survived the weekend, it's amazing. What could have caused such a recovery?"

"Simple."

Grace frowns, "Simple?"

Agnes smiles, "Love."

"Love?"

"Yes the power of love it's an amazing thing."

"But it almost killed him."

"Yes, that's true, he must have felt so alone as if he was abandoned," she gazes at the sleeping man. Agnes turns to face her younger colleague, "True, honest love." Agnes pats her arm as she passes; she stops after she opens the door, "Grace?"

Grace remains for a moment, "I hope one day," she walks slowly across the room to meet up with Agnes. "I find love like that," they stop in the door way and once again gaze upon the sleeping man. "She is a very lucky woman." Grace says as the door closes behind them.

THE END

A/N: A HAPPY ENDING….THAT'S ME.

….NOW….

Back to my other stories.

Oh one more thing, thanks for reading.

Later--The Mominator, see that I made a little rhyme.