Chapter 20: Big News

A/N: Sorry about the wait. I had to write a new version of this. On the plus side, we see Cindy again.

I'm not proud of what happened after I started in New York. Hell, I don't really understand why half the stuff I last said to my family was said. I wish I could go back to them, but after what happened, I just couldn't face them. I hated it every day of my life.

Barney and I realized we were, in a way, polar opposites. That was what made us good friends. But sometimes, there came moments where I had to be a jerk to him for him to understand things.

That night, I was in one of my zoned out stages. Sometimes I shifted a shot of vodka between two glasses, other times I flipped my bottle opener back and forth. This night I just stood at the bar. Then, something strange happened, that I didn't expect. I saw Barney over by the booth, talking to an older man. I walked over in interest.

"Can I get either of you gentleman refills?" I asked.

The older man handed me his glass. "Milk, skim."

Barney looked over in confusion, and so did I. Never in the 8 somewhat years of bartending had I been asked to bring some guy a glass of milk.

"Barney, do you mind introducing us?"

Barney straightened out. "Um, Jerry, this is Ollie. He's a bartender around here. And a good friend." He nodded at me. "Ollie, this is Jerry." He took a beat. "My dad."

I looked over at Jerry. So this was Barney's dad that he never knew. He nodded at me. "It's nice to meet you, Ollie."

"Same here, Jerry. You must be some kind of master of awesome to have a son like Barney."

Jerry laughed. "Oh, right. No, I'm a driving instructor."

I was confused. Barney was an awesome guy in suits that did god knows what for GNB, and his dad's a driving instructor?

"Well, I bet that you're just as good at getting women as your son. Maybe even better! The master is always better."

"Oh, god no." Said Jerry. "I have a family up in Westchester.

Ok now I was shocked after hearing more of Jerry's backstory. The fact that Barney's dad was actually a suburban family man with three kids, two of which were grown up made me really confused. I expected an older clone of the awesome, if not insensitive, suit guy that regularly ordered scotch from me.

"Well, I'll get you that milk." I said, as I got up and over to the bar.

Barney and Jerry kept talking after I gave the milk to Jerry, then left the bar after Jerry tried getting a girl to give Barney her number.

I understood what Jerry was doing. He was trying hard to connect with Barney on some level. I felt bad considering what it was between me and my whole family, while Barney had a father ready to be his father. It made me feel like I wanted to call my parents.

After work, I punched in the number on my phone. All I had to do was hit the call button, and then I'd be talking with them. But I couldn't do it. This wasn't the first time I had tried calling them, and failing. It wasn't that I was mad. If anything I was afraid. But I never really liked talking about what it was that I had said that made me afraid to talk to them.

"C'mon, Ollie." I said to myself. "You've done this dance before. Hit the fricking button! Stop being such a pussy."

I shook my head. This couldn't happen.

A few nights later, Barney was drinking alone in the bar. It was slow that night, so it made it easy for me to walk over with a drink to start talking with Barney.

"No Jerry tonight?"

"No." Said Barney, blankly.

"Why not?"

"Because we don't connect on anything. The dude might as well have broken the entire Bro Code."

"Oh, come on, Barney. That's gotta be a bit harsh." I said.

"No, Ollie. You don't get it. My dad's a boring suburban dad with three kids, two of which grew up knowing him. I never got that. Therefore, I'm never seeing him again."

I leaned up close to his face. I could smell the drinks. "Barney, you know you're my bro. And I'm you bro, I hope. Which makes me know that it's my responsibility to tell you this: you're a fucking idiot."

Barney looked up at me without blinking or saying anything while I continued. He may have been thinking I was some crazy asshole. *shrug*.

"You have a chance to reconnect with your dad for the first time in thirty years. I, for one, haven't even seen my own family in almost ten years. Before you ask, know that I'd rather not talk about it. It ended on bad terms, and now I'm afraid of talking to them. But you don't get the option to stop talking to Jerry. That man is not only you're father." I got up really close to Barney's face, about three inches away. "That man is someone who wants to be your father. Be his son, for god's sake." I yelled in his face.

Barney didn't reply. He got up from the booth, took one last drink, and walked out of the bar without a word.

After my bar shift ended, my phone rang. It was Cindy.

"As I live and breath! Cindy!" I answered.

"Ollie! You gotta come to our apartment when you get the chance! Casey and I have an announcement. Get Juno to come, too! And bring champagne."

I laughed. "You said the magic words!"

My "Holmes Mind" told me only one possibility as to why Cindy was so excited, but I decided to wait until I heard it from the horse's mouth. I called Juno, and we headed over to their apartment. I didn't say anything about me knowing Juno was tagging the Arcadian. Now was not the time.

Things had been going quite fast for Casey and Cindy, but I knew for a fact that they were meant for each other, so I encouraged them to be together. Cindy had recently moved in with Casey, leaving Juno and I staying in our apartments on our own.

We headed into their apartment. It was a nicer place than my own, but then again, that's what happens when the apartment's rented by two girls and not one guy. I could smell cookies in the oven.

"It's great you guys could be here!" Said Cindy. She was grinning ear to ear.

"Anything for a sister, Cindy." I laughed. "Hey, Casey."

"Ollie. You look well." She said.

"That's funny. Because I was yelling at a friend less than an hour ago. I feel anything but"

Cindy looked puzzled, then shook it off.

"Got a little announcement." She smiled.

She did the only thing that I was expecting: She showed us her hand. Then, I saw a sparkle on her finger.

"No fucking way!" I laughed.

It was an engagement ring.