The next day was Sunday, of course and that meant dinner at Emma's. I was looking forward to seeing how Bobby and Jack was settling in and I think Theresa was looking forward to seeing them. She knew Emma was taking good care of them and all but she missed them all the same. I could understand. I know Theresa wanted to see Lou too but I also knew Lou wouldn't be there. I had very mixed feelings about letting Theresa see her sister and I went back and forth on it for a while.

Everyone was there and it was a more somber affair than most Sunday dinners at Emma's. We tried to joke and talk about the Lions and things like that but nothing seemed to matter as much as the one thing we weren't talking about. I was helping Emma with putting that platter up. I still always wondered why she insisted on putting something on such a high shelf that she needed every single week for dinner. But I went in and helped her every week anyway. I wonder if that wasn't why she kept it there, just so she could always get me off by myself and check on me. Emma was good like that.

"Theresa looks good," she said like it was idle conversation though we knew it wasn't, not by a long shot.

"She had a rough night or two but she's perking up. How are the boys?"

"They miss their mama something fierce," she told me, "And their sister."

"I'm afraid Theresa will try to take over their care too much if she moves in here."

"Oh Jimmy, she's not coming here," Emma said, "There's no way I could chance it."

I didn't understand but she nodded to the dining room where Theresa and Jesse were stealing glances at each other while trying real hard to pretend they hadn't noticed the other.

"Oh," I said feeling a little thick for not seeing it sooner, "It's like that, is it?"

Emma nodded but smiled. I know I smiled too at the thought that in the midst of such hurt and turmoil that love or something resembling it would still perk its little head up like crocuses through the snow in March.

"Well, she could do worse than Jesse," I said, "He'll treat her good and he's on his way to becoming a fine man. Sam's seeing to that."

"You put him on the right path. I just feel so bad for little Bobby and Jack. They're so close to their mama and they can't see her."

"Emma, you know they don't need to be seeing her like she is. I was there yesterday and she doesn't even blink hardly."

"I know," she said and I watched her take a deep breath, blink and swallow away the lump in her throat. I hugged her tight and then picked up the plate she had made up for Lou.

"I'm going to go and take care of Lou for a bit," I told her, "I think I'm going to take Theresa with me."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked.

"No, I'm not," I said honestly.

I walked out into the dining room where Theresa was blushing brightly having just noticed that Jesse had caught her looking at him but not realizing that he had only been able to catch her because he was trying to look at her.

"Grab your coat, Theresa," I said, "I need to take some food to your sister and I figured you'd want to come with."

She jumped up without so much as another look at Jesse. I even saw Jesse stand like a gentleman does when a lady stands. He didn't do that for anyone else so there was something special going on here. As long as this something special didn't move too fast. I wasn't kidding about Jesse being a good kid but he was a guy and he was fifteen. And I remembered what I was like at fifteen and I would have had no business around a nice girl like Theresa. I had actually been around nice girls like Theresa and I did things I'd have to kick his ass for doing.

Theresa was quiet most of the way next door until we got to climbing the porch steps.

"How bad is it, Uncle Jimmy?"

"Well, I don't know what she was like before you came here," I said, "I know she's not moving or reacting to anything."

"Sounds the same," Theresa told me, "She screamed once when the men came to talk to her and then after that she cried a little while and then she just turned off, like a light switch."

I nodded, she was still turned off and I didn't know how we'd flip that switch the other way but I wasn't going to stop trying. Kid was coming home sometime and I wasn't going to let him come home to a nearly catatonic wife.

We went into the room and Theresa just hung back a little bit. I know she wanted to help her sister something fierce but when you're that young you don't always know the right way to go about it. I sat down on the bed and faced her. I set the plate down on the little table and took Lou's hand in mine. It was limp and cool between my fingers and looking at her face, there was no change at all in her, nothing that said she even knew I was there.

"You sure are looking pretty today Lou," I said trying to sound like I even thought for a second she could hear me. Hell, maybe she could but she wasn't showing it at all. "Emma sent over some food because, well, you know how Emma is. See, Theresa came over too. She's been missing you more than a bit, I suspect but she and Joanie are making the best of it. I'll get her started in school tomorrow. I talked to the teachers at the junior high and she should be right where they are so it shouldn't be any problem at all. But if she needs any help you know Joanie's got the brains so she'll help her out."

As I spoke I filled a fork and raised it to her lips. When the utensil touched her mouth, she opened and allowed me to feed her but still nothing changed in her face at all. I was able to get a few bites of food in her before she stopped opening her mouth and letting me feed her. I looked over to Theresa where she still stood by the door unsure of herself and motioned for her to come over and sit and I moved out of her way.

"Emma sent a slice of apple pie too," I said, "Theresa's going to give you some, okay?"

The poor kid looked at me like she wasn't sure what to do but I knew she had fed those little boys on more than one occasion and I was sure she could figure it out.

"I think Theresa has some things she'd like to tell you without me here listening in so I'm going to step out a bit," I told her, "I'll be back in a few."

I went to leave and Theresa grabbed my arm. I leaned down to her and whispered, "Just talk to her like she's listening and talking back to you. I imagine you want to tell her about your crush on Jesse."

Then I winked at her to let her know I might be older and married but I wasn't stupid. Then I left them alone. Lou probably wouldn't answer that day but I had some sort of faith she would eventually and hearing her sister's voice would be good for her anyway. I had to believe she could hear us. I waited a little while before going back in to see Theresa smiling and setting down an empty plate that had once held a perfect wedge of Emma's famous—or it should have been—apple pie.

"She ate the whole piece," Theresa said triumphantly.

"Don't surprise me," I told her, "She always had a weakness for Emma's pies."

I went over and leaned down and kissed Lou's cheek.

"We're going to go, Lou," I whispered to her, "But you know we're just next door."

We left and I heard Theresa sniffle a little as I shut Al's front door behind me. I sat down on the top step and patted the spot next to me. I didn't say a word to her and I know none were needed; I just put an arm around her shoulders and let her cry. It was early December and blasted cold and I don't think either of us truly realized that fact.

"I'm scared," she cried into my coat, "I'm so scared. I don't want to be alone but everyone leaves me. Dad left before I ever even knew him and then mom and Kid's gone now for who even knows how long and Lou's bailing on me too. Why won't anyone stay with me?"

I kissed the top of her head and tried to think what to tell her knowing full well that nothing I said would help. She had been in one way or another abandoned by everyone who was supposed to take care of her.

"I'm here," I said, "I can tell you I won't leave you but I wouldn't expect you to believe it no matter how much I mean it. But think how every time one person leaves, another comes in to fill the gap. I want to promise I will always be here for you but things can get out of our control sometimes. Like for your mom, she didn't want to leave you at all. She just got sick. I can't promise you that something might not happen to me or to Emma or Al or any of us. But somehow there will always be someone who loves you to take care of you. That promise I can make."

"I like staying with you and Aunt Joanie," she said real quiet, "Can I even after Lou is better?"

"I would guess you will until she can get on her feet and find a real place to stay," I answered, "I know Emma won't want you and Jesse under the same roof and you really can't share the spare room here. We need to let Al and the missus have some time to be a married couple eventually."

"They didn't even get a honeymoon," she said sadly.

"I don't think they even missed it," I told her honestly, "Maybe once things settle I can see if Mr. Cohen would let them use the cabin for a little while once the weather gets nice too."

"I think Al would like that a lot but would Rachel?"

"The cabin has its charms for lovers that you little missy do not need to know a thing about yet," I said.

"I'm not a baby Uncle Jimmy."

"I know you're not," I agreed, "But you are still a child and that's all there is to that."

"Are you mad that I like Jesse?"

"Nope," I replied truthfully, "Not mad that he likes you either. In fact I think you two could be good friends for each other but he is older and I don't want to see you getting pushed too fast."

"I wouldn't let him," she said with finality.

"Yeah I'm sure there was a few girls said that about me at some point and they were wrong."

Theresa sort of stared at me like she didn't believe I would admit something like that. I told you once though I don't lie to my girls. I never did. They're better off knowing what pigs men and boys can be. Not all of us are and not all the time but it's good to be on your guard. We stood up and headed back to Emma's.

"Thanks," Theresa said to me.

"For what?"

"Taking me with you," she answered, "It's sad to see her like that but she's done so much for me I feel like I need to help her somehow."

That felt good right there because I wasn't sure I had done the right thing taking that girl over to see her sister in that state. I think it really did her some good and it was the right call. Things were kind of sedate after that though they did perk a little bit after Al and Rachel made their announcement. There was a lot of handshaking and congratulations and all the guys making sure to kiss the bride. It's supposed to be lucky and it's an excuse to kiss a pretty girl without your wife giving you the stink eye.

Emma caught me alone at one point and asked how Theresa did with seeing her sister.

"She was grateful," I said, "She really wants to help Lou and doesn't know how."

"Oh the poor little lamb," Emma said placing her hand on her chest, "Maybe it's a good thing she's got someone to make eyes at her. Something like that can be a welcome distraction."

I nodded and just hoped that they kept it at making eyes at each other.

Joanie and I took Theresa home eventually and it was sort of funny because I think she wanted to stay longer even though she and Jesse hadn't actually said a single word to each other. It was really kind of cute. I felt a little bad too when we left because the boys started crying and throwing a decent fit at her leaving. Bobby was only four then and little Jack was three so they had no idea what was going on. I know they loved Emma and all but they were so frightened of all the changes around them that they didn't understand that it could only come out as a crying fit. I thought to stay a bit thinking that would help but Emma said she had it under control and they would be fine once we'd left. Theresa cried most of the way home about leaving those boys like that. She had stopped crying by the time we got home but I knew Joanie was still feeling bad for her. I kind of left the girls to their own devices. Soon I heard singing and giggling from the living room. I thought maybe to peek in on their fun but then they needed their girl time and I think it was best to keep their club 'no boys allowed'. It was enough to hear their laughter. Joanie had been struggling with the situation with Kid and a few other things too. Bubbe was ill and it wasn't even the type of sick where there's something wrong you can pinpoint. It was just old age. She was old and her body was breaking down and it was clear that sooner rather than later it would break down completely and there wouldn't be anything that anyone could to do prevent or even delay that.

I never got on with the woman at all and I know she darned near hated me but I don't wish for anyone's death—I hadn't even wished really for my parents'—and even if I could have been the type that would wish a person dead, she was the only grandparent my darling wife had left. I would never, ever wish hurt on my Joanie. Hearing them giggle was so nice and sweet I really didn't accomplish much reading or studying. After a while the giggling died down and I figured Theresa was getting ready for bed and such. It was going to be a big day the next day what with starting a new school and all. I was kind of surprised to hear a knock on the door. I figured the only one coming in would be Joanie and it's not like she knocked to come into her own bedroom.

"Come in," I called and I watched the door slowly open and Theresa peeked around.

"Can I talk to you, Uncle Jimmy?"

"Of course you can," I said and sat up and put down my book. Theresa sat on the edge of the bed and turned to face me.

"I'm kind of scared of tomorrow," she confessed, "I hate changing schools and what if it's harder here or something and I don't know anyone at all. At the last school I had met a neighbor girl the day we moved in so there was at least one person I knew. Jesse's not at my school is he?"

There was such hope in her voice that I hated to dash it with my answer.

"No, he's in high school," I told her, "Now I'm pretty sure you're going to make lots of friends and I know you are plenty smart enough to tackle the work and you know I'll try to help and your Aunt Joanie will probably succeed in helping. She's the brains of this operation, you know."

She rolled her eyes at me. I never did know if that was a good thing or not when a woman did that but it seemed a common reaction to me and a good deal of what I said.

"I'll take you tomorrow," I assured her, "And I'll get you as settled as I can before I head to my office. They already know I'll be running late."

"Can I ask you something else?"

I nodded.

"Why did you get drunk on Friday?"

"Because I thought it would make things hurt less," I said knowing there wasn't any real benefit in lying to the girl. She was smart and would smell BS a mile away anyway and she needed to know she wasn't alone in the dealing.

"Did it?"

"I thought it did at the time but no, it didn't," I replied, "If anything it made it all hurt worse. It made me feel emptier and I didn't even think that was possible. And it made me feel like I was letting him down."

"How's that?" she asked.

"We promised each other once that we would always be there for each other," I explained, "We had a rough time growing up and I think you know a little of what we went through. But anyway we promised that like brothers we would always be there if the other one needed us and I was so focused on not being where he is that I missed what I can do to help him now. He needs me to take care of his family until he can get back. I didn't do a very good job of that on Friday and I'm sorry."

"Do-do you really think he's coming back?" she asked and it was so soft I almost couldn't make it out. I know the courage it took for her to even voice it.

"I do," I said, "Somehow I feel like I'd know it inside somewhere if he was dead. I have to believe he's still out there and if that man is out there then he will find a way back to your sister and to Bobby and Jack and to you as well. I know it."

She smiled a little at me and I kissed her head and told her goodnight. She went out to crawl into bed and Joanie came in smiling.

"You just love playing the hero riding in on your horse to save the day, don't you?" she asked smirking at me her arms folded across her chest.

"Aw shucks ma'am," I said in my best TV cowboy voice though which one of them I might have been trying, and failing, to imitate I don't know. "I don't reckon I'm any kind of hero or nothin'."

She laughed at me and I kissed her on my way to brush my teeth. As I headed for the bathroom I saw Theresa was tucked in reading a book.

"Lights out in a half hour," I said, "It's a school night, you know."

That was the first time ever in my life I got the full teenage girl sigh in response to something I said. I finished making my way to the bathroom and got ready for bed and then I stared in the mirror over the sink trying to figure when I became a person who said things like 'it's a school night'. I didn't look a damned thing like Ozzie Nelson or Fred McMurray or even Andy Griffith. Those were the men who said things like that. I didn't even look nothing like my own old man and but he never said anything like that either. Now a few years later I did get people saying I looked like the younger guy on Marcus Welby, the one that played Dr. Kiley. But he wasn't a dad kind of character at all or the kind to say 'it's a school night'. Finally I quit wondering and just sighed and shook my head. As I walked through I looked up at Theresa who was still reading away.

"Half hour," I said.

"I know, Uncle Jimmy," she said losing patience with me, "I heard you the first time."

I smiled as I walked into the bedroom. I didn't know it quite then but that is the essence of a teenage daughter right there in that exchange. Now I was never Theresa's dad but I was the closest thing she had then and for a while after that too.

"What are you smiling at?" Joanie asked.

"I forget sometimes she's not a little girl anymore and I wonder when I became not a kid anymore myself."

"If you figure it out, let me know," Joanie said returning her attention to the book in her hands. "Things were so much simpler when I was her age."

That is kind of what it's like the first time you utter words like that and even more so when you're not really old enough to be in that position...Very strange indeed. So for people not as into TV history as I am (or maybe just not as old as I am) I will save you some Google time...Ozzie Nelson was the star of Ozzie and Harriet, Fred McMurray the doting, yet serious father on My Three Sons and Andy Griffith of course was the single dad sheriff of good old Mayberry in The Andy Griffith show...as for the other reference...Marcus Welby, MD was a show about a family doctor and there was a younger doctor on the show as well for the women to swoon over. Dr. Kiley played by James Brolin who is of course the father of one Josh Brolin...I just couldn't resist putting it in there...and he's right about it being a few years off because Marcus Welby didn't air first until 1969...but go ahead and look up pictures...young Josh looks a lot like young James Brolin.

The lighter tone of that part of the chapter was my reward to myself for another scene of catatonic Lou...I wish I could just have her snap out of it but that wouldn't be realistic. So I am stuck with this a while longer...

The flirting was all for you, Kristina! Hehehehe...and they are kind of cute too.-J