Generation 2, Chapter 27

Robert helped Gene move his things from Tracie's place to his new house in Starlight Shores. Robert tried to ignore the daggers that Tracie was throwing at him as he helped Gene. Unfortunately he was more successful than Gene was. "What's your problem?" Gene asked irritated at the looks she was giving them.

"You are my problem," she shouted at him.

"Well not for much longer," Gene told her turning his back to her as he stomped out the door.

Glancing at Robert she said "don't you start."

Shaking his head in bewilderment Robert wasn't sure what he wasn't supposed to start but he had to say something. "Why won't you go with him?"

Ignoring his question she asked "how can you help him make the worst decision of his life?"

"It's not my decision to make. It's not up to me to hold him back. We can't protect him forever. Besides how do you know it won't make him better?"

"I know him. He'll fall apart as soon as someone challenges him. He'll be drinking and out of control and I won't watch him do it." Robert heard the conviction in her voice and was glad that Gene was moving.  Gene need her to tear his self esteem to shreds.

"Tracie your wrong," Robert told her quietly. "Gene thrives on support and as long as he knows he has someone rooting for him he'll be ok. I'm his cheering section, I wish I could be more but that's what he needs. Without it he would fall back into his old habits because it's easier and it's what everyone expects of him." Walking towards the door he stopped and said over his shoulder "At one time I thought you knew that. That you had his back but it seems I was wrong. What you really wanted was someone you could control. I'm glad he's moving. I'm glad he's testing the limits of what he thinks he can do. I think it'll be the best thing for him." Turning to look at her "and that's coming from someone who has watched him fall apart because of people like you doubting him and taking away what makes him, him. He's my brother and I'll support him no matter what. It's the least I can do and it's what you ought to do."

Leaving Robert found Gene standing by the car, kicking the tires.

"I can't ... can't go back in there," Gene said kicking at the tires again.

Putting his hand on Gene's shoulder "you don't have to. It's best that you don't, she'll only tear you apart. You don't need that."

***

 



Robert spent a week helping Gene get situated in Starlight Shores. "You'll come to visit?" Gene asked his tone holding a hint of doubt.

"Of course," Robert told him giving him a hug before getting into his car. He smiled as he waved yelling out the window "Break a leg."

Gene waved back as he stood watching Robert drive away. Pulling out his phone he dialed his counselor to set up a schedule that would fit it in with the show's schedule. Smiling to himself he knew he was going to survive this move despite his lack of support from his family. All that mattered was he had the support of his counselor who suggested he do the show and he had his brother in his corner, how could he fail?

Robert watched Gene in his rearview mirror until he was no longer in sight. He prayed he was doing the right thing supporting Gene in this crazy endeavor. With all his heart he hoped Gene the best and he found happiness. If this show could help give Gene back his self-confidence and become the person he knew was in there, Robert would be satisfied.

Sighing Robert couldn't wait to get home to be with his wife and children. He worried about leaving them for any length of time, especially after finding out about the effects of the pheromones. He wanted this nightmare to be over so that he could relax without wondering when the next shoe will drop. He never expected to be following in the footsteps of his dad and he hoped Peter found a solution before he too, had to watch his wife lose her mind. He tried not to dwell on these things but at times when he was alone it was all he could think about.

It had been a difficult decision to go thru with the pregnancy. But now that Diana was here, he couldn't imagine doing anything different. It was the best experience of his life to feel her growing inside him. He wished everyone could feel the joy of carrying life inside them. He knew Diana would hold a special place inside his heart, he understood the bond his dad had with Evelyn now.

Turning on the road towards home his phone began to ring. Reaching cautiously for it he brought it to his ear, "hello?"

"Robert Bennett," a low harsh voice asked sending chills down his spine.

"Yes. Who is this?" he asked stomping on the brakes as a deer ran out in front of him. Pulling over to the side of the road Robert felt his anxiety rising as his heart hammered in his chest.

A low laugh reached his ears "I'm your worst nightmare," the voice replied. "You should have listened to your wife's mother when she told you not to marry Patricia. She's not for you."

The click in his ear told him the call had disconnected but still he half expected him to say something else. Shaking Robert steered the car back onto the road finishing his ride home. Pulling up to the house, his mind spinning as he sat in the car. Who was the mysterious caller? How did he know Patricia's mother? Should he mention the call to Patricia or keep it to himself?

Robert sat staring at his phone wondering if he should tell Shon. Maybe he could somehow trace the call and find out who it was. He hated to put that burdon on Shon, not after everything he had just gone through with Evelyn. Robert wasn't sure how he'd react if his wife had been kidnapped and buried alive. Shon's father was still on the loose and a manhunt was underway to apprehend him. Shaking his head, no he couldn't add to Shon's stress load.

Robert felt they were relatively safe right now with Shon, a police officer living in the house. Who would do anything with a cop in the house? Shon's father for one was the unwelcome answer his brain provided him with. Looking up as the car door opened and Shon was looking in on him concerned.

"Hey what's up bro?" Shon asked as Robert got out of the car.

Managing to avoid looking at Shon, Robert mumbled "nothing." Walking away Shon grabbed his arm, "Rob I can tell something's wrong. Tell me, maybe I can help."

Staring into the sky Robert wished that his only enemies were aliens. Sighing he handed Shon his phone "I received a phone call from someone I don't know who said he was my worst nightmare."

"and this is the number he called you from?" Shon asked.

Nodding Robert turned to face Shon "he said I should have listened to Patricia's mom when she told me not to marry Patricia."

"Did he say anything else?" Shon asked trying to get as much information as he could.

Shaking his head "no that was it" Robert said.

"I'll see if my collegues can turn up anything," Shon offered. "I think you should have a conversation with Mrs. Bradford."

Sighing Robert grimaced "she's the last person I want to talk to right now."

"I know but she seems to be mixed up in this and could give you some answers." Looking at his good friend he offered "I'll come with you if you'd like. There's nothing I can do here while I'm on a forced leave of absence until they capture my father."

"I hope for your sake they throw away the key this time."

"So do I," Shon agreed.

Robert asked "is it safe to leave the girls and babies alone?"

"Don't worry about it," Shon pointed across the street. "You see that car? That's a surveilance unit, here to watch the house. They call another unit when one of us leaves. Until my old man is in jail we have a 24/7 tail on us at all times."

"So the entire time I was in Starlight Shores someone was watching me?" Robert asked a little shocked that he hadn't noticed anyone following him.

Nodding Shon continued "my superiors felt it necessary to put a tail on all of us since we're all potential targets. You know because of your relationship to me or with the aliens. My father hates both."

"I have to admit I feel safer with you in the house," Robert told him with a smile. "Will Bridgeport hold your job for you? or will you have to reapply?"

"They're holding it," Shon told him. "Evelyn and I have discussed this and have decided to wait until the baby's born before we move. Evelyn isn't comfortable with the idea of changing doctors."

"I hate to see you go," Robert sighed looking at his friend.

"You can always come and visit," Shon said with a smile "or better yet move there with us."

"I doubt Patricia would go for that."

"Well you don't have to worry about it for a while yet, at least seven months." Shon said as they entered the house.