Jennifer stared at Aimee deciding she didn't like her. She had heard Uncle Michael talk about her. She left Uncle Gene. Broke his heart. She was like her mom. Now Uncle Gene was in the hospital. Her dad was worried she could tell. Everyone in that room was worried. Something terrible must have happened. After Uncle Casey left Jennifer continued to stare at the lady. She looked sad but so did her mom before the bad men took her away. Why did mama leave? Why did this lady leave Uncle Gene? She moved closer, peering intently at her. She didn't look mean ... just sad.
Diana came up along side her "what are you looking at?" she asked curious.
Pointing at Aimee Jennifer said "at her wondering why she left Uncle Gene."
"She did," Diana looked at the pretty lady who was sitting staring absently out the window "why?"
"I don't know but I heard Uncle Michael talking about her. How she took Uncle Gene's heart and stomped on it."
"Is that why he's in the hospital?" Diana asked taking what she said literally "that must have hurt."
Shrugging Jennifer continued to stare coldly at Aimee. Making up her mind she walked towards her. She sat in the chair next to her. Diana watched her go hanging back unsure whether to follow or pretend she didn't know what was about to happen. She'd seen Jennifer act like this at school and it always meant she was about to attack. Curiosity won out as she sat on the floor content to watch the show.
"My mama left my dad," Jennifer stated watching Aimee for a reaction. Jennifer noted she jumped a little when she spoke. That was good. She had her attention.
"I'm sorry," Aimee spoke in a low voice as she took in the appearance of the little girl sitting across from her. She had the same red hair with golden highlights that she loved so much. This must be the daughter of the brother Gene spoke so highly of.
"Why are you sorry?" Jennifer asked "Aren't you doing the same thing to Uncle Gene? You left him. He was sad all the time he was watching us when daddy was in the hospital. Uncle Michael said you stomped on his heart. Why would you do that?"
"You wouldn't understand," Aimee began. Jennifer's eyes narrowed as anger flashed through her dark blue eyes. "Do you think I'm too young to understand hurt and loss? I watched my daddy get beat up by bad men. My mama let them hurt my daddy. She left my daddy. She hurt him and she left him. Now daddy has the same sad hurt look Gene had. So tell me why."
Realizing she couldn't put the little girl off Aimee sighed. This little girl had been through so much, seen too much. Aimee didn't want to add to it. "I didn't know what I was doing. I was hurt and confused I didn't mean to hurt him. I didn't think things through. I ..."
"What are you five?" Jennifer asked cocking her head at her "I'm hearing a lot of I didn't know, I didn't mean to, I didn't think. Daddy calls those excuses we tell ourselves to do things we know we shouldn't. Did Uncle Gene do something that made you mad?"
Thinking over the girls words Aimee realized she had been acting like a child. Running away instead of confronting the problem. Nothing in her life had ever taught her how to cope with problems. She had lost herself in video games. Closing herself off from the harsh reality that was her life. She smiled at the little girl "no Gene didn't do anything. It was all me. I got scared and ran away. I was acting like a child. I realize that now. Thank you!"
"Is that why you left? You were scared." Jennifer asked watching her closely. Aimee nodded. "Is that why my mama left? She was scared."
"I don't know your mama left. Her reasons may have been totally different than mine. The only person who can tell you why is her." Aimee told her pulling the girl close as she began to cry.
Pulling away, wiping her eyes "I don't care. I hate her. I hope she never comes back." Jennifer jumped from the chair and stormed out of the room. Diana bounced to her feet and followed before Aimee was able to her.
***
"Jen wait," Diana called after her sister. "Please don't leave me too."
Hearing Diana crying behind her Jennifer slowed and stopped. Walking back to her sister she wrapped her arms around her. "I'm sorry Di."
"I thought you going to leave like mama did. I got scared." Diana cried on her sisters shoulder.
Shaking her head "I'll never leave you," Jennifer patted her sisters back. "I'm sorry I scared you."
Shaking her head "I'm ok now." She looked at her older sister "is that lady ok?" she asked nodding towards they door they just came out of.
"I don't know. You heard what she said to me. What do you think?" Jennifer asked her.
"Um," Diana thought a moment "I think she's nice .... but ...."
"Yeah I know," Jennifer agreed finishing her sisters thought "she ran away once will she do it again?"
"I hope not," Diana said "I like her. She's pretty."
"You like everyone," Jennifer rolled her eyes at her.
"Is there something wrong with that?" Diana asked hurt by what her said to her.
"Not necessarily I guess," Jennifer conceded "but liking people opens you up to getting hurt."
"Then I guess it's a good thing I have you," Diana smiled at her.
"That's right. You and me we'll conquer the world." Jennifer told her confidently. "Look there's dad," Jennifer pointed. They waved at him and he smiled and waved back. "Come on we better go back in there before we get in trouble for wandering the halls alone."
***
Robert briefly wondered why his girls were out in the hall by themselves but was soon distracted by his dad coming up along side him. Seeing his family again after two long years of being absent was good and overwhelming at the same time. So much had happened that he no longer felt connected. He was no longer the guy everyone turned to for help. That had somehow passed on to Gene. Robert smiled knowing he had been the only who knew Gene had it in him but he was glad to see he was right. Now this had to happen. Life could be so unfair at times.
"Dad have you heard anything about Gene's condition?" he asked anxious for any news.
"I have," William smiled "Doloris said he made it through surgery and she's optimistic he'll make a full recovery."
"That's wonderful news," Robert was elated at the news. "When can we see him?"
"He's not awake yet," William told him "but we can sit with him. I want Aimee to be the first one he sees when he wakes up."
"Why her?" Robert asked "I'm all for giving people a second chance but she hasn't done anything to show she deserves one."
Shrugging "Doloris suggested it." William sighed "she thinks it might help put Gene's mind at rest if he knew that Aimee was alright. After all the last he saw Aimee she was unconscious on her parents dining room floor."
"I can understand that," Robert nodded "but will she see him."
"I hope so," William put a hand on his son's shoulder. "If she doesn't it'll tell us something."
"I know but will it tell Gene the same thing?" Robert asked.
"I don't know," William sighed "Gene always did go his own way. Depending upon what Aimee does I'll have a little talk with him."
Robert nodded thinking he was going to have his own little talk with Aimee. He wanted to do everything he could to ensue Gene got what he needed to recover. "Dad is something wrong?"
William stared at his son a moment before replying. He was tempted to just nod and walk away. It would suffice with everyone else but Robert has always been more intuitive then the others. "Actually no. My anxiety is really high right now."
"My spidey sense is just working overtime. There's been a lot of stuff going on lately between you, Gene and now Shon," William sighed "sometimes I wonder how I haven't lost my mind."
"You're stronger then you think you are," Robert told him. Looking at this father in concern he asked "how is you situation with Erik?"
"It's like living with an extra shadow," came William's uncensored response. "He's been helpful with the kids and they adore him. He's able to answer Bryan's questions about his alien heritage. For those things I'm grateful. The other stuff involved with this bonding I could do without. It creeps me out actually." William said as he moved to sit down.
"Honestly I don't blame you," Robert said "when Gene told me what they had decided I knew it was the last thing you would have wanted. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
"Rob it's not your fault. You shouldn't blame yourself or them for what they decided. It is what it is. I may not like being bonded to Erik but at least I'm alive. I can enjoy watching my children grow up. See my grandchildren. Not everything is bad. It would be great except for my reaction to Erik."
"Well if you ever need someone to talk to. Don't hesitate to call, ok?" Robert offered "I'm not planning anymore disappearing acts for awhile."
"Speaking of which. How are you coping?" William asked.
"I miss her," Robert admitted. "I sacrificed so much to keep her safe and she goes with him anyways. I don't understand why she did it. It hurts. But I won't take her back. I have to think of the kids and how all of this will effect them. Jennifer saw too much and she's acting out. Diana's a sweetheart but she's becoming clingy afraid that everyone is going to leave her. Amanda," Robert sighed "I don't know if she understands what happened. She continues to cry and ask for her mama. Alex was with Jennifer that night. I don't know how much he remembers or understands. He's having nightmares and wakes up almost every night screaming." Robert turned to his father "I can't forgive Patricia for the damage she's done to the children. I'm angry at her. I want to know why but I'm afraid I won't like the answer." Robert rubbed his eyes. He had so many unanswered questions. "I filed for divorce. I don't want to give her the option to come back into our lives. I have full custody of the children. Regardless of whether or not she escapes from where ever she is she's not welcome to come back into our lives."
"You seem to have put a lot of thought into this," William observed.
"I have," Robert looked at his hands "I don't want the children to have to worry about being taken from me. I wouldn't put it past Patricia at some point to regret what she's done. I want it documented that she's the one who abandoned the children."
"Do you think she will?" William asked.
"I don't know. I wouldn't have thought she would have done this." Robert leaned back and closed his eyes. "Eventually that man who took her will die, someone like that must have enemies. There could be a change in power. Anything could happen. I'm not putting anything out of the realm of possibility not when it involves my children."
"I hope it doesn't come to that," William said quietly "with the divorce maybe you'll find someone ..."
"No absolutely not," Robert cut his father off. "I'm not interested in finding anyone I don't think I could ever be that trusting again."
"You say that now but...."
"Will you?" Robert asked.
William held his breath, staring at this son. Slowly he shook his head "no I don't thinks so. Actually I'd have a pretty difficult time meeting anyone with Erik around. Erik either makes people uncomfortable with his eyes or they assume we're a gay couple. Not exactly a situation most people want to get involved in."
"And it offers a degree of protection," Robert said looking at his dad.
"I hadn't thought of it that way but I guess it does," William admitted "it gives me an excuse not to put myself out there." Shrugging "it doesn't matter. I'm too old ...."
"Age doesn't matter," Robert laughed "I just can't imagine myself with anyone ..."
"Give it time" William told him "you're young yet."
Shaking his head Robert sighed not willing to admit that he'd like the happy ever after story but he no longer felt that was how his story was going to end. In the back of his mind was the image of his mother going slowly out of her mind and he wasn't going to inflict that kind of harm on anyone else.
***
William got up to talk to Amelia who was sitting quietly by herself. Robert could not help but smile. He could see something developing between them but only if they could both put the past behind them. Shaking his head at himself he went to check on the kids. Walking into the room he could see Aimee was more than a little overwhelmed. She really had no clue what she was doing. Smiling he asked "how's it going?"
She turned to look at him and he broke into fits of laughter. "What?" she asked confused.
"Have you looked at yourself lately?" Robert asked as he tried to regain his composure.
"No why?" she asked pulling out a mirror from her purse. Laughing at the image reflecting back at her "oh." She turned to look at Robert "the girls asked if they could make me pretty. I um ... let them play with my makeup." Running her fingers through her hair "I guess this is the result."
"You are pretty," Diana insisted "isn't she Jennifer."
Smiling Jennifer smothered a giggle "yeah real pretty."
"Girls did you do this on purpose?" Robert asked.
Both girls looked up at him. Jennifer hung her head but Diana looked at her dad then at Aimee "is it really that bad?" Her bottom lip began to quiver "I tried really hard. I thought she looked pretty." Turning towards her sister "why didn't you tell me?" she threw herself on the bed crying.
"Di I'm sorry," Jennifer said following her "I didn't know you didn't want to make her look like a clown. I thought it was a joke. I'm sorry."
Robert turned to Aimee "I'm sorry the girls don't have a mother figure in their lives and no one teach them about makeup and stuff."
Aimee waved his apology away as she went to the girls. Sitting on the edge of the bed Aimee spoke softly to them "I can show you how to put makeup on," she offered. Both girls looked at her with wide solemn eyes modding their heads.
Diana sat up wrapping her arms around Aimee "I'm sorry I made you look bad."
"It's alright sweetie," Aimee told her. "I always wanted to play makeover with my mom when I was little but she always too busy."
"So who taught you to put makeup on?" Jennifer asked curious.
"I did," Aimee told her. "I looked it up on the Internet and found a how to guide on YouTube."
"It's not the same as having a mom show you is it?" Diana asked leaning into her.
"No it's not," Aimee agreed "but sometimes we don't get what we want. So we have to make do with what we have. I can show you if your dad says it's ok."
"Please," both girls pleaded up at Robert. Smiling he gave in "I think they're too young for anything but lip gloss and nail polish."
Nodding Aimee turned to the girls "you heard the man. I'll show you as soon as I wash my face. Ok?"
Returning from the small bathroom attached to her room Aimee found Robert still in the room playing with the kids. "Do you know anything abut how Gene is doing?" she asked.
Standing up Robert smiled at her "he made it through surgery and they're optimistic he'll make a full recovery. I think the biggest problem will be keeping him in bed once he wakes up."
Aimee smiled knowing just how difficult that was "you might be right He doesn't like hospitals, hates even more being the patient." She fiddled with her finger tips adding "thank you for letting me know."
Coming up to her Robert asked "what happened between you and Gene?"
Sighing Aimee looked away "I got scared and ran. I realized that I was holding back in the relationship. Gene was so understanding saying he'd wait until I was ready. Then he got the news about Tracee and the twins. I let myself get jealous of his relationship with her. I was jealous because that's what I wanted and couldn't bring myself to have." Aimee bowed her head looking towards the floor "I knew he and Tracee were over before we had even met. He never hid it from me or his past. I realized that I wasn't as accepting of him as he was of me. I started thinking he needed someone better than me, so I left. I came back here to a life I knew and thought was safe." She laughed a little at her stupidity "I realize now I was making excuses. Acting like a child. I should have told Gene what I was feeling. Now it's too late."
"Why? Why is it too late?" Robert asked. "Gene is still here. He came to you when you needed him. Where in all of this do you get the idea that it's too late?"
Looking at him quizzically she stammered "I ... I ... don't know. I assumed ...."
"Aimee that's what you're doing wrong?" Robert smiled at her "don't assume; especially not when it comes to my brother. He'll surprise you every time by doing the opposite of what you expect." Reaching out he tilted Aimee's chin up forcing her to look at him. "He hasn't given up hope you'd come to your senses and return to him. He loves you. What more do you want?"
"I don't know," Aimee said looking at him "for me to stop being afraid" She offered him a small smile "I keep doubting that I'm good enough for his love. What if I get scared and run again? What if I turn into my parents?"
"Aimee stop," Robert told her firmly "thinking like that will get you nowhere but sad and alone. Gene is a good judge of character. Trust him. Talk to him. Don't keep your feelings bottled up inside. Gene knows that only leads to trouble" Robert pulled Aimee close "Gene loves you that's all you need to know right now. Trust in it and quit driving yourself crazy with what ifs."
Aimee leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt comforted, accepted and loved. She understood why Gene was always talking about his brother and what a wonderful person he was. She now appreciated the hole Gene said he felt in his life knowing Robert wasn't in his life anymore. It was the same hole she felt when she thought Gene wasn't in her life anymore. If what everyone was telling was true she could have Gene back. She could get a second chance. Was she brave enough to grab it?
