Forgiven 2 of 4

Chapter 11

Linda waited at the table for Bob and Amy to arrive, she wasn't looking forward to this meeting but she needed to learn something about her son.

She still hadn't heard from Adam, she suspected Kim had been upset the other night and thought it may be the reason she hadn't heard from him. At least that was what she was telling herself anyway, it wouldn't hurt as much if that was the case.

"Linda" Bob said as he pulled the chair out for Amy to sit down, "I hear you remarried, congratulations" he hoped it didn't sound fake, he didn't give two shits about her this was purely for Adam.

"Thank you, look I know you would rather be a million other places than across the table from me" Linda said as she played with the packets of sugar on the table "how's Adam?" She didn't care to exchange pleasantries preferring to get to the point.

"He's good, it's been a tough few years for him but he's doing well" Bob was forcing himself to be kind, Amy had already begged him to be civil towards her. No matter how he felt Linda was still Adam's mother, to which he replied that she was too kind.

"I haven't heard from him, do you think he will see me?" Linda was hopeful.

"He and his wife are dealing with some family issues, I'm sure he will reach out when he's ready, you would know this if you stuck around but Adam is stubborn and does things on his own schedule" he knew it was a dig at her but he couldn't help it.

"I suppose I deserved that" Linda said with the slightest hint of an attitude.

"Oh, you deserve a lot more than that" Bob told her, Amy immediately placing her hand on his arm.

"Bob, don't" she told him, no good would come from rehashing the past.

He looked at Amy and then back at Linda, "do you realize, she raised your son! She took care of him when he was sick or hurt. She was the one who went to school functions, she did everything for that kid. He's the good man he is today because of her!" His face beet red, "and she's the one who convinced me to agree to this meeting"

"I made a mistake Bob, one I will regret forever. Don't sit there and pretend to be perfect, we know that isn't true!" It was just like old times, at each other's throats. "I wasn't the only one who left, Bob, you stayed in that house but you might as well have been in another country! How quickly we forget!"

"Maybe we should go Bob" Amy said, as she started to leave.

"No, just wait a second, Bob have you told Adam what really happened to Anthony?" Linda spat, "have you told him? That you might as well have pulled that trigger? Does he know?" She was crying now.

"Don't you dare Linda don't you fucking dare" Bob glared at her, Adam didn't know the truth nor did Amy. Bob could feel Amy's eyes on him, "we're leaving" he grabbed Amy's hand and headed for the exit.

"There's the Bob Ruzek I know, just bury your head in the sand, Bob. "The truth will come out it always does"

Once in the car, Amy couldn't wait any longer "are you going to fill me in on what just happened?"

Bob's eyes trained on the road "do I have a choice?"

"Not really, Bob, you need to tell me and Adam" she told him as she watched the road flash by.

"I don't know if I can, Adam will never forgive me" he whispered.

"Adam loves you"

Bob turned to face her, "once he knows the truth, I don't think that will be the case"