Forgiven 2 of 4

Chapter 12

Amy couldn't believe what Bob was telling her, it was obvious Anthony's death changed him, he was no longer that man.

"Now you know why I won't tell Adam, he will hate me" his eyes puffy from crying, "I don't understand how you can stand the sight of me"

Amy felt awful, "what happened to Anthony is horrible but despite what Linda said it wasn't your fault, Bob, it was a tragedy"

Bob got up and paced "I don't know, how you can say that. Tragedies aren't preventable, this? This was preventable I should have noticed, I should have known"

"Adam needs to hear it from you, not Linda" Amy put her hand on his shoulder "I know it will be hard, but you need to tell him"

"Adam, that was Phil he wants to stop by the house" Kim told Adam after hanging up the phone. "He's already on his way, I will understand if you want to leave"

"No, it's okay." Adam told her, "he obviously has something he needs to talk about"

Kim was hopeful, that maybe Adam was starting to change his view of Phil, "thank you Adam, I know he isn't your favorite person" she remembered Adam's talk with Anthony the other night and hoped this was a step in the right direction.

Adam answered the door when Phil arrived, Phil's face looking worse than it had the other day making him feel worse "Again,I'm sorry about hitting you" he shook his hand.

"Seriously Adam, it's okay. I shouldn't have confronted you that night." Phil told him, Anthony running to him "hey big man!"

"My god Adam, you did that?" Kim asked her hand going to Phil's face.

"Kim its not that bad, I'm fine really" he said as he sat down on the couch, "listen, it's killing me that I'm causing a problem for you guys. I need to fix it" he said "Adam you tell me what I need to do, to make you more comfortable with me being around Kim and Anthony" he would do whatever it took "whatever you need, I will do it"

Kim watched as Adam mulled it over "listen, I'm really not trying to be a dick, I'm just worried for their safety. I know you wouldn't hurt them, but Phil you have a target on your back"

"I know I do"

"I need you to be honest with me about everything, I need your word that if shit goes sideways you'll let us know ASAP" Adam told him "I don't want Kim or Anthony in your car, ever. We drive ourselves, and Kim carries a gun at all times"

"Done, Adam. I don't want them hurt either, and I would love to get to know you. My sister is head over heels in love with you, she speaks the world of you"

Kim smiled at Adam, "thank you Adam"

"Don't make me regret it Phil"

"I won't Adam, thank you so much" Phil said shaking his hand.

"You should stay for dinner, Anthony would love it and I know Kim would too" Adam told them, before heading in to the kitchen for a beer.

"Excuse me Phil, I will be right back" Kim said as she followed Adam into the kitchen.

"You, Adam Ruzek are amazing!" She told him as she pushed him up against the wall, surprising him with a kiss, finally parting "that was just a preview. Thank you for that Adam, I know it wasn't easy"

"Darlin', I love you and I'm not going to risk losing you because I'm scared. He's your brother, I would kill to have Anthony in my life. I won't deny you your brother, or Anthony his uncle" he smiled "now, we need to hurry up and eat, so your brother can leave, Anthony can go to bed and we can have a little fun" he teased.

"Oh we will, Adam, you can count on it" she laughed as she joined her brother in the living room.