HONEY: BOOK II Josie Who also Has A Last Name

Prologue Part II: Getting Away

"Dad, it's been six months since the divorce. You have hardly left the house I really think you need to get away for a bit." Adam Stevens was pleading with his father.

"Adam, you don't know what it is like to have half of your life erased with the stroke of judge's pen." Robert Stevens was trying to explain what he was feeling to his oldest son.

"Dad it wasn't erased. It's not like you all of a sudden didn't exist during those years. You have a ton of memories, good one's with us kids and I know things were always tumultuous with you and Mom but I remember lots of smiles between you guys. It wasn't all bad. You just need to snap out of this funk and get your ass in gear. You can't mope about the house for the rest of your life." He was trying to get his father to accept the way things are instead of living for the way things were.

"You know I am not even sure why it is bothering me so much. It isn't like this is a new thing. You mother and I haven't lived together for over five years we have both moved on from one another, but still, the finality of the divorce just hit me so hard. I guess I just thought we would always have each other to lean on as we always did." He spoke with resignation in his voice.

"Why don't you get away for a while? Go somewhere you have always wanted to go. I know, go visit your cousin Matt in Colorado. You are always talking about going to visit him but I never remember you doing it. You have time; Terry can take care of the business until you get back." The idea of travel came to Adam suddenly and he hoped his father would listen to him.

Robert seemed to be considering it for a moment "I don't know." He said and then stood quietly for a long moment. "Maybe, I'll think about it." He said finally hoping that it would satisfy Adam's concern.

"Great, Dad. Hey I have to go. I need to pick Cassidy up from school and it is a two hour ride." He walked over to his father and gave him a hug. "Please do think about that trip. I think it will be good for you."

"I will. You take care and give Cassidy a hug form me. See you soon." He leaned against the kitchen counter as he watched Adam walk out the door leading to the garage. He heard his car start and then pullout of the driveway. He stood there a long time as he pondered the idea of a trip. 'It might just be what I need.' He thought aloud. He put his coffee cup down and went to his desk in the study and a found his Cousin Matt's phone number.

It had been years since he saw Matt. He was actually his mother's first cousin but he was only about ten years older than Robert. He had lived in Longmont Colorado where he moved after getting married, for decades. The phone rang and someone picked it up, it was a child's voice.

"Hello" the voice said.

Robert was a little taken aback. He knew Matt had no small children but then he remembered that Matt's daughter had a couple of kids. "Hi" he said "is your grandpa home?"

"Yup." The little voice said and there was a momentary pause. Then he heard the little voice become loud and screechy "GRANDPA!! SOMEONE WANTS YOU ON THE PHONE!!" Robert had to take the phone away from his ear. But he smiled.

A few minutes later a man's voice came over the phone. "Hello." The voice sounded so familiar but the familiarity was with Matt's father not Matt. He sounded just like his father.

"Matt, it's Bobby Stevens." Robert said hoping it had not been so long that Matt had forgotten him altogether.

After a brief pause "Bobby, How the hell are ya?! It's been a long time. I am sorry to hear about Your Mom and Aunt Jen." He said showing that he had been keeping up with the family if not being an active participant.