Silence

Rob

Robert Alberto Swanson was born on July 5 2055 to an Atlas and Francine Swanson. Schizophrenia ran in his family and at the very early age of 9 was diagnosed with the horrid disease. His parents worked very hard to build the business his father started. But they also worked constantly so he was usually left in the care of his loving grandfather Carter Swanson or 'Stats' as people sometimes called him. Rob came to love his grandfather more than he did his own parents and soon became extremely distant with them. Rob's parents had only found out about his children through social media.

"Do you love her, boy?" Carter asked him at dinner meeting for the grandparents to be, they were early.

"I'm not really certain, Stats. She makes the voices quieter, along with the meds of course. I'm just not really sure I love her, but I know I couldn't bare to lose her as a friend."

"I felt that way about your grandmother at first. I new I really liked her. I told her how I felt and once we spent a year or so hanging out together... we weren't even dating and boy let me tell you it was some of the best times of my life. But once I knew for sure how I felt, that I was in fact in love with that girl, I didn't care if she rejected me for loves sake; I couldn't stand to lose her as a friend. Long story short, pup, sometimes you gotta bite the bullet. Maybe just see each other for awhile get to know each other better. It works, let me tell you. We've spent 40 great, happy, healthy, long years together an-,"

"And we plan to spend another 40 together too!" yelled Rob's grandmother, Casey with a barely noticeable pregnant girl and parents in tow.

"Oh God, I don't think I can do this, Stats. I need some air!"

"You're not going anywhere, pup. It's just dinner. You've eaten plenty to know how it's done. And talked enough to know how to make conversation. Be polite."

Rob didn't like it when Carter pushed him to do things, but he knew when he did, they had to be good for him. Rob sat back and took a deep breath. He stood up as they approached and hugged his grandmother.

"Hi G-ma. How ya doing?"

"Good," she replied, "lost my way to their place, but what's new? Sixty something and I still can't stand driving."

"Yeah, well I'll introduce myself I guess." He looked over at his friend. Or was she his girlfriend now? Or finance?! He couldn't make it out in his head, but he knew that her smile helped calm the screaming demons in his mind.

"You'll do fine," his grandparents said in unison. Carter laughed and Casey took the lead. "Just be yourself. But get them over here quick. If they stand any longer they'll get their own booth!"

Rob walked to the coat hangers where the trio was standing and waved at her. He had no clue what else to do.

"Hi, Mica."

"Hi Robbie," she said shyly back. "This is my dad, Justin and you've met my mom Kaylee." Her father had a half cocked smile on his face as they exchanged pleasantries and shook hands, obviously happy with his daughters choice in mate. Her mother however had a horrid scowl, as if someone had tainted the punch at a family get together with bleach.

"If she wasn't the legal age I'd sue you for everything you have." Said her mom.

"MOM!!!"

"Honey! Do you know who his dad is? They'd have the best lawyers ever born! I thought you promised to be civil?" Pleaded Mica's dad through tired eyes.