Homebound

Chapter 20

         Laura has never passed more red lights in her life. As she avoids cars, her mind is reeling. Robert has never sounded more broken in his life. Not even when he was grieving Delilah after her death. An idea strikes her and she presses her gas pedal, accelerating herself forward. It has to do something with Delilah. She is the only one that can have such an influence on Robert. She doesn't understand how, but she doesn't encounter any police and crash into any vehicle. She slides into a parking space at the station and rushes to get to Robert.

       "Hello, ma'am." The officer at the front desk greets her, but she barely hears her as she strides to the back where Robert's office is. She grabs the knob of his office door, but it won't open.

      "Dang it." She mutters and slips a bobby pin from her hair and rattles it is the keyhole. After a few seconds, a click is heard, and she slams the door open.

      The sight of Robert is chillingly nostalgic and totally heartbreaking. He has his head in his hands and is rocking back and forth. The sound she made causes him to lift his head. His eyes are red, and tear streaks run down his cheeks. He looks just like he did when Delilah died, lost and beaten. She runs up to him and gathers him in her arms. That act of compassion prompts Robert to break down all over again and sob.

     "I don't deserve you! I don't deserve you!" He moans in misery but clutches her strongly as if she might disappear. Laura squeezes her eyes and grits her teeth with the hope that will hinder her from crying. Robert's weeping is like a stab to the chest. She whispers soothing words, anything that came to mind. All she needed is for Robert to stop crying.

      Finally, his moping quiets down to heavy breathing.

     "Robert, what's wrong?" Laura asks in a hush. Robert motions to a paper that lies a few feet away. Laura frowns as uneasiness creeps within her. She has to stretch to grab the paper because Robert refuses to let her go. In front of her is a birth certificate. Laura furrows her eyebrow as she sees Asher's name. Her eyes trail down to the mother's name, and her blood runs cold. Her late best friend's name, Delilah Croaker, mockingly stands out in the ink black.

      "Oh my lord." Laura looks at Robert in concern. What's going to happen? How will they tell Asher? How will they explain this to Delilah and Joshua? They know that Robert had the first wife but not a son. Robert hid this from them for fear that they will beg to find him. Can Robert reclaim his paternal rights? Does he even want to? All these questions swirl in her head that it makes her dizzy. "Everything will be fine. I know what we need to do." Laura murmurs to herself as she begins to formulate plans.

      "Do what? We're not doing anything." Robert interjects.

     "What do you mean? Of course, we have to do something! Do you honestly think we let  matters settle themselves? Don't be unrealistic, Robert."

      "I'm not claiming to be realistic. I can't tell Asher."

      "You don't have to. I can tell him, and you'll keep silent. In fact, I'll work everything out." 

      "I'm not going to let you do my dirty work." Laura can see Robert submit to his stubborn-will. His heart-broken appearance switches to the countenance of a statue, composed and firm. That face reminds her that Robert is in charge and won't change his resolve. Whatever pleading will go through his ear and out the other. Laura usually would give up to him, but not this time. She is not going to make the same mistake twice.

      "Be stubborn, Robert. However, I can be just as unwavering. We will tell Asher the truth whether you desire it. He has a right to know the truth. That's the least you can do for him." Laura says with a quiver in her voice. Tears begin to flow down her cheeks. She wishes she has better control of her emotions. Asher is the only priority in her mind. The thought of him finding out the reality of things scares her. She will lose him,  and it's all her fault. She should have taken him in as a baby and raise him. Asher won't remain a part of the family because his pride will keep him away.

      "I'll tell him, but don't cry." Robert entreats gently, and he wipes the tears away with his thumbs. "I only ask for time. How about in two weeks? Please, I need to process all of this and mentally prepare myself. Besides, we need to call Mrs. Katz and see what I can do about my rights. We might need a lawyer. It's better if we're prepared for Asher. You know, in case he wants to stay." He smiles nervously at that. Laura smiles brightly.

        "You want Asher to stay?"

       "I've always wanted him to stay. I thought I was making a good decision by letting him go. I thought he would be with a good family. I thought-" His voice cracks, and he doesn't continue. But, Laura knows what he thought for she thought the same. Let Asher (at the time known as 'the baby') go to a saner family. He'll grow up loved and cared for. Why should he stay with dysfunctional people? Robert was in no shape to raise a child. His family didn't want the baby. You could've taken him. Her regret whispers viciously on her ear. But, she could've, should've, would've done didn't happen. This is their chance to correct the biggest wrong of their life.

         "We can do this. We'll call all the necessary people and make the necessary arrangements. However, in two weeks, we'll tell Asher. Deal?" Laura stretches her hand out for Robert to shake, but he brings her in for a sweet kiss. When he pulls back, Robert chuckles at her bright face.

"Deal."

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        "You're late." Asher frowns as the two adults tiptoe in, thinking their kids are asleep. Laura and Robert are startled and somewhat panicked. Robert composes himself faster than his wife and rolls his eyes.

        "Are you our keeper?"

        "Um, I forgot to text you that I'd be held up!" Laura says in a higher tone of voice.

        "I had to take an extra shift for another officer. I didn't think to let you know." Robert says cooly.

         "It's 9 o'clock. It doesn't seem like you guys to forget about your children. Is everything alright?" Asher deadpans, not taking their excuses.

          'If only you knew.' Robert thinks as he waves his hands nonchalantly. "Everything's alright. We truly forgot to check in. Thank you for being responsible and watching Delilah and Joshua for us. It won't happen again."

         "Damn right it won't. You'll never put me through that stress again." Asher replies with a grin.

         "You seem stressed." Roberts snorts.

        "Well, I was. Now, I'm not. Don't question me. Anyways, good night." Asher waves at them. When he turns his back on them, Asher rolls his eyes and scowls. Yeah, right. Asher doesn't believe them. They never 'forget'. Some things are up and Asher will get to the bottom of it. 

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         Hey everyone! I START SCHOOL TOMORROW. I'm excited. I'm kind of dreading the work load, but I see it as a preparation for college. I hope everyone is having a great Monday! Stay awesome. 

                                                                                                     Liz