Chapter 90

word count 1087

The next day, they were having dinner, John, Lisa, Erik, and Elly, when a knock at the door interrupted them. Not that there was any worthwhile conversation going on, what with Elliot acting his reticent self, bringing the others down in the process. Lisa had just made one more attempt to get the talking started when the door knocking interrupted.

It wasn't just a polite tap, but rather a pounding that wouldn't stop.

"What on earth?" John mumbled, throwing down his napkin on the table. "Who knocks like that? As if the house was burning up or something...This better be good."

"John, don't answer. This is our first special dinner at home together." Lisa's eyes pleaded with him. It had meant so much for her to plan and cook this meal, carefully quizzing Elliot what his favorite foods were, and combining those ideas with Erik's favorites. It turned out both boys loved spaghetti and meatballs, and those delicacies were now stacked high on the table, ready to be served.

"If I don't answer, they'll just keep pounding," John observed.

When he opened the door, his eyes bugged out, seeing Buzz and Trudy hanging all over each other, standing there grinning like monkeys.

"Trudy!" John said, blushing to have his current wife come calling while he dined with his "wannabe" wife. "Detective Miller." He nodded in Buzz's direction, man to man.

"Mom?" Elly came running and stopped short when he saw his mother, next backing off like she was contagious with the plague. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, hon! How ya doin', sweetie! I hope she is treating you right." Her intonation on "she" spoke volumes.

Elliot glared at her, unimpressed with his mother's show of affection.

"Trudy, what is that bruise on your cheek?" John rubbernecked it to get a closer look. His heart skipped a beat as he remembered Buzz's reputation for spousal abuse. He shot the other man a scorched expression. He and Trudy might be on the outs, but a part of him still cared what happened to her.

"It's nothing. I...walked into a door...the drinkin', ya know." She looked away. Today was about Buzz and Adam, not her. The way he "branded" her, wanted her to be his own, would remain her secret for now. She was proud enough coming here on his arm to solve his domestic problems, and acting on her own idea at that.

"We wanted to have a talk with you and Lisa," Buzz broke in.

"Okay. Will it take long? We were about to have dinner." John looked to the dining room with a worried expression.

"I don't think so. I believe you'll like what I have to say."

John nodded and went to get Lisa. He told the boys to start eating without them. When the adults were all seated in the living room, John had a chance to study his guests. He was certain Trudy was tipsy. Having lived with her all these years, he knew all the signs. About Buzz, on the other hand, he wasn't sure. The big man seemed like he could hide it well.

"The reason we're here is we...er...I'd...like to ask you a favor," Buzz said. "Well more than a simple favor, but I think you'll agree with what I'd like to ask you to do. You see, we had a discussion with a Dr. Travis, a psychiatrist, in regard to Adam. And, well, they want to take Adam away from me and put him under the state's custody, to a foster home awaiting adoption."

"Oh my God, no!" It was the most horrible thing Lisa thought she'd ever heard. She knew how she would feel if someone tried to take Erik away from her.

"Well, here's the thing. I've accepted that Adam is better off not living with me, but it seems to me he could have a good life with your family, you and Lisa, Erik and Elliot. And Adam and Elliot are best friends already." He paused with uneasiness. "Would you consider adopting him and giving him the home he deserves?"

John and Lisa looked at each and next turned back to Buzz.

"Of course, we will!" They said it both at the same time.

In the hallway, Elly who had faked going to the bathroom so he could wander close and listen, heard the words and felt jubilant. Now things are evened up a little, he thought. I'll finally have a friend in this house.

***

Seven o'clock, and Gil knocked on Simone's door while grasping a bouquet of long-stem roses in one arm and box of chocolates in the other. It wasn't like him to shower a woman with gifts, but Simone, she was special.

When she opened the door, he shot her one of his signature smiles and next planted a fat kiss on her cheek, handing her the flowers.

"Hi darlin'," he murmured in her ear as he leaned close.

"Hey, you!" she replied, gushing as she took the bouquet. "Come on in. I hope you like Chicken Paprikash."

"I already told you, baby! I just need dessert!" He nibbled at her ear as she backed away.

"Well, first, I want you to see that I'm a good cook."

"I don't know about that, but you sure can get cooking! I'm sorry, that was cheesy!" He smiled.

"Come and eat," she said, leading him to the table. "Have a seat while I put these roses in water."

She grabbed a vase and went to the kitchen, leaving Gil alone. When he was certain she was gone, his eyes darted about the room, looking for whatever he could find. Who was this chick and what secret was she hiding? His instincts had gone off from the very first. And she seemed intent on staying close to him. Why was that? He'd played her along because he was certain she was hiding something, something big. Well, maybe not so much played her, she was a sexy lady and he loved being with Simone, but still. Something was up. He had to admit the cat and mouse game appealed to his sense of danger. He'd just go along with the lovey dovey thing until she revealed herself. He'd just have to be careful not to let his defenses down. Yeah, right! That could be tricky, he thought, as he watched her shapely figure reenter the room.

He threw on his best smile. Better she didn't suspect that he, in fact, actually suspected her.