Lost - Two Timer series - 3. Chapter 3

Molly lived on the third floor above the Pleasure Hole. She made Devin dinner as a peace offering. They sat in the kitchen eating a deep-dish pizza with the works. Devin drank beer while Molly sipped on wine.

“You’re not saying much tonight,” Molly said.

“Why did you let him corner me?”

Molly sat her glass on the table and gave Devin her full attention.

“Because I believe there’s truth to what he’s saying.”

“So, now I can’t even trust you?”

“You can always trust me Devin. I care deeply for you.”

“Then I need you on my side Molly.”

“I am. But you’re still dealing with the pain from that institution and losing Tina.”

“She tired. She told me she wanted me with her. But Potter refuse to pay her enough money so she could support me.”

“Did you ever once doubt Tina?”

“No… maybe, a little. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Devin, I’ve known you since you blew into town on that bus. Starving and scared. I found you in the park crying. It broke my heart. You refused a handout.”

“You offered me a job at your shop.”

“I did,” she said, smiling

“it terrified me when I saw what you sold.”

“And now?”

“ I was a stupid kid.”

“Just naïve.” Molly reached out and grabbed his hand. “You got dealt a rotten hand in life and I’m sorry. But you need to trust people again.”

Devin shook his head and returned to eating and drinking. Molly caught the hint that he didn’t want to share anymore. On his fifth beer he finished the last slice of pizza. While Molly loaded the dishwasher as music played in the background. Devin carried his plate over handing it to her leaning against the counter.

“Feel any better?” Molly asked.

“I’m numb.”

“Sorry I upset you.”

“I still love you,” he said, leaning in kissing her on the cheek.

**************

A cool sensation washed over Anton as his eyes opened. Patrick stared back at him relieved.

“Anton are you, all right?”

“What? What happened?”

“You fainted.”

“I did?” Anton checked his surroundings and noticed he was lying on the kitchen floor. He sat up and looked around. “How long was I unconscious?”

“Only a minute, I was about to call Adam.”

“Please say you didn’t.”

“No.”

“Good, no need to worry him. He’ll just call Troy, for nothing.”

“Fainting isn’t nothing.”

“Help me up and I’ll explain.” Patrick obeyed and held Anton until he sat at the table.

“Do you want a glass of water?”

“Yes.” Patrick rushed to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water and a glass from the cabinet. He poured the drink and waited while Anton swallows half the glass. He sighed as the cool liquid refreshed him. “Okay, I have to tell you something. I didn’t plan to visit today. We were coming this weekend. I, came to see someone.”

“Who?”

“Tina’s son,” Anton lied.

“Tina has a son?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you go see him?”

“I wanted to reach out to him. To tell him he wasn’t alone that he is a part of our family.”

“But—after what Tina did and her death.”

“He blames me for her death.”

“Anton, you should let him live his life.”

“I can’t.” Anton blurted out. He grabbed his hand. “Patrick, I’m sorry for snapping at you. And—for lying.”

“Lying?”

“Devin is mine’s and Troy’s son.”

“Adam has a fourth brother?”

“Yes.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“I hope so.”

“Why didn’t you tell Adam?”

“I can’t until I get Devin to understand he belongs to our family.”

“Well if you and Troy go talk to Devin, it might help.”

“I never told Troy.”

“Why not?”

“Because,” Anton broke off slouching in his chair.

“How can you be sure he’s your son?”

“I found Tina’s diary, and she wrote about Devin. I need to take this slow. He’s been through so much. To tell Troy he has a son who hates us might destroy him. But if I can get Devin on board to listen, then I’ll bring him home to see the new life he might enjoy.”

“Can I help?”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“But I want to help.”

“You think you can persuade him to listen?”

“I can try.”

“We’ll do it tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

“Wonderful, but you can’t tell Adam.”

“I won’t.”

Anton hug Patrick and kiss his cheek.

“Thank you, Patrick, I have a good feeling about this. And don’t worry, I had a lot on my mind.”

“Okay but I better get the guest room started we haven’t unpacked that yet.”

“I’ll help.”

“No, you need to rest.”

“I can’t sit around doing nothing.”

“But what if you faint again?”

“Well, you have—resources, right?”

Patrick understood Anton hint.

“I do—but, Adam doesn’t want me using my money to solve my problems.”

“Adam’s not here. And he wouldn’t want his mother sleeping on the couch.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

“Listen you’re keeping a secret for me so in return I’ll keep a secret for you.”

Patrick liked Anton’s reasoning and smiled as he dialed a number on his cell and spoke to Merry Maids service.

In less than an hour people were working through the house cleaning and arranging furniture. Patrick and Anton laid on two massage tables covered in white towels while two muscular males kneed the tension out of their bodies.

“Oh, dear god, this is delightful,” Anton said, as fingers moved along his lower back.

“This is nice. I wish Adam would let me pamper him.”

“He’s set in his ways. But don’t worry he’ll come around. For now, I’ll take the brunt of your, pamper anytime.”

“It’s nice to share with people I love.”

“And we love you Patrick. Especially me—I mean Adam—he loves you.”

“You don’t think he’ll suspect I used money to fix the house?”

“No, I’ll back you up.”

“You’re the best, Anton.”

**************

Devin insisted to Molly that he could get home by himself without help. He told her the walk will clear his head. With a promise he’d call her as soon as he got home. Devin walked a few stops up from his normal place for the bus and waited. His thoughts kept racing back to Anton’s visit. He wanted to erase the memory and wish he’d never contacted him.

“Why won’t he stay away. Wasn’t killing my mother enough?”

A car horn caught his attention as he looked across the street at a black sedan with tinted windows. The driver, a full figure albino female with long blonde braids stood in a chauffeur uniform waiting by the back door on the driver side.

Devin recognized the woman and who she worked for. He pushed himself to walk across the street in a shaky straight line. She opened the door and Devin sank into the seat laying down as the door closed and the car pulled off.