Michael (Mike) Roberts

Richie couldn’t be still he’d spent the morning working out and tidying up his den Toni found a couple of things he could on her honey-do list to keep him busy. He was in a nervous state of anticipation…Mike would be arriving in Coffs on the 3:00 flight from LA. Laurie his ex had called him when Mike boarded the plane.

Finally he ran up the stairs and found Toni fresh from a shower and looking for clothes. “You’re getting dressed now?” he asked.

“Honey I just had a shower…I have to dress why don’t you take one too we can leave early and stop for lunch in Coffs.”

“I’m not sure I could eat,” he said pulling off his tee shirt.

However, he did eat and seemed to calm down the closer it got to landing time. Once at the airport the nervousness returned and Toni tried to bring him down to earth again.

“I’m not sure I’ll recognize him Toni it’s been almost eight months since I’ve seen him…you know kids change so fast.”

“They don’t change that fast love look…look there that’s him,” The passengers were beginning to come down the aisle and in the middle of the line was a boy with a name tag attached to his coat and a stewardess with him.

At first Richie couldn’t move he just stared at him until Mike saw him and his face lit up in a big smile. Richie ran over to the stewardess and produced his ID and grabbed his son in a big bear hug.

“How was the flight?” he was saying as they approached Toni.

“Long Dad, I didn’t know it was going to be so long.”

“Mike, how are you?” Toni said, “I’m so glad to see you.”

Mike looked at her a minute, “yeah I’m okay…what do I call you?” he asked.

“What would you like to call me?”

“I don’t know…” he said with a half smile.

“Okay, call me Toni after all that’s my name…Toni Roberts.”

He smiled at her and looked at his Dad.

“Let’s get your luggage kiddo and go home,” Richie said

They talked about the area they lived in and his flight and some of the things they expected to do while he was there on the way back to The Glen. When they drove up in front of the house Mike said ,”wow this is nice Dad.”

“Yeah it is and it’s mostly Toni’s doing…we like it…it’s home.”

It was rather awkward between Toni and Mike, she felt it and thought he must too. She hoped it wouldn’t remain like that…two weeks could be a long time.

Once inside Richie took his bag upstairs and showed him his room and bath that Toni had worked on for him. He was a baseball player so she had moved some of Richie’s souveniers in there for decoration.

“You think this will be all right for you?” Richie asked him.

“Yeah…it’s nice oh this is your old ball and glove…I remember this,” he moved around the room looking at photos of Richie when he played baseball…remembering.

“I’m the same guy Michael…Mike, sorry I can’t get used to that…well maybe I’m not the same guy I’ve changed a little I think.” Richie said

“You’re still my Dad,” Michael gave him a side look

“Yeah well that won’t ever change Michael…I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

Fatigue and emotion got the best of Mike and his eyes filled with tears. Richie rather awkwardly at first put his arms around him and then hugged him to his chest. “I’m stuck with you too kiddo, let’s make the best of it okay?”

“You are the best,” Mike’s muffled reply.