Chapter 20

A Walk without Her

Bobby

After Walt finished stall cleaning, walking, and feeding Peppy he followed Bobby everywhere. He skipped his nap and snack. Bobby was concerned. Walt said, "Rests and munchies are for little kids. I want to be the same as you. You and Mommy need to get married so you can be my Daddy. I know she loves you. I listened to her and Aunt Anna talking."

"Did she say she loved me?"

"Yes sir. Not just once, but many times, and she said she wanted to marry you."

A beam blazed from his smile. "Thank you son for making my day. I have been a dunce, but I love your mother."

Bobby and Walt waited in the kitchen. Both bubbled when she came to pick up Walt. She looked at them and asked, "Why are you grinning as if you two ate a gallon of ice cream.? Walt blurted, "Uncle Bobby loves you and wants to marry you. He wants to be my Daddy. He told me today! Mommy, I said yes."

Bobby quipped, "You told me you loved me the other day. Why did you not tell me you loved me the whole time you have lived here?"

"I did not want to appear the same as Selena the 'gold digger.' Whoever said I loved you misunderstood. I love you as a friend, nothing romantic. Previously when Anna and I moved to the rental, I assumed you were mad at me. So, I did not say anything. Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive. I was angry, but it only lasted a moment. When I asked you to move here, I recognized I love you and wanted to marry you. But as I told you then I was an idiot. Now you are saying nothing passionate.

Mrs. Mendez shouted. "Ambos tienen la mirada. (Both of you have the look). You norte americanos (North Americans) can be the dumbest people, sem desrespeito (no disrespect.)"

Momma yelled, "You are right. The way these two have been moping matched the rear-end of a donkey. Hold each other tight and slop the juiciest kiss you can muster, or I'll clunk both of you on the head with my cane."

"No, Momma. She doesn't love me that way."

Mrs. Mendez says, "Hurry and cleanup for supper. It will be ready in an hour. We are having grilled ham steaks, fresh cut green beans, cranberry salad and biscuits."

Betzy took Walt's hand and staggered to her car sobbing. Walt's eyes froze as he focused on his mother.

Bobby's blushed while his mouth and shoulders drooped. Tears leaked from his eyelids. Momma and Mrs. Mendez gaped as Betzy. Betzy growled and moaned between sobs. Anna stared and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Bobby proposed."

"So, you got what you wanted."

I saw him hugging and kissing Gloria Cooper yesterday."

Agnes floated above Betzy and said, "Girl, you exhibited a severe case of stupidity."

"What?

"You kicked Bobby out of the house before he entered."

"He cheated on me before he asked me to marry him."

"So what? Are you blind? The man declared his love for you. What happened yesterday ceased to exist. You secured no proposal before today. He was not obligated to you."

"But he kissed Gloria Cooper. I hated her in high school."

"So? Even if he had that was yesterday."

"Why are you defending her?"

"I'm not. I believe you thought you saw something that never happened."

"Are you saying I am lying?"

"No Mam. Sometimes we see what we want to see, or we misconstrue the event. I just learned how to do flashbacks. I want you to look at the wall and I will replay what you missed."

"OK, but I doubt the replay will change my mind."

Bobby tossed all night. Comfort and calm hid from him. Sobs drenched his pillow. Dreams plagued his memories of convalescing after almost dying in the Vietnam War. It played as fresh as now. His chest swelled, and fire spread faster and faster. Doubts crowded his vision. The three of them deserved blissful life, but terror reigned.

Agnes, interrupted, and distinctly said, "I told you so." It befuddled him. How could she be talking? She added, "I want you to be happy. Remember you and Betzy are going to be heroes. Go workout at the new gym in the mall. The governor has appointments for you, Paul and Betzy. Your expansion as an international hero begins. Enjoy living. The hard work launches as Betzy connects you."

"But Betzy despises me." Bobby screams as he sits up.

Agnes shrieks at Betzy, "SHUT UP and WATCH. Quit BitXXing, WATCH!"

The scene depicted Gloria revealing her engagement ring to Bobby. She reached around him to retrieve the ring which slid from her finger."

"As you can see no kiss. Gloria thanked Bobby who introduced her to the guy who is now her fiancée."

Scene Two: Gloria exhibited her ring to Bobby.

"After Gloria flashed her resized ring to Bobby, he hugged her and kissed her on the forehead like a big brother--no romance. What you achieved frightened and bewildered Bobby. You rejected him four times. To repair your relationship requires a miracle which is beyond my powers. Asking for his forgiveness impedes mending your connection. The new gym at the mall offers a safe place for a new foundation."

Agnes vanished. What makes the gym a suitable place?