Michael
My family is going nuts, showering congratulations and good wishes on Charlotte. An assortment of the old biddies are already grouping, discussing baby showers, knitting patterns and exchanging blood-curdling stories of their time in labor…
Time for a sharp exit…
I catch James’ eye across the room…
Is he okay?
But he gives me a thumbs-up and a wide, white smile.
Yup… Okay…
Where’s Ben?
Charlotte’s hand linked with mine, I cast around the room, searching for my brother. I don’t see him.
Depositing my lovely wife in the arms of her laughing-crying-smiling-weeping mother, “I’ll not be long…”
Where is he?
And I scent trouble in the air…
*****
I find him outside, glass in hand.
“Ben?”
He turns, and all the camaraderie and any pretense of good humor has vanished. “What?”
