But it did taste good. He scooted his chair in a little further so he’d spill less as he shoveled breakfast down his gullet. His pudgy belly pushed ...p against the edge of the table.“I’m off to work, Roy. Where’s your mother?” Nathaniel Ackerman walked into the kitchen with suit, hat, and tie perfectly adjusted. He regarded his son.“Helping Annie with her hair, I think.” Roy looked up at his dad. Maybe someday he’d cut the same trim, dashing figure as his father.“Well, I’m off.” Nathaniel walked. She didn’t notice him at first, but smiled when she saw him pouring much-needed coffee. ‘I heard you two last night,’ she taunted Dennis. ‘So, you finally met Vicca?’ ‘Oh yeah, that Russian bitch nearly wore me out,’ Dennis played along. ‘Nearly? She did wear you out, from what I remember,’ Jessica smiled as she sipped her coffee and continued the game. ‘Hmm, I seem to remember your confessing that I outfucked her,’ Dennis chortled. ‘Either way, what the hell are you doing up at this ungodly. ’ ‘Oh, Joey, no. I can’t. You know why…’ She rubbed her face for a moment tiredly. ‘Have you seen my mom?’ ‘Yeah, Danny and I went to visit her in the hospital the other day…’ ‘And?’ She prompted when he trailed off and didn’t continue. ‘She doesn’t look good, Scarlet. I’ve never seen your mom look so…sick. I’m sorry.’ Scarlet closed her eyes and breathed deep a few times. She could feel the tears prickling behind her eyelids, but she refused to let them fall. She still hadn’t completely. I own some computer stores now – the ‘Hometown Computer’ chain, that’s me.’ He figured it wouldn’t matter if he didn’t mention the real estate holdings he had. ‘So what you’re saying is you’re doing pretty well financially, is that it?’ Brenda asked. ‘I guess you could say that,’ Jason said. He grinned. ‘Besides the computer stores, I invested in another company here in town a few years ago. I own 51 percent of it.’ Brenda looked puzzled, as if she wasn’t sure why he was telling her about his.