All You Need is Love........................part 2
After all these years thinking he was gone forever, after being listed MIA in the Persian Gulf, how could he possibly be alive. Nora couldn't take her eyes off of him and for once was speechless as she wiped away her tears.
Matthew came running up to them with a very worried look
and tried to shove David away.
Matthew: Hey leave my mommy alone. You're making her cry
Nora was now smiling through her tears like she hadn't smiled
in years: Matthew... Matthew it's ok. David this is my son Matthew
Hanen Buchanan. Matthew this is your uncle, David Hanen, my wonderful,
incredible brother.
**********************************
David tightens his grip around Nora's waist as she rests
her head on his shoulder. She simply can't believe that he is
here with her. She had given up hope that he was alive as the
whole family had done after months and months and months of Len
pushing for answers. The only answer they got, was that he had
simply disappeared during a raid and no one admitted to knowing
his whereabouts. Her thoughts were interrupted
Matthew: Mommy can we go home now?
Nora: I guess, sure. David, you are coming with us, aren't you?
I will not accept No
David smiles at Nora and puts his hand on Matthew's head: Well
then, let's go
Nora: Where's your luggage?
"This is it" he said, uncomfortable as he held up a
small crumpled up bag
Nora feels the sadness in his voice: Well let's get the show on
the road. You must be starving. I know Matthew must be and you
must remember that I'm always hungry so let's say we stop by the
diner.
Matthew: Yeah! I'm gonna have a burger and fries and a chocolate
milk and a
Nora: Whoa there Tiger. Slow down. Uncle David will think we have
very bad eating habits!
David laughs: Some things never change, do they?
Nora kissed him on the cheek once again: I sure hope not. Where's
your car, you can follow me
David: Oh I took the bus here. I was wandering around about to
ask for directions to your street when I saw that unmistakeable
red hair of yours. You look fabulous Nora, and this kid of yours
looks just like you
Nora: I always thought I could see a bit of you in him
The Diner
Matthew runs ahead and grabs a booth near the wall. Nora
notices David's eyes scouring the place before taking his place
across from his sister and her lovely child. She hadn't really
had the chance to take a good look at him before this and was
concerned as she stared into his confused, nervous eyes. He looked
the same as he had years ago when he left Chicago to join the
medics at the onset of the war, and yet he looked so different.
Her happy-go-lucky, extroverted, always at ease in every situation
twin must be in there somewhere, but this man with the forced,
uncomfortable smile was not the brother who kissed her goodbye
and ran off to the bus those many years ago.
Nora: Is this too much for you? Do you want to just take out and
go back to my house David?
David: No, no this is great. This is exactly what I need. Matthew,
you're such a big boy... how old are you?
Matthew holds up his hand and pushes his thumb down with his other
hand
David: Four? Really? You look at least 4 and a half.
Matthew grins and looks at his mom: Uncle ummm
Nora: David
Matthew: Uncle David, how come I've never seen you?
David: Well Matthew, it's a long story and I'll tell you the story
sometime really soon.
Their conversation was interrupted by Cris, taking their order,
bringing the drinks, then the food. David eats very little and
asks for a doggy bag, apologizing for his poor appetite. While
finishing up the second cup of coffee they feel the presence of
someone looming over them.
Nora looks up and smiles: Hi there stranger
Hank: Hi Nora... Matthew, you get taller every time I see you!
(Hank turns a bit and looks at their company) Hi... Hank Gannon
David: You seem to get taller every time I see you too!
Hank with a very confused look: Sorry?
David stands up and reaches out to shake his hand: Hi Hank. It's
wonderful to see you.
Hank reaches out as well, but obviously doesn't recognize him
Nora: Hank?
Hank looks at the stranger then Nora: Nora? I think I'm missing
something.
Nora: Hank! Don't you recognize your ex brother in law?
Hank's mind goes into overdrive then it dawns on him: David? Oh
my God, David! When?...how?...I mean...where?....
Hank grabs David and gives him a bit too tight hug: David Hanen...I
don't believe it. It's so good to see you.
Nora: Take a seat Hank, you look like you're about to pass out
Hank awkwardly slides into the booth and grabs one of the glasses
of water. David takes a long deep breath as he stands watching
all of them. Matthew looks from one adult to the next noticing
that all of them are crying. It's a little overwhelming for him
and he starts to cry too as Nora hugs him.
The door to the diner swings open and Bo enters and grins as he
sees Nora. He walks over to their table and tries to size up the
situation: What the heck is going on here?
Nora starts to laugh through her tears: We're just really happy
Bo
Bo looks at the stranger and then at those seated at the table:
I think I need to go out and walk back in again.
Nora stands up and wraps her arms around her twin brother and
kisses him on the cheek: Bo, this is David, my brother David -
I still can't believe I'm saying this. David... Bo Buchanan
They shake hands as David remembers: Ah, Buchanan. You must be
Nora's husband...and Matthew, your son.
Luckily all of Matthew's attention was on blowing bubbles into
his coke.
Nora whispers in his ear: Wrong on both accounts....tell you later.
Bo is confused by the introduction: Nora, you never told me you
had a brother. After all this time you would think that...
David notices Nora as she looks at the floor: It's ok Nora, I
understand
Nora looks up into David's eyes: I'm sorry David, I thought about
you constantly but I just couldn't talk to anyone about you. It
was just too damn painful, but now....
David: I thought about you everyday too
Bo: Hope I'm not being too nosey here but could someone explain
to me what's going on?
Nora looks at Hank and he gets her message and stands up
Hank: Come on Bo, let's leave them alone. I'll fill you in over
dinner
Bo's confused look gets to Nora: Sorry Bo, we'll talk in a few
days. I just need some time with my brother right now
Bo: Yea, sure, I'll see you around. Nice to meet you David
Bo and Hank grab another table as Nora, David and Matthew leave
the diner.
Nora's house
As Nora takes a sleepy Matthew upstairs to bed, David slowly
walks around the living room studying an item or two on the shelves,
a picture of Matthew and Nora, a picture of Matthew and a man
he didn't recognize.
Nora slowly descends the staircase: They tell me that man is Matthew's
father. I wish I could remember the circumstances, but I don't.
David puts down the picture and looks at Nora with concern: I'm
sorry for assuming that Bo was his father, I didn't mean to upset
you
Nora: No no, you didn't upset me David. (She goes over to him
and hugs him from behind, leaning her chin on his shoulder). My
God nothing could ruin this day. The day I got my gorgeous hunk
of a brother back. You've just caught me at a very strange point
in my life. Recently I had a mind altering experience... basically
it means I'm just a bit more deranged than usual.
David smiles, enjoying her self deprecating humour that he had
missed so much: I read a bit about it in a newspaper article.
It was the spark I needed to try to find you.
Nora: But momma and daddy must have told you when you spoke to
them...
David: I'm afraid that they don't know I'm back yet. No one does
except army headquarters. There are reasons why I need to go slow
with this - political and personal. By the way, I need to let
HQ know where I am, would you mind if I call them?
Nora: By all means, use the office, but David, you just have to
talk to momma and daddy. Please.
David: They'll want to see me, and I'm just not ready for that
- you understand don't you?
Nora: In a way I do...... I'll give you till tomorrow to see it
my way - man you're still so stubborn
David: Two peas in a pod huh!
Nora: Stubborn? Moi?
David: Remember the time you stole my new hockey jacket?
Nora: Borrowed
David: Stole! You said you'd give it back if I went out with your
ditsy friend, whatshername.
Nora: Bonny. And if I remember well, you ended up going out with
her for quite some time.
David: Yea, and I still didn't get my jacket back.
Nora: You didn't need it - you had Bonny to keep you warm
A smile crept on both their faces then they started to laugh uncontrollably,
trying to stop, looking at each other, then bursting out laughing
again, until they were on the couch rolling with laughter.
Laughing so hard tears were rolling down their faces, Nora tries
to speak: Oh oh, my stomach!
David tries as well: I haven't laughed like this since....
Nora still trying to compose herself: Oh I know
David finally gets under control: I knew it would be the right
thing to find you first. Memories of you are what kept me alive
over the past 10 years
Nora sobers up quickly: I've missed you so much David. I needed
you. (She punches him in the arm)
David: We'll get through all of this. We have each other now.
To be continued.....
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