Us and them. Thanks, dad, mom, Roger and first of all, my dear son Rick. You have told me that moments I can’t still remember. Rick, forgive me, I was not a good father; in spite of that, you keep loving me and telling me that moments what nobody else but you know. I promise to be the father you deserve. Thanks also to Roger and Mary, I will tell why.

Who am I? The young man who left Corbin ready to eat the world? The father and husband living an ideal life? Or the depressed man who was hidden from reality in alcohol? I can’t believe I would be one of them.

Nick gave me a pen and paper saying:

—Write everything you remember and what they tell about you. Try to know yourself, this exercise will help you.

—Must I take it  as an exam?

—No. Write for yourself.

I enjoyed writing my story. Since this chapter I decide to write in first person.

There was not agreement about my hospital discharge. Rose and David kept I must live at my born home. Roger argued I come back to Bronx. Nick voiced the ideal place is my old house in Manhattan, here it is easier to recover my memories. Mary wanted I go to her house, I want to stay with her.

There was another question, Rick decided to stay with me.

It comes the definitive day. Everybody agrees Nick’s suggest. The house is still empty. The owner offered a discount, because nobody wanted it. Mary was able to pay it and she left her house, so she saves the rent.

A Hummer had the blame of the accident. One week later I go out the hospital with crutches, the same Hummer carries me at home. Mary drives toward the building parking. Rick says inside it:

—Dad, our Jaguar was at this place.

—What did it happen?

—You sold it.

My parents are waiting us upstairs. The meal is ready and we five eat together. Mom breaks the silence:

—The house is such as I remember. Step by step we were moving everything from the another house.

—I don’t want to see that house. I think it is better selling it.

—I agree at all. —Dad says.

We made it days later.

The relationship among Mary and them is good. She cares my son:

—Rick, eat the spinach.

—I don’t like it.

—Have you known Popeye?

—Yes, I cannot believe he just eats spinaches.

—Just between you and I, I neither. You still have burger, try to eat it together.

After meal Rose seems the host and I the guest. She shows me the house, all of them knew it before. The biggest room has two beds and two closets.

—David, this is your room and Rick’s.

Another room has double bed, it is for my parents. Mary’s room has an only bed. The fourth one is the computer room, with three tables and six chairs. Two tables have a laptop each, the other with computer, keyboard, screen and printer. Something grabs my attention:

—There are only electric wires, how do they work?

—By WiFi, it is a connection technology.

—Amazing! I need to learn very much.

—Take it easy, I’ll help you.

—Which may I use?

—Whatever you want. When I don’t use it. Also to everybody.

—I want copy my manuscripts.

—I suggest you to use this laptop. You also can plan your tasks everyday. Sit down.

I agree, she sits by my side and explains letting me use it. I write:

8 a.m. Wake up and breakfast.

9 a.m. Walking through Central Park with dad during an hour. Later we go at the supermarket. I take a bath when I return home.

12 a.m. Meal.

Afternoon. Writing.

7 p.m. Dinner.

Evening. Writing.

I share room with my son. Today is Saturday and we go to bed at midnight. I cannot sleep.

—Rick, are you sleepy?

—No, dad.

—Do you miss your mother?

—Yes, too much. I am getting used to live without her.

—Did you hate me?

—Yes. We still lived here. You stayed outside the most part of the day and you always returned drunk. Mom used to tell I had to get patience, you gave me everything and you loved me.

—She ought to be a great mother.

—She was. She advised me to look ahead, the best is going to come.

—What do you think about Mary?

—I hated her the accident’s day. Grandma told me that hate just hurts who has it. Now I appreciate her, she is teaching me many tricks about internet.

—Rick. I am sleepy. And you?

—Also I. Good night.

—Good night.

Spring is near. I don’t need crutches. It is time to start the new job, from 9 to 13 and 15 to 19. The best is I live near and two hours are more than enough to eat at home.

Rose always takes the floor:

—David, you don’t need us already. Rick, take care your father. Mary, you are a good homemaker. We have two single tickets to Lexington.

—When? —I ask.

—Past tomorrow at 6 a.m.

Mary says:

—I will really miss you.

—Mom, dad, everything I remember it is being with you. Now I feel as beginning a new life without you.

—You have two peoples who love you.

I must be grateful…

…to Roger, he waited until I am recovered to open the clothing store.

…to Nick, he is guiding me across the path to my self-knowledge.

…to Rose, David, Rick and Mary. You know why.

Nobody should live alone. I am lucky to live with Rick and Mary, we love us.

Also I need to keep in contact with Rose, David, Roger and Nick. I feel in debt with them.

When I wanted to stay alone, it was the worst part of my life, though I can still remember it. Now I know the worst I can do is to disappoint us and them.