large living area, a smaller dining area off to the side with a table for twelve, and two bedrooms. The largest with a grand king canopy bed, the smaller with two queen beds. Each bedroom had a bath, and a half-bath for the living area.

I walked out in a pair of shorts and t-shirt. He held out my drink and we walked toward the sofas. He sat and then patted the seat next to him.

I walked over and sat down and took a sip of the drink and stifled a slight cough when I found it quite strong.

"Sorry, if it's a little strong." he said apologetically.

"It's fine." I looked down into the drink, not wanting to say the next, but knew I had too. "I'm sorry to hear about Linda and Robert." I said softly.

He lowered his head and nodded. I could tell the accident that killed his wife and son were still fresh wounds even though a year had passed.

He looked up at me and had small tears in the corner of his eyes.

"It's been a tough year." He said bravely, and then took a drink.

I saw he had aged somewhat during the past three years since I'd last seen him. His hair was a little longer and curlier than he had normally kept it, with just a hint of grey at each side of the temples.

"There are days when I reach for the phone to call Robert, only to realize after I pick it up, that he's not there." He turned to face me. "No one's there and there are some days when all I can think about is that it's my fault. If it weren’t for me, they would still be alive, and safe. They wouldn’t have been in that car, coming to hear me speak." He placed his drink on the table and leaned forward; one elbow on each knew he covered his face with both hands.

"Steve," he said softly, "You're the only son I have left."

Those eight words pulled the tears to my eyes.

He leaned into me and just sobbed. I had never seen a grown man cry as hard and deep as he did then. I pulled him in close and just held him as his grief flowed. For maybe ten minutes we held each other tight as his tears finally slowed and his breathing became more normal. Tired from holding him in an awkward position for so long I dropped my arm holding him in front, which landed on his upper thigh. At the time I heard him take a sudden breath I realized I had encountered something long, hard and hot just under his slacks.