Chapter Twenty Lucky spent the next week recovering slowly, while the custody suit moved forward. Luke found out the court date was set just a few days after Lucky was scheduled to be released from the hospital. Lucky would have to go back to the hospital to get more work done on his arm. After his arm healed a little more, then Rick would try to repair the nerve damage. Rick wanted to wait until Lucky was stronger. Luke decided it was time to talk to Lucky about the past. He didn't know how his son was going to take the news, but he couldn't put it off any longer. Luke walked into the room and sat down beside the bed. Lucky was sitting up and his arm had been strapped to his stomach. The next day he was going to be moved to a private room and if things went as well as Rick expected, then Lucky would be going home by the end of the next week. "Hi, Cowboy. I think it's time we talked," Luke said, as he sat down in the chair beside the kid's bed. "What about?" Lucky asked, sitting up a little more. His father's words immediately set him on edge. "How much liquor did you steal from the club and drink yourself?" Luke asked him and watched for Lucky's reaction. Lucky turned his head away and didn't look or say anything to his father for a long time. Finally, Lucky asked, "How did you find out?" "Sonny went over the books and found your creative bookwork. He asked Jason to do some digging around and the rest was easy. You didn't hide it too well. Why Lucky?" Luke asked, as he tried to get his son to look at him. "To get back at her," Lucky said flatly. "Huh, you lost me Cowboy? What does Laura have to do with you drinking?" Luke asked. "She always told me that I can look up to you but never follow in your foot steps. I wanted to show her that I was your son and none of her was in me. I couldn't blow off school because Lizzie needed me to help her pass the classes she joined just to get close to me. I had to do something and drinking and running my own racket was the next step," Lucky said finally looking at his father with tears in his eyes. "Lucky?! You can't be me! We had very different lives and I don't want you to be me. I want you to be Lucky," Luke said to him getting on his knees so he could look directly in his son's eyes. "I know that but I was mad at her and I was hurt. Drinking helps get rid of the pain that she causes," Lucky said. "Only for short while. The pain comes back and you end up needing more booze as time goes on. I know from my own personal experience. I want to tell you some things that drinking did to me and I want you to really listen," Luke said and waited until he was sure Lucky was listening to him. "I'll start when I was sixteen and my dad just left us. I didn't become the protector of the family over night. At first, I really didn't want the job. I went out and got really drunk with some friends of mine. I came home and started yelling and shoving Bobbie around, just like my father used to do to me. Aunt Ruby, didn't take that very well and told me to grow up. I was so angry with my father that I took it out her with words. I told her that she should carry a sign that said, "She served more people then McDonald's. She slapped me hard. She then sent Bobbie to her room and dragged me by my ear into the kitchen. She mixed up the most rotten drink you ever tasted and made me drink it. I got sicker than a dog but afterwards, we sat down and talked about everything. I learned a lot about Ruby that day and came to respect her more as person than my aunt. She wasn't perfect and had to make very tough choices in life. I blamed her for not stepping in and stopping her brother from hurting my mother and me. She tried but I didn't know that and I let my anger eat at me for long time until that night. I realized then that people make mistakes and no matter what, they are family and family is the most important thing in the world to me. I don't know were my father ended up and I don't care because he never gave me a chance to love him or for him love me." "She hit you? Aunt Ruby?" Lucky asked in shock. "Yes and trust me, I deserved it. My mouth over road my brain at that moment in time. The only other time, I let my drinking hurt some I love was when I raped your mother," Luke said his voice going very low. "You really raped her? I thought that part of the letter was made up. How much of Helena's "truth" was real?" Lucky asked, not knowing what to think. His mind went into shock and he just sat there trying to figure out what to do. "None of it but that I raped her. It was back when she was married to Scotty and I working for Frank Smith. I ran the disco in town and she worked for me. I was in love with her the moment we meant. I just thought a person like your mother would never have anything to do with me. Boy, was I wrong. She told me later she loved me just as much. Frank had asked me to kill someone but the hit was one time job. If I did it, I wasn't going to walk away and if refused Frank would kill me. I sat in that disco and got really drunk to the point I didn't care what I did or said. Laura came in and she wouldn't leave when I asked her to. She stuck around to help me out. As time went on all think I could think about was not being able to have her love. So, I took it. I heard her say stop but I was going to die and nothing mattered any more. The problem was I didn't die and she still loved me. I couldn't see how. I even chose my own prison after she refused to press charges but she wouldn't hear of it. I was going to marry Jennifer Smith for two reasons to keep your mother safe and to punish myself. I thought that it was what I deserved for what I did to her. Laura came after me and we went on the run. Slowly, that night at disco went away and we fell in love not lust. She showed me what real love was, as well as true forgiveness. I didn't know until I meet your mother what pure love was until then. Do you know I slept on a love seat that was as hard as a rock? I still feel that thing to this day. She came to me when she was ready to love me. I waited for her and would have until the end of time. Lucky, Helena was wrong when she said that you weren't made out of love. I loved your mother and part of me still does. I don't know about Laura but I wouldn't change anything but that one night because it would mean giving up you and your sister." "You said she forgave you but did you forgive yourself?" Lucky asked. "No. I never have and never will. The things I taught you were things I wanted to live up to. I'm hoping my kid would be a better man than me. I'm not perfect, Lucky. I don't pretended to be or want to be. I'm human and I mess up. I do learn from my mistakes and that is all any one can ask of one person. I wasn't the best person before I met your mother. I did a lot of rotten things and I hope you don't make the same mistakes. I set up the rules I live by now when your mother and I met. She was the one that showed me how." "I'm having trouble dealing with all of this. I see the man you are now and I never dreamed you could hurt mom in any manner. Let along rape her. You always told me that hurting women was for the weak and you're not weak," Lucky said, feeling an enormous sense of loss and confusion building. "I was back then but I didn't know it. I thought I was this big shot but it turned out, I was nothing," Luke said. "Oh, Boy! I don't know what to think. Dad, is the fact you raped her the reason why she doesn't love me?" Lucky asked. "I don't know and if it is, I'm really sorry because then you're paying for my crime. I might have gotten away with it but someday I will pay for it. I just hope my good deeds balance out my bad ones," Luke said. "Can you leave me alone tonight to think about this?" Lucky asked him. His mind was reeling over all the things his father told him. "Sure, kiddo. You got your space but if you need anything just have the nurse on duty call me," Luke said and he got up and left the room. Lucky closed his eyes and started to think about what his father told him. Right, he was angry and hurt to learn the truth about his parents but he also realized that the one parent who cared about him was Luke. Where was Laura when he was in surgery both times? What had she done for him since the Cassadines had come to town? She wasn't around but Luke was. How can he keep his father and hate what he did at the same time? Lucky sat in the dark room, while his mind raced over too much information to let him rest. Lucky lay there thinking until two in the morning, when Bobbie walked into the room. "What are you doing awake?" Bobbie asked, turning on the overhead light. She noticed that Lucky had been crying and she asked, "What's wrong?" "Aunt Bobbie, did you know dad raped Laura?" Lucky asked her still having trouble saying the word let alone think about it. "Yes. He told you?" Bobbie asked as she sat down. "I wondered why he went home." "I asked him, too. How could you love him after knowing what he did?" Lucky asked. "I would love him until the end of time. He is my brother and I know he isn't perfect. Luke was always your hero that could do no wrong. He is mine but I also see his flaws. He has done a lot for me over the years and would most probably do more. I just see him as human and not god," Bobbie said. "He wasn't a god but someone I wanted to be like," Lucky said. "You can still be like him. The Luke he is today is not the Luke he was then. Lucky, do you see me as hooker?" Bobbie asked. Lucky blushed and said, "No." "I was and you know that. I slept with men for money. Your Aunt Ruby was a madam. Does what we did then make who we are now?" Bobbie asked him. "No, you're more than that now," Lucky said. "Then your father is more than a rapist, isn't he? You just learned he had a past that you didn't know about or like. You have to find a way to deal with that past because if you can't then you’re through. He will always be your father but he will no longer be your best friend," Bobbie said and left him alone for awhile to think. Lucky stayed up all night and thought about what his aunt and father said. Lucky slowly began to realize that none of this had anything to do with him. He also realized that his father might be the only person that never held his past against him and never would. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke didn't show up until after they had moved Lucky to his new room. He wanted to check to see if the kid wanted or needed anything, then he planned on leaving. He didn't expect to find Lucky waiting for him. "Hi, Dad," Lucky said, as Luke walked into the room. Lucky was sitting in a wheel chair looking out the window. "Hi, I see you're out of bed. How you feel?" Luke asked him. "Sore and a little stiff but other than that. okay. I'm glad you showed up. I wanted to talk to you," Lucky said pointing to the chair beside him. Luke sat down and wondered if the kid was going to tell him to take a hike for good. "You thought about last night?" Luke asked him. "Yes and I have few questions for you before I finally make up my mind," Lucky said. "Go for it," Luke said, leaning back in the chair. "If you would have never hooked up with Laura, would the person you were then have stopped the Cassadines?" Lucky asked. The question threw Luke off for a few seconds then he thought about the answer. ‘Would he?' Luke wondered to himself and then he realized the answer. "No, I wouldn't have done anything to stop them. It wouldn't have been my fight and I would have just left town and let them fight this battle on their own," Luke finally said. "What about Frank? Would you have turn him in?" Lucky asked. "No and I would have shot the person that did without question. Why are you asking this?" Luke asked him. "I want to know if the man I know now is anything like the man that raped Laura and he isn't. You changed from that one night to now. I don't like what you did, Dad but I know it has nothing to do with me. All my life people have been blaming me for things that happened in the past. I can't do that to you even if it is your mistakes. You stood by me when no one else would. You saved my life more than once and I'm thankful for it. I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that your past is your business not mine and it never will be," Lucky said his eyes starting to water. "I'm glad to hear you say that because I would hate to lose you now. I don't know what I would do with you and your love in my life. Lucky, you always looked up to me and I'm asking you one thing. Don't make the same mistakes I have over the years. Learn from mine so your life might be a little bit better," Luke said. "A little too late, Dad. You told me what alcohol did to you and I think it is time I told you the truth," Lucky said moving a little closer. "I'm listening," Luke said, helping him with the wheel chair and straightening the blanket that lay across Lucky's legs. "I didn't start out wanting to drink and it didn't cross my mind until I first met Chris. He didn't shove the liquor down my throat and the things I have done are my fault not his. School had just started and I was in pain all the time. I felt this big hole in my heart and nothing could fill it. You were busy with the divorce and trying to show the world what kind of father I knew you were. I didn't want to add my troubles to yours. So, I kept my mouth shut and handled things myself. Chris had changed lockers and ended up next to me. I met him right before class one day and he started talking to me. He offered me a drink and at first I told him no but then he called me a goodie goodie and I gave in. I know it was dumb but I was too tired to fight anyone any more. It was the worst stuff I ever tasted but the problem was it got rid of the pain in my heart. I went all day without feeling anything and I liked it. I came home and dug up your old flask that I got you for Christmas one year and I filled it with some of your good stuff. It went down better and for the first time since all that started, I wasn't in pain. I gave Chris a drink the next day and we slowly became friends. I wasn't your son or the kid whose father knows the local mob boss. I was just plain Lucky and I liked it. Chris and the others judged me on who I really was or who I wanted to be. I didn't get drunk at first and wasn't planning on it. I started to sell the liquor to just a small group of friends just for fun. I also imagined mom's reaction to all of this and that made things even better," Lucky told him. "Why didn't you come to me? We could have talked about this and figured it out together," Luke asked. "I didn't want cause you trouble and thought I thought I could handle it. Dad, before Chris, I was the outsider in school. I never realized until all this started how much people really didn't know me. I was this goodie goodie to them. I got along with teachers better than the kids because I never knew how talk to them. The only real friends I had were kids older than me or Sly, Emily and then Lizzie. It never really bothered me until I had no one to talk to," Lucky said. "You had me?" Luke said. "I like talking to you but it's nice to have someone my own age sometimes," Lucky said. "You're really this lonely?" Luke asked. "Dad, look around you. The flowers and the cards all come from people that know you or Laura. Not one kid besides Sly, Emily, or Lizzie sent me anything. They don't even bother to visit me. I skipped school because there was nothing there for me. I could most probably test out of it any day I wanted to," Lucky said. "Go for it," Luke said, "If they make you that miserable then do it. You do anything you want with your life, as long as you try not to break the law. Your mother is the one that put a lot of stock in school not me. You learned more from the streets than you ever did from any book. You want to test out of high school and get a job, go for it. You want to go to college and I will help you out with the money. It is your life and you do what you makes you happy," Luke told him. "You wouldn't think I was running?" Lucky asked him. "No. If those kids can't see the person you really are then they aren't worth it. You're young Lucky and you have your whole life ahead of you. Explore it and find out what you want from life and go for it," Luke told him. "I'll think about it and I just might do it," Lucky said, "I have more to tell you." "Ok, I'm still here," Luke said. "Lizzie and I started going to parties on the weekend. You could call them beer blasts. I slowly started to drink more and more at these parties. Until one day, I went a little too far and almost lost the few friends that I have," Lucky said. *~*~*Flash back*~*~* Lucky, Lizzie, Sly, and Emily walked into the cabin by the lake. Emily grabbed on to Sly's arm for support. The room was packed full of kids of all ages, drinking and getting wasted. Chris had walked up to the group and Sly noticed that Lizzie got real cold toward him. Chris had pulled Lucky up to the make shift bar and shoved a drink into his hand. They slowly moved through the crowd to catch up with them. "You don't like Chris do you?" Sly asked Lizzie in her ear. "No, I don't. He is nothing but a worthless drunk and Lucky does dumb things when he is around him. I'm glad you two decided to come. Maybe you can help me get Lucky to see this isn't any fun any more. He just will not listen to me," Lizzie said. "I never would have pictured Lucky coming to a party like this," Emily said. "He does and he gets as drunk as the others. I want to stop coming but I don't know how to get him to listen to me," Lizzie said. "We'll think of something and I'll help keep an eye on my cousin for you," Sly said, as the teens arrived at the bar. Lucky handed Sly a beer and the girls took sodas. Lucky was drinking some kind of hard liquor and Lizzie didn't like it. Lucky got drunk faster when he drank that stuff. It wouldn't take him long to get wasted. Lizzie was right. An hour later, Lucky was buzzing hard. Chris wasn't helping matters. He talked Lucky into playing some drinking games and by eleven thirty Lucky was so drunk he could hardly stand up. Sly had a few beers, so the teens couldn't go home without calling for a ride. Emily decided to call A.J. hoping he wouldn't give her a lecture about being at one of these parties. She went outside to use her cell phone and Lizzie went with her. Sly stayed with Lucky to keep an eye on him. "A.J.?" Emily said into the phone when she called his number. "Yes, what's up?" AJ asked. Keesha and he were sitting on the couch making out when the phone rang. "I hope I didn't interrupt you but I need a ride home. I'm at a party and my driver had a few beers and the other person that could drive is to drunk to even stand let alone drive a car," Emily said. "Where are you?" A.J. asked getting to his feet looking around for his keys. "At a cabin at the east end of the lake. A.J. don't tell mom and dad about this. I don't want to hear the lectures for the rest of my life," Emily pleaded. "I won't. You did the smart thing and call for a ride. I'll be there as soon as possible and you can tell me the rest later A.J. said and hung up the phone. "Let's go. Emily is at a party at the lake and her rides have been drinking. She needs a lift." "No problem," Keesha said grabbing her coat and they left for the lake. AJ and Keesha pulled up at the lake and found Lizzie and Emily standing in the drive looking for them. "Are you all right?" AJ asked as he stopped the car and got out. "Yes and thanks for coming. Sly only had a few beers but I didn't want to take the chance. Lucky on the other hand is so drunk he could hardly stand. You might have to go in and help Sly get him out." Emily said. "You two stay with Keesha. I'll go look for Sly and Lucky," AJ said having trouble believing that Lucky could get drunk. He realized that Emily wasn't exaggerating when he found Sly trying to pull Lucky to his feet to get him outside. AJ soon joined him and he helped him to his feet. Lucky had passed out and it took all they had to get him out of the cabin. "What did he drink?" asked. "You name and he drank it," Sly said shaking his head. "How much did you have?" AJ asked. "Three beers and I feel a little buzzed but not much," Sly said. "Do me a favor if you ever drink anything don't drive. I know what kind of problems that can cause." AJ and Sly shoved Lucky into the car and they headed home. AJ picked up the phone and called the cops to report a party. He looked at Emily and said, "You can tell any of those kids who did it if they blame you. I'll take the heat for this but I'm not letting those kids drive him in the shape they are in," AJ said as he drove back to town. Lizzie sat in the car glaring at Lucky and trying to figure out what to do. Sly and AJ had dropped him off at home and the girls stayed in the car. "Lizzie, I want talk to you," Keesha said. "About what?" Lizzie asked. "You don't know me but I know what you're going through and if you want to help Lucky, when you tries to get in touch with you tomorrow, tell him off. Don't put up with the drinking and make him really believe you will walk away if this happens again. I also want you to mean it," Keesha said. "I don't know. I love him. How do I walk away from him?" Lizzie asked. "It isn't easy. I did with AJ and it was the hardest thing for me to do but if you want him alive, then it has to been done. Here is my number and if you need anyone to talk to call me," Keesha said handing her the card. "I'll think about it and thanks." Lizzie said. It wasn't until the next day when Lucky called her that she knew Keesha was right and she slammed the phone down as soon as she heard his voice. Lucky looked at the phone and wondered what he had done last night to make her mad. He knew he got drunk and he was still trying to figure out how he got home. He looked around the mess he made in his room and was thankful his father had stayed at the club. He started to clean up and it took him about two hours. He then took a shower and headed to Lizzie's house to talk to her. Lizzie opened the door and let him. She didn't want to say this in front of the entire block. "Lizzie, What…" Lucky began but she cut him off. "I'm talking and then you’re leaving. Lucky, no more parties. I'm sick of it all. We don't have any fun or at least I don't. You just get drunk and I get to watch. You want live like that then find someone else. I'm not doing it any more. You can see Chris and drink all you want when you're not with me but when you are, I don't want to see you take one drink because if you do, It is over and I mean it," Lizzie told him. "Lizzie, listen to me," Lucky pleaded. "No. I'm tired of it and if you want me, you have to do this my way. Now go home," Lizzie said opening the door and she slammed it behind him. Lizzie slid to the floor and cried for hours after he left. ~*~*~End of Flash back*~*~* "I wish they would have told me. Then I could have stopped this sooner," Luke said, as Lucky finished telling him the story. "What do we now?" Lucky asked him. "We start by dealing with your problem with drinking. Lucky, I don't want you to touch a drop and to help you do this, I am planning on making sure you will have trouble finding anything to drink. When you get home, I'm removing all the alcohol in the apartment and you're not going to be left alone in the club. Okay?" Luke said. "Okay. We'll deal with this the same way we dealt with my gambling. I'm sorry dad and thanks for listening to me," Lucky said. "No problem. Now, lets see if we can get you to your feet. The faster your walking the sooner you get to come home," Luke said and he started to help put Lucky's feet on the floor. Luke slowly helped pull Lucky to his feet and asked, "How you doing?" "Fine. Now what?" asked. "You up to trying to walk around a little bit?" Luke asked. "Okay, lets go," Lucky said. Luke held him up and Lucky slowly began to move his feet. Lucky didn't last long and Luke finally had to help him back into bed. "I feel like I'm this helpless child for not being able to stand on my own," Lucky said after getting his breath back. "You're not helpless. You've just been through two major surgeries and no one expects you to run laps. I've been in your shoes remember?" Luke said pulling the chair closer to the bed. "Yeah, I remember. When you broke your back in that avalanche," Lucky said. "I was dumb to do that alone when I could have had my family around. I let my pride keep me away from those who would have helped me," Luke said. "You weren't dumb dad. You just let your pride stand in the way of the people that could help you," Lucky said. "Exactly," Luke said getting up, "I have a date with a very special lady and if I'm late, she will never forgive me." "Who?" Lucky asked. Before Luke got a chance to answer, Lulu ran into the room. "Daddy!" Luke bent down and picked the little girl up and swung her around. "Hi, you ready for our date?" Luke asked. "Yes!" Lulu said, "Hi, Lucky." "Hey, kiddo! How are you doing?" Lucky asked his sister. "I'm fine. You?" Lulu asked as Luke put her down and she went to him. "Better than I have been," Lucky said, trying to help her on the bed, but with only one hand, Lucky was having trouble. Luke finally had to pick her up and place her beside him. "Where are you and dad going?" "Daddy's taking me to the library. They are going to show a movie and have a magic show," Lulu told him. Lucky looked up at Luke as if had lost his marbles. Luke smiled and said, "Hey, don't look at me like that. You tell me how I'm going to say no to that face," Luke pointed to Lulu. "Nothing against you dad, but I don't see you surrounded by little kids at a library. I didn't even know you knew this town had a library," Lucky said with trying not to laugh. He grabbed Lulu as Luke lunged at him. "Help! Protect me," Lucky said, putting Lulu between him and Luke. "She isn't going to protect you to much longer," Luke said, grabbing Lucky's head and started to rough house with him. Bobbie shook her head and said, "Luke, watch it. He isn't that much better and if we don't get going we are going to be late." Luke let go of Lucky and picked up Lulu. "She's right. I'll deal with you later," Luke said and they all headed out. "Okay, dad. Hey, if you guys go out and eat afterward bring me back something. I'm so sick of hospital food I would eat dad's cooking," Lucky said starting to laugh again. "We will bring you back something," Bobbie said. Luke just looked at Lucky and was glad the kid wasn't mad at him any longer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lucky watched Luke leave and leaned back in bed to think. He was thinking of all the things he and Luke talked about. He was so lost in his own thoughts when Gail walked into the room, he didn't even notice her until she spoke. "How are you doing?" Gail asked as she sat down. Lucky jumped a little but then glared at her. "What do you want?" he demanded. "I'm here to talk. You were informed that I was coming by some time this week," Gail said. "I thought dad or Valentine had to be here?" Lucky asked. "No. They are not allowed to be in the room when we talk. They only have to know that we are going to talk but the judge left the when up to me," Gail said. "Okay, ask your questions. Valentine said I had no choice but to talk to you," Lucky said. "You make it sound like I'm going to torture you or something," Gail said to lighten things up a little, but Lucky didn't go for it. He just starred at her with a look that said get on with it. "Okay, no small talk. What do you think of all this mess?" Gail asked him finally. "I wish it was over with and she would get lost," Lucky said. Gail noticed that how Lucky addressed his mother and made a note of it. "You are mad at your Mother?" "She is responsible for all of this and I just wish she'd leave me alone," Lucky said in a cold tone of voice. "What about your father?" Gail asked him making a few more notes. "What about dad?" Lucky asked her. "I know for a fact he pointed a gun at your mother and burnt down the house you used to live in. What do you feel about that?" "Dad wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for her lies." "Lucky, why are you calling your mother her or Laura?" Gail asked him. "I'm not," Lucky said having trouble looking her in the eye. "You are. Lucky, what would you do if your mother got custody of you?" Gail asked. "I wouldn't live with her," Lucky said flatly. "Why not? What did your mother do that was so unforgivable?" Gail asked wondering how deep his wounds ran. "You really want to know? She lied to me my whole life. I wasn't her first born or her little girl. I was just around. She put up with me because of dad. After they were divorced, she didn't have to pretend to love me any more. She stopped calling and coming around. She would drop Lulu off and not even once would she check in on me when I was home. I spent all summer busting my butt and saving money for Christmas. I bought her a locket and you know what she did with it? She gave it to Sarah and said, ‘It was just a piece of junk jewelry she didn't want any more.’ I want her in my life as much as she wants me. I'm just a way to get back at my father," Lucky said coldly. Gail looked at him and made some more notes. Laura hadn't told her this. In fact, she said it was Lucky that had shut her out. She didn't know who to believe but it was very clear that Lucky was in pain over all of it. "I think I got what the judge wanted. Lucky, if you want to talk to me more my door is always open," Gail offered getting to her feet. "I won't be calling you. I have what I need right now," Lucky said and Gail left without another word. Gail went to her office and made her report to the court. Scotty wasn't going to like her but for Lucky's sake she was going to say that he would be better of with his father but with a few stipulations. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke walked in carrying a bag for Lucky and found his son sitting up again looking out the window. Lucky's mood was different from the last time he was there and Luke knew why. He learned from Johnny that Gail had stopped by to talk to Lucky. Luke knew she was going to but he didn't know when. Valentine had warned Lucky the day before but that most probably didn't help when it happened. "I heard Gail stopped by. How did it go?" Luke asked. "Fine, I guess. She asked questions about you and Laura. I told her the truth and I hoped she believe me. I been thinking about what it would be like if we had to leave Port Charles and the only thing that really gets me is leaving Aunt Bobbie, Aunt Ruby, Aunt Amy, Grandma, Rick, and Lizzie," Lucky said. "I don't like it either but we wouldn't have a choice unless you changed your mind about your mother," Luke said. "No. I still don't want her in my life. I would rather leave all the people I love to keep her away from me," Lucky said looking at his father with a very determined look on his face. "Okay, I just had to ask," Luke said handing Lucky his supper. They sat and talked about what Gail asked, as Lucky ate his first real meal in weeks or at least tried to eat. He wasn't that hungry any more. Luke was really beginning to worry about him. Lucky hardly ate and he was losing weight fast. He hoped when he got him home things were going to change.