Trust Me

Hawaii.”
    “What about Kyle and Jason?”
    “What about ‘em? They’re okay, aren’t they?”
    Stark wished he’d taken the call in his study. He was grimly aware that his brothers were hanging on every word. One more adult was making a decision that would affect their future. “Yeah. They’re okay.”
    “Figured they would be. Alison says they got themselves all the way to Seattle on a bus and even found your place in the middle of the night. Those boys are sharp. They remind me of you when you were that age.”
    “Look, Hudson – “
    “What’s that?” Hudson sounded abruptly distracted. “Hold on a second, Sam. Jennifer’s trying to tell me something.”
    Stark tightened his fingers around the receiver as he listened to the feminine voice in the background. Something about how late it was and that it was time for bed.
    “You bet.” Hudson’s voice was muffled as he responded to the woman. “I’m almost through, honey. Be there in a minute. Damn, that little red thing looks good on you. Okay, Sam, I’m back. What were you saying?”
    “We were talking about the fact that Kyle and Jason are here in Seattle.”
    “Oh, yeah. I don’t know what to tell you, Sam. Alison stuck ‘em both in therapy the minute I told her I wanted the divorce. Nothing like therapy to screw up a couple of kids.” Hudson chuckled. “The fact that Alison’s sleeping with their shrink probably doesn’t help matters, either. But Jason and Kyle will be fine.”
    “You think so?”
    “Trust me, they just need a little time. Hell, your mother and I got divorced when you were, what? Ten or eleven…”
    “Ten.”
    “Whatever. My point is, you turned out okay, didn’t you?”
    “Sure.” Stark thought about the years of being an outsider in his own family, boarding school, two failed engagements, and a lifetime of being alone. “I turned out okay.”
    “Right. The problems Alison claims Kyle and Jason are having aren’t caused by the divorce, you know, in spite of what that shrink says.”
    “They’re not?”
    “Hell, no. Those boys are ten and twelve years old. Their problems are caused by the fact that they’re young kids on the verge of turning into fullblown teenagers. They’re going through a stage, that’s all.”
    “You think so?”
    “Damn right. It’s the shrink who put all those fool notions in Alison’s head. She ought to fire him. Hey, I’ve gotta run. Jennifer’s waiting for me. Not the kind of lady a man keeps waiting. Say, tell Kyle and Jason I said hi, will you?”
    “They’re right here. Why don’t you tell them yourself?”
    “I would, but I don’t have time. Like I said, Jennifer’s waiting. So long, Sam. Good talkin’ to you. Hold on, I almost forgot. Got your wedding invitation a couple of months ago. Didn’t have time to get a gift off but congratulations anyway. Next time I’m in Seattle you can introduce me to your bride.”
    “There was no marriage. The bride didn’t show.”
    “What the hell? Don’t tell me this fiancee went south, too?”
    “Yes,” Stark said. “She did.”
    “Jesus, Sam. You need some tips on how to handle women. What did you do to spook this one?”
    “Asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement.”
    “Well, look at it this way,” Hudson said, not without sympathy. “Calling off a marriage is a lot cheaper than getting a divorce. Trust me, I speak from experience.”
    “Yes, I suppose you do.”
    “Take care of yourself. Maybe we can get together one of these days.” Hudson hung up the phone.
    The line was dead.
    Stark replaced the receiver very slowly. He looked at Jason and Kyle. They watched him in stoic silence.
    My point is, you turned out okay, didn’t you?
    Stark folded his arms across his chest. “If your mother will go for it” he said very cautiously, “you two can stay here with me for the summer.”
    Alison went for it.

    An hour later Stark sat down at the desk in his study and dialed the number of the only person he could think of who might be able to help him.
    “Right Touch Catering,” Desdemona said when she answered the phone. Her warm, vibrant voice was laced with the enthusiasm of the optimistic entrepreneur anticipating fresh business.
    “It’s me, Stark.”
    “Good grief, it’s eight o’clock in the morning. What in the world are you doing calling at this hour?”
    “I’ve got a problem.”
    “What sort of problem?”
    “My two half brothers arrived to stay with me for the summer.”
    “I