John parked his beetle at the curb. His long curls matched the messy rust streaks on the car. He scratched his beard all the way to the front door. A tall, fit man with navy crew cut opened the door. "What do you want?" he said. He spoke like a machine gun.
"Hi Bob, I'm here to pick up my son," John replied, remembering that Beth's new husband preferred 'Robert'.
"He'll be ready in a minute." Robert kept the door barely open. After a second, Beth appeared smilingly, making Robert open the door up wide.
"Hi," she said, squeezing Johns arm with her hand.
"How's your car? Still running?" Robert asked John.
"Yes, Bob, it's still running," John replied.
"That's good," Robert said unconvincingly.
"Yes, Bob, that is good," John agreed.
The boy came running, trying but failing to make it past Robert who grabbed his arm and held him like a doll.
"Is all your stuff ready? Where is your bag?" he spat. "Go get it."
"Hey," John shouted. Robert let go of the boy.
"Are you hurt?" he asked him.
"No," the boy replied, looking at the floor.
"Good. Now get your stuff." The boy scuttled off.
"He will be ready in just a second," Robert announced to John.
"How is Roxanne?" Beth asked John quickly.
"Oh, she is fine. She is spending the weekend at the HCI office, she is doing some research project for them."
"Good", Beth smiled. "And don't you start", she said at Robert over her shoulder.
The boy came back with a pack over his shoulder. He scurried past Beth and Robert and grabbed John around the legs.
"Let's get out of here," John said.