It's been a long time   Standard Disclaimer. Not mi-(yawn) here we
go again. Please send comments, questions, compliments, and otters to
sdelcul@mail.com or visit http://members.nbci.com/dueSou and
http://www.learnlink.emory.edu/~sdelcul  It's been a long time "Hey Ma,
you got a minute?" 

"Certainly, caro.  Just let me wash my hands." 

She was making his favorite, actually: agnello a cutturo.  Subconciously,
perhaps, she knew that today was the anniversary of Ray's divorce from
Angela.  While the divorce had been for the best, and they remained
friends, Ray always seemed a bit sad around this time.  It was a simple
matter for her to take a little more care of her darling son once a year. 

They walked into the sewing room, which didn't really contain any sewing
materials.  The room was currently being used for storage, and it was one
of the few rooms in the house that was insulated enough to be relatively
private.  Ray intended to tell the rest of the family about his decision,
but he wanted to tell his mother first. 

"I've given this a lot of thought, Ma, and I'm ready to move out again. 
With Maria pregnant again, and Frannie and her husband staying here, it'll
leave more room.  I found an apartment just a few blocks away, and I'll
still be here for dinner as often as you want." 

"Raymondo, won't you be lonely?" 

"That's a good thing, see.  If I get lonely, I can always suggest that
Benny move in with me.  I might even manage to get him out of that rathole
he calls an apartment." 

"How soon would you be moving?" 

"I was going to tell everybody tonight after dinner.  Pack during the next
few days and get some help to move over the weekend." 

  

Fraser had just helped Ray unpack the last of the boxes from the move. 
They'd eaten dinner, the first in Ray's new apartment, and now Ray was
trying to postpone his leaving. 

"Hey Fraser, you got a minute?" 

"Certainly, Ray." 

"Don't you think it's about time you found me attractive?" 

The shock on Fraser's face was horribly amusing.  Ray would have been
rolling on the floor at his expression if he hadn't been just the
slightest bit nervous.  In a few minutes Ben had gotten over his surprise
enough to respond. 

"I always have, Ray.  I always have." 

Now that was a productive week.