5 Chapter 5: Robert

"I told you many times Rob, don't call me by my last name, we are like family, call me Uncle Matt, like you used to."

Robert snorted as he flipped a sizzling T-bone. "Uncle? you could be my Gramps"

"You said something Rob?" Matt turned from the TV.

"I asked if you liked your meat well? You like watching TV, don't you?" Rob mused as he finished the final touches on a plate. Red potatoes, steamed white rice, and a T-bone as the main entree.

"The only thing that can get me out of a TV is work and food!" Matt chuckled, looking at Robert, as if expecting him to laugh to, but only seeing a stoic face in return.

Robert set the plates down for two on the dark brown mahogany table. "Not even aunt Viagra can get you off?" Rob mumbled.

Rob saw a set of blue eyes staring from the couch, "Time to break your fast Matt."

Matt eye the young man in front of him with suspicion. "What's with young people now days?" He grumbled watching Rob grin.

Matt sat in the middle , eyeing the plate with a hungry gaze.

"What do you want to drink?" Robert asked as he made his way to the fridge.

"I'll take a beer." Matt sat on the table, folding the sleeves of his gray sweater.

"Sorry, I got no beer." Rob commented as he eyed the inside of the fridge. "Besides, it is too early for a beer, are you a social alcoholic now? Matt?".

"Ha, okay, just give me some juice then."

"Sure, what kind?" Replied Robert with some mirth in his voice.

"Apple juice would be great."

Rob moved a few items in the fridge, while moving his face to different areas, searching.

"Sorry, I have no apple juice." Robert replied, hiding the smirk with his back.

"What do you have, Rob?" Matt's face grew suspicious.

"I have water, want some water?"

"Then why did you offe- sure, give me some water." Matt sighed.

Rob grabbed two glasses before feeling them with cold water. He walked towards the table before handing one to his uncle Matt, and keeping one next to him.

His uncle did a small prayer, while he , pretended not to see, not touching his food out of respect for him.

After his uncle finished the prayer he asked. "What were you watching ?"

"Nothing really. Just the news , I swear the news feel more and more like TMZ everyday." His uncle said as he cut into the meat.

"Wow this is some nice cooking! I figured after a bunch of MRE's you would have forgotten what good food is!" Matt laughed at his joke.

Rob remained stoic as he continued chewing.

"Kids these days, they are not born with a laugh box." He whispers as he goes for another piece.

After lunch, Robert picked up the plates rinsed them with water , and placed them on the dishwasher.

He looked around trying to find the dishwasher soap, opening a few cabinets.

"What are you looking for?"

"Thank you for taking care of the house all this time, but, you seemed to have forgotten to buy dishwasher soap." Rob said as he rolled his eyes.

"Haha , well, I had someone else clean around once a week. But I havent come here since ,you know, 5 years now."

"You and me both , but it is the same as it has ever been." He glanced at the window on his right. Even out there the view was the same.

"Anyways, when are you going to come visit?"

Taking a pause from washing the dishes, Rob said. "I am just waiting to get settled before I go."

"Okay, just don't take too long. On another note, what are you planning to do from now on?"

"To be honest Matt, I haven't thought about it. I do not have any skills or experience in anything besides the Army."

"Well you are still young. Don't you have anything you like to do?"

"I never had any inspirations if I am being honest."

"I understand." Matt mutes the tv before adding. "You arrived just in time, did you planned it ?"

"It was definitely a coincidence , everything just came in at once." He sighed.

Robert dried all the dishes before putting them where they belong.

Matt stood up from the couch. "Listen Rob , if you ever need anything dont hesitate to call me alright ?"

"And I expect you to come visit , I basically live next door !"

"I will, thank you Uncle."

After saying their goodbyes, Robert turned to the tv. They were showing the weather at the moment, tomorrow was going to be nice and warm, and it will just keep getting hotter through out the week.

'What do I like to do?' He wonders, reacing for the tv remote and turning off the tv.

An image of his sister clapping whenever he played the guitar and sung for her popped up in his mind. He chuckled in spite of himself.

"You do love music Lilly." He turned toward the entrance of his home, his Seagull S6 leaned against the wall.

"And I haven't played you in years!" He sighed. "I guess I might as well start practicing if I want to play it for you."

Getting the guitar out of its case, Rob caressed it and softly stroke a few strings.

Adjusting the guitar, it was out of tune after being stuffed in its case for a long while.

It seemed as if it was just yesterday when he picked it up.

He played a few chords, his fingers remembering even if he did not.

"Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.

Now it looks as though they're here to stay.

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be.

There's a shadow hanging over me.

Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she had to go?

I don't know, she wouldn't say.

I said something wrong.

Now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.

Now I need a place to hide away.

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she had to go?

I don't know, she wouldn't say.

I said something wrong.

Now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.

Now I need a place to hide away.

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm."

He placed the guitar back with a smile on his face.

"I almost forgot, how can I go visit them without any flowers?" Robert went to get his keys and wallet, before walking out of the house.

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After coming back with flowers, Robert made sure to set aside some clothes for tomorrow.

Touching the small stubble in his face, he smiled. "At least I won't have to shave daily anymore."

Turning off the lights in his room, Robert fell asleep.