RELIVING THE PAST
N/A: This is taking place as current. This story will have some violence and possibly triggering material. So please be warned. And I hope you all enjoy and review. Thank you.
Chapter 1
After Franco left, Elizabeth thinks about all the times Franco has helped her over the last few months. After all the negative reactions to her knowing that Jake was Jason. He seems to be the only one that doesn't want to blame her for global warming. She goes to bed in her new house with a sense of the tiniest bit of hope. Things might be getting to some semblance of normalcy.
In the morning she makes the boys toast and does what she promised Franco. She thinks of him as she makes breakfast. Then she gets the kids ready for their day. And then gets ready for work. As they head out, Elizabeth gets the mail and drives the boys to their appointments.
"Gram is picking you guys up. I will be there to pick you up at Grams when I get off work. Be good. Love you. Be careful and try not to get hurt or hurt anyone else. "She one by one drops them off at their different sports practices. Then drives to work. Once she has changed, she sits down and goes through her mail. She's intrigued by an envelope with her name on it. But no address of any kind. No stamp. So she opens it. As she reads, a smile spreads on her face. The letter was so sweet and warm. But it wasn't signed. Her first thought is Franco. She could see him doing that to build her confidence and self-esteem. But she didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she just puts the letter back in the envelope and puts it in her purse. And it's soon forgotten.
Life seems to go on. And she realizes that once a week another letter shows up the same as the first. This has gone on for nearly two months. She admits to herself that they have built up her confidence. But the sweet, warm letters were taking a different turn. The latest one seems to have a creepy sexual undertone. And it made her uncomfortable. So she decides she's going to talk to Franco about this letter. She couldn't find him when she first got to work. But she's going to look on her break. This is not acceptable behavior. She goes and looks for him at the art therapy room. She doesn't find him there. So she just wonders and looks for him. She finds him in a young girl's room. She watches from the door, out of sight. It looks as if the young girl had been abused or in a bad car accident. She was covered in bruises. Franco has her laughing and smiling.
"So do you draw?" Franco asks, setting down a sketch pad and pencil.
"No. I'm not allowed to draw. I have to study all the time. I don't even have friends. They say it will distract me from my studies." The girl responds.
"Well, here you can draw. In fact, I order you to draw. If they don't like it, tell them its doctors' orders. And to have a friend. You have to have on good, close friend. And if you are ok with it, I'll be that friend until you make one of your own. Deal?" Franco holds his hand out to shake her hand on the deal. She does. Then starts to draw. "I'll be back soon. I have to go check on another friend. If you need or want me, buzz your nurse and she can page me." Franco kisses the top of her head and turns to leave. Once he's outside the door, Elizabeth calls out to him.
"Franco. Can we talk for a moment? I'm on break so it won't be that long."
"Sure. What can I do for you Ms. Webber?"
"Franco, answer me honestly. Have you been writing me notes?" Franco looks confused.
"No. I don't tend to write notes. If I have something to say, I say it."
"Are you sure? This last one was over the line. I didn't like it. It scared me. I just want the truth." Elizabeth looks uncomfortable. Franco can tell she's telling the truth. His smile fades.
"I'm sure. What was different from these other letters?"
"The content. It went from almost two months of sweet kindness to crude and disgusting. It was suggestive. That's why I thought maybe you were writing the other ones and were pranking me with this letter." Elizabeth pulls out the vulgar letter.
"May I look at it?"
"Sure. But you better be telling me the truth." Elizabeth shivers. Franco reads the letter. He looks up at her from the letter.
"This is not from me. I promise it's not from me. This borders on sick and perverted. Wow, never thought I would see the day that I could call people names and be innocent." Franco puts the letter back in the envelope. I would hold onto this. If you get another creepy calling card, let me know. We can go to the police." Franco hands her back the envelope.
"Thanks Franco. I don't know if it's bad or good it's not from you. I would have felt uncomfortable around you if it was you. But now it's scary that it's not you. Thanks for letting me talk and not taking offence to me asking if it was you."
"No problem. I understand because of my past. But you make me strive to be the best man possible. So I can promise you won't see the crazy Franco again."
"Good. My boys like you and I like you. But I have to be careful that you are safe. We need to reassure Jason you are not a threat to any of us." Elizabeth looks at her watch. "Sorry. I have to get back to work. You were really good with that girl. Keep up the great job Franco." She kisses her check and walks away. Franco smiles, then goes on his way.