FOTY by Patrick Councilor
"Oh, there's Roz." Niles waved to her from their table.
Frasier jumped up to pull her seat out for her.
She and Alice gave hugs to everyone. "So good to see everyone again."
"And you both are looking quite enchanting," Frasier commented.
"Roz, can I get you something to drink?" Niles offered.
"Well, I am driving, so I can only have one." Then her voice turned a bit more demanding. "Stoli on the rocks and light on the rocks."
Everyone looked great in their dresses and tuxes. Even Martin was in a tux.
Niles returned with Roz's drink.
Roz turned to Martin. "You must be so proud."
"Oh, I am." He smiled. "These boys mean the world to me." He started to get a little misty-eyed. "I only wish…"
Niles and Frasier joined him in completing his sentence, "… EDDIE COULD BE HERE."
The ladies of the table laughed.
"Hey, he's my best friend. Is that so weird?"
Ronee nodded. "Yes, it is."
The house lights dimmed and the Committee Chairman of the Father Of The Year Awards stood at the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests. It is my honor to call to order the 75th Annual Father Of The Year Award. Through the years, the job to chose a Father Of The Year has been difficult to say the least. And I don't use that word "job" loosely. There are so many wonderful fathers in this Emerald City. Tonight is my distinct pleasure in announcing Seattle's 75th Father Of The Year: Martin Crane."
Martin's jaw hit the floor as he shot Niles a look.
Everyone was applauding and Niles was grinning from ear to ear. Both Frasier and Niles had tears forming in their eyes. From the looks of everyone at the table, they were all in on it.
Martin Crane was in awe. His knees suddenly felt weak and he felt a little dizzy.
The entire room gave him a standing ovation.
He was so beside himself, he didn't even recall how he made his way through the crowd to the podium to accept his award.
The Chairman continued. "Martin Crane is the father of two extremely successful psychiatrists: Dr. Niles Crane and Dr. Frasier Crane. Born and raised in Seattle, he joined the United States Army at the age of 19 and served in combat in the Korean War. After returning home, he followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Seattle Police Department which included several years as a mounted patrolman and a position as a Homicide Detective. In 1952, while on duty, he met a pretty young forensic psychiatrist whom he married shortly after: Hester Palmer. They had a wonderful marriage together, until her untimely death in 1987 (God rest her soul). In 1994, Martin was shot in the hip at a liquor store hold up and was forced to retire. He dedicated his life to his family and keeping the streets of Seattle safe. Ladies and Gentlemen… our man of the hour, our hero in need, our Father Of The Year: Martin Crane."
Martin stepped up to the podium with tears in his eyes that he couldn't seem to wipe away. "Oh my God, what do you say to something like this?" Suddenly lost for words, he remembered the advice that he had given Niles the other day: 'All you gotta do is go up there and speak from the heart. Don't make it out to be something so difficult.' "I wish Hester was here to see this." He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "She was the one who did most of their upbringing. I love my boys, don't get me wrong, but I'm gonna get them for this."
The crowd laughed.
"You see, they lead me to believe that I was here to see Niles get this award. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when you have family that looks out for you… like my two boys… well, you know you've done something right." He took a deep breath. "With deep respect to my beautiful wife Ronee, I would like to dedicate this award to Hester… and my two boys… whom I couldn't be more proud of. Frasier and Niles have always been there for me through thick and thin. Father Of The Year… well, ya can't be a great father if you don't have great kids. I love ya both. Thank you."
Applause filled the room and everyone was on their feet again as he stepped down away from the podium.
~ FIN ~