Once there , there was some neighbors clustered near his house, one of them about to call the police . From his house came cries and noises . Sam and Diane convinced to the neighbor to not call because they were going to try to calm him.
They knocked on the door. To their surprise was not Cliff who opened .
-Norm ! What are you doing here? -Sam asked .
- I guess the same as you , -said Norm - I left my phone to a neighbor in case anything happened ... so ..he called me .
-You're a good man , Norm ! - Diane praised him .
-Yes ! Sure... tell you it to Vera -said sarcastically Norm-
- Where is he? -Sam asked- .
- in what was the living room before they passed the seven horsemen of the Apocalypse...
- I'll see if I can make a coffee , -said Diane- .
Cliff´s house had nothing to do to how it was before, the clean, cozy and homely house that was a few months earlier had become a dirty and smelly hole: food scraps and empty bottles and cans scattered was everywhere . Even the walls in some places had spots of indefinite color and scent, whose provenance Sam chose to ignore .
In the middle of the living room couch was Cliff. He was disheveled , his beard grown and half dressed with an undershirt and pants . He looked drunk , defeated, with an expression on his face that mirrored a tormented soul with grief and despair.
-Hi Cliff ! How are you , boy ? - Sam shyly greeted with a forced smile.
- Who the fuck called you ? -Cliff asked with narrowed eyes, making a great effort to lift his head- Was you , Norm ? ... Anyway ... you can all go to hell ...
-Come on, man ! -Sam said trying to cheer -We are your friends! Do not say such things . We're here to help you .
- I do not need help -Cliff replied sourly- .
-Sure you need help ! - said Norm-
-Nobody asked your opinion! Better go to your house to hefix your marriage ...fat shit -Cliff said in violent tone- .
-That's not fair , Cliff was helping during the disease from your mother -Sam said scolding to Cliff- . Then he turned to Norm, who was putting his jacket to go home
- Do not you must consider what he says, it´s drunk, out of his mind ...
- No, Sam, -Norm said as he headed toward the exit- better I go, I do what I can, but I know when I can´t help more.
At that time, Norm crossed with Diane, that carrying a tray with a jug and cups for the coffee.
- Are you going Norm? -Diane asked-.
-. Yeah, I think so ... I'll see you in 'Cheers'
Upon reaching the room, Diane could not repress a gesture of repugnance at this catastrophe called living-room.
- Norm is gone- said Diane to Cliff-
- And you should do the same, -'said Cliff with an unpleasant and defiantly gesture- Who needs the help of a drunk former player and a crazy busybody ?
- Remove those words about Diane or I'll break your face! -said with fury-. Sam knew very well what was to be drunk, but could not stand anyone insulting to Diane.
Cliff had gotten what he wanted, jumped to his feet in position to begin his desired fight.
- Quiet everybody! -Diane cried as she stood between them -calm down guys! Is that clear?-
After a few tense moments, the two possible opponents went down their fists and their gazes.
- That's better, -said Diane-. Then she asked to Sam: -Please, leave us a moment alone-
- Okay. I'll be around if you need me ...-Sam looked askance at Cliff.
Once alone, Diane began to realize the plan she had in his mind since last night.
- Well, Cliff. Where do we start?
- Do not talk in that tone of voice, You aren´t my mother ... She ... is ... dead ... - He could not resist and began to mourn.
Diane left him mourn not a very long time. Cliffs´ binge had gone from stage violent to the stage of the laments and tears. That helped her plans.
- I know what you were attached to her. I am also an only child and I understand ...
- No, you don´t understand -Cliff interrupted-. It was obvious he wanted release the pain. That was good. So Diane was silent and listen assertive.
- My parents married young . It was crazy without thinking. Shortly after I was born. It was a long and difficult birth, in which almost mom and I die . When I was very young , dad left us . Here the problems started. Mom's family would have none of it, because she had married without his consent and hiddenly. Although she was married , people thought she was a single mother. The neighborhood looked her contemptuously like a whore or worse. I was treated badly for boys in school, but mom downplayed everything and she always tried to encourage me . Mom had to work to get ahead at home . She went at night classes to finish their studies and to help me in the school. She even bought an encyclopedia that we used to read every day! - There is longing in those words - Mom tried to make me an honest and hardworking man .
- And did it , believe me. Sure she must be proud of you there, from Heaven. Diane said in soft, warm tone .
- Thanks Diane -Cliff said wiping tears- Diane, I want to say that you come from a rich family, you might have everything at your fingertips , you could go to college . On the contrary, I could not go to college,I could only get an opposition to the Postal Service. My mother spent her entire life giving himself to me. So I did not marry . Partly it was to be with her and make up for all their efforts.
- That's very noble of you , - Diane praised to Cliff -.
- Well I never! - Cliff said reluctantly -, people never saw it , because always they have mocked of it.
- What does that matter? What do people care?- she asked rhetorically-
- Now all that does not matter , -'continued Cliff - The fact is that the last afternoon of her life , mom and I argued heatedly over something stupid ... I was angry ... and I went for a drive . When I returned to the hospital room , I was willing to ask for forgiveness , but ... what I found ... Cliff's voice trailed off suddenly. He could visualize that damn scene again as if it was happening again .
- Quiet Cliff ...- Diane said with tears in her eyes as she took her hand affectionately . Cliff´s pain was so great, that was palpable in the air.
- ... What I found ...- Cliff continued- ... it was a lot of doctors and nurses in and out of the room ... they tried to revive her ... I ran to her side .. .I called her ... but didn´t answer me . Two orderlies and a doctor me away from her violently , and the entrance to the room was banned . After a few minutes , the doctor came to tell me that mon had dead.
Cliff began to mourn , and Diane with him. Even Sam, who observed from the kitchen door, felt his eyes watering with that scene.
-It is not fair , Diane! I still had so much to tell her ...-said Cliff before returning to mourn- .
- Cliff , look at me. -Diane begged him- . It occurs to me one thing... I think your mother is still here in spirit with you, suffering helplessly watching your torture. She won´t rest in peace until you're done with your suffering .
- What do you mean ?
- Postman Cliff, you'll have to do your last delivery, your last postal service... You're going to write a letter with everything you were not able tell her, everything you feel now ... a farewell letter or ... "see you later " -concluded Diane- .
Although broken by grief, Cliff was far calmer than it had been in months .
- And where I send the letter?- asked Cliff-.
Diane cast a quick glance around her, until her eyes fell on the Esther´ sewing box .
- I remember your mother liked the seam... Well , -she argued- her sewing box is her mailbox. Write your letter and deposit it there.
- And ... how...do I start? -Cliff asked a little disoriented- .
- I do not know ,- said Diane tenderly- you must ask to your heart -
Cliff nodded wordlessly. He sat at the desk , picked up a piece of paper and began to write. It was not easy. Feelings were many, and they all wanted to go suddenly to shoving . Sometimes tears felt on the paper .
Diane made a sign to Sam that he interpreted correctly. They might to go out of there at that time. Cliff needed to be alone . They had managed to bring peace to this house , to this heart . For the first time in months, Cliff Clavin started to have peace in your soul.
Sam was impressed how Diane had managed everything . Once outside, Sam asked:
- How did you do that ? he asked,- How did you decide all that?
- It was easy -said with mock haughtiness- As you know I studied some psychology . A simple tecnica to confront a duel for a patient,it´s simply write , translate feelings on paper ...
-What smart! -Sam said somewhat mockingly-
-... And , did you write when you were very depres ... umm... vacation.. in Connecticut ?
- Vacation ... ? oh ! You mean... -Diane knew that he refered- She looked at him with a mocking smile.- Sam Malone, You are very curious...but that never you will know...