March 14th 6pm at the hospital in Chicago-
Jack finally arrived at the hospital where he was led to the room she was in. He paused for a moment outside the door before entering. He could see his family there through the window consoling each other – his daughter had also made the trip from New York, arriving before him; Patrick was there with his ex-wife and kids. Jack's heart sank as he looked at his once vibrant mother. She had a breathing tube in her mouth, hissing with each pump of the machine. The heart monitor beeped a constant 72 beats a minute, ticking away a countdown in Jack's brain. Jack took little notice when the paging system called for a doctor to go to Mary's room. He walked in, stepped aside away from the door, placed his bag down, and hesitantly hugged his daughter and brother.
A few minutes later after they all said their tearful goodbyes, the doctor turned off the machine. The machine stopped pumping air into her lungs and the heart monitor started beeping rapidly until it flat lined. The doctor pronounced her dead; everyone cried while he left the family alone to mourn in peace.
At Mary's home the next day—
Jack's daughter, Rebecca, Jack, and Patricia sat on one side of the table, while Patrick sat across from Jack, Michael sat across from Patricia and the lawyer sat across from Rebecca for the reading of the will.
"So, Grandma is now with Grandpa," Michael said somberly.
"Yeah, that damn bastard," Patrick said with bitterness while everyone looked at him shocked.
Jack kicked him slightly as Patrick winced in pain while he rubbed his leg.
"Why did you say that Dad?" Patricia asked.
"Because your father didn't get along with our Dad, that's all."
Jack looked at him with a slight frown while everyone looked at Patrick.
"Oh, okay," Michael said confused.
"Yeah, just like I can't stand my dad," Rebecca replied.
Jack looked at her slightly shocked but did think she didn't like him.
"Alright, now that's enough. Do you want to hear what you are getting or not?" the lawyer asked with irritation at the disrespect for the living and dead.
Everyone listened to what they were getting, then days later they held a garage sale for things they didn't want or need. After everything was taken care of, they went their separate ways.
April 7thth—
After Mary's home was sold, Jack went back to New York and he was glad to be home. With a glass of scotch in his hand, he sat on the couch thinking about both his parents being gone, and if he'd ever go back to Chicago.
Dad has been gone since after I graduated from college, the wonderful mother who protected me and Patrick from Dad's big hands and violent temper is now gone. I feel Mom is at peace and now I feel at peace. I'm not afraid of those big hands anymore but I don't think there is any reason for me to visit Chicago.
When Jack went back to work, those who knew about his mom gave their condolences, then later that day in his office Alex walked in since she saw him through the window.
"Jack? How are you? I'm sorry about your mom," she told him while he looked up from reading the papers.
"I'm good. Thanks, my mom had a long and wonderful life. What's up?" He asked her as he noticed she had a look of worry.
She looked at him with a long pause then spoke, "Its okay Jack. Um, let me handle it but I'll let you know if I need you."
"Okay," he told her as she walked away.
Alexandra was having a problem with a detective from the 27th precinct but wanted to see if she could handle it.
April 22 in Jack's office—
Jack and Alexandra were working on a case when they started talking about one of the detectives who was testifying tomorrow.
"Jack, remember a few weeks ago, I told you that there was something I needed to see if I can take care of, when you asked if something was wrong?"
"Yes," Jack responded as he saw the worry on Alexandra's face.
"Well, I'm having a problem with one of the detectives still, Lennie Briscoe."
"You are? What kind of problem?" Jack sat up with a confused look.
"Lennie is being a real jerk and he seems angry. He lashed out at me and told me that it was your fault. What is he talking about?"
Jack rubbed his brow as he sat back with his hands folded behind his head.
"I don't know Alex. How long has he been acting like this?" Jack asked perplexed.
"The last couple of weeks Has he ever acted angry in court in the past? Please talk with him."
"I have prosecuted cases with him as a witness, he has never lashed out or anything. Maybe he was just having a few bad weeks."
"I don't know Jack, but I want to have nothing to do with him. He ruined my date Jack!!"
Jack started but was cut off. "Awwww—".
"This is not funny Jack!! You need to talk to him."
"Okay, okay. I'll talk to him," Jack said as he sat up to pick up the phone.
"He's testifying tomorrow, Jack. I am afraid he will ruin my case."
Alex told him then left, slamming the door behind her.
March 23—
Jack walked in and sat in the gallery while Lennie testified.
"Was there any relationship between the woman and the killer?" she asked.
"No," Lennie said agitated while Jack looked on.
"What else did you find out?"
"That the victim didn't need to die!!" He screamed as Jack looked at him bewildered.
"Of course not, that's why we have a trail," she said with a mystified look on her face and looked towards the gallery as she saw Jack.
"That's right! You tell Jack that he's an idiot and a bastard!!" Lennie yelled again while the judge banged her gavel.
"Order!!" she stopped banging her gavel; the gallery quieted down. The lawyer stood up.
The lawyer complained, "Your honor, I ask for a mistrial."
"Your honor, I ask that you instruct the jury to disregard the witness' last exchange," Alex responded.
"I'll do you one better, I will order the jury to disregard the detective's testimony!"
Lennie looked at the judge then towards the gallery, realizing he made a mistake.
Alex looked back at Jack angrily, while Jack looked at Lennie with his eyebrows raised.
Before Lennie testified, Jack asked Lieutenant Van Buren if he could talk to Lennie at a pizza place. She told Lennie that Cordova would go with Ed to crime scenes and he should go to see Jack. That evening, Lennie was not very happy as he went to the pizza place where he saw Jack at a booth and walked towards him.
"Hey Lennie."
"Hi. Jack. I'm sorry about your mom," Lennie replied.
"Thanks," Jack said as the server gave them water then asked if they were ready to order, which they were, and ordered a pizza and some soda.
"I do think about my mom and Cathy."
"Yeah, I've been thinking about my Mom lately," Jack said then continued, "So what is going on with you lately?"
"Nothing," Lennie responded as the server put the food on the table then walked away.
"Lennie. You lashed out in court, yelling at my assistant," Jack said as Lennie took a bite of his pizza then took a sip.
"It's your fault that he's out and he should have gotten life," Lennie told him tersely as Jack took a bite of his pizza,
"I understand you are angry at me for something but, Alex doesn't deserve the resentment you have given her. What did she do to deserve the hostility you have given her?
"She's working with you stupid," Lennie looked at him then said,
"You know better than that. I would like you to apologize to her for your rudeness and tell me why you are so upset. If not me, then Ed or Lt. Van Buren."
Lennie sighed as he took a sip while Jack took a bite of his pizza.
Lennie began, "Well, Jack you see….."