Chapter Seven

"Christina."

Tina had been trying to avoid a run in with her mother, but it was inevitable. She smiled her best smile. "Hi Mama."

"I assume this is your doing?" she asked, tucking her clutch bag under her arm. She was obviously getting ready to head home, but wanted to make sure she spoke with her daughter beforehand.

"It's the Lord's doing." Tina replied politely. "That's what you always say, isn't it?"

"Don't sass me young lady. You know how you're father and I feel about Michelle." He mother said sternly.

"Exactly!" Tina exclaimed with a smile. "You should be thrilled that your son has found such a great girl!"

"I think she's leaning more towards me not being good enough for Michelle." Flack stated as he walked up to them at the bar.

"Junior…"

"It's alright Ma, I got it." Flack motioned to the bartender for two beers. "I'm nothing but trouble for a fine, educated young lady like her."

"She can't be that fine; she drinks beer from a bottle." Tina joked, motioning to the two beers the bartender had just handed her brother.

Her comment got her a stern look from both her mother and her brother, but before they could comment, Michelle came up on their conversation. "Hi Helen." She smiled warmly at Flack's mother.

"Hello dear." Helen replied, kissing both her cheeks lightly. "You look absolutely fabulous tonight."

Michelle blushed slightly. "Thank you." Flack handed her a beer, and smiled as she took a quick sip, right from the bottle. He knew it would going to drive his mother mad. He relished in the moment.

"Donald and I better get going." She said, giving Flack a stern look. "Well, now that you and Michelle are such good friends, perhaps she can convince you to attend Mass with us on Sunday."

Tina bit back her laughter, knowing that her brother was in for it now. Tina knew Michelle had a special place in her parents' heart. Michelle's parents lived on the other side of the country, and really couldn't have cared less about their daughter's life. Throughout college, Tina had brought Michelle to the city for every holiday throughout the school year. After moving to the city, both girls attended Sunday mass when they could, not because they wanted to, but because they had to. All proper young women went to church. That's just how it was.

In Helen's opinion, her son's years at the Academy and his subsequent time spent chasing criminals and shooting guns, had hardened him. He no longer attended Sunday mass, he hadn't since he had moved out of the house at 18. Once Tina had left for school, he had begun boycotting Sunday night dinners. He always volunteered to work holidays, it was his way out of the family gathering, which in his mind was worth the extra pay. Truth be told, he's probably actually work it for free. Just so he could get out of it without having to lie to his mother.

"I'm on call." He supplied with an indifferent shrug of his shoulders. "Maybe next time."

Michelle furrowed her brow and looked over to him. "I thought you were off this Sunday. For the Rangers game." He locked eyes with her as she took a sip of her beer. His eyes narrowed as hers brightened.

Helen watched the interaction between Michelle and her son with wide eyes. As they stared each other down, Helen turned to her daughter and let a small smirk play across her lips. "We'll see you kids on Sunday then." Helen smiled, giving all three of them a quick kiss before setting off in search of her husband.

Tina's eyes shifted between Flack and Michelle, wondering silently if she was going to have to intervene.

"That was dirty." Flack stated.

"Payback's a bitch, buddy." She smiled, then took a long, unlady-like drink of beer. "That's what you get for standing me up." She handed him back her empty beer bottle and turned to Tina. "You just about ready to go?"

Tina stood up to follow Michelle outside. "See ya on Sunday Donnie." She said, patting his chest. "I'd like to see you try and worm your way out of this one."