A/N: I find the minor characters interesting; and what made people into the adults they are interesting. This particular fic is a look at Maria Flack; the mother of Donald, Patrick James, and Samantha Marie. Thanks to Afrozenheart412, Aschatria, Madmush, Peckk, & Wolfeylady for reading and keeping on reading – I love you all!
Maria stared down at the checkbook in front of her; another tight month. After the mortgage, electric, gas, water, Don's union fees, groceries, church, and the list went on and on. There wasn't much left; well there really wasn't anything left. . She took another sip of the red wine Don had brought home last week; bills required wine and music. Tony Bennett was today's singer. Maria paused in her calculations to listen to Tony's voice soar. Donnie needed new sneakers, Pat did too but he could probably use an old pair of Donnie's for a while. At least Sam's feet hadn't grown this month. There were only so many ways a dollar could be stretched
Adele, the neighbor two doors down said that St Mark's was having a rummage sale. She could probably pick up some clothes for the kids there. Sammy would whine about them not being new; but, they'd at least be nice. St Mark's was a diocese with a lot of money in it. Don had walked a beat there for a little while a few years ago. Gio needed new pants; it was horrible that his mother didn't notice things like that; but, she was too caught up in her own life: men, alcohol, drugs, … And Gio was just a little taller than Pat; and a little huskier than Donnie; she'd see if there were a couple pairs of jeans at the rummage sale for him. After all he did spend most nights at their house. If she cut the grocery budget for the month by twenty dollars, that would get the kids some clothes at the rummage sale. Maybe she'd find herself a new winter jacket there too.
Groceries this month were going to be interesting. Feeding three kids, (one who was a teenager, and the other two were almost teenagers) a husband, and an extra got interesting some months. Taking the twenty dollars out of the grocery budget meant potatoes a few more nights. Maria figured she could make gnocchi one night; there were a couple jars of red sauce she'd put up in the fall. Maybe Shepherd's Pie a night; there was some Veg-All in the pantry and it would stretch meat a lot further. Don wanted his Wednesday corned beef which was a big chunk of the budget; luckily corning it herself meant she got the brisket trimmings which could be used elsewhere.
It looked like Don might be able to pick up a couple of extra shifts this month which would help on the money front; but, the shifts couldn't be depended on. It was horrible that she wouldn't see him the days he was pulling doubles; but, when they'd made the decision to try for a girl both of them had known that a providing for a large family on a cop's salary would be interesting. Maria worked as a substitute teacher at the local Catholic elementary schools occasionally; cleaned houses when Marta down the street needed a day off; and a couple other things. But, it was never more than one or two days a week and they couldn't depend on it.
Please God, Maria prayed, let me be called in to substitute this month. The grocery budget could use the money. Marta had been showing her some Chinese recipes that she'd been learning at the Baptist church her family attended; and D'agastino's had rice on sale for nineteen cents a pound. How hard could fried rice be to make? Rice, an egg, some soy sauce, vegetables, and a little meat – that was another night down. Plus, five packages of ramen noodles and there would be soup. Rice and soup, Don wouldn't like it; but, he could suffer through one night.
The mortgage was covered; electric bill paid; water bill paid; and the check for the Police union fees were written. Taking out the twenty dollars for the rummage sale; five dollars for flowers for Mrs T (Maria tried to visit her once a week or so; Mrs Tattaglioni had moved to the retirement home on the other side of Queens and wasn't liking it too much).
"Patrick quit picking on your sister." Marie yelled in an exasperated voice as she heard her two youngest fighting over something in the living room. Grrr… she loved all three of her kids; but, they could drive her to distraction.
Looking back at her list of things that needed to be done in the near term Marie hoped that the budget could squeak out the cost of the brake job that Don said his 1978 Cadillac Seville needed new brake things. He'd written down pads; and said Bob at the auto shop two blocks over could get a pair for $30. They could afford the brakes if she worked a day for Marta or at the school; or if Don got an extra shift.
"Samantha stop antagonizing your brother. Turn off the television. I was listening to the record player; and did not say you could turn it off."
"Ma we don't wanna listen to your music. Tony Bennett sucks; can we at least listen to the radio?"
"Put the record back on. I'm paying bills." Marie heard a moment of quick whispered conversation, rustling in the living room, and then finally 'Just In Time' came on. "Thank you."
She heard Donnie come into the house slamming the door as he came in. Basketball practice must be over; that meant Don would be home soon. Good thing it was a simple dinner tonight; cabbage, potatoes, and a piece of pork shoulder. It was simmering on the stove. "Donnie take your shoes off."
"I'm taking them off." He yelled into the kitchen; Donald Jr knew it was bill day. He was his father's son and knew that it was very good time to stay out of the kitchen, even though he really wanted a snack. But, starting another episode of the 'As The Flack's Turn' was not part of his agenda.
It would be a miracle if Donnie remembered to take his shoes off; he always seemed to be tracking mud through the house. It drove her nuts! Marie took pride in the small house that Don and she had bought two years after they'd gotten married. Life was good; she had a wonderful husband, three great kids, and a beautiful little house in a nice neighborhood surrounded by good people.
