Chapter Eight

December 24

Bobby left close to an hour ago to deliver two shirts and a pair of jeans to his brother. Alex spends the time packing up the gifts for his mother. She places a sweater and a pajama set, which she wrapped, into a large decorative gift bag. Along with the clothes Bobby picked up two books, 'The Sun Also Rises' by Ernest Hemingway and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, both are first editions. She carefully places them on top. She remembers Bobby's explanation for the books. She had first editions' of these years ago and somehow, someway they disappeared, who took them I don't know.

Suddenly the front door opens and as he enters the room he slams it behind him, "Son of bitch," he raises his voice as he tosses the bag of clothes into the closet, "That stupid son of a bitch!" The tone of his voice alarms Robby and when Bobby glances at his son he sees a familiar expression. "Oh man," he gently picks up his son, kissing his cheek repeatedly. "Sorry I'm sorry Robby." He hugs him. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Alex is standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed, "I take it he left."

"During the night they think," he sets the boy down and within moments Robby is off on an adventure of his own. He takes off his coat. "I'm not going to think about him, he's made his choice as he always does." He hangs up the garment in the closet. "He's not going to ruin my day."

"Now that's what I like to hear from you."

He points, "All wrapped and ready to go."

"Yes, they are."

He takes a quick look in the bag, "Thank you, I hate….No lets be honest, I'm not very good at wrapping," he kisses her cheek. "Sorry about storming in the house like that. He's pulled this….."

Alex holds her hand up to his lips, "Shhh, I thought you weren't going to think about him."

He places his arm around her shoulder and pulls her close, "Yes, you're right." He takes a step forward heading for the stairs.

"Bobby, where are you going?"

"To change my shirt, I'll be right back."

Minutes later he descends the stairs cell phone in hand, "Ok thank you, Bye."

"Who were you talking to?"

"I just called Carmel Ridge, Mom is able to get out of bed but she's not allowed to leave the building," he rubs his chin. "Maybe we could bring her lunch." He places the cell phone in his pants pocket. "I could get take out from Rose's, the food is great there and I think she'll enjoy it."

Carmel Ridge

They are greeted by the skeleton staff, as they walk down the hall to her room. Bobby knocks softly on the door as he opens it. "Mom," he turns to Alex. "I think she's asleep."

Frances stirs in the chair, "What?" she clears her throat. She opens her eyes and focuses in on the people in the room, she sits up suddenly, "Bobby, Alex oh Merry Christmas."

Bobby steps up to her first, "Merry Christmas, Mom." He leans down and kisses her cheek.

Frances caresses his face. "It's so good to see you," she looks past him. "All of you." She waves for Alex to come closer. "Merry Christmas," Alex says as she walks closer to her mother-in-law, with Robby in her arms, she sits the boy on his grandmothers' lap. Frances opens her arms and Robby gives her a hug. She holds on to him not wanting to let go, soon the boy starts to wiggle. She lets go and Bobby immediately removes him and sets him down.

"Bobby have you seen Frank?"

Bobby checks his watch, whispering so only Alex can hear, "Less then five minutes that's a new record." Alex nudges him as he starts to laugh. Yes I saw him last night he was homeless. I found him a nice place to stay but as he always does he left. Probably within the next day or two I'll get another phone call from him asking for a couple of bucks so he can stay in a tenth rate hotel, but will he use the money for that, I doubt it. "No Mom I haven't seen him, and before you ask I'm not going to look for him either." He sits down, "He knows where you are and he's a big boy."

"I wasn't going to suggest that, I was just asking." France looks up as she hears a knock at the door, "Bobby would you answer that for me."

"Sure," he opens the door to a familiar face. "Merry Christmas, Goren family," she says as she walks into the room. She spies the crawling little boy. "Your mother talks about this little guy everyday," she grabs Bobby's arm. "The pictures you send her on the cell phone, great idea, keeps her mood up." The nurse takes Frances' temperature, blood pressure and checks her heart rate. She pats her arm, "Normal, vitals are normal, Frances." The nurse packs up her supplies, "Enjoy your visit."

"Thanks Tracy," Bobby says as he escorts her to the door, "Ah Tracy she isn't restricted to certain foods is she?"

"No, one thing about your Mom," Tracy looks back into the room. "She does have a good appetite."

Bobby excuses himself and heads downtown to bring back lunch for the three of them.

"Were you able to talk my son into a Christmas tree this year?"

Alex smiles, "Not only do we have a tree but your son has decorated the house, inside and out. It looks very festive. You'll get to see the house this weekend."

Frances smiles, "Thank you for inviting me."

Alex nods, as she scurries to retrieve Robby from entering the bathroom. He remains on her lap for a moment and then she sets him down. "He never stops moving, oh the energy," she says exaggerating being breathless.

The two woman laugh, they spend the next twenty minutes discussing all the places that they visited the past few days.

"I'm happy for you, for the both of you. I do realize how hard he works, you too for that matter," Frances grins as she watches her Grandson; he is sitting on the floor looking up at the clock that is chiming, twelve times. "He notices everything doesn't he?"

"Yes he does," Alex points. "When he does that, he looks just like Bobby."

Frances grabs for a tissue to wipe her eyes, "He was a quiet little boy, to me it seemed as if he was watching and remembering everything that we did or said. I would have a discussion….yeah a discussion," she scoffs. "Let's say an argument with his father and Frank would try his best to block it all out, but Bobby would sit there and…."

"Listen," Alex puts her hand up, "Sorry for interrupting."

Frances pats Alex's arm, "It's alright, you seem to know him well."

"I'd like to think I do. But these past few days he has been a man of many surprises, wonderful surprises."

The door opens, "Lunch," he says as he walks into the room that has suddenly become quiet. He gazes at the two women, "This looks familiar," he gestures with his arm, "Should I leave and come back later."

Alex stands, "No we were talking about you and we're hungry."

The lunch was enjoyable and the food was fantastic. "Ok," Bobby says as he puts the last of the dishes in the garbage. "Time for your gifts Mom," he says as he rubs his hands together. As Bobby is opening the bag Frances sniffles, "Mom are you alright?"

"I….I don't…."

"Don't worry about it, when you come down at the end of the week, Alex and I may….no we will need a baby sitter, my friend Andy is having a pre New Year's post Christmas party." He hands her a gift. "Ok."

She smiles, "Ok Bobby." She tears off the wrapping, smiling as she opens the box, she holds up the cable v-neck sweater, showing them the article of clothing as if they've never seen it before. "What a lovely shade of blue, thank you." Alex gives her the second gift. She slowly tears off the wrapping, as she opens the box she smiles shyly; she removes a white brushed cotton pajama set, with small and delicate pink roses. She holds the garment to her face, feeling the softness. "Thank you both so very much." Bobby nods as Alex removes the last two gifts, handing them to him, "More, oh you shouldn't have."

"Yeah well we did," he hands them to his mother. She can tell from the shape and feel that they are books, her mouth drops when she reads the titles "Check the dates Mom."

"First editions, oh Bobby, thank you." She scans through the books again. "I had these years ago but some……."

"Let's not bring up ancient history alright."

As she raises her arms Bobby takes her hand helping her to stand, "Thank you, I know I've said it before but…."

"It was our pleasure." They embrace, Frances breaks the hug, reaching up she pats his cheeks, "I'm so happy for you and I'm so very proud of you."

Bobby steps back, leans in and kisses her cheek, "That's a nice thing to hear."

"I'm sorry; I should have said it more often."

"Let's start from today." They embrace once more. Bobby looks up as the clock chimes, the two o'clock hour. "We better get going; no way to tell how the traffic is going to be and we have plans to attend church tonight." Bobby looks to his Mom, who has her hands on her hips, "Don't say it Mom, I know."

They say their goodbyes, "Now Mom remember, I'll be back Thursday."

"Yes, yes I remember I am looking forward to it, spending time with you, Alex and my," she looks at him with love in her eyes, "Grandson."

"That went well," Alex says they leave the building.

"You sound surprised," Bobby opens her car door.

"That's not what I meant."

He chuckles sliding into the seat. "I know but I'm giving you fair warning that," he wags his finger at her, "What's happened with them the past few days are not isolated events they will, I guarantee you, will happen again."

She closes her door, "They do, as you do," she catches his eye. "Make life very interesting."

TBC