11:10 AM
It's the smell, she decided, that's what makes everyone uncomfortable in these places. That weird combination of disinfectant and unhappiness. Bleah.
Alex was waiting just outside Frances Goren's room, while Bobby went in to say hello and make sure his mother was having a good enough day for visitors. She liked that he was protective in this way, both of his mother and of her. On the one occasion she had seen his mom in truly bad shape, it had been deeply disturbing, mostly because of her partner's lack of surprise at being slapped and screamed at. He didn't want her to be afraid of his mother, nor did he want his mother to be embarrassed. It was a sweet way of handling the situation, but part of her still wished he was able to let her see even the bad things; maybe now he can trust that nothing about him could make me walk away.
Her thoughts were interrupted when he poked his head out of his mother's room and beckoned her in. He was smiling; that was a good sign, right? She entered the room, brushing his hand as she passed him, and as always, was surprised and heartened at the homey ambience he had helped his mother create. She had a large bookshelf, which Alex knew Bobby worked hard at keeping well-stocked, and there were many family photos, to which Alex always felt especially drawn. She loved to look at pictures of her partner as a little boy; though he wasn't always smiling, even as a toddler he looked so Bobby it was both startling and comforting.
"Alexandra Eames, finally you come to see me again. Get over here and let me look at you." Though a relatively small woman, Bobby's mother had just as much overwhelming personality as her son. Alex went over to her bed, and eagerly leaned down to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "You're far too skinny, Alexandra. Have some cookies." Frances handed over a box of chocolate lace cookies Bobby had brought her on his last visit. Alex took one gratefully, then glanced over her shoulder to offer Bobby a quick wink. He grinned at her, happy to see the two most important people in his life together and enjoying each other.
Alex turned back to Frances. "You should talk about being too skinny. You need to eat a cookie too." Frances had lost a considerable amount of weight since Alex's last visit. The effects of her cancer were evident, but she was still an attractive woman, with a pair of deep brown eyes for which Alex had a special fondness. Alex was happy to see her agreeably take and eat a cookie; Bobby had told her that his mom's appetite was minimal, and had asked Alex to help him get his mom to eat. "Frances, I'm so sorry to hear you're ill." She took the older woman's hand in her own and squeezed it warmly. "Bobby tells me your treatments are going well?"
Frances smiled at her, squeezing her hand back. "I'm fine, young lady, and I'm certain we can find something much more fun to talk about than my cancer. Tell me, what have you and my son been up to lately? Is he being annoying? Do you need me to have a talk with him?"
Alex laughed. "In order, we've been working a case involving a famous historian, he's no more annoying than usual, and I'm sure that any talk you have with him will help, so yes, go right ahead. I'd like to hear that, in fact."
Bobby groaned. "The two of you aligned against me is the most frightening thing I can possibly think of. Cut it out."
His mother was quick to put him in his place. "Be quiet, Robert, we're talking about you, not with you. In fact, why don't you go bother the doctors, and let Alexandra and I have a little girl talk."
A quick nod from Alex let Bobby know she would be fine alone with his mother, and he was happy to have the chance to get an update on her condition. "Fine, I'll go, but I will be very upset if I come back and you're doing each other's hair." His mother and Eames rolled their eyes at him in unison, which, frankly, scared the hell out of him. He was out the door without another word.
Frances leaned back into her pillows, keeping a hold of Alex' hand. "So, Alexandra, you're aware that I'm dying, yes?"
Alex was taken aback at her bluntness, though Bobby's mother, even on her good days, was not what you'd call tactful. She'd already begged them for grandchildren 3 times, causing Bobby a lot of embarrassment, and forcing him to explain that Alex was just his partner. On the drive up, they'd talked about whether to say anything to his mother about their involvement, and had decided to play it by ear. Refocusing on Frances' question, Alex said honestly, "You don't know that, Frances. There are a lot of things they can do to slow down the spread of the disease."
"Pfftt, I'm dying and I know it. And I need you to do something for me, Alexandra. You must promise, and I know you wouldn't break a promise to a dying woman, now, would you?" She held Alex' hand more tightly than was comfortable, but Alex didn't want to startle her by pulling away, so soothingly she said, "Frances, I'd be happy to do you any favor you'd like. What is it you need me to promise?"
"I need you to promise that you will take care of my Robert. He is going to be very sad when I die, and he is going to be relieved too, and then he will feel very guilty, and he trusts you more than anyone else, and you must promise me that you will make sure that he is okay. Do you promise?"
Alex' eyes filled with tears. Though Frances' diatribe was a bit alarming, what she was saying about Bobby's likely reaction to her death was very accurate. Bobby's razor-sharp insight into human nature had been come by quite naturally, and this mother knew her son, despite the mental illness that made her an unpredictable and imperfect parent. Stroking Frances' hand, Alex whispered, "Of course I will. I will always take care of Bobby, you know that." She was startled when Frances leaned forward to pull her into a fierce and almost oppressive hug. "Thank you, Alexandra. I knew I could count on you."
Bobby returned to find his mother hugging Alex rather tightly, and his body tensed. He could see his mom was starting to lose touch with social niceties, which was usually the beginning of a downward swing of her disease. Fearing Alex would be hurt or afraid, he spoke loudly and firmly, "Mom, let go of my partner. I'm going to need her."
He was startled when both women turned to him, tears in their eyes. "I know, Robert, but she's promised, so everything will be all right. When they finally get me, you will have someone to take care of you and protect you, and she is a police officer, so she can help keep them away from you, too." Alex saw the disappointment in Bobby's eyes at his mother's break with reality, but she knew, too, that Frances' heart was in the right place, and she was just trying to look out for her son. She spoke softly, "Bobby, it's okay. Your mother hugs like you do; I like it, you know you're being hugged. And she was just asking me to help her with something." She gave Frances another quick hug and kiss. "I'll let you have some time alone with Bobby, Frances, and I'll be back to see you soon, okay?"
"Thank you, Alexandra. Oh, hold on, I want to give you something." From a nightstand drawer, Frances produced a small framed photograph and held it out to Alex. "This is your favorite, right, Alexandra?" It was a picture of Bobby and his mother when he was about six years old. He had decided to be Sherlock Holmes for Halloween, and was intently "investigating" the family's living room, a scowl of utter concentration on his face, while his mother looked on smiling. And Frances was right, it was Alex's favorite. She took it reverently, and, looking Frances straight in the eye, said, "I'll take good care of it. I promise."
As she exited the room, Alex reached up and stroked Bobby's face. "Take as much time as you need. I'll wait right outside." She sat down in the small waiting area, holding the picture to her chest, wiping away tears. It wasn't very long before Bobby came out, clearly distressed, and sat down beside her. He leaned his head on her shoulder, his breath coming in rasps, and she stroked his hair and kissed his forehead, mumbling words of comfort and love, wanting to make his pain go away.
A/N - My thanks for all those who are reading, and reviewing. I am not an expert on schizophrenia, so please don't be offended if the mild symptoms here are in the wrong. Thanks.