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Jean was able to slip away from Lucien without him waking. She took her time washing up and changing, getting ready for the day. She had breakfast on the table and was discussing the issue of Sam with Christopher when Lucien walked in. He avoided her eyes, clearly embarrassed for showing such emotion last night. She rolled her eyes and told herself they would talk later and finished up with Christopher. "So, what do you think?"
Christopher nodded and said, "Sure, if you think it would help. I don't mind talking to him."
Lucien was glad to hear it and smiled at the boy. "Thank you, Christopher."
Jean was proud. She had tried her best to raise them right and help others. That's what Christopher was doing and he didn't even hesitate. "Okay, you two go get washed up. Jack, we'll drop you off at Danny's."
"Yes, mum."
The silence was palpable after the boys went upstairs. He knew he should say something. He felt awful. "Jean, I-"
Thomas walked in and sat at the table, grumbling something about the Courier and politics, prompting Jean and Lucien to share a smile. He slapped the paper down and his look softened as he watched his son. "Lucien, did I hear you last night? Are the nightmares still bad? We might be able to do something for them."
Lucien turned red. He really didn't want to talk about this right now. Jean could feel the tension. "I'm fine, dad. Thank you though. I'm sorry if I woke you."
Thomas shook his head. "Always was such a stubborn boy." He looked to Jean, shaking his finger at her. "He got that from his mother, you know."
"Oh, I'd venture to say he probably got a decent amount from both of you, Doctor. With all due respect." She shot him a gleaming smile and he chuckled.
He looked back to Lucien and said, "She knows me too well."
"Yes, I don't expect you get away with much around Jean. She's good at keeping you honest!" The change of topic helped ease his muscles.
Christopher looked through the glass. "Hey, I know him. He goes to my school. Sam something..." He was trying to remember his last name.
Matthew offered, "Rutherford, Sam Rutherford."
Christopher nodded and looked toward the room again. Jean rubbed his shoulder. "You know, you don't have to do this."
He looked back at her and said, "It's just a talk, mum. I'll be okay."
At Lucien's nod, he entered the room and closed the door behind him. "Hi, Sam. Do you remember me from Algebra last year?"
He had been staring at the table but lifted his head when he heard Christopher. "Yeah, Chris, right?"
He smiled and sat down. "Yes, that's right."
"So, why are you here?"
"You meet the police surgeon?" At Sam's nod, he continued. "Me and my family live in his father's house." He looked at the glass where they were all watching. "Honestly, mate? They know you know something and they're hoping you can talk to me."
His honesty was appreciated. Sam wrung his hands and looked back to the table. After a long moment, he spoke. Christopher almost didn't hear him. "I don't know what to do, Chris."
"Well, my mom always tells me it's better to get something off your chest and talk it through with someone than keeping it inside. So, maybe just start from the beginning?"
"You know Tommy Kinser?"
Christopher rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know him." The kid didn't have a great reputation. Fortunately, Christopher never had firsthand experience with him but the stories he heard were plenty. He noticed tears forming in Sam's eyes and asked him softly, "Sam, did Tommy do this?" Sam just nodded slowly. "Mate, you have to tell them about this."
"I can't! Tommy will kill me too!"
"No, mate. Not if you tell them. They'll go get him and he won't be able to touch anyone again. I promise."
"Did you know Amy?"
"I don't think so."
He wiped his tears from his face. "She was a friend of mine. Tommy kept trying to get her to go out with him. She didn't like him because he was so mean to me." Just then he knew what he needed to do. Someone needs to stick up for Amy. He looked at Christopher with fire in his eyes. "Okay. I'll tell them what happened. For Amy."
Christopher nodded and headed for the door. He turned back and said, "If you need anything, Sam."
He softly said, "Thank you, Chris."
Once he opened the door, he looked at Matthew and said, "He's ready to talk to you." Matthew clapped him on the back as he headed into the room.
Sam had witnessed Tommy kill Amy. He had lured her to the barn where he attacked her. Sam heard a ruckus coming from the barn as he was walking home from school. He looked into the barn just as Amy stopped moving and Tommy took his hands from her throat. Sam hid until he saw Tommy leave, feeling guilty that he cowered instead of running for help. When the police picked up Tommy, they noticed he had scratches on his arms. They were also able to link the clip that Lucien found to him.
By the time Lucien came home, the boys were in their room. He wanted to talk to Christopher and tell him how well he did. That will have to wait until morning. He walked into the parlor and stood there watching his father. He was overcome with emotion. His father looked worn. He knew his days with him were numbered but he was glad they both agreed to make peace with each other. He realized his dad was looking back at him, smiling. He walked and sat down next to him. "I'm glad you're feeling better, dad." He almost said it without choking up but he lost a bit of the last word.
He patted Lucien's knee. "Thank you, son. It helps having you here." Knowing his son was having difficulty, he changed the subject. "I hear Christopher did a standup job today."
Lucien sniffed and smiled big. "He was incredible, dad. Jean has done a great job with those boys."
Thomas tried to hide his smile and decided now would be a good time to scope out his son's interest with Jean. "She's an incredible woman. Makes sense her boys would be too." Lucien nodded. "She'd make a great wife…don't you think?"
It was only then that Lucien realized what his dad was hinting at. He looked to his dad and shook his head. "Now's not a good time, dad. For either of us." He could see his dad wasn't buying it. He let out a deep sigh. "Don't get me wrong. I'm rather…fond of her, but…"
"But what?"
"She has the boys to look after. And I'm…I'm trying to find myself again."
"Oh, rubbish. You can live your whole life trying to find yourself. Why not try with someone to share in that journey? I'm telling you son, you two are good for each other. I just hope you two don't waste too much more time before you come to terms with that fact." He rose from his chair amused at his son's stunned, speechless expression. "Night, son. Get some sleep."
His head was spinning with his father's candidness. He knew he was right but there was so much to lose if it didn't work out. He shook his head, needing a drink.
She found him sitting at the table in the dark with his bottle of whiskey. The moonlight coming in through the window gave enough light for her to see him. Instead of turning on the light she opted to just take a seat next to him. She could see his eyes were full of unshed tears. She waited for him to speak.
Softly he did. "Christopher was incredible today."
She beamed with pride at that. "I think he quite liked it. I overheard him telling Jack all about it earlier. I'm not sure he's going to sleep tonight."
Sleep. He has grown to hate this time of day, never knowing what sleep might bring. Lucien smiled sadly. "I never used to drink alone, Jean. I just…the war and-"
She put her hand on his forearm to stop him. "Lucien, you don't need to explain yourself. I can understand why you drink. As much as it pains us to see it…we understand." He was grateful for her words but it did little to ease the shame he felt and she knew. "You have nothing to be embarrassed for." He gave her an incredulous look. "I've never told anyone this before but I still carry guilt for Christopher enlisting." That got his attention. "We had a horrible fight the night before he enlisted. I still wake up in a cold sweat sometimes, reliving it. I pushed him to it. He died because of that stupid argument."
"Jean, I doubt that very much."
It was her turn to smile sadly at him. "I'll tell you what. I will work on not feeling guilty if you will work on not feeling embarrassed for showing emotion around me."
He cocked his head to the side giving her a half smile. "Deal." He downed his glass and they continued to sit there in the dark, in comfortable silence, each getting lost in their own thoughts.