"Ma, I don't want to talk about this with you."
"Then talk about it with Mortie." Rose's pleading voice is what makes me stop short. I stand in the hall, and listen to what's going down in the living room.
"No."
"Maurice you have to be smart about this."
"I'm not talking to your lawyer Ma."
"She's unpredictable Maurice, you don't know what she'll-."
"It's Faith, Ma!"
"Yes the same Faith that ran out on you. And them."
"She's their mother." The strength of his convictions are shaky at best and it makes me want to cry.
"What kind of mother has she been?"
"MA!" I jump when he yells.
"I know you love her, Baby."I watch his head drop to the floor. "I love Faith too. You know I do-."
"Yeah, you love her so much you think I should get an attorney." He mutters.
"What if she takes them Maurice? Have you thought of that?"
"Of course I've thought of that." He whispers painfully. "I just don't believe she'd do that to me."
"What's changed so much in five an a half years Maurice?"
"I'vechanged Rose." I whisper softly, making my way into the living room. Bosco's head rolls back and he lets out a long breath.
"Faith.." His remorsefully apologetic tone makes me wince.
"I'm sorry Dear, it had to be said." She mutters, her eyes averting from mine.
"I know Rose I understand." I do understand. I turn back to Bosco, his eyes trying not to be pleading. "I'm glad I have your trust Boz, even if I don't deserve it." The plea slips away and I see what I spent years trying not to. I'm startled by the unwavering love, before giving him a sweet smile. "I don't plan on going anywhere Rose. With or without the kids."
"I'm going out!" Comes the bellow down the hallway as my daughter blows through the tense living room.
"Like hell you are!" The switch in Bosco's eyes makes me laugh.
"You said I wasn't in trouble anymore!"
"It's still a school night."
"Bosco I have a 4.0. I think I've earned a movie."
"Yeah well.." My eyes widen as the two of them finish the sentence in unison. "..Rudy Granger got straight A's in seventh grade."
"Yeah I know." Emily continues. "You've told me a few times. If I promise not to steal an orange in fifteen years can I go see a movie?"
"What movie?"
"W."
"Oh Maurice that looks good let her go!"
"Ma!"
"It's educational."
"Who are you going with?"
"Julie."
"For real Julie or pretend Julie?"
"Call." She tosses her hand up in the air like he does.
"I will." He huffs, pulling a twenty out of his wallet.
"I have money." My daughter balks, rolling her eyes.
"Good!" Bosco gives her a goofy look. "Ma! Here's twenty dollars. Go see a movie." Emily's shoulders sag towards the ground. "I hear W's playing."
Rose raises an eyebrow before turning towards Emily. Who looks at her pleadingly.
"Ah come on Sweetie I'll buy you a popcorn." She giggles, pushing Em towards the door.
"Boz?" Something strikes me.
"Humm?"
"How do you know?" I ask him slowly.
"What about the movie?"
"About Rudy Granger?" His head bobs down again.
"Long story."
"I haven't thought of him in a long time." I grin, moving towards him.
"I think about him all the time."
"Why?"
"It was-." He shakes his head, looking over my shoulder for a minute. "That day.."
I nod when he looks back at me, remembering him looking at me from the sink.
"We almost died. Twice."
I nod again.
"It seemed so big at the time you know? Before Cruz and Knoble and.. everything.."
I can't seem to stop nodding.
"I um.. went to see his Mom. She.. told me about.." For a split second I think he means Knoble. "..straight A's in the seventh grade. We buried him the day after Richardson.."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask gently moving a little closer as he shrugs. "I would have come."
"I know." He croaks out, his voice lifting at the end. "Faith?"
"Boz?"
"Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Promise me you won't.."
"I won't take them." I force out the words, knowing I couldn't even if I wanted to. They wouldn't go with me. He shakes his head at me before I can tell him this.
"Promise me you won't go." His eyes click up to mine and I can feel the strength pour out of me as I gather him in my arms.
"Boz.."
"Promise me Faith." His voice is muffled by my chest.
"I swear." I squeeze my eyes shut tightly. "I swear."
"Kay." He sighs, relaxing against me. "Kay."