Too Many Chapters

Chapter 26

Mike watched Ryan and Grace talking down at the dock. Occasionally, she would flail her arms out like she was trying to make a point, and he would calmly put his hands on her shoulders and kiss her forehead. Mike remembered similar arguments with Christine. He'd be the one flailing his arms and Christine would calmly put her hands on his shoulders.

"You shouldn't be watching them. They have to work through this on their own." Polly said from the dining room where she had her reference books spread out.

"I know. Just curious." Mike said as he turned away from the French Doors.

"Let it be a surprise. In the meantime, you and I both know the kids are not thrilled with Grace being here and you also know they are justified. Tommy is in his room. He hasn't voiced anything because he would never, but I think he needs to understand why you are doing this." Polly said.

"Because she's my daughter and its my job to love her unconditionally." Mike said.

"I know that, but Tommy is a young boy who idolizes his father. Of all our kids, Tommy wants to be the most like you. Grace hurt someone that Tommy loves so much. I think that bothers Tommy more then what Grace said to him. So that Tommy can regain a relationship with his sister, you need to bite the bullet on this. You and I both know that as important as your relationships are with individual kids is, their relationships with each other are equally important." Polly said.

"True. I'll go talk to him. I didn't realize how he felt." Mike said.

"Like I said, he hasn't voiced anything. It's Tommy. He's an open book." Polly said.

"Can you read their minds?" Mike asked, teasing.

"I know my kids. And I know you have something to nip in the bud with Tommy. Just remember, Mike; he's a really good kid and he really loves you a lot." Polly said.

"Yes, ma'am." Mike said before leaning down and kissing her forehead. He squeezed her hand and then walked to Tommy's room. The door was open and Mike looked in for a minute. Tommy was sitting on his bed, reading a book. Like his mom, Tommy was smart. He was also an athlete but didn't have the passion for sports that Matty had had. Matty and Tommy were especially close, but Tommy had good relationships with all of his family. The one sibling he had always struggled with was Grace but by the time they Mike and Polly had Tommy and Rebecca, Grace was already living alone and moved to Spain shortly after their birth.

"I see you there, Dad." Tommy finally spoke up. Mike walked into the bedroom and sat down on the bed next to Tommy. He wasn't quite sure how to even begin. Polly was better at this stuff. "What'd I do wrong?" Tommy asked.

"Nothing. You did nothing wrong. Listen, they told me what Grace said to you at the hospital and now she's here. I understand if you're upset." Mike started. Tommy shook his head and stood up, pacing around.

"That isn't why I'm upset with Grace. I get it. You love her and she's your daughter. But she acts like we all owe her something. Because of us, she didn't get to have the life she had planned on. Me, Gabby, Rebecca and Charlotte weren't even born then and you were serving your country. She made the choice she made. It isn't our fault. She acts like you owe her everything and her love is like the prize on the bottom of the cereal box. You love spending our birthdays with us. All of us kids know that. She took that and took advantage of it. It wasn't fair at all and she almost killed you. She still doesn't seem to care about that. Has she even apologized for it?" Tommy asked.

"Well, no; but…" Mike said.

"Dad, I really understand it. I would like to think if any of us had done that, you'd have the same response but the truth is, none of us would and you wouldn't. Its like you give her a free pass for everything." Tommy said, and Mike lost his temper at the one person that didn't deserve it.

"Thomas Paul; enough! What do you want me to do? She's my daughter and she's had a rough go. She's pregnant and…" Mike yelled as he stood up.

"Mike, stop. Tommy, could you go in the living room. I'll talk to Dad." Polly said calmly. She had apparently heard everything and Tommy pushed past her. He had given Mike a weary look and all Mike could hope for was that he hadn't pushed Polly and his kids away again. "You really have to stop doing that." Polly said as she pushed the door close.

"I get it. I screwed up again, but he shouldn't have questioned…" Mike started but Polly held her hand up.

"No, Mike, he had every right and he did have a point. I heard it all. I don't doubt in the least that you love all your kids equally. You do tend to just excuse everything Grace does. Part of this is my making, I put the whole verbal abuse idea in her head but this started years ago. You have apologized, taken care of Grace's kids for her so she could go to school and attain the life she wanted, and have paid countless bills for her. It never clicked with Grace, so, as your wife; I'm saying it ends now or it will be at the cost of your relationship with the other kids. I am not saying you can't have a relationship with her. I want that for you and her. I also am not saying that you can't spend time with your grandchildren and I am not saying that if she gets in a bind, we can't help her. What I am saying, is somehow; you are going to have to make it clear to Grace that you are done paying for her choice. She made the decision she did, and thank God she did, but that was nearly nineteen years ago. Enough is enough." Polly said. She had said everything in a quiet voice, that told Mike she meant business.

"But how? I don't want to stress her." Mike asked.

"She's pregnant, not feeble. I'm more worried about stressing you right now." Polly said.

"I'm fine. And…Tommy?" Mike asked.

"I'll talk to him, but go in, tell him he was right, you're sorry and you love him." Polly said simply.

"You make it seem so simple." Mike remarked.

"It is. Oh, yuck, he's putting dirty laundry under his bed again. You go tell him you love him and that he's in trouble with me again." Polly said. Mike had noticed the smell too. It was one of Tommy's little habits that Polly hated.

"And I'll tell him while I'm at it, that his mom really loves him too." Mike said with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Polly said as she pulled laundry out. Mike caught her and pulled her into a hug. They still hadn't fixed their marriage and it was like an albatross they both carried around their necks.

"I love you." Mike said simply.

"I love you too, but you still have to talk to Tommy and Grace." Polly told him.

"I know. Just hope it doesn't push her out the door." Mike said.

"I think Ryan will help you with that." Polly said with a wink as she pushed him out the door. He leaned back and gave her a short kiss before walking into the living area. Tommy was sitting on the couch, looking out the front window. Mike walked over and sat down next to him.

"Tommy, I am sorry. You were right about Grace and I didn't realize how things seemed. Your mom reiterated the point you were trying to make when I interrupted you. I am going to have to have a painful conversation with her at some point, soon. Just know, I am well aware of Grace's failings and I love all of you kids the exact same amount. I'm serious, son. You didn't deserve me lashing out at you. I respect you, for being so loyal. That's not normal for kids your age." Mike said. He didn't want to overdo his apology. Tommy had stayed staring out the window the entire time.

"Its okay." Tommy finally said.

"No, son. It isn't but I appreciate you trying to say it is. Now, you know Mom and I really love you, right?" Mike asked.

"Yeah. I love you guys too." Tommy said.

"Well, Mom discovered your stash of dirty clothes under your bed. She has a lot to do today, so you're going to go in and volunteer to do your laundry, plus any other that needs washed. If you need help, I'll help you. Clear?" Mike asked.

"Yes, sir. I don't know how to do laundry though." Tommy said.

"Time you learned. C'mon." Mike said. They both stood up and walked towards the laundry room. As Mike passed by the French Doors, he looked out. Grace and Ryan were talking on the porch swing, much more calmly. Hopefully, they were working things through. "So, what were you going to do when you ran out of clothes?" Mike asked.

"Start wearing Matty's." Tommy said.

"He's bigger than you? Plus, what about his underwear? Were you going to wear his underwear? That's gross!" Mike teased.

"I didn't think about the underwear." Tommy admitted. All Mike could do was shake his head at him. They walked in the laundry room, where Polly was standing in the middle of several piles of laundry, trying to figure out where to start, something Mike would struggle with.

"Tommy is going to have a little lesson in doing the laundry. You go work on your sermon." Mike said.

"Alright, Tommy; whites don't go with the jeans and…" Polly started.

"I got this, Mom. You go ahead." Tommy said. He bent down to pick something up, which happened to be one of Rebecca's training bras. "What is this?" Tommy asked, showing it to Polly.

"Your dad will explain that to you. You got this." Polly said with a mischievous smile. She stepped out and all Mike could do was rub his face. He wasn't prepared for that conversation.