Chapter 53

Chrys got up and went to look for Harriett. They met at the living room door because Harriett was coming to check on her. "How are you feeling, Chrys?"

"Much better now, Harriett, thank you very much. I was looking for you to say goodbye, I should be getting back."

"Let me get you some shoes, you shouldn't be driving barefooted," Harriett went to the hall closet and pulled out an old pair of sneakers, and said, "I hope these will fit."

"Thank you, Harriett," Chrys said as she put them on. They were a little large, but tying them tight, they would get her home. "Your advice was very helpful and I appreciate it." She gave Harriett a hug.

"So, you've made a decision?" Harriett asked.

"Yes, I have," she smiled and started for the door.

Harriett softly asked, "May I know who you decided on?"

Chrys paused and turned, giving Harriett a gently smile, she said, "I think I should tell them first, don't you?"

Looking a bit embarrassed Harriett said, "Yes, of course. I'm sorry, I should have thought of that."

Chrys gave her another quick hug and headed for the car.

As Frank hung up the call with Harriett, and delivered her message, AJ replied, "I hope she didn't give you too hard of a time. Harriett is a very dear person, and means well."

"She just reminded me that both of us love Chrys and we need to let her make this decision."

"Frank, no matter what Chrys decides, I hope we can still salvage a relationship out of this situation. Whichever one she chooses, it's going to be difficult for the other to be around her, but it doesn't stop us from being father and son. I will continue to love you, even if you're Chrys' choice."

"Dad, we have been though a lot of hard times together, but this will definitely be the hardest. If she were to choose you I would do my best to honor her choice, but I'm not sure I could watch the two of you living together. I would need a while to adjust. I have some leave time coming, I might just go to Italy and visit mother."

"I can understand that and if the decision were to go the other way I would probably want to get away for awhile too, however, I don't think I'd want to go to Italy to visit your mother."

Frank laughed and replied, "I think I can understand that, dad." All of the suddenly his eyes slightly unfocused, as if he was looking at something that wasn't there, and he said softly, "She's an incredible woman, dad."

"I assume we're not talking about your mother any longer?"

"No, dad, I wasn't taking about mother," chuckled Frank.

"Chrysanthemum, is a very special lady," replied AJ.

"Chrysanthemum!?" asked Frank.

"She hadn't told you her full name?" AJ asked.

"No, I guess there were just some things we didn't get around to," he replied. "How did she come to tell you?"

"She wanted to know what 'A J' stood for, and I wouldn't tell her because I didn't like my name. She told me hers had to be worse and we made a bet….I lost."

"What was the bet?" asked Frank.

"I had to make her a home cooked meal."

"Dad, there is something I need to know, and I don't want to cause problems by asking, but if Chrys chooses me it's something I need to know."

"What is it, son?"

"Is there a chance that Chrys could be carrying your child?"

"No, son, we've been very careful in taking precautions, and it's very unlikely."

Pulling up in front of AJ's house Chrys slowly got out of the car. Knowing that she was going to hurt one of the wonderful men inside, she almost hated to go in but knew she had to. Inside the house, Dammit alerted father and son that someone had pulled up. They both headed for the door, as Chrys opened it, and walked in.

To be continued…..