Title: Another Chance to Rally Together.
Rating: M (Language & Situations)
A/N: Dick Wolf owns LOCI characters, all others are mine. NO LINKS BETWEEN REALITY AND THIS CHAPTER ARE INTENDED
Two weeks later….
Waking with her husband, Anita gently kisses him, and notices he's wincing. "What's wrong, baby?" She worries. "Migraine." Frank grunts. "I'll take care of you." Anita resolves. Exiting their bed, she bustles to dress and begin proving herself. As it occurs, Tynie hears her spiritual brother's grunts through the cracked master bedroom door, and rushes to find out their cause. Carefully aligning herself to Frank's left, she's just as gentle about embracing him, while saying "Anita can kick my ass for this later, if she wants. I'm taking lead from this point on, especially since we may very well end up at St. Lucia's. I know you don't want that, but I don't want you trying to bulldog through pain, that may be caused by shit we don't know about yet. You wouldn't let me do it, so why should I leave you in that position?" "Case rested." Frank groans. "Not entirely, because I'm having Anita get Bobby to warn our family, and brace himself for using his power of attorney on your medical care. I'll use mine on your insurance, and update Anita another time, no problem." Tynie rebuts. "You don't have to do that, sugar. I'll cover the angles you named, because you'll have to drive, if we end up going to St. Lucia's." Bobby defies. "Ohh that's right. New state regulations for my idea require you be by Frank as much as possible, and Anita will need to lean on you, until we find out what the fuck's going on with him. I'm fine with it, but it means I'll need you two as witnesses while I'm helping him get dressed." Tynie recognizes. "As you said, it's fine." Anita restates.
Supporting that with a nod, Bobby watches it come true, with his sister in law at his side. Escorting her spiritual brother to her and Bobby's couch, Tynie moves so her pose on his bed is repeated. "We've got you, brother. My next way to prove it, entails having Anita using Bobby's coffee recipe, and bringing you a couple MyProphens. If you're not feeling better within two hours of taking those, I'm carrying your ass to her Gladiator, and we're goin' to St. Lucia's." Tynie stipulates. "I'd rather you reuse how you got him in here, sis. Don't get me wrong, your motives are sweet, but I don't want them adding to our reason for being at St. Lucia's." Anita balks. "Fair enough." Tynie concedes. "You ladies didn't know yet. Davin's sending Tia and Clint to help us, because they share Anita's fear, but Davin has to renew his driver's license. Lori's authorized a swap out, so Clint will be driving her Explorer, and splitting it with my baby. Everyone else agreed, to stick close to home, until we find out what's really going on with Frank, too." Bobby informs. Gazing down, Tynie whispers "I'll back you on how they're repaid, another day." "Ok." Frank gasps. Deeming it a cue, Bobby and Anita split getting the coffee and MyProphens, then deliver them. Cautiously moved to sit up so those can be taken, Frank hears his spiritual sister mumble a prayer over him. "Amen, baby." Bobby mutters.
Adorning a nearby endtable with his cup, Frank reclines, groaning with each move. "Brother, we love you. We know you're trying to show us, you can still do shit. Anita can cuss me out while kickin' my ass for this later, but the only reasons I want you keepin' that up are: if you're using the restroom, or new shit's gone live. If the second one comes true, you sit back and look as dense as a post, while I help everyone else cover it." Tynie disclaims. "There's a different way, baby. If anything urgent hits, you both can sit as you described, because you're taking enough lead for one day." Bobby contests. "Ok." Tynie forfeits. "What else can we do?" Anita frets. "It depends on if my baby will help you get us rounds of coffee. Sorry sis, but the only other things we can do are: pop and massage Frank's neck to see if that helps his migraine, hope Clint or Tia uses an emergency key so knocking doesn't bother him, and wait out my timeline." Tynie hinders. "We'll be back, babe." Bobby recuses.
Nodding, Tynie gives Frank a cue to amend his pose. Acting on it, he hears the front door open, long enough for Clint and Tia to enter. Dressing down, she advises "Alicia advised we change the driving plan, then check Frank's headboard for evidence he bumped it in his sleep. I got texted on our way here, and figured it was best to let you know in person, because of our known phone issues. Now, Tynie can focus on what she's doing, I'll be able to field any questions St. Lucia's staff or Dr. Perez may have on the nature of Frank's headache, and my honey can split the driving with me." "Sis, I'll need you to find out what I owe Alicia for that." Frank grouses. "You don't, because Keisha got news no onein our family wants debts involved. She texted me right before we came in here, suspecting you or Tynie would feel differently." Clint rescinds. "Please tell me you told her I'm so far from arguin' with them it's fucking scary." Tynie prays. "Yep. After I sit by you, my baby has things to cover." Clint affirms. Flipping her bangs out of her eyes, Tynie nods again, causing her older sister to leave the room. As irony would allow, she rejoins the others, just before Bobby and Anita begin serving coffee rounds. "Bad news. I saw a ding in the headboard that lines up with half the pillows on Frank and Anita's bed. I'm not sure who sleeps by it, so I'm telling St. Lucia's staff and Dr. Perez it's him." Tia laments. "Ohh my God. My baby could have a concussion." Anita gripes. "Guys, after we clear from these and use the restroom, we're heading to St. Lucia's." Tynie dictates. Submitting with more nods, everyone by Tynie joins her, in living out her plan. Battling traffic as well, Clint eventually takes an armed guard post by Frank's hospital room door. When Dr. Perez arrives, Bobby and Tia split explaining the situation, and seeing it get noted.
Quickly gazing to the end of Frank's bed, Tynie adds "Doc, they missed two steps, without knowing it. If Frank has a concussion, he's getting a new bed without a metal headboard, by Sunday. I know, because I'm payin' for it, and having it delivered. I realize this violates my family's debt verdict, but it's a major area, I failed Anita. She trusted me to take care of Frank, so she could be Bobby's witness. You can thank how our state's changed regulations on people using medical powers of attorney for it, too." "Funny you should mention that, Tynie. According to a newsbrief I saw fifteen minutes ago, our new Governor, Leonard Byrnes issued an executive order. By it, all major regulation changes that've been made in the past year are rescinded. After he learned we're the third worst state for outward migration, and professional retirements due to regulatory loads, he felt it was necessary. So you guys can re-work how your arrangement, while I do the tests, if you'd like." Dr. Perez conveys. "I'd prefer we leave it as is, doc. You didn't know, but I suspect that executive order will be contested in court." Tia protests. "We've been linked to it happening before." Anita sustains. "Alright." Dr. Perez surrenders. Considering it another cue, Anita rushes to kiss Frank's cheek, as some orderlies enter the room. Wheeling him out to the test sites, with Dr. Perez by them, that group has no idea about the texts Tynie receives. Bill learned, new S.A.G. Pattie DeNario's investigating Kellara's, for selling borderline junk furnishings at an obscene markup. He had Ted help find an alternative for the family, Alwen's, but it's an hour beyond Kellara's. "I'll tell you what, brother. If you can rig it so Frank gets a true top of the line bed set that doesn't have metal in the headboard, and fax me a bill by Saturday: I'll tell him our deal got modified because you didn't know when he'd get in for a follow up." Tynie replies. "You're not being billed, sis. I forbid it, because you've risked violating your restrictions, since you woke up." Kiki interjects. "Ok. I'll tell him that's why emergency keys just reentered the equation, when we get home. We're in St. Lucia's right now, to rule out a concussion, which is why he needs that bedset." Tynie submits. "Tia told us, sis. She didn't mention your prior deal, but still. If you need me to raise hell, call me." Flo intrudes. "Will do." Tynie retorts.
Delivering her phone to Anita, Tynie warns "Since you're the wife in this equation: You need to check the latest chat, and tell me how fast you want my lawsuit style invoked." Obeying, Anita learns Ted used Flo's offer, as grounds to jump on suing. "If you'll cover our whole family, I'll use my spousal access on Frank's bank account, to repay half the legal fees. I'd make it a three way split with Tynie, but Bobby said no, because of Kiki's concern on her restrictions." Anita replies. "We already have a split in place, sis. I'm insisting, since this changed you guys's luck with St. Lucia's visits." Bill interrupts. "Ok. Let Flo know, I'm taking lead on our end, because of this and Kiki's concern on her restrictions." Anita requests. "You got it, sis." Bill responds. Ending their chat by family norms, she gives the device to it's rightful owner, whom puts it away. Glancing around the room, Anita provides another update, and learns Bobby stands by the most recent decisions. Retreating to her seat, she waits roughly ten minutes, to see her spouse get wheeled into the center of the room. "Are you guys suing the bedmaker and seller?" Dr. Perez asks. "Doc, our cousin Ted and uncle Bill are, for our entire family. We found out fifteen minutes ago, and the decision came out because of my restrictions. Here's the hitch, since Bobby's power of attorney's involved, we'll need any written statements you give, directed to him. He can stash them in my purse, so they're not lost, too." Tynie ascertains. "Ok. St. Lucia's administration required I ask, because a lot of patients in Frank's position have come in, over the past week. Due to medical privacy laws, all I can say about them is: it's by the grace of God none of them got life altering injuries or died. Bobby will get my written statement, with Frank's release forms, so it can be kept together. He's under observation now, because his concussion borders on severe." Dr. Perez expounds. "Ohh my God." Anita mopes. "Doc, come get my phone, and use it to repeat our deal to S.A.G. DeNario. If she asks, tell her you learned the news warranted you getting that urgent access, and a matching consent to flip me off. If you need it vouched, just use the consent, and return my phone." Tynie persists. "Doc, she had my blessing to make that offer. I gave it, after hearing her plan for keeping all the forms from our visit secured." Bobby instills. "Would your consent cover an email instead?" Dr. Perez inquires. "It depends, doc. Will you tell her we didn't know it could be done, without violating patient privacy laws until now?" Bobby asks back. "Doc, before you answer him, I'm curious. Can you add a copy of your statement to the email?" Tia interferes. "I know why she went there. She wants it as evidence, so S.A.G. DeNario has more reason to nail Kellara's. Doc, it's why you just got spousal consent to act on her idea." Tynie obstructs. "Doc, I stand by their plan." Bobby educates. "Alright. I'll be back." Dr. Perez self-recuses.
Leaving, she hears Anita stifling back crying, but doesn't see Clint rush closer. Everyone by Frank does, and it causes him to say "I owe you one, brother." Wrapping his arms around Anita, Clint feels her nestle up, as he denies "No, you don't. Family's supposed to back family, and the others are covering other bases, so this one's mine." "Tia, I think that was code. Roughly translated; you're to grab his guns, take his security post, and leave the rest to me and Bobby until Anita calms down." Tynie clarifies. "You've got it, sis." Tia elicits. Enforcing the newest arrangement, Tia softly prays over this sect of her family. Deftly changing her pose, to keep watch over Frank, Tynie gets a smirk. "Don't worry about me, brother. I'm just trying to prove my word, while cutting St. Lucia's staff and Dr. Perez a break. After how often they've dealt with people in your position this week, they deserve it. Besides, there's a pretty good chance Bobby and Anita will tag-team on my getting a break when we get home." Tynie justifies. "I was going to have them do it by text, on the way to your house, sis. You didn't know, but we don't know how traffic will be; or if they'll need that as evidence." Clint rebels. "That's true." Frank grumbles.
Stunning them, Jeremiah, Lana, a few of her employees, and Dr. Perez all come into the room, moments later. "Liza sent me, to help keep this room secure and make sure you guys ate. I bumped into Dr. Perez, who told me my timing was perfect for Frank. She followed me to Cardello's, where Lana learned the situation. She tried giving me a discount, because of how we helped her grandparents, but I refused. I didn't feel right taking it, not after how our state was on regulations before the latest executive order." Jeremiah regales. "Has that been contested in court yet?" Clint queries. "No. If that changes, I've been advised to retire as soon as I can. Jeremiah did it, after telling me Dr. Perez, my crew and I can freely curse around your whole family." Lana repudiates. Looking her way, Tynie frets "How are your grandparents?" "They're great. I didn't know their wish would get denied, but Jeremiah said it was meant to protect some of my cash flow." Lana discloses. "Simple solution. When you speak to your grandparents again, tell them Jeremiah spoke for our whole family on the discount. Then, say our grounds are split between not knowing when your retirement will be triggered, and suspecting a lot of other people abuse your willingness to give discounts. If they want my claims proven, tell them you'll have it when Bobby brings Frank in for updated tests." "You've got it, Tynie." Lana ensures. Deeming it a cue, her crew serves the meal, and goes back to standing behind her. "Lana, they just inspired a decision. From now on, as long as a path's kept for our hospital beds to be moved: you and your crew can stand by anyone in our family. This time, I'd prefer it's me, so we don't risk issues with the fire marshal." Bobby precludes. "Alright, Bobby." Lana condones. Fulfilling his request, her crew doesn't really see Tynie grab her phone, yet Dr. Perez does. Texting Jeremiah, Tynie learns he plans on watching their house, when she brings Lana's proof. Stashing the involved devices, Tynie alibies "Guys, I just got word. Jeremiah agrees, with my decision to use texts on chats that aren't linked to Frank's care. We believe it's best, since we don't know if the topics will distress him." "I believe you can use that as proof, in the lawsuit you told me about earlier, Tynie." Dr. Perez mentions. "We can, but there's another reason, they were right to make that decision. We don't know when Frank will be released, or when we'll be able to charge our phones again." Bobby intervenes. "Do you guys want me to bring my porta-charger in here, so you can use it?" Lana offers. "No. Don't get it twisted, your offer's sweet, but it'd break my heart if that got fucked up, since we don't know how to replace it." Clint refuses. "Ok." Lana accepts. "Aside from it, you and your crew can go about your day. We'll take care of cleanup, in due time." Jeremiah adjudicates.
Nodding, that group exchanges a short smile on their way out. Assuming the post Liza gave him, Jeremiah's met by Tia, whom brings him back to the rest of their group. "Slickly done, sis." Frank reviews, with pain in his voice. "Can't you give him pain meds, doc?" Tynie worries. "Due to the nature of his injury; I have to see if he can keep anything down first." Dr. Perez stalls. "Sorry, brother." Tynie apologizes. "Don't be, we didn't know." Frank grouses. "That's true, but I want something else understood. Since Dr. Perez may get another patient in your position at any time, I'd prefer you try to eat before the rest of us." Tynie scolds. "Doc, if she winds up being right: just have me told it's why there's a delay on the sign out forms. We'll make a plan for the rest, while we wait." Bobby revises. "You've got it, Bobby." Dr. Perez reclaims. Running her right hand through her hair, Tynie gives her spiritual brother a quiet cue to try and eat, which is urgently acted on. Watching him, she's joined by the others in that room, whom invoke silence. By the graces of good luck, Frank makes their doctor happy enough to get the referenced prescription. Taking it, he notices his relatives awaited that to eat, which breaks his heart. On a break from her meal, Tynie says, in a fairly soft tone "We know that look, brother. You feel bad about today's turnout. Don't, because we know you'd never deliberately hurt yourself, and we can plan around when others hurt you. Bill and Ted are proving the lawsuit end of it as I speak, and Bobby's calling a meeting around the time he signs you out, to discuss how we handle the gap between tonight and your follow up. He knows, the main reasons I've taken so many leads are my connection to his power of attorney papers, and Anita's to you. I realize it makes me last string in the home care end, but that's OK. Hell, the worst I can see happening is: Bobby converting my last string status into bein' liable for Lori's, Tia's, and Jeremiah's next tuneups and tankups. They're learning now, it'd be done in that order, because of the last-second notice on the car swap." "I won't let her do that, brother. She's thrown caution and her restrictions to the wind, to help Bobby stay on the right side of state regulations. We didn't know they'd been changed until we got here, but there's a question of that change being dropped by a judge's orders. Lori and Jeremiah can cuss me out and kick my ass for this if they want, but my refusal now covers their cars." Clint reneges. "Why should I do that over a decision I agree with?" Jeremiah goads. "He didn't know you would, brother. I hope you didn't drive separately, because we don't know when we'll be able to leave. Here's the thing, I don't want anything to happen to you, where our leaving turns into a break from being in hospital rooms. Please tell me you understand what I mean, and that it may mean you ride with us." Tia contrives. "I used our preferred cabbie, on Tianna's advice. She had a similar fear, but hers included us repeatedly encountering societal asswarts on this property. I'm glad we haven't, but she asked me not to discuss it until we found out what's wrong with Frank." Jeremiah allocutes. "All that means is, you ride with us and I owe Liza and Tianna." Frank states. "I'll cover that, brother. If Dr. Perez asks, I'll swear it was part of my keeping your stress down." Tynie interjects. "How'd she know that's one of his restrictions?" Dr. Perez inquires. "She guessed, basing it on her post surgery ones. If it'll make things easier on you, I'll get Bobby to sign off on using those with Frank, until you see him again." Jeremiah indemnifies. "How do the weight ones affect his concussion?" Anita ponders. "Dr. Perez can correct me if I'm wrong. I think it's an issue of balance, because he'll probably be as wobbly as a drunk for a few days. So, adding weight to that isn't a good idea." Tia theorizes. "She's right. If it's OK with her, I'll use her description in the future, with other patients." Dr. Perez vouches. "Go ahead, doc." Tia pardons. "Doc, you know what? Since my prior surgeries basically brought that out, I'll sign off on you using those restrictions, whenever it fits a medical situation in my family, from now on. Then, I'll get Bobby to sign off, on backing my plan change, and have you two take it from there." Tynie reconsiders. "Sounds good." Dr. Perez allows.
Handing Tynie a clipboard with Frank's papers on it, Dr. Perez shows her where to note her plan. Spending several minutes doing so, Tynie hands it to her spouse, whom enforces her promise on his name. Forfeiting the clipboard as well, Bobby's distracted as his wife goes back to her meal. Unwittingly creating a new trend by doing that, Tynie looks to their doctor, whom predicts "Tynie, speaking of people who know looks, I'm familiar with that one. You feel bad about you guys eating in front of me, when you shouldn't. I had a meal break an hour ago, but you didn't know, so it's fine." "Cool." Tynie gasps. "Tynie, there's a debt you can't cover. Mine to you, for doing as Clint said, over my being here. Yeah, you made a damn good case for it, but my conscience is kicking my ass." Frank laments. "Last I heard, it can be covered by my getting special consent from Dr. Perez, for you to drink brandy infused creamer. If she'll do it, I'll swear it's a periodic thing, because of our new deal on family medical restrictions. You may hate my choice, but you've been the same way with me, after my surgeries." Tynie absolves. "Frank, she's the first patient I've had, let me transfer restrictions to others. I doubt she knew it, but the least I can do is, give Bobby written proof of the consent when he signs you out." Dr. Perez decrees. "Alright." Frank affirms. "Bobby, I hope you'll forgive me, for stepping on your toes. It's just, I believe we'd be best off creating a couple rotations, to care for Frank. One, keeps what Tynie said about her being last string in place. The other, makes it so Jeremiah, Clint and I go on call, in case you need more help with him." Tia prays. "You don't need forgiven, for sharing a belief with me, sis. I know you weren't sure, so it's Ok. We'll continue this conversation, after we get our meals cleaned up, though." Bobby refrains. "Fair enough." Tia claims. "I'll be back to check on Frank in a bit, guys." Dr. Perez extolls.
Accepting it with a nod, Bobby fields an unexpected text from Kiki. She admits to helping Mack and Alice replace the bedsets in Bobby's house, by using emergency keys. Including pictures of the new ones, Kiki goes on to say, she's arranged for most of the family to take turns helping care for Frank, the eldest members being excluded. "I did it, so Dad as I'm allowed to call him now, could use it as evidence in our case. My reason for the exclusions is a safety one, but Mom, as Ted and I can call her, suggested I get it cleared with you. She said it's because of your powers over Frank's care, and the new name considerations are for our safety, in case our new phones act up like our old ones. I'd have called you sooner, but I didn't know when you'd be in meetings with Dr. Perez." Kiki concludes. "I agree with that logic, sis. If you can fax me written proof of the deal you cut, I'll tell Dr. Perez you did it, to help me make this ER visit easy on her. She's had a lot of patients in Frank's position this week, so it's an issue of fairness." Bobby replies. "You'll have it soon, brother." Kiki obliges. Thanking her, Bobby ends the chat by family norms, and stores his phone. "What's up, brother?" Tia goads. Recapping the latest, he restricts "Those debts fall to me, and will be settled, another time." "Babe, there's a safer way. We can find out if you actually have debts, note them, and make a rotation on repaying them. If anyone bitches, you can tell them my decision was based on Jeremiah being right. We're blessed, by the fact today's main issue is Frank's being here, but we can't predict if or when that'll change. If we could, I wouldn't have disputed your logic." Tynie dissents. "It's alright, sugar." Bobby lulls. Slowly turning his head, Frank assumes "Sis, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you've been bulldogging through worries over me all day. Pardon my stealing your phrase, but it's why, I'm about to tell Bobby to take you off last string status. You may hate it, yet we'd loathe you winding up back here because of cardioverter complications, even more." "Bobby, you just found out why I'm handling her debt plan." Anita warns. "Alright." Bobby reclaims. "Brother, it must have slipped your mind. You guys can use my phrases, whenever they fit a situation. Aside from that, it sounds like I've been pulled from duty. I'm not arguing it, because your logic proves, I'd lose that one." Tynie reminds. "Ok. Now, I hope Clint will let you let out your true emotions like he did my baby's." Frank desires. "If Jeremiah agrees to cover my baby the same way, I will. She's been bulldogging, too." Clint ruminates. "I'll do it, after we clear from our meal." Jeremiah recoils. "He's right, that's best. We don't need to risk grease getting on our clothes, any forms, our guns or our phones." Anita defends. "Case rested, guys." Bobby adjourns.
Returning to their meal, Jeremiah and Tia soon clean up, and live out the latest deal. Trailing them, Clint feels Tynie cry so hard she shakes. Aligning his lips with her right ear, Clint softly soothes "You've kicked ass today, sis. We're proud of you, and I'll bet mine, it emphasizes Frank. He'll be OK, and you'll be updated when the times are right. Before you worry, we'll be as safe as we can, on the difference." "Ok." Tynie sobs. "Speaking of kicking ass…" Bobby initiates. "Anytime I can, I will." Clint assures. Gazing to the foot of his bed, Frank discovers Tia's in a similar position, which breaks his heart again. "Clint, I need help on something we haven't discussed. Help me, get Frank to see he didn't do shit wrong. We have a plan against who did, and a new one for the gap between his seeing Dr. Perez. You basically said it yourself, we can't rig much else right now. If we could, you know I'd find a way to be part of it." Tynie cries. "Sis, that's not our turf. It's Bobby's, because the angle with Dr. Perez; falls under his powers over Frank's care. You may not have been sure, but you can leave how it's set up, to me." Clint declines. Simply nodding, Tynie feels Clint move to meet eyes with Bobby. "You were mostly right, brother. We can show him, in our own ways, and have my baby do it, when we're handling other business." Bobby corrects. "Sounds like a plan." Clint deems. Reentering the room, Dr. Perez meets with Bobby, to resolve Frank's release papers.
Arising from his seat, he stashes them in Tynie's purse, secures it, and closes the patient privacy curtain. Walking around Clint and Jeremiah, Anita helps her spouse get dressed, then gently kisses him. "You have no idea how bad I feel, for what I'm putting you and our family through." Frank pines. "It's been in your eyes all day, baby. Keisha texted me while Bobby and Clint were talking, though. You deserve to have us take care of you, but not just because family's always supposed to back family. You took an injury, we wish didn't happen, yet it may not happen again. She believes, Allwen's won't degrade their business to Kellara's alleged standards. I hope she's right, but it's why she had everyone else in our family, do a rotation of bedset replacements. Bill was updated, so he could make it case evidence, too. If Bobby and I need any help at home tonight, I'm to call Davin or Ted out. Flo asked for it, because of how Tynie's encountered your injury. Kiki found out Bill's current fax machine's motor died, so her deal with Bobby's delayed until that's replaced. I told them it's OK, but he'll need the proof for your follow up." Anita testifies. "I'm supposed to schedule that, by Friday. So, I'll text Bill to let him know, later." Bobby intends. "Bobby, if I were in your shoes; I'd see about setting the follow up for Friday. If Dr. Perez asks, tell her it's due to us not knowing how many patients she'll have to meet here. Then, I'd text Bill, explaining it's why there's not really a rush on your deal with Kiki." Clint suggests. "He's right, brother. That'd be fairest, especially since we have no idea when Bill will be able to replace his fax machine." Jeremiah compels. "I can't do as he said, until tomorrow. You know, Dr. Perez's office closes at five. Of course, it means I'm setting a certain return for tomorrow afternoon." Bobby reckons. "I know the one, and why he didn't flatly name it. We believe it's safest not to, unless we're in the confines of one of our houses." Tia divulges.
Obtaining his phone, Bobby uses that line in texts to Lori, whom admits she was just about to insist on the same deal. Closing their chat out like the last family texted one, Bobby learns Dean got their remaining relatives to share messages that said "unless you're helping care for Frank, or another emergency arises: I hope you have a good night." Annalise covered the people who went to St. Lucia's, because nobody knew how Bobby's meetings with Dr. Perez would be timed. "Let her know I owe her one?" Bobby asks. "Already tried, and she said no, because of our debt verdict from this morning. You'll be told if anything changes it, around when, though." Lori replies. Considering that fair, he reuses Dean's phrase, then encases his phone on his side. Witnessing it, Anita helps her husband out of bed, as Tynie and Tia are liberated from Jeremiah and Clint's holds. Preparing to leave, they reconvene by Frank's bed, long enough to lead him out to Lori's car. Filing into it, so he's between his wife and her sister, Clint drives away.
Navigating traffic, it takes over two hours, get the prescription filled, while using kin trends for carpools. Secured in their respective homes, the ladies of Frank's collaborate on ensuring his comfort. "I'll get you some pain meds, and one of my Diet Cokes in a minute, brother." Tynie promises. "You've given me plenty for one day, sis." Frank objects. "I'll make it one of my Diet Mountain Dews, baby." Anita sates. Declaring his closeness to them, Bobby teases "It's already covered, ladies." Shrugging, Anita steps back to give him more room, while Tynie heads to privately secure today's forms. As that transpires, Anita detours to get them all sodas. "Jeremiah and Tia texted me, before I met up with you, guys. They're home safe, but a tornado warning's just been issued, that doesn't expire until after midnight. Markus got everyone else to stand down until tomorrow, for their safety, so we'll have to reinstate my baby's last string status." Bobby reports. "It's fine, babe." Tynie pardons.
Serving her soda, Bobby kisses her cheek, then sits back with her. Drinking together, that household negotiates a plan to work with the latest circumstances, which starts with Anita and Tynie cleaning up from the sodas. Awaiting their return, Frank glances Tynie's way. "Let me see if I can read you, brother. You're starting to worry, about this biting me in the ass. Don't, because it's why I made Bobby my backup, until we hear Markus's stand down order was lifted." Tynie predicts. Exhaling a slow breath, Frank nods, letting that end the conversation. Finally taking a chance to relax, those four don't know, it's part of a family wide trend. A few minutes later, sounds of yet another storm start echoing around their house. "Guys, I think we should move this into the back areas, and get our LED lamps ready." Anita recommends. "I'll tell you what, sis. If you'll let my baby help you get Frank comfortable in bed, I'll get started on your last line." Tynie offers. "Deal." Anita quips.
Diverting to briefly kiss their husbands, Tynie aims to keep her end of the most recent arrangement. Settling theirs, Bobby joins his wife's efforts, then cracks their area's door open. Heading to the bed, Tynie's escorted in first, only to cue up movies. Delicately taking the remote from her, Bobby makes sure the volume isn't too high, lays the remote aside, and covers them up. Across the hall, Anita repeats those moves, as new worries over her husband begin nagging at her mind. "I'm OK, baby. You guys saw to that." Frank reassures. Furiously nodding, she turns to gently kiss him, then shares a love vow. Guiding her spouse to lay out, she mimics the pose, then adjusts their covers. Allowing the movies to serve as backdrop noise, she and Frank aim to relax, again.
Succeeding after a while, they're clueless to the fact, it completed another pattern amongst their loved ones. As more good luck would have it, many of the involved TV's, shut off before people start falling asleep. Essentially keeping the norm, most of Tynie's family slumbers, in relative peace. She, Anita, and Bobby are excluded, because of their rotation to keep eyes on, and care for, Frank. Aware of his heartbreak over that, Tynie delicately reminded him of one truth. Even though no one he loves wanted today's events for him, they still gave the family:
Another chance to rally together.