"Daddy's being so unfair," Eve said as she loaded the dishwasher.
"He's always been protective of mom, even when she worked for him," Grace replied. "Of course she could drive him crazy and make him lose his temper but that was partly because he was in denial about his feelings for her."
"Was daddy always so stern?"
"Actually he's a lot mellower since he married mom. Even before they married, she had a way to get him to see reason." Grace smiled. "Don't worry, mom's probably working on him now."
Fran was perched on the edge of Maxwell's desk. Crossing her legs, she asked, "How long were you planning on punishing Eve?"
"I hadn't decided. Why?"
"I agree that Eve should be punished but I don't think I should be too severe."
"And your suggestion?"
"At least a week."
"Do you think a week is long enough? Eve knew she shouldn't have been in your office, reading your work without your permission."
Fran folded her arms across her chest. "Like father like daughter?" A slight smile crossed her face as Maxwell sighed. "Look, Eve knows she shouldn't have been in my office but I want to talk to her about why she was in there."
"I'm not changing my mind Fran."
"I'm not asking you to. I'm just asking you to lighten her punishment. Or at least re-evaluate it."
Maxwell weighed Fran's argument. "All right, I'll reconsider her punishment after you speak with her." He paused, his eyes flickering over her body. "She's lucky I'm such a pushover for her mother," he said before kissing her.
"Yeah right, like you're really a pushover," Fran replied, returning his kiss.
He pulled away from her before things became too passionate. "As much as I'd love to follow through with where this is going, I have a lot of work to catch up on. May I take a rain check?"
"Depends. When are you planning on cashing it?" "Very soon. I promise."
Grace found Fran at her desk, watching pages spill from the printer. She gently knocked on the door and entered after her mother waved her in.
"I'm sorry mom. We didn't mean to intrude and invade your privacy. But Eve is right. You should publish your poem. Please don't be angry with us."
"I'm not angry with you or Eve. I'm just disappointed. I know how you two get if I see something of yours that's private. I only ask that you give me the same respect."
"I know." Grace bit her lip. "Is daddy still angry with us?"
"I've managed to get him down to a simmer. But he's very disappointed with both of you as well."
"I know this can't change how you feel right now," Grace said offering Fran a handful of papers, "but I've done some research and found a bunch of contests here in California where you can submit your poem. I also found some literary magazines you might want to check out."
"You did that for me?"
"Of course. Mom, I love you. I want you to be happy." Grace winked and said, "I also want you to forgive Eve and me."
She stared at her daughter. It was times like this when Fran could see how her behavior had influenced Grace's personality.
Grace was unsure of what her mother thought until she saw a faint smile pass over her face. Slowly she began to breathe and realized everything would be all right.
Fran shook her head. "What am I going to do with the two of you?"
"Love and forgive us?"
"Love goes without question. No matter what you do, I'm your mother and I'll love you forever."
"And the forgiveness?"
"That comes in time." She paused for a moment and said, "Okay, you're forgiven."
Grace smiled and hugged Fran. "Thanks mom."
"Why were the two of you in here?"
"Eve was having an emotional issue and since you weren't here, she needed the comfort of your spirit."
"What?"
"Let me put it another way. Eve needed to talk to you."
"I understand. You don't want to discuss what she's already told you."
"I just think its better coming from her than from me."
Eve yawned as she flipped the page of her math book. She smiled at the memory of her father telling her she inherited the love of numbers from her mother because of her ability to quickly calculate figures during a shopping spree.
"Eve?"
She turned to find her mother standing the doorway. "Come in ma."
"Doing your homework?"
Eve nodded. "I'm getting a jumpstart on next week's assignment."
Fran smiled and ran her finger under her daughter's chin. "You know you're a lot like your father. Maybe that's why the two of you butt heads so often."
"So how long will I be under lock and key?"
"That depends. Tell me what you were doing in my office."
"Gracie didn't tell you?"
"She felt it would be better if you told me."
She's so much like Max, Fran thought watching Eve pace the floor. Whether it's a review for a play, a television show, or something he had difficulty discussing, Maxwell's always restless until it's over. Eve finally settled on the bed beside Fran and began.
"I needed to talk to you about a personal problem but since you weren't home, I went to your office because - oh God it sounds so incredibly stupid saying it out loud but it's true."
"What? You know you can tell me anything."
"I – I went to your office because I needed to feel you."
"What do you mean?"
"Being in your office feels like being in your arms. Your aura, your personality, the office, its so... you. Just like daddy's office is like him." Eve watched the slightly confused expression on Fran's face. "I knew you wouldn't understand," she said flopping backwards on the bed. "You think its silly don't you?"
"I think I know what you mean," Fran said reaching over to brush Eve's hair from her face. "But you still haven't told me why you needed me."
She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. "You know my friend David? He wants to be more than just friends."
Fran raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How much more?"
"He wants me to be his girlfriend."
"How do you feel about that?"
"I like David, I really do but I only like him as a friend. I've never thought of him that way."
"Have you told him that you only want to be his friend?"
"He wanted me to think about it."
"He's a lovely boy Eve."
"I know ma. He's kind, considerate, thoughtful, cute ..."
"Are you sure you don't want to be more than friends?"
"I'm not sure I want to be his girlfriend. I mean I'm a girl and we're friends but – "
Fran held up her hand. "No need to go on Eve, I get the picture. If you don't have those feelings for him then you need to tell him right away."
"I just don't understand why he wants to change everything."
"Maybe David feels that you two could be a great couple. You're good friends. Relationships built on solid foundations usually last longer. Look at me and your father. We were friends before we got married. That's one of the bonds that hold us together."
"It's funny. Grace and I were talking about you and daddy. She said you'd blame me not wanting to make a commitment to David on daddy."
"We don't need to open up that can of worms," Fran replied laughing. "Besides if he hadn't decided to commit, you and Jonah wouldn't be here. Are you going to be okay?"
"I think so. Thanks ma. I love you."
Kissing Eve on the head, Fran replied, "I love you too."
"Ma, how long will I be punished? Did daddy tell you?"
"We'll talk about that in the morning. It's time for bed."
