Chapter 2- Opening up that can of worms

"I don't remember my father." She stated again, as though she were trying to grasp the meaning of her own words.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Fran said.

"That's quite alright. He died when I was very small. I guess I just never really thought about it before." She laughed a little. "Lionel is kind of like a father to me I suppose, but it isn't the same, you know what I mean. If I were a child, it could be I suppose." Fran nodded.

They spent two more hours shopping and each found something fabulous to wear to dinner that night. This did not include a tube top!

"Oh look, Gracie, a double decker bus!"

"Wow, cool!"

"Would you like to ride it, it's headed our way?" Judy asked. Fran and Gracie nodded and they climbed aboard.

"Judy, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation earlier." Gracie said. "And if it's any consolation I don't remember my mother either."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"So, where are we going for dinner tonight?" Fran asked.

"I have no idea. It wouldn't surprise me if Alistair... you know what, anything Alistair would do that is completely spur of the moment, crazy, or expensive or among other things, would not surprise me! You know what, I can't even put into words what this is, but I'm fed up!"

"Do I sense tension here?" Fran asked.

"You bet. We were dating, but he was just so inconsiderate, it's like everything that he's done was a last moment's thought. Or maybe it's me, I've been married twice afterall."

"Lucky you." Fran said, "I haven't been married even once. Mr. Sheffield told me that he loved me when were coming back from Paris, and then he took it back." Judy gasped. "Oh, if you think that's complicated you should see the rest of our relationship! After that, he took back taking it back but won't make a commitment!"

"Neither will Alistair."

"Wait," Gracie said. "You both say that you have problems with men. Fran, you say that your Father loves you, but has always been kind of distant."

"Yeah." Fran said as they got off the bus, "He's actually a lot like your father."
Gracie smiled. "And Judy, you don't remember your father at all?" She nodded. "Well, it sounds like your problems with men stem from your relationships with your fathers. A girl having a good relationship with their father is an essential thread in who they will become and how they will relate to men, and ultimately who they will marry. Meditate on this for a while, I am going to try on my new dress again." She said as she made her way up the stairs into the room she was sharing with Fran.

"Where does she get this stuff, are you sure that she's only twelve? Perhaps she's the opposite of that Jack fellow, you remember, from the Robin Williams picture?"

"You mean the one with that woman who looked just like me? No, no she's just been in therapy for a very long time, that's all. She's a very smart girl."

"Well, anyhow I think she's on to something. Two failed marriages and I never even thought that my relationship with my father would have played into any of it at all."

"You'd be surprised. She tells me stuff like this all the time."

"You must have a wealth of information." They were now seated in the living room.

"Ah, I mostly never listen, but it's so useful when I do!"

"You know, she's made me think, we have to do something, rebel. Rebel against our off again, on again relationships. Against them."

"Good thinking! We won't take this anymore!"

"Great, let's call Alistair and Max, and tell them we're not coming tonight."

"But I bought the new dress and..."

"Fran?"

"Alright. Oy."

"Okay, go in the kitchen and pick up the phone, I'll dial Alistair."

...................................................

"Alistair?"

"Max?" Fran asked.

"No, just me, Alistair. How is everything, I can't wait to see you tonight, Judy."

"We are not coming." She stated calmly.

"Yeah, we're not taking it anymore!" Fran shouted. Then both of them hung up the phone.

"Why did you say 'we're not taking it anymore, now they'll know we're up to something!" Judy asked as she rushed into the kitchen.
"Then let the games begin!"