A Day With The Sheffields
Fran awoke at 6:40am. She was really tired but, had to get up the guys up in 20minutes. So, she went to the zebra print couch, and got her ruby colored satin robe. She wet downstairs to the kitchen to make some coffee. She put the pot , in the coffeemaker ao, it could brew. then, that's when the phone rung. It was loud and annoying. So, she ran to anwser it, so it wouldn't wake the boys.
" Hello?", she said into the receiver.
" Hey! Still coming over for breakfast?".
" Max!", she whispered, " Yes we are. Brighton will be acompanying us. Is that OK?".
" Yes", he laughed, " That's OK".
" Why are you up so early?", Fran asked, into the phone which was craddled inbetween her shoulder and her neck. she was getting her coffee.
" I'm busy in the office, right now. Going over a couple contracts before breakfast", he said.
" Mmmmmmmhmmmmmm", Fran said, drinking her coffee.
Maxwell was now confused, " Uh, Fran, why'd you mmmmmmhmmmmm?", he asked.
"I'm drinking this coffee. It so good, relaxing. I'm now fully awake. So, your a big mach produucer? Tell the media more !", she said.
She checked the time, 6:52am. Ok, still got time to talk.
" Well, yes, I'm a very successful broadway producer. I was 17 in London, England. Very interested in the theatre. so, I did a couple of flops there, and moved here and with the help with my assitant I made those flops into hits. Niles, my butler was there with me the whole way! He basically a brother not, a butler. I passed on a couple greats ones but, had a couple of great ones in this time".
Fran laughs. " That last lin,e was funny, " a couple of great ones in this time" it's usaully calld " in my time" but, your not THAT old so, whatever floats you boat". She laughed, again. " Now THAT was funny!"
" Yea, alittle... So! What's your back story? I told you mine now, what yours?", Max , didn't know what it was but, he was so comfortable talking to her. Like, he was with Sarah!
" Uh..no!".
" Why?".
" It's a sob story! and you'll proabbly hate me forever, if I told you! We've just became...", Fran didn't know what to call him.
" Friends. Close friends", he finished for her, " I wouldn't, couldn't hate you! It proabbly couldn't be that bad!"
She checked the time 6:58am! Great, saved by the... clock? " Sorry, but gotta go wake the boys. Maybe, some other time. See you in a hour!", she said.
" OK, bye! Your gonna have to talk about it sooner or later. We'll be best friend forever, you cant't keep it a secert forever!", he chuckled.
" Forever! Isn't that a bit over exagerated? ", she said, " Can I talk to you about anything?"
" Of course!"
" OK, don't know why just asking! Bye!"
" Wait! Why'd you wanna kn-", he said into the receiver.
She hung up.
She put her mug on the counter. She thought, " OK. Forever. No way, are we gonna be best friends forever! but, you know my past you gonna order a resstraining order against me!". She laughed. She truged up the stairs to wake up the guys.
Max on the other hand, was befuddled. " Who's past can be worst then, mine? Not hers, she so happy, cheerful, perfect, her accent alittle weird, but that another thing that makes her uquiue", he thought, " She's such loving others before herself. These are reason I love Sarah, there might be another person like sarah and that just might be Fran". 8:00 just can't come fast enough.
Fran didn't have a hard time getting them to get up, she just mentioned that they're going to brighton's for breakfast. They hopped up and ran to shower. While, they were doing that Fran decided to have a warm bath. Past memories, went out the window when she'd bathe. She wish she could take long bath but, no telling what the boys would get lathered, rinsed, and repeated. She got out and, put on her robe before she apiled her makeup, lotion,and perfume. she went down the hall next, to check on the boy and their progress. Brighton's in the shower but, Steven gonna lend him some clothes. Steven already showered. She was satisfied with the boys progress, she went back to her room to get her clothes ready. " I really don't know what we're gonna do after breakfast or the whole day. So, I'll wear this, this and this", she thought as she took out the contents outta her closet. She slipped them on, checked herself out in the mirror next to the closet and was ready to go. She went to her nightstand and checked the time, 7:40am. " Oy, we might be late", she thought as, she rushed down the hall to tell the guys it was time to leave. she tapped lightly on the door, no anwser. She opened the door, no one was inside. She turned around to go down the stairs, when she heard Steven's loud mouth.
" Mom! We're gonna be late!".
She smiled. Yeah, they were ready.
She went down the stairs, to see the boys siting on the plush couch. Brighton was wearing a fire orange, a pair of jeans, and the shoes he wore the day before. Steven wore a a red shirt, with white letters that spelled, " Quiet!... So I can be LOUD!", some kakaki short, and black tennis shoes. They looked like brothers but, they were just friends.
" OK, everyone ready?", she asked on the bottom step.
" Ready!", Brighton said.
" Ready!", Steven said.
" Get to the car! Hut, hut!", Fran said opening the door for them to leave. So, they got in the car, and 10 minutes later they were infront of the Sheffield mansion. " Fancy!", she thought as she got into the front of the house parking space.
" Brighton, you never told me you had a place!", Steven said, excitedly.
" Wait, till you get inside!", Brighton said, smirking.
" Well, then let's go", Steven said rushing to get outta the car. Brighton was right behind him.
Steven came up to the passenger side window and said, " Ma, you coming?"
" Yeah, sweetie. I'll be in a minute. I have to do something", Fran said to the boy.
Steven was worried about his mother, but she said to go ahead.
Fran's head was on the wheel, she was thinking and, crying?
" Sometimes, after all these years you haunt my dreams and thoughts. I'm frightened to death about what we could or would do if u came back. What if you did come back, and you... Darn you! You schmuck! You'll cost me years!". She wiped away her tears, and got outta her car. She checked her mascra, it was running. She knocked on the door, a man with blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes anwsered the door. She ran right past him, up the stairs to the bathroom. Everyone, especailly Steven was concerned.
Little Gracie was the only one confused.
Max and Sarah looked at each other, Sarah nodded, and then looked at the stairs. Max got up and said,
" How about everyone gather in the dining room? I'll grab Fran and be back downstairs in a couple of minutes".
Everyone, went to the dining room. Not Steven.
" Steven?", Max said, going to the couch.
He was almost crying. " I'm NOT moving. I can't stand this! He hurt her, and she'll never be...the same", Max took the boy in his arms.
" Don't worry. I bet she'll be better,once she sees you", he said.
" NO! You don't understand. She was happy. Singing, she was happy, and he left and it was because. of ME".
" No, it's never the kids fault. Whoever, He is , he made a BIG mistake. You'd have to go to the dining room. So, I can go get you mother".
" OK, ! Please help her to feel better", Steven hugged him.
Max hugged him back, tightly. " I will, Steven"
Steven rushed to be with the others.
Max walked to the stairs, and took them on 2 at a time. He checked the guest room, no-one. He checked the bathroom, but he couldn't get in. He knocked on the door.
" Fran", he said, " Open the door".
Nothing.
" Please, talk to me. I can proabbly help you or can find some help for you", he said still knocking. " Everyone's worried about you. Especaily Steven".
He heard the click of the lock and she opened the door a crack. she was on the floor , hands infront of her face.
" Are you OK?", Max asked.
"No, does it look like it!", Fran said, angrily.
Maxwell bit his lip.
" Max. Im sorry to snap at you", she said, hands in her lap.
Max got on the floor, and was criss cross on the floor with her.
" Wanna talk about it?", he said his hand on her leg.
" Kinda, but if i tell you you'll think of me differently", she said.
" what if, i promise not to do just that", he said.
" Uh", she still didn't know the only people who know is Val and her mother.
" Please?", he said, sounding sincere.
She looked into his olive green eyes.
" OK", she sigh, " Nick Rollingstein. Steven's father. Loved him, gave him some love ,alot of affection. One day, Steven and I went to the market, we caame back and there was a note next to the door. Your a bore, don't look for me, I hate you both. I was so distraught. 2 day later, he used his key, found me in bed and... He slapped me, and told me I wasn't worthy of nothing", she was almost crying by this point, " I believed him, told myself that the only good man was my son. I gave him everything he wanted. I didn't understand at the time, where I went wrong. I worked twice as hard at my job. I'm a editor for the New York Times. I've been terrified, that he'll come back and do it again. He'd hurt my kid and me! I hate myself for it!". She couldn't say anymore, she was full blowen crying.
Max was in shock. " This is the thing you didn't want to tell me earlier. Wasn't it?".
She nodded.
He took her into his arms.
" I'm so sorry", he said. He tilted her head up to look into her big brown eyes. " Your worthy of so much more than you've got. Steven is a blessing to your life, NEVER forget THAT EVER. You will have a moment of happiness". She looked down as soon as he finished the last sentence. She still was so sad.
" Oh my god! How could someone who could give someone so much love, be and have so much pain in their life. She's so careful not to convey her emotions to anyone. My life was bad, hers was worst", he thought as she was crying in his chest.
" Why don't you both stay here tonight in the quest room? Sarah and I will be right across the hall if you need anything, anything at all", he said, " but we have to get through today first. Stand up, let's wash your face".
She stood up.
He went over to the closet, and got a washcloth. He wet it and wiped around her eyes.
" Better?", he asked.
" Yes, thank you, for being a great friend, not judging me, and just, everything", Fran said.
" Why would I judge you? You gave that man love, and affection, if he can't take it, too bad for him. Someone will come for you, and they'll love, and cherish you the way you do everybody. They'll love you", he tapped her nose when he said, " you".
" Because , I'm a bad influence, Nick might come for you guys for caring about me. You know", Fran said.
" I didn't even consider that!", Max said, smiling.
Fran playfully punched his shoulder.
" OW!", he said, rubbing his arm.
They laughed.
" Thanks, Max! Alot! i really needed this, and who knows maybe we'll be friend forever", Fran said, leaving the bathroom.
" Maybe, I never know", Max said, following her outta the bathroom. " Yo, Frannie!". " Where in the world did that come from?"
Fran turned around. " Yes?"
" I'm always here. You know that?"
" Yes, I know. You have a nice shoulder to cry on. You should really put a towel there, I suspect I'll be crying there ofthen", Fran said. She laughed. " Come! I'm hungry, for some food, and I want to see my boy".
She grabbed his hand, and pulled him to the stairs. They were silent on there way to the dining room.
Once, they went into the dining room, they saw five sad faces. Steven wa the first one to run up, to his mom and, hug her tightly.
" Are you OK?"
" Yes, sweetie. Now, that I see you I'm fantastic", she said, hugging the boy tightly.
Steven looked at Max and mouthed. " Thank You, Mr. Max".
" Your Welcome", he mouthed. " So, should we start eating?", he said, hands together.
Fran sat her son down and, took a sit next to Gracie.
" Hello, little one. What's your name?", Fran said.
" I'm, Racy", she said.
" Racy?".
" Gracie", Sarah said.
" Oh, then hi Gracie. Hoe old are you?", Fran said.
" Free?", she said, hands in the air.
" She's three, gonna be four in August", Max said.
" Wow!", Fran said, " Such a big girl!".
The rest of breakfast waspretty pleasent. The talked about what they were gonna do the rest of the day. They decided to go to Coney Island. So, after breakfats, Max, Sarah, Maggie and Graice went upstairs to change their clothes. Some, to change their diapers. Fran, Steven and Brighton stayed downstairs to wait.. 10-15minutes later, Max, Sarah, Maggie, and Gracie came downstairs looking fabulous!
" Ready?", Fran said, getting up from the couch.
" Seems so", Max said.
" Great, then lets hit the road".
They laughed.
" Funny", Sarah said, sacartastically.
So, the Sheffields and the Fines left the Sheffield house. They decied to take the limo because Fran and Stven were spending a night. Stvene and Brighton was sooo excited that they would be spending a night at Brighton's house. They got to Coney Island, they paid and, first Fran, Steven, Maggie, and Brighton went on a rollercoaster. They were all screaming like a couple of girls. They got on it 5 times, while Sarah took Gracie to the Merry- Go-Round. Max joined the kids, and Fran on the 4th and 5th try on the roller coaster, they had so much fun! Afeter, that ride they found Sarah and Gracie on the Merry- Go- Round, Fran got on that ride tooFran atcually looked like Gracie. No care in the world, happy, just having a blast! Max was happy by, this and so was, Steven. After, 4 rides the gang got hotdogs, with everything on it, even onions! Fran dug into her hotdog like, it was the last piece of godiva chocolate. When, she was done she was grinning for ear- to- ear. She got another, and another Coke. After, she was done that, she was ready for the Ferris Wheel. So, they all walked to the Ferris Wheel. 1 car sitted all the kids, and another car sitted all the adults. Once, they went to the top Fran was talking. like her old self again.
" Don't you just love the veiw fron high places?", she said, " I do but, it makes my mother nauseous!".
" I love them, there so nice, and you can see all the stuff your missing", Sarah said.
" I know! On the ground, you can see all your eye can see, but", she looked at the veiw, " Here it's different".
" Don't ya think, Max?", Sarah asked her husband.
" Of course, I agree with you, and Fran but, if your on the ground what are you missing, and it's different because it's a different point of veiw", he said, sounding quite smart.
His answer renderred them speechless, and this was a first for Fran.
" Never thought of it like that", Fran said, thinking.
" Well", Sarah says, " I guess, your missing the things you can't see everyday, or at all! Things that are not in your veiw!"
Maxwell, put his hand on his chin, he thought for a second, " Hmmm, but the things you can't see are real! Right!".
" Wrong!", Fran said, " If, I don't see a flying pig, does that mean it's real? No."
" True, true!", Sarah agreed.
This debate went on the whole ride. At the end, a friendly conversation about their surroundings turned into a debate about the thing they can't see. Once, the ride was over Fran and Sarah was defeated. Max had won. He explained that the thing we can't see, thing we think can be real. They, at least, learned something.
" Where to next?", Brighton said.
" Well, we can go to the bumper car", he looked at the grown up ladies, " We haven't done that yet".
" You go ahead. I'm get another coke, I wanna go on the Ferris Wheel, see the scenery again", Fran said.
" Mom!", Steven said.
" That's OK! Go have fun! I'll be there when the ride is done!", Fran said.
So, Max and Sarah took the children to the bumper cars. While, this was happening, Fran did really go to a vendor, to go get a medium Coke, then to Ferris Wheel, she went. So, once she got to the top, she stared longingly at, the scenery. Like, she wanted to go, to leave, to be someplace.
" Max and Sarah. Wow, their life just to awesome. 3 beautiful children, a husband and wife, to raise them. They're happy, the husband gets respect from ppl, and gives it back. There's something that make me, IDK. I wonder if London wil banish these memories from me", she looked to the sky, A veiw like this is is PRICELESS,a love like theirs", she looked at the rides of coney Island, " You have to give to get, a love like that. What she have to give? PROABBLY NOTHING!". The rest of the ride was consist of thinking of Max and Sarah. At the end of the ride, Fran was kinda happy, and jealous of them to new friend she has. They had a love, she dreamed of as a little girl. So, she went to the bumper cars. Everyone, was happy. Max had a car, Maggie, Steven, and Brighton had their own cars, Sarah and Gracie shared a car. They were saying they'd bump the person that bumped them. When, the ride was over, Fran was waiting at the exit.
They came out of the bumper cars laughing at each other. Max, looked at Fran and smiled. He came next to her and said,
" That was so much fun! Steven, bumped into me and, laughed so hard Coke came outta his nose the first time on. THAT was funny!", Max said, smiling.
Brighton, Maggie, and Steven high-fived each other. Fran, Maxwell and Sarah were talking about, talking about, what'll they get back to the house.
Fran pulled Max to the side.
" You didn't tell her?".
" Of course, not!", he said.
" Good, because this is big. So, it should come from me", she said, looking around.
" So, your gonna tell her? When?", Max said.
Fran ran her fingers through her hair and said, " I DON'T KNOW! but, soon. So, don't tell! I would apreciate it if, I could talk to you about it, tonight?", Fran said.
" Sure! I have a office at the house, we can talk on the terrace after Sarah goes to sleep", he said, seriously.
" OK, I feel bad to not tell her, but, she doesn't need to know now! Can I wait 1 year then, tell her?", Fran said, jokingly.
" Uh,...", he thought a second, " Maybe? Come on, we gotta get back!".
" Ard, father, SO PUSHY!", Fran said, starting to walk back.
Max gently nudged her, " Now, THAT'S pushy!"
They laughed.
So, the families stayed coney Island untill, 7:30pm. Once, they got back to the Sheffield house, Niles the butler prepared spagetti and garlic bread. Fran had quickly, made a healthy fruit salad. At dinner, everyone was talking about how much fun they had at, the amusement park. Max had brought up, Fran and the hotdogs.
" Hey! We, Fines can't have just one of anything", she said.
" Well, that's alot of food!", Max said, laughing.
" Girl, sarah! How could you marry a gentle? He doesn't get seconds?", she asked, jokingly.
" Ha, ha Fran! Very funny! If you MUST know, it was his smile, I went to the theatre he produced a play at and went to get a sneek peek at the show before, anyone else, he caught me. I told him, why I was there and, he told me about the play and invited me to go to the opening with him", she said, smiling at him.
" Well, she's right about that!. Then, I asked her on a date, and we fell in love", he said.
" WOW", Fran said. " That sound, like the best way, to meet him but," she took a forkfull of fruit salad, " Did you love the theatre before you met him?".
" Yes, I loved that they could pretend to have real emotions. that amazed me", she said.
Maggie, brighton, and steven was just listening to the conversation made by the parents.
Fran thought about something for a second. Fran quickly turned to Max and said, in panic mode, " What about school?"
" What do you mean. " What about school?"", Sarah said, to Fran.
" I invited Fran and steven to spend a night over here tonight but, I forgot, it's a school night!", he said, hands over his face.
" WAIT!", Brighton said, and then dashed into the kitchen.
He ran into the kitchen, to ask niles if he washed his clothes, he did.
" YES!", he said.
He ccame back, smiling hard. He sat in his seat and , didn't say a work.
" OK, spill it mister!", Fran, said.
" Oh, nothing. Just that since Steven let me borrow this outfit. I'm thinking, I should return a favor. he can borrow a outfit from me, a uniform outfit, so clothes covered", Brighton said, to the adults.
" OK, smartypants! What about homework?", Sarah said.
" Brighton, and i have the same classes just at different times. He can give me a piece of paper and, the questions, and I anwser them. Simple!", Steven said.
" How botu baths, toothbrushes, washclothes", Maxwell asked.
" Aren't they in, they in that closet in the guest bathroom", Fran said.
" FRAN!".
" What! You do!", she said in her defense.
" Not helping!", he said.
" I think, that if they really wanna spend a night then, they should!, but, they need to go to bed early!", Fran said, switching back into parent mode.
" Well, Ma we can't fight them all on this!", Sarah said.
Max looked around the table at all the faces, and said, " Alright! but, lights out at 9:45pm! Us to, Sarah, Fran".
" Yes, sir!", 5 ppl at the table said.
The whole table erupted in laughter.
After dinner, the Sheffields and the Fines, got into some comfortable clothes. ( Steven got some clothes from Brighton, and Fran got clothes from Sarah). They all got into the living room, and watched, " Finding Nemo". by 9:30pm, Gracie fell asleep. Brighton, Maggie, and steven stayed up untill curfew, , sarah and Fran herded them to bed. Tucked Gracie in, told steven to quickly do his homework. when, they checked on Maggie, as usaully she was reading " 13 plus, 1". They were done with, checking on the kids so, Fran told Sarah to go take a long soak and she go get Maxwell.
She went downstairs to, the living room, and no-one was there, everything was off. So, the second choice was this office he was talking about. She went to doors, open, close, open, close, open, close. Untill, she found a room. A room with a desk, a bookcase, an old painting, a green couch, and lots and lots of drawers. She looked to her right, to find a balconey or terrace. She walked out onto it. " This is a awesome place to think", she thought. She closed her eyes and begin to to hum, " It's All Coming Back To Me Now", by:Celine Dion.
" Hey Romeo! Romeo, where for art tho Romeo?", she said, playfully.
" That wasn't that bad", Max said, coming in the light from the shadows.
" Stop playing!".
" I'm serious!, That was almost poetry", he said.
" Almost?".
" Yea, almost. Now, you wanted to talk to me?", he said, his elbows on the little table.
" We, kinda have to make this quick, Sarah in the tub soaking, she sent for you. so, I was thinking we can see where this", pointing to the two of them, " goes in like, a year. See, if we're still friends. See , if your annoyed with my voice". " See if she can be trusted", she thought.
She laughed.
" One year's too long! but, we'll give it a try. Sarah, is MY wife she needs to know what I know", he said. " She can be trusted, don't worry!"
" How did you", Fran begin.
" I don't know, how I knew u thought that but, don't worry".
" I think she'll tell the kids. What if, she tell my kid that his father hurt his mother in more ways than, one. What if, he hates me, this will be more diffcult then, ... I'm lose everyone I care about, even you!", she said, in panic mode.
" Fran, fran! Your never gonna lose me! Steven is your blessing, remember?".
She nodded.
" Maggie, and Brighton I could talk them, into liking you, maybe. Gracie's to young to understand any of this. If, I ever get tired of your voice, I'll tell you", he said, truthfully.
Fran was crying, she didn't want anyone else knowing what Nick did to her, especaially her son.
Max couldn't stand believe this happy, cheerful woman was so emotional. He hated to make her cry, so he'd compromise.
" How about", he out his hand in hers, " WE wait 6 months then, tell her?".
" I need to know, but OK", she stood up, " Stand up!".
He stood up.
She hugged him tightly. " Thank you, what would I do without you?", she whisphered in his ear.
" Let's NEVER find out", he broke the hug, " Come on! I'll walk you to the guest room". He took her hand.
They walked in silence, to the stairs, and up the stairs to the guestroom.
" Goodnight, Fran. See you in the morning!".
" Goodnight! Can you wake me up at 6:40? Maybe, we can grab coffee! HAHA", she said, smiling.
He smiled. " How do you do that?".
" Do what?", she said, as she was opening the door.
" Cry your eyes out one minute and the next your back to life?".
" I don't know, that's how I am".
" Ok? Bye, Fran!".
" Bye Max".
She closed the door, and waited for the next morning.
*BUBBLE GUM*