Chapter Six

Reconnection

"Yes I have, he's out in the hall."

"How does he look?"

"Compared to what?" He smiles at her.

"Don't be a smart ass, as your father used to call you."

He shakes his head and gives her a puzzled look. "What ever made you think of that?"

Frances gets up from the chair and turns off the television. "I've been thinking a lot about the past, all the times that I wasn't there for you or your brother."

"Come on Mom not this crap again, it was a long time ago. You are not to blame for how he decided to live his life, he had choices to make and he chose the wrong ones."

She turns to face her son. "That's easy for you to say you're not a mother."

He stands up and takes a hold of her hand. "That is one of the stupidest things you have every said."

Frances grins as she taps him on the arm. "Oh you know what I mean. Anyway, why didn't he come in with you?"

"He's a little nervous. I told him don't be an ass but since he is out there. I want to talk to you about something." Bobby leads her back to the chair. "Mom please, can you sit down?"

"Sure Bobby, what is it?"

"I told Frank about the money."

"Why did you do that?"

"I wanted to see his reaction when he heard the word money."

"And, mister suspicious."

He chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. "I can't help it; it's a drawback from my job…………..He did look genuinely surprised when I mentioned it though, he says he's changed, I don't know, I'm not sure that he isn't up to no good, maybe I'm being too skeptical."

"You're not convinced that he's changed. Are you?"

He exhales and shakes his head. "I just hope that he hasn't gotten into something over his head. Because if he has he can just go to hell. We're not going to help him, right Mom." Frances turns her head away, "Mom." He says firmly.

"Well I do have that money for him."

Bobby rolls his eyes, gets up from the chair, and starts to pace around the room. "Alright I want you to do something for me?"

Half-heartedly Frances asks, "What do you want me to do?"

He stops pacing and stands in front of her. "If he brings up the money, tell him I lied and there isn't any. That way he'll be angry with me and not you, but it also means that he's full of shit and he hasn't changed. And if he doesn't bring it up, then maybe he has." He pauses. "No, became the person he was suppose to be." He starts to walk toward the door then turns around suddenly. "Oh and don't you bring it up either, understand."

Frances shakes her head. "The way your mind works, it's fascinating." She smiles at him. "But Jesus, Bobby why don't you put him in an interrogation room without food or water for a day or two."

He turns to leave the room. "Don't tempt me." He winks at her. "I'll get him." Before he gets to the door, Frances, asks, "Bobby?"

He turns back around. "Yeah, Mom."

"Do you think he'll ask about the money?"

He hesitates before he responds. "I hope not, I really do. I haven't spent an afternoon with him in over twenty five years but I really enjoyed hanging out with him." Bobby opens the door and leaves the room.

Frank is pacing up and down the hallway. Bobby calls to him, "Hey."

He turns suddenly and walks quickly toward his brother. "Go on in, she's excited to see you." Bobby watches as his brother enters the room.

Disappoint her and I'll kick your ass.

He walks slowly into the room, "Hi Mom."

"Frank, you look different."

"Yeah, I've changed my line of work and play."

She smiles as he bends down to kiss her cheek. "I've missed you." Before he straightens up, she puts her hands on his face. "I've missed you too." She kisses his forehead.

"Too many years and too many heartaches to apologize for, can we start from scratch?"

He grabs both of her hands and gently pulls her to her feet and puts his arms around her. Frances embraces him and starts to cry. "Yes I think we can." They hold each other until Frances breaks the hug.

He helps her back into the chair. "How in the world did you ever get your brother to let you in his house?"

"I just asked him, he always puts up a tough front but he's full of it. He won't come looking for you but if you go to him he's always willing to give you another chance. Besides you know as well as I do he has a heart the size of Alaska."

"Yes, that he does." Tears start to well up in her eyes again. "It is so good to see you." He walks into the bathroom and grabs the box of tissues she has on the counter, "Here Mom."

"Thank you." She says as she takes some tissues. Frank pulls out a few for himself.

"We have only spent one afternoon together but I hadn't realized how much I missed having a brother. He really hasn't changed much, he still asks a thousand questions, just like when we were kids. Jesus, what a pain in the ass but at the same time I enjoyed it, him looking up to me for the answers."

Frances wipes her eyes. "He always has to know why people do the things they do, I suppose that is why he is so good at his job."

"Yeah, he certainly has done well for himself, not like me, anyway no feeling sorry for my self or blaming anyone else. Every thing I did, I did on my own. No one forced me to behave that way."

"You sound so confident. I can't recall you ever speaking that way. I must say I am impressed and I am proud of you for being able to turn your life around."

"Thanks Mom I wish now that I would have been able to work out the demons in my head a long time ago. But it's been over a year and I have a good job and a very sweet girlfriend."

"Next time bring her with you, I would love to meet her."

"Thanks for saying that, I will."

"Have you seen your daughter?"

He looks down at the floor and shakes his head. "No not yet, having the guts to contact Bobby and now you I feel a little more confident that maybe now I can talk to my daughter and let her know that I have always loved her, it was myself that I hated. I want to be a father to her, it won't be easy, I'm not a fool but I have to try." He pauses, "I sometimes wonder what Claire says about me to her. Not that I could blame her for badmouthing me, I was a terrible husband and a shitty father. I want to get Michelle back into my life."

"Let her know what kind of man you really are. You have a lot to prove to her but if you really want it you can do it."

"I hope so. It's another hurdle to clear." He pauses. I'll do it, I have to."

"I like hearing you talk that way. I would love to be in my granddaughters life again."

"Thanks Mom, for the welcome. I'm so sorry it took me so long."

"I love you Frank."

"I love you too, Mom."

"I must say that I have been disappointed that you haven't been to visit in over two years. And the last time you did you wanted something but I forgive you and I am so glad that you are here."

"I haven't come here for a hand out, I know Bobby's not convinced of that but…. I hope you believe me."

"You are right about your brother but I believe you, please be strong."

They sit in silence for a moment holding each other's hand "Bobby told me that sometimes he takes you out for lunch. Are you up to going out for lunch with the two of us?"

"Absolutely, give me a minute or two or ten to fix myself up." Frank gives his Mom a quick hug and leaves the room.

Now Bobby is pacing up and down the hallway. "Hey." Bobby walks slowly toward his brother. "Well how did it go?"

"She welcomed me like I have been here every weekend."

Bobby grabs his brother by the arm. "Feel like an ass now, don't you?"

Frank just nods. "I asked her if she wanted to go out for lunch, is that alright?"

"Sure."

I wonder if you asked her something else.

"What kind of restaurants do they have around here?"

"Only three that are worth eating at, I usually let Mom pick, it makes life easier." Jimmy pats his brother on the back. "I can understand that."

The door opens and Frances emerges from her room. Bobby manages to catch her eye and he raises his eyebrows. She shakes her head ever so slightly. He smiles and holds out his arm for her, Frank does the same. She walks between them and links her arms in theirs.

She is more than a half a foot shorter than her sons but walking arm and arm with them Frances feels ten feet tall.

TBC