So as Frederick reread the letter from his grandpa, he quickly tucked it away in his nightstand, then approached his mother.
"Mom? Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Lilith sighed. She'd known about Martin's condition for a few days now, and she was dreading the conversation she was about to have with him. But as her son was getting older, she hoped that he would be sensitive enough to handle the conversation. If anything, it was now that she hoped that Frasier's genes would kick in, and she would only have to tell her son the bare minimum.
"Is this regarding your grandfather?"
"How'd you know, Mom? Did you read my mail?"
"No, son. I talked with your father a few days ago. I have to talk with you, and what you are about to hear may be quite upsetting to you. Keep in mind that this is still your grandfather that we are talking about..."
"What's wrong with Grandpa? Is he dying or something?"
"No, Frederick. He's not dying. But his health has taken an unexpected turn..."
"Is it about his hip?"
Lilith sighed. Just like Frederick, to be so inquisitive and full of questions. "No, son. This has nothing to do with his hip. Frederick, what I'm about to tell you may upset you, but I want you to know that no matter what happens next your father and I care about you very much and will be here for you in any way possible..."
"Come on, Mom," Frederick sighed. "I' m not a little kid anymore! Can't anyone just tell me what's going on?"
She took his hand and told him about Martin's condition. "Do you understand what that means?"
He nodded. "Mom, I have one more question for you..."
Lilith smiled. "Yes, you may go visit your grandfather."
It was at that moment that Frederick realized how much his family meant to him.
0000
Frasier greeted his son at the airport. "So good of you to fly out here! I offered to pay but your mother says you used your own money.."
"Yeah, I figured that buying some new Star Trek books could wait."
Frasier hugged his only son.
"Dad you're embarrassing me!" Frederick rolled his eyes.
"It's not like you're not used to my embarrassing you. Remember at your bar mitzvah..."
"And you spoke to me in Klingon?" Frederick laughed, recalling the memory. "Actually that was kind of cool."
"If anything, aren't I the epitome of coolness?"
"Oh, Dad, only old people speak like that. Who do you think you are, Shakespeare?"
Frasier modestly took a small bow. "With that, I consider that a high compliment. Why in his day..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can we just get going? I want to see my grandpa!"
"Whatever you say son."
0000
So as the father drove the son, nothing was spoken between them. Nothing needed to be said. This was family, and that was all that mattered.
TBC
