After a failed attempt at rebuilding the bedframe Tommy and Heather decide perhaps it's safer to leave the box spring and mattress on the floor. Maybe they would go shopping for something sturdier later on. Something has changed in Tommy; anyone with eyes would be able to see it. There's a sparkle in his eye that wasn't there before. He seems alive instead of just existing. And as much as it's visible, he can feel it tenfold in comparison. An abject, unnamed fear has been lifted from his soul. He's not afraid of being hurt by someone's actions or intentions anymore; for the first time in his life he's actually living a life he can be proud of.
"Say Heather, you mind if we swing by and check on Pops?"
"Not at all, I was thinking we could stop by Dales and grab something to go, maybe take it over and eat with him?"
Tommy just smiles as he heads for the shower. He hears Heather's footsteps close behind and he knows she's thinking the same thing he is.
In the shower the two of them meld together seamlessly; there is no rush, no frenzy. The movements are slow and purposeful. This is miles beyond the down and dirty sex they'd had in the hallway and on the bed; Tommy is making love to Heather. It's not just a physical thing for him anymore. He can't deny it, he doesn't want to; he's falling head over heels in love with Heather.
He presses Heather up against the shower tiles, lifting her with his arms and thrusting up into her, causing her to cry out and dig her nails into the back of his neck. His mouth takes turns with each breast teasing her nipples with his tongue and lips. The shower curtain is open, Heather insisted on it being this way so she could watch his ass as he works himself in and out of her. Watching her face as she watches him thrusting into her is a turn on beyond measure. Her eyes are heavily lidded and her mouth is a half-smile; it's pure sex. The expression is one that Tommy swears silently to himself that he will put on her face at least once a day from here on out.
"Tommy," she whimpers and he knows she's getting close. His thrusts increase in intensity but not speed; he wants her climax timed with his. His mouth moves to hers as her hands make their way down to his ass. She presses her fingers into the muscles there, urging his deeper, harder.
"You ready for me? I can't hold it back, come with me…" Tommy gasps into her neck as he feels the first waves of his release wash over him. His legs weaken and for a second he thinks he might fall and take her down with him but Heather unwinds her legs from around him and steadies them both by standing.
Neither one says a word as they go about washing themselves and preparing to visit Paddy but it's not an uncomfortable silence. They smile at each other as they climb out of the shower and dry off. Being careful to keep their hands to themselves they dress in a continued silence. They both know that one sentence, one brush of a hand and they'll be naked and rutting again like animals. The sun is setting quickly even though it's still early. Winter days in the 'burgh are short on daylight.
Brendan and his family left for Philadelphia after the funeral so Paddy has been alone for most of the day. Tommy doesn't care for that and just as he's about to ask Heather a question she reads his mind again, cutting him off at the pass.
"I know some CNA's who do home health care on the side. They're real affordable and would be great for helping Paddy at home. I know you must be worried about him being alone there since he's so weak these days."
"Girl you need to stop doing that," he teases but he's thankful that she seems to be one step ahead of him. "Anyone in particular you recommend?"
After making a couple of phone calls, Heather has around the clock care arranged for Paddy. All three women agree to a wage that Tommy can comfortably swing with his commission from the gym. Heather wants to contribute as well but Tommy says no.
"You do so much for me already."
"Well then, let me ask you this and please don't get freaked out or feel pressured… but what do you say to moving in here with me so you don't have the rent on your apartment to pay? We can get your name on the lease if it would make you feel better."
"Are you sure that's whatchu wanna do?" he asks, looking down at his shoes. He knows without a doubt that he wants to spend every night lying in bed next to her and waking up beside her every morning. But is she offering this because she really wants to? He's not so sure.
"Well, I was kind of tempted to go back to The Pleasure Chest and stock up on dildos and vibrators…"
Tommy reaches for Heather but she's too quick, leaping out of the way before he can get his hands on her.
"That's okay. I'll getcha. Might not be now, might not me today, but you'll pay for that little dig, sweetheart." Tommy does his best to look and sound menacing but he knows he isn't fooling her.
"I can't wait," Heather smirks as she starts to run a brush through her long hair. "Say, you wanna call ahead and order so we can just run in and out of Dales and get over to your Pops house before it gets much later?"
"Sounds like a plan. I'll call from my apartment, I need to run over and get a couple things from my place since we're gonna be roomies and all."
Jogging to the front door he opens it just as a woman standing outside has her hand raised to knock.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I must have the wrong apartment," she says as she turns to walk away. But Tommy knows she doesn't because he recognizes her from the picture beside Heather's bed. This is Olivia, Heather's mother, and he already doesn't like her.
"Ms., um, Olivia?" He calls after the retreating figure and she stops in her tracks. "You're looking for Heather, right?"
The woman turns on her heels and returns to the doorway, looking Tommy up and down with undisguised disdain. "And just whom might you be?"
From behind Tommy he hears Heather, "Mother, this is my friend Tommy Conlon, Tommy, this is my mother Olivia Hunter."
Brushing past Tommy into the living room, Olivia hands her purse and jacket to Heather and sets down on the couch in a huff.
"I've been calling you for weeks Heather but I never can seem to get you on the phone. I've needed you to come home to Tennessee to help me. You've spent enough time here in this shithole of a town and god knows it isn't doing a thing for your figure or your complexion. Get me an ashtray, will you?"
"Mother, I told you, Pittsburgh is my home now. I'm not coming back to Tennessee. And I don't want you smoking in here." Heather's voice is soft, slightly defensive. Tommy can see how intimidated she is by this woman and it's doing nothing to quell the anger he feels rising up.
"First off missy, you don't tell me shit. I am your mother and you will give me respect. Secondly, I need you home. My health is getting worse and I need your help with things. How long is it going to take you to get your shit packed and ready to go? And get me a god damned ashtray." Olivia lights a cigarette and blows the smoke directly in Heathers face. It's the tipping point for Tommy's temper.
"Didn't you just hear what she said lady?" Tommy feels his heartbeat in his teeth he's so angry, his nostril flare and he shoves his hands in his pockets to keep from grabbing the old witch by the collar and chucking her out the window. "She said this is her home now, she ain't goin' nowhere. And you need to put out that damn cigarette."
"Are you really gonna let this meathead stand there and talk to your mother like this?" Olivia looks at Heather wildly, flinging her hands around.
"She don't speak for me, lady. Heather is with me now and she's staying right where she is."
"She's my daughter…"
"Yeah some kinda mother you been, yeah? Throwing her down the fucking stairs, beating her? Yeah I seen the scars your kind of mothering's left on her back." Tommy's in a rage now, thinking about all the pain this woman has caused Heather, wanting to smack the hell out of her but knowing he would never hit a woman no matter how wretched she was.
"Did you tell him that? Did you tell him the same lies that you tell everyone? That I hit you?" Olivia's face is a mask of rage and he can see now why Heather is still so intimidated by this woman.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I remember now, you found Jesus, yeah? So now the past is erased, right? You're a fuckin' despicable monster."
"You lying little slut, how DARE you smear my name like this!" Olivia flicks her cigarette onto the floor and makes her way towards Heather with her hand upraised. Tommy turns to grab her by the shoulder but Heather raises her own hand and stops Olivia in her tracks.
"How dare you, Mother, how dare you come in here with your demands and your false memories. How dare YOU come in here and disrespect the man I love, disrespect ME in MY OWN HOME," Heather is walking towards Olivia now, making the older woman back towards the front door. Heather throws the coat at her first, followed by her purse. "You take your things and you get the hell out of my life. You don't call me because I'm changing my phone number. You don't write me because I'll burn anything you send me, unopened. You don't darken my doorway because I'll get a restraining order and then I'll get you held for a psych evaluation that you know you won't pass. My time dealing with you and your abuse is over. There's nothing I can do to help you but I can help myself by cutting you out of my life for good. Take your crazy ass back to Tennessee and don't you ever contact me again. If I have to repeat one word of this to you I'm calling the cops and having you arrested for threatening me with physical violence."
Olivia stands there in front of the front door with her mouth hanging open. She looks from Heather to Tommy as if she can't believe what's just happened. Tommy doesn't doubt for a second that it's the first time Heather has stood up to her mother. Reaching behind the older woman he grabs the knob and opens the door. Smiling at her with his toothiest grin Tommy says, "Make tracks."
"I hope I die and that the thought that you turned your back on me haunts you for the rest of your miserable life." Olivia spits at Heather. Turning to Tommy she sneers, "You don't know what you're getting yourself into, boy. She'll suck the life outta you just like she did to me." Tommy steps right up to Olivia and looks down into her face, making her cringe.
"Let me tell you something, I'll spend the rest of my life making Heather happy and we'll have a beautiful wedding someday that you won't be invited to, we'll have kids that you'll never see. We'll have a family and our kids will have the mother that Heather should have had instead of the scumbag you turned out to be. So yeah, go back to Tennessee and die, all alone. Beat it, bitch." The controlled anger seethes through Tommy's words and Olivia pales as the truth and brevity of what he's said sinks in.
Turning without another word, Olivia leaves. As soon as she's gone and Tommy's closed the door, Heather is on the phone with her friends at 911 dispatch.
"I need you to send a bus to Brentwood, 3400 block. There is an obviously mentally disturbed woman walking; 5'3, blonde hair in an updo, black coat, blue jeans, and red sweater. And Cindy, it's my mother, I'm sure since I've just cut ties with her she's going to attempt some behavior to try and get sympathy, it's her pattern…"
Tommy walks back into the bedroom; he wants to give Heather some privacy. He can hear murmured details being passed to dispatch. His heart breaks for her, even after how that woman just came in here and degraded Heather, she's still looking out for her mother. Moments later Heather comes in and stands next to Tommy, resting her head on his arm.
"Listen, I'm sorry if I was out of line in there, I just…"
Heather spins around to face him, tears flowing down her face. "Don't apologize for that! Don't you understand? That's the first time anyone has ever stood up for me, the first time anyone has seen her for the monster she is."
Tommy gathers Heather into his arms and holds her tightly against him until the crying stops. "I will always be your defender, Heather. I love you. Maybe it's too soon to be saying it but I feel it so strong," Tommy whispers into her hair, breathing in the smell of her, never wanting to let her go.
"Oh Tommy, I love you too. So much…"