"We met in Paris when I was in my early twenties." El had her arm looped through Peter's elbow as they walked together along the banks of the river. It was perfect weather for a January afternoon. The sun was shining, the air was bone cold and El got to snuggle even closer to Peter after he wrapped his heavy overcoat around the two of them as they made their way back to the art gallery.
"I was in the middle of an internship with a New York design firm when I applied and was accepted into an exchange program in France." Finding a cozy park bench to sit on, El continued with her story after Peter repositioned his coat entirely around her shoulders. "René returned with me to the states at the end of the program. We moved in, got married, René became an American Citizen. He transferred into NYPD." El's recollections took on a less than upbeat tone. "René's job as a cop was only a means to an end. He was super bright. In fact, the most intelligent man I'd ever met. Plus, he was incredibly charismatic. I was smitten and quickly fell in love. Sadly I was also blinded by his charms and couldn't see the writing on the wall. I guess I got caught up in his outgoing qualities and forgot to see what was truly important – what he was like as a man on the inside and what he was like as a friend. I fell pregnant with Neal a couple of months after the wedding and it was during the pregnancy that the first cracks became obvious to me. I gradually uncovered his less than ideal qualities and his illegal activities became more transparent with late night call outs, secret meetings down in the basement and phone calls that were for his ears only. By the time Neal was born, I was totally aware of who and what he was. Too late though. I had a new born and realistically, René was the only thing between me and the bread line. So I turned a blind eye to his corrupt activities and concentrated on bringing up a child."
Peter pulled El in close. He hadn't expected their lunch date to turn into a therapy session and most likely neither had El. But it seemed El was happy to get it all off her chest. Prior experience had taught her not to wait to bring up these skeletons well into the relationship. Peter for his part was content just to listen. He was clueless how to respond anyway so he remained silent and lent a caring ear.
"René was killed in the line of duty on Neal's second birthday. Amazingly, it had nothing to do with his underworld activities. That night he was called out to a teenage birthday party after some neighours reported the kids getting out of hand. He walked in totally unaware that one of the guests had a loaded pistol and was high on cocaine. He was shot three times through the chest. He didn't make it through the surgery."
"El I'm so sorry."
"It's fine now. Although it wasn't an easy time for me when it happened. While I knew he was not a good man, I found it very difficult contemplating a future on my own, bringing up a son that would never have a father. Neal coped well though. Too young to really even miss his dad. He wasn't even aware he'd had a father until he started school and the kids talked about their dads. I answered questions. Kept it pretty simple. 'Dad was a cop but he died when you were a baby.' As he got older, Neal stopped asking which suited me. We did alright in the end. Luckily for us, René had a life insurance policy, something he managed to get right, and between that and his payout from the department I was able to buy this house outright."
El stood up, ready to continue on their journey back to the gallery. "I was young and immature when I fell in love with René. If I had my time again I'd like to think I'd pass him over but I know that I couldn't. I wouldn't change anything in the world that may stop me from having Neal. He is an amazing boy. He's smart and witty and I love him with all my heart. And," El paused, unsure of herself, "and he's not his father's son but René will always be a part of him."
"I'd love to meet him." Peter ignored the last statement, shelving it for further investigation at a later date.
"Why don't you come around for dinner tomorrow night?"
"That sounds like a great plan." Peter swung El's arm in big arcs as they walked. A wonderful feeling passed through his body. Life was so great. "So, Neil as in Neil Armstrong. You were a big fan of space exploration Elizabeth?"
"For sure I was. Exploring space was, and will continue to be a very inspiring adventure in our history but, in this case, nothing so grand. It's just Neal, …as in seal."
-W-C-
Peter was carrying the dishes to the table, closely followed by El when he caught a flash of something out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't heard the door open or close but evidently, El had. "Neal, honey." El shouted towards the stairs.
"Yes, Mom?" A younger voice called back.
"Come here a minute please, Baby."
Neal placed his satchel on one of the stair treads and descended into the living area. He wasn't overly surprised to find a man standing in the living room. Throughout the years his mom had brought home various dates. Most of them turned out to be losers and his mom quickly gave them the boot. Occasionally though, she'd be onto a winner but then the Neal factor would enter into the equation and he suspected there wasn't a man in New York strong enough to survive a relationship that involved him. Neal knew from an early age, he was a deal breaker. The young boy walked up to the two adults.
"Peter this is my son, Neal. Neal this is Agent Burke."
The young kid held his hand out, and with a dazzling smile said, "Pleased to meet you Agent Burke."
Peter didn't care about the fake smile. It had been a long time since a young person had actually looked him in the eye while speaking and it usually came out no more than a grunt anyway. This boy was both articulate and confident. "Pleased to meet you, Neal." Peter stared at the young boy before him. Damn the kid looked like his mother. Striking blue eyes, dark brown hair, and a sweet baby looking face. El had said he was thirteen. Peter wouldn't have guessed he was a day over ten.
"Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, Baby Seal."
"No thank you Mam'ma. I'm good."
Peter watched curiously as Neal began to head back towards the stairs. It appeared that El was more than prepared to let the child leave. Interesting.
"Neal?" The young boy turned at the sound of Peter's voice. "You're going to join us for dinner?"
Neal couldn't tell if it was a question or a statement although he expected from the authoritative tone it was the later.
"I'm not really hungry Agent Burke but it sure was nice meeting you." Neal made another move towards the steps.
"I'm looking forward to having a little chat Neal. Go get washed up. I believe your mom said dinner would be ready in ten minutes. Don't waste too much time."
No confusion that time, definitely an order! Neal raised his eyebrows and headed up for a quick shower finding the man in the living room a little more intriguing than his mother's usual dates.
-W-C-
Nine and a half minutes later, Neal returned in dress pants, a button down shirt and tie. Peter was impressed, again. The kid could knot a tie and dress himself. Maybe there was hope after all for Generation I.
Neal pulled a chair out for his mother and sat down only after both adults were seated. The trio wasted no time in serving themselves to the delicious smelling lamb and vegetable casserole and soon after, the pleasant dinner banter began.
"So Agent Burke…"
"Peter… Please call me Peter."
Neal looked over at El for approval and after a nod from his mom the young boy continued, "Peter, what division do you work in at the Bureau?"
"I head the White Collar Division."
"Well that sounds like a whole lot of fun. What exactly do they do in the white collar department?"
Peter felt in his gut that the boy was just playing around and was already somehow in possession of that information. "Oh you know, drug trafficking, mafia, murderers and various other violent crimes." Peter thought he'd test the waters with his young counterpart.
"Interesting." Neal swallowed another mouthful of the casserole. "I wonder what organized crime is up to these days?" He looked at Peter over the top of his glass. "Maybe they have their hands full with counterfeiting, art theft and I believe bond forgeries are rampant? Organized Crime must be a crazy place to work. Luckily you're in White Collar otherwise you could be a very busy man."
"Yes, young Neal. Luckily for me." How did a kid know so much about his line of work? Most kids would say White Collar was the name of a rock band if asked.
Neal continued to chat with the adults throughout dinner. He talked about baseball, movies, current events and interesting things to do around the city on weekends. Peter suspected the subjects were purposefully chosen to suit the guest's interests and were designated 'safe topics' for discussion. Peter's thoughts about this interesting child were darting all over the place when Neal finally asked, "May I be excused Mam'ma?"
"You had enough, Baby Seal?"
"Yes thank you. It was exquisite. How about I cook for us tomorrow night?"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
Neal collected all the dishes from the table and took them to the kitchen. Peter could hear tinkering behind the door and sounds equivalent to the dishwasher being packed. Neal returned ten minutes later. "Goodnight Mam'ma." He reached down and kissed his mother on the cheek. Then with an air of certainty, Neal walked around and shook Peter's hand. "Goodnight Agent Burke. Take care," he offered before disappearing upstairs.
Damn, the kid was an enigma.