Chapter 12

December 1996

"Mom?"

She was sitting on the floor with a pile of Brendan and Tommy's childhood photos.

"It's Brendan's birthday today - 18."

"Yeah." Tommy didn't like talking about Brendan because he hated to see his mom upset. Usually he tried to avoid it at all costs, but today he didn't. He knew she felt guilty…guilty for leaving him behind.

When they left that night, Paddy didn't bat an eye. He foolishly thought that they would come back. He thought Carol would come crawling back to him after running out of money, but that wasn't the case. It had been over two years and there was no way in hell Tommy would let his mom go back there.

"I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision - coming here."

"Don't talk like that, mom. You know we had no choice." He said, while kneeling beside her.

"I shouldn't have left without him -"

"Don't blame yourself. It's his fault. He chose to stay."

"Tommy, don't say that. I'm his mother. I shouldn't have left him with Paddy. I should have done more. Children need their mothers."

Tommy didn't say anything this time.

"I should call - just to find out how he is -"

"No. You know we can't do that. Grandma said its better if he doesn't know where we are."

"I know."

"We're going to be just fine." She looked up at him and smiled

"Look at you." She laughed. "Now you're the one reassuring me."

"Yeah, well someone has to." He laughed.

"Come here." She pulled him into her arms. "My sweet boy. You always take care of me."

PRESENT - March

Brendan's POV

"So, what's new?"

"Nothing, really. Tommy's good. He's settling well into his place."

Paddy nodded.

"He's also about to renew his license this week."

"About time -" Paddy looked at Brendan. "What about you, son? Anything going on with you?"

I wasn't really in the mood to talk about me. I tried to change the subject.

"Nothing that comes to mind -" I shrugged, then looked up. "You know that Tommy and Danielle, they got together. " I smiled. "That's news."

"Wow, it sure is." He agreed, loudly.

"I think it's going well. They look good together." I added.

At least from what I could tell. The last time we were together was last weekend. They seemed happy enough. The girls loved Tommy and Danielle as well.

I could tell Paddy was happy about this. After all, Tommy in a relationship meant a second chance. A second chance at all the things he missed with me. His son's wedding, grand-kids - finally getting to see them grow up.

"Well good for him." He smiled.

I was only doing this for Tommy. He tried to act like it didn't matter to him if he saw Paddy at all, but I knew he wanted to see him. After all, Paddy was sober now and Tommy felt guilty for the way he treated him during Sparta. I knew he wanted us to be a family again, but I also knew there were some things about our past that he couldn't forget - just like I couldn't.

Danielle's POV

Tommy was already at my place waiting for me to get ready. It was 7 PM on a Saturday and Tommy was finally about to meet Anna. He was way too early and insisted that he would wait for however long I needed. It didn't take him long to get ready and was here by 6:50 even though he was supposed to arrive at 7:30. He was dressed in a fitted white dress shirt with black pants - pretty casual. I left him sitting in the kitchen. Fifteen minutes later, I was ready and headed downstairs. He slowly lifted his head from where he was sitting. I was wearing a short, blue, one-shoulder dress with black heels.

"How do I look?"

"You really gonna ask me that?" I laughed.

"You look amazing." He told me.

It was cold. Really cold. I probably should have brought my cardigan with me. Tommy was driving this time and I sat in the passenger seat.
We were headed to an Asian restaurant on Chestnut street.

Tommy held the door to Buddakan open for me, before we stepped inside. I could spot Anna and James from where we stood. She had a long floral maxi on, complimenting her long, brown hair.

"Name, please?" The man at the front podium, asked.

"Anna Summers," I replied.

They stood up as we approached the table.

"Hey, girlie. You look nice." Anna as we both leaned in for a hug.

"Hey, you too." I smiled, then pulled away. There was an awkward pause.

"Hello, Tommy." She smiled. I could tell she was eyeing his every detail…from his shirt to his shoes.

"Anna." He nodded, fully aware of what she was doing. I smiled.

"Hey, how's it going", James said while pulling me into an embrace.

"Great. I haven't seen you in a while though. How are you?"

"I'm great. Anna and I are excited to finally meet the guy you won't shut up about."

I smiled nervously at Tommy. "James, this is Tommy."

"Nice to meet you, Tommy." He said, while firmly, shaking his hand.

Tommy pulled out my chair for me and we took our seats.

"So, Tommy. It's great to see you again." Anna said.

He ran a hand through his mousy brown hair. "It's great to see you too."

March 1998

Anna's POV

I was about twenty-one and down in Tacoma to visit my mom and sister for the month. Danielle was about sixteen years old and Tommy was eighteen.

It didn't matter what he did, I just didn't like him. Not around my sister anyway.

"Tommy, have you seen my sister?"

He didn't reply.

"Hello?"

He was sitting on my (and emphasis on my), front porch, smoking a blunt. "Piss off," He replied.

"Uh - You're in front of my house, Tommy. Remember that," I warned. He just smirked.

I brushed past him, down the stairs, and down the street. We weren't always like this, but things did take a turn for the worst after the whole "leaving Brendan behind thing". He was only truly nice to two people and I wasn't one of them.

"I have no idea why she even hangs out with you." I mumbled under my breath. He heard me.

"What was that?" He called to me.

I turned around. "I said, I have no idea why Danielle would hang out with a loser like you." He was about to reply, when I interrupted him.

"It's late, Tommy. Why don't you go home, Tommy. Be with your mom. Isn't she sick?"

He didn't say anything. Just then, Dani came approaching from down the street. "Um, hey..." She looked at the both of us.

"Hey, where were you?" I asked her.

"Why does it matter?"

"Never mind then." I paused. "Dani, it's late." I advised her.

"Whatever. Let's go inside, Tommy."

"Don't you think Tommy should be heading home now."

"Really, Anna? He's been staying at our place for forever, mom won't mind. Anyway, you don't really live here so it's not up to you."

"You really know how to choose your friends, Dani ." I said loud enough that he could hear.

I was expecting Tommy to make some snarky comment, but he didn't. He just put out his blunt and quietly stepped inside.

I didn't know back then that his mom had already passed.

PRESENT

Danielle's POV

"Hi, my name is Lizzie and I'll be your waitress for this evening." She was an attractive, young, blond and looked to be in her early twenties. "Can I start you guys off with something to drink, Wine maybe?" Her eyes scanned everyone's at the table, but rested on Tommy's. I knew he was good-looking, but it still bothered me that she was staring him down.

"We'll have a bottle of Pinot Noir." Anna chimed in. Lizzie nodded and wrote it down.

"Just a ginger ale for me." I wasn't too big on alcohol anymore, not since I was younger. Plus, I wanted to be alert and alcohol made me drowsy.

"And what can I get for you sir?" The waitress glanced at Tommy and smiled. I rolled my eyes. Did this chick want to get punched?

"I'll have the same." She wrote it down, turned around and was on her way.

"I'll take a beer." James said. "Tommy, you sure don't want one too, Tommy. Or a glass of whiskey or something. I don't wanna be the only guy drinking here."

Tommy thought about it for second. "Uh, miss!" He called out, while turning his head in her direction. "You know what, scratch that I'll take a glass of whiskey."

"Oh, OK. Can't go wrong with a good glass of whiskey." She agreed. "And you can call me Lizzie, "She grinned before walking away.

"Thank you, Lizzie." He said smugly, before teasingly squeezing my thigh. I rolled my eyes.

A/N: Edited.