Chapter Four: The Providing Father
Neal
For a brief moment, between waking and sleep, Neal Cassidy felt like a different person. For a little bit of time, he was a heroic street urchin and thief. He was with a beautiful blonde and they were driving along in a yellow bug. He tried to hold on to that moment, but when he opened his eyes, the moment was gone.
He was Neal Cassidy. A loving husband and father. He was an artist and a businessman. He was a respected member of the community. He was the mayor's son-in-law. He was not some street bum.
There was no blonde. He thought of Regina's dark hair. He loved his wife. He was certain. He never strayed and never felt the need to. Their relationship was as close to perfect as it could get. They rarely fought. They went on regular dates. They agreed to most of everything. They just fit.
Neal couldn't remember any animosity in their relationship. Regina was meek and jumpy. She didn't like arguing and Neal hated arguing with her. He never wanted Regina to be afraid of him. He never gave her reason to be.
If there was one thing he could change about his wife, Neal would change how hard she worked. Regina was eager to please her loved ones. If he said he wanted meatloaf for dinner and Regina already had a chicken in the oven, they would have meatloaf. If Henry needed a costume for a school play, Regina would stay up the entire night to make it. If Cora wanted a banquet in two days, Regina would get everything needed. Neal wished she would find the time for herself. Just a small moment to relax.
He asked Regina why she did it all. She said if she didn't who would? Making others happy was the one thing Regina would not back down from. Neal admired her for that.
From what he understood, Regina was just born that way. Cora had said Regina was always too meek for her own good and he was going to have to look after her. They were a year into their marriage when Neal fully understood what Cora meant. Regina had worked so hard, trying to keep him happy, she hadn't been eating well and had gotten sick. After a short time in the hospital, Neal had to handle Regina with a slightly firmer hand. He made sure she took time to eat and rest.
When Henry came along, Neal made Regina promise not to fall into old habits. She was to take care of herself at all times. He did not want to see her back in the hospital. Regina agreed and kept her promise. She may not always care about her looks, but she always made sure she was healthy. Neal couldn't have been prouder.
Regina was a great mother. She gave Henry all the love and car a child could ever need. Neal knew it was because she had a great home life. Growing up, Regina had loving parents. Neal remembered Henry Mills doted on his daughter. He gave Regina whatever she wanted, not that she wanted much. He encouraged all of her interests. Cora Mills was a patient mother. She was always willing to give Regina a much-needed push when she needed it the most. Neal wished he had parents like them when he was growing up.
Neal had grown up in foster care and had always stayed in a loving home. He was never adopted. His mother, now dead, would not give up custody of him. She was one of those women too selfish to raise her child and too selfish to fully give him up. She voluntarily handed him over to the system. His father was nowhere to be found. His mother had told him once that his father was a deadbeat and that was all he needed to know. He never met the man. He doesn't know if he was dead or alive.
It was because of his mother, Neal would never give up Henry. He couldn't imagine willing placing his son in the system. He and Regina a plan if anything were to happen to them and they couldn't take care of Henry. The boy would go to Cora. They trusted Cora with their own lives so why not their son's. Cora agreed to be Henry's guardian and it was made legal.
"Dad," his son, Henry said. They were almost to Mr. Gold's. "Do you think we can go to the library after the pawn shop?"
"Not today," Neal answered. "I still have that show to set up for."
Henry sighed in disappointment. Neal knew how much Henry liked to read. He was like his mother when it came to books. For two hours, no one could get through to the pair if they were buried in a book. They would talk to the librarian about every story they finished and the librarian would talk eagerly with them.
"Maybe tomorrow," Neal said. "We can take Mom."
Henry smiled brightly at him. Neal never got tired of seeing his son's smile. Making Henry happy was always worth the hard work he put in to keep him fed, sheltered, and clothed.
When they made it to Mr. Gold's shop, Mr. Gold was locking up. Neal figured they would be having their little business meeting outside. Mr. Gold was probably taking a break to go to the library or Granny's.
"Mr. Gold," Neal greeted.
"Mr. Cassidy," Mr. Gold said turning to face them. "And Mr. Cassidy. I see you are on time."
The man had a slight smile as he leaned heavily on his cane.
"Yup, we drove today," Henry said.
"I see," Mr. Gold said with an amused little smile.
"Do you have the works for this weekend's show," Neal asked.
"Yes," Gold answered. "They are all prepared. They will be ready to move tomorrow morning."
"Good," Neal said.
He liked Mr. Gold. The man was always fair to him and friendly to Henry. He was probably the man's only friend. He was one of the few people who said hello to Gold or even shook his hand. Neal wasn't afraid to enter Gold's shop or talk about things like sports, the weather, and family.
Neal knew Gold had no family. No wife or children. He knew that Gold had dated Cora for a time and he knew that it ended badly. He never asked what had happened, he just knew something happened. Neal understood that the breakup between Cora and Gold, Gold was, even more, a pariah than he was before. Everyone loved their beloved mayor, Neal included.
Cora has always been supportive of Neal. She introduced him to his wife, Regina. She bought most of his pieces. She was always proud of him.
"Where are you going to?" Henry asked.
"Henry" Neal scolded.
"It's alright," Mr. Gold said. "I'm going to the library. The book I wanted to read is in."
Henry's eyes lit up at the word library.
"We will leave you to it," Neal said and he watched the disappointment cross his son's face.
He placed a hand on Henry's shoulder.
"Tomorrow," he said. "You, me, and Mom."
Henry nodded but Neal could still tell he was disappointed.
"How about we drive around?" Neal suggested. "We can take in the sights."
That brought back the smile to Henry's face.
"Okay," the boy said. He turned to Mr. Gold. "Bye."
"Bye," Gold said back.
They watched Henry run to the car.
"I will see you again tomorrow morning," Neal said.
"Yes," Gold said and held out his hand for Neal to shake. Neal did.
Neal watched Mr. Gold walk to the library before he went back to his car.
"Dad, do you think Mr. Gold likes Miss French," Henry asked as soon as Neal got into the car.
"I don't know, maybe," Neal answered. He never gave it much thought. Mr. Gold was much older than the librarian. He always assumed that the two were just friends. "But it's none of our business."
He drove away, heading to the woods.
END OF CH. 4