Chapter 2

Frank's view

I stared silently at the place where my eldest son just sat...what just happened? I just couldn't make sense of it. Before I could think about it any further, I heard my daughter snort in annoyance.

"I can't believe how Danny acted! What is he thinking? talking to us like that?" "Don't worry Erin, he'll calm down and apologize to us...for sure." Jamie tried to calm her down and put a comforting hand on her shoulder...what made her smile. Yes…Jamie was definitely right. Danny would calm down again...he was always way too hot-blooded and irritable.

Apparently Pops had a different opinion, however, as he shook his head blankly. "I don't understand how you can be so blind. Jamie, you're a cop aren't you? And Erin, you're one of the best prosecutors we have? So how on earth can you think so wrongly about your brother? You've known him since you were born and you still don't know when he's serious." "But Pops..." Jamie wanted to defend himself and was immediately interrupted.

"No but…you should be ashamed of yourself! Both! For weeks I've had to watch you take Danny for granted and whine all over him. Have you not noticed that Danny has become more and more distant from this family? He no longer goes to you Erin when he needs help with a case. He no longer asks Jamie how things are going in the 12th and hasn't given you any tips. He hardly says a word at this table without having to defend himself."

My children looked at their plates in shame... their Grandpa hadn't spoken to them like that in years. However, I still didn't understand why Danny was so angry with me. How did he come to the conclusion that I should be disappointed in him? He had to know that I was proud of him…right? Sighing sadly, Pops got up from the table and looked at me with complete pity.

"Oh Francis...you too are completely blind to how you have treated your own son lately. You and I both know how proud you are of Danny...but the boy has no idea...because your behavior shows him the exact opposite...and you never really talk to him...I have to say I'm disappointed in all of you. You don't treat your family like that...I actually thought that each of you knew this..." We watched in silence as Pops left the room...No one knew what to do now.

Was he really right...had I really not shown my son how important he was to us...to me...that couldn't be right...or?

Danny's view

Deep in thought, I sat on our couch with my arms on my knees... what's going to happen next? I couldn't forbid Sean and Jack from seeing their grandfather anymore...but I just can't stand it in this house for another minute. I snapped out of my thoughts when Linda sat down next to me and snuggled up to me. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have raised my voice. I didn't want to scare you or the boys." I mumbled into her hair and took her in my arms.

"We would never be afraid because of you Danny. On the contrary, you are the best dad and husband anyone could ask for and we love you.". With those words, Linda placed a kiss on my lips and then laid her head on my chest. Suddenly I could hear the quiet tapping of bare feet and saw Sean and Jack cautiously sneaking up. "Come here, you two," I called out and held out my other arm as an invitation…which was immediately accepted.

With Jack pressed against my other side and Sean curled up in my lap...I felt like I could finally breathe after what felt like an eternity. "Daddy, why are Aunt Erin, Uncle Jamie and Grandpa so mean to you?" Sean asked confused and looked up at me with wide eyes. Sighing, I ran my fingers through his hair. "You know buddy...there are some people where you can do anything...and yet it's not enough...they're never happy with you.", I tried to explain as carefully as possible.

"But Daddy...Grandpa is your daddy and you always say that no matter what we do you will always be proud of us..." before Jack could continue I interrupted him: "And that's true Jack! No matter what, I'm always proud of you and love you and I would do anything to make sure you're well...you must never forget that!" "But if Grandpa is your daddy, then why isn't he proud of you, daddy?" Jack continued to ask and I could feel my heart clenching at his innocent words.

How do you explain to an 11 year old that his grandfather demands perfection from his dad and is judged not just by his family but by millions of people every day...just because you have a certain last name. "You know that your Grandpa is very important and is watched every day by everyone in New York...as his son and detective, everything I do is passed on to him...and sometimes it's not that easy." "But you are not the commissioner…why does it matter what people say? Why does Grandpa care what other people say…you're his son and the best police officer there is," Sean chimed in and I looked at Linda helplessly.

"You know, in some jobs, like the Commissioner, what people think is very important. The people of New York have to trust him and since your dad is the Commisinoer's son...the people have to trust your dad too. Do you understand? And sometimes when your dad does things, that not everyone thinks are great, people think the Commissioner did those things and then Grandpa gets mad at dad," Linda tried to explain...which apparently helped, because they both nodded in understanding.

Just when I was about to take a breath, thinking the questioning was over, Jack came up with another question: "Then why aren't you a cop in another city, daddy? Where Grandpa isn't the Commissioner and he can't be mad at you anymore." I looked puzzled at my wife, who also didn't have an answer and just shrugged her shoulders.

"Because...if I worked in another city, we would have to move and you would have to go to a different school. You wouldn't be able to see your friends and Grandpa, Nicki, Erin, Jamie and Pops as much anymore...and you don't want that, do you?" Of course, neither of them had thought of that, which is why they shouted: "No, Daddy!" almost at the same time and Linda and I rubbed their backs reassuringly.

"But we don't want Grandpa, Aunt Erin and Uncle Jamie to continue being mean to you either," Jack explained firmly and Sean nodded in agreement. "Don't worry guys…I'll take care of it. You don't have to worry about me. Everything will be okay again..." At least that's what I hope...

End of Chapter 2

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