Chapter 76

 

“Kim, are you ok?”

“Uh, oh yeah…” she turned her back to the window and smiled at Fran and Joan. When she entered Fran’s apartment minutes ago she just had the feeling someone was watching her from the other side of the street.

“I’m fine. So, let’s get this started. What do you want me to do?” she tried to override her feelings.

“Could you pack up Jason’s stuff? I want it to be on the truck right at the beginning. I want him to feel comfortable and right at home in LA and don’t wanna worry some of his things might be left behind.” Fran said and stepped out of the way when the movers carried out some furniture to the truck. It was already a little chaotic in her small place and she was very happy that Jason was over at Patrick’s and not running around between the movers and boxes.

“Sure, no problem. And don’t worry, he’ll be just fine Fran.” Kim assured her friend and gave her a short hug before leaving for Jason’s room.

“She is right, dear. As long as you are with your son, he’ll be able to deal with everything.” Joan told her. Fran smiled thankfully at her.

Richie’s mother was just great. She’d become the perfect grandmother for her son. She adored him and loved to have him at her place.

“Thank you, Joan.” She gave the older woman a short hug.

“Would you do me a favor and check on the movers in the kitchen? I’m a little worried they might damage my service.”

“Sure, dear. I’ll show them how to do it right.” Joan promised grinning and entered the small kitchen.

Fran grinned as well. She knew Richie’s mom wouldn’t have any problems telling the men what to do. She raised Rich after all and had the other band members over at her place when they were young a lot. She sure knew how to deal with stubborn men.

Slowly she walked through her small apartment. She saw Kim methodically packing the different toys in boxes and labelling them. Two boxes with ‘school’ written in big letters on them were already seated next to the door.

She sighed and opened the door to her bedroom. Even though she re-painted it a couple months after Michael’s death with Kim’s help, she still could feel his presents.

Taking a deep breath, she started to put her clothes in the three huge suitcases Richie gave her. When she reached a small shelf at the bottom of the closet a white dress shirt caught her attention. She swallowed hard and picked it up.

It belonged to Michael. He wore it the last night they went out before he had to leave for Afghanistan. Fran sat down on her bed and let her hand ran over the softly material. He’d taken her to a high class restaurant, in which they only got a table thanks to Kimberly’s connections.

She smiled at the memory and pressed the shirt to her chest. She hesitated lightly before putting it in the box. It was not possible for her to give it away. She really hoped Rich would understand it. After all, he told her she could bring whatever she wanted.

Shaking of the sadness that tried to gain control she got up and continued to pack her clothes. When the three suitcases were packed and everything else in the room was boxed in, she moved over to her nightstand. She couldn’t avoid it any longer.

Slowly she opened the drawer and picked up the framed picture. Gently she caressed his face with her fingers. She sighed. It was her wedding picture with Michael. She’d put it into the drawer after the first night she’d spent with Richie.

“It’s ok to still love him, dear.” Joan’s voice made her turn around. She stared at her. The older woman walked over to her and looked at the picture.

“A very handsome man.”

“Yeah.” Fran nodded with misty eyes. Joan padded her shoulder softly.

“He will always have a spot in your heart and that’s fine, Fran. Richie understands it, I’m sure.”

“Yes, he does.” Fran whispered.

“After a while you gotta move on with your life. I can understand that you don’t wanna be alone, you are a young beautiful and very smart woman. There is no reason why you should stay alone.” The older woman paused shortly.

“From time to time it’s nice when you get some compliments and someone shows some affection.” Joan smiled with a dreamy look on her face. Fran gasped.

“Do you mean…?”

“Oh, yes dear. I have found someone. We go out for lunch, dancing or he accompanies me to church.” Fran couldn’t believe her ears, but she was happy for Joan and now she also knew why she didn’t wanna live in LA.

“Does Rich know?” she asked grinning.

“No. I don’t think he would have been able to understand it. He loved his father very much. He is our only baby. Adam always spent a lot of time with him. I guess it would have been too early for him to understand.” Joan looked at her and Fran nodded understanding.

She knew what Joan was fearing. Just because she found someone to make her happy again didn’t mean she would love her husband any less. But for a child it could be hard to understand and it didn’t make a difference how old that child would be.

“Now, well…maybe he will understand it with you by his side.” His mother said hopefully. Fran nodded.

“Fran?” Kim’s voice made the two women look up.

“Ah, there you are. Patrick and his mom just dropped Jason off they gotta leave for his dentist appointment.” Kim had her arms around Jason’s shoulders preventing the boy to run around and explore everything.

“Oh, is it already that late.” Fran looked at her watch shocked and put the picture frame without attracting attention into the next box. Her son reacted still very emotional when he saw a picture of his father and they still had tons of stuff to do.

Joan watched her closely and glanced shortly at Kim who recognized the picture as well.

“How about Jason and I go and get everyone some coffee and maybe some donuts? I saw a small coffee shop down the street when the car dropped me off.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” Kim immediately agreed. Fran nodded and reached for Jason’s scarf and cap. It was icy outside. Typical New York January.

“Please keep it on.” She told her son when he frowned.

“And listen to what Joan is saying. Stay with her and no running around. It’s a little slippery out there. Ok?”

“Ok, mom.” Jason promised.

“Come on, gran. I show you the way and you can hold on to me, so you don’t slip.” The boy grabbed Joan’s hand and led her out of the apartment. Kim and Fran watched the duo through one of the windows. Just before Kim turned around again she stopped.

Wasn’t there someone staring at her from the small alley on the opposite side of the street? When she took a second look the person was gone. She shook her head. She couldn’t swear that there had been someone. She sighed.

Maybe I’m just stressed.