Chapter 32

While Kim was driving to the Cemetery her thoughts travelled back to the day Michael died, to the day of his funeral and the long nights she spent with Fran crying in her sleep. She shook her head. If she was already having this memories coming back so strongly, she could only imagine what her best friend was going through right now.

As soon as she reached the parcel of the cemetery where Michael was buried she got out of the car and hurried down the long line of gravestones. After a couple of meters she saw her.

Fran was kneeling in the grass in front of one of the gravestones. Her head was bent and her hands were touching the white stone.

‘Found her. Will take some time.’ She typed in her mobile and sent it to Richie. Hopefully he wouldn’t worry that much anymore.

Slowly she walked closer to her friend and sank down in the grass next to her. Without saying a word she put her right arm around Fran’s shoulder and pulled her into her embrace.

“Kim…” Fran sobbed incontrollable.

“Shhh…not now, sweetheart…let it go…we can talk later.” Kim pressed a trembling Fran closer to her body. Softly she stroked her back and cradled her. Her best friend had never been this bad in the last years. It was nearly as bad as in the first days after Michael’s death. She so prayed they would never have to go through this emotions again. But it seemed today their past was back again.

In the distance Kim could see other visitors passing by. Looking with a sympathetic smile into their direction. She sighed. God she wanted to cry herself. But today she needed to be strong for Fran.

“We did it.” Fran suddenly whispered.

Kim smiled down to her. “You did what?”

Fran sniffed and fiddled with her tissue. “Rich and I spent the night together.”

“I know…he told me.” Her friend looked at her surprised. “He’s worried that he rushed you into something.” Kim continued softly. Fran’s eye grew wide.

“No, no…he didn’t. He was all sweet and asked me more than once if I’m ready for it.”

“And were you really ready for it?” Kim asked carefully. A soft smile reached Fran’s face and was actually all Kim needed to know.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to be alone anymore…I wanted to feel like a woman again. I’m more than just the Mom, the nurse and the best friend.” Tears were shining again in her eyes. “I can’t tell when the last time I felt beautiful and desirable was…I didn’t know how much I missed having sex until last night.” Kim squeezed her shoulders softly.

“Rich made me feel things again I thought I would never feel again.” Fran added and stared at the gravestone and became silent. Kim watched her carefully and didn’t say a word. She knew Fran wasn’t done yet.

“But I cheated on him.” She finally whispered and pressed her trembling hand against the cold stone. Kim shook her head.

“Fran, you didn’t.” She made Fran looked up at her. “Fran, you did not cheat on Michael.” She stressed every single word.

“And why does it feel as if I did?” her friend asked angry.

“Because a part of you still loves Michael. Because a part of you will always love Michael.” Kim said in a calm voice. Fran stared at her. “And now a part of you loves Richie as well. And that’s ok.”

Fran shook her head. “No, it isn’t.” Kim frowned and grabbed her arms.

“Dammit, Fran…it is ok to fall in love again. I know you and Michael talked about the possibility of not coming back…and don’t tell he doesn’t want you to be happy again and Jason having father figure in his life again.” How could Fran be so stubborn? She was telling her to follow her feeling and now she was blocking herself.

“Oh, God…” Fran threw herself back into Kim’s arms. “My little baby, he will never understand this.”

“Well, I think you are wrong…” Fran looked at her surprised. “Seems Jason asked Rich some very specific questions this morning and Rich assured him that he just wants to be his friend and won’t replace his dad.”

“Really?”

Kim nodded. “Yeah, that seemed the only thing he was worried about.” Fran stared at the gravestone again and sighed deeply.

“I give you some time alone. I wait at the car.” Kim said softly and got up to her feet.

“Thanks, Kim.” Fran whispered.

Walking back to the car Kim checked her mobile. She could feel it vibrate a couple times while she was talking to Fran. She wasn’t surprised to see several messages from Richie and a very frustrated one from Jon.

‘Would you please tell him something, doesn’t matter what…HE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!
Hope Fran is ok - J’

Kim chuckled and dialed Richie’s number.

“Is she ok?” Rich asked after the first ring.

“A little bit confused, unsure… she’ll be fine Rich…but you need to be careful with her. She is really vulnerable.” Kim said softly.

“Sure…of course…Can I talk to her.” She could still hear the concern in his voice.

“Rich, she is still at the grave…I think you two should talk when we are back…that’s nothing you should talk about on the phone.”

“What do you mean…What does she wanna talk about? Does she want to break up?” Panic crept into his voice. Hecouldn’t lose her. He needed her.

“Rich...Richie calm down…I can tell you that’s definitly something she doesn’t want to do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I am…it’s not easy for her to accept that another man found his way into her heart.” There was silence for several seconds on the end of the line.

“I love her too.” Rich finally whispered.

Kim smiled. “Well, that’s a good start. Can I talk to Jon for a minute?”

“Sure…and thanks Kim.”

“You are welcome, Richie.”

“Kimi?”

“Yes, listen Jon I was thinking we could take Jason back to my place and maybe he can stay the night. Fran and Rich really need to talk and with Jason around it would be a little difficult.”

“Sure, no problem…as long as you rescue me from this mad man here, I’m fine with everything.” Jon said. Kim laughed.

“We should be back soon. Be nice to each other.”

“What do I get for it?” Jon asked in a husky voice.

“Well,…I could really use a long hot bath later.” Kim laughed lightly when she hurt him groan softly.

“You are mean…” he told her.

“Well, that’s your fault…I was a cute little innocent girl until I met a certain Rock Star.” She said in a tiny voice. Jon cursed and said something about payback before he hung up. Kim laughed out loud and put her phone away.