This Kiss

Chapter 28

Olivia entered Company. Wanting to do something special for Rafe. She stepped to the counter for Buzz to take her order. "He likes your chili, with the cheese on top, and I thought maybe we could do a little cake that says, 'Welcome Home Rafe' or something."

"Olivia, here?"

"I know."

"I mean here?"

"I know. I know. But he loves your food, it's his favorite. And Towers isn't his thing. And I just, I want to do something special. It's Rafe, he loves Company, you know..."

"But..."

Frank approached the two. "If it's for Rafe, it's okay."

Olivia looked at him. "I didn't know you were gonna be here Frank. Natalia told me that you called in a favor, from Doris, and that's what gave Rafe this chance..."

"The poor kid deserves it; he deserves to go home. He's served his time."

"Just, whatever happens, Natalia's grateful, and so am I. I'm going to the courthouse; do you want a ride?"

Buzz waved his hand back and forth. "I got to run errands all day so..."

Frank talked over him. "Pops, you don't have to do that. I don't have to testify, I don't have to be there, but I wish Rafe well."

"I'm sorry, I assumed that you were gonna go."

"Yeah well, I'm not a saint, Olivia." He glared at her and walked away.

Buzz looked at her disapproving. "Ditto."

"Oh yeah, me too."

At the courthouse, Natalia was fixing Rafe's tie. "Okay, just, you know, make sure you sit up straight, and look the judge directly in the eyes, you know."

"Come on Ma, I know."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. That's something else I kind of miss. You nagging me a little bit. Saying things like, clean your room Rafe, and make your bed, and take out the garbage Rafe."

She smiled and laughed. "Yeah. I can't wait to get you home."

"Yeah."

"You know what? I think I found a car for you maybe. Cause you know, I was going by the used car lot, and they have a lot of good deals. And I picked up a course book for you. From Springfield U. You know just in case you were maybe thinking of taking just a couple of classes at first. You know, in the meantime I can get you a job at the Beacon, or..." He let out a long breath looking at her. "Sorry, too much. I'm sorry."

"No, it's just, look Ma, we don't even know how this hearing's gonna go. Okay. I think it's smart if we just take everything one step at a time."

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

"Yeah, Olivia and I were just talking about that. You know there's, there's a time for everything. We'll just get through today, and the rest, the rest will take care of itself."

At Company, Buzz and Frank were sitting at the bar. Frank looked at his father. "You know, I did everything pop. I got Rafe a really good job in the library at the prison, I got Natalia extra visits, I even arranged for this hearing. Why can't she see that?"

"Look Frank, Natalia has someone else in her life. We can go look for a tried-and-true woman."

"It's not over. And I'm not looking for anyone else." He slammed is fist on the counter. "Have I made myself clear?" he asked as he stormed off.