Boston Blood

Twelve

Frankie was relieved when she made it to the pub. She had never been afraid to walk the streets of Boston at night but with the news of her father being in the States and the uneasy feel she couldn't get rid of, she had walked the last block very quickly. A thick layer of snow was lining the streets now. Frankie couldn't remember March ever being this cold in Boston. She hopped inside the pub and sighed when the warmth of the fire hit her cheeks.

She immediately felt much more relaxed. She always had felt safe here. This place was the first real home she ever had. She smiled to herself when she spotted Billy and Mary wave happily to her and Marie raised her drink. This place did make her happy. She made a mental note to tell Linda the next time she saw her.

"Frankie, love, come in and get yourself warm. What will you have to drink? Will you take a red wine maybe? Are you hungry?" Mary fussed over Frankie as she took coat from her and instructed Billy to hang it behind the bar. "Mary, I'm grand. I'll chance a small red. Thanks. How is he doing? Have the water works started yet?" Frankie teased, eyeing Billy with an overwhelming feeling of sadness. "Ah, you know him. He's putting on a brave face. But he knows this is for the best. He has to let this place go and have some fun. I just hope Colin will be okay running things." Mary trailed off, suddenly looking as sad as Frankie but she was the master of acting okay when she needed to. Frankie shared that trait with her. She winked and squeezed Frankie's arm as she hurried off to offer a plate of sandwiches to the regulars.

"Jesus, Mary. Would you sit down? I'm after spending a fortune hiring waiters for the night. Let them serve and you sit down and relax." There was a mixture of irritation and pure adoration in Billy's voice. His love for Mary was so pure and heart warming. Over the past ten years, Frankie had caught herself just watching them. Billy was never afraid to show his wife how much he cared for her. Frankie always admired that about him.

Mary rolled her eyes at her husband and set the tray down when two of her friends walked through the door. Frankie made her way through the crowd, greeting the familiar faces as she passed. She spotted Colin, working the room and shaking hands with his father's friends. He's acting like he owns the place already. What a prick. Frankie sighed and plonked herself onto a bar stool and unwrapped her scarf, enjoying the growing heat running through her body. Billy was behind the bar, true to form. She couldn't imagine not seeing him there everyday. It was going to be really hard.

"One small red. Go easy on that, now." Billy winked, smiling lovingly at Frankie. "Ah Bill, you know the drink isn't my problem. I can handle that." Frankie joked but immediately regretted her comment when she saw Billy wince. "Sorry. That was my attempt at trying to be funny."

Billy laughed, then, rolling his eyes and raising his pint. "Well, don't quit your day job." They clinked their glasses together and Frankie took a long sip, really quite relaxed in that moment.

"So how are you? How are you feeling?" Frankie asked, Billy, unable to hide the concern on her face.

"I'm as fit as a fiddle. Don't you be worrying. My doctor said my treatment is going well and I have plenty of time. Florida better watch out!" Billy's booming laughter filled the pub and Frankie couldn't help but join in. "Just once I don't see you on the news getting into trouble." Frankie teased but Billy's face grew pained, then. He leaned over the bar and lowered his voice so that only Frankie could hear. "Are you sure you're okay after earlier? You know I'm here for anything you need. I'll only be a couple of hours away."

Frankie grabbed Billy's hand and squeezed it in appreciation. "Billy, I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done for me. I wouldn't be here without you. I'll never be able to repay you." Frankie could feel herself getting upset but she gathered herself before she could draw any unwanted attention. Billy leaned further over the bar and wrapped her into a bone-crushing hug, causing her to spill her drink. "Leave it," he whispered in her ear as she increased his grip. Frankie gave in and returned the hug. She didn't realise that it had been so long since someone had touched her like that and how much she needed it. They eventually pulled away and Frankie smiled as she saw Billy wipe his eye on the cuff of his blue shirt.