Aunt Fran tried to make planes for them every day. Today she wanted the cousins to hang out. Gia and Mario took Fatima, Patrick, and the husbands sightseeing. They decided to go out to San Francisco, CA, which is an hour away.
Fran, Fred, and their mom will have a one-on-one conversation with a therapist. They had a lot of healing that needed to be done.
"Fred, what do you think about therapy?" His sister wanted to know.
"Um, I'm okay with going." He responded.
"I have our family therapist here. She has been working with the family for about 20 years. I want her to talk to me, you, and Mom."
"I think that would be a good idea. I am down for anything that will bring us closer together."
After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways and got dressed for the day.
Fran took them to the library. During the session, the therapist started by asking Fred how he felt about meeting his family for the first time in 30 years.
"I was nervous, but I felt like it was finally time. My marriage of 28 years recently ended, which hurt my family. I may not be able to fix that one, but maybe I can fix this one. I owe it to my kids and my granddaughter. It was time for them to meet their grandmother, aunt, and cousins." Mr. Fred expressed. "Life is too short. So, I am here to at least try."
"Mrs. Lucille, is there anything you would like to say to your son?" Asked the Therapist.
"I would like to tell my son how much I love him and miss him."
"Look at him Mrs. Lucille and tell him."
"I love you and I missed you. There were nights I couldn't sleep knowing what I did. When I found out you were doing good and had a beautiful family, I knew you were better off without us. I'm so proud of you. I'm proud of the man you've become." Mrs. Lucille complimented.
Tears rolled down Fred's face. That was the first time he heard those words from his mother. The woman he thought he'd never see again.
"Thank you. I needed to hear that for years." He stated. "But just know I always needed you in my life."
"I ain't gone lie, I'm glad you left that wife of yours though." Blurted his mother. "You know I never liked that heffa."
"Momma!" Fran yelled.
"Sorry, but a momma knows best." Mrs. Lucille added. "I mean you did get me some beautiful grandchildren out of it though."
Fred interrupted. "Let's not bash my ex-wife. We had over 20 years of happiness and two wonderful kids. It didn't get ugly until the last couple of years."
"Let's move on." The therapist took control of the session. "How was your relationship with your father growing up?"
Fred paused for a moment thinking. "We had a great relationship."
"How come you didn't come to see him when he was sick?" Mrs. Lucille wondered.
"Because I wasn't ready. I won't no ready to face any of you, especially you. No offense."
"Your father is not to blame. Blame me. He loved you and prayed for you every day. We argued over you all the time. He kept asking me to reach out to you, but I was too stubborn. When I finally did, that wife of yours said that you were doing good without us. So I backed off. When you sent me the graduation picture of Fatima I decided to reach back out. Pat started asking for inheritance money for the kids. She said Fatima was getting married and could use the money. So, I told her when she gets married, have Fatima reach out to me herself. I kept going back and forth with her, but wasn't getting anywhere. Then when your father got sick, I reached back out to, but you refused.
"I was still angry. This entire time I thought you only reached out to me that one time. Now I know. Pat was in the middle of all of this."
"Yep, it was her and everyone thought it was me. I admit I was wrong for disowning you, but I wanted to make things right a very long time ago." Mrs. Lucille admitted.
"Me getting into ministry was my way to be a better person, but it also helped me to forgive, so that I could live. It was a slow process, but I was able to do it."
They continued the session, letting everything out. They cried, they laughed, they hugged, and they apologized.
"This is a question for everyone. How do each of you want to move forward?" The therapist asked the three.
Starting with Mrs. Lucille. "I would like to have a relationship with my son and grandkids. See them on holidays at least."
"Mr. Fred?" Asked the therapist.
"I want the same thing as my mom. You've missed a lot of birthdays, the kid's births, graduations. I want us to work on a way to spend as many holidays together as we can."
Aunt Fran said. "Of course, I would love to spend time with my brother and for my kids to know their cousins."
The therapy session ended and they all hugged.
***
Mom, Fred, and Fran took a ride on the golf cart around the grounds of the estate. They took Fred to see the vineyard. Then they discussed Fred and his birth name. She wanted him to change his name back to Frederico Marino.
"Let me think about the name change." He thought it was too early to make such a huge decision."
"Since you are your father's only son, I think you and your son should continue the family name." Said Mrs. Lucille. "And I would like to pass down the family businesses so that your kids will have an inheritance."
"That just seems like a lot so soon Mom."
"I prayed about it. For 20 years, I asked him to bring you back to me, and when he does I would make it right."
Once they got back to the main quarters.
They went their separate ways.
Fred had a lot on his mind. The kids returned later that evening.
***
The next morning Fran and Gia were preparing for Mrs. Lucille's birthday, which was the next day.
"Fred, tomorrow is mom's birthday. I wanted to give her a birthday party while everyone was here. Since your birthday is this month too, I think you two should celebrate together."
"Ok. No problem." He said.
"Great, I'll let the kids help decorate."
The next day Everything was set up for the party. The entire family was there including a few other friends and family.
"Before we join the party son, I would like to say happy early birthday. I have something I want to give you." Mrs. Lucille handed him a basket, kissed him on the cheek, and then went to join the party.
Fred went to his room in the guest house. He looked inside the basket that was filled with letters.
