Irene Fitzgerald Kennedy

Crying

     "Shh..." Irene said hugging him tightly when the second wave of emotion overcame her father. She had driven home and now in the privacy of their home Jack lost it again.
     "Irene, she can't leave me. She just can't."
     "She won't."
    "She's a strong woman. I wouldn't put it past her. Irene, this is awful," he said looking up at her his eyes all red and teary, "I know you two have bonded over the years, but if she leaves me... Promise you won't leave me too. I've already lost Arabella and Joe and Kick... I can't..."
    "Dad, I'll never leave you."
     He nodded unable to speak. "Dad, I think you need to rest. I'll go get Caroline from Grandma's house and I'll go check in on Mom. I'll take care of everything." Jack kissed her cheek as she left. Irene went to Bobby's house and knocked in the door, "Hey. How's your mom?" he asked.
     "I'm going to see her now. You need to talk to Dad."
     "What's wrong?" Bobby asked grabbing his coat.
     "He's hysterical. Mom threw him out of the room because she blamed him for her falling down the stairs. Then he asked me to never leave him because he couldn't lose anyone else like he lost Arabella, Joe, and Kick for good."
    Bobby's eyes appeared watery as he closed the door behind him. "I'll go talk to him and then I'll go talk some sense into Jackie. You need to stay with your dad right now." They walked back over to the house and Bobby went right upstairs. A little while later he can back down, "Go up and sit with him. I'm headed to the hospital now."
     Irene nodded and went upstairs. Her father was sitting on his bed struggling with his back brace. "Irene, can you unhook this damned thing?"
     "Sure," Irene said lifting the back of his shirt and unhooking the brace. He pulled it of and nearly let out a cry, "Are you alright?"
     "Not at all," he said quietly.
     "What did Uncle Bobby say?"
     "He said that we'll deal with whatever happens just like we always do."
     "Well, he is right."
      Jack hugged Irene, "I'm sorry I lost it today."
      "I've just never seen you cry."
      "I know and I'm sorry."
     Irene stood up, "I'm going to go get Caroline now. You take a nap."
     She walked to the main house and Caroline ran into her arms, "Hi, Buttons!"
     "Re-Ne!"
     "What do you think about some pizza for lunch?"
    Caroline nodded happily and after thanking Joe and Rose, Irene and Caroline went to pick up some pizza for lunch. When they arrived home, Jack was downstairs. "You look better," Irene commented.
     "I feel better. Hold down the fort. I'm going to the hospital."
    Irene smiled and mouthed, "Good luck."
    He winked back at her as he walked out the door.