In Loving Memory, Frank Warren

Chapter 19: John Remembered

Still forwarding through the opening credits of Harvey, a heavy knock sounded on their door. Frank paused the movie but Dean patted his knee.

"Cue it up, Baby. I'll be right back. Might be Craig from next door, he's supposed to drop off a key before this weekend."

Frank shot his love a questioning look.

"He's going on vacation. I told him we'd watch his place," Dean replied. "I didn't think you'd mind, he is your neighbor."

"Our neighbor," Frank corrected as another round of knocks echoed from the front hall. "Go on."

Dean jumped up to race out of the room while Frank resumed his search for the beginning.

"Frank?" Dean called from the front.

Frank paused the movie at the first sign of Jimmy Stewart. "What?"

"Frank? It's for you!"

For him? And Dean did not want to invite whoever it was inside. After setting the remote down on the coffee table next to his salad, Frank headed for the door. When he rounded the corner and the door came into full view he understood Dean's hesitancy.

A uniformed chauffeur stood in the doorway, cap tilted at a jaunty angle, holding a formal card. Frank knew the card was formal, not only was the envelope embossed but it was being delivered in person by a chauffeur. How could it not be formal?

Swallowing a groan, Frank stared at the uniformed man for a moment trying to place his face. "George?" he tried.

"Yes sir, Mister Frank," George replied with a stiff formal bow. George hailed from someplace down south though Frank could not recall where. However he took his job a little too seriously. Formality was a must, especially while standing in a public hallway where anyone might overhear.

"How's the family?" Frank asked, purposefully not reaching for or asking about the envelope. Meanwhile Dean wore a strange expression, as if he could not decide if he should behave like his a jealous lunatic or formally polite. Instead he appeared bewildered and a bit taken aback as he waited silently for an explanation.

"Very good, sir. Thank you for asking." George presented the envelope. "Master Greene will be throwing a dinner party tomorrow night and insists you accept the invitation this time. He says it has been far too long and I have been instructed not to leave without a positive response."

Irritated Frank snatched the invitation and purposefully tore the envelope as he opened it. Inside was an engraved invitation for dinner. No reason. Waving George inside, Frank reached past Dean to push the door shut. Once the latch clicked proving no one else could see, George whipped off his hat and scratched his head.

"Took you long enough," George groused with a nasty glare at his hat. "You know I hate this thing, Mister Frank."

"It looks good on you," Frank replied with a shrug. "Besides, you can get another job."

"With no degree and this kind of pay?" With a loud huff George stuffed his hat under one arm.

"Well?" George demanded with a pointed glance at the invitation currently clutched in Frank's hand. "Master Greene is serious this time. I have orders to park outside your building and block traffic until you agree to come. His high-and-mighty-ness even offered to change the night as long as you'll show up."

"Uh, Frank?" Dean glared at him. "What the hell?"

"Oh, sorry. George, this is Dean, my roommate and fiancé. Dean, this is George, Master Greene's chauffeur." Frank wadded the invitation in his fist.