Home For the Holidays

Stubborn

"Frank, you can at least make an effort. I know you are upset with Stefanie but she has a daughter. An eight year old, our granddaughter who we need to get to know." Sharon said as the two whispered quietly in the kitchen. Sharon was quit fed up at this point for she noticed her daughter and little Frankie were making every effort to talk to Frank. The man was not budging and she understood that he was hurt and had been for the past 15 years. "Look I know she upset you and of course we need to talk to her about it, and about everything. But I don't want to scare her away again Frank."

"Don't you think I know that Sharon. I'm not a damm idiot." He said pouring his coffee.

"I never said you were but you are a stubborn old fool."

"Please. I'm no such thing. You want to open up your heart to her again. I remember, I remember how much you were hurting when she up and left. Left us all without a word. Over what? A fight? Over what?"

"I don't know and of course I was hurt. But we can't hold it against her Frank. She's our baby, our only daughter and you two were very close. As close as could be and when she left you let this place go."

"No I didn't. I did no such thing woman!"

"You did! You let it all go and I was there for you. I knew why and I knew you were hurting and in pain over it and you were never the same. Ever. But we can't hold a grudge. We need to make sure she knows she is welcome no matter what. That her and this babygirl of hers are welcome no matter what." Shaking his head Frank didn't want to hear any of it. None. Sure he was happy to meet Frankie and wanted to hug her just as much as his daughter but his torn heart was preventing it. It was preventing any kind of affection from showing itself. "It is not little Frankie's fault and she wants to get to know you, she wants to get to know both of us. That little girl thinks you don't like her you know because all you do when they are around is run into that barn like an old stubborn crow!"

"That's not true. Of course I like her. She comes to see me every morning in the barn to give me a cup of coffee. She, she reminds me of Stef so how can I not like her or love her."

"Then talk to her. Talk to her and to your daughter instead of blowing them both off like they don't mean anything to you. She named her after you for god's sake.  Stop being so god awful stubborn. We both know partly why she left and  maybe we need to talk to her about that."

"Well how can we Sharon? Huh? Obviously she's not gay since she has this little girl."

"MM I beg to differ honey. She might very well be and has still not come to terms with it. Either way you  need to talk to her before she runs off again."

"Sharon...

"Morning!" The two heard and turning around saw little Frankie smiling as she appeared in the kitchen with her fuzzy pink slippers and plaid pj pants with reindeer on them.

"Well hello sweet baby. Just in time for pancakes." Opening her arms wide open Frankie ran to her grandmother as the older women squeezed her tight.

"Yum! Morning Nana!"

"Good morning my babydoll."

"Morning papa." Frankie said smiling wide at Frank as he nodded his head making his way out to the barn again.

"Is he mad Nana?"

"Oh no baby Papa is just a cranky old man full of mush inside. Don't you worry one bit. Now how about you take a seat here and lets start eating some breakfast.  Is your mama up yet?"

"Yeah. She's brushing her teeth."

"Alright then let me pour some coffee for her since you know how she can't function without it."