Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: Christmas Recalled

Ten minutes later the two men sat at the kitchen counter nursing beers and still Conrad hadn't uttered a word. Jude took a sip of beer and decided it was time to push his young friend.

"So tell me why you hate Christmas?"
"I don't hate it."
"That why you had no tree?"
"It's complicated."
"I figured that. If it wasn't it wouldn't have you tied up in knots. So tell me."
"Christmas ........ was never ...... a good time. I dreaded it. Heck when my friends were wishing the big day would come quicker I'd be wishing it was the New Year."
"What did your father do to you?" Jude knew there was no love lost between the pair so it was natural to assume the problem lay with him.
"Nothing much," Conrad shrugged his shoulders as he twirled the bottle in his hands.
"Explain."
"Usually he would lock me in my room."
"For how long?" Jude kept his dismay to himself.
"Depended ..... on his mood. It's okay. I got used to it."
"What did you do when you were locked up to pass the time?" the Surgeon wondered aloud, trying to comprehend what the other man had gone through.
"Read mostly. After the first few times I hid some books under my mattress. He always took my computer games."
"He leave you the TV?"
"Never had one in my room."
"Must have seemed like eternity for a young boy."
"At times it did," Conrad admitted quietly, "but I got through it."
"What did he say when he spoke to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"When he brought you food. Let you out to go to the toilet. What did he say?"
"He ...... didn't bring me ....... food or....," the Resident couldn't elaborate as he ducked his head in shame.
"Damn. Hey you my friend have nothing to be ashamed about."
"Anyway let's talk about something else."
"Nope," the dark haired man negated the suggestion firmly, "tell me why the tree upset you."
"Can't you just drop it?"
"It's a simple question."
"Just reminded me of my last Christmas with my mother," Conrad eventually offered up.
"How old were you?"
"Five," the tired man shifted uncomfortably on his stool as he recalled that time vividly, "she loved Christmas, everything about it. The tree especially. She loved gold and red decorations."
"So you could have a tree every year to remind you of that. But what happened to her when you were five? I know she didn't die when you were a child because you told me once about how she caused a scene at the airport when you left for Boot Camp."
"She liked to show her affections," Conrad couldn't stop a chuckle as he recalled his mortification as his mother had held onto him crying taking no notice of the other travellers or his protests, "she had no problem hugging someone or telling them she loved them."
"Sounds like a really good lady."
"She was. She used say you should never be afraid to tell someone you love them because it doesn't cost anything yet is priceless."
"She was right."
"Yeah. She stayed married to my father but after that Christmas she was away a lot working."
"She didn't spend Christmas with you?"
"Nah," Conrad rubbed his eyes, "don't think she had any choice in the matter. My father can be quite vindictive."
"But you still saw her sometimes?"
"Sure. She'd call to the house when she knew he was out of the country. Sometimes I saw her a lot."
"It must have been hard. My parents divorced when I was ten but they never once used me to hurt one another."
"Good parents don't. It's funny ...... you know I've never spoken to anyone about this and yet recently I've told Mike some of what has gone on and now you."
"Well you should talk to us about these things. We are your friends after all."
"It's just ......... embarrassing. I think with Andy it's just been harder this year not to think of things."
"That makes sense."
"Anyway you happy now? You got enough out of me?" Conrad demanded as he stood up, anger lacing his words as he felt exposed by what he had, albeit willingly, disclosed.
"Hey," the dark haired man stood up and walked over to his friend, "look at me."
"What?" Conrad reluctantly looked at his friend after a brief hesitation.
"What you told me. Whatever you told Mike. It doesn't change a damn thing. You're still the same guy we know. You have to cut yourself a break Conrad. What went on in your childhood wasn't your fault. If a child told you what you just told me would you blame him? Think less of him? "
"Course not!"
"Well accept you were a kid and your father had all the control. There was nothing you could have done to stop him."
"In my head ...... I know you're right. But .....,"
"In your heart it's not so clear," Jude finished sadly wondering how many other secrets his friend held.

Despite any arguments Conrad put forward Jude had insisted on staying with him the rest of the night, Christmas Day and the following day. Of course the older man had not been impressed when he found out that his friend had signed up to work a shift in the free Clinic. Luckily though while Conrad was working Jude had used the time to prepare a Christmas meal which both men enjoyed late on Christmas night. As Conrad had cleared the dishes glancing at the shining tree he had smiled, perhaps next year he would get a tree after all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Three days into the New Year Conrad received a call from Mack asking him to visit. Although initially reluctant his old neighbour had told him it was important and he had eventually agreed. He hadn't expected to hear from his friend again for a while so the faired haired man was curious to say the least as he rang the doorbell the following night. The boys were having a sleepover he was informed as he sat down in an armchair after divesting his jacket.

"So what's all the mystery about?" Conrad looked at the couple on the sofa holding hands.
"You want a beer?" Mack checked.
"I'm good thanks."
"We wanted to talk to you about the boys," Tanya spoke with a smile, "we've decided to update our Wills."
"Are ye alright?" Conrad sat up straight anxiously.
"We're fine," Mack quickly assured with a smile of his own before becoming sombre, "but things have changed since we initially drew up the Wills. Tanyas' Brother-in-law Ward died last year. MVA. Himself and Brigette were the boys' Guardians."
"So now we need to settle things just in case something happens to us," Tanya elaborated, "which is where you come in. Brigette is still willing to be their Guardian and we want you to be their second one."
"Me?" the Residents' tone betrayed his shock.
"Yes you," Mack nodded, "and don't think we haven't thought about this carefully because we have."
"But that's ........ crazy. Mack we haven't seen each other in years. Tanya you only met me once. Surely there's someone else ye could ask."
"Actually we have plenty of people we could ask," Mack shared a look with his wife for he had warned her the younger man would be hesitant, "but we want you as the boys' Guardian."
"No, no. This is ...... wrong," Conrad stood up, "I'm not the right person."
"Conrad sit down and listen to me," Mack walked over and guided his friend back down into his seat then glanced at his wife, "Tanya you might get us some drinks."
"Sure. Won't be long."

"Conrad there's nothing to panic about. I trust you with my boys' lives. Truth is when we made our first Wills you came into my mind straight away. But it made sense at the time to appoint Ward and Brigette since they were married and have a kid of their own."
"I don't know anything about kids."
"I trust you with my boys' lives."
"There's a lot you don't know about me."
"Hey you're forgetting what I am? Investigation is the foundation of police work. I know quite a lot about you."
"What the hell? You investigated me?"
"Had to make sure you were still the same Conrad I grew up with and I know you are."
"What would Tanya say if she knew I killed people?" Conrad looked over as a noise at the door caught his attention ........

tbc