Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: Family Unknown

The restaurant turned out to be one of Pedros' favourites.   The small party of six was ushered to a reserved round table at the rear of the premises and Pedro insisted that Conrad sit beside his wife, much to the younger mans' consternation.  Although Conrad had not said anything to Jude on his arrival he had swallowed three painkillers out of sight as he felt his eye problem yet again acting up.  It seemed the last couple of months it was occurring more frequently.   He just hoped he could get through the meal before things got really bad.   Once orders had been placed Alicia turned to the pale young man beside her and smiled happily.   She had longed for this day for so long it still didn't seem real.   Having her whole family around the table brought tears to her eyes.

"Alicia what's wrong? Are you alright?" Conrad asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," the former Nanny and Housekeeper assured as she beamed, "this is the first time the whole family has been together so I am crying happy tears."
"I thought the boys lived at home with you," the fair haired man looked at the two teenage boys opposite him with a frown.
"We do," young Conrad smiled knowingly before continuing, "Mom means it's the first time you've been with us for a meal.   She always wanted us to be together."
"You're one of the family," Pedro smiled kindly at the flustered man.
"Ah ......," Conrad felt a blush creeping up his face and stood up abruptly, "I'll ..... I''ll be back in a minute."
"Damn," Jude cursed then apologized, "sorry.   Forgive my language.  Conrad isn't good at dealing with ......,"
"Kindness," Alicia finished for the Surgeon.  "even as a child like I told you, he never knew what to do with a kind gesture or comment."
"Mom hasn't told us much about what went on when Conrad was growing up," Miguel put in, "but we know his father was not good to him."
"That's putting it mildly," Jude stated sadly.
"The man should be strung up!" Pedro stated vehemently, barely keeping his voice down so as not to disturb the other patrons.
"The damage has already been done," Alicia stood up as two Waitresses arrived with their dishes, "I'll have a word with Conrad.   We won't be long."
"You sure?" Jude had just been about to go after his friend himself.
"Yes," the middle aged woman nodded as she headed off.

Conrad had only stayed a minute or two in the restroom before going out the back door of the eatery into the deserted Beer Garden. Sitting on a wooden bench as he took some deep breaths he chided himself.  The boys must think he was an idiot, not to mention Pedro! Putting a hand up to rub his sore eyes he wondered if he should leave before he did anything else embarrassing.   He shook his head.  He couldn't walk out on Alicia.  He knew that.  A sound behind had him turning his head too quickly causing the building headache to escalate as he blinked at Alicia.

"Conrad," Alicia walked over quickly and sat down beside the pained man, "you have no reason to be embarrassed with your family,  Pedro accepted you as part of the family a long time ago.  I didn't have to persuade him you know.   All I did was tell him about my favourite Little Soldier and he understood.  And the boys have always known about you. You are just the brother they never met."
"How ....... how can you say that?" Conrad ducked his head slowly and avoided the womans' kind eyes.
"I can say it because it is the truth.  I told you the day we spoke in your hotel room.  From the first day I met you you were the child of my heart.  I didn't seek it yet it happened and for that I will always be grateful.  Do you remember the first time we met?"
"No," the pale man frowned as he tried to recall the day but it proved elusive.
"Well you were only after turning four so it's understandable you wouldn't remember. Your father had hired Tom and myself that morning and then left on a seven day business trip.  That was the first sign I had as to his worth as a parent," Alicia observed unhappily, "he didn't even tell you he was going.  I found you exactly where he said you would be, napping in your room.  I sat down beside the bed and waited until you woke up.  I have to say I didn't get the reaction I was expecting.  I told you your father had left and I was your new Nanny.  I expected tears.  All I got was a nod of acceptance as you got up and straightened the bedclothes.  Of course that should have warned me that all was not well," the reminiscing woman placed a hand over the Residents' clasped hands, "no four year old should be immune to their parent leaving and having a stranger in their home but you acted as if it was no big deal.  When we went downstairs you saw Tom doing some drilling to fix an uneven kitchen door and instead of being nervous at the presence of another new person in your home you ran over to pick up a tool he was reaching for."
"Alicia!"
"Okay," the middle aged woman smiled for she knew exactly what the young man wanted, "you want to know why I am telling you this.  I am telling you because that brave little boy who was so determined to hide his fear of a new situation won my heart without even trying.  And Tom?  He spent that night after you had gone to bed talking of all the things ye could do together and how he wanted to help you.  You see for all your tough exterior we both knew you needed love and we had plenty to give."
"You're being melodramatic," Conrad tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"No. I'm being honest.  Just like young Conrad was inside."
"He'll be glad when I leave so he can go back to being Conrad instead of 'young Conrad," the young man again tried levity.
"Conrad he's always been 'young Conrad' and he actually likes it. He says no matter what he'll always be young!" Alicia rose to her feet tugging her former charge with her.

Returning to the table Conrads' apologies for his abrupt departure were quickly brushed aside.  Jude looked at his friend, noting the now bruised eyes, but knew better than to comment.  Instead he winked in gratitude as Alicia caught his eye as she patted the Residents' back.  The youngest Hernandez looked across at his siblings' namesake with a cheeky grin.

"You missed out on Mom fussing all these years.  Reckon she's trying to make up for it now."
"Miguel!" Alicia pretended to be upset but then smiled knowing her youngest spoke the truth.
"So how come Mom and Tom called you Little Soldier?"
"Don't know."
"Tom started calling you that after you broke your wrist.  We'd only been working for your father about a year.  We had a week off and when we got back Conrad had fallen down the stairs and broken his wrist," Alicia explained but then paused as a thought struck her and she looked at the uncomfortable figure beside her.
"Well it was psychic that ye called him that," Jude had realized the same thing the older woman did and offered a diversion, "that's how I met this guy.  We were in Afghanistan together."
"Ye were Soldiers?" young Conrad asked in surprise.
"Sure were.  Conrad here was a Medic, a fine one too."
"So you became a Soldier?" Alicia asked unnecessarily, trying not to dwell on how Conrad sustained the broken wrist all those years ago.
"Yeah."
"What was it like? Miguel wondered with keen interest.
"Not as exciting as the movies make out," Conrad admitted as he eventually picked up his cutlery and sliced through his veggie burger, more for something to do rather than because he was hungry.
"Miguel here is considering joining the army when he's old enough," Pedro explained, "what do ye think?"
"Of him joining up? It's a big decision just make sure it's definitely what you want," Jude looked at the teen, "too late once you're in to have second thoughts."
"If Trump is still in avoid it," Conrad stated bluntly, "you're at the mercy of the higher ups.  Take that caravan heading for the border right now.  Despite Trumps' lies it comprises of only around 3,000 people.  His response is to send in 5,200 troops.  Overkill. Someone like him only sees Soldiers as pawns to be used.   The fact that each pawn is an actual human being is irrelevant to him and his ilk."
"But all Soldiers are subject to their Superiors aren't they?" Miguel reminded.
"Yes," Jude agreed, "but most aren't as dangerous as Trump.  There are always going to be higher ups with their own agenda but he's a whole new level."
"Well he has plenty of time to consider," Alicia looked at her youngest knowing he was not one for reckless actions and would give the matter proper consideration, "now Conrad here on the other hand does not have plenty of time."
"What?"
"That burger isn't going to disappear by itself young man," Alicia gestured to the nearly full plate in front of her companion.
"Busted!" Miguel smirked.
"I'm not a kid!" Conrad insisted.
"Welcome to a normal Hernandez family dinner," Pedro looked at the chuckling Surgeon with a grin.

tbc