Reckless

Part 19

"This has gone far enough," Frannie Lipschitz said to herself as she pulled in front of Cassy's home. She had heard the newest reports on the shooting and was appalled that the press could even hint that Cassy would purposely hurt Tom.

There was no doubt in her mind that if Cassy had heard the same reports the woman would be beyond distraught. Her remorse would be overwhelming. And that was not acceptable.

She glanced at the house and noticed the strange car in the driveway. The license plate on the vehicle indicated that the driver was from Miami. The sickening thud of dread landed in Frannie's stomach as she realized the identity of the visitor. She started to pull away from the house, having no desire to confront Evelyn St. John. Then she put the car back into 'park' realizing that Cassy would need the emotional support now more than ever.

Setting her jaw, Frannie left her car and made her way to the front door of the house, determined to help. Cassy might not be her daughter, but her instinct to protect the young woman from harm was more as if she were her mother than a friend.

She rang the doorbell and then took a deep breath, preparing herself. The door swung open and Frannie knew that the battle had begun.

"Hello, Evelyn," Frannie said, her voice strong and self-assured.

"Francine," Evelyn responded flatly.

"Frannie," the petite woman corrected.

Evelyn ignored the correction and gave the woman a sour look. "I already told your husband that Cassy needs some time to herself."

Frannie frowned in confusion. "Harry was here?"

The auburn-haired woman brought her lips into a tight line. She nodded and then glanced at her watch. "He left almost thirty minutes ago."

"Could you get Cassy for me?"

"Like I said, she needs some time alone." The cold words chilled Frannie.

Frannie pushed past the woman. "That's the last thing Cassy needs," she muttered as she walked by.

The small woman could feel Evelyn's glare pierce her back, but she made a conscious effort not to flinch. She sat her handbag on the end table and moved into the living room. Evelyn followed her. "How do you know what my daughter needs?" the mother questioned harshly.

"So she's your daughter now," Frannie whispered under her breath.

"Did you say something?" Evelyn prodded.

"Nothing," Frannie answered.

"Oh, no, I know you said something. Please do continue. You have my undivided attention."

Frannie fought to hold her tongue, but failed. "You have a lot of nerve referring to Cassy as your daughter. When have you ever been a mother to her?"

"Oh my, Francine. You are definitely feeling brave today, aren't you."

Frannie smiled grimly at the words and swallowed back her harsh response. "I did not come here for this. I came to see Cassy. Is she in her bedroom?"

Evelyn didn't respond. Frannie began to walk past the woman and towards the staircase. "It's not your place," Evelyn calmly said. "You and your husband seem to think that you are her keepers.

Frannie could feel her rage building. She made a conscious effort to put it back in place. She was only semi-successful. Her voice shook with suppressed anger when she finally responded. "Harry and I are her friends. It's our place to support her."

"Your husband just suspended Cassy from work. Is that what you call support?"

Frannie had to hide her shock. "If Harry suspended Cassy then he had to have a good reason and Cassy knows that."

"Your husband is protecting his career, nothing more."

"Mother, that's enough," Cassy's voice interrupted the women.

The blond stood at the top of the stairs looking down at the bickering women, who grew suddenly silent at her words. Cassy moved down the stairs and entered the living room. "What's happened to Tom?. . .Is he. . .Is he dead?" she asked, her words and face showing her worry.

"No, he's stable. Didn't Harry tell you?" Frannie answered, confused.

Cassy nodded. "I thought. . .I thought that since you were here that maybe. . .maybe. . .," she stuttered.

Frannie gave her a warm smile and approached the woman, bringing her into an affectionate hug. "No, Honey. He's okay. I came over to see you, not to deliver any news."

Cassy pulled away. "I. . .I just thought that. . .."

"I'm sorry for scaring you. I didn't think about what you would assume," Frannie apologized.

"That's right," Evelyn interjected flatly.

Cassy shot her mother a harsh look. "It's my fault. I jumped to conclusions."

Frannie grabbed Cassy by the hands and looked into her eyes. She could see that they were swollen from tears which had been cried. "Are you holding up okay?"

Cassy glanced away from Frannie's scrutiny and nodded, but said nothing. Frannie tilted her head in doubt. She pulled Cassy to the couch and pushed the woman to a sitting position, taking a place next to her. She ignored the loud sigh from Evelyn as the woman left the living room and walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. Frannie noted that Evelyn made no offer to pour Frannie a cup. "Thank you, Evelyn. I would love a cup," Frannie said cheerfully. She didn't have to turn around to envision the anger in Evelyn's face. She knew Cassy's mother too well.

Cassy had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the offended look on her mother's face and the mischievous look on Frannie's. The blond detective was slightly surprised when her mother reluctantly brought the coffee cup to the guest.

Frannie accepted it and gave the woman an overly grateful look. "Thank you, Evelyn."

Evelyn didn't respond as she returned to the kitchen.

Frannie turned back to Cassy. "Why haven't you been back to the hospital?" she asked.

Cassy shrugged, but did not answer. Instead her blue eyes concentrated on her hands which were clinched tightly on her lap. Frannie reached out and lifted Cassy's chin so that their eyes met once again. "Tom needs you to be there for him."

Cassy shook her head, but remained silent.

Frannie glanced at Evelyn and then back at the woman's daughter. "You're part of that family. You should be with them."

"No," Cassy finally whispered. "No, I'm not a part of their family. I'm the person who has hurt their son. Nothing more."

It was Frannie's turn to shake her head. "You're wrong, Honey. They want you there."

"I shot Tom, Frannie," Cassy responded harshly.

"Yes, you did. And it was an accident."

Cassy didn't reply. 'God, she's stubborn,' Frannie's inner-voice muttered and with that, Frannie came to a decision. It was time to quit pulling punches. If Cassy was going to wallow in guilt then perhaps a tactic other than sympathy was needed. "So, should I assume that the reports are right?"

Cassy looked back into the woman's face, but still was silent. "Oh I heard the latest assertions. I thought they were absurd, but perhaps I was wrong."

The blond woman's eyes widened in shock. Frannie continued, determined to make her point. "If you shooting Tom wasn't an accident, then it must have been on purpose," the older woman concluded.

Evelyn stepped forward, anger flashing in her eyes. "Leave now," she insisted.

Frannie ignored her. "Is that it, Cassy? You shot Tom on purpose?"

Cassy shook her head and cried out, "No! I could never hurt Tom on purpose. . .you know that!"

"And the Ryans don't?" Frannie came back, her words equally as forceful.

Evelyn put a hand on Frannie's arm and pulled the woman up off the couch. Frannie didn't fight against the action, but instead, kept her attention focused on Cassy, who was now crying. "Young lady, we've had just about enough of this. What's happened to Tom. . .to you. . .is a tragedy, but the fact of the matter is that it's an accident. You didn't try to hurt him on purpose. I know that, Harry knows that, Lyam and Margaret know that. . .and most importantly, Tom knows that. And you wallowing in self-pity isn't helping the situation. Tom deserves better than that."

Cassy's head fell into her hands, her shoulders moving with each sob. Evelyn watched her daughter's reaction, but made no move to comfort her. Instead, she pulled Frannie away. "Leave or I'll throw you out myself," the auburn-haired woman spat.

Frannie pushed the offending hand away. "I'll leave now. I've said what I had to say." She moved to the end table and picked up her purse.

Before should could take a step towards the door, Cassy's trembling voice stopped her. "Frannie, don't go. I need. . .I need your help."

Frannie closed her eyes, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She stepped forward and placed a hand on Cassy's shoulder. Cassy looked up into Frannie's brown eyes. "I can't go there by myself. Please. . .go. . .go with me to see Tom now."

Frannie bit her lip, fighting to stay emotionally strong. "Of course I will, Honey. That's why I'm here."

Cassy stood up and moved hesitantly to the front door. She then stopped and turned to her mother. "Will you come with us?"

Evelyn shot a cold look at Frannie and then turned to her daughter. "I think it would be best if she handles that," she pointed at Frannie. The woman turned away and headed down the hallway to the guest bedroom. "I think I should be going now."

Cassy started to follow her mother, regret overwhelming her. Frannie reached out and grabbed the slender woman by the arm. "Let her go, Cassy. There are more important things which you need to be dealing with right now."

Cassy started to argue, then stopped. She took one last look towards the guest bedroom and then followed Frannie to the front door.

End Part 19