Frank realized quickly that TJ was fearless.
Despite everything he had been through, he laid himself open. He made himself vulnerable again and again while Frank retreated into the dark corners of his safe spaces.
Their relationship progressed slowly. Late night calls to come over turned into regular dinners and eventually into weekends spent together — either just them alone or with Mary.
Seeing the two of them together, Frank finally accepted that whatever complicated feelings he had for TJ was there to stay.
For TJ, I love you came easy, but the words tangled themselves deep in Frank’s chest and refused to come out.
Still, he made TJ promise that if things got bad again, Frank would be the first to know. He couldn’t bring someone into Mary’s life only to have that person leave her the same her mom did.
It wasn’t an easy promise, but TJ agreed because putting Mary first came with loving Frank.
So when Frank received the call, the tremor in his voice was as much for Mary as it is for him. Someone had been driving while intoxicated and had t-boned TJ’s car.
The world had a cruel sense of humor.
Mary refused to stay home, crying and demanding to make sure that TJ was alive.
Frank had no choice but to bring her. They waited for him to get out of surgery. Both of them a mess but clinging to each other for comfort.
When TJ finally came out, battered and bruised but alive, Frank held Mary tight and said a prayer of thanks to Roberta’s God.
He let Mary sleep on his lap as he sat vigil. The doctors told him TJ wouldn’t wake for a couple more hours, but Frank didn’t care. He would be there the moment TJ opened his eyes.
No way was he going to let another second pass without telling him how he felt.
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