LEFT BEHIND

By Meloira

Part 2

Several days later

From his hiding place, Carl could hear the activity in the living room. He knew he should join them, but he preferred sitting in his quiet alcove away from prying and pitying eyes. Funny how the people who’d once despised you could find time to console you.

The days since the accident had passed in a blur, but the one thing that had stood out in his memory were his grandchildren. Steven and Kirkland had handled the news rather well, but the younger ones hadn’t truly understood. He wasn’t even sure if the twins and the baby would remember their parents.

He wouldn’t have made it without Frankie’s help. She’d been there by his side during the entire ordeal. She’d proven invaluable when it came to organizing all the minute details and he didn’t know what he would’ve done without her.

"Penny for your thoughts."

"Speak of the devil. Come in my dear." Frankie squeezed herself into Carl’s tiny sanctuary. "How’s it going out there?"

"The crowd is starting to thin out a little. Soon the only people left will be those who need to be present for the reading of the will."

"Today?"

"Seems so. Cass’ instructions were to read it as soon as possible so there wouldn’t be any questions about the kid’s custody."

"The children," he mused. "I suppose they’ll end up with Marley. I may have been his father, but I doubt Ryan would have wanted a former criminal caring for his offspring."

Frankie patted his hand. "You never can tell Carl. After all, they did ask you to baby-sit." Frankie caught his smile in the dim light of the alcove.

"I never told them, but I was thrilled when they asked. I’ve never been able to get enough of my grandchildren. I guess that’s because I didn’t know of Ryan’s existence when he was a child. Being around them has almost been a substitute for missing his childhood. I only wish I’d visited Bay City more often these last few years."

"You’re here now Carl, and that is what matters."

"But I should have been here then too." Carl’s voice held a tinge of regret. "Instead, I was off hopping round the world."

Frankie giggled. "Did you know that Ryan used your journeys to teach Steve and Kirk?"

"No, tell me." His curiosity was piqued.

"Well, Ryan passed it off to them as a game. Whenever they’d receive your postcards, he’d show them the front along with some clues. Then they would have to figure out where you were by doing a little research."

"Really?"

"Yep. Thanks to you, I have received an education from a world class traveler."

"World class traveler, eh? More like world class coward."

Frankie could hear Carl’s bitterness. "Coward?"

Carl shifted uncomfortably in the small space. "Nearly five years ago, I wanted something so badly I thought I couldn’t live without it. So, when I didn’t get what I wanted, I started running. Tahiti, Russia, India. I ran wherever I could. These last few years I’ve traveled this world over because I didn’t want to admit what I was feeling. I left my family behind Frankie. Now it seems as though the initial issue isn’t as important."

"I never knew Carl. Ryan always talked about your travels, always showed me the pictures, but I never took the time to wonder why you left."

"Wasting time on my problems would be a sad thing dear. I never wanted to see the world alone. I never wanted to leave. All I wanted to do back then was be with the ones I loved."

"Then why didn’t you?"

"Because," Carl paused, contemplating his answer. "Because I wasn’t the man I should have been."

His answer puzzled her. Frankie knew from experience how cryptic and complicated Carl could be, but even the meaning of this statement escaped her.

"You’ve changed Carl. Ryan was proud of that. He always got a secret kick out of how a police captain had a criminal for a father."

The thought made Carl chuckle. Leave it to Frankie to help guide him back from the dark side. "I was proud of him as well. It was a honor being his father and I will always be thankful I knew him, even if it was ever so briefly."

Frankie laid her head on Carl’s shoulder in companionable silence as the two lost themselves in individual memories. It was like this Cass found them.

"Hey you two." Cass poked his head into the darkened cubbyhole. "It’s time."

End of part 3

to be continued……

hugs and kisses to those who know what’s coming up next!