When Frank Hardy woke up, he looked around his room, disoriented for just a few moments.  Recovering, he groaned and looked at the time before dragging his tired carcass out of bed and towards the shower.  He was sure that once he felt the warm water hit, he would feel better.

“Frank!”

He was just getting out of the shower when he heard his aunt calling his name.

“I’ll be right down, auntie!” he sang out, feeling a little bit better. It was nothing he could name but something just felt out of sorts, and a few minutes later, with his hair still damp from the shower, Frank went downstairs and into the kitchen.

His father was sitting at the kitchen table finishing off his coffee, and glanced up as his son came into the kitchen. “Good morning, Frank”.

“Morning Dad,” Frank said as he sat down, and his Aunt Gertrude put a plate of sausages and eggs in front of him.

“Aw auntie – hasn’t anyone told you about cholesterol?”  But he dug in anyway, as his aunt just shot him a look as she sat down across from them with her own plate.

“Where’s Mom?”  Frank asked, as he didn’t see his mother, Laura Hardy, anywhere in the kitchen.

“She’s already gone to work,” Fenton said as he finished his coffee and stood up, “and that’s where I gotta go.  See you guys later.”

“Are you getting off early, Fenton?”  Gertrude asked her brother, “It’s Christmas Eve you know.”

Fenton smiled as he grabbed his hat and put it on his head. “I know, Gert, but unfortunately crime doesn’t…so, no.  I’ll try not to be too late, but it really depends on what happens.” 

And then with a final nod to his family, Police Chief Fenton Hardy left for work.

Frank heard the police cruiser leave the driveway, and chewed his toast thoughtfully as he wondered when his mother would be home.  He had promised Callie that he would spend Christmas Eve at her house watching some old Christmas movies, but he hated the thought that his aunt would end up being by herself tonight.

“Did Mom say when she’d be home?”  he finally asked.  His aunt had been absently stirring her tea as if lost in thought, and it was a moment before she answered.

“Not really.  She’s inducing a patient this morning and I guess it depends on when the baby delivers.  Who knows?  But I guess that’s all part and parcel of being an obstetrician,” Gertrude sighed, sipping her hot tea carefully.

“I guess….”Frank said slowly.  “Auntie, Callie wants me to come over later and watch some movies at her place…” 

“Well go and have a good time,” Gertrude smiled, and seeing the dubious look on her nephew’s face she continued, “Don’t stay home on my account.  Your parents will be home sometime this night, and I have last minute wrapping to do.”

“Are you sure…?  I mean, I can ask Callie to come here and hang out.”

“Francis Fenton Hardy – don’t worry.  If I tell you to go ahead, then I mean it.  Now, enough said.  Tell me what you got your parents for Christmas!” 

By the time Frank finished breakfast he was in a great mood.  This was going to be best Christmas ever!

* * *

The little boy with the vibrant blue eyes watched the dark haired teenager leave the table and he turned and looked up at the older man standing beside him.

The older man patted his head softly and smiled at him. “It’ll be okay,” he promised.  The little boy didn’t look convinced but turned back to watch the other boy again anyway.

* * *

“Hey Cal,” Frank said, lying on his bed.  Outside the window he could see fat white snowflakes falling and it reminded him of a scene from Holiday Inn.  “It’s cool.  I can come over.”

“Yeah!”  the girl squealed, “oh Frank – I can’t wait!  Dad is going to his friend’s place.  Mr. Grenfell is having a party or something….Anyway, we’ll have the house to ourselves!”

“What about your Mom?” 

An alcoholic, Calista Shaw was often gone for extended periods of time, but had been home for the past two weeks.  He heard Callie’s sigh and already knew the answer before she admitted it, “She’s gone on holiday again.”

“Oh Cal, I’m sorry,” Frank said, regretting asking as he knew that was Callie’s polite way of saying her mother was gone drinking again and they had no idea when she would be back home.

“That’s okay Frank.  It’s not your fault,” Callie said quietly, and then decided to change the subject.  “Your mom is never home either, but at least she has a better excuse then mine.”

“True,” Frank replied as he thought about his own mother.  Dr. Laura Hardy was a brilliant doctor and had delivered many babies in the last 10 years, but Frank sometimes got the feeling that she wasn’t completely happy - he just never could figure out why. 

The closest he had come had been one night when he came downstairs to get a glass of water and saw his mother sitting in the dark.

He had turned on the light and was shocked at how tired and sad-looking she was.

“Are you okay?” he had asked.

“Frank honey, you scared me!” she admonished gently and then shook her head. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“Then why are you sitting alone in the dark?”  he persisted, not believing her.  Laura looked at her handsome son and just sighed heavily.  It wasn’t anything she could explain, but sometimes, even after a good day, she felt like something was wrong – like something was missing.

And it was the feeling that she had each time she delivered a baby.  She would look intently into that new little face and always felt disappointed. 

It was like she was looking for someone, and with each birth she was disappointed because it wasn’t who she was looking for.  But how did you explain that to your teenage son?  You don’t….

“It was just a busy day.  I almost lost a baby today.”  It was true, but only she knew that was not what had driven her into her melancholy., “Anyway, it’s late and I’m tired.”

And then as his mother got up to leave she gave him a hug. “I love you, son.” 

Frank had watched her leave the room and except for the “I love you, son,” he didn’t believe a word she had said….