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Crisis & Catharsis -- Part VI Nora knocked softly on Matthew’s open door. “Can I come in?”   Matthew was sitting on his bed, punching the buttons of his Gameboy. He nodded at his mother’s request, not looking up from his game. Nora walked into the room and sat beside him on the bed. She reached over and took the game from him, finding and hitting the pause button. “We need to talk.”   Matthew nodded sullenly. “I know he’s here. I saw his car pull up.”   Nora nodded. “He wants to talk to you.”   “Do I have to?” Matthew whined.   Nora shook her head, proceeding cautiously. “No, you don’t have to, but I think you should. I know your daddy and I haven’t set a very good example but ignoring people doesn’t solve problems.”   “That’s what dad says too.”   Nora smiled. “Well, then it must be true. I know you’re upset with him right now, but he’s always going to be your dad. You wouldn’t want to change that, would you?” Matthew shook his head slowly. “Well, then you’re going to have to talk to him sometime.”   Matthew looked at her pleadingly. “What if I don’t know what to say to him?”   Nora shook her head and touched his face. “You know, Matthew. Tell him what’s in your heart.”   “Even if it’s bad?”   Nora nodded. “As long as it’s honest and how you really feel, it’s not bad. Your dad will understand that. He really loves you and I know you really love him too.”   “And you too, mom.”   Nora smiled. “I know you love me, Matthew. And I owe you an apology for putting you in the middle of the trouble I’m having with your dad. That wasn’t fair to you. You don’t have to choose between us. We’re your parents and you can count on both of us. Your dad and I are going to make this better for you. You can talk to both of us and we’re going to help you, okay?”   Matthew nodded and grabbed Nora in a fierce hug. Nora held him close for several minutes before whispering in his ear. “Come on, let’s go down and see your dad.”   Matthew took a deep breath and pulled away. Nora took his hand and they slid off the bed, leaving the room and heading slowly down the stairs. Michael and Bo were huddled on the sofa, deep in conversation. Bo looked up when he heard their footsteps. Michael stood and extended his hand to Bo. “Thanks, Commissioner. I’ll be in touch.”   Bo shook the hand he offered. “Count on it, Michael.”   Michael turned his attention to Nora. “I need to go. Let me know if you have symptoms again. And get plenty of rest.”   Nora nodded and walked Michael to the door. She closed the door behind him and turned back to Bo. “What were you two whispering about?”   “It was a case he wanted me to help him with.”   “Anyone I know?” Bo shook his head. “Did you tell him you’re no longer on the force?”   Bo was about to answer when Matthew turned to him. “You quit your job as Commissioner?”   “No, buddy. I took a leave of absence.”   Matthew frowned at him. “What does that mean?”   “It means I’m still the Commissioner but I’m taking some time off.”   “Like a vacation?”   Bo chuckled. “Something like that. What do you say we head to the park for a bit?”   Matthew looked hesitantly at Nora, who nodded slowly at him. “Just us?”   Bo nodded. “Just us. I figured we could use some ‘guy’ time. What do you say?”   Matthew glanced at Rachel who was also nodding encouragingly at him. “Okay, as long as it’s just us.”   Bo smiled. “Why don’t you run upstairs and get your football? It’s a beautiful day outside, might as well get a few reps in.”   Matthew smiled. “I like this leave of absence stuff!” He took off running upstairs.   “No running in the house!” Nora admonished half-heartedly but Matthew was out of earshot.   Bo smiled softly at her. “Thanks, Nora.”   Nora nodded slowly. “I hope you guys have a good visit.”   As Michael was heading to his car in Nora’s driveway, another car pulled up. Paige jumped out of the car, plate of cookies in hand. She stopped when she saw Michael. “What are you doing here, Dr. McBain?” she asked suspiciously.   “Checking on my patient,” Michael said evasively.   “Nora is MY patient. I asked you to back off.”   “Look, Dr. Miller. No disrespect but Nora is a friend of Marcie’s and she is worried about her friend. I came by as a courtesy, not to usurp your authority.”   Paige nodded, smiling. “As long as we understand each other.”   Michael eyed her suspiciously. “I understand perfectly, Dr. Miller. See you at the hospital.”   Michael hopped into his car, started it and thrust it into reverse, leaving the driveway quickly as Paige moved to the porch and rang the doorbell. Rachel answered the door. “Dr. Miller, what a surprise.” She turned to her mother and Bo in the living room. “Dr. Miller is here.”   Paige burst into a wide grin. “Bo, I didn’t know you would be here. I just came by to see how Nora is feeling and bring her some of my famous cookies.” She thrust the plate into the air with a flourish as she marched into the living room.   Bo paled a bit. “Hi, Paige. I didn’t expect to see you here either. I just came by to…”   Before Bo could finish his sentence, Matthew flew back down the steps and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Paige. “What is SHE doing here?”   Bo tried to explain. “She just…”   Matthew didn’t wait for an explanation. “You promised it would be just us. You’re such a big liar. I’m not going anywhere with you!” Matthew turned on his heel and ran back up the stairs. A loud slam signaling his arrival in his room.   Paige smiled broadly at Bo. “Did I miss something?”   Nora and Rachel looked at each other incredulously. Both fought the urge to burst out laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the scene. Nora excused herself to go talk to Matthew. Rachel took refuge in the kitchen under the guise of cleaning up and Bo was left to deal with Paige. “What are you doing here?”   Paige smiled broadly at him. “I told you. I came to bring Nora some cookies.”   Bo shook his head. “Now is not a good time. I came here to talk to Matthew. I promised him we would be going out alone. Now he thinks it was a setup to spend time with you.”   Paige looked momentarily perturbed before her smile returned. “And why would you want to exclude me? I’ve been doing stuff with you and Matthew for months now. We’re great friends!”   Bo was staring at her. “Did you hear nothing I said to you last night? Matthew is extremely upset about Nora’s illness and he needs me right now.”   Paige smiled as she shook her head. “Oh, Bo. He’s a little boy. He’ll bounce right back. You shouldn’t worry so much about this. Why don’t we take him to a ball game? That will cheer him right up!”   Bo was about to explode at her when Nora came down the stairs. She saw the look on his face and walked faster. “Bo, Matthew would like to talk to you. Why don’t you head on up. Paige, how about some coffee in the kitchen?”   Bo took the opportunity presented to him and nearly sprinted up the stairs. Paige smiled and followed Nora into the kitchen. “I brought cookies for the coffee.”   Nora caught Rachel’s frown as she trooped into the kitchen, Paige close at her heels. She shot Rachel a warning look and reached for the cupboard to find a coffee cup. Paige set the cookies on the table, noticing the last batch was still there. Nora set a cup of coffee in front of her and urged Paige to enjoy a cookie. Paige shook her head, smiling. “I’m watching my weight! You go ahead.”   Nora took one, just to be polite and held the plate up to Rachel. Rachel grimaced at her mother. “I’m going upstairs for a shower. I’ll wait until later.” She scampered out the door.   Nora frowned at her retreating back before turning her attention to Paige. “What can I do for you, Paige?”   Paige eyed her cautiously. “You can tell me what Michael was doing here this morning.”   Nora looked at her curiously and decided to play dumb. “He just stopped by to say hello.”   Paige nodded with a smile. “I’m glad he wasn’t bothering you with his theories.”   “What theories?”   “Oh, it’s nothing for you to worry about. He wanted to run additional tests that were completely unnecessary. I didn’t want to subject you to that. Don’t get me wrong, I love his enthusiasm, but you are my patient and I don’t want him hounding you. You understand, right?”   Nora nodded. She didn’t know what made her lie to Paige about Michael’s visit but something about Paige’s manner made her cautious and she went with her instinct. She changed the subject. “So, you must be happy to have the extra time with Bo.”   Paige shook her head with a smile. “What do you mean?”   Nora watched her before answering slowly. “His leave of absence?”   “Leave of absence?”   Nora nodded. “Bo took an open-ended leave from the department. Didn’t he tell you?”   Paige laughed nervously. “Of course he did! I just wasn’t sure what you were talking about.” She jumped up from the table, startling Nora. “I have to run back to the hospital. Tell Bo I will catch up with him later. Enjoy your cookies!”   In a flash, she was gone, leaving Nora sitting in her kitchen, wondering what had just happened. Nora wandered out to the living room just as Bo and Matthew were trooping down the stairs, playfully tossing the football to each other. Nora smiled at ‘her boys.’   Matthew gave her a cautious smile. “Hey mom. Dad and I are gonna head down to the park for a while. Are you gonna be okay?”   Nora smiled as she kissed him on the forehead. “Of course, I will. Rachel is here. You boys have fun.”   Matthew nodded and headed toward the door. Bo held back a bit and caught Nora’s eye. ‘Thank you,’ he mouthed silently. Nora smiled at him and mouthed ‘good luck’ as she followed him to the door and closed it behind him with a sigh. Rachel came down the stairs cautiously. “Is the coast clear?”   Nora laughed. “All clear.”   “That’s a relief. That woman is strange with a capital S. What on Earth does Bo see in her?”   “Please don’t ask me to dissect Bo’s love life. I’m not exactly a shining example of his good taste and in no position to criticize him after the year I’ve had.”   Rachel heard the regret in her mother’s voice and changed the subject. “Let’s sit down. You are supposed to be resting. Although how anyone can rest in this house is beyond me. Do you realize your doorbell rings nonstop?”   Nora laughed as she plopped down on the couch. “That’s me, Miss Popular.”   Rachel joined her. “Why don’t we catch a movie while we have this rare moment of quiet?”   “That sounds heavenly. I get to choose the movie.”   Rachel groaned. “You always pick old ones.”   “Because those are the best. Besides, I’m sick. Who knows how many more chances I’ll get to watch them?”   Rachel shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. “Mom, don’t even joke about that.”   Nora put her arm around her daughter. “It’s either laugh or cry, Rachel. Come on, let’s watch The Thin Man.” Nora picked up the remote and settled back on the couch, Rachel resting her head on her mother’s shoulder.   TBC