Partings and Reunitings (Angie, Cass)

[Franklin Hubbard]

With Jesse out of town on business, since Frankie wasn't working an early shift today he'd agreed to give Cass a lift to the airport. It was sad realizing he and his sister hadn't spent much time together since she'd been home, but they'd kept in touch long distance before and he was sure the same would happen this time around. And he knew she'd be back to visit quite a bit.

En route to the airport though Frankie had to make a stop at PVH to pick up Angie. He'd agreed to give her a lift figuring she and Cass would want to spend as much time together as they could before the flight.

Pulling into the lot he parked close to the entrance and sent Angie a quick text telling her he'd arrived, while Cass sat in the backseat keeping an eye on her bags and making mental checklists, hoping there wasn't anything she forgot to pack.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Angie stood over her assistant’s shoulder and nodded as she showed her the memo she just finished typing up. Before she could tell her what else to do her phone, which laid on the desk, started vibrating. “Hold that thought,” she said, picking it up and checking it. She found out it was Frankie who had just arrived. Quickly she told him she was on her way and turned back to Kayla. “Alright, that looks good. Make sure you send that to each board member,” she told her and turned to head back into her office to grab her things. When she walked back out she handed Kayla the spare key. “Thank you so much for doing that for me.”
“It’s my job,” she reminded.
Angie smiled. “Just take the compliment woman,” she playfully fussed. “Anyway, I’m leaving for the day. If you need anything or there’s an emergency call me.”
Nodding and playfully rolling her eyes she got up and started pushing her towards the door. “Dr. Hubbard, go.”
“I just… Alright, I’m going. I’m going,” Angie sighed, giving her another smile and soon walked out and headed down. Moments later she walked out the hospital and over to where Frankie parked. “Sorry about that. I had to make sure everything was squared away before I left,” she said with a smile as she reached back and tapped her daughter’s leg. Cass looked up and smiled. “You have everything?”
“I believe so,” Cass offered, looking back to her purse.

Angie stared at her for a minute before turning back around and looking over to her son whom she hadn’t talked to in a mother, son way in months.

Just last Friday Jesse called her and told her he wouldn’t be able to make it home in time to see Cass off. The case he was working on had taken a turn for the worse and leaving at that moment was out of the question. Saddened that she would have wait longer to see him Angie told him it was okay and that no matter what they would still be there waiting on him. Jesse had then said he was sure Frankie wouldn’t have had a problem with taking Cass. Angie didn’t think he would have had a problem doing it either, but she didn’t feel comfortable asking him to do something when they hadn’t even as so as said more than three friendly words to one another. “Thank you Frankie… Franklin,” she corrected herself.

[anjfan]

Even though she had been doing mental checklists and scanning a few things Cass hadn’t missed everything that was happening in front of her. It was no mystery that her mother and brother hadn’t spoken in months. Hell just about everybody in Pine Valley knew it. They remained hush mouth about it for sure, but they knew.

Cass had hoped that they would have gotten over this already. Her mother should have known once Frankie made up his mind there was no changing it. He was like her that way. Stubborn and determined. And then Frankie… So mom didn’t approve of the relationship, when had that ever stopped any of them before. If she recalled their mother had never liked any girl Frankie dated. None of them were good enough for her baby boy. Even when he hooked up with a prostitute their mother made it very known that she didn’t like it nor would she ever support it. Later on she opened up more to her, but even before that Frankie still hooked up with her and even gave her his last name.

“I have a question.”
Angie looked over her shoulder. “What is that sweetheart?”
“When are you going to end this?” She asked, crossing her arms.
“End what?”
Right. Play the dumb card, Cass thought eyeing her mother closely. She was still amazed at the way her mother easily pretended that everything was everything. Like there was nothing happening at all. If you didn't live with her you would think she woke up everyday with a smile on her face. Giving her her a knowing look and pursing her lips, Cass continued. “Seriously mom? That may work with Adrian and Jocelyn, but not me,” she assured.
“Cass, honey… Not right now.”
“Mom, this has been going on lon—“
“Cassandra Renee Foster, leave it alone. Please,” Angie begged.

Her mother’s voice may have been soft, but there was a warning to it. Add that with her calling out her full name. She knew better than to push any further. “Alright,” she sighed, looking away. “I just think it’s time,” she finished.

[Franklin Hubbard]

"You're welcome, Mom."
Frankie said cordially. You'd have to not be in the car though to not sense the tension between him and Angie. The last time they'd had a decent conversation had been, too long ago. But as much of Frankie wanted to smooth things over, his stubbornness and pride were winning out.
Driving out of the lot he heard Cass pipe up in the back and frowned right away, stunned she'd just come out and confronted this. Even though he really shouldn't have been. His sister always had a knack for breaking past tough situations. This one was no exception.

But whether she was right or not, like Angie, Frankie wasn't in the mood to discuss this. And the rest of the ride was pretty quiet as a result.

Finally they got to the airport, and after parking, Frankie went to the back and helped his sister with the bulk of her luggage. But the weight of her duffle bag threw him, she may as well have a body in the thing.
"Geez, Cass..how much did you stuff in this thing! We should've rented a pack mule or something."
Shaking his head he hoisted the bag over his shoulder and onto a luggage cart.
Figuring he'd deal with the bags and give his mother and sister a little more together time. And it would give him time to come up with some small talk subjects for the long ride back with Angie.