Hitman Chapter 11 Mending Fences
‘’Da,’’ he stops him in the yard right before they enter the house, ‘’ I need to know how to mend this fence with Claire. I didn’t intend to hurt her, but I have.’’ He has no idea what to do, having never had a relationship that required him to be contrite.
‘’Well son, you start out with an ‘I'm sorry' then ‘I was wrong'. I ken admitting such is not easy for us Fraser's but it is how it must be handled. She came down, with a smile, and said naught to your mam or I. It was your mam who sent me out to you. Go to her son. Make your apology.’’
‘’Thank you da, for everything.’’ He hugs his father and Brian chuckles.
‘’You are quite welcome son.’’
He walks into the kitchen and hugs his mam. ‘’Thank you mam.’’ She hugs her back, her little boy no matter how big he is
‘’She is in the living room.’’ He nods and squares his shoulders before walking that way.
She sits, on the couch, wee Jamie on her lap, talking to Jenny.
‘’Claire, may I talk too you a minute?’’
‘’Yes, ‘’ she stands, placing the lad down by his mam. ‘’ I will be back Jenny.’’ She follows him into the parlor. She then turns to him, arms crossed.
‘’Mo chridhe, I am sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to be such a clod heir. It was hearing no. Not that is what you said but it is what I heard. You had every right to say no or wait, any right to say whatever you wanted. Tha no chridhe briste'.’’
‘’Jamie, I need you to speak English. I don’t understand what you are saying but I hear you are sorry. You are forgiven.
‘’Forgiven? Without an explanation?’’ This was unusual.
‘’Yes. We were both angry but it is done. We can talk later about what caused it but you are forgiven.’’ He gathers her to him, holding her close.
‘’Mo Bheannachd.’’ He whispers into her hair.
‘’You will have to tell me what you are saying.’’ She says with a laugh.
‘’I will later.’’ He lifts her head and deeply kisses her. She then heads back to Jenny and he goes too find his da.
‘’Da, may I talk to you in private?’’
‘’Aye son. Let’s go to the study.’’ They enter and Brian pours a glass of whisky for each of them. ’She forgive you?’’
‘’Aye da. I want, well she is the one. I canna see my life without her. But, to keep her, I must change. I have done things, bad things, things I canna talk about. I am nae whole man. I am angry and filled with evil.’’
‘’James when were you last at church?’’ He only uses his full Christian name when he is versa serious.
‘’It has been a long time.’’ He admits.
‘’Well son, your first strep is confession. Go talk to Father Bane. He was a priest in WW2, and has his own issues, stuff he still doesn’t ‘talk about. Stuff he saw. Every year he holds a mass for the service members, both survives and those lost and their families.’’
‘’Thank you da. I will make an appointment with him.’’
Later that night, after dinner and a bit of whisky, Claire and Jamie head upstairs. They enter his room and he kisses her.
‘’Can you explain?’’ she asks against his lips.
‘’I am not sure why I.. I can be a brute sometimes with women. I haven't been in a real relationship in a long time. When I had need, I would take care of the need in a way and with a lass I wouldn’t have to apologize too. Hell that I wouldn’t see the next morning.’’
‘’You've been careful?’’ She is on the pill but they hadn’t used rubbers.
‘’Oh aye. Always. Another thing to apologize for. I should have asked. You are the only one I have felt comfortable enough, free enough to.. Sorry.’’
‘’As long as you were careful with them, and don’t go back, as long as we are together, then it is okay.’’
‘=I always was and I dinna want anyone else. Claire, I am not used to hearing no. In any form. Again, I am sorry.’’
‘’It was the war, eh?’’ he looks at her, astonished. ‘’I had a patient once, the same type of look in his eyes, the same inability to hear no. It came from the same place of pain and loss.’’ She tightens her arms around him. ‘’I can forgive you because you didn’t try to hit me. Frank,’’ she waves off what she was going to say. ‘’ He doesn’t matter. You and I do. I love you Jamie.’’
His breath catches as a tear runs down his face. Did she just say? He must become the man she deserves. He must confess to Father Bane, God, and then her
