Chapter Text
”Frankie! I’ll get it! I’ll get it!” Dr. Sidney Freedman raced down the hallway after his small son when suddenly grabbed and pulled into a passionate embrace by his wife.
Miles away in Mill Valley, the fellow parent had to smile as she heard the cheeky cherub breathlessly parrot the greeting he’d heard his mother use countless times. ”Freedman residence.”
How she loved little ones! Her entire demeanor changed. “Hi, Sweety. What’s your name?”
”Frankie Freedman!“ He turned, grinning at his parents as he victoriously held the receiver. “Please… meet you. Whas your name?”
”I’m Peggy… Hunnicutt.” She tried not to sniff. But her sadness still managed to seep through loud and clear.
“Don’t cry, Peggy Hunny… My Daddy’s gonna make you all better. That’s his job. He fixes people’s mines…..” He explained while his parents exchanged proud smiles.
”Once when I was scared of the dark he cuddled me all night…kinda like he and Mommy cuddle…Then I feel all better.” It was unexpectedly forward while simultaneously innocent, and Peg couldn’t help but find him enchanting. “Is your Daddy there?”
”Yup!” The boy looked at his parents. “Right now Mommy’s kissing him…a lot…. Like yesterday at the beach… we made a humongous sand castle …. Maybe when they’re done he can cuddle you, too.” He smiled sweetly up into his dad’s eyes. “For you, Daddy.”
Sidney’s palm rested briefly on the boy’s head. ”Thank you, Frankie.” He semi-smirked before accepting the receiver.
“That was my precocious three years and eleven and a half months … almost four-year- old.”He waved at the child who was furiously waving at him from the secure embrace of his mother as she carried him into the other room.
”Oh, he’s precious.”
”Precious… precocious … and incredibly perceptive.” Sidney easily recovered. While he and his wife were unabashedly raising their son, the little one still managed to periodically introduce them to new shades of crimson.
She couldn’t contain the huge semi-sad sigh that quickly returned. The breath she’d taken in between stifled sniffles allowed the concerned psychiatrist permission to assume. “He knows you’re crying. How can I help?”
”Dr. Freedman…”
”Sidney please….Or we’ll never get past the weather.” He was as gentle as a lamb.
”Of course….Sidney.”
”That’s better. Now, like my intuitive little boy, I hate to see anyone in tears…especially a beautiful woman.”
”I’m Peg Hunnicutt, Sidney…You can tell all that over the phone?”
”Oh yes. I feel I know you quite well.”
“Oh?” The tone was defensive.
He immediately moved to calm the cautious mother: ”Don’t let it concern you a bit….. everything I’ve heard is good…I promise.” Her breathing slowed. The gentle tone, especially in his last syllable, was warmly disarming, affording him the confidence to continue. “May I call you Peg?”
When she didn’t answer, he pulled back a respectful distance. ”You and your sweet little girl…courtesy of B.J.”
She started to speak… but decided against it.
Sidney used the lull to continue “I know all about your beautiful family…your husband talked nonstop in Korea about you and your sweet little baby”.
”He did?” Despite her anxiety just a few moments ago, this embrace was as welcome to her heart as a fireplace on a frosty morning.
”Oh all the time! You kiddin?” The psychiatrist laid it on thick.
No matter. She just couldn’t get enough, basking in the warmth. “… call me whatever you like.”
”Peg it is, then. Now, what’s on your mind?”
”Or you can call me Peggy….”
”I’ll leave it up to you.”
”True…. I guess I need some control in my life.”
Ahh! There was the clue he was listening for. He gently sighed before continuing. “Control… shall we start there?”
Mrs. Freedman had reentered the room, shaking her head at Frankie who had climbed into his father’s lap. Ignoring her, he now grabbed the phone cord, winding it around his hands. His father handed the boy to his mother who gently unwound the cord from his chubby hands, as she whispered in his ear.
”No….no…no…..I wanna talk!” He defiantly insisted.
Holding the phone between his head and shoulder, Sidney extended his hands towards his son. His wife quickly handed the boy back.
“Frankie," his father whispered,” you wanna talk to the nice lady…here ….”
The excited little boy grabbed the receiver like it was a microphone, chattering excitedly, “Hi Peggy Hunny! I’m Frankie Freedman and I’m three years old…. Almost four!”
“Hello Frankie.”
“Mommmeeeeeeee …” came a little girl’s cry.
”Hi, Baby!!!” He smiled and waved at the phone.
”That’s my little girl: Erin. Waking up from nap. Excuse me, Honey.”
”I can wait for you. ..right here. Mommy! Daddy! Peggy Hunny had a baby!”
”Okay, Frankie.” She had to smile. "Be right back," and she disappeared to retrieve her little girl.
While she was gone, the child tried to whistle like he’d seen adults and bigger kids do while they were waiting. But all he could do was blow puffs of air. “Mommy …… How do you whistle?”