Page 95 of Rejection and Redeemed

Jacob nodded and smiled at him. “Thanks, also if you ever want some embarrassing stories of Joe growing up, just ask.”

Frank laughed as Joe fake scowled.

“Whatever embarrassing stories you want to know about Jake, just ask,” he said to Fran.

The smile fell off Jacob's face. “That’ll be a quick conversation then,” he replied, looking down at his dinner, and pushing it around with his fork.

Joe snorted. “I could tell Fran about the time you tried ...”

Jacob quickly looked up and scowled. “No, you promised never to tell that story.”

Joe gave him an evil grin. “I lied.”

Frank and Fran laughed and finally Jacob did as well.

“Now I really want to know,” Fran said, looking at him.

“Maybe one day,” Jacob replied. He looked at the drawing pad. “Have you been drawing?”

Fran nodded and swallowed a bite of his dinner before answering. “Yeah, Joe leant me the drawing pad and pencils.”

“I had a new unused pad and Frank told me Fran liked drawing. I thought he might like to draw while you rested,” Joe added.

“Can I see?” Jacob asked, putting his fork down on his now empty plate.

“Sure,” Fran replied, picking the drawing pad up and handing it over, before collecting Jacob’s plate and putting it and his on the bedside table.

“Thanks,” Jacob said, opening to the first page. He saw a picture of himself sleeping. The picture was done with grey pencil and looked exactly like him. “Fran,” Jacob gasped, smiling at his mate. “You have amazing skills there, sweetheart.”

Joe leaned over and looked. “You really do, Fran. Maybe one evening you and I can have a drawing session together,” he said almost shyly.

Fran smiled at him. “That sounds good, I’d like that.”

Frank beamed at Joe then Fran.

“I could join you as well,” Jacob said.

“You draw, babe?” Fran asked in surprise.

Joe burst out laughing. “Your mate’s idea of drawing is stick men, stick animals, and stick trees.”

Jacob laughed. “You forgot stick flowers.”

“Sounds like me,” Frank said. “Franny has all the artistic talents out of the two of us.”

Fran patted his father’s arm. “I’m sure you have many other talents, Dad.”

That made everyone laugh.

“Your dad has lots of talents that he is happily showing me,” Joe said, smiling softly at Frank.

“Not sure I want to know,” Fran replied, screwing his nose up.

“Sorry, son, pretty sure you might be hearing a lot about Joe and I.”

“I can cope with that, but for some things, just talk in general terms is all I ask.”

“We’ll try,” Joe said.