Timothy - 30. Chapter 30

During the week, Stephen worked on a computer set up for Randy. “Stephen, be sure to include flash drives and a disc reader.”

“Do you know if he is taking computer courses in school?”

“I think most schools have classes on the use of computers. He may need storage, and most libraries now have books on discs.”

“I’ll set up an offline storage unit. It will allow him to copy discs directly into the storage unit. He can access the storage unit through his computer.”

Laughing, “You need to put some whistles and flashing lights on it.”

“Maybe I will. He’d get a kick out of that.”

“I wonder if he has any friends over to the house? I know he had a girlfriend. I don’t know if she is still in the picture.”

“Why do you wonder about that?”

“If you make his system too flashy, you might have to go into business, supplying his friends with the same system.”

Friday, we drove to my home. I was a little afraid of what I would find. “I haven’t talked to Mom or Dad, so they won’t be expecting us.”

“I hope they are still there. Your sister may have caused them to leave.”

“Do you have all of Randy’s equipment?”

‘Yes, I hope he likes it.”

“You’re joking, right. You’re his hero. He hangs on every word you speak. You’ll see, when he sees his system, you won’t get rid of him.”

“Do you think your sister is still there?”

“The last time I checked, she was. Let’s make a bet. I think she will talk to you first and ignore me.”

“Does Mom know we are coming?”

“No, I didn’t mention anything about us coming down.”

“Let’s park the car and walk to the house and surprise them. Then I’ll go and get the car and drive it to the house.”

Walking up on the porch, we heard, “Mom, I’m not going to wait on her anymore. If she asks me to get her anything more, I will call Stephen and Tim to come and get me. It’s bad enough she has me driving her all around town and not paying for the gas. She wants me to bring her food to her room. I don’t mind sleeping in Mom’s room, but I’m not her servant.”

I whispered to Stephen, “It’s worse than I thought. Let’s walk in and see what happens.”

We quietly opened the door. Standing in the living room in front of the door, Randy sat on the floor next to his mother. Dad was reading the newspaper, and Mom looked like she had a migraine. How can one person upset a family so much?

“Randy, bring me a cup of coffee.”

I watched Randy get up. That was when he saw Stephen and me.

He rushed and grabbed Stephen, and when he saw me, he pulled us into a three-man hug. Now, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Clara saw us.

“We didn’t hear a car.”

“No, we wanted to surprise you, and it looks like all of you need some good news.”

Then we heard, “Randy, where’s my coffee?”

Now I was angry, “Get your lazy ass down here if you want coffee.”

Mom and Dad looked at me. Randy and Aunt Clara had smiles. “Randy, you don’t wait on her. She has two legs that she can use. And no more chauffeuring, she can call a taxi.”

I whispered to Stephen, “Get ready for a storm. Here she comes.”

“Oh, I might have known it was you who yelled.”

“Yes, you need to get your lazy ass out of my room and start waiting on yourself. Instead of demanding to be waited on, you should be looking for your own place. You don’t belong here. We weren’t good enough for 30 years and now since none of your friends want you, you have decided to come home. Get your luggage, and I’ll call a cab for you or start earning your keep here.”

She started to cry. “Cut out the theatrics. They don’t work here.”

“I’ll have my lawyer sue you for defamation of character.”

“You do know I am a lawyer, right.” It was apparent she didn’t know that. “Anytime you want to go to court, let me know.”

“Stephen. Let’s go. I’ll book her into a hotel and call a cab. Pack your things and be ready to leave by the time we get back.” Saying that Stephen and I left.

Walking to where we parked the car, “Tim, you aren’t going to do that, are you?”

“If she starts that bullshit in ordering everyone around, I will. She should be grateful she has a place to stay. When we get home, I will check out her husband and see if I can review his will. I’ll bet he left her nothing.”

We saw Randy running toward us before we got back to the house. Stephen stopped the car. “Randy, what’s wrong?”

“It’s Ann Marie. She is crying very hard. She told your mom she has no place to go and no money.”

“What do you want to do, Tim?”

“I don’t know, but let’s find out.” So Stephen drove to Mom and Dad’s while I tried to make heads and tails out of what Randy said. The only way she could have been left out of the will would be a pre-nuptial agreement.

Arriving home, it was a mess. Ann Marie was crying. Mom had tears in her eyes and held Ann Marie in her arms.

When Dad saw us, he came, took me by my arm, and led me outside. “Your sister has no money. She signed a pre-nuptial that she would be entitled to a lump settlement of 10,000 dollars in the case of her husband’s death. She spent most of that money parading around as a grieving widow. Everything she owns is in those suitcases she brought with her. She came home because she doesn’t have any friends or any place to go.”

“Dad, what was her major in college? Surely there must be something she can do to earn a living.”

“I think she majored in having a good time. She has a degree in Liberal Arts.”

My first thoughts were she deserved what she was going through. Her family wasn’t good enough. Now, her only refuge is that family. I looked at Dad and saw the distress in his face. Mom was holding her. I looked at Stephen, and I knew what I would do.

“Dad, does she have the pre-nuptial agreement with her?”

“I don’t know?”

“Ask her, and I’d like to see it.”

I waited on the porch. Stephen took Randy and showed him his computer. I could hear the excitement in his voice. I saw them walking back. Stephen had an arm around Randy’s shoulders.

“Tim” Randy ran to me and hugged me. “Wow, I can’t wait to get my computer set up.”

Dad came out, “She went upstairs to get her papers. She thinks she might have a copy.”

“Dad, remind her she needs to move back to Eva’s room. We have a computer set up for Randy, and he needs to have it set up in his room.”

I felt sorry for Dad. I’m making him the heavy.

While I waited for Dad, “Randy, I may need to use your computer. That’s okay right?”

“Stephen, I need to go and see Mr. Parker before we leave.”

“Can I go with you?”

“Sure, maybe when we come back, we can set up your computer.” Now he was in a dilemma. He wanted to see his computer and wanted to go with us to Parker’s farm.