Timothy - 38. Chapter 38

Friday night, we slept in Randy’s room.

We woke early, had our shower together. We told Randy it was to save water, the rascal laughed.

He was still giggling when we went downstairs to the kitchen. I started the coffee and toast. Mom joined us and started the eggs and bacon. Aunt Clara came into the kitchen and took over what I was doing. I just sat on Stephen’s lap and had my coffee. Randy would look at us and laugh, making motions with his hands. He’s becoming quite a tease.

Randy will be a junior in high school. “Wait until I meet your girlfriend.” He stopped smiling for a second then started laughing.

Dad came into the kitchen with the newspaper. “Anything interesting this morning, Dad?” There is never anything interesting. It’s a small-town newspaper. Usually, the most exciting news is the obit page.

“Mrs. Carson is selling her children’s clothing store. It’s about time. She is 75 years old. The article said she wants to enjoy some time with her family.”

In small towns, people become an institution. Everyone knows everyone, and the most important news always involves people. I always called it a gossip rag. I remember when Donnie and I were in high school, we were the news. I couldn’t count the number of times our good citizens wrote articles telling us we would go to hell. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the brunt of a lot of these so-called Christians.

I started to laugh. Dad looked at me like I was crazy. “Sorry, Dad, I was remembering those articles in that newspaper when I lived here.”

We were finished eating when Ann Marie walked into the kitchen. She sat down at the table. If she were waiting for someone to serve her, she would wait for a long time. Mom set an empty plate in front of her and a cup of black coffee. There was cream and sugar on the table. I watched as she took a slice of toast, added cream to her coffee. In all of this time, she never said good morning or thank you.

“Good morning Ann Marie.”

She looked at me with daggers in her eyes. Then she looked at Stephen and smiled. Looking at him, she said good morning. I just smiled, leaned over toward Stephen, and kissed him. She picked up her coffee and left.

“I need to go and see Mr. Parker today. I’m going to make an offer on his farm.”

“Can I go with you?” I knew he would say that.

“Yes, Randy, you can come with us. You can drive.”

I enjoy seeing Randy smile. He had a hard life, and now he has grown into a young man who has shown his love for what Stephen had done for him. I hate to think what his life would have been if Stephen hadn’t taken an interest. I know if we have children, he will spoil them like crazy.

I spent the morning with Dad, and Stephen spent the morning with Randy in his room. I knew Stephen had wanted to update Randy’s computer systems.

“Dad, has Ann Marie told you anything about the letter she received from the lawyers?”

“No, when the letter came, I gave it to her, and she went to her room.”

“Here is a copy of the letter. She doesn’t know that on Monday, I’m meeting with Judge Howard to have her declared incapable of good financial judgment. I’ll be in charge of her financial affairs. Since the prenup is illegal, she will inherit a large sum of money and a lodge in the mountains. I will arrange for her to live in the lodge and put her on an allowance. She won’t like that, so I’m taking Mom and Aunt Clara home with me. If you can get off work, you might want to consider coming with Mom as well.”

“I don’t know why she dislikes you so much. Everything you have done has been to help her, and yet she treats you as if you are dirt. Does she know that you were involved in getting the prenup issues resolved?”

“I sent her an invoice. She hasn’t answered it or paid the invoice,”

“You know she’ll blow her top if you are successful with Judge Howard.”

“Yes, I expect that. She went through that 10,000 in two months. I checked her bank account and credit cards. She spent that money on clothes, fancy dinners, and parties. If she had her full inheritance, it would be gone in a year, and you could expect her back here.”

I didn’t want to tell Dad that she is acting the way she is because of him sharing his affection with Eva and me. Eva was tolerated because she was a girl. I was detested because I was a boy who had a special relationship with Dad

“Mom and I tried to understand her and why she acted as she did.”

“She couldn’t accept you being shared. When I came along, and we bonded, she became bitter. Every time she would see us together, she became angry. I remember when I was 7, and you took me fishing. She wanted to go as well. You said no, fishing is for men. You told her to go and learn how to cook.”

“She was 17 at the time and dating that boy. I never understood why she insisted on being with me whenever you and I were together.”

I had an idea. She wanted to be doted on by Dad. Mr. Struthers may have been a substitute for Dad. The more I thought about that, the more it made sense. She needs to see a psychiatrist.

“Dad, I’m going to offer Mr. Parker 170,000 for his farm. What do you think?”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“Yes, but it’s worth it. That place has a lot of memories for me. I’d hate to have someone buy it and destroy those memories.”

“Where is Eva? I’d like to see her before we leave.”

“I think John and her will be here for lunch.”

“Then I better get Stephen and go see Mr. Parker.” I knew there would be another one going with me.

I went to Randy’s room, knocked on the door, and walked in. Stephen was at the control board, showing something to Randy. “Stephen, I’m going to go and see Mr. Parker. I’ll let you know what he says when I come back.” Now I know Stephen and Randy.

“Tim, give me 10 minutes, and we’ll go with you.”

I knew they wouldn’t stay home. I went to the car and there, Randy was beside me. “Where is Stephen?”

“He’s coming.”

I knew what had happened. Randy let Stephen shut down the system.

The drive to the Parkers’ farm doesn’t take long. As soon as we arrived, Randy headed inside to see Mrs. Parker. I think she always has cookies.

When Mr. Parker saw me drive up, he came from his garden, "I don’t know what that boy sees, But as soon as he is here, he heads to the kitchen,”

“Your wife must keep a supply of cookies on hand. If you watch, he’ll be coming out with a cookie. Mr. Parker, you know how much this farm means to me. When I’m here, I feel Donnie. I’m prepared to offer you 170,000 dollars for this farm,”

The look on Mr. Parker’s face said it all, and I had a farm. Mr. Parker headed into the house. In a few minutes, Mrs. Parker came out dabbing her eyes. I got a hug and a kiss on my cheek.

“I’m so glad you are buying the farm. That is what Donnie would want.”

I heard ‘thanks.’ I looked around, and there was no one. You would think I would be used to these voices I hear when I’m awake, but I’m not.

I told Mr. Parker I would draw up the sales agreement, and I’d have a check for him by the end of the following week.

“Wait a moment, Tim.”

I watched as Mr. Parker took an empty bushel and headed to the garden. I opened the trunk of my car. I knew the bushel of vegetables would be for me. I was laughing as I watched. “I may keep this farm and grow fresh vegetables. Randy, you and your mom can move here, and you can work the gardens. Fridays, when you drive up to see me, you can bring me a bushel of vegetables.”