Timothy - 46. Chapter 46

On Saturday, we went to Stephen’s home for dinner. Walking into the kitchen, Mom met us, we got our hugs and kiss. “Stephen, take this tray to the conservatory, and Tim, would you take this urn of coffee. Dinner will be ready at 1.”

Walking into the conservatory, Dad stood and hugged us. Gramps hugged Stephen, and then when he hugged me, “Tim, I need to talk to you after dinner.”

I thought he might want to talk about the circuit board that Stephen was working on.

Dinner was a roast that I thought would qualify for a three-star restaurant. “Mom, this roast is exceptional. How about us opening a three-star restaurant.”

They laughed, “Tim, Mom is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in France.”

I laughed.

“I met her at a restaurant in France. Dad, I think you remember that day. I was having dinner there with Dad and the owner of a hotel I wanted to build here, and it was his architect who arranged the dinner party.”

“He fell in love with my food before he fell in love with me.”

“The best decision I have ever made. Now I have a beautiful wife and a great cook.”

I smiled as they continued to tell me about that first meeting.

Gramps did want an update on my disc investigation. When I told him what Stephen and I found, and we were ready to go to court, he was a happy man. “You know, losing that case haunted me every time I walked by our production floor.”

Arriving home, “I’ve decided that from now on, you cook dinner.”

“My mom went to culinary school, not me.”

“Yes, but you have eaten your mom’s food most of your life, and I’m sure you picked up some tricks.”

“The only trick I picked up I married.”

I did something that Donnie and I did, I tackled him, ending up on the floor, wrestling. When Donnie and I did that, I realized that I was younger, and we were about the same height. Stephen pinned me, and the kiss had me surrendering.

I got even in the shower that night.

Sunday morning, we headed south. I wanted to talk to Eva and John before going home. “Stephen, let’s have lunch in town. I’ll call Eva to see if John and her can join us.”

We drove to the Parkers and agreed to meet at 3 pm at the bank on Monday to close on the property.

I called Eva and set up a luncheon date for 1 pm. Lunch would be at the Le Chateau, a French restaurant featuring foods from Louisiana. It would just be the 4 of us. I’ll meet with Mom and Dad later in the evening.

John brought me up to date on Ann Marie’s condition at lunch. “Tim, she has been quiet. I’ve started to reduce the meds, and I’m unsure how she will react when she sees you. If you like, I’ll be there with you.”

“John, that would be great. I was wondering, are there any physical or mental conditions that would or could cause the type of reactions we saw in her when we had to bring her to the hospital.”

“There could be damage to the brain that would contribute to that kind of behavior. To my knowledge, she hasn’t had an accident that would have affected her brain. We can schedule a MIR and see if there are any abnormalities. Do you know if she ever had an accident that impacted her head?”

“Not to my knowledge, we’ll have to ask Mom or Dad. If she did, it would be before Eva, and I were born.”

Dad greeted us as we pulled into the driveway that evening, arriving home. “Tim, I’m not sure staying here is a good idea. Your mother isn’t well.”

I knew what Mom wasn’t well-meant. She still is extremely angry at me. “Sir, do you mean that Tim is no longer welcomed here?”

“Stephen, his mother isn’t well.”

“It’s okay, Stephen. We can stay at the Parkers. Dad, have John check her over. I’m not a doctor, but I think she suffers from guilt. Somehow, she believes she caused Ann Marie’s behavior. See if you can get some help for her. I’m planning on seeing Ann Marie tomorrow afternoon.”

“Let’s go, Tim. We have a busy day tomorrow.”

In the car, “Stephen, let’s stay at that motel we passed as we entered the town.”

That is what we did. Stephen was very attentive that night. He held me close with my head on his chest, and his heartbeat was soothing. Falling to sleep, Donnie came to me in my dreams. He rubbed my back and whispered, “Hold the course.” When we were selected for abasement in high school, he would say that.

Monday, after meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Parker, I went to check on Ann Marie. Eva and John told me at lunch about Ann Marie’s temperament. I wondered if Ann Marie would meet with me without causing another outburst of anger. John said he would standby with a hypo to calm her down.

Walking into her room with Stephen, Eva and John, she looked like a helpless little girl, only with an adult face.

Seeing Stephen, she smiled. Then she saw me and became agitated. John had a hypo ready. “Ann Marie, when you calm down, I’ll explain your financial program.” She became more agitated, and John gave her a shot. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

“Eva, John, I want to tell you what I have arranged for her. You can tell her when you talk to her, and maybe she’ll calm down. I still don’t want Mom to see her.”

“What about Dad?”

“Dad is okay, but you can’t let Dad see her and not Mom. If Mom finds out, she’ll be angry with Dad, and he must live with her. If you can impress upon him the need for secrecy, then I don’t have any problems.”

As we were leaving the hospital, Dad was waiting for us. “Tim, are you okay? I felt bad telling you that you couldn’t stay at home. Can you forgive me?”

“Dad, we need to go fishing when this is all over.” There were tears in his eyes as he hugged me. I knew this was hard on Mom from guilt. But it was also hard on Dad. “We have to go home. I have to prepare for a court case this week. I’ve asked John to keep me informed. You need to talk to him and Eva.”

We left for home. Stephen had his hand on my shoulder as I drove. It was like saying, ‘I’m here. You aren’t alone.’