Timothy - 47. Chapter 47

Arriving home, I was tired, and I wasn’t sure if it was physical or emotional tiredness. I was ready to sleep in my bed. “Stephen, I need to go to bed. For some reason, I’m exhausted.”

“Let’s take a shower, and then I’ll give you a massage. You’ll sleep better with having a massage.”

It’s not very often we go to sleep without making love, and tonight was one of those nights.

Tim was still sleeping when I went and startled the coffee. I knew when he would smell the coffee, he would come to the kitchen. To make sure. I poured my cup while standing at the bottom of the stairs. I heard him get out of bed, and then I saw him coming down the stairs. I forgot that we sleep naked. And there was Tim, rubbing his eyes, completely naked. I put my arm around him, guiding him to the kitchen. I sat down, and he sat on my lap as we shared my coffee.

I watched as he slowly came fully awake. He looked at me, smiled, kissed me. “I love you. Shower time.”

He ran upstairs with me following. I had to admire the sight before me as I reached and pinched some cheeks.

Showered, dressed, we had our breakfast and walked to work. “Gramps was excited when you told him about suing Key Electronics for patent infringement.”

“Yes, I think that case was like a festering sore. This time we have them.”

Lunchtime, Gramps joined us. We discussed the case, and Stephen showed him the competition’s circuit with the platinum wire. Gramps’s smile said it all.

Walking home, “I don’t think there will be a trial with Key Electronics. Gramps will call their CEO, tell him what we found. They will settle an upfront payment and then a royalty on future sales.”

“I wanted to go to court.”

“Really, why?”

“I wanted to showcase my courtroom demeanor.” Then we both laughed.

I called Eva after dinner for an update. I knew Dad would agree to do anything to see Ann Marie. “How was Ann Marie after we left?”

“At first, she didn’t remember you being there. Then when John and I started to tell her some of ‘the plans you had for her, she asked if Stephen was here. I don’t think she even heard anything we said about your plans for her.”

“What happened when Dad was there?”

“She asked for Mom.”

“What did he say?”

“She was ill, and as soon as she was feeling better, she would come and see her.”

“Sooner or later, we will have to let her visit. Ask John when would be the best time, and Eva, don’t let Mom alone with her. Any progress made will be reversed.”

“I’ll let you know when she will be coming.”

We hung up, and I promised to call her in a few days.

“What’s happening?”

“Dad visited, and she asked for Mom. I’ll call Dad at work tomorrow and see what he thinks. I told Eva that sooner or later, we’ll need to let Mom visit.”

“Has John run all of the tests he talked about?”

“I don’t know, I’ll ask him. I was wondering, if we knew how to get her just to listen, she might realize that what I have proposed for her is the best option she has.”

“Maybe she needs to hear that from another lawyer. I think as soon as she sees you, she shuts down.”

“That might work. I’ll have Dad contact a lawyer. We can meet with that lawyer, explain our position and Ann Marie’s problem. If he tells her that it is in her best interest to take my offer, she just might calm down.”

The next day at work, Gramps called me to his office. When I entered, Stephen was there.

“Timothy, before we go to court against Key Electronics, I want to have a meeting with their CEO. They operate in a different market, so I thought a court case would be a one-shot deal. If their CEO is willing, I’ll ask for a settlement of cash upfront and then a percentage of their circuit board sales that use our technology. What do you think?”

“We can try that. We’ll save the expense of the trial. And it will give us some insight into a different market. You will probably have to negotiate a term agreement.”

“Good, we will try that and see what happens. Draw up a contract, and I’ll contact Key Electronics and set up a meeting.”

Walking home, “I watched your face when Gramps was talking. I think you were a little disappointed.”

“At first, but as I thought about it as he was talking, it made sense. Until the issues with Ann Marie are settled, I doubt if I could take the time to prepare for a trial.” I got a smile and a squeeze for that.

It did settle one thing in my mind. I must resolve open issues with Ann Marie before it begins impacting my work.