Timothy - 41. Chapter 41

When I arrived home, the house was very quiet, and that was unusual as I expected Randy to be home. I went and changed my clothes, and there was a note on the computer for me from Randy.

“Tim, I have gone to the Parker’s. Call me when you are ready to go home.”

I wonder what happened. I called Mr. Parker and asked that he send Randy home. While I waited, I packed my suitcase, went to the kitchen and had a cup of coffee. Ann Marie must have thought that Randy had come home.

“Randy, bring me a cup of coffee.”

“This isn’t Randy, and if you want a cup of coffee, you need to come down and get it yourself. It would be best to stop ordering people around like your slaves. You should be damn lucky Mom and Dad have let you stay here. For ten years, they weren’t good enough for you, and now when there is only the street, you expect them to not only let you back into their lives but to expect them to wait on you as well. If you don’t change, you may be out on the street.”

“When I get my inheritance, you all can go to hell.”

“I wouldn’t count on that.”

I left and went and sat on the porch waiting for Randy. About 10 minutes later, I heard her in the kitchen, and I was going to go and confront her when I saw Randy pull into the driveway. I picked up my suitcase, placed it in the back seat, got in front next to Randy, “Let’s go.”

We made small talk as we drove home. “How are the Parkers?”

“They are excited about moving. Mrs. Parker has started to pack, and Mr. Parker talked to that Realtor about the house they want. He will mail the realty company a check to put down on the house. Mrs. Parker and her sister have been busy on the phone. You made them very happy.”

“Randy, what do you think about you and your mom living on the farm. You have two more years of high school before you think about college.”

“I wouldn’t mind, but Mom might think differently.”

“Well, give it some thought. It’ll be a few weeks before the Parkers will be ready to move.”

“Tim, I have a bushel of vegetables in my trunk for you. I think Mr. Parker has retired, and he told me if I wanted any, I had to pick them myself.”

“Well, if you choose to live there. You will need to get good at that. Your rent will be a bushel of vegetables every two weeks, delivered.”

We laughed. I don’t think I would even have to say that. He knows Stephen, and I like vegetables, particularly freshly picked.

“You hungry, Randy? “What a question to ask a teenage eating machine.

We stopped at the pizza place. I let Randy order what he wanted, I called home. Mom answered. I told her we were on our way, and we stopped for pizza. “Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll bring spaghetti.” “Yes, I’ll update you all when I get home.” “Yes, Dad is fine. I had lunch with him today.” “See you soon.”

While they were making a Randy special, I gave them my order, and I had a coffee. Randy had a soda while we waited.

When everything was ready, we left. In 15 minutes, we were home. Then the questions. “Mom, I’ll tell you everything, but first I need a shower and change my clothes. I have worn these clothes for two days.” Actually, I wanted to think a little about how I would answer Mom’s questions. I knew she probably talked to Dad this afternoon. No matter what Ann Marie was up to, Mom would defend her or stay quiet. Sometimes the quiet was worse than the questions.

I washed my face and hands, changed into clean clothes, and headed to the kitchen.

“I talked to your dad, and he told me a little about what happened at court. Tim, are you going….”

“Mom, I’m going to make sure she will be okay. There is a lodge where she will stay, and I will pay a housekeeper and groundskeeper to maintain the facility and assist her. She will have a credit card; however, it will have a limit that I will monitor. She will be fine.”

“Tim, she won’t like that.”

“Mom, the only other option is for her to get a job, and I think you know that won’t happen.” I could tell that Mom was worried. I wasn’t concerned, but I knew the road to peace would be rough.

I went to my office. I had to inform Mr. James of the judgment and offer him a copy. I also needed to check the accounts to make sure the money was returned, and thankfully it was. I acknowledge the transfer of the estate, home and grounds, to the children’s organization.

I was busy and didn’t notice someone until I got a kiss on my head. I jumped, and there was Stephen, smiling, and I got a lover’s kiss.

“I’m never going to sleep alone. I nodded off and on all night.”

Kissing him, “I didn’t sleep well either. Tonight we can go to bed early.” I said this to him with, what he called, a wicked wink.

Dinner, I brought everyone up to date. For Mom, some of what I said I had told her earlier.

“Does that mean I don’t have to wait on her anymore?”

“I thought that stopped. Is she still asking you to bring food to her?”

“We’ll not all the time. She asks if I’m home, but I’m not always home when she wakes up. I’ll be going to the Parkers until they move.”

Randy provided an opportunity to change the subject from Ann Marie to the Parkers. Since Randy knew more about what they were doing, I let him carry the conversation.

“I forgot the basket of vegetables, and they are still in the trunk of my car.”

He went to get up, “Randy, finish eating, and Stephen can help you.”

Later that evening, after our shower, lying in bed, I told Stephen about my argument with Ann Marie. I hadn’t mentioned it to Mom, and I don’t intend to tell her.

“Tim, are you ready to go to battle with her?”

“Yes, it’s for her own good and Mom and Dad’s sanity. She will fight, but she’ll soon learn it will be better if she cooperates.”

“When will she receive the papers from the court?”

“Sometime this week, we will hear the scream. I notified Mr. James and sent him a copy of the court papers. I expect her to call him, and now he has the information to respond.”

Nestled in Stephen’s arms, I fell into a deep sleep. Donnie visited, but he just smiled.