Jeffrey returns home after his evening at the Martin house. He slips through the old front door. A fire is still crackling to the left, dimly lighting the small living room where is mother is asleep on the couch. He approaches her and brushes a few gray strands of her hair off from her eyes. He pulls the quilt further up over her shoulders. He turns towards his room, but his barely awake mother calls out to him, "How was the party Jeffrey?"
He turns around and reaches his hand out to her and she takes hold tightly.
"It was fine ma. You should be in bed, you will be more comfortable back there."
A deep wheezing cough escapes Mrs. Oakes as she attempts to adjust herself on the couch. Jeffrey pulls the quilt up around her shoulders once more.
"No, no," she coughs, "I like the sound of the fire, it comforts me."
Jeffrey brings the cup of water off the side table to his mom who refuses it.
"What time does the doctor come tomorrow ma?"
"He said 2:00pm," she manages to reply between coughs.
Jeffrey adverts his eyes away from his mothers.
"I can't be here ma. Mr. Martin needs..."
She interrupts him, "Oh, don't worry," cough, "Son, don't worry. You have important things to get done here now. You don't have time to be worryin' 'bout ol' me." She coughs as she rolls over to her side and shuts her eyes.
Jeffrey sits there a moment and looks his mother over. She can fill the weight of his stare and opens her eyes, "Now go on to bed Jeffrey, it's late."
He walks down the small narrow hall and enters a room at the end and shuts the door behind him.
It is the next afternoon and Jeffrey walks along the cobble stoned path surrounding the Martin house leading to the back patio where he was informed Mr. Martin, Justine and their guest were waiting.
The yard surrounding the house are decorated in color with the flowers in full bloom and the smell of fresh cut grass filling the air.
Jeffrey pulls out his handkerchief and wipes the sweat beads from his forehead as he approaches the three of them seated around a table under a huge umbrella.
"Good afternoon Jeffrey," Mr. Martin says as he pulls out his pocket watch to take a glimpse. "Right on time. If there is one thing you have learned from me it is that punctuality shows excellent character."
"Afternoon Mr. Martin, Miss Martin, and...." Jeffrey extends his hand to Daniel Bates sitting next to Justine.
Daniel rises from his seat and takes Jeffrey's hand into his overly strong grip. "We were not properly introduced last night, I am Daniel Bates, and you are the young man I have heard so much about. Pleasure to meet you Jeffrey."
The hand shake ends and Daniel sits back down as Jeffrey takes the empty seat next to Mr. Martin. Jeffrey tries to steal a glance at Justine, but she adjusts her eyes away and he realizes Daniel is still watching him.
"Daniel here is what we might call my protege, would you say?" Mr. Martin chimes in.
"Thank you sir," Daniel replies.
"He helps keep the business on track seeing how I can't be as involved as I used to," Mr. Martin continues.
"Thank you sir," Daniel says again turning his eyes to Justine while under the table he reaches his hand out to pat her knee. "I would like to think I am almost like family too."
Mr. Martin has pulled a small velvet bag from his coat pocket and pulls from it a pipe and tobacco. He begins to fill it, removing his concentration from the conversation.
Daniel turns his attention to Jeffrey. "So Jeffrey, tell me, I hear you were finally added to the deans list at school. With no help from Mr. Martin I am sure."
Jeffrey is watching Mr. Martin but turns and nods to Daniel. "Though Mr. Martin has been very generous I promise the hard work is my own," he replies.
"Your fourth year at law school," Daniel says in awe.
"Yes," Jeffrey states.
"If I recall correctly it was my first semester of college when my name appeared on the Deans list," Daniel says.
Jeffrey smiles politely at Daniel and pulls out matches from his pocket and reaches over to light the pipe Mr. Martin finally managed to pack. He looks back to Daniel "You must be very proud."
Daniel adjusts himself in his seat, but before he is able to answer back Mr. Martin decides to rejoin the conversation, "Now, Daniel where were we? Awe, yes. We will have all the signatures needed for the project to begin by Tuesday morning correct?"
At this moment Justine straightens up in her seat where she had been patiently sitting fanning her face while watching the ducks in the pond.
"Well gentlemen, that is my cue. Though I am truly fascinated by this conversation I must excuse myself. I think I will go for my afternoon ride."
All three men rise from their seats along with Justine.
"Of course dear, that's probably best," Mr. Martin smiles at her.
She leans over to give her father a kiss on the cheek. Justine leans in and gives Daniel a kiss on each cheek making eye contact with Jeffrey as she places her last one.
"I am sure I will be seeing you soon again Mr. Bates," she smiles up at him.
Daniel smiles and takes both of her hands into his kissing the top of each, "It was a pleasure as always Justine."
Justine turns towards Jeffrey and smiles and nods, "Mr. Oakes."
"Have a nice ride Miss Martin," he says.
"Now what a splendid idea." All eyes turn to Mr. Martin who is smiling with satisfaction.
"Justine, why not take Jeffrey with you on your ride. I am sure he would love to see the grounds once more. Plus, it is not quite his time for such business talk yet. Daniel and I still have some i's to dot and t's to cross on this merge."
Jeffrey chimes in confused, "But sir...." He tries desperately not to look in Daniel's direction whose eyes were cutting into him like a knife.
Justine also stands there a little aggravated with her father's proposal, "Father, really, I do not think Mr. Oakes wants to come on some childish ride with me?"
She smiles at Jeffrey batting her eyes trying to encourage him to deny the invitation.
"Nonsense darling daughter. If I remember correctly Jeffrey enjoys riding very much. Isn't that right my dear boy?" Mr. Martin asks.
Mr. Martin pats Jeffrey on the back in a comforting way, and with eye contact Jeffrey understood there was not another option. Mr. Martin wanted to be alone with Daniel.
"Um, yes, you are right sir. I wouldn't mind seeing the grounds again."
Not happy with the outcome of her plan, Justine gives Jeffrey a smirk.
Jeffrey just smiles back at her and replies to Mr. Martin, "I hope we will be talking later then Mr. Martin?"
Mr. Martin stretches out his hand to Jeffrey with satisfaction, "Yes, yes. I assure you that by the time you return all my attention will be yours."
They shake hands and Jeffrey turns towards Daniel stretching his hand across the table to him.
Daniel reaches out his hand this time to meet his own strength.
"Until we meet again," Daniel says.
No comments:
Post a Comment