Rich knows something I don’t, and I think it disturbs him a little. Or, maybe a lot.
Dan’s mother, Samantha arrived last night, her driver, Christopher dropping her off, bringing her bags in the house and after politely refusing to stay for dinner, left. I’d heard of Christopher, but had never met him. Dan told us that he’d grown up with the family, his mother had been a long-time employee and when she passed away while Christopher was in high school, he’d stayed living with them, finishing high school and then going into the military for 4 years. He’d been Samantha’s driver and personal assistant since getting out of the Army, some 8 years ago, but I don’t know much more.
Samantha looks great, and says she feels the same. Dan, Rich and I walked outside when we heard her Mercedes pull up, tires crunching on the driveway, and she didn’t wait for Christopher to open her door, but instead did it herself and got out of the car. I got to her first, and hugged her, feeling her surprisingly strong embrace in response. When she let me go, I was surprised to see her eyes moist as they looked straight into mine. She seemed to catch herself then, and stepped over to hug Rich.
“Hello traveler,” she said, a small smile on her face, incongruous to her voice, which was ever so slightly choked. I didn’t really know what to make of all this, I’m assuming she’s been reading the blog and has gotten caught up in the story, as so many readers have. Many of the emails we get are touching, and it never fails to surprise us that so many complete strangers really care about what’s happening to us. I guess Samantha is one of the many who read, but don’t write.
When Rich and Dan’s mother’s embrace ended, I caught a fleeting look pass between the two of them, on Samantha’s face an expression more questioning that Rich’s.
“Uh, you know, your son’s here too, Mom,” Dan said, laughingly breaking the suddenly tense silence.
“Oh, you,” Samantha laughed, reaching toward Dan as he approached her. “I just saw you a couple months ago,” Samantha replied, “these two I haven’t seen for ages.”
“I know, I know,” Dan replied teasingly, “you always loved them better. I understand.” Samantha kissed her only son, stroking his head as if he were still her 10 year old boy.
She reached up with her other hand and held his head then in both hands and looked at Dan. “You look more like your father every day, my sweet. So handsome.”
This clearly embarrassed Dan greatly, but he still smiled, face red. I saved our friend by saying “I don’t know where Sam is, Samantha,” looking back toward the house.
“That’s alright,” she responded, “she’s probably taking a walk in the woods. Such a beautiful day!” Samantha looked around, seeming to marvel at the setting. “So beautiful here.”
“You know, I think you’re right,” I said, “she told me she was going for a walk.” We all turned to go in the house, and I glanced at Rich, who seemed lost in thought, clearly preoccupied with something that seemed to come up when Dan’s mother arrived and stepped out of her car. I lagged back to match Rich’s pace as Dan and his mother walked toward the house and he pointed out some of his handiwork. Dan was so proud of “Mobius Manor,” and for good reason. It was beautiful.
“What’s the matter, hon?” I asked Rich.
My husband didn’t reply for a few seconds, but then his concern seemed to melt away and he smiled slightly. “Nothing, my love. Everything’s fine. I promise you.” He sealed the promise with a bigger smile as he put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer for a kiss. “Everything’s fine.”
There is a countdown clock running. Every second that clicks away, means we’re a second closer to Rich leaving us again. He arrived here two days ago. I was in the kitchen, washing new glasses and dishes and putting the away, when I heard voices outside on the porch. I immediately knew that Rich was back. Putting the glass I was drying down, I crossed the front room in a few steps. It’s cool enough to have the front door open, with the screen door shut, and as I got there, I could see Rich and Dan both standing there, Rich’s back to me. The first thing I heard clearly was “I was trying to get to Molly. Damn it!”