Home » The Archives » Chapter 5 » Learning to Live in Paradise
| Re: Learning to Live in Paradise [message #1360 is a reply to message #1359] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 20:21   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Friday, April 13th; 7 PM; Lena's home
Lena had finished washing up after dinner, and was working on Brains' email virus scanner, when she heard the doorbell ring. She frowned, wondering, Who could dat be? She saved her work and closed it, then went to open the door. Standing on her door was someone she hadn't seen in over twenty years, and never expected to encounter again.
"Hello, Lena. How have you been?
"James Matumbo. What are you doing here?"
"Relax, woman. I'm not here to ask for money. I have a meeting tomorrow morning in D.C. with someone who'll be flying back to Europe in the afternoon, and then I'm leaving for the West Coast as soon as it's over. But there isn't a hotel or motel room to be had there -- some convention or other is going on, I think. Since I'd planned to stop by for a visit anyway, I decided to take the Metro to Silver Springs and a cab here. Maybe you could recommend a place I could stay at for the night."
She studied him for a long moment and he waited, keeping his expression non-committal. Finally she said, "You can stay here, but only for one night. However, don't expect me to play hostess too much. I'm working on a special project for my job and can't spend time wit you."
"On a weekend? Tracy Industries must be run by a bunch of slave drivers," he responded as she stood aside to let him in.
"How do you know I work for Tracy Industries?"
"Lena, I might not be around all the time, or even welcome, but I am part of this family. I've kept track of you all, as much as I could."
"I see," was her only reply as she led him down the hall to the guest room. She left him there, while she went to put a washcloth and towels in the bathroom for him. When she returned, he was no longer in the room. She headed to the living room, to find him sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.
"Have you eaten?" she asked.
"Yes; I'm fine. Don't worry about having to entertain me. You've got some interesting reading material. Since you've got something else to do, and I interrupted, go ahead. I'll be okay."
"All right. I shouldn't be too long -- about an hour or so -- and I'll join you. If you do get hungry, you can fix yourself a snack." She turned and headed into her office. He watched to see which room she went into, then returned to reading the magazine he held, a small, smug smile on his face.
She was eager to get back to her computer. She had figured out the key to modifying Brains' program, and wanted to finish it. She worked steadily and when she got it done, she installed it on her computer. She sat back and sighed. Looking at the clock, she thought, I'm too tired to run de tests now. And I've been here more dan an hour. Who knows what James has been up to while I was in here? I'd better get out dere and play hostess, even if it's only for a short time.
She shut down her computer for the night, and did her routine check. When she left the office, James looked up.
"Lena, I want to apologize for not contacting you when Mark died. I didn't find out until months later; I was out of touch with everyone for some time. But I still should have tried to get in touch with you; after all, he was my brother. What happened?"
She told him and he made all the proper comments, even relating a few anecdotes about things that happened when they were kids. She listened, not believing him; Mark had already told her about a couple of them, and there were a few important differences in the two versions. However, she refrained from commenting on that.
They were silent for a little while, then he asked, "So tell me, how is everyone? How many grandchildren do you have now?"
"Five. And tree great-grandchildren."
"No. Really? I haven't been keeping track as well as I thought. Tell me more."
She spent the rest of the evening catching him up on the marriages and births that he was hadn't heard about. He told her a little -- a very little -- about his life over the last twenty odd years. They watched the news and finally said good night and went to bed.
Post by Hobbeth on 01/06/2005
  
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