Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Part 7 - Chapter 5 - Heirs and Engagements

On Saturday morning, Eileen joined her family at the breakfast table just as her father was hanging up the phone.

"Well, what did Dr. Simpson say?" Veronica asked immediately.

"He said I'm fine. The problem is just stress."

"That's a relief," Veronica remarked.

"We've been trying to tell you that you've been working too hard," Eileen said.

"I know," Arthur said with strained patience, as the doorbell rang. After Eileen left the room to answer it, he told Veronica, "But there's more. The doctor thinks I should see a psychiatrist. I told him I already was," he said with a wink at his wife.

"Why?" Veronica asked, ignoring his last remark.

"He thinks I should try some dream therapy to find out why I've been having trouble sleeping."

"You are going to go, aren't you?" Veronica asked, sensing his doubt. When he didn't answer right away, she continued. "I think you should. It could really help. I'll make you an appointment this afternoon."

"I guess I can't argue with your professional opinion," Arthur gave in and Veronica smiled at him. "I promise you, I'll take some time off soon, so we can spend some time together and just relax."

"That sounds great."

When Eileen opened the front door, she was surprised to see who was standing on the other side. "Hi, Cassandra." As she invited Cassandra inside, she asked, "What brings you here?"

"I just thought I'd stop by and say hello. We've missed you in class. I was starting to wonder if everything was alright."

"It's fine. I've just been really busy lately."

Cassandra nodded, but Eileen could tell that she didn't completely believe that explanation.

"And I've decided to give it up. I really wanted to learn how to be a psychic, but I don't think I can do it. I just don't have the gift, so why should I waste my time?"

"I'm sorry to hear that," Cassandra said with disappointment. "I was really looking forward to having someone to talk about this stuff with."
"I'm sorry, but it's better this way. You've still got the rest of the class to talk to. Anyway, I should probably give you your books back."

Cassandra just shrugged and waited in the hallway as Eileen went upstairs. When Eileen returned a few moments later with the books, Cassandra spoke up, "I really think you're making a mistake. Why are you suddenly giving up? Is it your fiance?"

"No, I just don't believe in it anymore," Eileen shrugged.

"But we haven't even tried a seance yet."

"I know and I'm sorry, but . . .we could still hang out sometime. Why don't you come to my engagement party? I'd like you to meet Hector."

"Ok," Cassandra agreed. As she started towards the door, she turned to Eileen and said. "Always trust your instincts, Eileen. That's all there is to it. It's instincts, intuition. You already know what they are, just don't ignore them, ok?"

"Ok," Eileen replied, a little confused by the parting remarks.

"I'll see you later."

"Hello, Mr. Arrendale. It's nice to meet you," Audrey greeted Lawrence as he walked into the real estate office where she had just started working. "I'm Audrey Jordan. Please, have a seat. How can I help you today?"

"I'm interested in buying some property. Something that will make a good investment."

"Ok, let's see what we have available," Audrey said as she took a seat at the computer. She asked Lawrence a few questions, to get a better idea of what he was looking for, and then typed the information into the database.

As she asked questions they chatted casually about everyday things and Lawrence found that Audrey was unusually easy to talk to.

At the end of the meeting Audrey set up a date with Lawrence to look at some properties that she thought he might be interested in. As she rose from the desk to show Lawrence to the door, she took his hand in a farewell handshake.

"It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Arrendale," she said warmly. "You know before I started working here I applied for a secretarial job at the Stuart-Townsend Corporation."

"Really?"

"It's a shame I didn't get the job. We would have worked together."

"I suppose so," Lawrence replied neutrally, as he tried to decide if she was sending him a signal or if it was his imagination.

"I'll see you next week," Audrey called after Lawrence as he left the building. As soon as he was out of sight, Audrey went to the phone and dialed a number. When someone answered on the other end, she said nervously, "I think I've found another in."

Next

No comments:

Post a Comment