Read Online Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Robert Whitlow
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want to get to the place where I embarrass myself in public. Better to go with dignity."
"Christine," Mr. Bartlett interrupted. "Don't you think it would be a good idea to invite Ms. Taylor to meet your mother?"
"Absolutely," Mrs. Bartlett responded. "I've enjoyed this chat on the phone, but there's nothing like meeting in person. I realize you'll only be here for a short time this summer, but we still need to convince Mother that it's a good idea to have a live-in caregiver."
"You haven't asked her?"
"Not yet. I'm still planning my strategy. The last time she had a houseguest was when Nicholas Harrington moved in and tried to convince her to marry him. My brother had to fly in from Majorca to settle that problem and send him on his way. I can tell her she's doing you a favor by letting you spend the summer. That will keep her from suspecting the truth."
"I think it would be better-"
"Could you come this weekend?" Mrs. Bartlett continued. "Friday evening would be perfect. Ken and I will put you up at a bed-andbreakfast around the corner from Mother's house. We'll have a light snack at her place on Saturday morning, and after we all meet, you and I will slip away for a private chat in the kitchen. If everything is a go, you can ask Mother to let you spend the summer with her."
"I wouldn't feel comfortable inviting myself-"
"Don't worry. I'll set everything up. I know how to get her to do what I want." Mrs. Bartlett laughed. "She taught me how to get my way, so I learned from the mistress of manipulation. She doesn't even recognize her own tricks when I use them on her. Did Gerry give you the address for the house?"
"No ma'am. And I don't feel comfortable deceiving your mother about the reason for my interest in staying in her home."
"How sweet," Mrs. Bartlett responded. "Mrs. Frady told me you were a deeply religious girl. I think that's admirable. Mother has a lot of antiques and valuable artworks. Everything's insured, of course, but irreplaceable. Before we found Gracie there was a bit of petty thievery going on at the house."
"My concern-"
"And we're not deceiving Mother," Mrs. Bartlett continued. "Just creating a scenario that will work for her good. A circuitous route is often the best way to get from A to Z, and half an explanation cuts down on needless anxiety. Haven't you found that to be true when working with the elderly?"
"Yes. I guess so," I said, remembering my conversation with my parents.
"Don't worry. We'll do everything with integrity."
"Okay, but I'll need to arrange transportation."
"You're not flying, are you?"
"No ma am. I don't have a car. I can try to find a ride to Savannah, but we're just back from spring break, and most students at the law school will be staying on campus this weekend."
I heard muffled voices; then Mr. Bartlett spoke. "Don't worry about it. I'll arrange for a rental car. What time are you finished with classes on Friday?"
"Two o'clock."
"And your address?"
I gave him the information.
"I'll have a car delivered to your place at three on Friday and e-mail you the information about the bed-and-breakfast," he said.
"And I'll be by to pick you up Saturday morning so we can go to Mother's house together," Mrs. Bartlett chimed in. "What's your cell phone number?"
"I don't have a cell phone."
"How in the world do you survive without a cell phone?" Mrs. Bartlett didn't try to conceal her shock.
"I'm sure Mrs. Frady told you I was punctual and reliable in my care for her mother. We worked out a satisfactory arrangement for communication."
"But no cell phone? Why would a young-"
"I look forward to meeting you," Mr. Bartlett cut in. "We'll get in touch with you at the bed-and-breakfast."
Mr. Bartlett ended the call.
I spent a few moments imagining the ongoing conversation between the couple before Mrs. Bartlett calmed down and took another sip of wine. If she thought the absence of a cell phone was an indicator of a radical lifestyle, she was in for a few more
"Christine," Mr. Bartlett interrupted. "Don't you think it would be a good idea to invite Ms. Taylor to meet your mother?"
"Absolutely," Mrs. Bartlett responded. "I've enjoyed this chat on the phone, but there's nothing like meeting in person. I realize you'll only be here for a short time this summer, but we still need to convince Mother that it's a good idea to have a live-in caregiver."
"You haven't asked her?"
"Not yet. I'm still planning my strategy. The last time she had a houseguest was when Nicholas Harrington moved in and tried to convince her to marry him. My brother had to fly in from Majorca to settle that problem and send him on his way. I can tell her she's doing you a favor by letting you spend the summer. That will keep her from suspecting the truth."
"I think it would be better-"
"Could you come this weekend?" Mrs. Bartlett continued. "Friday evening would be perfect. Ken and I will put you up at a bed-andbreakfast around the corner from Mother's house. We'll have a light snack at her place on Saturday morning, and after we all meet, you and I will slip away for a private chat in the kitchen. If everything is a go, you can ask Mother to let you spend the summer with her."
"I wouldn't feel comfortable inviting myself-"
"Don't worry. I'll set everything up. I know how to get her to do what I want." Mrs. Bartlett laughed. "She taught me how to get my way, so I learned from the mistress of manipulation. She doesn't even recognize her own tricks when I use them on her. Did Gerry give you the address for the house?"
"No ma'am. And I don't feel comfortable deceiving your mother about the reason for my interest in staying in her home."
"How sweet," Mrs. Bartlett responded. "Mrs. Frady told me you were a deeply religious girl. I think that's admirable. Mother has a lot of antiques and valuable artworks. Everything's insured, of course, but irreplaceable. Before we found Gracie there was a bit of petty thievery going on at the house."
"My concern-"
"And we're not deceiving Mother," Mrs. Bartlett continued. "Just creating a scenario that will work for her good. A circuitous route is often the best way to get from A to Z, and half an explanation cuts down on needless anxiety. Haven't you found that to be true when working with the elderly?"
"Yes. I guess so," I said, remembering my conversation with my parents.
"Don't worry. We'll do everything with integrity."
"Okay, but I'll need to arrange transportation."
"You're not flying, are you?"
"No ma am. I don't have a car. I can try to find a ride to Savannah, but we're just back from spring break, and most students at the law school will be staying on campus this weekend."
I heard muffled voices; then Mr. Bartlett spoke. "Don't worry about it. I'll arrange for a rental car. What time are you finished with classes on Friday?"
"Two o'clock."
"And your address?"
I gave him the information.
"I'll have a car delivered to your place at three on Friday and e-mail you the information about the bed-and-breakfast," he said.
"And I'll be by to pick you up Saturday morning so we can go to Mother's house together," Mrs. Bartlett chimed in. "What's your cell phone number?"
"I don't have a cell phone."
"How in the world do you survive without a cell phone?" Mrs. Bartlett didn't try to conceal her shock.
"I'm sure Mrs. Frady told you I was punctual and reliable in my care for her mother. We worked out a satisfactory arrangement for communication."
"But no cell phone? Why would a young-"
"I look forward to meeting you," Mr. Bartlett cut in. "We'll get in touch with you at the bed-and-breakfast."
Mr. Bartlett ended the call.
I spent a few moments imagining the ongoing conversation between the couple before Mrs. Bartlett calmed down and took another sip of wine. If she thought the absence of a cell phone was an indicator of a radical lifestyle, she was in for a few more
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