“Well, Henry, I called the care home this morning to see if Mrs. Hamilton could respond to accept your offer to purchase the home, but the nurses on duty said she was too ill and asleep, so I called her son down east. He instructed me to fax the Offer to Purchase form to him and he would sign the Acceptance Agreement and return it, right away. Apparently he has power of attorney over his mother’s estate. He will also mail the original copies.”
Ben pulled out the forms. Everything was already filled in just waiting for Henry’s signature. Henry carefully looked over the form. Marjorie J. Hamilton. ‘J’ for Jane? He scanned the page; the amount of the offer was what the purchaser asked for, so no counter offer would ensue. Although Henry had usually put in lower offers in the past when purchasing properties, it had never even entered his mind to do so in this case, as he already felt he was getting it for a huge bargain.
There were no conditions placed surrounding the sale. Ben knew Henry wouldn’t have any problem in financing the purchase and the inspection report indicated the house was in fine condition. The basement and foundation were solid, the plumbing and electrical wiring were updated, and the walls and ceiling well insulated to present day standards. And most important of all the offer stated clearly that all of the contents as-is, were included in the price.
“Well, everything looks fine to me, Ben. The same as we discussed. I still find it hard to believe that absolutely everything comes with the house. You’re certain neither Mrs. Hamilton nor her son wanted anything?”
“Apparently not, Henry. I guess Mrs. Hamilton is very ill. As I said, I believe it’s terminal. And the son doesn’t want anything except the family photos.”
“I feel guilty buying this home with all of these things in it.”
“Well don’t, Henry. Mrs. Hamilton’s son gave me specific instructions as to what was included in this sale. I told him who you were when I called this morning and how much you appreciated all the fine furnishings. He seemed pleased with that and hinted that you exercise discretion in destroying any personal letters or papers of his mother’s. In any case, except for a few photos and a photo album which I am going to send to him, you take possession of everything else.”
How could a son rely on a complete stranger to go through his mother’s personal belongings and decide what to destroy or not?
Henry shook his head and muttered, “Unbelievable,” under his breath, as he put his signature to the Offer to Purchase form.
“Yes, Henry, you just bought yourself an unbelievable Christmas present. I’m sure you will be discovering and opening things up for many weeks to come. God only knows what you will discover in this house.”
Without thinking, Henry responded, “I don’t think anything can ever top the discovery I made after my mother passed away.”
“Well, Henry, you just never know. You might find some similar hidden treasures, beyond your wildest dreams, there as well.”
With that, he closed his attaché case and shook Henry’s hand.
“Congratulations on your fine purchase, Henry.”
“Thank you, Ben.”
Chapter Fifty-Nine
James stood at the front door to his estate at Greystone Manor and gazed outside. It had snowed most of the morning and he was fascinated with the ease at which Thomas shovelled the snow off the entrance landing and stairs. He had never held a shovel in his hands nor had he ever even looked at a shovel closely in his entire life. He would have thought it was hard labour using a spade and yet the relaxed manner and skilled movements of his employee touched him at a level that was unfamiliar to James.
It was like watching a fine oiled machine move with a steady rhythm similar to that of a pendulum. His arms and shovel moved back and then forward scooping up the snow and tossing it off to the side all in one smooth motion. Back and forth went his arms and shovel as he worked his way down the steps almost effortlessly. The sight mesmerized and relaxed James. He would never in his wildest dreams ever have thought that an act of menial labour would captivate his attention.
Thomas’s breath made visible by the cold air showed no signs of exhaustion…his breathing clearly was smooth and steady. James knew if he were at the end of that spade he would be huffing and puffing from over exertion. Just hustling from his office to the board room or to one the executive offices sent his frazzled nerves in a tizzy and his heart racing. He could easily see the difference between the calm, relaxed demeanour of the man in front of him and the stressed out life style that he had been living. It was no wonder that all of the doctors in his care agreed that his over exertion and stress at his business was the main reason a tumour had grown on his prostate gland.
To get James to agree to withdraw from his business to rest and recuperate after his surgery for the next six months was no easy task. He knew however, if he didn’t the consequences would be fatal. He was on a one way road that would lead him to a resting place next to his father.
James had never thought of his immortality before. He was always able to get everything he wanted in the bat of an eye. Money, wealth, prestige, influence, distinction, fame could buy anything. These were the elements of life he knew and controlled. But death was another matter. Death was the great equalizer; it brought everyone down to the same level regardless of status or power.
Something totally unexpected came out of nowhere and hit him on his blindside. An illness had brought him to his knees along with the painful realization that he could go through the same door that his father and mother and brother had gone through or perhaps he could prolong his existence by co-operating with life from a totally new perspective.
The first two months drove him and his staff crazy. Matilda threatened to leave and Thomas was on the verge of doing so as well. If Thomas hadn’t loved the estate and the gardens as much as he did, he surely would have been gone.
But slowly James began to unwind.
He read a book; it was the first novel he had read since he was eleven years of age. It wasn’t great, but the story held his interest. He would have much preferred a text on economics, business administration or how to keep the competitive edge over his rivals but he knew such books just got him all riled up. Most of the authors of those books didn’t know what they were talking about. All theory and little if any real pragmatic advice. He had forgotten more about surviving and winning in big business than all of his professors knew put together. But his doctor suggested that he just let those thoughts go and learn to enjoy the moment.
James began to stroll down the paths of the estate gardens as the summer came to a close. At first the sight of the wildflowers bothered his sense of order immensely and so did the fragrance they gave off. He was still amazed how quickly they grew back after he had ordered Thomas to till them up when Marjorie left the estate. He didn’t understand how such a thing could happen, but it did. It had spooked him…something that rarely happens to him. Usually it was he who spooked others by his business sense and ability to forecast problems and when to buy and when to hold and when to sell.
But this was different…something alien to him just like the way Thomas handled the shovel.
The butterflies initially bothered him, too. At first he wore a net over his head and gloves to keep them from landing on him. But that fear gradually faded away and when the Monarchs left for the winter to make their trek back to Mexico, he missed them. He never told anyone, but secretly he was looking forward to their return in late spring. He was glad that the milkweed plants grew back along with the wildflowers.
But it was the bouquet that Marjorie had left him in the Angel of Thanksgiving’s basket that totally went beyond his comprehension. How the flowers lay in the basket for weeks without watering and remain as fresh as the day Marjorie had placed them there was mind-boggling and totally unexplainable.
Thomas said it was due to an act of love and thanksgiving.
James would never forget t
hat moment. As alien as it was to him he had to agree with the gardener. How she could do such a thing after the way he treated her over the years touched him at the very essence of his being. That warm feeling surging through him wanted to grow and bloom but he was afraid of it and in the presence of his employee the scene in his mind’s eye overwhelmed him.
Thoughts of Marjorie lying to him that she was a virgin and keeping her rape a secret from him was all it took to overcome the miracle before him and reject it all with revulsion. The sight of the flowers shrivelling and dying before his eyes was both satisfying and torturous. It pleased him that he had the power to destroy things that bothered him and yet it was painful to let go of the momentary feeling that had accompanied such an extraordinary act of kindness and…love.
Perhaps if Thomas had not been present he would have savoured that moment of ecstasy for a while longer, but he couldn’t handle the moment. Just like he could never handle or control Marjorie. There was something about her that he wanted out of his life and at the same time drew him back again and again.
What was it?
He noticed it straightaway after she left that a special presence left as well. The estate had never been the same again. He noticed it in the workers instantly. A light had gone out in their eyes and along with it an inner joy of being around a beautiful person had disappeared. Marjorie possessed something that drew others to her without any other effort than just being herself. It was the complete antithesis of the world in which he lived. Yes, he could get people to come to him at his every call too but his control was achieved through the use of power, money and fear.
Each day James walked the grounds trying to capture what once was there. He searched all the flowers in the garden, he looked up to the flitting butterflies, perhaps a part of it was in the Angel of Thanksgiving …but it was gone. He was certain that special something was in all of these things but was activated in her presence, in much the same way something touched him deep inside when he was in her presence as well…it was in her unwavering acceptance of him.
How he tried to rile her, to engage her in battle, to find something to attack but there was only a calm peace and acceptance. Marjorie had something that he was searching for now. He wondered if he had not married Marjorie if he would have been brought to this point in his life to be searching for something that stirred him yet he was unsure of what it was.
His entire life lately seemed to be going upside down because of the aftermath of her life on the estate. A strange new world was knocking at his door and yet was it really all that new? It was there from the moment he had met Marjorie but didn’t understand it and never took the time to appreciate it or let it be part of his life. The bouquet that she had left for him awakened him to that unexplainable feeling at his core. It was for just a fleeting moment and …he wanted it back.
James opened the door and called out to his employee, “Thomas, when you finish the last step come in and I’ll have Matilda make us a coffee.”
Thomas looked up at his employer with a puzzled look, “Why that is very kind of you Mr. Hamilton. A warm cup of coffee would take the chill off my bones…I will come in the back way shortly.”
“No, come in the front Thomas, it’s shorter…ple…please.”
Thomas looked at James, holding the puzzled look on his face a bit longer and then Thomas smiled and nodded his head.
James made his way into the kitchen and asked Matilda to make coffee for him and Thomas.
Matilda assumed the Thomas that Mr. Hamilton was referring to was some kind of client of his.
“Shall I bring some pastries into the den for you and your guest, Mr. Hamilton?”
“No, we’ll have it in the kitchen. I’m beginning to enjoy the light and warmth of the sun through the windows. And some of those chewy oatmeal cookies would be nice, Matilda.”
Matilda had noticed something different about her master for several weeks now—”He ain’t his usual self that for sure, she thought, as she made her way to the cupboard.
A few minutes later she heard the front door and rushed to greet Mr. Hamilton’s guest.
“Oh, that’s okay, Matilda, he knows the way in.”
Matilda still went to the door and was shocked to see Thomas enter.
Matti whispered, “Thomas , what you be doing coming in the front door!?” She turned and pointed her finger to the kitchen, “Mr. Hamilton sitting in the kitchen, you best come around the back way before he sees you.”
“Oh that’s fine Matti, Mr. Hamilton is expecting me.”
“He is…? You be the Thomas he be waiting for!?”
Thomas grinned, tilted his head and nodded.
“Well, my sweet Jesus, now I done seen it all…”
Thomas brushed past Matti and made his way to the kitchen leaving Matti standing there in a quandary.
“Take your jacket off and sit down, Thomas.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hamilton,” Thomas said as he rubbed his hands and then began to take his coat off.
“I drink my coffee black, Thomas, what do you take in it?”
“Sugar would be just fine, Mr. Hamilton. My wife tells me time and again that I’m not sweet enough.” Thomas chuckled, but James didn’t seem to see the humour in what he said.
“Matilda, would you get some sugar for Thomas? … Matilda…did you hear me?”
Matti was dumbfounded by what she was witnessing… “Yes, I be getting it real quick…” She hurried to the cupboard.
“So tell me Thomas, the angel statue that you and Ramon crated and sent off to Marjorie, do you recall where you got it from?”
Both Matti and Thomas looked surprised as they gazed at their employer wondering if they had heard right.
“I don’t exactly know where it originally came from, Mr. Hamilton. I first saw it at the Memorial Gardens cemetery. It was shipped there by the sculptor. Apparently the man who commissioned the statue died and never came to pick it up and so he just sent it off to the cemetery. It was a fine expensive work and unbelievably the cemetery only wanted the freight paid and that happened to be the exact amount of money I had in my wallet. I still don’t know why they didn’t keep it themselves as it would have made a fine addition to the cemetery. But all the staff here as well as Carlos went in on it as a gift to Mrs. Hamilton knowing how much she loves angels.”
“Yes, she does love angels,” confirmed James.
“What we later learned however, makes this story even more unbelievable. The man who commissioned the statue in the first place was Miss Jen…, I mean Mrs. Hamilton’s father. We also learned that the sculptor saw the spirit of Mrs. Hamilton’s father in the quarry and it spooked him.”
“And that’s why he sent it to the cemetery, to get rid of it…”
Thomas took a sip of his coffee and answered the question. “I believe that’s correct Mr. Hamilton, and I just came along a day after it arrived at the cemetery.”
“That is some story, Thomas.”
“Yes, we all feel it was God’s divine providence to find a way to have it brought to the rightful person it was meant for.”
James furrowed his brow and was going to ask Thomas what he meant by that when J.J. came through the front door. As soon as he entered the kitchen he stopped dead in his tracks.
“What the hell is going on, James?”
“What does it look like, I’m having a coffee.”
“With the gardener?”
J.J. looked at Matti and then Thomas and then his father, “I couldn’t get a courier to deliver this contract to you today because of the snowy road conditions and so I brought it myself . The contract needs to be signed and returned by tomorrow. Let’s go into the den.”
“This is fine here. Did George okay it?”
“Yes, he and several other lawyers reviewed it and said everything looked good. You don’t want to discuss this in
front of the staff, let’s go to the den.”
“Does it have to be witnessed?” James wanted to check for sure.
“George said it would be okay as they have enough of your signatures on file, however he did say that one of the staff could witness it.”
“Well, give me a pen and let’s do it right now.”
James flipped to the eighth page and signed the document. He passed it over to Thomas, “Would you witness this, Thomas. It has to do with “cryonic suspension.” A person gets frozen at an extremely low temperature and then gets unfrozen at a later date when a cure exists for an incurable disease. It’s hard to believe that cancer research scientists still haven’t figured that out yet. Well this may be one way of beating that damn cancer should it come back. Are you familiar with this procedure, Thomas?” James turned to Thomas and passed him the pen.
“Geez, James, I wouldn’t be talking about this with the staff.” J.J. interjected with a scowl on his face.
James looked at J.J. “It’s okay, J.J.” He then turned back to Thomas and asked again, “Have you heard about this, Thomas?”
“I’ve read that it can be done Mr. Hamilton, but I have to say, I don’t understand how they can do that once you’ve expired.”
“Well that’s what has concerned me and the legal department. The timing is critical. Once the heart stops beating, you are pronounced legally dead but the brain is still functioning for several minutes longer. It is at that point the firm I have this contract with takes over. Their team guarantees that they can stabilize the body by supplying the brain with enough oxygen and blood to keep it going until it’s delivered to the suspension facility where the freezing begins…”
“Good, Lord…!” muttered Matilda.
“Look, James, I have to go. This has used up three hours of my time. I won’t get home until eleven tonight…Nora’s not going to be happy.”
James took the contract, got up and handed it to J.J. and the two walked to the front door. Thomas and Matti heard bits and pieces of the two men’s conversation.
The Angelic Occurrence Page 56