Walking to the car, Ron’s mother got over the shock and started babbling about babies. Sue was taken in by her kindness she readily responded to her conversation so by the time they arrived at home they felt comfortable together heedless of her handicap. Father and son talked a little business but mostly it could wait. An hour later they parked in a giant garage and both Sue and Ron felt the warm weather of Florida.
Ron led Sue to his room in the back of the house where a sliding glass door opened up to a swimming pool. Ron gave her a running commentary on the house as they traveled down marble floors and slowly turning ceiling fans. The house was fairly quiet except for Amy’s feet making small clicking noise when she walked. To Sue it seemed large and it was. Her nose picked up the scent of fruit and lemon caught her senses as they entered his former bedroom. Ron told her they had their own bathroom and all the creature comforts of the rich. Sue was scared she would get lost and told Ron her Amy should be with her if she was left alone. Ron assured her that someone would be with her at all times except in the bathroom as he laughed a little to ease the tension. Later Sue discovered many maids and a cook plus outside help were always around. They were instructed, after his mother found out Sue was blind, to not let her want for anything. She ran a military house and all knew it would mean their jobs if they didn’t follow what she said.
After a quick shower, Ron’s former clothes still hung in the closet and drawers, dressed; he left to find something for Sue to relax in. It was late as midnight was approaching but father wanted to talk so Ron and Sue sat in his library talking about the upcoming hearing. Sue wanted to listen, but Mabel wanted to hear more of what Sue did.
Sue made it sound like she didn’t do much but write a few articles for magazines, but Mabel was persistent asking about what magazines she wrote for. Sue gave her a few names and Mabel sat back with a shock look as it dawned on her she read everything Sue wrote. She said louder than she intended, “You’re that Sue Lyons! I never put the two names together until now. My God you are famous and I love your writing as do my friends. We can’t wait until a new piece comes out so we can discuss it. Wait till I tell my ladies my new daughter in law is Sue Lyons the writer.”
Sue felt totally embarrassed and hung her head wishing they could escape to bed. Ron heard the conversation while his father listened too. Ron got up and told them it had been a long day and let’s meet for breakfast. Ron led Sue back to their room and let Amy out to take care of her business.
Mabel sat there still stunned as her husband asked what all the commotion was about. Mabel told him how famous a writer Sue Lyons is and how popular her articles in many magazines she wrote for was. “She writes with such detail and beauty and her colors paint a picture you only dream about. Every month she is the talk around the bridge table at the club. I must take her and show her off,” she said with excitement and holding her hand at her throat in an act of a secret she didn’t want escaping from her neck.
“Mabel, now just wait a minute. Maybe she doesn’t want to meet your friends and have them slobbered all over her. You’d best talk to your son first and then see what he thinks. I have a feeling she doesn’t like publicity and maybe you should limit her exposure for awhile. Let her adjust to us and our home. She is blind my dear, don’t forget that.”
“You’re right dear, I will just make a few phone calls and that’s all.” Some how Ron’s father didn’t believe her as this was more thrilling than watching her soap operas he guessed. As he walked away he thought nothing could be more exciting to her than those damn soap operas where people cried all the time and were always screwing their neighbors.
An hour later Mabel quietly came to bed after making a few phone calls with the news of Ron and The Sue Lyons in her house; it wasn’t the best or smartest thing she ever did as it turned out. By mid morning the next day, half of the city knew Sue Lyons was in town and even the local rag ran an article to the effect. To quote Jack London, “If [Sue] could read new papers she would know trouble was brewing.”
Waking early the next morning Ron took Sue swimming before breakfast in the pool. He had swim trucks on and she had a T-shirt and a pair of his old trunks on. Sue could swim and she loved the water. The day was warm and sunny, but Ron was a little worried of sun burn to her white delicate skin so before she got wet he applied sun block on her exposed skin. Ron’s father walked out with a cup of coffee in his hand and viewed the scene. They were splashing and having a good time with Amy running around yelping along the side of the pool. Ron was sure the gardeners and staff got an eye full of her wet T-shirt as her small breasts stuck out for all to see the hard nipples he love to play with standing at attention. Of course she never noticed and continued to swim and have fun.
On the other hand, Mabel was busy on the phone and had her nose where it didn’t belong. Ron’s father wondered why the phone starting ringing so early, but like a man, forgot about it while sitting in a lawn chair happy his son was back home and with a what seemed a very nice looking woman. He smiled thinking about her carrying his grand child. Then his smiled was wiped off by the thoughts of a court case coming that would upset his happiness for his family. He was determined to have his lawyers make sure this was the end of it forever. He’d discovered the new found baby was a boy and somehow he would see to it that Ron got custody come hell or high water.
Showers over and breakfast on the table all four of them sat around talking about the past and future. Then they got down to business as Ron asked, “When will the lab have my DNA to compare with the baby?”
“I’m waiting for a call anytime now and after breakfast let’s discuss what the possibilities are for settlement if it turns out positive,” he replied with a grim face looking at his wife who had a guilty look on her face. “Meanwhile I think it a good idea to take this young lady and buy her some clothes to feel good in. Also a bathing suit is a good plan.” Father changed the subject and asked Sue, “Sue I hear you are a famous writer and as I read very little except dumb novels, can you tell us a little what you do?”
Sue had been munching on Florida oranges after a hearty breakfast of granola cereal and toast with bacon, said meekly, “I don’t know about the famous part, but I write articles for magazines about what I can’t see, but what is seen through other eyes I write about places and times drawing on my past experience when I could see. For example if someone said they saw a cute farm in a valley, I make a story of the family and describe the setting. My agent then takes my story and hires a photographer to find a place that fits the story fairly close.”
“Mabel jumped in with her questions now that the door was open, but Ron gave her a headshake saying easy does it. Just one question as he raised his finger to tell her how it was with again a firm look. “Sue, how do you write when you can’t see what you’re typing?”
“Oh, that is easy Mrs. Filbert. My computer talks to me and makes corrections of grammar and stuff like that automatically. The final draft is done by my agent’s editor and after many years, the editor knows what changes are needed. The final ok is after I hear the story read to me over voice on the computer using headphones.”
Ron broke into the conversation and said, “What say we take a ride and buy you some tropical clothes and maybe have lunch somewhere on the warm ocean beach.”
All agreed a good idea and Ron, Sue and father went to his office to discuss settlement and let Mabel make a reservation at the yacht club where they berth their yacht. While discussing the settlement father’s phone rang. He mostly listened and told the caller he would be back with him shortly after he discussed the matter with his son. Hanging up he said, “We should know the results of the test by tomorrow and a tentative date for court is next week Friday. I told my lawyers to push for court so we can take care of this and get on with our lives. Meanwhile I had my lawyer’s feel Abbey out about if in fact is your child, would she give up custody. Our lawyers feel she would be happy to get rid of the kid for a price.” He left it there as Mabel came in an
nouncing it was all set and when they were ready, let’s go. What she didn’t tell them she had called a couple of old nosy bags to say where they were having lunch and accidentally stop by the table for introduction and maybe an autograph.
They drove to a boutique or two and a couple hours later, clothes filled the trunk as they drove to the beach for lunch. Ron kept a dialogue up and described the area while passing by many strip malls and tall palm trees. Arriving at the yacht club, they were given the VIP treatment as usual. The Filbert’s were very active in the club as father was the current club president and the most generous benefactor of the club. His position allowed a special table sat in a kiddy corner next to the window over looking the harbor. Sue was hanging to Ron like a child would a mother in a crowed place. Sitting down he described the large dinning room and the view using detail of the many luxury boats docked or coming and going.
Sue started to relax and Mabel tried to engage her in conversation, but Mabel started to realize Sue was very shy and it would take time to make her relax and open up. Father was studying the menu he probably knew by heart and then said, “What would you like son and Sue. Fresh fish is always good as it comes in around daylight, or any shell fish is available, like lobster from the north is flown in every morning too,” as he looked to Ron.
Ron said, “Fish sounds good and I’m sure Sue will like anything as her condition has opened up a whole new world of food.” Every one laughed and Ron’s father the hardest. He tentatively reached out and put his large brown hand of laborer and gently placed it on his future daughter in law. Sue didn’t react negatively, and placed her other hand on his making the bonding mutual. Ron noticed and inwardly smiled with pleasure.
Next thing he knew and with his mothers exclaim, four other old ladies surrounded the table saying hello and nice to see you kind of thing, but all their eyes were on Sue. Ron didn’t miss a thing and glared at his mother. Mother began the introductions and Sue was overwhelmed and turned inward looking down at nothing feeling closed in and a bit scared as she grabbed Ron’s hand, leaning towards him for support. For Sue it was all a mixed conversation of words scrabbled like eggs. Questions flew like a flock of flamingoes taking off into the late afternoon orange sky. Needless to say it got out of hand and finally father said “Enough is enough and please leave the poor girl alone.” Mother sat back down and the other old bags left with their noses in the air feeling put out.
Ron was fuming and his mother felt the daggers coming to her. She said, “I thought it was ok to have our new daughter in law meet a few of my friends. I didn’t mean any harm. It’s not often we have a celebrity in our club and in our family,” as tears welled up in her eyes.
Sue said, “It’s all right Mrs. Filbert. If you will give me some time, I would be happy to entertain your guests and answer their questions, but not in a restaurant. Being sightless demands a base of security and home is the best place for that, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, and please forgive an old woman. I just got carried away and, well, you are so special in our world, you just don’t know how popular you really are. When the magazines hit the supermarkets a rush is on like a cattle stampede. Myself I subscribe to all of your different magazines and pick up extra copies at the supermarket. It’s our dream world and we are part of the story you write. I hate it when the story ends. I’ll show you at home how I rotate reading and rereading everyday. We are more addicted to you than a drug addict is to his choice of drugs.”
Sue listened closely as did Ron. Now he felt sorry for his mother and told her how much he loved her and never mind let’s enjoy our lunch as it arrived smelling wonderful. All was forgotten as the conversation turned to taking the yacht out soon as things settled down. Sue put on a big smile and told them she had never been on a boat in her life, but related the story of the locks when they first met.
On the way back Sue asked Ron, “Honey this seems like a big car. Tell me about it as it kind of feels like our van in some ways to me.”
Ron laughed and said, “Honey this is a limo and God knows how long it is. Kind of like our van, the seats are opposite and we are facing mom and dad. Double doors on both sides for easy entry exit. There is a TV and bar and phones all over the place.”
“It’s so quiet in here and feels so smooth. I think we need one of these when we have more kids,” she joked. Ron was happy she broke all the tension and his parents visibly relaxed for the first time.
“Ron where did you find this lovely lady and how did you guys meet,” his mother asked hoping she hadn’t put her foot in her mouth again looking at her son for acceptance.
Sue took the question taking Ron off the hook, which later he sucked her toes for the way out of a hard question for him to answer. Sue said, “We met in a park near my home on a warm sunny afternoon. My dog Amy took to him right away and she either likes you or doesn’t like you. We talked about what he saw and his detail impressed me and later he walked me home. Then I asked him if he could be a handy man around my place as I had a spare room in the garage to stay in. My mom and dad passed away a few years ago and I needed some help. Well Ron agreed and we fell in love and end of story.”
“Wait a minute,” Ron said, “you didn’t tell him your father was a sculptor and a famous one at that. Her father was international known and when I read about his work, found out he used Sue for his writing of articles. That is how she got her start.”
“Oh my God,” father exclaimed, “Is he the Albert Lyons I know about?”
Sue answered, head down in a humble way said, “Yes, he is my father.”
“In my building in New York, he did a sculptor in the foyer. I met him and now I see some resemblance. Well, it is a small world we live in,” shaking his head as they pulled into the circle drive way of a mansion hard to believe its size and opulence.
Ron and Sue spent the afternoon by the pool. Amy sat next to them panting from the heat. Mother came out and sat with them drinking fresh juice and they talked about the last few years about Ron. Ron told her the story in not so much detail and in the end assured her he had new life and the life before was buried in the past. Now he wanted to learn photography and be part of her life of writing. His plan, which raised an eyebrow on Sue, was to travel the world taking pictures and writing her stories. Mother had tears running down her face she was so happy.
“What would you do with the kids?”
“Take them with us,” he replied, “Hire a nanny and it’s obvious we would need help as Sue’s condition and work would demand the help.” Sue quietly got up and caned her way to the pool for a cool off dip. She felt good and was adjusting to the place. The weather was really nice and the pool gave her some exercise she missed walking with Amy. While swimming she thought about the boy child up in New York and she felt it was his child. I wonder what she is like, she thought as a big splash occurred and Ron came up under her pulling on her foot. They frolicked around until father came out and said to Ron that to come into the study for a minute. Ron toweled off and put on a shirt following his father inside the house.
Ron sat down and his father said, “If, and I say if, the boy child is yours she will deal for custody. Her terms are outrages, but we can negotiate. No matter the price, if reasonable, we will take the boy away from her. She’s so confident he’s yours that she’s flying down here tomorrow to finalize the deal. We’ll meet her at a hotel and my lawyers are drawing up the papers as we speak leaving out the amount only. A one time cash settlement and we can close the book on her.”
Ron thought for a moment and said, “Father thank you. We really appreciate your help and now I’ll tell Sue. By the way we should talk about when we’ll get married. Sue wants a church wedding and that’s fine by me. I don’t know what the laws are here in Florida about waiting time and such things. However, we would like to get married here where you are and then we’ll go back to Seattle where the house should be finished by Christmas. Oh, by the way dad, I have a favor to ask you and it concerns her blindnes
s.”
Father looked curious and listened like the pro his was. Ron told him about her disease and that there was a doctor in Switzerland who was experimenting on this rare disease and thought it was very probable that sight could be restored with laser technology and regeneration drugs. Ron sat back and waited for his father to respond.
Respond he didn’t, he picked up the phone and called his lawyers in New York and told them to, after Ron produced the doctors name and city, to find out all they could about him and his work. That was answer enough for Ron as he got up and left to find his future wife. Sue and his mother were yakking back and forth about getting married in Florida and that gave his mother something to do other than stick her nose in where it didn’t belong. Ron told them sorry to break in but he was going to take a shower and Sue went with him. Amy stayed with mother as he like her and the reverse was true.
After a nice shower and a bout in bed leaving them both happy and feeling on top of the world, they went to dinner after a knock on their door. An outdoor BBQ as father was mostly a meat and potato man, under a closing night, warm with a slight breeze blowing off the ocean, all relaxed with fresh lemonade to drink. Neither of Ron’s parents drank so alcohol wasn’t a problem.
Father said the test came back positive and tomorrow was a big day meeting Abby. Sue thought that money sure is nice when needed. And this powerful man knew how to use it. Also the waiting time for a marriage license was waived with only the date needing set. With that the news ended the conversation and the night. All went to bed dreading tomorrow’s confrontation and the first look at the heir after Ron to a vast fortune. Ron’s sister had left the family many years ago. She detested money and lived frugally with a chiropractor near Chicago. It was only once a year a post card arrived at Christmas without a written word.
Chapter XVII
Blind Encounter Page 15