Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III)

by Carol J. Donahue

  “No, Richard, I’ll be fine. I just need a little time to adjust to the days events.” Richard didn’t see Rian anywhere in sight and thought how terrible it was for him to leave her side when she looked so bad, but also was grateful for the time to speak to her alone.

  “Where is Rian?” “He’s making a few phone calls. You never mentioned him to me in all the time we spent together, do you still have feeling for him Kari?”

  She had a stunned look on her face as she gazed at him. She couldn’t imagine where a question like that had come from. “Richard, of course I have feelings for him. I just never thought I’d ever see him again. I thought he didn’t want me.”

  “Kari.” He took both of her hands in his and turned her face toward his so she would look into his eyes. “Please think about what I’m going to tell you. … I love you Kari.”

  Her face was instantly filled with shock.

  “I can’t tell you exactly when I realized I love you, but it’s been some time now. I don’t want to loose you Kari. If he wanted you so much he would have found you long before now.”

  “No Richard, how can you say that? He thought I was dead, you heard him. His father led him to believe I was dead.”

  “You can’t honestly believe that can you?”

  “Yes, Richard, I can, it’s true. Nakoma found the records. The records of the cover up were in Dr. Barrett’s computer. We have a child together, I’m sorry Richard”.

  As Charles over heard the exchange between Richard and Kareena, he went to find Rian. Rian had just finished with the second call when he saw Charles motion for him to come quickly. As Rian hurried back into the room he overheard Richard’s plea for Kari. He could see that he was fighting for her. Rian quickly walked to her and lifted her to her feet. He caressed her cheek and softly kissed her lips. Richard glared at Rian with rage, hatred and jealousy. He wanted to kill him at that moment.

  “I think we should let Kari decide what she wants for herself, don’t you think Richard?” Rian said very calmly. He knew he was on the winning end of this rivalry.

  Richard stood and faced Rian “How could she know what she wants, you’ve put her through so much trauma in the past couple of hours, she couldn’t possibly know anything of the kind.” He shouted.

  “Stop, both of you! I’m not going to listen to you fighting. You will both stop right now!” Kareena pleaded.

  Rian and Richard both turned to her in surprise, she looked like she was ready to pass out again.

  She had risen and taken a step away from them when Richard started shouting, and now she had to steady herself as she reached for the corner of the sofa. Richard being closest grabbed her before she fell.

  “How long has it been since you last ate Kareena?” Rian asked.

  “Since this morning.” She replied with a weak voice.

  “No wonder you passed out?”

  “She passed out?” Richard questioned.

  “Yes,” Rian responded. “As you said she has been through a lot today, she not only found me and our baby daughter today, but her mother as well.”

  “What do you mean, … her mother has passed away.”

  “No Richard, it seems the mother Kareena knew had adopted her. Nakoma is her biological mother.”

  “I don’t’ believe it, this is too bizarre. You’re all trying to pull one over on her, and I won’t let that happen.” But Richard knew it was true, it all started to add up. This was the pull that Niki had toward Kari, she was her mother.

  “Believe it Richard.” Nakoma said “I have the proof right here.” She was carrying Kareena’s birth certificate and the adoption papers. She’s the spitting image of her father. I told you that you weren’t’ good enough for her.”

  “I should have never listened to you Niki. If I had followed my instincts our relationship would have progressed far beyond what it has and things would be totally different between Kari and me.”

  “Yes, but you wouldn’t have been as wealthy as you are, now would you Richard?” This silenced Richard. …. “Ok enough, we need to get some food into Kareena before she collapses again. She should never be without food for this length of time. Her condition is too delicate. Come Rian help her to the main dinning room. I called ahead; Cook is preparing something right now.”

  “Richard and Charles, if you don’t’ mind please stay with Mr. O’Conner until my assistant arrives. It shouldn’t be to long, than you may join us.”

  Richard raised his voice “No! I’ll come with you now. I want to make sure Kari is okay. I’m not going to just ride off into the sunset like none of this, matters to me.”

  Nakoma looked at Rian and said. “Rian, you can put an end to this right now you know.”

  “No,” Rian said. “Let him come along. I think he also has some explaining to do Nakoma. Charles, do you mind staying behind for a few?”

  “Wait,” Charles protested, “What happened to Mr. O’Connor?”

  “He had a slight stroke, Charles. Nakoma has him stable for now. She has a doctor on her staff coming in to take care of him.”

  “Okay, Rian, go ahead, I don’t’ mind a bit. I’ll watch over Mr. O’Connor.”

  Rian helped Kareena up and steadied her as she walked. With his help she managed to get to the dinning room. Rian pulled out a chair for her and sat down beside her in the plush soft cushioned dinning room chair. Nakoma and Richard sat opposite the couple. Cook immediately brought a tray of finger sandwiches and placed a couple on Kareena’s plate. She immediately dove in, and continued until she had her fill.

  “Better?” Rian asked

  “Better.” Kareena replied.

  “Now, what were you saying about Kareena’s condition Nakoma?” Rian was worried,… he didn’t want to consider that Kareena might be pregnant by Richard, but the thought did cross his mind.

  “I think it’s up to Kareena to tell you.” Nakoma stated.

  “It’s really not a big deal.” Kareena said.

  “Your wrong child, it most certainly is a big deal. If you want any happiness in your life at all you need to let Rian know your condition. If the two of you are truly meant for each other there should be no secrets. He must be prepared to take care of you, and if he can’t accept the responsibility than I’ve been wrong about him. I truly hope that is not the case.”

  “I think you’re getting ahead of yourself Nakoma.” Kareena interrupted. “Rian and I haven’t even discussed anything like what you’re suggesting.” Kareena’s head was starting to spin again. “I need some time to sort all this out, too much has happened, all I really know for certain right now is that I want to see my baby girl, and that I’m so very tired. I can’t talk about any of this tonight. Can someone please take me home?”

  “No.” Nakoma stated. You’ll stay here tonight Kareena. I have plenty of room for everyone.” She immediately called for Rosa. “Please show Kareena up to her room Rosa.” Kareena was too tired to argue, she rose up out of her chair to follow the maid.

  Rian took her hand and kissed it, as he stood up. “We have plenty of time to talk, Kareena. What ever it is, I’m here for you, please remember that. “Good night love.” He said as he kissed her cheek and held her hand until she was no longer in reach and watched her go.

  Rosa gently held her arm and guided Kareena out of the room. Rian turned back to the table and caught Richard’s gaze following Kareena as well. “Ok, it’s your turn Richard.” Rian stated. “What is your role in all of this, besides the obvious?”

  “The obvious? And what in all your infinite wisdom would that be?”

  “You obviously have feelings for Kareena, but there is more. Out with it.”

  Nakoma piped in “Don’t worry Rian. Richard will give you no more trouble, will you Richard?”

  “There you are wrong Niki. I don’t want your money. I’m returning every last cent to you!”

  “Not so fast Richard, it’s really too late for that. You see Rian, in order for me to reunite with my daughter, I needed th
e means to meet her, and Richard was that means. He eagerly took the job and he was paid very well for his services. The only reason he thinks he wants her now is because he has a rival in you! Believe me, I know what makes men tick; I’ve had many years of study on the subject. “That’s right.” She admitted. “I paid Richard to meet Kareena. I know it sounds underhanded, but I was so fearful of scaring her off that I needed it to seem as if we met through a mutual friend. I needed to get to know her, and she me, before I told her. If she decided she hated me and never wanted to see me again, than at least I would have these few short months of good memories.”

  “Well obviously you don’t’ know her very well, because she is the most understanding forgiving person I’ve ever met.” Rian stated.

  “Your right about that Rian, I didn’t know her at all until she agreed to come to work with me. Now I see that is true and if I had known she did not take after me in that regard than I may have approached this in an entirely different way. But the damage has been done and I will see that Richard gives you no more trouble.”

  “You will do no such thing, Niki, as I said.” Richard removed an envelope from his inner jacket pocket, placed it on the table, and slid it toward Nakoma. “I’m returning your money.”

  “And just how do you think you would support Kareena, Richard, on a boat captain’s salary? Of which would dwindle down to nothing in this area. I can ruin you, you know. Best you leave now and take your just payment with you!”

  “He’s the least of my worries Nakoma. I want to know about Kareena’s condition.” Rian commanded.

  “Richard you are excused.” Nakoma stated.

  “No, I’m going no where, I have as much right to hear this as he does.” Of course Richard knew of Kari’s condition, but wanted to see Rian’s reaction to it. He felt he was one up on Rian for it.

  “Let him stay Nakoma.” Rian was ready for anything Richard might throw out, but in the end he knew the final decision would be Kareena’s.

  “As I said,” Nakoma finished. “It is not for me to tell, but for Kareena. You’ll learn of it in time.”

  As she made her way up the winding staircase assisted by Rosa, Kareena could hear the bickering going on down stairs. “I can’t bare this Rosa, please close the door on your way out.” “Yes Miss Kareena. Vio con dios sweet girl.”

  Kareena was asleep before her head hit the pillow. The dream came again only it was so much clearer. It started the same as always with the darkness and the pain that came with the shards of light, but this time the dark figure that stood off to the side partially hidden by the large object she recognized immediately as Rian’s Father. He had a dark sinister look on his face. She heard the voice calling her name, and recognized it as her daughters. “Mommy, Mommy. She tried to rise up off the table, but was frozen in time. She tried to cry out to her daughter and tell her that she was coming, but she had no voice. Then the dream faded into a clearing of beautiful yellow and pink flowers, and she felt his hand lightly stroking her head, this was very nice, the peacefulness that washed over her was so soothing she didn’t want it to end.

  Rian had eased himself onto the bed beside her and laid her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair and whispered to her that everything was going to be alright. And he sang a very quiet lullaby as she fell back into a deep sleep and the dream was gone.

  Rian had fallen asleep and when he awoke, she was gazing up into his beautiful blue eyes. He smiled down at her and said “Good morning. You had a very bad dream last night, you called out in the night and I came to you from across the veranda. Nakoma very cleverly put me in the room adjoining yours. Would you like some breakfast?”

  “What time is it?”

  “Half past ten.”

  “I have to go to work.”

  “Whoa, slow down Kareena…. Nakoma gave you the day off and as many days as you need after that. You and I have some things to talk about if you feel up to it. I’ll ring down for breakfast and we can sit out on the veranda.”

  “Where’s Richard?”

  Rian didn’t like that she asked about Richard, and hesitantly said “He went home last night, but I’m sure that he’ll be back today. He is one of the subjects we need to discuss Kareena.”

  “I need to use the bathroom.” She said. “I’m going to take a shower before breakfast. Oh, shoot,”… she remembered. “I have no clean clothes.”

  “Nakoma took care of that. Look in the closet and dresser; I’m sure you’ll find everything you need." He nodded and kissed her on the forehead before departing to take his own shower in his room across the veranda.

  As Rian stood in the shower he let the warm water flow over his body, he wasn’t as sure about his relationship with Kareena, as he had been the night before. He knew that he was unconditionally in love with her, but how did she feel about him? That was weighing heavy on his heart and mind. Why had she asked for Richard? And the thought again crossed his mind that she might be carrying Richard’s child. He was determined to find out today. If she was, what would happen to them? It frightened him to think about it.

  Kareena had a warm comfortable feeling running through her. She liked that Rian had come to comfort her in the night. She loved him more than any other person in the world, aside from her daughter that is. He did say that he would stand by her no matter what. But she wasn’t at all sure that when he heard all that went with her condition, he would be willing to stay with her. It would take a great deal of patients and understanding on his part, and she knew that most men wouldn’t have what it took to stay. She was very excited to know that she would soon see her Cassie, and she intended to pin Rian down as to a time she could go. If he couldn’t leave soon, she would go on her own.

  Rian raised his head as Kareena entered the Veranda. He was sitting at the glass top patio table. He was dressed in a white polo shirt, blue jeans and deck shoes, and was reading the paper. She could smell the clean sent of soap mingled with the sea air. It was intoxicating. Breakfast had been placed on the table with lids to keep it warm. Her sky blue dress was very plain but flattering to her perfect shape, on her feet she wore sandals. She smelled of lilac. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Once again he counted his blessings and smiled as he rose to pull her chair out so she could sit. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he gave them a warm squeeze and kissed the top of her head. She placed her hands on his and leaned her head back against his stomach so she could look up into his eyes. He leaned down and softly kissed her lips as he breathed in her fresh clean sent. It seemed he couldn’t get enough of her. He had to use all of his self control as not to go any further. “What would you like to eat Kareena?” He asked as he pulled away from her with difficulty and he lifted off the silver lids.

  “The scrambled eggs look good.” She responded “And some toast and juice.”

  He served her and himself. As they ate he gazed into her eyes with thoughts of where to begin. “First.” He said. “Tell me about your condition. And don’t down play it Kareena, as I said what ever it is, I am here for you.”

  She took a bite of eggs and looked up at him. She didn’t want to loose him, and was afraid that she would if she spoke, but she kept in mind what Nakoma had said the night before. ‘If you want happiness.’ So she decided to go for broke. “Ok, Rian here it is. My condition is called CFIDS Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome”

  He smiled at her broadly.

  She asked “Do you find that amusing?”

  “No, not at all, but I had a much worse scenario running through my head. I’m

  just relieved to learn that it’s not what I thought.”

  “And what would that be?”

  He reached across the table and took her hand. “Please don’t be angry with me,

  but I know that you went out with Richard for some time, and I thought you might be carrying his child.” She almost spit out her eggs when she laughed out loud. “Oh, Rian, don’t you think I learned my lesson with you? And besides, Richard and I have nev
er been intimate, we are just friends.”

  “Well he doesn’t seem to think so. He seems to think that there is more to your relationship than friendship.”

  “Well let me assure you that friendship is all it is. Last night when he told me he loved me, I was as shocked as you were. And I though I set him straight.”

  “Well you didn’t convince him because he said you were in no shape to know what you wanted last night.”

  “I know what I want Rian, first and for most I want to see my…our baby, than we need to get to know each other again, we never had enough time together to know weather we are really suited for one another.”

  He stood up and walked around the table, lifted her to her feet and kissed her firmly on the mouth. The ocean waves roared as they broke on the shore and the sea salt hung in the air. She breathed in his strong masculine sent mingled with the clean soap fragrance. She melted in his embrace and wantonly kissed him back. He was loosing himself in her and had to back away so as not to have a reenactment of three years ago. “I don’t need time to know I want you Kareena. But we do need to take it slowly. We need to finish this conversation before we do anything foolish.” Now she was worried again. He was sending her mixed signals. ‘Does he want me or not?' She asked herself. She pulled away and sat back down.

  “Yes I guess I should explain my condition before you decide weather you want me or not.” She said angrily.

  “No, you are wrong about that. I already know that I want you, no matter what, but I want to understand how I can help you.”

  “Ok, Rian you asked for it. When we first met if you remember I told you I had trouble keeping up with my friends?”

  “Yes?”

  “They were always way ahead of me in everything, smarts, looks, health, and stamina. I always felt that I was not getting enough oxygen to my brain. That something was missing. Sometimes I just stop in the middle of a sentence and completely forget my train of thought. It’s very embarrassing. I sometimes thought I was on the edge of retardation. I sometimes feel that my mind and my mouth don’t connect properly. One day I was feeling completely drained as if I couldn’t go on another day. It was soon after my Moth… “Adopted Mother” had passed away.”