Free Dream Valley by Paddy Cummins Page A

No. A voice within him was screaming "No" so emphatically that he had to listen, to see sense, to be a man. He wasn't the first to suffer like that - he wouldn't be the last. He
    would endure it, and with Sandra's help from above, he would recover and be a better person for it. He stopped, turned, and went back.
    * * *
    Ken was a bit worried about Jenny when he rang her from the
    Clinic on Friday evening. He knew it would be late when he'd get home. The Clinic was extra busy - two doctors were absent.
    He had noticed as the week passed that she was becoming increasingly bored and irritable and he could understand why. The days were
    long and lonely for her. Now, with him late home again to-night, away all day to-morrow at the golf tournament, and the golf dinner to-morrow night, he began to feel guilty. Would she re-act badly? She would be justified in protesting.
    If she did, he would consider dropping the golf to be with her. After all, she was his wife, was still weak and recuperating, and needed all his love and attention.
    To his pleasant surprise, it was an up-beat and cheerful Jenny that answered the phone. She was more concerned about him than herself.
    'Ah poor Ken. Why does all the extra work always fall to you? It's not fair. You're forever standing in for someone - you must be jaded.'
    'No, no, Darling,' he protested, 'it's you I'm worried about
    ... how was to-day?
    'A great day! Never felt better ... I rang the office.'
    'Yes?'
    'Yes, and you know what, Ken? They invited me in next week.'
    'Oh?'
    'Yes, you know, just to be there; nothing strenuous. I'm really delighted Ken ... I can ease my way back to normality; just what I needed.'
    He was startled but not surprised.
    'Yes Jenny, but that's not what the doctor ordered. You still need another two weeks. You may feel okay but it could tell on you later.'
    'But Ken, you know me. I'll be careful ... don't worry ...
    I'll be fine.'
    'I know,' he sighed, unconvinced, 'what else did you do to-day?'
    'Oh, some walking, a bit of reading; not a lot.'
    He detected a hint of vagueness in her reply. Was she being
    evasive?
    She was. She wouldn't dare tell him that she spent most of the afternoon planning and designing her new stables. It was real fun being an architect for a day - so interesting and exciting that she was going to
    continue with it to-morrow, and perhaps Sunday too. Ken would loose the run of himself if he knew. Of course he would have to know sooner or later, but not now. She would wait for her opportunity - timing would be important.
    'So you're not bored stiff or lonely without me?' He
    realised that he had asked a loaded question - he let it stand - her answer would be revealing.
    Jenny wasn't easily tripped up.
    'Of course, Darling, I'm missing you! But I'll survive. You
    can't be here with me. I can't be there with you - so what?'
    She paused to let that much sink in. He waited too - knew there was more coming.
    'Sure there's always to-morrow ... it's Saturday; you'll be
    free, and we can make up for it.'
    He was beginning to feel edgy. Was she being mischievous. She knew well about the Golf Tournament to-morrow and the Golf Dance to-morrow night. What was she up to? Maybe she had forgotten - perhaps the after-effects
    of the brain injuries on her memory. He'd give her the benefit of the doubt.
    'Did you forget the golf to-morrow and the dinner to-morrow night?'
    'Oh, I'm so sorry, Ken. I completely forgot about it. I
    won't see much of you over the weekend then, will I? It should be fun for you though, Ken. Enjoy it ... you deserve it ... you need a break.'
    She was putting down a little marker. She knew there would
    be battles ahead, well, serious negotiations at least. He would be insisting on her abandoning the horse riding. She would be insisting on the opposite. She wanted to bank as much bargaining leverage as she could in advance. This was the first deposit - there would be much more.
    Ken felt really guilty, frustrated and bewildered. He knew