Free The Hungry House by Elizabeth Amelia Barrington Page B

Ellison. Once Mom was asleep, I tried to relax in a hot bath. Then I drank chamomile tea to no avail. I lay in bed until midnight and then got up to study. At 2:00, I returned to bed. At 3:00, I got up to drink warm milk. All through the night, I kept thinking, what am I going to do about Frank? If I tell my friends, my mom, or God forbid, Paul, chaos will ensue. They'll be livid with anger, unable to control themselves. The result might be that Frank would stop Mom's medical care, maybe even evict us. Finally, thankfully, the dawn arrived and I was able to quit my attempts to sleep.
    I was supposed to have Sunday brunch with Paul, but I could not yet face him. I was so afraid I would break down in tears and tell him everything. I had to think of a lie, something believable and reassuring. I finally decided to say I was behind with my studies and called Paul. He seemed to believe me. I told Mom the same thing. Somehow, I got through the day but again could not sleep the next night.              
    Just before dawn that second night I thought of a possible way to outwit Frank. He never rose before 11:00 a.m., at which time Margaret brought him a pot of coffee and croissants on a tray. Then, he sat in his bed for about an hour reading several papers and watching the financial channel. I could continue my office work by using Margaret as a go-between and leaving the house before Frank rose in the morning. Then, as soon as Mom was well enough, we would leave. It was a very weak plan, but it had to work.
    Early Monday morning, I went to the kitchen to speak to Margaret and found her sipping tea and working on the dinner menus and grocery shopping lists for the week.
    "Hi . Would you like a cup of coffee?" Margaret had quickly risen to pour a cup of coffee for me.
    "Oh, no . Thanks. But some tea from your pot would be really nice, if you have any left." A large teapot sat on the table, with a cozy over it.
    "I've got plenty left. " As she poured my tea, Margaret studied me appraisingly. "What can I do for you?"
    "Well, I have a little favor to ask you . Would you give this folder to Frank for me? I'm going to be busy studying this afternoon--and --"
    Margaret reached out and patted my arm. "You look as if you've been pulled through a keyhole. Won't you tell me, what's wrong?"
    Against my will, my lower lip began to tremble. I pressed my lips together to try to still their trembling, but then tears began to fall.
    Margaret came to stand next to my chair and placed her hand on my shoulder. She whispered, "What's wrong? What has he done?" There was pure hatred in her eyes.
    I longed to tell her everything, but I did not know whom to trust. Margaret handed me a box of tissues.
    I wiped away my tears and tried to compose myself. "We just haven't been getting along. I think he is irritated and could use a break from me."
    Margaret took her seat. "Well, if he can't get along with you, he can't get along with anybody. But, I'll give it to him, if you wish."
    "Thanks so much . You're a Godsend."
    Margaret bent her head to read the sheet I had attached to the front of the file. I quickly left the house.
    ###
    For weeks, I refused to answer Frank's telephone calls or voice messages. I explained to Mom that I needed to study for exams. Frank knocked on the cottage door and rang the doorbell so many times that Mom finally came to the door to inform him that he was interfering with her rest and recuperation.

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
    After that, Frank began to hide in his room, drinking even more than usual, so much so that he suffered horrendous hangovers each day. He eventually became so distraught that he began to examine his feelings. Of course, he still desired Vicky. And, he often imagined what it would be like to go to sleep and wake up with her in his bed.
    But, as he analyzed his anxiety about the situation, he realized that his worst fear was that he would never see her again. Life without Vicky presented