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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 40
He was greeted by his anxious family on entering the Villa.
They all wanted the details, to know, was it a success, but it was Pierre who broke silence.
"I can't wait any longer, you have to tell us, but spare us the smutty bits, was she blown away?".
Josef looked totally dejected as he answered.
"Yes, she liked it, loved it, we were so good together, she agreed she felt just as I do, we were going to be a couple, then she walked away, the money frightens her, the family connections frighten her, and she's not willing to suffer the security, the loss of freedom".
Sofia was the first to him, pulling him into a hug.
"Don't give up hope Josef, you never know, everyone reacts differently then after they've had time to reflect it could be a much different outcome, wait and see".
But it was what Josef whispered that prompted Sofia to act.
"It's like all those years ago, when I felt I might never see you ever again, I don't see any future".
Releasing him, Sofia announced she had to meet friends, winking at Juan and Pierre who knew exactly where Sofia was headed.
Carry had been sat in the same chair since she'd arrived home, just staring into a sort of nothingness, questioning herself, over and over again, had she been right to stop it before it went too far.
She'd been reasoning nonstop, the money frightened her, the rest of his family would probably look down on her, they weren't just fairly wealthy, the were super rich, but the restrictions on her freedom that was the thing she most feared, after Damon she couldn't agree to being controlled ever again, but she had to admit the other things as well, she did love him, he was kind, gentle, caring, everything she'd ever dreamed of.
She was roused from her thoughts by a banging and ringing of her doorbell.
It was probably him, Josef, come to try and change her mind, she decided to ignore it, pretend she wasn't in.
After a few minutes she knew she couldn't let it go on, he wasn't giving up, the neighbours would start complaining soon, the noise was too much.
Opening the door she spoke loudly.
"You have to leave me alone Josef.................".
But it wasn't Josef, it was Sofia, with a bottle of wine in each hand.
"Didn't think you could avoid me did you, looks like we're in for another girls night, you can tell me what went wrong, what you're afraid of, because it can't be my brother".
Carry held the door wide as a grinning Sofia walked in.
As Sofia poured the wine Carry tried to explain.
"I'm sorry, I know he's upset, but I can't do it, I can't let anyone control me, not after what happened before".
As Sofia turned with the two glasses of wine she was shocked to see Carry sobbing and sliding down the wall into a crouch.
In seconds she'd put the glasses down and was down beside her friend, holding her, whispering words of reassurance.
"You're getting this all confused, he's not Damon, he never will be, he never could be, if you want proof of that, just think, he's prepared to let you walk away, however much it hurts him, and believe me, he's wounded, but he won't do anything to hurt you, he loves you, I've never seen him like this".
They talked, they drank, they cried, they drank, they talked some more, they passed out.
In the morning, it was Carry who opened her bleary eyes first, she looked at Sofia, lying on the floor, she'd obviously fallen off the couch at some point during the night and carried on sleeping her drunken sleep.
When Sofia finally opened her eyes she said only one sentence.
"Tell me I feel like this for a good reason, tell me I wasn't dreaming when you said you'd give it a try, if it wasn't real I just want to die, my head hurts, I feel sick, I need a shower, all this must have a purpose".
Carry made coffee and Sofia slowly came back to the land of the living.
"It will be alright you know, I can't wait for you to meet the rest of the family, you were so far off track when you said they'd probably look down on you, far from it, in this family we draw you in, god help anyone who thinks they can attack you, we circle the wagons and protect you, wait till you meet Grandma Lenny, she is an absolute hoot, you'll love her".
At the Villa, Juan and Pierre received an identical text, each let out a whoop as they read it.
'Keep him at home, goal almost achieved, arriving shortly with the prize, changing her mind was not easy, my head hurts, but it's worth it, she is so right for him, it had to be done, you all owe me big time, tell him I'm bringing her, he'll need to reassure her, she's frightened he will try to control her like Damon did, he has to convince her it will never happen, the ball will be in his court shortly'.
Juan went to search out his Poppa to give him the good news and make sure he knew the plan, stay out of the way once they met, after all, there was still some serious talking to do.
Pierre found Josef in the garden, sitting with a coffee, looking every bit as sombre as he had since he'd arrived home yesterday.
"Joe, I have something to tell you, but before I do I need your promise, your solemn promise, that you'll give it everything to get your ultimate dream, Carry, in your life always".
Josef had been half listening until Carry's name was mentioned, suddenly his interest was there.
"What do you mean?, who?, what have you done?, is she interested?, is there a possibility?".
Pierre laughed.
"Bloody hell Joe, for an eloquent and confident man, that was a barrage of doubt and babble".
Josef was almost on the point of strangling Pierre if he didn't answer him.
"Tell me Pierre, if there's the slightest possibility she'd reconsider, I'll do anything".
Pierre smiled.
"That's all I needed to hear, you know Sofia was missing last night, well she was technically with a friend, that friend was Carry, she's managed to change her mind, but it's down to you now, you have to reassure her, help her understand, convince her she'll be alright, that you'll protect her, not control her, that's the big worry for her, Damon did a really bad job on her mind, she can reason that you're a good guy, but the Damon crap is so bad in her head, you have to slowly erase that, so, are you up to the job?".
Josef was almost crying.
"Oh Pierre I could kiss you".
Pierre was openly laughing.
"Err, not allowed, this body is the property of your brother, he just wouldn't see the funny side of that, good luck Joe, you know that comes from all of us".
Pierre met them as they entered the Villa, kissing Sofia on both cheeks he turned to Carry.
"Hi I'm Pierre, it's good to meet you, he's out in the garden, please, I'm begging you, trust him, he's not capable of hurting someone unless it's in defence, Sofia will show you the way, we'll all stay out of the way".
Pierre leaned in to kiss Carry's cheek and whispered.
"He really is smitten, he told me he's in love with you, that's just between us".
Sofia led Carry through the large formal lounges to the doors that led out into the courtyard and the garden beyond.
"He'll be in that gazebo over there, the one covered in bougainvillea, it's probably his favourite spot in all the world, ask him why when you have a chance".
Carry was apprehensive, nervous, as she slowly made her way towards the gazebo, as she got nearer she could see him, sitting on a bench in front of a plaque, he seemed to be talking to it.
She stopped, listening to him.
"She's the one, I know she is, I'm frightened, if I do the wrong thing it might scare her away, this is where I need you, you'd have known what to do, Poppa Reece is useless, wonderful, but useless when it comes to giving advice on my love life, she'll be here soon, whatever you can do I'd appreciate, I need all the help I can get, I love you, sleep well".
Listening to him, Carry was so moved she hadn't realised there were tears trickling down her cheeks.
Josef sensed her presence and turning he saw the tears, he was at her side in a flash.
"Hey don't cry, I want to see you laughing, everyday, for as long as we have, and I'll make it my mission if you'll let me".
He pulled her into a hug, she responded easily, drawing him closer as she spoke.
"I'm sorry Joe, I panicked, I realise now, Sofia helped me see it, he hurt me worse than I thought, more than I knew, I'm going to see a therapist, I can't let him keep hurting me, I was listening to you talking, who were you talking too, was it your Momma?."
Josef stroked her face, wiping away the tears.
"I was talking to my Poppa Pauly, he's been gone a few years now but I talk to him all the time, I come here, the last place I ever saw him, in this gazebo, he held me, a serving officer, held me in his arms as I cried like a baby".
He paused, she didn't interrupt, just listened.
"I was going back to my unit, we both knew it would probably be the last time we would ever hold each other, he was so calm, I was a mess, I always feel close to him here, it's why I wanted us to meet here, I hope he can see you, he would have loved you, just as I do".
Carry was moved but confused as well.
"I didn't know your Father had passed away, Sofia talks about him as if he's still alive".
Josef was listening and she saw a grin appear on his face.
"Oh, you don't know, I'm sorry I just assume that everyone knows".
Now she was confused.
"Knows what?".
He giggled, that charming little giggle that never failed to melt her heart.
"We have, or rather, we had, two Poppas, Reece and Pauly, a gay couple, they adopted us when we were really young, Poppa Pauly passed away, Poppa Reece is here somewhere, you'll meet him later".
She nodded but she wanted to know a little more about his family.
"Your Poppa Pauly sounds like someone I would have liked, are you directly related to the Thorn family?".
Josef hesitated.
"Carry, I don't want to scare you, I know you understand that because of what Damon did, you sometimes overreact, but I don't want to be the cause of that overreaction, you understand what I'm saying".
She nodded.
"Yes Joe, I understand, and I know I overreact to things I think might affect me, but it was a genuine question".
He gave it some thought and decided, yes she needed to know if she were to try and deal with it.
"My Poppa Pauly was a Thorn, he was a triplet, the second born of PJ and Leonora, or, Lenny Thorn, so yes, I'm a direct relation to the Thorn family, and proud to be, it's a diverse family, I think we encompass every facet of what society finds acceptable, and probably every facet of what society struggles to accept, we don't see it that way, we evaluate most everything on love".
Josef paused to think how he could phrase what he wanted to say.
"I love you, I don't have any doubts on that, I worry about you, I worry that you might dismiss us because of something that happened in the past, someone who happened in the past, if I can help you with that I will, I'll come with you to see a therapist, I'll only be involved when you want me involved, but I'll drive you there and hold you when you come out, for as long as you want, if it's of help to you".
She couldn't believe that after Damon anyone could be so kind, so loving, so giving.
"I love you Josef Caswel-Thorn, I say that here in the sight of your Poppa, I don't think there's a more noble man on this planet than you, I want, I need your help, so yes, come with me, but be involved, listen, know what I fear, I don't have any worries that you would use it against me".
In Chicago a similar deep and heart searching situation was underway.
It was the day Woody gained the doctors approval for release, he was allowed to leave the hospital but he couldn't fly, not for another three weeks, he would rest and build up his strength at Billy's home, the house which was still now bursting at the seams with relatives.
In itself that posed a rather difficult situation, Jacqueline still refused to acknowledge PJ's existence, if he were in a room when she entered she would simply turn and walk back out, if he entered a room where she was, she would immediately get up and leave.
Mealtimes became a nightmare for Jolly, Jacqueline had taken to using the small dining room, capable of seating eight, whilst the remaining family used the large dining room where the table could be extended to seat up to forty if needed.
Had Jacqueline found herself eating dinner each night with the same set of family as company, she could possibly have convinced herself she had allies, but that was never the case, her camp changed nightly.
In truth, although every member of the family loved Jacqueline, no one agreed with her on this, they almost got to a point of drawing lots to see who had the duty call of dinning with Jacqueline.
Woody had listened to his Mothers whispered information the day he'd awoken, but in the time since, he assumed wrongly that the problem had been resolved.
Dinner on the night he arrived at Billy's house was set for seven o'clock.
Woody remarked that it was surely a miracle when Jacqueline was ready before him, he was still a little stiff and dressing was difficult, he urged her to go on down, he would follow in a few minutes.
Arriving in the large dining room Woody was sweating, walking was possible but still painful, and it exacted a lot of energy.
He was not surprised to find many of the family already seated, but he noted the looks of unease, glances were being exchanged between the seated guests and Billy, Jolly and Jay.
Further confusing Woody was the absence of Jacqueline, she should have been here, she'd left their room almost ten minutes ago, his thoughts were interrupted by Jolly.
"You're in the small dining room Woody, Jacqueline won't eat in here".
Jolly had deliberately laid it out in front of Woody, despite the glares from almost all of the family around the table, including her partners, but Woody noted one person was not glaring at Jolly, he had his head bowed, as if in shame.
PJ stood up.
"I'll get something later, it's easier than having this atmosphere, she'll come in if she knows I'm not here".
With that PJ left the room, Lenny looked at Woody who seemed unable to understand what was happening, then she too stood before walking out of the room.
Finally Woody snapped out of his daze.
"Jolly could you possibly hold dinner for about thirty minutes, I apologise but it seems there is a problem that is long overdue and requires immediate sorting, oh and would you inform your staff they will be serving only one room, anyone who doesn't want to eat in that one room can go without, now if you will excuse me".
Woody headed slowly and in considerable pain for the small dining room, as he entered he was just in time to hear the housekeeper informing Jacqueline that dinner was only being served in the large dining room, and Jacqueline's outburst.
"That's ridiculous, I always eat in here, who gave that instruction?".
No one had seen Woody enter the room, but no one missed a single word of his reply.
"I did, now if you would all leave us, I believe Jolly has already arranged for places to be laid at the main table, Jacqueline and I have something to discuss".
Apart from the scrapping of chairs there was not a sound as everyone except Woody and Jacqueline left the room.
When they were alone Jacqueline spoke.
"Why did you do that Woody?, you humiliated me, and in front of family, I'm going to our room to pack, I'll leave shortly".
Woody was in no mood to be put off by Jacqueline's rebuff.
"And exactly how do you intend to get home Jacqueline?, it's late evening, there are no flights to France until tomorrow morning".
Unperturbed Jacqueline's response almost made him laugh, if he hadn't been in so much pain he probably would have, it showed how little thought she'd put into this problem she'd caused.
"There are three planes here, they will all be ready to leave, I only need to alert the pilots".
Again Woody almost laughed.
"Remind me Jacqueline, and perhaps reflect on the reply you give, who's aircraft are those planes you refer to?".
Jacqueline looked puzzled but she replied.
"You Fathers of course, but you know that, what's your point Woody?".
Now Woody was incensed, partly with Jacqueline, partly because his pain was increasing, he wasn't sure how long he could keep up this charade of appearing cool, and his response clearly showed it.
"So, correct me if I've misread the situation, you refuse to eat in the same room as my Father, refuse to acknowledge his existence, but you see nothing wrong with commandeering one of his planes when it suits you, perhaps you would like to explain to me how that is acceptable, and be warned Jacqueline, I don't get pissed very often, but I'm on the edge of an explosion right now, so be careful".
Jacqueline was about to reply but she didn't get the chance as Woody let out a strangled groan and collapsed before her eyes.
Her screams were heard loudest in the salon next to the small dining room, where Lenny and PJ had gone after leaving the dining room.
As Jacqueline dropped down to cradle a moaning Woody PJ rushed in.
"What happened?".
Jacqueline didn't think about her spat with PJ, this was her Woody.
"We were arguing, he collapsed".
Woody managed to utter a few words.
"Pills, pain, been trying to do without, need".
PJ understood immediately, they'd talked about this very subject and he'd cautioned Woody against being too aggressive in his quest to be drug free.
"His pain medication Jacqueline, quick as you can, I'll take care of him".
Jacqueline didn't question PJ she just ran.
When she returned holding his tablets she again didn't think, just handing the bottle to PJ who reached up to the table for a glass with water already in it.
"Woody, I'm giving you a little more than the prescribed dose, it should kick in quickly, you'll need to eat as soon as possible, to stop yourself being sick, just relax now son you're safe I've got you, it shouldn't take long to work, you're going to have to stop doing this to me, I'm an old man with a dodgy heart, I can't take these shocks".
By now most of the family were crowded into the small dining room, all of them looking on as PJ cradled Woody whispering his soothing words.
They watched as Woody relaxed, the pain obviously receding, until he was able to be lifted and settled on a small chaise.
Jacqueline suggested he should be put to bed but Woody was having none of it.
"I'm bloody starving, I'm eating dinner, then I'm having drinks, and I might even have a sneaky cigarette with my Poppa on the deck out back, Billy, Jay, would you help me guys?".
PJ and Lenny made to return to the salon, they were surprised when Jacqueline came between them linking arms with both.
"I do believe you are heading in the wrong direction, if you would allow me, and if you'll please forgive me for being such an ungrateful, stupid bitch, I'd be proud to escort you to your seats".
They could both see the pleading in Jacqueline's eyes, both knew how much courage it had taken to make that apology, with most of the family listening.
PJ replied.
"Not needed as long as we're friends again".
But Lenny wasn't being outdone.
"Rubbish, she was a bitch, if the whole family weren't watching I'd slap her".
Then all three burst out laughing, happy that normal relations had been restored.
TBC ARB Allan
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Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.