Chapter Ten

Alejandra had convinced Victoria to go back into the house, and was now carrying some tea into her guest. Victoria sat in the small room that Alejandra had turned into a parlor the day she and her husband had moved in. It held a couch that sat against the east wall, a chair that sat against the south wall and next to the window, along with a piano that set next north wall. There wasn't an overly large amount of room left to walk around in, though no one would bump into each other while walking either.

The Widow Peterson could see how concerned Victoria was, as her visitor glanced towards the window; they could see Jarrod and Isabel still sitting on the bench and talking. Having had time to think about everything, Alejandra was no longer concerned about the age difference between her niece and Jarrod, nor was she overly worried about the time the two were spending together. "You do not like the friendship that has developed between your son and my niece. You wish the culprit that caused this mess would be found and that all your sons would consent to go back to Stockton." Alejandra kept her eyes on Victoria as she sat down on the chair.

Victoria stirred her tea slowly and then answered quietly, "I'm not so concerned about the friendship itself as I am that it may lead to something more. And, even if the age difference was not a concern to me, if Jarrod should remain blind…" her voice caught as she remembered the incident with *Cunningham and his friends.

Alejandra frowned slightly as she thought about her niece and, not one to talk about her behind her back, hesitated to discuss her own family's matters. In the end, she decided that in this case, Victoria Barkley had the right to know. "Do you want to know what my niece does in the middle of the night when she thinks no one is watching?"

Victoria sat up straighter than she'd already been doing. The woman's question told her that Alejandra wasn't in the dark when it came to whatever Isabel was up to. "What?"

"She has been walking around the house with her eyes closed, getting to know each and every inch of this place without the use of her sight." When a look that said 'I was right', Alejandra simply shook her head and said, "I do not judge you Mrs. Barkley because I do not know everything about you, even if I had known you a hundred years I'd day say something things would still unknown to me. I suggest you do the same when it comes to my niece. You are formulating the wrong assumption; it is not your son's situation that inspires her to do such things."

Confusion filled Victoria's eyes. While Alejandra was right when she said that Victoria should not make any judgments without all the facts, she could see no other reason for the young woman learning about living and coping in a world without sight. This young woman may have the most honorable and good hearted intentions in the world, but teaching her son Jarrod how to cope with his blindness felt a somewhat contrived plan to win his heart. "What is it then?" She asked, remaining defensive.

Alejandra took a deep breath and then, after getting Victoria's promise that she'd say nothing of the conversation, began explaining how Isabel had contracted Scarlet Fever as a child. "When she recovered, all seemed to be well. I say 'seemed to be' because life went on as usual, however last year I had to take her to a doctor to have her eyes checked." She wasn't surprised when Victoria's eyes widened and she, Alejandra, continued speaking. "She was given a pair of glasses only for me to find myself returning six months ago because the glasses didn't seem to be working." She sighed and then told Victoria they had gone back three months ago. "Mrs. Barkley, my niece is slowly going blind herself." Again, Alejandra wasn't shocked to hear her guest suck in her breath.

"I think we need to look at this through their eyes. Your son is blind, maybe for good, maybe not. He may get some justice when it comes to whoever attacked him and brought his blindness on, he may not. However, when it comes to my niece, once her sight goes, she will be blind forever. No if's, and's or but's about it." Aljandra then glanced out the window before turning her attention back to Victoria. "Whether or not they wind up at the blind school for a period and continue the friendship, or if that friendship blossoms into something more, is entirely beside the point I would think. They are both trying to handle what life has thrown at them, one through the action of one very wicked person and the other simply to the cruel fate that life handed her. I don't think they need anyone condemnation of their friendship due to the difference in their ages or anything else for that matter. They are both more than mature enough to decide if the friendship lasts and if it should ever go any further."

'She will be blind forever' Victoria never felt so humbled in her life. How many times had she told her children to make sure they had all their facts before doing anything or judging anyone? She should listen to her own advice. "Nick and Heath don't have to be back on the ranch for a few more weeks, our foreman said he's more than willing to continue running it for a while. I don't know that spending anymore time here will bring us any answers when it comes to the attack itself; however, we could get a couple of motel rooms and spend more time in Lodi."

Alejandra started smiling from ear to ear. "There's no reason to spend the additional time in the Lodi hotel. You can spend it right here, at my home, as you've been doing. And, now that you know some facts, you may just see things in a different light. I know your son is concerned about your disapproval of the time he spends with Isabel. I think his healing may go a little better if you trust him and support him."

Again, Victoria felt rather humbled. "You're a wise woman; I'd love to stay. Getting to know both you and Isabel will also be an honor; but, you have a young family so I insist that I help. If we stay, please do not to treat me like a guest. I ran a household and raised four rambunctious children so, please, allow me to help you.

Alejandra was glad of the change in subject regarding Jarrod and Isabel's friendship; she could see no reason to dwell on it. It would either last or fade away with no help from either of them. She also found herself admiring Victoria for the way she had been willing to listen to what she, Alejandra, had to say….and how Victoria was changing her attitude towards Jarrod and Isabel's friendship because of it.

For Jarrod and Isabel's part, the friendly debate was over and the talk had turned to the blind school and what Isabel, or Isabel and Jarrod, would be facing as they struggled to move on with their lives.

*Reference to "Time After Midnight"