Disclaimer: The characters in this story don't belong to me, they are owned by Erle Stanley Gardner's pen. I don't receive any economic good for them. I only write for the pleasure of doing it.
Many thanks to the incredible of tengland2, for continuing to support me in this great adventure helping me to see my mistakes, also finding words that I can not find. I hope you continue to enjoy the story as much as I enjoy writing.
All the errors are only mine.
Chapter Twelve
The Mason and Drake families have gathered on the back porch of the Mason house, for dinner Tom with PJ were on the patio preparing to start grilling dinner. Tom had long since learned to grill from Perry but wasn't nearly as good at it. He remembered how proud Perry had been of him, the first time he prepared and grilled everything alone for the first time. It was PJ's voice that brought him out of his thoughts.
"Hey, Tom, stop thinking about Lorraine, and pay mind to the food before you burn it." Laughs PJ.
"You're the one to be talking about thinking about girls. Since when you need help with math?" asks Tom.
"Not me, Gala needs help. How did you hear about that?" Asks PJ.
"Not much gets past our sisters." He smiles, looking over where their sisters were sitting, trying to finish their homework.
"Yours gets away with so much, from you spoiling her. I would love to find a way to prevent Andrea from finding out things she doesn't need to know." Says PJ.
"Don't get so defensive, suggest you keep being protective of her. Your going to find out you might need her help one of these days." Replies Tom.
"Help from my sister, I doubt that." Says PJ, Tom just shakes his head.
Before they could continue their conversation, Paul approaches them.
"Have you two got anything completely cooked yet? I'm not the only one who is hungry." Says Paul.
"Tell, Grandma to bring on the beans and everyone to gather at the table. We'll be there in two, three minutes." Replies Tom.
Within minutes the group was sitting around the garden table, enjoying their meal. Tom talked about his journalism classes at college. The group knew Perry had hoped that he would be taking criminal justice courses, in order to attend law school. Della was sure there would be more than one more conversation about law school, and the types of law between the men in her life.
"By the way Tom, how is that beautiful girlfriend of yours? What's her name, ahh yes, Lorraine?" Asks Paul. "Like your father, you've found one that is smart, pretty and willing to take you one."
Margaret rolled her eyes at Paul, shaking her head.
"Paul, I'm pleased that you approve of my son's choice in girlfriends, but they aren't involved as you seem to think they are." Replies Della.
"Oh, trouble in paradise, different schools and all?" Asks Paul.
"Uncle Paul, we're friends, always have been and probably always will be. Who knows what will happen, college is an adventure and ours may go down different paths." Replies Tom, not willing to admit he and Lorraine, hadn't seen much of each other, while at separate schools. They had kept in contact with phone calls and a couple of cards. It seemed to be a mutual parting of the personnel relationship they had shared.
Della was a bit surprised to hear her son admit the fact that he and Lorraine were not as close as they had been prior to departing separately for college. Della had sent a care package to Lorraine for her birthday and received a call from her for it. Lorraine had mentioned she was surprised to get it, since her and Tom's relationship, had returned to friendship status. They had been friends before becoming first love and now back to being comfortable as friends.
Mae realizing the conversation had gotten rather quiet, she gets up. "Someone help me clear the table and we can decide on dessert."
"I'm so full, right now, but I'll help," says Lizzie.
"My sister refusing dessert." Smiles Tom, stroking her head.
"I didn't say I wouldn't have any, I'm just full." She smiles, getting up with Andrea, both gathering dishes to take inside.
Mae starts to follow, when she is stopped at the door, "Grandma, may I ask just what is for dessert?" Tom smiles, "If my nose is working properly, I think I smelt chocolate."
Mae only laughs, "Come on get the grilled cleaned or I'll make sure it's a healthy dessert."
"Oh Grandma, I already did healthy today," says Lizzie, coming back out the door.
"Yes you did," Kissing Lizzie's check, "come on move."
"Slave driver," says Paul, he gets up, "Come on son, we can't win, to many women around." PJ and Paul gather up dishes and disappear into the house.
Della, starts to get up, Tom puts his hand on her shoulder as he passes. "Stay put Mom, please. I want chocolate cake, not a fruit salad." Della and Margaret both smile as Tom continues on to the grill.
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Shortly after the Drakes went home, Mae took Lizzie inside, leaving Tom and Della sitting on the porch.
"You do realize she will talk her way out of reading," smiles Tom.
"No, she won't, happens to be enjoying the book she is working on," says Della. "Now young man, I like having you home, but you weren't supposed to be here until next week. You did promise to stay at school. Truth or dare." Raising an eyebrow, as she smiles.
"Truth," laughs Tom. "I'm not sure if I would want a dare. You would get the truth anyway." Pausing, "I really didn't like the way you sounded on the phone. Plus, Lizzie is so like you when it comes to being sick, she hates to admit to feeling bad. So, I had to come home to make sure. Plus having Grandma here, helped with the reason for checking, seeing her and the truth missed a lot of food from the grandmother."
"Would you mind telling me what happened between you and Lorraine?" she asks.
"Nothing really. We talked a lot at Thanksgiving and Christmas, deciding it would be easier to remain friends. She had the right words for what our relationship wasn't, what did she call it?" Pausing, "oh yea, hearts and flowers, we decided we do love each other, just not in love."
Della smiles, "Rather deep for a red head."
"She is a deep redhead and was surprised that you sent her a care package. Thought you knew we were only friends." Smiles Tom.
"Just because the status changed, doesn't mean she should stop getting a surprise care package on occasion. I don't think she gets much from home."
"No, but she'll be fine and we'll both find the right person," says Tom. "How did you know Dad was the right one?"
"I didn't realize it at first. According to your Dad, he knew the minute I walked into the office for the first and only interview." Della got lost in her thoughts for a moment, before continuing. "Now I'm sure I fell in love with him from the first time he looked at me and he smiled at me, but it took me about six months, before I realized that he was the man, that I would love for the rest of my life and that after him there would be no one else." Leaning back in her chair, "He always took me to dinner and dancing. It was about a four and a half of working for him, he told me that he loved me. It took about thirty seconds for it to sink in, scared him. He started to apologize for saying those words. Spent a couple of hours convincing him I loved him as well." She smiles. "Although accepting his marriage proposal was very different, because I did not want anything to change between us." Said Della. "Work has always been so important to us."
"Want to tell me about the doctor's appointments?" Tom asks.
"Lizzie, saw Dr. Cameron, and got nearly a clean bill of health, figure a few more days and the allergy season for her should be over." Says Della.
"That is good. What did Dr. Harris, say about you?" Asks Tom, smiles.
Della started to ask him how he knew, but the answer walked out onto the porch. "Should have all the answers by Monday." Replies Mae.
Della looks Mae, "you should not have said anything," said Della.
"If not from me, he would hear it from that little lady who is sleeping peacefully upstairs. You know very well that Lizzie tells everything to Tom." Mae smiles at Tom.
Hearing the phone ring, Tom grabs the glasses, "I'll get some more tea and answer that." Once inside, he answers the phone on the third ring. "Masons."
"Hi Tom, what are you doing home? Thought you weren't going to be there until next weekend." Asks Perry.
"Hi, Dad. Wanted to see Grandma and to check on Mom and Lizzie. Wanted to know what the doctors said." Replies Tom.
"Doctors, thought my princess only had one appointment." Says Perry.
"Mom, looks so thin, tired and stressed since the last time I saw her. Apparently while they were at the medical complex, Grandma, got Mom into see Dr. Harris." Replies Tom, "Guess it's a matter of time for all the tests to be run."
"Thank you for telling me that." Perry left that alone for a moment. "May I talk to my princess, I know it's rather late."
"Look Dad, she's already in bed asleep. Its been a long week for her with school and Grandma's visit. We also cooked on the grill and had the Drakes over. Can she call you early in the morning?" Asks Tom.
"Sure, the time difference will work better for her being awake." Pausing, "May I talk to you mother please?"
He had no sooner asked, when Della walked into the kitchen. "Is that your Dad?" She asks, Tom just handed her the phone, filling two glasses he disappears outside. Putting the phone to her ear, "Hello Perry, how are you?" She asks.
"Better now, hearing your voice. Tom mention you seeing Dr. Harris, while Lizzie saw Dr. Cameron." Says Perry. "How did things go?"
Della smiled, he actually remembered both doctors' names. "I am pleased to know that you know the names of our doctors," said Della. "Lizzie will be fine in a matter of days, allergies should be done. As for me, it will be a couple of days."
"Even though everyone believes that I am the most selfish person on this earth, if I care about the people I love." Perry paused, "Alright. I'm glad Tom came home to check on you. Sounds like Mae is getting things organized at home and making sure your getting fed properly." Says Perry.
"Yes, she is. I haven't had to worry about cooking or what we're having." Says Della. "I'm glad Tom is here, but I don't want him to neglect his studies." Pausing, "How is your new assistant working out?" Avoiding any questions about Laura.
"Good, she's pleasant enough and efficient, but she's no you," Hearing a slight laugh from Della, he smiled. "She has made plane reservations for me, coming home late Thursday night and taking the red eye back, again."
"It will be good to have you home with the children here and we can talk some more. Sure, Tom will be more than happy to take Lizzie and Andrea somewhere."
"Lizzie can convince him to take her anywhere without help, Tom really is a tough competition for the love of my princess," Perry smiles.
"Look Perry, I need to hang up, I'm rather tired, there is still some dinner clean up, before I go to bed." Says Della. "Good night."
"Alright Della, I love you, good night." Perry hung up before knowing if she had heard him or not.
Perry was glad Della sounded a bit better, but still not her usual self. He could only hope that there was nothing seriously wrong with Della. He was a bit jealous, feeling selfish that his family was enjoying times without him. His hope was that he and Della in time, could work through this situation. Time would be needed to heal the rift he had caused.
