1958

Timothy was coming to stay for the weekend. They had settled into a pattern of Timothy stayed with her unless he had cubs' activities to keep him in Poplar.

Since Patrick's work was seven days a week, he was free to see patients without worrying about Timothy being left unattended for too long. On Sunday afternoon, Patrick would return for his son and stay to visit

As soon as she answered to door she knew something was wrong.

"Hello Timothy love...Goodness Patrick are you sick?"

"No, just very overworked. I am being called out constantly because words got out that I have gas and air in my boot."

"Gas and air?"

"It takes the pain out if childbirth. I had to put a stop to it. I can't be at every delivery. My own GP patients are suffering"

"It looks to me like you've been suffering."

"And me. I hardly saw him this week," Timothy added.

"Would you mind terribly sewing on a button for me when I come on Sunday?"

"Of course."

"Apparently one came off my clinical coat. Truthfully I did not even noticed, but I heard a few of the nurses talking about it at clinic on Tuesday. I don't think they know I heard them."

"I will fix it right up for you. Now you go on and see if you can get some rest before your telephone starts ringing."

"Good-bye son, have a nice time," he said to Tim as he gave him a hug and over Tim's head he whispered, "Thank you."

She watched him drive away and not meaning to speak out loud, said, "Good."

"What's good?"

"Oh he drove away, but he used to just sit in his car for a long time. He reminded me of a sheepdog without any sheep."

"Really...he always tries to be happy for me."

"I don't think he has to try so hard anymore." she answered and then asked, "So what would you like to do?"

With a gleam in his eyes he said, "I brought the cards."

"You did. Did you? And you think you are going to win if I know you."

"Of course."

Like all weekends with Timothy the time went by quickly. Sunday at Timothy's insistence she prepared shepherd's pie...large enough for plenty to be packed and taken home for another meal.

Patrick arrived later than planned, but that was to be expected. Timothy told him of the many card games he won.

"Granny is teaching me cribbage."

"Really."

"He picked it up quickly."

"Perhaps we can play at home sometime," Patrick added.

She noticed that Patrick looked rested. She was relieved as she had been worrying a bit too much about him wearing himself too thin.

At the table, Granny said to Patrick, "Did you forget the button?"

"What? Oh no, when I went back to get my coat, the button was sewn on."

"Sewn on! By who?..One of the nurses who noticed perhaps."

"Perhaps."

"Maybe one is interested."

"Interested? Oh no! Absolutely not!"

"Why ever not?"

Timothy answered, "Because they are young and pretty and Dad is ancient."

"Not ancient. Thank you very much, but the nurses are all very young."

"It's a mystery," Granny said.

"Yes, a mystery," Patrick repeated, and she could tell he was wondering who it might have been."

"You are a doctor and widower. You are going to have women interested in you," she added.

"I am not interested. It has hardly been a year. Besides I can't imagine finding love again. I am not sure I want to."

"I don't need some mean step-mother like in the fairytales," Timothy added.

"See...I would not look twice at a woman unless I knew she loved Timothy. We are better off without."

"Oh there is a women out there for you. Who knows maybe she likes sewing buttons."

"I seriously doubt that because if I had to solve the button mystery, I would say it was a nun."

"Granny, can we talk about something else and can I have some more shepherd's pie?"

"Tim, I think you have the right idea there. New subject and more delicious food."

After they left, she thought about their conversation. She was glad to hear that someone who loved Timothy was important to Patrick. She suspected that he would deny his need for a wife until the right woman came along and all excuses would float away.

If he never found the right woman, then she would be there for them until she went in the ground. Truthfully she'd be there either way.