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Designed Intent

Chapter 20

Friday night

Gleason and Bobby locked eyes as she approached the exit separating ticketing and security. She stepped into Bobby's arms and hugged him tightly. She clung to him as he held her. Bobby looked down at her and said, "Gleason? What's wrong, Honey? What happened?"

Gleason didn't respond, just held onto him. Finally, she looked up and said, "I want to go home." He searched her face and took her hand. They walked to his vehicle.

Neither said a word until they were into traffic, heading to their apartment. Gleason spoke first, "I love you."

He looked at her quickly and then took her hand. "I love you, too, Baby." They rode in silence, and then he asked, "Are you hungry?"

"I just want to go home."

Gleason had not told Bobby about Malcolm's call after Bobby left Sunday night. She didn't tell him about the repeated calls that night and the next morning. She didn't tell him a thing about Malcolm.

At their apartment, Bobby hung her wrap and his jacket. Gleason went to the fridge and removed the bottle of Silver Birch wine and a beer. Bobby watched her uncap his bottle and open hers. He got a wine glass and took the bottle from her. She picked up his bottle and moved to the sofa. "Hold me," she said setting his bottle on the end table.

He poured her wine and left the bottle on the kitchen table, crossing to where she sat and setting her glass on the table beside his beer. He sat in his usual place and she snuggled up against him. He held her with both arms, her head against his broad shoulder.

Neither said a word for a long time. He knew not to say anything. Something had happened and he didn't want to mess up her telling him. He did not want to fight with her. He held her, running his right hand up and down her back, his left hand on her right upper arm. He felt her sigh.

Gleason's hand went to his lap and she fondled him. Bobby drew a sharp breath at the unexpected move. His lips went into her hair and he closed his eyes. Gleason loved the feel of him. His penis moved and thickened in her hand as she touched him through his trousers. She heard his breath quicken and his murmured groan in her hair. He had to shift to accommodate himself.

Gleason looked up at him and said softly, "Let me eat you." He looked at her and moved his left hand from her arm to her neck, thumb under her jaw. He kissed her deeply and her tongue met his.

"In bed, let's go to bed," he said and kissed her again. Gleason uncurled herself from him and they both stood. She led him to the bedroom.

For the next two hours, they made love, slowly, passionately. Afterward, they lay in each other's arms. Bobby lay wondering what had happened; he was desperate to ask her, but he knew if he did, they would end up fighting. He did not want to fight with her. Gleason lay wondering how to tell Bobby about Malcolm. She knew that it would upset him if he knew. She also knew that they would fight. She did not want to fight with him. Slowly, they fell asleep.

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Saturday Morning

He turned off the alarm and lay back, reaching for her. He turned toward her and wrapped himself around her warm form.

"You better get up," she said. His hand went to her breast. She felt his penis move against her bottom. "You better get up, before you really get up," she said.

He smiled and murmured, "I'm already up."

Gleason turned in his arms and looked at him. She loved this man with her heart and soul. Bobby looked into her heart. "Go get a shower before you need a cold one," she told him.

He groaned and then kissed her, their tongues broaching on more action. "Go," she said.

Bobby slid off the bed and walked into the bathroom. Gleason laid thinking. It is so nice not to fight with him. She stretched sensuously and recalled their lovemaking the night before. They had never been so slow; it was wonderful. She forced herself to get up; she slipped on one of his tee shirts and went into the kitchen.

Bobby and Alex were working a half Saturday and had Sunday off. Gleason and he would have the rest of the weekend to themselves. Bobby wanted to go to Carmel Ridge this afternoon to see his mother. Gleason looked forward to the trip.

"Here, drink your juice and eat this toast, Love. The coffee is near to done," she told him as he entered the kitchen. He stepped to her, took the juice, set it on the table and embraced her. "You didn't shave," she smiled.

"You like me this way," he smiled back.

"I like you every way," she said and kissed him. He held her and rocked gently. He still wanted to know what had upset her this week. Deep down, he knew it was Malcolm. That bastard did something, said something to upset her. Bobby swore he would not push her to tell him. He did not want to fight this weekend. He never wanted to fight with her again.

"Bobby, drink your orange juice. Love, you must be starving. You didn't get any dinner last night."

He took the glass and drained it, then said with a smile, "Oh, we ate last night; it just wasn't very nutritious." He took a piece of toast that she had buttered and slathered with orange marmalade.

Gleason smiled in return and moved to the coffee pot. She poured him a cup and prepared his travel mug.

Bobby offered her a piece of toast and she shook her head, "You eat it, I'll get some later. Does Estella come today?" she asked.

Bobby swallowed and said, "Huh uh, next week." Gleason nodded and began to put away the breakfast things. "What are you going to do this morning?" he asked her.

"I'm not sure. I may go for a walk, window shop."

"I'll be home by twelve-thirty and then we can head up to see Mom. We can get lunch on the way." He set his glass, plate and cup in the sink, wiped his mouth and hands on a tea towel and took her by the waist. "How does that sound?"

Gleason stepped close to him and hugged him tight, as she had at the airport last evening. "Honey, something happened, didn't it?" he said softly. He bent and looked into her face. He felt her shiver.

"Bobby, you're going to be late," And she pulled away. He looked at her with that pained look he gets. "Go on, I'll see you when you get here. Go." She kissed him lightly and took him by the hand, leading him to the door.

"I'll call you when I'm leaving, ok?"

"Good, then I'll be ready when you get home." She kissed him again and opened the door. "Now go. Be careful. I love you."

He stood outside the door and looked at her, "Lock the door. Hear me? Lock it. I love you."

Gleason waved and shut the door.

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Saturday Afternoon

Bobby pulled into the parking lot at Carmel Ridge, parked, went around the front of the SUV and opened Gleason's door. He helped her down and they walked hand in hand to the entrance. Neither said anything. They crossed the main lobby and took the elevator to the third floor. They rode up in silence, exited the elevator, and crossed the common area to the reception desk to sign in.

"Mr. Goren, Dr. Shinto would like to speak with you before you go in to see your mother," the receptionist said.

"Is my mother all right?" Bobby asked with obvious concern.

"You'll need to speak with Dr. Shinto. Let me page him for you."

Bobby turned and put his right arm around Gleason. She slid her left arm around his waist. Neither said anything. They waited only a few minutes.

"Mister Goren," said a short man in a white lab coat.

Bobby turned, took his arm from around Gleason's shoulders and stuck out his hand to his mother's psychiatrist. "Dr. Shinto, is my mother all right?"

The doctor shook Bobby's hand and bowed slightly to Gleason. She nodded in return. "For the most part, yes, your mother is all right. Let us speak over here." Dr. Shinto led Bobby and Gleason across the common room to a love seat facing two wing back chairs. The couple took the loveseat, holding hands, and Dr. Shinto took one chair. He smiled at them and began. "Your mother has manifested a new hallucination."

"What kind of hallucination?" Bobby asked.

"It is a simultaneous visual and auditory. She's been speaking to a hallucination of a little boy whom she can apparently see." The psychiatrist waited for Mrs. Goren's son to process this information.

"When did these start? Do they upset her?"

Dr. Shinto nodded and held up a hand, smiling. "We are not sure when they began. A staff member saw her speaking to the child twice. We are not certain how often they occur. These manifestations do not upset her, no, no, quite the opposite, actually. She seems to enjoy the company of this child. She is always calm and happy afterward."

"If she is calm and happy, does anything need to be done to prevent this hallucination?"

"It would seem nothing need be done if this particular hallucination gives her pleasure. However, we must find the root of this new event. She may be pleased with the experience at this time; however, we cannot be sure the hallucination will remain pleasant. As the hallucination continues, as it evolves, it may corrupt rather than remain status or even improve. The risk of corruption is too great; I think we must work to abate the vision and voice."

Bobby looked down at his hand holding Gleason's hand. His thumb slid back and forth over the back of her hand. Gleason watched Bobby think. Then she asked, "What do you know about this child she sees and speaks with? What details has she given you about him?"

"She has told us nothing. I am not sure she even knows we know about it."

Gleason continued, "Would it be wise to find out who she thinks this child is? It may be an insight into her psychosis."

Both Bobby and the doctor looked at the lovely woman. Dr. Shinto said, "That is exactly what we plan to do. I will speak with her about his new manifestation. We will need to see what she thinks. That kind of information will help get to the root. Then we will be better prepared to treat her."

Bobby looked down and the psychiatrist continued, "Perhaps you should be the one to broach the subject of this hallucination with her. Would you be comfortable asking your mother about this child she sees and talks with?"

Bobby looked to Gleason and then said, "Sure, if you think it will help. How should we begin with her? Should we act as if the child is real? I do not want to do or say anything to upset her."

"You might begin by telling her you and I have talked and that you are curious about this child. You can judge whether to continue or not. I do not think she will evade the conversation; nor do I think it will upset her. She will be comfortable talking with you about this first."

Bobby sighed and squeezed Gleason's hand. "All right. Do you want us to meet you afterward to share what we find out?"

"That would be good." Dr. Shinto glanced at his watch, stood and said, "Have the desk page me when you are done. I must see a patient. Thank you." Bobby stood and the two men shook hands. Dr. Shinto bowed slightly to Gleason.

Bobby held out his hand, Gleason took it and she rose. They walked down the hall to his mother's room.