Hello here is a new one, my daughter fed the muse. As always I make no money.
He declined the use of the limousine, he really didn't see the point it was only him at the small service. He stayed for some time after the Minster had left, lost in his own thoughts. When he heard the groundskeepers cough softly. He apologized to them for delaying their work. He put his hat back on his head and walked away, his head held high he never once looked back.
He drove the long way home in his Morgan, he needed to clear his mind and let go of the past. Yes his mother had been ill for a long time and he would miss her terribly, to tell the truth it was a relief that she had finally succumbed to the long battle of Alzheimer's. A dreadful disease, and it destroyed her bit by bit. Taking a once strong and vibrant woman and leaving a shell of her former self in it's wake.
He drove for over an hour it was only when he felt the call of nature that he drove to his home. A big barn of a home, he would have to do something about it. It was too much of a house for him, as much as it saddened him to let it go. He needed something smaller, something he could manage with little effort on his part.
As he walked up to his front door, he became somewhat alarmed, it was too quiet. The dogs, his mother's blessed Corgis should be barking up a storm. Maybe they were sleeping it has been a rough few days and their schedule is off.
He opened the door and waited listening for them, not hearing anything at all he grabs a sturdy umbrella from its stand. And starts for the back of the house fully intending to look in each room as he goes. He doesn't take two steps before he sees the reason why the dogs are so quiet.
His friend Anthony DiNozzo standing at the entrance to the kitchen holding a tea cozy.
"Ducky just in time. I just poured the water." Tony says before disappearing back into the kitchen.
Ducky put the umbrella down on the nearest piece of furniture before continuing on to the kitchen.
Once in his large kitchen he can see that his friend has indeed been rather busy.
"Anthony?"
"Have a seat Ducky. I made you tea and a few small sandwiches I didn't know if you would be hungry. But you really should eat something either way."
"How very kind of you." Ducky replies as he reaches for a small sandwich.
"Don't mention it Ducky. Now I made you enough meals to last you two weeks I put them in the freezer. You just have to add a small salad. Please Ducky trust me, I did take nutrition classes in college, protein, starch and two veggies."
"I do trust you my young friend, thank you."
"The dogs have been walked and fed. I even brushed the Contessa for you. They should be fine until you let them out before you retire for the night."
"Anthony?"
"Yes Ducky."
"Who told you?"
"One of the nurses, I asked her to let me know. I told her that I worked with you, and that I didn't want you to have to deal with everything alone. She said I was a good friend."
"She's right, you are."
"Now where was I? I gave the house a once over the windows and doors are all locked and secure. I put the commode in the garage."
"I've been meaning to that, I just didn't have the heart."
Tony nods his head understanding completely. He waits until all of the dishes are washed and put away before he decides it's time for him to leave Ducky. So his good friend can mourn his loss in peace.
"Ducky, you know your mom, well, she was one hell of a broad. I bet she's already found a new Italian gigolo furniture mover of her own, to order about. Seriously Ducky, she's not in pain anymore and can finally rest. It was time my friend, she fought long and hard."
"Anthony." Ducky says but gets no further.
Tony looks away and sighs before he answers. "You were not the only visitor she had, she needed her gigolo there too. I left a list of organizations that rescue Corgis on your desk, just in case you want to give them to good homes. I know they were your mothers and with our hours, it's not fair to them. Let me know what you decide."
"Anthony I will, and thank you."
"My pleasure Dr. Mallard."