36- Starting over… chapter thirty-six
Walter pulled in to the garage then closed up and set security. He went up to the bedroom to get undressed and hang up the monkey suit in the back of the closet for another year. He put a t-shirt on to go sit at the desk. He opened the laptop but there was no new mail. He swiveled his chair to look at Megan's picture. "No problem seeing them all, Megan. Just have Cabe's retirement gathering next week then that will be it. Seems like there is no getting away from them." He sat for some time looking at Megan- her big dimpled smile- so happy she was, so steadying an influence she was for him for so long. He finally turned back to his desk to stare at the blank screen of the not powered up desktop unit. Blank screen so paid attention to his internal calculating of the measurements of the screen angles to the desk, time spent since sitting, so he focused on the latest design he was working on so the calculating faded into the background. In time, he got up, went into the kitchen to set up the coffee maker for the morning then the bathroom to brush teeth, use the facilities and went to bed burrowing under the blankets hearing the rain start again… tonight was one of the rare ones as he slept through to morning.
In the morning he woke up, no sound of rain, so maybe a sunny day. He was nice and warm, but the bathroom was calling so he got up, made the detour to get the coffee started and hit the head to use the facilities, brush his teeth, run a comb through the curls and went to get a cup of coffee to start the day and go in the den. Opening the laptop, he had mail. Richard and Ralph.
Walter- Looked for you to go to the restaurant after the gala but you had left. Jake and Gina came along, next time stick around longer. Richard
He hit reply.
Richard- Sorry I missed it. Will stick around next time- like seeing you pick up the tab. Walter
Walter- Had hoped to get a chance to talk with you- maybe at Cabe's retirement if you are there. Congratulations on the patents- you are really getting quite a collection according to Mr. Elias. He came by to talk with us and is wanting me to think about an internship next year. He says I am young, but since you worked with me and the college classes I have taken, he may work something out. He also does scholarships especially those going into the hard sciences which I will. Maybe in future I may work with you on something like we used to. Was nice seeing you, and congratulations again. Ralph
He hit reply.
Ralph- Rather difficult to have conversations in a throng like that. I plan to attend Cabe's retirement gathering. Will see you there, but again, conversation may be difficult in such a hub-bub. That Richard has his eye on you could be a big help for your future. His enterprise space division is on the leading edge of space exploration. Getting an internship at your young age can be nothing but a plus. To be steeped in the process while you are in university means you would graduate well ahead and fully prepared to enter the space division at an optimum time as the division is within a couple years of actual launching the first step- to the moon. You would be in a prime position for the following launch to Mars. I would look forward to working with you again should you intern while I am there. Was nice seeing you- you are getting tall. Know I love you. Walter
Walter sat back thinking of the good fortune Ralph had- being in the right place at the optimum time with the intelligence to make such a positive impact on the path of human history. Fortunate, indeed to not be negatively directed and he, Walter, will do all he can to help Ralph reach his full potential. Walter then thought of Ralph's personal life, the home life that can so deeply impact the rest of the facets of life. He thought back of the short time in his life when he, Paige and Ralph were a semi family- together but not permanently so. Did not last long but was the most personally serene time of his life. A lot of activity with cases, bantering with the others of the team, but for him when he went to work with Ralph on the boards or a project while Paige fixed dinner and it was the three alone then just he and Paige in the loft, his contentment and internal ease was remarkable. Too short a time for coming thirty-five years of life.
Walter shook his head- pointless to think of past, done and over parts of life. At the rate things are going for him, the time has come for him to come to terms with reality. Much as he wants to not be alone when he dies, it is looking like such will be the case. Reality. There is so much in life that is less than positive for individuals, just needs to be tolerated- he needs to face it and dedicate his time and effort to the sciences, the design and math needed to further the future into space.
Taking his empty cup he refilled in the kitchen then went into the bedroom to dress in jeans, t-shirt with a flannel shirt to head up to the roof. Was a sunny day, the sad looking, droopy rose plants were even more sad and droopy looking than the last time he was on the roof. He leaned on the wall enjoying the pleasant light breeze, deep blue sky with a couple puffy white clouds cruising to the east. Watching them, he calculated their elevation, wind speed and how long to take them to get to Yuma if they don't dissipate, then took a sip of his coffee and went back inside to open the garage bay doors and get some fresh air in the place after being closed up for days of rain. Opening the two garage bay doors he leaned against the big concrete pot the mandarin orange tree was in to bask in the sun and drink his coffee when Seth in the Jaguar XK 120 pull up.
Walter stood up, his physical reaction surprising him.
"Hey, Walter. I have been writing when I sent the software monitoring but you never replied so I figured there was a problem in the communication."
"All security software monitoring reports that come in without 'alert' in the subject line I do not open them as all is well, then they are deleted."
"I figured there was a glitch in the process. After talking to you when Sarah was here, and knowing how she feels about you, I figured it was necessary to get air cleared. Our baby is due in two more weeks and then I will be tied to Mary and the baby so figured I getter get over here and have a talk."
"Is Sarah OK?" Walter asked. "She isn't having difficulty, is she?"
"No. The cast just came off her arm and she is in physical therapy- that minor motor skills issue you had mentioned. Her leg is doing OK and cast may be off in another few weeks, then the real fun physical therapy starts. Anyway, she went with mom and dad because she couldn't just leave mom in such an emotional state- we are family after all. She has been spending time with mom in therapy and progress has been made. Sarah thinks she has gotten mom to understand differences between you and other mathematicians….. for one thing, you aren't a psycho….. right?" Seth laughed, "Just joking though you fully realize this isn't a joking matter. Sarah and I didn't even know about mom and that murderer- happened long before Sarah and I came on the scene and even quite a while before mom met dad and I gather dad really had a time getting her to marry him… that is why he named the place SUEdon Morgans, putting mom first. Talking to dad about all that, mom was a real basket case- two friends dead and almost herself. Every time she looks in a mirror she sees scars so always remembers."
"Yes, your father told me he went to Arabian horse shows just to see your mother and that was love with a capital L," Walter said. "Though I really did not comprehend what he was saying at the time. Why hasn't Sarah written to me?"
"First of all, she gave her word to mom she wouldn't, but mom can't keep her from writing me. Like I said, I was passing things on to you in the software monitoring reports- not all the mushy, but how she was doing and she wanted to know how you were doing. She was afraid, and dad was too because of your lack of family ties, so not understanding our family dynamics."
"Want some coffee or water? We can sit comfortably inside," Walter said going into the office kitchen to start the coffee and coming out with a bottle of water.
"Sure, water, thanks," Seth said following Walter into the seating area. "All this talking dried me out and to be honest, being a Cyrano isn't my thing. I thank the gods Mary didn't run away screaming when I, coming in from the stable late for class, ran smack into her in riding gear and smelling like sweaty horse. Damned near knocked her on her butt. You know, thinking on that, it really is amazing any of us men even get married- amazing the women put up with our nonsense, they see something in us we don't see in ourselves….. one of the big reasons they are so mysterious to us, I guess. Mary is exceptional and yet married me, now carrying our kid- she must be out of her mind as I just don't understand why she voluntarily put herself through this pregnancy, and I just can't think of the birth. Just don't see it and will never understand it."
Walter got up, to go get some coffee as the coffee maker quit gurgling. Getting to the door he turned to look at Seth with a frown, "You do realize you called Mary 'exceptional' then turned around and said she is 'out of her mind' all in one sentence?"
Returning from the kitchen, coffee in hand, Walter sat down in an easy chair, looked at Seth, "So what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, if you are still figuring out how you feel about Sarah, genius that you are, figure it out and make a decision. Either patiently wait for her to get back to LA or forget about her all together." Seth said. "Your decision to make as she said she understands if you have 'moved on' as she put it. But I, as her brother who knows her better than she knows herself, I am telling you to warn you, when she comes back to LA she very well may be camped out on your doorstep. You seem to be her froggy king and she is hard headed, always has been, so be prepared." Seth rose, "thanks for the water- I was just out on my way to pick up some pistachio ice cream for Mary so better get to it. That is my major function these days crave supplier and helping hand getting from point A to B. She will REALLY be out of her mind if she does this again. Can't imagine people having a flock of kids- crazy." He headed out to the Jag and hopped in, "nice sunny day for a change. Going for the ice cream, take an extra turn to get it home, this getting dark early sucks, then put it back in the barn- supposed to rain again tomorrow night. Have a good day, Walter, nice seeing you again."
Walter watched him round the corner, put the doors down, kicked the stops in place, pulled out his phone ordered a pizza and went to the kitchen, filled his coffee cup and went to sit in the easy chair to await the delivery. He thought back of the relationship Paige had with her mother- but her mother was the criminal, not the victim of one. Paige's bad childhood caused tension and unusual behavior in the child to grow up to adulthood with dislike of the parent and deeply held beliefs like demanding open dialogue but then she didn't do the same. People were very confusing- neither they nor their personalities followed a straight path. He put his feet up on the table thinking of his own relationship with his parents. Contentious with his father that over the course of time came to somewhat grudging respect each for the other. Mothers on the other hand will always be a mystery. Maybe the relationship for either parent is different depending on whether one is a son or daughter. Funny he thought, he acted as a father to Ralph and they got along quite well.
Knocking on the door, "PIZZA!" Walter got up pulling bills out of his pocket, opened the man-door and told the delivery guy to keep the change and brought the box in to put on the table. Went into the kitchen for napkins, went back to sit and got a slice out to start eating. Seth said he should figure it out, genius that he was. The way he said it seemed like Seth was questioning his genius- possibly another example of what is obvious to others simply escapes him.
Finishing his pizza slice, Walter rose to go in the kitchen to refill his cup, rinse out the pot and set it up for the morning then turning off the lights he carried the pizza box up to the loft kitchen to put in the fridge, then went to the den to do some research on gems.
Wednesday of this week was Cabe's retirement gathering the following week Christmas, then the new year. Walter was debating whether to attend the new year gala of Richards. After the start of the year, he had decisions to make and plans to get together.
The day of Cabe's retirement gathering, Walter rose to shower, shave and get dressed in business attire, combed out the curls that were getting long and went down to the office to see Gina.
"Good morning, Walter," Gina said as he strolled through with coffee.
"I take it things are slow- that time of year again, right? As I said, I will be leaving for Cabe's retirement gathering at one, so you keep the security on while here alone."
"Have a good time, Walter. Guess with him so long in one law enforcement organization or another there should be a lot of people there."
"Yes, a good time had by all, I am sure," Walter said rising, finishing his coffee and, going into the kitchen put the cup in the dishwasher to head on to open the garage door and pull the Malibu out as showers were expected before the day was out.
Getting to the Homeland Security main office, he found a parking place and walking to the front door spotted Happy's truck. Entering, he went to the receptionist's desk and said he was there for the Cabe Gallo retirement gathering, showed his ID and was told to go to the main conference room second door in the hall- just listen for the crowd. Entering the room there was a crowd, indeed. Cabe sitting at the head of a large conference table, Allie to his right. A huge cake on the table and a lot of conversations going on amid laughter. There was a large guest book for people to sign at the far end of the table. Looking around the room Walter saw Happy and Toby together, Paige and the dark haired man she danced with at the gala and Ralph behind. Walter went and signed the guest book then got some coffee from the urn at a side table and stood back to observe everyone. Kathryn came over to say hello.
"I see you are no more comfortable in crowds today than you were years ago, Walter," Kathryn said with a smile. "Nice you could come. By the looks of it, we probably should have booked a convention center with the number of people showing up. I see retired FBI as well as a couple Marines. Cabe appears to have been well liked pretty much everywhere he was."
"Yes, Cabe always was a commanding figure, and there was no doubt on where he stood on any issue. I have known him for decades and he has not changed. Duty I think is his middle name," Walter said with a smile. "He has devoted all his life to service to the nation and its people. Not sure you find that as deeply ingrained in people these days. Guess I should go shake his hand and congratulate him on getting out alive- that was iffy at times, even with us. Nice seeing you again, Kathryn."
"By the way, Walter, thanks for the help on locating that issue for the Denver office. Locating that guy led them to three others and quite the weapons stash," Kathryn said.
"You know where the garage is should anything I can help with come up in future. Just no more shooting, missiles, and death defying stunts. I gave all that up for calm scientific research and programming," Walter said with a smile and shook her hand. "Enjoy the party."
Walter slowly made his way toward Cabe. Allie noticed him and whispered in Cabe's ear.
Cabe stood up, "Walter! Glad you could come. Was waiting for you so now Allie can cut the cake. Come have a piece- you sign my book? Made it out alive, huh?"
Walter went to shake Cabe's hand but Cabe pulled him in for a hug. "Don't stand on ceremony now, Walter. Thanks a lot for coming- know it was difficult for you."
Standing back, Walter said, "not difficult in the slightest. I have looked forward to this day anxiously for a long time- was not sure you would get out alive, so glad you did. Once the rain is finally over I will be out to see you and go over those water and power systems." Walter stood back and Allie handed Cabe the first piece of cake and Walter the second. Then continued to put pieces on little plates as others lined up.
Other newly arrived guests came to shake Cabes hand and wish him well in retirement so Walter sauntered closer to the door eating his cake, finally backed up against the wall to watch the goings on. He noticed Ralph doing the same- easing through the crowd to come stand next to Walter.
"So nice to see and talk to you in person again, Walter," Ralph said. "I kept an eye out for the Ferrari but didn't see it."
Walter smiled, "In the nondescript Malibu today. The little green leprechaun is pretty much stuck in the barn these days with all this rain. So how are your classes going?"
"The college robotics classes are a blast, next I will be getting back into the math. Richard talked with me and mom about testing out of high school early- think I have gotten about as much social crap out of public school as possible and want to devote more into university. Richard may give a scholarship- seems one of his enterprise clubs that promotes 'promising students' and I am in the running. Seems someone made it where the proceeds of some patent is funding the scholarship- particularly for those focused on higher math. Fancy that, huh?"
"Patent funding should always go to a good cause, one would think," Walter said with a smile. "Anything that promotes the sciences is a good thing. The man with your mother is the same man she was dancing with at the gala."
Ralph turned to look at Paige, "Yes, he is a manager in Richard's financial sector. Joe Hayworth. Nice guy, but don't know how it will go." Turning back to Walter, "How are you doing?"
Walter smiled, "I'm fine, Ralph, as always. I have to get back to the office. I look forward to the day you may show up at the space division. When you do, lunch is on me. I gotta' say so long to Cabe. You take care, nice seeing you." Walter went over to Cabe and Allie talking to some people, leaned to Cabe, "I have to get back to the office, Cabe. I will see you as soon as the weather permits. You both take care. Allie, don't use that stick on him too often- Cabe's head isn't as hard as it once was."