"Why did you ever bring him into this house?" she sobbed. Before poor Ben could mount a response the telephone rang. As soon as Ben answered it, I knew it was my husband. I melted like butter in the sun.
"Hi, filthy rich guy," Ben said, using his usual greeting. "How are you doing? Yeah, It's your dirt poor brother-in-law." Ben made a move to hand me the phone but I shook my head violently. I couldn't speak to him. Not yet. Ben didn't know what to do but Suzie took the phone from her husband.
"She's in the bathroom. How are you doing?" After listening a moment, a strange look passed over her face. "Oh! I'll get her." She held the phone away and her eyes pleading that I take the call.
It took me several more moments before I spoke to my husband. "Is everything all right?" I asked.
"Not really," Paul answered. "I just received a wire from my mother in Paris. My father died this morning."
"Oh God, Paul. I'm sorry."
"I have to go. She insists." That surprised me. He and his father hadn't exchanged a word in decades.
"Of course," I said, trying to think of the right thing to say. I was shaking like a leaf. "Do you want me . . . "
"You don't have to. She didn't even remember I remarried."
"What about the children?" I asked.
"My mother wants to see Timmy. A command performance; heir to the throne, so to speak. I'll leave it up to you to ask Karen if she wants to come too."
"When will you be leaving?"
"Tonight if I can. Thatcher is arranging everything."
I tried to catch my breath. "Give me a moment to talk to Karen." I put down the phone to explain the situation to my daughter but she'd understood from my side of the conversation.
She looked down at my stomach. "I have to stay here, with you." She said without hesitation.
Paul could hear her response over the phone. "That's just as well," he said. "I wouldn't be going if mother didn't insist. I'll leave directly from here."
"When will you be back?" I asked.
"Thursday or Friday. I'm not sure when the service is scheduled or how long she'll want me to stay. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. He's your father even if you didn't get along." After the I-love-yous and a brief chat between father and daughter, the conversation ended. I sank to the sofa in frustration.
Karen gave me a quizzical look. "You didn't tell him."
"Something this important has to be discussed in person. It's a shock to all of us. Honey, I need time to think. My mind's like a tornado whirling around."