My child should never cry

Chapter 7 - Not only best friends, but also the greatest family

Mary, Angel, Sam, and Sam's mother sit at a table large enough for twenty people. They are at Sam's mother house.

Clarise Stone is a sixty-five-year-old widow living in the same town with the rest of the Stone family. Clarise, a noble woman, as she says, is a well-known and influential woman in that town. The mother of one son, Sam, the Widow Stone often uses her wealth and power to help the family. She has helped Sam, her beloved son, often, intervening several times to make her son's life as easy as she could.

This strong woman helped her daughter-in-law, Mary, whom she liked from the beginning, to go to A New Hope in Life hospital. Of course, Mary's ability counted more, but this woman helped her by talking with the hospital's chief surgeon. And so Mary Stone received the support to become one of the best doctors among best doctors. At first Mary did not really agree with the decision of Ms. Stone Clarise for Mary to go to A New Hope in Life hospital, but the very persuasive woman convinced her.

***

- A few years ago -

Mary and Clarise are sitting on a sofa speaking to one another.

"My dear, no one disputes the fact that you are not able to get there," said Clarise.

"Yes, Clarise, but I want—"

"I can help you get there a little faster, and the advantage will be on the patient's side. You could consult them and treat them.

"I see your point, but—"

"You can save their lives better. You know the laws and bureaucracy," argues Clarise.

"Yes, that's true," said Mary.

"It will take at least six months before you will be able to practice medicine in this hospital."

Mary sighed.

"Six months in which you can save a lot of lives, lives that would otherwise be lost," Clarise continued to argue.

"I think you're right. I think I need your support to help the others."

Under these conditions, Mary allowed Clarise to help her, and now, due to her ability and knowledge, she is one of the best cardiologists.

***

- The present -

"I have a surprise for you," Clarise said to Angel while placing the plates on the table with great style. "After lunch, we will go and see the surprise I have for you."

When she hears this, Angel begins to eat heartily. Her grandmother's surprises were usually very nice.

"What have you to say, my love? Tell me what you've been doing since I last saw you?" Clarise asked her son.

"The usual. I was in Paris this week. The flight across the Atlantic was not boring and uneventful. There was some really strong turbulence, and we deflected the usual route of about a hundred and twenty-five miles, because we came too close to Irene."

"Who is Irene?" asked Angel

"It's the name of a very nervous lady," Sam said, smiling at his daughter.

"It's the name of a strong storm in the Atlantic Ocean, the ocean your father crossed to reach Paris, my dear. It's called Hurricane Irene," Mary clarified for her daughter. She looked at her husband. She has told him many times not to joke with Angel about these things.

Sam saw his wife's reaction and understood his mistake. He says to his daughter, "Yes, my love, it is a hurricane. But you should know that hurricanes have only women's names. That's why I was joking."

"It's okay, Daddy," Angel replied. She stood up and embraced her father, who kissed her head. She smiled for him, and then returned to her chair.

"Still want to go to that dinner?" Sam asks his wife.

"I think not. There is nobody to stay with Angel. Nanny, who usually stays with her, is gone for a few weeks, and I haven't asked anyone else. I don't think I can convince someone on such short notice."

"But you have to go," intervenes Clarise. "I'll stay with her. She can stay with her grandmother without any problem. You have to go. Really, you have the right to relax a little bit. Will you stay here with your grandmother, dear Angel?"

"I do not want to bother you. Anyway, I don't think I can sleep knowing Mom is not home."

"Nonsense, we stay together here, and then I will send you home with my driver, Nick." Clarise turned to Mary. "Just call me and tell me when to send her home."

Mary looked at Sam. He shows his approval by nodding his head slightly.

"Dinner is from five to nine. I think it will be nice if you go there," said Sam.

"Then at nine I will send her home with Nick. Or I could go along with Angel, if you come a later," added Clarise.

"Thank you very much, Clarise, but—"

"It's no problem. You know you can always count on me. Whenever you need, you can let Angel stay with me," Clarise interrupted again.

Sam rose from the table and kissed his mother on the forehead. "Thank you, Mom," he said.

"It's my pleasure, my love. Anytime you need me, I will stay by you. What are mothers and grandmothers for?"

"Am I allowed to leave the table, my dears?" Sam asked, and, without waiting for an answer, he goes over to the bar.

He lights a cigar, looks at Jim, the butler, who is waiting orders from the Stone family. He immediately understands that Sam wants a glass of whiskey. The butler goes out of the room and within seconds is back with a glass of whiskey on a small tray.

"How many times do I have to tell you to bring me the whole bottle?" Sam asks Jim.

"Excuse me, sir," answers the butler, looking sideways at Clarise.

Clarise makes a sign with her hand, indicating to Jim to bring the bottle to her son. The butler runs fast to get it. The bottle is not full—probably someone decided that is the way it should be.

Sam takes the bottle in his hand, looks at it, turns his nose up a little when he sees that there is only few drops of whiskey on the bottom of the bottle, and then he speaks ironically to his mother. "Clarise, you are so hospitable."

Deeply affected, Clarise rushes with her response. "My love, you know it doesn't do well for you. Please understand."

But Sam goes out on the terrace without looking behind him. He mutters something, but nobody understood what he said. Clarise sighs when she sees that her boy is upset. It is a constant struggle between the desire to do whatever her son needs and not letting him drink too much.

"It bothers me so much when I upset him," Clarise said to Mary.