THE TRUTH OF US : Truth Known. (5)

Pictures And Books.

Edith walked up the hallway looking at the pictures - They were nice ones, formal.   Beautifully done, by the best photographer in town. Her family at their grandest!

Her boys - Gus and Eddie, they looked happy children. School pictures, they were so smart. Top of their classes!

(Gus had such chubby checks. Eddie looked so tall)

Edith walked further down the hall......It always felt cool at this spot, she could feel it now - Even the lighting dimmed a little.

There staring down at her......Were the pictures of the boys after one of their visits to the family in England.      Gus had stopped smiling. Eddie had started fighting with his father, questioning everything - Picking fights for the sake of it!

Or that's what Edith had thought at first.

Her late husband had understood the "family". Eddie didn't, Gus was just scared.

The Frenchs had attended......Henry's funeral.    They had attended Edward's funeral.......And, if she didn't step in now.       They, and she.....Would be attending Ignatius funeral.    The thought was making her feel light-headed. Edith always thought she, had a good understanding of the Winters.....But, lately?      Was she losing her "social touch".....Her society flair!

Things were happening too fast.

And the visit with Gus.........Had shocked her. She had tried to speak to that Dr Ellis (She much preferred Dr Quest.    Always laughing......Knew what he was talking about, that one!)

Dr Ellis brushed her off....."Ignatius is fine, he knows what he is doing.    He agrees with us!.."

That was not what she'd seen.

_________________________

"Is he ready for his classes?.."
"Yes.."
"Don't think he should go. Look at him.....If looks could kill!.."

Ruth looked at the two nurses, they were right....Nate was getting worse.     Angry, un co-operative......Too quiet!

Ruth now would regularly look behind her back, while with Nate.......She'd started to accept her hands would shake a bit on the job. She still enjoyed her work with Dr Ellis....But, he was missing the signs.    And, the mother was too "hell bent" on her mission.

Today was going to be another long one......Nate was already glaring at her.

Ruth walked up to Nate, looked him up and down......"Restraints can come off when we get there.....Do we know his class schedule?.."

"Here, looks like a quiet day....Mostly study.."          The nurse handed it to Ruth.

"No Molly...No Lily......No interference..."

Ruth looked the paper over, trying to work out the lines, numbers and corresponding classes.

Don't see Riley?.....or Ruby..."

She wouldn't, we were late to start the year....So, our name's would never appear till next term.

Rick came up behind Nate...."Cars ready.."           He grabbed Nate by the arm, and dragged him towards the awaiting vehicle.

When they got to the Library, it was quiet......A few students were around, but they were all too busy with late work or assignments.....Some looked in Nate's direction, he still was a strange sight.....With his "shadow" partners.....But in general, mostly went unnoticed.

A table was selected......In an open space, but not close to any doors, windows.     If you walked into the library, you have to walk right in to see him.....The table had bookshelves around it. The restraints went, but replaced with a handcuff to the table.

Nate commented that wasn't necessary........"How the hell, am I meant to get books?.."

"Read these!.."               A stake was dumped on the table, Nate flinched as the pile almost landed on his hand.

".....I'll need others, check the reading list.....I can't get behind.        Failing papers and all..."        Nate gave Ruth a tight smile.

Ruth went back though the folder, she'd bought with her.....He was right, they only had half the books he would need that morning.

"Come on, Rick.....You can Help me..."
"....And him?.."             Rick nodded towards Nate.
"He's not going any where..."         She grinned back.

The two went to look through the shelfs. Reminded Ruth of her nursing days.....Studying, researching.

Nate looked at the books.      He'd be through them in an hour or so, and then what?!

"Are you okay?..."
"Your tried to the table.....Does the Librarian know?.."
"Hope you don't leave a mark on the table..."         The short child leaned in...."She'll kill.....You!.."

"SHUT UP!.."
"She never has any thing nice to say..."
"WE are NOT talking to HER..."

Two small heads put their noses in the air. The third grinned....."show ya a trick..."           She whispered.

Nate liked her.....And grinned.

Two small hands reached for the handcuff......She pushed, pulled, turned......Then placed her hand over it.      Closed her eyes, whispered something under her breath....And then let go, the handcuff fell away.          She looked up at Nate, and smiled......She then turned to her two friends, and yelled....."Your it!..."

And ran off past a bookshelf.

One of the two, ran after her......The taller remaining....Looked up at Nate, and said....."She's down that aisle..."          Pointed, gave Nate a small grin.....Nate looked in the direction, went to turn back to the girl...But, she was gone.

Nate stood up.......He could hear Ruth and Rick, couldn't see them, but he wasn't going to go looking.

He found me in the older part of the Library.

I was holding "The Science of Ever Lasting Life." Nate had said once he was going to read it.....Riley had joked, Nate wanted to be God!......Nate had laughed...."Nooooo it just beats reading the class books!    Haaaaaaa!..."

Nate walked up behind me.

"What Are You Reading?.."

I jumped, and almost threw the book down the aisle.

Nate wrapped his arms around me, leaned into my neck.

".....mmm.......blue berries......my favourite!..."

I wriggled around to face him.

I looked up at him and smiled, pulled him close and hugged him tight. I didn't want to say anything, I just wanted to hold him.

After a minute or two....I let go, grabbed his hand and took him down an aisle, around a shelf......There was a dark area just to the back of the library.

I pushed him up against the wall, got him to sit on the floor, climbed on top of his lap.....Pulled him close......I started to run my fingers through his hair, leaning into gently kiss his lips, moving my hands to his shoulders.

Nate didn't wait for what he wanted to do....Hands going to the top of my jeans, pulling.....Pushing his fingers into my hips, long fingers.....Holding me closer to him.