The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 15 - Help from Professionals

"How'd your talk with the contractors go?" Susan asked when Greg came into the kitchen to tell her they were home.

"Good. They both know about the party, and will ensure the area is ready for visitors," Greg told her.

"So when do I get to see it?" Susan asked.

"How soon do you want to see it?" Greg answered.

"I don't know. I know I need to see it in time to prepare for the party. I don't want to be caught by surprise hosting a party in a place I've never been," Susan told him.

"I've been thinking the same thing. I was concerned that trying to do that might be stressful for you," Greg said. "After what Dr. Daniels told us this morning, I would like to avoid that, at all costs."

Susan turned from the counter where she was working to look at him. "It's not that stressful, not to know."

"Perhaps not, but I don't want to take any chances ... not this time. I would like to take you to see it for the first time alone, just the two of us. I was considering making our visit there one week from tomorrow, that is if you can wait," Greg said.

"You need to order the furniture tomorrow, don't you?" Susan realized.

"I do," Greg agreed. "However I would like you to see it before it is furnished initially."

Susan nodded. "Okay, one week from tomorrow ... August 3rd it is."

Greg smiled, looking suddenly nervous.

"What is it?" she asked as she watched him.

"I have come to realize ... I hope that you will like it," he explained. "I realize I have taken a tremendous risk with it's design."

"I trust you," Susan assured him as she came to wrap her arms around him.         

"Thank you Susan. I only hope I am deserving of that trust," Greg told her.

"I know you are," Susan said and she kissed him passionately, right there in the middle of the kitchen.

c

Matt hovered outside the kitchen while Greg talked to his mother. He was hoping for another look at the letter, but he knew he wasn't likely to get it as long as Greg was talking with his mom. So he hovered in the doorway, looking for an opportunity to say something about it when he could. Finally Greg looked up from kissing Susan and noticed Matthew standing there.

"Did you need something Matthew?" Greg asked.

"Yeah. You know that thing we picked up today?" Matt said vaguely.

"The thing," Greg said doubtfully.

He watched as Matt glanced at his mother, who had her back turned to them while working on something at the sink, before drawing a shape in the air with his hands the size of an envelope.

"Would you like to look at it?" Greg asked.

"Yeah ... if it's okay?" Matt said.

Greg also glanced at Susan. "I'll be right back, Susan," he promised and went up the the attic with Matthew following him. There he withdrew his notebook from his pocket and laid the letter they'd recovered on his desk.

Matt picked it up and looked again at the seal on the back.

"Do you really think steam is the best way to open it?" Matt wondered.

"If it is glue holding the envelop closed, it may be," Greg said.

Matt nodded. "I wonder though ... if the paper is all stuck together because it got wet, that might not work."