Long Live the King

Four

 She stood on the balcony, a slender woman still in the prime days of her youth. Her pale hair was whipped around by the breeze but her eyes remained steady and fixed on the sparkling blue water. Not far from the island a boat was approaching at rapid pace. After barely managing to halt at the dock, a dark figure hopped out and tethered the boat in its place. A soft but unhappy smile curved the woman's lips as the dark figure began tramping up the front walk. Without delay, she disappeared back into the house.

She arrived in the front room just as he did and rushed forward to take his jacket. All but ignoring her, he kicked off his boots and nudged them into a corner.

"I was beginning to worry," she said tentatively. "You're not usually late and your last message sounded important."

"It was important," he said. "It is important."

"Well of course it is," she said, folding the jacket as she searched his face. "Is something wrong? You look distressed."

"We won't talk about it here," he said. "We'll go back the sitting room. I'd like a scotch."

"Of course," she said. "Go ahead. I'll meet you there."

She watched him head into the back, shutting the door of the sitting room with tired force. The woman swept in the opposite direction: to the kitchen. She poured a small amount of scotch into a glass then carried it over into the sitting room. He was seated on the couch now, head resting in his hands. When she entered he took the glass from her without looking up. He swirled the liquid around, staring into the pure amber. He set the glass on the coffee table, not bothering to take a drink.

"I probably never told you that I have a sister," he said now, still looking into the glass.

A response to this seemed unnecessary, but seconds ticked by without him saying anything else.

"You've never mentioned her, no," the woman finally said.

"Her name is Adrienne. She's one of the best people I've ever known." A passion entered his voice that she'd rarely heard before. "Smart, loyal, compassionate... miraculously well put together all things considered. She had a chance in this world, without me to drag her down. I expect by now she's carving her own path, maybe even forgotten about me."

"I don't understand." She sat down apart from him on the couch, resting her hands on her knees. "Why are you telling me this now? Has something happened to her?"

"I saw her today," he said. "At a distance, in the supermarket and I realized that I forgot about her. Not literally, of course, but I forgot about my responsibility to her. I forgot to look out for her. I forgot about that, you know? She doesn't need it right now but she might. She might. That's why I'm here. I take care of you, right?"

"For three years now. Better than Greenhart ever did I might add." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Raymond, you seem tired. Perhaps you'd like to continue this conversation after you've rested?"

"If I die..."

"Raymond, stop it." She stood up. "Don't talk like that. You're strong and healthy. You're not going to die. Not anytime soon."

"Sit down," he said impatiently. She obeyed the order without question. "You have to listen to me," he insisted. "I never wanted you to have to go back to relying on somebody who would exploit you like Greenhart. You and your girl deserve better than that. So if I die, there is more than enough money for you to be taken care of, but you have to promise me you'll split that money with her. You split that money with my sister. You understand?"

"Raymond, I would gladly split the money with your sister but I never leave the island and I don't think it will ever be in my best interests to. Your sister would have to come here. How would she even know to come for it? How would I reach her?"

"I took care of that. There's a buddy of mine and when I die he'll find Adrienne and deliver the news."

"You told people where I am?" Her eyes widened in shock and she jumped again. "What if that gets around?"

"Sit down," he said again and she sat. "Relax. He doesn't know where you are. He'll just tell Adrienne about the money I've left her and that will enable her to find you."

"But Raymond, if she can find me... maybe he could too."

"You don't have to worry about that man." He finally took a sip of the scotch. "Trust me. When I go, so does he. I took care of that too."

"Like you do everything," she said. "I don't know how I can ever repay you. You showed up when we needed you. My daughter and I... I don't know what would have happened to us without you."

"You already do repay me. You clean this house and tend to the gardens," he pointed out.

"That's nothing compared to what you've done for us," she said. He dragged his dull eyes up to meet hers and she hoped he could see just a little of the gratitude she felt. "Because of you Emerald has a mother and a future."

On cue, there was a faint tapping at the sitting room door, followed by a bright, five year old face. When the adults didn't ask her to leave, the young girl barreled into the room and hopped into her mother's lap. She leaned her head against her mother's shoulder and smiled shyly at Raymond.

"It's nothing," Raymond said. He wiped his mouth with one hand and looked away from them both. "It's the least I can do. I suppose I should take off now."

"This late at night?" She set her daughter on the floor. "Don't be silly. It's already dark and the waters have probably gotten a bit rocky since your arrival."

He shook his head.

"I shouldn't."

"Well, why not? Emmy and I made up a bed in one the rooms in case you decided to stay overnight. Or if your prefer I can move to a different room and you could use the master suite?"

"The master suite isn't necessary," he said. "But perhaps I will stay overnight. Which room is prepared?"