Kaleidoscope

Chapter Four

Time passed slowly and the whole household began to change with Theresa back home. Tom began working longer and longer hours and became further removed from the family. One evening he arrived home from work late as usual and fixed himself something to eat. Rose, having given up her job to be with her daughter, was in her study looking over Theresa's physical therapy schedule and didn't hear him come to the door. Tom leaned over and gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.

"What's that you're working on?" he asked.

"You'd know if you were paying any attention to what was going on around here," Rose sniped.

"That wasn't necessary, Rose. I'm busy at work and I know Theresa is in good hands. But you must stop this obsession with her therapy. She's a mature young lady and can organize things herself. In fact, she has to learn how."

"How would you know, Tom? You haven't been involved since she came home from the rehab center. All the work has fallen on me."

"Has it fallen on you, or have you taken it on? There's a difference."

Rose shot him a look of contempt.

"I can see this conversation is going nowhere," he said. "I'll be in my office."

Tom left her room, closing the door behind him.

The next day Tom was in his office contemplating a business deal when Karen, one of the VPs, glanced in as she was on her way to her office.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked, looking straight into Tom's eyes. Her look did not escape him.

"Oh, nothing much - just business," he answered.

"You're looking haggard, Tom. It's more than just business. How is your daughter? It has to be taking a real toll on you." Karen paused a moment before continuing. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Thanks for asking, Karen. Theresa's coming along. We just have a lot going on right now."

"Let me know if you need anything. Even just to talk sometime. I'm a really good listener." Karen turned and walked down the hall to her office, her long blonde hair swaying across her back. For a moment, Tom forgot what he was thinking about. He quickly regained his thoughts and picked up the phone to call his daughter to check in with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

"Hi, sweetie, how are you doing today?" he asked when Theresa picked up the phone.

"The therapist is here dad. Can I call you back?"

"Sure, Theresa. Is your mom there?"

"She's talking to the therapist about my home program. She'll have to call you later, too."

"Just tell her I called, Theresa. I'll talk to you later."

Tom hung up, suddenly restless. His business deal could wait. He needed some fresh air. As he walked past Karen's office, he poked his head in and asked if she wanted to take a break and go for a coffee.

"Dad called," Theresa informed Rose when they were finished with her therapy. "He said he'll talk to you later."

Rose tried calling Tom back but his office phone went to voice mail. She thought that was odd. Maybe his secretary was out to lunch. He didn't pick up on his cell either. She hung up and went back up to see Theresa.

When Tom came in late that evening, Rose asked him why he hadn't picked up the phone.

"I was out for a break and I just didn't hear my cell. Sorry. How did today go with the therapist?