Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 69 - A Random Weekend in the Summer

Julie called Susan on a Wednesday evening before the last weekend in July.

"Hi Julie," Susan said when she answered the phone.

"Hi. Are we still on for this coming weekend?" Julie asked.

"As far as I know. No one has called to cancel, and my kids will all be here, at least some of the time," Susan said.

"Are the boys working?" Julie wondered.

"They are during the day on Saturday, but not in the evening and not on Sunday," Susan told her. "How about your boys?"

"Aaron has the weekend off. Jake isn't working yet, so we're all set to come," Julie confirmed.

"Have you heard from Rosemary or Neil?" Susan wondered.

"I haven't, but apparently Alan talked to Neil last week. They're in Tucson this week and expect to be home in time for the weekend," Julie told her.

"Are they okay with spending the weekend here, even after being away all week?" Susan wondered.

"I think so. They plan to be at your house Friday evening, according to what Alan said," Julie answered.

"I wonder if their trip has anything to do with Neil's promotion," Susan mused.

"It might. I know he's really anxious to get out of the office he's been in," Julie said.

"I think he's just looking for a change, like he said. The opportunity to live somewhere they could afford to buy a house someday," Susan suggested.

"That could be," Julie agreed. "It will be interesting to hear what they have to say about it next weekend."

"Yes, it will," Susan said.

"We'll see you Friday night," Julie promised.

"We're looking forward to it," Susan assured her and said goodbye.

c

Greg looked up from his newspaper when Susan hung up the phone. "Do we have any idea what our company would like to do this weekend?"

"No, they haven't said. I thought we could barbeque out on the pool deck one night," Susan said, "perhaps spend time in the pool."

"We could do that. We also have our gardens to offer them or the cave," Greg said.

"I'm sure they'll enjoy whatever we end up doing, as long as we do it together," Susan said, coming to sit beside him in the library. Melody was playing in Jessie's room and both Matt – who was home again for the summer – and Zack, were working.

"Greg, have you given any thought as to why Alan and Julie have such an overwhelming desire to get together this summer?" Susan wondered.

"Instead of waiting for the holidays?" Greg asked.

"Yes. It is unusual, you have to admit," Susan said.

"It is ... but I suspect it is due an increased desire to spend time with me following Ruth's passing," Greg said.

"Do you think that's all it is? Or do they fear losing you too?" Susan wondered.

"Why do you say that?" Greg asked.

"Because they did lose you once. Julie and Alan have experienced losing both a mother and a father ... something they were reminded of rather forcefully in January. I suspect that reinforces for them the miracle it is to have you back," Susan said.

"That could be," Greg said.

"They know it's temporary ..." Susan started to say when she was interrupted by a click from the bookcase door. A moment later, the door swung open.