Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN: New Allies

Jude looked across at his breakfast companion the following morning as they sat in Clarys Cafe on Abercorn Street. It was twenty after seven and the place was busy.  After finishing another bite of the pecan pancake he had ordered the Surgeon decided it was time to talk.

"So you obviously care a great deal about Conrad."
"Yes, yes I do," Alicia took a sip of orange juice, "I am still not sure if this is the right thing to do but he needs someone in his life now who knows what he went through as a child. Of course that boy would never really tell anyone the whole story but I do know some things."
"I appreciate you contacting me," Jude assured gratefully for when he had slipped his card to her the night before he had not been certain if she would understand what he needed.
"Well after Miguel told me ye were at the house and how unwell Conrad looked I figured he was probably hiding his pain as usual."
"He was like that as a child?"
"Unfortunately he learnt it was better to pretend to be fine rather than being sick ," Alicia spoke softly as she moved the remains of the cob salad around on her plate distractedly, her mind back in time, "what do you know of his father."
"Conrad's told me bits and pieces.  I know he has no time for him.  Do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"I know some of what he went through. Only found out recently but I can't help wonder about his mother. Where was she when he was being mistreated?"
"I am not sure of the full story," Alicia admitted unhappily as she placed her cutlery on the side of the plate, "she was around for the first three years after Conrad was born but then things changed.  Tom and I lived in a bungalow on the property so we were not privy to what went on but shortly after Conrads' third birthday Mrs. Hawkins left and we didn't see her for a year. "
"Damn," Jude cursed but then flushed red, "forgive me Alicia.  I just get so mad at the thought of Conrad being hurt."
"It is fine.  My Tom was a good man but when he was upset about Conrad he used curses that would do a Sailor proud!"
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you young man," Alicia smiled sadly, "Tom loved that boy like a son.  So did I.  I still do.  In fact I told Conrad that very thing last night."
"How did he take it?"
"The usual way he accepts any words of love or compliment," the middle aged woman shook her head in disapproval, "like he doesn't deserve them."
"If Conrad was so good at hiding things how did ye find out about his eyes.  Something tells me his old man didn't tell ye."
"Hah!  That ......... nincompoop!" Alicia said crossly, drawing attention from diners close by.
"Careful there. My delicate ears might not be able to handle such a fine lady like yourself cursing," Jude grinned, mischievously, understanding why his friend cared about his former Nanny/Housekeeper for she had a genuine warmth about her.
"Huh," Alicia huffed and then made a visible effort to calm down, "I find few things get me really angry but that, that ......,"
"Nincompoop," Jude supplied helpfully.
"That nincompoop," Alicia arched an eyebrow betraying that she would have preferred a stronger word, "nearly destroyed that boys' life.  He never appreciated how lucky he was. Anyway I digress.  You asked how we found out about Conrads' eye condition.  I remember it as if it was only yesterday .......,"

The hot summers' day had driven Tom inside to quench his thirst.  After gulping down a glass of freshly made lemonade he turned to his wife who was busy decorating cookies on a tray on the kitchen counter.

"So where's my Little Soldier? You run him off because he pinched a cookie?" the smiling man asked.
"What do you mean?" Alicia asked as she put down the icing bag and wiped her hands on a towel.
"Conrad," Tom frowned, "isn't he helping you?"
"No. He said you needed help in the garden."
"I sent him in an hour ago. It was getting too hot for him to be outside."
"I never heard him coming in."
"Okay here's what we're going to do," Tom said brusquely putting down his empty glass, "you check the bungalow in case he's playing hide and seek. He loves hiding there ...., "
"Tom you don't think he ran away do you?" the concerned woman asked even as she headed for the door.
"Let's just check everywhere Darling.  He's probably just playing.  I'll check upstairs and work my way down."
"Okay I won't be long," Alicia ran all the way to the bungalow, not caring about the midday sun beating down, but a quick search proved fruitless.

The thoughts going through her mind as she walked over to the stairway, after manically checking the downstairs rooms, were enough to cause her heart to beat faster. She couldn't lose the little boy.  She just couldn't!  A sound above startled her and going up the steps she heard her husband talking.  Upon reaching the landing she saw Tom crouched down in the doorway of Conrads' room.  He was talking softly, the words incomprehensible until she moved closer.  Finally at the doorway she got a glimpse of her little charge. He had crawled under the bed and was thumping his head against the wall as his hands held his head.  No sound emerged from the small body but tears flowed unchecked down cheeks as bruised eyes were revealed when he tentatively scooted forward a bit.

"Hey now what's the matter?" Tom kept up the calm words he had been using since finding the child banging his head against the wall.
"Sweetie you can tell us anything.  I promise," Alicia got down beside her spouse, "why don't you come out of there?  The icing should be cool by now and I made an extra big cookie for you."
"He got a fright when I came in.  Guess under the bed felt like a safe place," Tom spoke in a whisper before raising his voice, "now my Little Soldier doesn't hide from anything does he Conrad?"
"I ....,"
"No one is angry with you Conrad," Tom exchanged a look of relief with his wife as the child finally responded, albeit minimally, "how about we check out those cookies.  I'm mighty hungry."
"Nuh uh," the boy began to shake his head to reiterate his refusal but then seemed to think better of that action.
"You don't like my cookies any more?" Alicia asked with mock hurt.
"That true?" Tom pressed seeing the indecision on the pale face.
"No."
"Good," Tom rose to his feet, helping his wife up as he did, then walked over to the bed and bent down to look at the child, "you ready to come out now?"
"Kay," the small boy replied after a long silence and groaned at the movement as he crawled out from his hiding spot to find himself being picked up and held in a strong embrace.
"It's okay Little Soldier," Tom assured as he gently sat down on the bed and settled his light burden on his lap.
"Sweetie you're in pain," Alicia stated worriedly, "did you hurt yourself?"
"No," the boy fisted his eyes as he leant into the strong chest of his hero.
"Well you're definitely in pain," Tom looked down at the child, "why were you banging your head?"
"I'm sorry.  I didn't mean .....," the fair haired child pushed away from the offered comfort and tried to get down.
"Hey it's okay," Tom insisted gently as he pulled the child back into his embrace, sharing a look with his wife, "whatever it is you can tell us.  I promise we won't get upset."
"But ....... you'll hate me!"

Alicias' vision blurred as tears glistened in her eyes.

tbc