Re-Arranged

Chapter Eight

Wes Whitley hated the idea of travel. He could, but he would rather not. Not since the past twenty years. And though it did get rocky somewhere in the middle, his sense of humour never really left him. Nowadays it was even sharper for some reason. He embodied the image of an old man in the best possible way, wrinkles, white-haired, veins showing and rising over the skin, muscles thinned – the whole nine yards. He wore it with a serene contentment.

Sarah, on the other hand, did not seem a day older over forty or so. Like time had frozen for her, on her. It was only when her lips parted did crinkles appear under her eyes.

What was more fascinating to Ted and Amelia even after so many years was the way the two of them mirrored their smiles. It was like watching a special secret communication unfold between them, and they never seemed to meet each other's eyes when they smiled such in sync.

The four of them had taken to sitting out in the upper balcony, overlooking the sprawling backyard of the Whitleys' farmhouse, in the evenings. The marble top patio table was laid out with tea sets, cakes and biscuits. The servants were always prompt and adept to the timings of the house. More than the size of the estate or its grounds, it was them that made Ted think he had come to visit a royal personality.

Then again, such estates were not a rarity in this part of the world. The population was low, and with the right investments at the right time in the world of properties, many people had found luxurious style of living easier in the neighbourhood.

For Wes and Sarah, it had been over thirty odd years in this home already.

"Well, let's not hold back on conversation on the one day I feel fit as a fiddle," Wes remarked, beaming around the group.

"Honey, take it easy. The doctor said not to excite you," Sarah returned, sipping her tea.

"Yeah, sure. Let the dull life carry on until the last moment." He rolled his eyes and brandished his slice of cake in front of him like a sword. "The sweetest things should be enjoyed, heart attacks or no."

Ted winced at the mention of the attack. He felt Amelia catch his hand under the table and clasp it tight. Don't show it on your face.

Yes, she was right.

"It's good to see you energetic. How about a little stroll for some fresh air afterwards?" Amelia added quickly. Oh, it had been a parade of smiles and laughs since they arrived here this past Monday.

Keep things light for him. Keep him happy. Keep him from getting excited. Keep him from himself, basically.

The doctor had instructed in a gruff, strict voice, his brows creasing together. He had not left Wes' side for the past twenty years and often declared how his grey hairs were all thanks to the one most demanding patient of his, who incidentally refused to adhere to any and every instruction thrown at him.

Though she was not sure if these instructions particularly meant for Sawyer to be sent away, but Amelia held her peace on it. If that's what Sarah decided was the right course of action, so it must be. She, on her part, and Ted on his, kept it quiet on how it was going with him at Kelly's place. Nothing to worry about though, since Katherine must have arrived there by now. She left here yesterday.

"Yeah, we've got these beautiful grounds. Might as well use them to our advantage!" Sarah chuckled and reached around her saucer to pick up a small transparent box of pills. She handed them to her husband with a glass of water. Her eyes did not move from him until he had taken them all, turned to her and grinned, exposing the gums along with the teeth.

~

Both Ted and Amelia remembered well how many times their respective cousin and friend had mentioned wanting to live close to a lake with a long, tree-lined field leading up to it. Bushes of flowers would not hurt the scenery either. And it did not, now that the dream had come to be for real.