Why Lorie? Part II

Chapter 35: Death Casts a Long Shadow

"This is ridiculous!" Viktor's voice thundered throughout the house. He crumpled up Josette's latest telegram and threw it on the floor.

"I'm sure it wasn't planned," Peter murmured. He knew his father would not take the news of Madame Foret's hospitalization well.

"What next? Her mother will probably drop dead and she'll have to stay another month! At this rate, I'm never going to see her!" Viktor continued to rant.

"Perhaps you should join her in Paris for a few days," Peter suggested. "I can look after Lorie..."

Viktor plopped down into an armchair, sulking like a pouty child. "What if she doesn't want me there?"

"You could wire her and ask... it certainly wouldn't hurt," Peter tried to appease him.

"Fine. I'll do it." Viktor crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

If he hadn't known his father so well, Peter would've found the situation quite amusing. As it were, he didn't know whether he should smile or duck for cover.

Lorie heard her Papa shouting and came downstairs to investigate. She was in the middle of a play date with Delphine, but curiosity drove her toward the family den. When she walked into the room, she saw Viktor brooding in his chair, while Peter stood close to the window, keeping his distance.

"What's wrong, Papa?" Lorie walked up to Viktor and put her arms around his neck.

He accepted her hug, gruffly. "It's your mother."

"What did she do this time?" Lorie arched an eyebrow.

"She didn't do anything. But she's not coming home any time soon." Viktor sulked.

"Why not? Is Grandpapa worse?" Lorie sounded concerned.

"No. It's your Grandmother. She's in the hospital," Viktor replied, a bit too abruptly.

Lorie's eyes widened. "Oh, no! What's wrong with her?"

Peter immediately walked over to Lorie and crouched down to her eye level. "She fainted... she's probably too stressed... but I'm sure she'll be just fine," he tried to reassure the little girl.

"I'm scared, Peter... what if Grandmaman... what if she doesn't come home from the hospital?" Lorie was clearly afraid to even say the word, convinced that thinking would make it so.

"Come here," Peter drew her into his arms and held her close. "Your grandmother is a very strong woman... just like your mother. She'll recover soon. You'll see."

"Papa... what do you plan to do?" Lorie turned her head toward Viktor.

"I am going to send your mother a telegram and ask her if she wants me to go to Paris and be with her," Viktor replied.

"Can I come too?" Lorie asked, hope brimming in her eyes.

"I'm not even sure she'll want me there," Viktor said dejectedly. "But I will ask her, nonetheless."

"Thank you, Papa," Lorie murmured. "I would like to see my grandparents. I am so very worried about them."

Peter gazed at Viktor over Lorie's shoulder. Their mental telepathy came in handy sometimes. He conveyed his thoughts on the subject, without opening his mouth:

"I don't think Lorie should go. She doesn't know that Paul is dead. The shock might be too much for her."

"I agree... but what am I supposed to tell her? She's already worked herself up into a frenzy," Viktor replied telepathically.