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The Tessarae Inn |
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Consequences in Blue Notes
CHAPTER 3 “I don’t understand why you want me to come over there, Todd,” said Viki. “I’m not exactly Blair’s favorite person.” “She’s losing it, Viki, and you know about that kind of stuff. Seeing as how you’ve been flat out crazy more than once.” Viki sighed loudly. “Are you there?” “What happened, Todd? Why is she losing it?” “Why do you have to ask so many questions? Just get over here.” Starr stomped into the living room. “Something’s wrong with Mommy. You got to do something about it—NOW!” Todd glared at her and Starr shut her mouth into a pout but she didn’t say anything else. “Did you hear that, Viki? Starr is all upset. You know something has to be wrong for her to upset Starr. Get over here fast.” He slammed the phone down before Viki had a chance to say anything else. He squatted down until he was almost eye-to-eye with Starr. “What did your mother say to you? What did she say about the baby?” “Jack? She didn’t even mention him. She didn’t even ask about him.” Todd stood up and walked over to the coffee table and sat down. “Okay, Starr, what did she say to you?” Starr stuck her arms behind her back and traced a circle with her right foot. “Well, it’s not so much what she said as the way she said it.” “What DID she say?” “That you love me and that she will always love me.” “That’s it? You were up there for almost ten minutes.” “She told me to take care of you and you would take care of me. See, though, she didn’t say anything about Jack.” Todd stood up. “Listen, your mother isn’t feeling very well right now. You need to leave her alone for a little while. Go play with your little brother.” “He’s just a baby. He’s not a whole lot of fun.” “Go play with him, Starr. I’ll check on you later.” Starr stared at him for a few seconds before running out the room toward the stairway. He called after her. “Don’t bother your mother, understand?” “Yeah, but something’s going on and I’ll find out sooner or later.” Todd flopped onto the couch. For a minute he ran his fingers through his hair then covered his face with his hands. He searched through his mind to put a label on what he was feeling but despite numerous attempts the only thing that popped into his mind was “fear.” He was scared to death. When he heard a loud ringing sound, he sprang to answer the door. Viki looked at him suspiciously and then concern spread across her face. She walked past him and into the living room looking for side to side as she walked. “Are we alone?” He closed the door and followed her. “Far as I can see.” “Good. Tell me what is going on?” “I don’t know! It’s those damn Cramer genes kicking in, I think. She just lost it.” “What did she do?” “She’s up there in bed with the door locked.” Viki raised her eyebrow but he ignored her. “She hasn’t eaten anything in two days and she’s been sleeping. It’s just good the Scotch is down here, is all I can say.” “What do you want me to do?” “Go talk to her. She’ll listen to you. You understand this kind of thing.” The cook walked into the room with a tray. Todd nodded at her and she placed the tray on the coffee table and left. Viki glanced at him and then at the tray. He shrugged. “I figured that she’s really hungry. She’ll let you in if you bribe her with some food.” “Has it worked for you?” “No, but you’re different, Sis. Who can resist being served by the great Victoria Lord Riley Buchanan Carpenter Davidson?” When she glared at him, he looked away. This was not going well. He needed her. Viki was his ace in the hole. If this didn’t work, he wasn’t sure of what to do next. Finally, Viki nodded. He grabbed the tray and headed up the stairway two steps at a time. Viki followed at her usual patrician pace. He waited for her to catch up outside of the bedroom door. When she finally reached him, he handed her the tray then knocked on the door and waved his hand slightly as if he was giving her stage directions. Viki narrowed her eyes and stared at him for a second. Todd waved his hand again and cocked his head toward the door. She sighed then said, “Blair, it’s Viki. Can I come in please?” Silence. Todd knocked on the door again but louder and more forcefully. Viki tightened her lips in irritation but then once again called out to Blair. There was only silence, however, in response. Todd slipped the key in the lock and opened the door slowly. At least, she hadn’t wedged a chair against the knob because he would have hated to have Viki see him knock the damn door down. He touched Viki lightly on the back and she moved into the room. He could see Blair’s head just barely above the covers. She was staring but not at Viki. She was staring at him with eyes that were becoming darker and harder with each passing hour. He closed the door.
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