1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 4

she was? How could he have thought of her as icy when she was radiating this gentleness and warmth?"

"I will go see about him," Means replied and left the room.

"Clarise," Robert said to her, "please, hear me. I am in the study. Go to me. I'm dying in there; I need your help."

She made no movement or acknowledgement of his presence.

"Clarise! It's Robert! I-, " he stopped.

As she stared into the fire, tears glistened on her cheeks. They were like tiny rainbows as the light from the fire was caught by them.

"Oh, Robert," she whispered.
"Why won't you love me?"

Robert felt a pain then, greater than any he had known, and, with it, a sense of urgency.

"Clarise. Forgive me. I do love you. I don't deserve you, I know. But it will be different now. I don't know what has happened to me, but something has changed. I'll make you happy, Clarise, but, please, don't let me die.
Go to the study! Call a doctor!"

She lifted her head for a moment and held it to one side. She turned and left the room. He followed her as she went to the study door. She put her hand on the knob.

"Open it, Clarise!" he urged.

She opened the door and looked across the room. She saw the spilled bottle of scotch and his form across the desk. She turned from the sight as her face crumpled, and she shut the door.

"Clarise!" he cried as she walked away. "It's not what you think! Don't go!"

She didn't hear, nor did she look back.

A movement caught his eye.
Tina, the young maid was in the living room and emptying the ash trays. He crossed over to her.

"Tina, " he said. "I know what you think of me, too. You think that I am a sexist, skirt chaser.
I know that I put pressure on you in the past. I'm truly sorry. It won't happen again. Please go to me and call a doctor. Tina-"

"Is Momma in the library?"
At the sound of the young voice, Robert looked to see Steven behind him. The child had his mother's blond hair and large blue eyes.

"How vulnerable he looks," Robert thought.

"Yes, Dear, " replied Tina.
"Are you going to read with her?"

"I guess so," Steven said.
"I don't s'pose Daddy is in there, too, " he added hopefully.

"No, Sweetie, he's in the study."

As Steven headed for the library, Robert followed him.

"Steven, " he said desperately, "I need you. Go to the study."

Steven paused and looked at the study door wistfully.

"Go on, Steven," Robert prompted. "I know I told you never to disturb me, but that has changed. It's all right."

"Steven?" Clarise called from the library.

"Don't listen, Steven!"
Robert pleaded. "Please, please Steven!"

Steven

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Beliefs and perceptions?
We want to hear your view. Write now!