idioms...sayings understood by native speakers twenty three

AJ sat in the den smoking a cigar drinking his third brandy. He sent the butler to go get his son. As he rolled the lit cigar between his fingers, he contemplated on what the Chairman had done, remembering an adage... history repeats itself. His musings interrupted as his son entered the room.

"You summoned me, Father?" Carl said in a strangely aloof voice.

"Summoned? Since when does a father have to summon his son? I just want to talk with you."

"Fine," Carl stood waiting.

"Have a seat son, this might take awhile."

"Really? All that long?" Carl glanced at his watch. "i don't think I have the time."

"Look. About the girl... and her friends..." the old man took another drink. "I am sorry. But it needed to be done."

"OH?" Carl paused. "What needed to be done?"

"She is not good enough for this family, Carl."

"And whoever said I wanted her to belong to this family?"

The old man looked at his son. "So she was just a play thing?"

Carl laughed out loud. "Father, she was a friend. A very precious friend who did nothing to deserve any of this."

"I don't understand."

"Understand this.... I would consider myself lucky if I was allowed to be in the same room as her. I would consider myself the richest man in the world, just to talk to her. I would consider myself finally worthy of living if I could simply hold her hand."

"So you are in love with her."

"Doesn't matter. I would never subject her to the likes of this family." Carl paused. "Are we thru? I have a meeting to attend to."

The man took another drag off the cigar, blowing out the smoke slowly as if contemplating where it would go. He looked up at his son and sighed. "I was in love once."

Carl looked at the man, incredulous. "I take it that it wasn't mother."

"Of course not. Your mother and I married to help out the company. We were suited for each other. Similar backgrounds, economic status, education and the like... that is why we stay married."

"And, you are happy, of course."

"As I said, I was in love once. She was a pretty young thing, in highschool."

"And..."

"Your grandfather made the Chairman go after her... "

"So???"

"It was Rick's mother."

Knowing his father as he did, he had to ask, "Did you ever tell her how you felt?"

"No. After I saw how easy she was, I dropped the subject."

"Then you really do not know what it is like to love."

"How do you mean?"

"Let's see. You never watched over her. You never stood up to your brother to protect her. You let her go thru a pregnancy alone." He paused. "Best guess, father. Your pride was hurt."

"Pride?" he smirked. "She transfered out. How was I to know she was pregnant."

"And you never looked for her."

"No."

"I think Rick's mom was probably the smartest woman on this earth. She saved him from this family."

"Yet, she sent him to us after her death."

"She knew her son would not be affected...and she wanted him to meet this side of the family. I see no malice or forethought in that." Carl paused. "As I asked before, are you happy?"

"Happy? That has nothing to do with life."

"Just as I thought. You were only infatuated. You have never known love." He looked at his watch again. "Are we through?"

"Yes."

"Good. Enjoy your whatever." Carl turned and left. AJ finished his drink and put out his cigar with a vengeance.

---

Lynn was surprised to see Jenny run out of the house to greet them. She looked at Rick. "Jenny is already here?"

"Yeah, just some of the things we have to talk about tonight."

"It's okay. Jenny is really beautiful and smart. I know we are just a pretend thing."

Rick stared at her hard. "You really don't remember what I said when I walked you to your door that night after meeting my father, do you?"

Lynn looked at him. "Er, no. I was really tired."

"come on. I think this night has become even longer." As he opened the door for Charlie who sprang out and ran up to Jenny for a hug.

---

Sitting around the fire to ward off the spring chill with Charlie snuggled in the chase fast asleep, Jenny spoke quietly to Lynn about the events of the past week.

Lynn's eyes were widened as she found out that Larry and Joey were in the hospital.

"Why didn't you call me?"

"Honey, what good would that have done."

"I could at least been someone to talk to. I could have come home right away."

"You were in a job. Don't you know that if you were in management that would not have been an option?" Lynn spoke to her even more quietly, lest Charlie should hear about his uncle Larry and Joey.

"So, Rick is letting you stay here to keep you safe?"

"Yeah. They would never dream i would be here since they think that Carl and he hate each other."

"Oh, Jenny, I am so sorry this all happened. If only..."

"If only what?" She looked at Lynn with a twinkle in her eye, "If only I hadn't met you? Then my life would have been very different. Without you, Lynn, I would probably be dead or worse. You were the one who inspired me to rescue my brother and his friend. You and your mom, you both fought to take care of Charlie." she paused. "I believe chance meetings are fate. And whatever comes out of those meetings, for good or for ill lays on me. That's all."

"Such broad shoulders to take on that much responsibility." came a familiar male voice as he entered the deck area after eavesdropping for a little while.

Carl sat down beside Jenny who flinched at his presence.

"Rick, I guess I missed dinner."

Jenny got up quickly. "I will get you some leftovers."

Rick stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think that you are braver than that. Stay here. Lynn, could you help me?"

"Sure." glancing at Charlie. "Keep it down, kay? Charlie is asleep."

to be continued...