A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Seventy-One
Breakfast was simple but delicious. Rose ate
hungrily, her appetite almost returned. Afterwards, they had taken a short walk
out to get Rose some reading material. Jack had left her safely in the room and
went over to Joe’s to sort out his work.
Joe was there, organizing some kitchen
supplies. He was very pleased to see Jack and greeted him warmly. The
restaurant looked almost ready. The furniture was laid out and a few more bits
and pieces had been added.
Joe showed Jack some pictures of what he
wanted. Jack went over the details with Joe. And what art requirements he
needed.
"Tell you what, Jack," Joe told
him, pulling out his wallet. "Here’s some money. You know what you want.
Go to the art store and get what you need. Just get receipts."
Jack took the money in surprise. "You
sure?"
"Sure. Saves me having to go. I need to
sort some things here. " Joe gave Jack directions to the art shop and Jack
set off.
An hour later Jack returned, laden with bags
of paper, paints and brushes. He tried to be as careful with the money as
possible, not wanting to spend too much, but wanting to do a first class job.
This was something different, a challenge. He put them down on the table, not
being able to see where he was going properly.
"Joe?" he called out, realizing no
one was around. He heard voices in the kitchen.
"Here Jack," Joe called and
appeared from the kitchen doorway. "I just have to go and make a call, so
I’ll leave you to get on with it. Oh and by the way, someone is here to see
you."
Joe smiled and walked out the door.
Jack was puzzled. Who was here to see him?
The kitchen door swung open. He was taken
aback to see Fabri standing there.
"Not more trouble," thought Jack to
himself. "I don’t need it here of all places."
"Fabri." He nodded to his friend.
Fabri leaned from the wall. He still looked
chewed up, Jack noticed.
"Jack," he replied.
There was an awkward silence. They looked at
each other for a moment. Jack tried to give nothing away. Then Fabri stepped
forward.
"You found somewhere to go last
night."
"Yeah, a hotel." Jack folded his
arms defensively. Fabri noted this gesture.
"I stopped by to see when you started
here. Joe told me you’d be back soon, so I waited."
"You not at work today?"
"Yes, I took a bit of time out. I have
something to sort out."
"Oh?" Jack began to unpack his bag,
not quite sure why Fabri was there. The conversation didn’t seem to be getting
anywhere.
"Look Jack, this isn’t easy for me. I
want to talk to you about yesterday."
Jack put a can of paint down.
"What about it? You made your point,
you’re entitled to your opinion."
"Jack, I don’t want to fall out with
you. You are my best friend."
"You got a funny way of showing it
Fabri." Jack was feeling quite irritated.
"Well, like you said, I’m entitled to my
opinion. But I…I was hard on you."
"Just a bit."
"Jack I came here to say I’m
sorry," Fabri snapped. He had hoped his friend would be a little more
receptive to him. He took another step closer.
"You are my oldest friend. I don’t want
to see you get hurt. I think you have been stupid, but I thought about it a lot
last night. I wouldn’t have stood by if I saw anyone treating Maria badly. I
know it isn’t the same thing, Maria wasn’t married. I still stand by what I
said about another man's wife. But I know you Jack. I know you wouldn’t have
turned away. Your friendship means a lot to me. I want to sort this out."
Fabri stepped up hesitantly to Jack and held out his hand.
Jack’s piercing blue gaze bore into Fabri’s
dark eyes. He knew his friend was genuine and sorry. He knew how hard this was
for Fabri. He was a proud man.
Jack stuck out his hand and shook it.
"OK, Fabri. I don’t want us to fall out.
I want to sort this out too."
Fabri nodded. "I guess you decided to
help Rose."
"She asked me. Like I said yesterday, he
helped throw her down the stairs, she lost the baby and then he was going to
send her away to convalescent home. That’s what he told everyone. But Rose and
her maid found out he was sending her to a mental home and was going to keep
her there. She asked me to help her get away. She packed a bag, I met her and
she disappeared. Hopefully, he’ll never find her."
"If he does Jack, the
consequences…"
"We’ll have to hope he doesn’t. We left
no clues."
Fabri paused.
"Maria was quite upset at what I said
and did. Jack, will you both come back and stay with us. Please."
"I’ll ask Rose. I can’t promise
anything. Rose was quite upset about it."
"I’ll apologize to Rose too. I am sorry
Jack."
"I know Fabri, I’m sorry too. But I
don’t know if it is a good idea staying with you."
Fabri sighed. "This is the first time we
have ever fallen out I think."
"Well, it had to happen some time. I
know you are upset about what’s happened. But it’s my problem. That’s why it’s
best if we don’t stay."
"Jack what can I do to prove I am sorry
eh? To make it up to you? I know, what about I cook for you tonight? My stew
you like so much. Just like the old times eh?"
"Fabri, I don’t know."
"We’ll eat tonight, I’ll speak to Rose
and we will try to sort it out tonight. For my marriage’s sake. Maria is making
my life hell."
"We could do with some decent food and
I’m a bit nervous about Rose being seen out. Thanks Fabri, I’ll take you up on
that."
"Good." Fabri relaxed instantly.
"See you about eight."