Terri couldn't think about anything except Francisco. She wanted to look him in the eyes when she asked him about the blonde woman at the hotel. A phone call would not suffice. She decided to drive out to the farm and give him a chance to explain.
Terri guided the car out of the busy parking area and onto Veteran's Memorial Drive. She crossed over to the left turn lanes and followed Broad Avenue westbound toward the highway. She didn't realize that another car was following her. It was too far back to seem suspicious.
Terri left the highway at Granite Spring Road. The local roads seemed familiar to her now. She no longer had to think about where to turn. As she pulled into the farm's long private drive, the car that had been following her slowed for a moment and then continued down the main road.
Francisco's home seemed even more impressive at night, a stately country manor floodlit on its perch at the end of the ascending driveway. The barn and the stables were situated off to the right a thousand feet or so and featured more minimal lighting.
Terri parked the car, grabbed her things, and took several nervous paces through the cool evening air. She rang the doorbell. A statuesque woman with blond hair and chiseled features opened the door.
"You must be the new girl," said the blonde in an accent that Terri didn't recognize. "Come in. He's in his study."
Francisco appeared as Terri stepped through the doorway. "Terri! I did not know that you were coming!"
"Obviously!" Terri thought to herself.
"I am so sorry," Francisco said. He motioned toward the blonde. "This is Ilsa."
"So nice to meet you!" said the blonde as she extended a straight arm with an open hand. The woman sparkled. She was wearing diamonds everywhere - diamond rings, diamond bracelets, a diamond necklace, diamond earrings - even diamonds in the clip that held her tightly pulled hair back.
"Nice to meet you," Terri said coldly as she shook the blonde's hand. The blonde was a few years older than Terri, but not enough to make her feel comfortable.
"Ilsa is Francisco's mother," the elder Francisco said, referring to his teenage son.
"Oh!" exclaimed Terri, as she grappled with the implications of this revelation. "It's so nice of you to be here!"
"So nice of you to be here?" she thought to herself. "I sound like an idiot."
"I'll ask Mr. Simmons to bring some tea," Ilsa said pleasantly as she walked out of the room.
"I am so happy to see you!" Francisco said smiling, "Please, come in." He motioned toward the study. Terri followed him instinctively but said nothing.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah, it's fine."
"I'm surprised that you drove all the way out here on a week night."
"I... I wanted to talk to you."
"Sure!"
"Why is your ex-wife here?" Terri demanded abruptly.
Francisco paused for a moment. He realized now what Terri must have been feeling. "We are making plans for Francisco's education."
"Isn't that something that you could have discussed over the phone?"
"We have discussed it over the phone, yes." Francisco wasn't understanding Terri's concern, or he was avoiding the truth.
"I mean, why did she have to come all the way out here?"
"She is here to see Francisco."
"And that's all?"
Francisco paused for a moment. "The situation a little bit complicated."
"How is it complicated?" Terri demanded.
Francisco smiled, "Terri, I'm sorry, but this is a family matter."
"Do you discuss your family matters at the Grande Parisienne Hotel?"
"Ilsa is staying at the hotel," Francisco admitted. "We had lunch there yesterday - in the restaurant. And, yes, we did discuss the matter. What difference does it make?"
"Did you think to tell me that she was going to come out here?"
"She is here to see her son," Francisco insisted. "And, no, I did not think to tell you that she was coming. I don't know why any of this would be important to you."
Terri closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I've just had a really bad couple of days."
"What happened?" Francisco asked.
"I think I should go."
"Terri?"
"I think I should go."
Francisco realized that Terri was upset and that there was nothing that he could say to change that. He stood silently as she gathered her things and walked out of the study.
Ilsa was standing near the front door. "It was nice to meet you," she said as Terri raced past.
"Nice to meet you, too," Terri said in a neutral tone that masked the turmoil that she was feeling. The door closed behind her.
"Such a pretty girl to feel so threatened!" Ilsa exclaimed flashing a wink toward Francisco. He didn't respond.
"Don't worry, Darling!" she assured him. "She'll be back."
"Do you think so?"
"I know so, Darling! No woman can resist your charms. - Unless of course she has been married to you."
"Well, that makes me feel a whole lot better!" Francisco said with a smile.
"Pleased to be of service, Darling!"
"That comment wasn't much of a service, 'Darling'!"
"Oh, yes it was!" Ilsa insisted. "Someone has to keep you from getting too cocky. That poor young thing doesn't stand a chance."
"She's no push-over," Francisco noted.
"Call her tomorrow, Darling," Ilsa suggested. "But first, send flowers to her office. A lot of flowers. She'll talk to you."
'The Horse Farm'
Copyright © 2015 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
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