Warm Comforts

  It had been a month since Seth and Cori’s talk at the lake but still no one knew how to reach Cori. She made an appointment with her counselor finally and there she had someone to talk too.

  In Houston, nobody wanted to talk to Seth. Isaac, Mindy and Millie braved it sometimes but Abigail only talked to him when absolutely necessary. The first week after his aborted talk with Cori, he was so sad. Mindy kept giving him hugs and tried to make him smile. She wanted to play with him and the two bears she had received. The bears reminded him of Cori. At bedtime each night, he would read the books that came with the bears and wondered why Cori had written that book.

  Her note back to him with the signed contract had ticked him off and ever since then his temper was short. It was late in the day about a month after he and Cori talked at the lake when Isaac came into his office and sat down in the chair across from his desk.

  “What?” Seth snapped at him

  “How’s Mom?”

  “She starts chemotherapy tomorrow. I hate it but it is necessary.” It had been the leukemia diagnosis when all the blood tests were completed. The doctor was going to start a bone marrow donor search but the chemotherapy needed to start too.

  “I had my test to see if I matched her in any way.”

  “I did too. Micah called and his request to be returned to the states is being evaluated. Mom told him not to come but he and I disagreed. He’ll have his tests when he returns or if he returns. We are her sons, we should be the best match right?”

  “I don’t know, Seth. I haven’t researched it. It makes logical sense but I don’t know.”

  “Have you heard from Faith? How’s Cori?”

  “I talk to Faith every day. Cori, however, apparently talks to no one unless it is related to work or Hannah’s House. Faith and Cori’s family are beginning to be concerned.”

  “If Mom does well with this round of chemotherapy, I’m going to kidnap that woman and we are going to talk if I have to take her to the ends of the earth so she can’t escape me.”

  “Have Mom invite her then don’t let her leave your house?”

  “She’d just come when I’m at work just like when she calls.”

  “I’m going to see Faith this weekend, I’ll try to see Cori.”

  “Will you check on Mom’s house while you are there?”

  “I’m staying there because your Mom asked me the same thing.”

  “Thanks. I guess I’d better head home and see two of my girls.”

  “Cori’s probably scared, Seth.” Seth nodded his agreement and headed home to see his family.

  Friday afternoon, Cori was in Millie’s backyard looking over her flowers when she heard the door to the house open and close. She was startled and turned to see who was on the back porch.

  Isaac walked down the stairs to the yard and started towards her “Well, this is a very good thing to find you here since we need to talk.”

  “Business?”

  “Sure, to start with…” Isaac began “how’s the bear coming along?”

  “The seamstress showed me her progress this morning. It should come together nicely. A week at the latest.”

  “Seth wants it next Wednesday to take to the toy show in New York.”

  “What? No one mentioned that. I may have to overnight express it to him.”

  “I’ll have to clear that with him.”

  “Please do. How’s Millie?”

  “Today was her first chemotherapy treatment.”

  “I hope she does well. I was just looking over her flower beds. I’ll come back next week and work on them.”

  “We have more important things to talk about than flowers, Cori Lewis.”

  “No we don’t, not if it is about Seth. He needs to go back to thinking I’m as worthless as gum on his shoe.”

  “That’s nonsense, Cori.”

  Cori sobered and got an extremely stubborn look on her face. She was ready for battle. “I’m doing what is best for Seth. As his friend, you should be grateful that he doesn’t have me in his life.”

  “Grateful? Hardly. He’s miserable. He likes you Cori. He needs you….” Isaac began

  “He turned away from me and my story” She exploded “and that was just because of my hand, what is he going to do when I tell him about the beatings because the stupid football team didn’t win. What is he going to do when I tell him about the concussions and the broken ribs? I can’t bear it, Isaac. I can’t bear to see him turn away from me again. Tell him that I’m not worth it, convince it is in his best interest. I can’t be anything to him or he’ll live to regret it. Convince him of that.”

  “That is a load of crap. I will not convince him of that. You have to tell him everything and yes, he’s going to be mad and upset. I doubt he turned away from you out of disgust. I’m sure it was because he was mad at that loser slimeball who tried to kill you. He already imagines what the sleazebag did to you, the reality might actually help him. Get in your car and go see him.”

  “No. It is better my way.”

  “You’re being a pain in the butt.”

  “I’m saving him from himself. Goodbye.” Cori walked out of the backyard and got into her car that was parked next door. Isaac watched her pull away then reached for his phone.

  “Hi” greeted Seth

  “How’s Millie?” Isaac asked angrily.

  “So far she is fine. Why are you so angry at Mom?”

  Isaac sighed and calmed his tone “I’m not. I’m angry at Cori Lewis. She’s a royal pain in the butt.”

  “Did you see her?”

  “Yes, she was looking over your mom’s flower garden when I arrived. We had a discussion.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Basically it was, I’m saving him from himself. She doesn’t want you to turn away from her again if she tells you more about her marriage.”

  “I didn’t turn away from her” Seth shouted into the phone “I turned away because I was incensed.”

  “That’s what I thought and that’s what I told her but she refused to listen.”

  “I don’t believe this. What do I do now?”

  “I don’t know, Seth.”

  “Thanks for trying. I’ll see you at work.” Seth disconnected and thunked his head down on his desk. Mindy came into his study and wanted to sit on his lap. He pulled her close and cuddled with her and the same bear that had begun this process.

  Chapter 10

  Monday morning Seth called Warm Comforts and demanded to speak to Cori or he would sue her for breach of contract.

  “Don’t threaten me, Seth Reynolds” Cori shouted when she picked up the phone. Thankfully Pearl had transferred the call to Cori when she was still in her apartment and no one could hear her shouting.

  “Pack and get to Houston by tomorrow. Bring the bear that will go in our catalogue, my Beaches bear and bring a display for Teddybearville. We are going to New York on Wednesday.”

  “I don’t work for you and I’m not doing this.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “I’ll find some reason that you broke our contract and I’ll tell the world.”

  “I have not broken any contact and publicity could get my residents killed.”

  Seth sounded fierce to get his point across. Mainly he was frustrated and just needed to see her, talk to her, or be with her; anything other than this long silence of the past month. “Then I suggest you do what I say.”

  “I lived being threatened every day of my marriage and you expect me to be scared of you when I have security guards surrounding me twenty four hours a day. Don’t threaten me again.” She said angrily.

  “Be in Houston by tomorrow night.” He said one more time.

  “I thought I was the one who was deaf. What part did you not hear? I’m not doing it Seth and stop bothering me. Your bear will be expressed to you in New York.”

  “I
want it personally delivered by you to me in Houston by tomorrow.”

  “It isn’t ready yet. Why are you being this way?”

  “I want you in my life, Cori. I didn’t turn away from you when you told me about your hand. I turned away because I was incensed at that slimeball.”

  “The story doesn’t improve, Seth. It would happen time and time again. I won’t watch it. I won’t watch it turn to disgust at me after you’ve heard the stories. Leave me alone.”

  “The sleezebag’s abuse of you is not your fault, why would you disgust me?”

  Cori had had enough and refused to argue anymore so she changed subjects as she wound the conversation down to the end. “Tell Millie hello for me.”

  “You will see her tomorrow when you arrive at my house. Do you still have the map?”

  “No” Cori said abruptly.

  “I’ll fax you a new one. Be there Cori. Mom wants to see you. And pack for cool weather in New York, the forecast calls for rain. We will fly home on Sunday.”

  “I. Am. Not. Going.” She said very succinctly.

  “Please” Seth said quietly.

  “Why is this so important? You live in a city with thousands of women, why are you focusing on me?”

  “Because you are very special and I want you in my life.”

  “So we are just supposed to forget my past?”

  “Never. I want to hear the stories and yes they will tick me off. But not at you, but at that slimeball sleeze that hurt you.”

  “He has a name and you can say it in my presence.”

  “Slimeball sleeze is a better name for him.”

  “And when I tell you the rest of the stories then I get to watch you walk away? Is that supposed to make it easier? Take my word for it and let the whole thing be done now.”

  “No. I won’t walk away. You are just scared, Cori. You are scared that…”

  Cori shouted interrupting his comment “And why shouldn’t I be scared, Seth?”

  “I would never hurt you.” Seth shouted back.

  The shouting on Cori’s side of the conversation continued “But I might hurt you. Not physically but what if you trigger some bad memory and I make you pay for Roger’s mistakes. I would hate it and hate myself.”

  Seth knew this shouting was not accomplishing his goal so he evened out his tone of voice and remained calm “Don’t base anything on what if. Please give me a chance. We will go to counseling together and learn how to work through things.”

  “Goodbye Seth” she said quietly as she hung up on him. Seth heard the dial tone and slammed the phone down on the desk in his home study. When he looked up, his mother was standing at the door.

  “I’m sorry if I disturbed your rest.” He said coming over to her. “I was fighting with that stubborn friend of yours.”

  Millie gave her wonderful son a sweet smile as she explained “She cares enough to fight and I think that is a good sign. That hasn’t always been the case.”

  Seth shook his head frustrated “It didn’t do me any good.”

  “Patience, my dear.”

  “I’m trying. I’m headed to work, Mindy will go to school. Beth will be here all day. Call me if you need me.”

  “I feel fine, Seth. Go do your work.”

  “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too, Seth.” Millie went into the living room to rest on the couch while Seth went to get his briefcase, his computer and his niece. They kissed Millie goodbye and headed out the door.

  Seth was helping Mindy clean up the Candyland game on Monday night when his doorbell rang. Usually Isaac just came on in instead of ringing the doorbell and Seth wasn’t expecting anyone else. He was overwhelmed when he looked through the security eye at who was ringing the doorbell. He rushed to unlock the door and throw it open. Before he could speak he heard “Don’t. Just Don’t.”

  “Yes, dear” he said pulling Cori into his house and into his arms “it isn’t Tuesday, sweetheart.”

  “I said Don’t. Did I not just say that?” she said without anger. “I hate to fly so Wednesday should really be interesting for you. Now are you glad you forced me to come?”

  “Absolutely.” He said still holding her close. “I wasn’t expecting you to actually come.”

  “I wasn’t going too but I want to try. I like you and I tried to forget you but even with a memory problem, I couldn’t.”

  Seth’s huge smile was hidden from Cori since she was still enclosed in the circle of his arms. He kissed her cheek “I’m so glad you are here. Why did you come today?”

  “I wasn’t sure I’d come at all if I thought about it anymore. I rushed Faith through helping me pack and get a display ready. She called Isaac and got the hotel information and overnight expressed my display stuff. Your Beaches bear will arrive Wednesday morning. It is done except for the buttons on his shirt. I can’t do buttons or I’d do it myself. Faith rallied my family and Nia to shove me into the car and John actually followed me for twenty miles. I …” Seth kissed her to stop her rambling. Cori wrapped her arms around his waist at the same time. When he lifted his head, she continued “and I thought I could spend tomorrow with Millie after you give me a tour of your plant.”

  “Oh, shoot….Mom, Mindy, Cori is here.” He shouted as he pulled her into the living room.

  “Millie” Cori cried as she went to hug her good friend. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  “I’m thrilled to see you too.”

  “Hi Mindy” Cori greeted the little girl. “How are you?”

  “I good. Did you bring more bears?”

  “I didn’t bring a bear this time but I brought you, your Uncle Seth and your grandmother matching snakes.” She said reaching into the sack she had sat down on the floor before she hugged Millie. Cori pulled out three stuffed snakes that were all dressed up. One had a top hat and a tails. One had a big bonnet and a sundress and one had on shorts and t-shirt. They were adorable. “What do you think?”

  “He cute.” Mindy said as she gathered them all up to take them to Uncle Seth. “Look, the snake has clothes on.”

  “They do.” He said accepting all three snakes and a little girl on his lap. “What do you tell Cori?”

  “Thank you.” Mindy said to Cori.

  “You are welcome. Uncle Seth and Grandma, I may be mistaken but I think she missed the point of three gifts.”

  “I already have my gift.” Seth said with a great deal of love in his eyes.

  “Me too” said Millie as she patted Cori’s arm. Cori blushed.

  Cori rose from the footstool she had been sitting on. “What time are you taking me on a tour tomorrow?”

  “You can ride with me to work.” Seth answered. “Then I’ll bring you back afterward.”

  “I’ll meet you there. I’ll drive from my hotel.”

  “You are not staying at a hotel and sweetheart, you got lost with a map. I am not trusting you to get to my office on your own; besides there is a perfectly good guest room right here.”

  “Seth, I arrived unexpectedly, I didn’t plan to stay here.”

  “I don’t care if you arrived unexpectedly. The guest room is available and ready for use.”

  “You are being stubborn.”

  “Yes, I am. Give me your car keys and I’ll park it in the garage and bring your bag in.” he said kissing Mindy then sitting her on the couch with the stuffed snakes. He held out his hand for her keys. It was a battle of stubborn wills before she gave in and handed him her keys. “Thank you, I’ll be right back.” He said with a huge smile.

  “You could pretend to win with grace instead of a smug smile.” She called after him. His response was just to laugh.

  “That son of yours is ….grrr” Cori growled.

  Millie smiled at Cori before answering “he’s ecstatic that you are here. Are you going to try for a relationship with him?”

  “Try would be the key word. I’m
so afraid for him.”

  “Give it time and the best you have to give and it will be returned a hundredfold to you.”

  “My best doesn’t feel good enough.”

  “Trust me, it is.” Millie soothed.

  When Seth returned, he told Mindy that it was bath time. She gathered up her three new snakes, her two bears and as she walked past Cori, she took hold of her hand and pulled her along. “She read to me.” Mindy told Seth.

  “Okay” he said chuckling. “I’m sure she’d be thrilled too.”

  Mindy looked up at Cori “You read Snowflake friend book.”

  “I’d love too.” Cori agreed smiling at the precious little girl. After Mindy’s bath, Cori sat down in the rocking chair in her room and Mindy climbed into her lap with the three snakes and two bears and her Snowflake book.

  Seth sat down on the floor by Cori’s feet and as she read he caressed her leg. His first touch caught her by surprise and she jerked her foot away. Seth calmly reached over and brought it back closer to him. He was really glad that it was warm in Texas and that she was wearing shorts. Her legs were outstanding.

  Mindy was almost asleep on Cori’s lap when Seth recognized the last part of the book but instead of the regular ending, Cori kept going until Mindy was completely out and relaxed on her lap. Seth rose from the floor and eased Mindy into his arms and carried her over to the bed. Cori tucked the bears and snakes in beside her as Seth covered her up. Seth gave Mindy a kiss on the forehead just before he and Cori headed out of the door.

  Seth took Cori’s hand and pulled her into his bedroom. “You have gorgeous legs, sweetheart.”

  “You didn’t help me read that story very much with your touches.”

  Seth winked at her “it didn’t sound to me like you needed any help. You didn’t even read it, you quoted it with an alternate ending.” Cori gasped as his perception.

  He continued “I have read that book every night since March 13th and sometimes two or three times. Believe me, I have it memorized and you didn’t tell it like it was written on those pages. You told it like it was written up here.” He said touching her head. “Now, if she doesn’t like the old version anymore and wants the new version, you’ll have to come every night and tell it to her.”