#362
"Ma, did I ever tell you I had, and still have, a suspicion that Sylvia was involved in that mess with Charlie? I don't know why I think that way, except the feeling won't go away, and a gut feeling is usually correct." Milo helped himself to another cookie.
"I agree that there were highly unusual circumstances connected with his accusations and behavior. Coming as it did at the time and place, certainly points to someone with malicious intent. Do you?" Clora paused a moment, and then went ahead, "ever wonder about your parents?"
"Not for an iced over second," Milo said firmly, "When I was small, you and Dad cared, loved and raised Ted and myself with everything you had. I became your kid, for all my rights and wrongs, I can never thank you enough. You inspired me to adopt Robbie, and I feel strongly that he is my kid, ,,, all the way."
Clora smilled a sweet, heart felt smile that beamed from her whole being "You had better get another cookie, Dad's on his way back," she offered softly.
"He sure is a grouchy old lion about your cookies, not a generous bone in his body." Milo complained.
"Don't talk about me with your mouth full of my cookies" Mark grated out.
Those cookies and God are the only reasons I've ever been able to make it home after some of the situations I've been in. I believe the trip from the valley, was the hardest, and didn't we think that's where Sylvia had been hiding?" Mark spoke from the screen door.
"Yes, but it was a fuzzy, unclear feeling I got about her, it's strange to me, that I've never been able 'feel' her strongly, as I can most other people". Clora clasped her hands together. It wasn't a worried wringing of hands, rather it was a calmness of purpose of prayer.
"I can't believe she's anything but the worst kind of evil," Mark wasn't ready to let slide his deep distrust and disgust of Clora's mother.
Milo seized the opportunity to snitch another cookie and make a bee line for the door. He mumbled something and waved good bye, making good on his escape.
"He'd better get out of here," Mark mock growled, "I have better things to do than stay here and guard the cookie plate."
Clora chuckled, "I can always make more cookies, you know they are for you. Every time I missed you so terribly when you've been gone, I tried to make cookies so there would be a connection between us."
"Clora, I don't know what to say, I guess I never looked at our life from your eyes." Mark felt stunned, never realizing the cost Clora had spent.
"Clora, I don't know what to say," his tone was low and apologetic. "I, ..I never thought about the depth. It's there and it's frightening to me. Even after all these years, I haven't understood the total of you."
Open arms met open arms and the simple holding of a loved one strengthened the strong bonds holding the two of them together.
Gary started to open the screen door and looked up to see his parents in a fierce hold. And they were his parents; now he understood the reason he had been gifted into this family. God, yes Ma's God, wanted the emotion he could see and feel emanating from his parents, for him.
It caused the wang leather tough man to hesitate and slowly and quietly close the door. Gary backed away, not wanting to interrupt the closeness. He walked over to the garden fence and spread his arms on the top board. He needed to think, think hard and long about his life and the lack of his good sense.