Patience Rewarded

“Well, we are going to have to fit a lot into a couple of days Eva but if you’re willing and can take the time off from your chaotic work program when we return home how about some lessons in golf and bowling? It will take me some time to sell off my city apartment. Our family has a log cabin in the next state where we go fishing by the lake and we take turns to schedule time there. You may wish to try that. Great walks in the wild country around there too.”

Eva sat in thought for some time. Then turned to Dan again.

“You’ve described all the things kids do with their parents and my bringing up was quite dysfunctional Dan. I wish I’d been born into a union between you and my mom as I’m sure things would be different, and my attitude would be better. I’m driven to get even with those like my father who ruin families and I’ve very good at it but I’m tired of hating. How about adopting me and giving me a new perspective on life? Just kidding!”

“Oh, but I’ve already adopted you Eva and am looking forward to building a relationship with you as you are your mother’s daughter so that means I want to be part of your larger family too in time. Looks like we are on the descent to the airport the seatbelt lights are on, and I see the airline host ready to make an announcement.”

The next day was a whirlwind of appointments Eva had arranged with a lawyer and property managers and several visits to prospective places available to purchase. Dan discovered a unique place with ocean view in the distance and it was built with an unusually curved weather treated concrete roof with thick tinted glass in several places to provide natural lighting inside and reinforced thick tinted glass sliding doors with balconies on four sides. It had four bedrooms an office gym and theatre room.

The home was glorious with open plan inside and cleverly placed walls to offer privacy.  While connected to normal utility services there was battery storage to provide electricity should something happen to the outside supply. This was hurricane corridor, so the home had been constructed to withstand the most severe storms. It was also far removed from areas of Florida subject to land subsidence because of the subterranean structures there.

The home had belonged to foreigners who’d become bankrupt and departed and Dan made an offer on the property not expecting the estate administrators would accept the offer. But for some strange reason they did. It was now up to Dan to return home and complete the financials and he had a month to do so after making a substantial deposit. The lawyer had done due diligence and there were no encumbrances or claims on the property that could end up in court later. The lawyer was retained to finalize all legal formalities and as he was a friend of Eva Dan knew all would be well with the purchase.

That evening they dined at the hotel and later attended the evening entertainment put on by the hotel before retiring to their rooms exhausted. Eva had mentioned on the way to their respective rooms that tomorrow their last day should be her repayment day and she wanted to go sailing.

So next morning after a leisurely breakfast they trudged to the marina close by and negotiated rental for a small sailing craft. Dan not being familiar with this part of the world didn’t stray too far from land and in a constant flow of instructions directed Eva in all the things needed to be done to assist him in maneuvering the craft around the bay. Eva’s hair flew wildly in the strong breeze, but she was obviously happy in this experience and laughed joyfully. Dan observed her closely as she eagerly grasped all aspects of the art quickly and when they returned to land, she threw her arms around him and thanked him for helping her enjoy this experience.

“Dan spending this time with you has showed me a different side of life and I’ll think seriously about a change in direction. I’m so sick of dealing with the results of evil practices in this world and while it good to see people who engage in such practices put away from the public they harm it just feeds the anger I feel at my father and I want to put that aside now and look for a profession that keeps me further removed from hearing and viewing these evils to dealing with the theory so I’m going to look at phasing out my attorney practice and moving into full time law instruction. I have talent that way but can distance myself a little just teaching theory. I want to spend as much time with you as possible. I’m grateful to grandparents, uncles, aunts and particularly my mom for steering me through to adulthood and encouraging me to excel in my chosen profession. But I’ve missed having a father figure in my life. You can provide me with that experience if you are willing. I’d never ask this of you if you didn’t love my mom so much that you went through all those years faithful to her but not knowing why she left a void in your life.”

Dan embraced Eva.

“You’ve done me the greatest honour with that speech Eva. I’ll love you like the daughter I dreamed of having but never had and because you are from your mother that makes you very special indeed. Would it be possible for me to meet with your family before we return home?”

“Not yet Dan. I’m going to phone my mom and ask her to meet me this evening. I’ll tell her I had to do a quick day visit and can’t get to see the family this time. Then I’ll give you a call out of her hearing and ask you to join us in the restaurant. This will be a real surprise and I can hardly wait to see the two of you together. But best you do not approach the family until we’ve done more careful conditioning of their probable attitude to you.”

That evening Eva sat in the restaurant waiting for her mother to join her. Her mother had been upset because Eva hadn’t checked in on arrival or even informed her in advance of this supposedly urgent day trip. But she was overjoyed to know Eva was close by and looked forward to meeting her. In her excitement she shared the news with her brother Raoul who’d been caring for their parents with a doctor in attendance. Raoul smiled.

“Just like Eva to pull a surprise on us like this. It will be nice to see her wish I could come too.”

Rosa gave her brother a hug.

“The doctor says they are not under threat now. Maria can look after them for a couple of hours so why don’t you join me, and we’ll surprise her after all you are her favourite uncle.”

Raoul departed quickly to change out of casual clothes and was soon back to drive Rosa to the hotel. They were soon inside and heading for the restaurant. When Eva saw them heading her way she was nonplussed. This was not in the plan. How would she handle this without hurting her mother and uncle and Dan. She welcomed the two warmly and sat with brain racing for a solution. After a few minutes she pretended to have a phone call and took out her phone pretending to read something on the screen.

“Must remember to turn the ring tone on again, that vibrator startled me. Looks like I need to take a call. Excuse me for a few minutes.”

Eva headed out of hearing and phoned Dan.

“Dan, Uncle Raoul turned up unexpectedly with mom, so it looks like the surprise is on me not my mother. I’m sorry! We will have to plot for another occasion so don’t show your face until they’ve gone for the evening.”

Rosa enjoyed the evening with her daughter and brother and offered to see her off in the morning, but Eva lied and said she was leaving too early but intended to be back in Florida to see her grandparents as soon as she could make time from her busy schedule and wanted to consult with her mother as soon as she’d decided on a possible change of career. Weaning her clients onto other members of her law practice could be a task as she was one of the star performers among them, but she was thinking in that direction and wanted to consult with the family before making a final decision so would be back as soon as possible. She was thinking of full-time teaching at the law school if that could be negotiated.

Dan was disappointed as his hopes had been raised of a meeting with Rosa but saw that cooperation with Eva was the best option of getting his wish to be with Rosa permanently.

Dan’s siblings and families were scattered around the country and abroad along with their children. He visited with them in turn before finalizing his move to Florida and noted with alarm how his elder siblings were struggling health wise now. This made him more anxious to make Rosa his companion as he approached an age where travel would not be either welcome or prudent. In between those visits he spent quality time with Eva who’d informed her mother of the close relationship developing between her and what she described as her adopted father. Rosa was thrilled to have her describe Dan that way. She told her mother of her regular events sailing and enjoying learning other water sports and under tutelage of Dan was developing a good golf swing.

Along with her new relationship with an adopted father her feelings about men in general began to soften too and she began to accept dates from men she’d known in a professional capacity she’d watched for several years and felt safe with. Dan encouraged Eva to find someone she could enjoy life with and have children of her own. Tears were shed when Dan finally disclosed his apartment had been sold for a premium price and he was packing ready to occupy the house purchased in Florida that had been lying idle for a year.

Dan had just moved into his new home when Eva informed him her grandfather had expired and she was coming down to attend the funeral. Her grandparent’s home would be full of relatives, so Eva told her mother she’d be staying with a friend in the evenings and spending quality time with her extended family during the day. She confided in her mother she was staying with Dan in his new home and Rosa was surprised to know Dan was living in such proximity now. At an appropriate time, she accompanied Eva to meet him, and Eva smiled happily as her mother fell into Dan’s arms and they both wept with joy.

Two days after grandpa’s funeral his life companion also very old breathed her last with the whole extended family still mourning the death of the head of the family. So, the mourning period commenced again, and Dan did not see Rosa again for another two weeks while Rosa looked after relatives in attendance.

When the family had dispersed Rosa sat down with her brother Raoul and argued long about her intended marriage to Dan. She’d waited long in respect to her parent’s sensitivities to mingling socially with what they termed foreigners. She pointed out that the experience with Bill Evans and his parents had added to the already negative feelings they had about the history of their family dispossession in California, but they’d been let down badly by their own relatives and Spanish community at times too. It was time to put that behind them and move on. To her surprise Raoul nodded in agreement.

He mentioned that Eva had already been working on him for some time and he was aware Dan had moved to Florida just to be near Rosa if he couldn’t be with her. Raoul took Rosa by the hand and led her to the car. He drove her to Dan’s home, and she pretended to be surprised. Eva had confided that she’d helped in the choice and purchase of this home and had sworn her to secrecy. Little did she know Raoul had also been confided in and sworn to secrecy. They pressed the chime bells to announce their arrival and were met at the door by a housekeeper who looked at them suspiciously. She refused them entrance and directed them to the marina where she knew they could find the owner of the home.

So, they trudged to the marina and checked out the sailboat booking list at the office. He was out on the bay. But they were informed he was almost out of time and the owner squinted toward the entrance of the marina and pointed to a boat now on slow power approaching with sail secured. Raoul indicated they should get out of sight as Dan secured the boat and went to settle with the owner.

“Stay here!” Raoul commanded smiling at his sister.

He approached Dan who’d never met Raoul before and flashed a badge quickly putting it back in his pocket.

“Would you please come with me Mr. Turner we have a couple of questions you can help us with.”

Dan stood with his mouth open in surprise.

“Who are you and what do you want sir?”

Raoul held the badge up briefly and quickly put it back in his pocket. If inspected too closely it would quickly reveal this had nothing to do with law enforcement.

“Just come with me sir, this won’t take long depending on your answers.”

Dan fell in line behind him uncertainly under the watchful eye of the sailboat rental staff who were equally puzzled at this turn of events. They turned around the corner with Dan’s eyes glued to this stranger back suspiciously.

Raoul turned to face him.

“I’d like to have you identify this woman sir!”

A woman stepped out of cover to face him, and Dan burst into laughter.

“So, I’m meeting Rosa’s favourite brother for the first time you had me worried for a while.”

He extended his hand in greeting and the stranger grasped it warmly.

“I’m afraid there are some questions I must ask you Dan Turner is there a place we can talk?”

Rosa stepped forward and placed her arm through Dan’s.

“I guess the questions are about an appropriate time for our wedding after the customary period of mourning for our family Dan. Shall we go to your place? I’d like to look it over while you have a talk with my brother Raoul. I’m sure the house needs a makeover if you are going to have a wife preside over it what do you think Raoul?”

“House and person need a makeover sister. If he’s to become part of the Rodrigues family, there’s a lot of work for you to do. Better start on it soon while he’s still young enough to learn.

They all laughed as they headed for the Dan Turner home. Dan was happy as it was now certain all those years of waiting had come to an end, and he’d soon make this woman his first and only love companion for the rest of their days. He could hardly wait for them to explore the world together while they were still able to enjoy travelling.

Conclusion.

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