Days of Darkness

Chapter 35

"Does she get frightened?" Abigal asked, "She only loses the smile when she concentrates. I held her in that damn suit for hours, and it didn't seem to bother her." I had to back-peddle before they thought I was up to something.

"I guess you're right," I said, "It's just that I feel like her mother and think I should be there when she meets someone new."

"Well, you can certainly ask Mr. Corbett," Frank said, "but he was set on meeting her alone. Teegan will probably remember him. You can think of him as a grandfather if it makes you feel better. He cherishes her as much as you do."

"I guess he does," I said. My head was spinning with what could go wrong. I wasn't sure how close Sam was or when we would get out of here. It would be preferable to be gone before Corbett showed up.

"Enjoy your lunch," Frank said with a forced smile. He headed off into the bowels of the mansion while writing something on the clipboard. I turned back to my soup, trying to hide my concern. I always did well in court, steering the jury to the desired outcome. Why did I feel so weak in this house? I wasn't sure how much power I had and what the true rules were. They would fly soup from Paris for me, but I don't think they would cross Corbett. It would take a few weeks, maybe months, before I could risk testing their loyalty. I didn't feel good about tomorrow.

"The soup is excellent, Anthony," I said. At least, my taste buds were happy. Our conversation then moved to what I had seen when I was in France and where everyone else had traveled. Anthony had been on an Antarctica cruise. We listened as he described the beauty of the ice and the penguins. I half listened as my mind went over the possibilities of the next day. I had no idea how to warn Sam. Of course, he might have assumed Corbett was already here. How can I send a message when my language consisted mostly of feelings?

Victor again joined Teegan and me for a walk that afternoon. He was easy to talk to and seemed to enjoy my conversation as well. He was observing my reactions to his words in an analytical way. He was still not convinced of my commitment. Not that I had given him any reason to think I had fully committed. He took me on a tour of the pool building. It looked like a greenhouse from the outside and was attached to the opposite side of the mansion from where we were spending most of our time.

I disliked the pool. Teegan became excited at the sight of the water, wiggling her legs like she wanted to crawl out of the stroller. I knew I would be swimming with her soon. It was a magnificently large pool and made me feel inadequate. A beach type entrance on one side would allow Teegan walk into the water and play in whatever depth she desired. I could never provide such facilities for my children, at least not at home. The house was a child's dream. The advantages Teegan would have growing up in a place like this is unfathomable. I was sure the best tutors were being lined up for her education. My desire to remove her seemed so selfish.

"Would you like to take Teegan for a swim?" Victor asked. I nodded as imagined guilt darkened my thoughts. "Is there something wrong?"

"It's all too much," I said with some exasperation.

"It's exactly what Teegan and you deserve," Victor said. I sighed. "Let me call and find some swimsuits. Maybe a little fun will ease your mind." He stepped away to phone that sat on a table in the corner. I lifted Teegan out the stroller after I had removed her shoes. I rolled up her pants legs and duplicated the efforts on my own feet. Just as I expected, the water was at a perfect temperature. It was all I could do to keep Teegan in the ankle deep depth before we changed into our suits.

"Abigal is sending a one piece for you that should fit," Victor said as he met us at the water's edge. I noticed that two of the black-shirted security guards had stationed themselves in the opposite corner of the pool area. They sat on stools I hadn't noticed before. "Lifeguard duty," Victor said when he noticed my eyes finding them. I should have known. Far enough away to not interfere, close enough to save the day if necessary.

"You're still deciding," Victor said as he pulled a chair close to the edge and sat down. I was bouncing Teegan's feet in the water by lifting her up by her hands. It was enough to keep her enthralled until the suits showed up. "I can see in your face you're still aren't sure of all of this."

"Do you blame me?" I asked, my eyes on Teegan's smile. It always softened my mood and put everything into perspective. Happiness is the true goal in life, happiness wrapped in harmony. Sam was my happiness. My family was my happiness. Teegan was family.

"No, change is never easy." Victor said as he crossed one leg over the other. I almost expected to see him pull out a pipe. He reeked of grandfatherly knowledge.

"You look like you have words of wisdom for me," I said, adding a sly smile. I could read him as well as he read me. He smiled back and uncrossed his legs.

"I think I've said everything I could," Victor responded. I suspected he had a soft lecture ready but tossed it when he recognized that I knew a sales pitch when I saw one.

"I guess I'll find out tomorrow what will be expected of Teegan and me."

"Mr. Corbett is concise," Victor said, "do know that Teegan's welfare is very important to him." Abigal showed up with two suits in her arms. I brought Teegan out of the water not sure how we would handle the changing since I wasn't about to do it in front of the lifeguards or the cameras. They obviously had it all worked out.

"There's a screen over here," Abigal said leading the way. It was far enough away from the men to make me feel comfortable. "We can take Teegan with us for a short period of time." Abigal could take Teegan away from the cameras, but I could not. "Your welcome to use the bathroom if you prefer, I have some gloves so I can watch Teegan for a moment."

"The screen is fine," I said. Behind the screen was a changing table as well as a small chest of drawers for storing my clothes. I guessed they had backups for their backups. So much planning to make sure the prison was as comfortable as possible.

I changed into a rather unflattering one piece suit that had an adequate fit.

"Sorry," Abigal said, "we can pick out some new suits in time. That one is not your color."

"It doesn't matter," I said. I was always on camera, so I wasn't in the mood for a flattering suit. Teegan's suit fit a little better. Her diaper gave her that fat butt look that only a child could carry off.

Teegan found the pool to be to her liking. Truth be told, so did I. Victor and Abigal sat back, away from the edge holding a private conversation. If I ignored the cameras and the lifeguards, Teegan and I had the pool to ourselves. She decided to become very vocal, enjoying the echo the large room developed. I could feel her joy grow when she yelled. I held her in water up to my shoulders, bouncing her like we were in the ocean. It took only a moment for Sam to feel us. I loved how happy he was to feel our happiness. I spun my girl around dragging her body through the water. She laughed as if it were the best feeling in the world. I could feel Sam laugh with her. I could feel his love wrap around us. So pure and without any reservation. It wasn't tainted with his doubt. It was stronger than before, more determined. I found myself laughing with them, listening to the sounds bounce off the walls and confuse our jailers. I liked the stronger Sam.

We were well pruned by the time Teegan had gotten tired. I would have spent the rest of the night if she had the stamina. The water caressed me as Sam's love filled my soul. It was almost as if he was there. It felt safe and comfortable. As we walked out of the pool, the coolness replaced my warm glow with the apprehension I had been feeling earlier. I needed Sam's strength next to mine. I was weaker without him and together we were stronger than the sum of our parts.

"You two enjoyed yourselves," Abigal said as she brought some towels. Teegan let go of my hand and ran to her. It was the first time I had seen panic on Abigal's face. She hadn't donned her gloves so improvised with the towel, trying to hold Teegan at arms length while forcing a smile. I liked to see Abigal on edge, so I moved slower than necessary. I picked up my girl, wondering what would happen if Abigal bonded. Would she remain a steadfast Corbett supporter or find Teegan more important than a rich man's desires.

"Sorry," I said not meaning it, "she got away from me."

"No harm done," Abigal said, handing me a towel. She immediately put her gloves on as Victor looked on. I could almost feel his relief as well. I suspected bonding was synonymous to being fired.

"There's some flip flops you can use if you don't want to change right now," Abigal offered.

"Sure," I accepted. Might as well take a shower and get cleaned up for the next day. "Can we walk back through the house?"

"Yes, and you can take the towels with you," Abigal said as I dried off Teegan. Teegan enjoyed the feet drying, but as the towel got higher she was less cooperative. Face drying was not her favorite thing. I wrapped one of the towels around my waist and stepped into the flip flops that were brought to me. I suspect they would have sent someone to carry me if I asked. The ultimate resort I could never leave, Hotel California.