Billy came back the next day morning, in a very calm, confident and decisive frame of mind. He had had a series of long conversations with some people over the phone, late into the night. He was early. He came before Karl left for his work. He knocked on the front door.
"What? You again? What do you want now?" demanded an annoyed Karl,"We are all busy getting ready for work. Don't you have something useful to do other than hang around?"
"Good morning. Sorry to disturb you, but I will not get in your way. I need to talk to Harold rather urgently," said Billy.
"Who the hell is at the door?" Dolly's voice bellowed out from within the house.
"Its that kid, Billy, again!" said Karl, uncertain as to whether he should let Billy in,"Says he wants to see Harold about something,"
"Ask him to go away and come back another day. Darn it!! I am already late," Dolly shouted.
"You heard her," said Karl starting to shut the door in Billy's face.
Billy stepped forward and put his one hand across the door jamb and the other stopped the door. Karl's face started to redden in fury, but he paused when he heard the beseeching tone of Billy.
"Please!! I'm sorry, Karl, I don't mean to be rude. But I have to leave town soon. I will only take a couple of minutes and be gone, without getting in your way. Please let me see Harold and say goodbye at least!" Billy pleaded.
Karl actually enjoyed and relished the sight of Billy begging him thus. He decided to let him in, shouting back at Dolly,"Says he is leaving town and just wants to say goodbye for a moment. He will not bother us again. He is begging."
He then let the door open,"Straight that way," he pointed towards Harold's room.
Billy went in quickly. Clare was nowhere to be seen.
Harold was awake and lying reclined in bed, almost in a sitting position, propped up by huge pillows.
"Hi Billy, Are you leaving town? Wish you well in your job," said Harold smiling.
"No, Harold. I am not leaving yet,"said Billy in almost a whisper,"I just needed to see you. I want to ask you something real quick. Please listen carefully. Can you hear me clearly?"
Harold nodded.
"Are you happy here? Are you not miserable with the way you are treated?"
"Well, its not exactly what I would like, but its my fate. I have no choice," replied Harold.
"No, you do have a choice Harold. I want to get you out of here, out of this house. I want you to come with me out West and spend your last days with me. I want to show you my company. I will arrange the best medical care and take care of you. Will you come see your advice in action and help me start off on bigger ideas?" Billy asked in a gentle but such confident tone that Harold was surprised for a moment.
He looked at Billy's face for a few seconds intently.
"Take a minute to think it over, Harold. If you have any thing to attend to here, I can arrange that too," said Billy.
"Sure, I would like to see you, but I am not sure Karl or Dolly will let me go or make it easy for you. They will make a big fuss," said Harold.
"Don't worry about that, Harold. All I want you to do is answer me clearly and state your preference. I will take handle Karl and Dolly," said Billy with a quiet confidence.
"Harold, would you like me to arrange to move you out, on your own will, even if Karl disagrees? All you need to say is "Yes", and I will proceed, without looking back," said Billy again in a quiet whisper
Harold looked at Billy and around his room for about fifteen seconds and then quietly said, "Yes, Billy. I would like to spend my last days with you."
"That's settled. I will have people here soon, later today. Just remember to answer clearly and confirm this, if anyone asks. I will be sending a couple of lawyers and others," said Billy.
"Billy, I would like Clare to visit me. They may keep her from that," said Harold, thoughtfully.
"Don't worry. I will take care of that too. I need to ask her something too," said Billy, seemingly prepared to face anything.
"Billy!" asked Harold with a searching look into his eyes,"What exactly are your intentions towards Clare? Is it what I suspect it is?"
"I love her. I know she likes me, but I am not sure if she loves me. I would marry her tomorrow if she will. I would like her to be a part of our lives. Don't worry about her. I will attend to it properly. Let's get this done first," said Billy simply.
"Aaah, the waters run deep, I see," said Harold,"Look. I know Clare likes you very much too. I don't know anything more. I would like to see you two together, if she too felt the same way about you. She is not happy and free here."
"I think Karl and Dolly will change their minds about cooperating with me," said Billy confidently,"and I am willing to wait a while and work at making them do so willingly."
"Billy, I suggest you keep your feeling for Clare under their radar for now. I think they will make it harder for you, once they come to know about your financial situation," said Harold, thinking that perhaps Billy expected their attitude to change for the better once they came to know of his enormous weath, He had long known from the talk around the house how Karl and Dolly viewed even moderately well-off young men that they taunted Clare about. He did not want Billy to be taken advantage of.
"OK, I am going now, Harold. Tell Clare I stopped by and also convey my regards to her. I doubt I will be allowed to see her for a few more days, until I have sorted out certain issues directly with Karl and Dolly. I guess they will be very upset with me by this evening. Please make a list of all your things that you need to pack and take with you by this evening," said Billy.
"I have almost everything I own in this room. A few items in the garage, that's it," said Harold smiling. Suddenly, he felt a sense of excitement. He knew he was going to see big changes in his life today. It was unexpected, but Harold was intelligent enough to understand and make sense of it.
"Bye! Harold, I hope to see you later tonight, somewhere else," Billy gave Harold a hug and left smiling.
He calmly walked out of the room, still not spotting Clare. There was no sight of Karl or Dolly either but heard them bustling about in another room. He paused at the front door for a second and shouted,"Thank you Karl and Dolly for letting me in. Bye!"
"Shut the door properly behind you!" Dolly yelled back.
Billy left the house, walking with a spring in his step."
"You really could be a story-writer, Gilly," said Shanta. Sarita nodded.
"Well, this is one story I know well. I met Billy as this saga ended," said Gilly.
"What happened next? I am dying to know," said Sarita.
"I will tell you," said Gilly shifting her posture to be more comfortable.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved
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