Sarita and Shanta sighed sadly, shaking their heads.
"How did Billy take it? Poor man, I cannot imagine how broken he must have been!!" Sarita, started to tear up and her voice cracking a little.
"Yes, Billy was shattered. He was strangely stoic, quiet. He did not initially open up and show any emotion. He went about his work, getting all things arranged for the funeral of Clare and Karl and doing everything that was needed. He even arranged for Dolly to be counselled and treated for the shock she felt losing her son. He still pays for her expenses at the psychiatric institution she is at now. He took care of and spent a lot of time with Harold, who was devastated, but like Billy, was silent and did not display any outward burst of emotions. It seemed Billy and Harold drew some comfort just being in each other's company and working on the company. No one heard them talking about Clare. Harold passed away a couple of months later." related Gilly.
"Oh no!! Poor Billy!! A big blow after another. How did he ever recover from these?" Sarita was feeling emotional.
"He has not fully recovered yet. I believe, he never will. He is wise and uses the pain and hurt to motivate himself - to do things for the better of human nature around him." said Gilly.
"Why does Billy want to find other people to give away his billions?" Sarita wondered aloud.
"Perhaps he is trying to find the goodness in people that money cannot buy. He wants to find something to validate his faith in human nature, in the memory of his Clare," said Shanta.
Gilly nodded,"That is certainly one of the main motivations. The other is Harold, Billy's friend. Billy saw him die after suffering great mental and physical pain and yet helping him with his business ideas until the end. Harold was a man, grace, kindness and the best of humanity personified. Billy worshipped him and learned from him. It seems like he wants to find other Harold's in the world, given them the power and money to make great things happen for more others like himself."
"You know so much about Billy's story! How come?" Shanta asked Gilly.
"Well, I was one of the counsellors that Ken referred Billy to. I used consult occasionally and was available on call at the nursing home where Harold was. I managed to get on a good footing with Harold and Billy. I worked with Billy for a little while as his counsellor, trying to get him to open up and heal," replied Gilly,"A year after I stopped working with Billy, one day he approached me and invited me to be part of his team along with Ken, who too had spent a bit of time talking to him after Clare was gone. My husband and Billy have became good friends and mates. We all work very well together."
It was quite late in the night or early in the morning as one chose to view it. Shanta was invited to spend the night at Gilly's suite with an extra bed quickly set up. Sarita said 'Goodnight' and went over to her room.
Sarita and Shanta played the story of Billy and Clare like a movie in their heads during their dreams.
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
All rights reserved
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