Fire of Caveat - Part 4

Fire of Caveat – Part 4

Marcha came parading through the kitchen door, she was speechless to find Michelle sitting on the floor, crying dreadfully. The little piece of humanity she had left in her, felt sorry for Michelle. She was thirty-three and her and John were so busy with administrating and running the company, she hardy had time for a private life.
She walked over to Michelle: “Hey, Michelle….” She paused for a moment; “go take a nice shower. I will clean up this mess.” Michelle was too upset to be surprised and just nodded a “yes, thank you” gesture. She went upstairs to her room; took a relaxing shower, a calming tablet and fell asleep.
Marcha started picking up the pieces of glass and cleaning up. She frowned, speculating: “What was this all about, it must have been immense. For Michelle to cry, throwing a bottle and for Carl to be so upset and mad that he just took off.” She guess John is in his study. “Oh well. She and Sophia will watch movies in the lounge…”
After the commotion, the house seemed noise free and desolated for the rest of the day. Carl took off on his bike and came home late; after twelve in the evening. Surprisingly more sober than usual. John went to his study and locked himself inside, he didn’t even pitch up for dinner.
That Saturday evening was a quiet, gloomy evening around the Walsh’s dinner table. Only Michelle, Marcha and Sophia arrived for supper. Not much was said and luckily Sophia was too tired to notice the low-spirited atmosphere in the room. They only had sandwiches, and fresh garden salad. On Saturday evenings take-away is usually on the menu, but not tonight. Sophia just loved it, it was her “special evening”. “No veggies tonight!” The three of them retired to their rooms early. Marcha and Sophia went to their room to watch movies again.
Michelle went upstairs to her room, she cuddled up on her bed, sipping on a cup of coffee, absorbed in the book she was reading, when there was a knock at the door. “Come in?” John entered her room, his hands in his pockets. He laid down on the bed next to his sister. He looked at her petite, fragile figure. Her dark hair was bind in a ponytail. She had pyjamas on with little dogs and hearts on them. He smiled; typical her, still has the spirit of a child. “Are you okay little pixy?” John called her pixy, when he was concerned about her. She smiled at him: “Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry about this afternoon. I just lost my cool.” He looked at her, concerned: “Do you still take your meds, sis?”
Michelle sighed: “Yes…. I do. I was tired from working outside and……. I don’t know? Maybe I felt a bit down today. I’m fine Johnny. Don’t worry……love you bro”. She smiled at him and touched his face gently. “Relax, I have my Bipolar Disorder under control.” “I’m glad sis.”
He looked at her seriously: “Michelle, we cannot tell Carl about his dad, Uncle Carlton. Now is not the right time for him to know about his mom and dad. His mom is coming out of jail soon……. He might be furious, or maybe not. He lost years not getting to know his mom. That was Dad and Moms decision, we keep it that way. At least for now….”
Michelle had tears in her eyes: " I miss them…. I know, they said we are not allowed to say anything. We must wait till he is wise enough or when his mom comes out of jail.” He gave her a hug: “You sleep tight pixy; I will handle it. Meet me in my study at eight tomorrow morning.” She gave him a kiss on his cheek; “Night Johnathan.......love you.” He smiled; “love you too….”
John went downstairs to his study and wrote a note for Carl: “Carl, please meet me and Michelle in the study at eight tomorrow morning. John" in brackets; "only you please.” He walked to Carls’ and Martha’s wing of the house and slipped it under the door. He felt tired, under pressure…. he had too much things to handle. He had to carry this whole family and the business on his shoulders.
John’s facial expression was dismal, grim and frustrated, as he walked to his bedroom, hoping he will get a good night’s sleep, just for once……