Bed Of Roses

When the rains finally stopped, David approached Samuel. He shared with him his dilemma and explained how he was in dire need of help. Of course, he needed help, but at what cost? Samuel Trevor thought about the consequence of helping David and his unbridled fear for what will follow seemed little compared to the stranger he had just met. Without another word Samuel climbed in to the carriage and on they went headed for the Rivers estate. The rest of the afternoon went by slowly and Samuel not being much of a talker, admired the scenery. Before long, they’d arrived at the estate. “Are we in the right place?” He asked, nervous as a cat on crack. The estate was magnificent. And it stretched to all four corners. His eyes couldn’t see the end of it because there were large acres of vegetation stretching behind the mansion. “But this is the Rivers estate….” He continued, still nervous. “And I’m David Rivers, son of Christopher Rivers” David spoke with pride and smiled. Before the horses stopped at the entrance, there were servants waiting with treats and a new coat for Samuel Trevor who was still trying to recover from the shock. It was magnificent indeed. The decor spoke wealth beyond any in the town of Dake. He threw his eyes everywhere and all he saw rendered him speechless. Lunch had been served and as he walked down the corridor, he heard an old man squirm and scream for help. The maid quickly shuffled across the corridor and entered the largest room in the mansion. She asked, Samuel to wait at the door but he walked in anyway. Peering at the old man with renewed interest, he knew lunch could wait. “I’m not that famished...” He thought as he walked over to the bed. Christopher was in terrible pain, his skin was old and he appeared weary and almost dead. “He wasn't sick, except for dying of old age, yet David wanted him to live…” Samuel didn't understand but he was there to help and that was exactly what he was going to do. As he reached to touch his forehead, which was covered in beads of perspiration, the maid yelled, “Stop!” She was furious, “You have no right to do that…You are not a doctor.” Samuel gave a mocking laugh and reached his hand out to touch his forehead. “Sir, I said stop!” the maid yelled again “It’s alright, Mildred, he’s here to help…” David said in lower tone. “My apologies, Sir,” She replied and left the room. “Your name sounds old. What kind of name is Mildred?” Samuel said but Mildred ignored his remark and walked out. "That's my father, Christopher, He's been like this for almost a year." David spoke with a hint on sadness in his voice. Samuel didn't let him speak any more of his father's condition. He knew the priceless love of a father and maybe if he ever had one then his life might have been different. Samuel touched Christopher’s forehead and then the magic happened. In no time, Christopher was back on his feet again. 

After lunch, David took Samuel to another room. There he met David’s sick wife. She was beautiful; more beautiful than any woman he’d met all his life. She was weak, flickering like a candle light and she couldn't make out his face. David watched with gleeful expectation and finally she was up. Her smile was stunning and her face was beaming with joy. Overwhelmed as they were, David and his wife failed to notice Samuel walk away. “It’s better this way…” Samuel thought as he closed the door. He feigned happiness but the uneasy look gave him away. “Is everything alright, Sir?” Mildred asked, “I’d like to take my leave now if you could show me the way out.” Samuel replied candidly. He was very much aware of what would happen if he wasted another minute in that house. Mildred walked him out and before David finished with his celebration, Samuel disappeared into the early darkness. For once, the odds were in his favor and everything else ddidn't matter. No one knew where Samuel had disappeared to. The maids went in search of him and it wasn’t until after Mildred informed Christopher of Samuel's departure that he sent one of his best men to go after him. Christopher’s heart was deeply saddened by this and he refused to eat until Samuel returned to the estate. It was happening again and Samuel didn’t have legs fast enough to outrun it.