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Date Posted: 16:33:24 08/19/03 Tue
Author: Wanda
Author Host/IP: 216.51.254.249
Subject: Second Generation - Part #43

PART #43

After the lawyer left, Ruth said to Delbert, “I feel terrible for not telling you about your father. Both Sammie and I were afraid of what might happen if you knew the truth.” He said, “Mother, I can understand that when I was younger, but I have not been a child for sometime.” “Can you ever forgive me?” asked Ruth. “What is there to forgive Mother?” Delbert remarked. “I believe you have punished yourself enough as it is.”

“What will you do now?” asked Ruth. “Will you go to Lake Charles?” Delbert looked at her; and said, “I do think I will at least go; and look the situation over. I will also try to find out more about this man, Hollingsworth Deverall.” Ruth advised, “Delbert, I do not think it would be wise to visit Lenore Deverall. If I were in her position, I would not want to be reminded of the fact my husband fathered another woman’s child.”

Delbert went back to the bank, talked with his superior, and arranged for a leave of absence. He said it was necessary to go away to help settle a relative’s estate. No more was said as to the particular relative who had died. That afternoon Delbert left on the train with a destination of Lake Charles, La. Ruth grieved about him leaving; but could understand why he felt it was necessary to go. She knew he would try to find out more about his biological father. She wondered what he would learn, and could only hope he would not run into Lenore. She wished she knew if Lenore knew about Delbert and herself. She could not help feeling a pang of guilt when she thought of Lenore.

Ruth knew her whole life had been turned upside down because of the relationship she had with Sammie. She remembered going to Lenore, and telling her she would have to leave her position. Lenore had questioned her about the work being too hard, or the pay too low. She told her she did not want to lose her. It had caused Ruth to cry. Lenore had been so sympathetic, and told her she would try to get her husband to increase her salary if she would just stay on in her job as housekeeper. The offer had made Ruth cry all the more. She kept insisting, “I must go, I really must go.” Finally, Lenore said, “If you feel you must go, than there is really nothing I can do to keep you here.”

Ruth blushed with shame at the memory of Lenore’s kindness to her. She had repaid that kindness by having an affair with her husband that resulted in a son. She truly hoped Lenore had never known about the relationship. Ruth had spent her lifetime raising her son; and tending to her gardening. Those were her two loves. Sammie called frequently to chat; and as Delbert became old enough to question his mother about the phone calls, he arranged to call at times Delbert would be at school or asleep. Ruth had never known a problem with money, for Sammie had always seen the money was placed in her account at the bank. There was a deposit made each month. He would ask her at different times if she had enough money, for he did not want her or Delbert to lack for anything. She tried to tell him she could get a job; but he insisted she stay at home, and take care of Delbert. He said to her, “Ruthie that is the best gift I can give my son.”

Ruth had stayed at home; and she lavished love upon Delbert. She helped him with his studies when he was in school, and she encouraged him in obtaining a higher education. She was thrilled when he graduated from high school, and was accepted in college. The day he graduated from college was the highlight of her life. She watched proudly as Delbert stepped up to receive his diploma. His graduation picture was sent to Sammie, as many other pictures in the past had been sent. Always she sent letters and pictures to a box where no one but Sammie received the mail.

At times Ruth had felt like a “kept woman.” She wasn’t sure she could have stood that if it had not been for Delbert. He was the best gift she had ever been given. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of the possibility of him moving to Lake Charles, and going to work. It was such a distance away. How could she bear to not be able to see him? She knew she wanted him to have his own life. “That is the way it should be,” she told herself. He did deserve to make his own way, find a wife, and be happy. She determined she would not do anything to stand in his way.

The train rolled into Lake Charles, and a well dressed young man stepped down on the platform. He was carrying a brief case as he walked into the train depot. He went to a window, and said, “Excuse me, please, could you direct me to the Bank of Lake Charles?” Thirty minutes later this well dressed young man walked into the Bank of Lake Charles, and asked to speak to the Executive Vice President of the Bank. He told the person his name was Delbert Cummings, and he had just arrived from Pennsylvania.

To be continued...

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