Chap 13 The Testimony

A Chapter by Shin ( formerly known as ) Bidayah

by Shin

Charles turned the Rolls into the driveway. The grove of oak trees, twisted in the sub-tropical weather, held a shade for him as if he was being honored.

He stopped at the cottage and opened the back door to take out the packages for Rebecca. She came out of the cottage to help him.

“You could take the clothes,” he suggested. “I'll take these,” he said, referring to the food packages.

“Charles, do you have a minute?” Rebecca asked.

“Certainly, miss,” he replied as he accompanied her into the cottage. He thought it was the usual repair job that she needed. But it was different this time.

Rebecca lived the life of a recluse. Her sister sent her food everyday, laundered her clothes and even shopped for stuff she needed. She had walked away from the family when young and remained a spinster, isolated from everyone. It was Florence who kept an eye out for her, let her stay at the cottage they bought and took care of her.

She motioned Charles to the table at the back porch.

“Is something the matter, miss?” he asked.

“Charles, how long have you worked for us?”

“Four years madam, till jun.”

“I don't mean to pry, but Florence is ill and we are trying to help her.”

“I might have known of that, miss,” he replied.

“We are having problems with Arthur because he wouldn't approve the US14 million for something that we need.”

“That might be the tropical greenhouse, miss?” he asked with a trace of the Irish accent.

“You're well informed Charles,” she replied.

Charles seemed perceptive about what Rebecca may be about. His next remark surprised her.

“I'm not about keeping anything a secret, miss. If there was something you need to know, just fire away and I'll give you the most honest answer that I can manage.”

“I want to know whether you have been leaking information to Arthur about Florence and our project,” she asked, looking very serious.

Charles nodded with understanding. He took a while to consider several other issues, before replying.

“May I be candid?” he asked.

“Certainly,” she responded.

“It was I who told Florence to create some exposure to tropical conditions and plants.” He saw the surprise on Rebecca's face but ignored it. “But she can't move to Florida because she has an obligation to stay in this town as the family of the founders. I must say I cultivated a profound respect for her on account of that.”

Rebecca was starting to frown a little but kept her surprise in check.

“Florence was all set on the surgery, but has been checking out what I told her through Sara in Jefferson. There's a tropical conservatory there.”

He paused to make sure Rebecca was following the story.

“Sara thought it was great experience that way. The simple premise of it is that a tropical forest is lush and it brings a wonderful compliment to a woman in her experiences of her body and health. It creates a greater relation to the earth and a greater stability in her personality.”

“Are you French?” Rebecca asked.

“My father is Tamil, from India and my mother is Irish. They met in England and migrated to the US. I was born here. I worked for some years with the office of UNESCO in Paris, which explains the slight French accent.”

“So we are not going to have any problems from you regarding the project?” she asked.

“None that I can think of,” replied Charles.

“But you have been talking to Arthur on issues?” she asked again.

“Arthur is a great chap. He is an experience of intellectualism that is founded on innocence.....or purity.....if you will. It's like pure science.....you'll have to work at applying it to life. Mike, Mike Gardener suggested that I help him in some way.”

“You know Mike then.”

“Yes, for some years now. I used to live in Los Angeles, but after my wife passed on, I was looking for something to do and got in touch with my old friend. Mike had done a P hD and was in the Divinity School in USC. He spoke to doc and recommended me for the job.”

“Yeah, okay,” said Rebecca. “ I appreciate your frankness.”

“Thank you, miss,” replied Charles.

They rose from the table.

“Madam wanted to know if you have anymore of the Bryophyllum leaves?” he inquired.

Sara went to the refrigerator and took out one leaf and put it in a zip lock plastic.

“I'm only letting her have one,” she said. “I'll send her one each week. She can't..... ,” she trailed off.

“Her body chemistry will destroy the active content. Yours preserves it.” He spoke matter-of-factly.

She looked at him with a surprise that she didn't hide.

“I've since been learning a thing or two about plants,” he suggested.

“Well....okay. Tell her I'll call her.”

"Very good, miss," he said and walked to the car.

He turned on the ignition and started forward.