38 The Garden

Mary Xia seemed to grow weaker by the day. Gordon hired round the clock nurses to look after her medical needs and ease some of the sisters' burden.

Charlotte had asked Gordon for permission to cut back some of her duties at work so that she could go home at lunch to spend more time with Mary while she was still alive.

Truthfully, Gordon didn't want her to leave early each day. He missed her so much when she was away from him

He wasn't accomplishing as much with her at home either, because all he could think of was getting home to her. He felt addicted to her. He craved her presence. He had always had a compulsive nature about things. It was why he was a good businessman. But it also led to problems for him such as his obsession with cleanliness and his aversion to being touched by anyone (other than Charlotte). He was finding out that it affected his relationship with her in a negative way. When she was with him he was calm, relaxed, and not so unyielding; but when he was away from her he felt tense and was hard on those around him.

He knew it was selfish. He knew Mary needed Charlotte right now. He knew a good husband would support his wife. But he didn't know how to tell her all his conflicting emotions.

Charlotte could see something was bothering him. He was irritable and distant lately. She tried to question him but he brushed it off, claiming he was okay. His rejection hurt. Why was he shutting her out?

These were her thoughts one afternoon while she was preparing to take her mother on a walk in the villa's amazing garden.

She helped Mary into her wheelchair and bundled her up. It was winter and cold but her mother enjoyed the gardens so much.

Charlotte quietly pushed her mother's wheelchair. She felt overwhelmed. She was losing her mother. Literally. And she felt she was losing Gordon emotionally. She sighed.

"Charlotte, tell Mommy what has your heart sad." Mary said softly.

"Mommy, don't worry about me." Charlotte wanted her mother's burdens to be less, not increased.

"Charlotte, tell me." Her Mother coaxed her.

Charlotte sighed again but this time she spoke to her mother about her dilemma.

"I'm losing you. You only have a short time left and I can't bare losing you. At the same time, Gordon is so distant with me lately. His temper is showing more often. I want to help him, but don't know where to start. Charlotte cried. She didn't want her mother to know these problems right now.

Charlotte stopped the wheelchair in front of the koi fish pond. They chuckled at how the fish swam over and around each other.

"Charlotte, my body has failed me and I must soon go. Yet, I have had a wonderful life my husband and daughters. Don't feel sorry for me. Now the matter of my son-in-law is simple. He needs to reconnect with you. He is so busy with work and you are worrying over me, but you two should do all you can to come together. Connection and communication. How does Gordon communicate best?" Her mother suddenly asked.

She thought. It wasn't with words, that was for sure. She was pretty sure he communicated with touch the best. She said as much to her mother.

"Then that is easy. Just find a way to show him in a tangible way rather than spoken words." Mary explained.

Charlotte was confused.

"Silly girl, are you a married woman and not aware of what I mean?" Mary scolded her.

Charlotte blushed deep red.

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Gordon came back from lunch after dropping Charlotte off at home. He could feel his bad mood today. He slammed a folder down on his desk and sat down. He frowned.

There was an envelope with his name on the keyboard of his computer. It was Charlotte's handwriting. He opened it with curiosity.

"My dear Husband, I have been missing you lately. I know we are both pulled in so many directions, I never lose sight of how peaceful it is to rest in your arms. When you get home, come to the bedroom. Let me spend the evening showing you how much I miss you and love you. Your wife, Charlotte."

Gordon was trembling all over. She missed him. She wanted to be with him and show her love to him.

He wanted to leave right then and go to her but he forced himself to deal with the tasks until it was time to heave.