13 Jim's Trip to Wales (part two)

Jim's Trip to Wales (two)

Jim was bored out of him mind, again, waiting in a hotel for his father to finally get into the carriage. He was told to wait out there for him. It had been two hours. He was reading the only book they had brought with them, Beowulf which was incredible hard to decipher. It was exciting to read, when he understood it, otherwise a bore, as his mind was still on Sydney.

Just as he decided he'd had enough of waiting, his father opened the carriage door. His long sleeved puffy white shirt was sideways, and he had lipstick on his neck. His short grey and brown hair was ruffled up like someone's hands had ran through it. He was messing around with the help as usual, Jim thought.

"Only one more day of this, Jim." His father winked.

"It seems like we have been on this trip forever, Father." Jim frowned. "I just want to go home."

"What, to mess around with that maid of your again? We're on an important trip. It's to teach you the ropes of us fine businessman and give you the skills to make money. Good money."

"There's nothing good about it if you spend it all on whores." Jim rolled his eyes and put his hand to his cheek, putting his elbow on the window sill, staring blankly at the mid day sky.

"It's none of your concern what I do with the money, there's still plenty to go around, to go into our household." His father said. "I can't emphasis enough of how important money is, son. Do you want to be poor like the maids? Who cannot explore the world, or eat what they want? Eat what they need? Sleep comfortably like us? I work hard, and I play hard. I can afford the whores, I can afford everything I want. Because I'm a businessman son."

"You still did not get to decide what you do, and who you married." Jim was still looking into the clear blue sky.

"That's the tough part son. It's determining whether or not to be poor and be in love, or rich and comfortable. I figure you'll make the right decision when the time comes."

"There's nothing right about sleeping around on your own wife, or always being away. I don't want to be a carbon copy of you." His father frowned.

"I still need you to be my successor son, I thought you knew that. The girls cannot become businessmen. You should know you can't always make your own path. Not easily. There are some decisions you need to make with time, and cannot be rushed. Do not be hasty." His father turned Jim's head around to look into his grey eyes. He had a fierce, but loving look in his eyes. He knew he was being immature, but he also knew that he did not want to live a life of lies.

"Let's just get on with the trip then father." Jim just looked back, hopeless. There was no fighting it at the moment, they were already almost to the Prince's house.

"Fine." His father knocked on the window between them and the carriage driver.

"Time to go!" His father yelled, the carriage man whipped the horses, and they were off.

Jim looked back through the window after the conversation was stifled, and sulked. He did not understand all the feelings he had towards his maid, and was not interested on dwelling on them anymore. He was to be away from her another ten days and did not like thinking about her when he could not have her or learn more about her. Out of sight, out of mind.

--

At the end of the day, at sunset, they arrived at the Prince of Wales' mansion. It was enormous, three times the size of their own place, and was of Victorian style. It seemed like it was recently built, made of stone and wood. It was beautiful and the roof was painted the color of fire. The yard was supremely eaten by the goats that the farm hand tended. They were going to stay at this place for four days. They had luxury at home, but this looked to be even more impressive.