CARLOS GIVES HIS GRANDMOTHER THE GOOD NEWS

Hearing a van drives up, Courtney went to her room, thinking, 'He won't interfere with her in his grandmother's house.'

About to close the door when she heard his grandmother said, "Carlos my Son, you are back."

"Yes Grandmother, we came home late last night, Rufus was telling us that you were unwell, and he had taken you to see Doctor Conrad.

Also he said that he has gotten you a companion, seeing that Grandfather is always on the job sight."

"Yes Son, Rufus did well, will you eat some breakfast with me, my companion already prepared me breakfast."

"Where is she grandmother, I will like to meet her?"

"She has gone for a walk after she had her breakfast, but tell me, were you successful in finding a compatible partner?"

"Yes we were, that's why I came home earlier, I wanted you to know from me that the wedding will be next weekend."

"So fast Son, I think you should wait a bit and get to know the young lady a bit?"

"What is there to know grandmother? Grandfather wants an heir, so I must hurry and give him his wishes.

And grandmother, Dad found someone quite suitable for Rufus, if only both of you had gone with us that matter would have been settled immediately but never mind,

Dad, invited the young lady for a few days, if Rufus like her then it will be a joint wedding."

"Is that so, well at least they are willing to give Rufus a fair shot at the estate."

"Grandmother, I know you don't believe I deserved the estate but I am the firstborn."

"Yes Son, how can I forget when you are constantly reminding me every time you visit, but you are right, a few minutes does make a vast difference in a person's life."

"What do you mean by that Grandmother?"

"Well, Son you keep pressing me to understand that you are the eldest, but Rufus keeps shouldering all the responsibilities.

You always seem to have something important to do to shun away from those burdens. The heir of this Estate has many responsibilities, not only to horde up the money.

They have to take care of the family, the workers, and the people of this Island. All the generations of the Dawson's that passed on before, they always maintained this Island; ensuring that the people were well taken care of."

"I know Grandmother, and soon I will shoulder those responsibilities I promise you, but as you know Rufus is doing an excellent job."

"I know that Son, but I will like to hear from my Son the choice he made for Rufus, now will you have breakfast or not?

With all that rain yesterday, there are so many pieces of branches flown into the garden damaging my vegetables."

Hearing the door close Carlos said, "It looks as if your companion has returned." Calling out to her but no sound came. When Carlos stood up, "Let me go and check Grandmother."

"Maybe she has return Son, but it is not proper for my young Son to enter a young lady room, later I will bring her across so everybody could meet her."

"Grandmother, the girls are still in the mainland, it is just Mom, Dad, and I that return."

"Then it will have to be at the weekend son."

****

Listening to her grandson drive away but then the van stops suddenly and reverses, looking out in time to see him alight the vehicle and walk into the vegetable garden.

Listening to how he approached her, "Hello, you must be grandmother companion?"

Carlos notices how slowly grandmother companion raises her head. hearing her asks, "I am, but who are you?"

"I am Carlos."

"You said your Grandmother?"

"Yes, Naomi, is my Grandmother."

Watching as he extends his hand towards her, but she responds, "My hands are dirty Young Prince, maybe another time."

"Yes maybe, my brother told me you are here to help grandmother?"

"Yes, as you heard, she was not well yesterday, but don't worry, I won't be here long."

"Well my dear, if you are not required for Grandmother, then I will hire you in the main house."

"I am no servant girl, I am a companion, I hate doing chores."

"So tell me, what did my brother hire you to do?"

"I will leave that for your brother to explain, and as you leave please be careful, the earth is soft and you seem to be causing some puddles."

"I suppose I am."

Looking at him go, thinking to herself, 'Two different peas in the same pod, he is shorter than Rufus and ticker, a bit boastful and showy.

Rufus on the other hand is tall and he is rather handsome, from the little I overheard, he was not lying to me, but what he has done was unforgivable, he stole from me what I kept for the person I love.'

Bending once more removing the pieces of rubble and leaves that were covering the vegetables. Hearing mom's calls out. "Child, leaves that now and come take some rest."

"I am okay mom's, I only have a small portion to clear away again, and then, I will go for a swim the water looks lovely this morning."

"Just be careful, sometimes the currents are very strong and the tide rises quickly."

"I will Mom's."

"Have you eaten as yet?"

"I am not hungry, maybe later after I return from my swim."

****

Opening his eyes wondering what was the time, 'I haven't heard the clock ring,' checking the time seeing it was half-four.

"That can't be right, the place is too bright." Lifting up the clock, "Dear God, the clock has stopped," hurrying to freshen up.

"I only hope Carlos is still sleeping," running down the stairs when Dad calls out to him. Stopping then answered, "Yes Dad!"

"Come son, have some breakfast with us and update me for the few days I was away."

"Dad, I was going to check on Grandmother."

"You will go after you finish your breakfast, Carlos said she is fine this morning and she plans to go into her garden."