Chapter 78: Called it rekindling.
"...uh William?"
"Yes darlin, I'm here." He said snuggling closer and enveloping her with his large arms. She fit perfectly.
"Where's my mother?" She asked. This caught William off guard, he had not expected her to ask of her as soon as she woke up. He did not want her to stress over pointless issues such as Doris but being fair, Doris was her mother and she had every right to know. He knew Panashe always always took her mother back no matter what, he was very much fearful of her asking for her mother. With her expecting there was no telling whether she would be happy or fuming.
"I—"
"You did what?"
"I've made a decision and from here on she will reside at a different plantation.."
"The Cunningham ranch?" She asked, that was the only ranch that was closer to theirs. William took his time replying... "She is better off far from here."
"Where?"
"In another city far away from us? See what she did that was unforgivable! She wanted to take her life on my mother's porch, Doris is mental and I do not by any means want her near my kids."
Panashe did not say a word as she let it sink in. Her mother was gone? It seemed like a big commitment, easy to say but hard to think about. Her mother would be gone. She could not help but worry..
"What if she does not settle in well there? What if they do not like her? What if there are bad—"
"Calm down.." He said as he noticed her panic. "She will be fine, she is a busybody she will fit right in." He rolled his eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean William?"
"It means your mother is a horrid person who does not have any sympathy. She certainly does not care about you the way you do about her. Need I remind you of all the horrible horror she has put you through. Doris could care less about anyone but herself please get it through your head. I will not tell you where she now resides but I can assure you that she is fine. She will be fine, unless she misbehaves then I do not know how they handle that at different plantations. If she wants to act like an animal then she is to be treated like one. Now stop worrying about her... we have other issues at hand."
Before she could reply. "Master William, your brother is here with a spiritual doctor causing a ruckus downstairs.."
"A spiritual doctor?"
"Yes, Master Milton says the man is here to cleanse the house."
"Jesus Christ, I will be right down." William groaned. "Stay here—"
"I want to—"
"No, you need to rest and eat well for the baby... you can not handle anymore stress much less from that muttonhead, Milton."
"Excuse me!" Panashe exclaimed, a little shocked.
"Milt—"
"No, the last part.." She had not expected it to happen so soon. After her previous record of committing abortion, she could not help but worry that she was no longer as fertile as she would have been before that. Suppose those were the rumors that came with it. A feeling of fear came then left as soon as she realized her mother would not be here to bully her or make her feel horrid for the decision that her and William had made. She felt happy, overwhelmed and very fond of her already unborn child. She felt excited, this was a new step in her life, this was a different step because William would be there.
"We're expecting, you're with child. For what it's worth, I can't help but be the happiest man at this moment. Knowing it's my child, our child. I feel rather eased in mind knowing you would never deceive me the way Tracy did. Knowing we decided this together. It might have consequences but I'm extremely happy." He smiled, giving her a perk in her cheek before getting up. "Stay put, I will be right back."
—
"Evening Mr. Gallagher, I'm Oliver Ainsworth and I speak to the dead. Your brother has called me to summon your father's spirit—"
"Milton, what is the matter with you?" William called out, Milton who sat proudly beside the man. Gladly, William was relieved his mother was not present because she tends to stress over even the littlest things. Neither were the kids as they had to sleep over at Gerald's after Doris traumatizing tantrum.
"Well William, I had a dream that father was trying to inform me of something and he seems very unpleased."
William's first thought was to call bullshit or maybe his father loved Doris that much? The dead were dead.
"And I'm here to help for a price ofcourse. I cost quite a bit with my experience in this department. Milton has informed me that you're to take care of my installments of fees as you're the one who holds the will." The redhead, Oliver Ainsworth protested.
"I will not pay you a dime. Please leave, you're rather welcome to do your cleansing around the perimeter of the house not inside. Milton will pay you."
In shock, Milton and the short redhead man were about to protest but William was not having it. "Out!"
"William you're disrespecting a very powerful man!" Milton said a little harshly.
"I have no idea where you picked him up but go return him!"
"This isn't your house we will do whatever we please! We will not leave all because you want to rush to bed your negro!" Milton crosses his arms.
"Despicable!" Ainsworth chanted along.
"Please leave, I will not tolerate this."
"I will not leave until I receive my payment!" The red head man added.
"Pay him William!" Milton added.
"With what money you retard?" William replied.
"Oh please?! What we will not do is pretend that you're a poor fool Dr. Gallagher." Milton mocked.
"I will not pay for anything, you brought him here pay him!"
"Joshua Gallagher says you need to pay me. I can certainly feel his energy all over this living room."
"Shut your mouth you shameless prankster." William yelled a little to harsh, the redhead immediately backed down. Milton seemed to be panicking as if this meant a lot more to him.
"Uh William... brother! This is actually a loanshark... he needs his money."
"Oh... what happened to him being a ghost whisperer?"
"A moment please Oliver, you may head to the kitchen a serve yourself something to eat." Milton said calmly.
"By the time I return, that money better be placed on the table. Extra for having me act like a retard, bloody ghost whisperer."
"Oh brother?!" Milton said softly putting his arm over William's shoulder. William seemed confused.
"I need a little loan..." a little secret, Milton Gallagher had spent every little cent he had on legal fees to fight for the will. He had promised all these debtors that when he got his Will he would soon pay them back but nothing ever went as planned. The court ruled there was nothing that could be done. Joshua Gallagher had signed and made clear of his decisions.
"If you pay this loan, I will never be a bother again. Infact, I will go up there and apologize to Panashe."
"Are you well?" William said with a chuckle. "You're that desperate?"
"Do I look like I'm smiling? Please go grab your check book already."
"Do not order me around Milton."
"My apologies..."
"So..." Milton bit on his lip. "Will you pay him then? I will never be a bother again."
"I have to think about it..."
"What is there to think about, Pay the man William!" Seeing that he seemed a little aggressive, he changed his tone. "Where is that favorite nephew of mine?"
Shaking his head, William sighed. "How much..."
"Just enough..."
"How much is just enough?"
"Just a couple of pounds."
"Be precise!"
"Well... look I'd like to apologize to you firstly for being prideful and causing you all the grief that I have over the years. I'd also like to apologize to Panashe for my ignorance and belittlement. I'm sorry it took for me to be indebt to finally have the heart to apologize. People are going to talk..." He paused. "I will not lie and say I do not care because I do. I care for how people see me and that's unfortunate but regardless I will be here for you. You love her and you spent half of your time being miserable with Tracy, you deserve this bit of happiness. If father could change as cold and vile as he was then I can certainly do the same."
Tearing up a bit, William could see the genuineness in his brothers gesture.
"Alright, Mr. Ainsworth please come get your money and leave my brother alone for good." William said with a chuckle, Milton chuckled too as they broadly hugged something they had never done as kids. This only confirmed that William forgave Milton.
With a plate of cookies, the redhead appeared and said. "Gladly!" With a pause. "These are really good."
"My wife made them." William said proudly. It seemed out of all this chaos, a new bond had started.