Trouble Don’t Last Always by Francis Ray Read Free Book Online

few.”
    Adam’s hand clamped heavily on the back of the leather chair. Those who didn’t pity him felt uncomfortable in his presence. They’d tried. He’d tried. But sooner or later a word would slip out and a thick pervading silence would hang in the room. A word he no longer could associate with.
See.
    He couldn’t
see
the game,
see
to read the article in the medical journal,
see
a beautiful woman,
see
the curb.
    He’d never noticed before how, in even casual conversation, gestures and expressions conveyed just as much as words. He was as lost in carrying on a normal conversation as he was lost in a world of darkness.
    And it was all his own fault.
    “I was about to lie down. I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t show you the way out.”
    Jonathan’s weight settled heavier in the chair. “Eleanor says you haven’t been out of this room since you arrived three days ago. What do you say we go for a walk and get some fresh air?”
    “I’m fine,” Adam snapped, then said more calmly, “I’m just tired.” If they realized the real reason he didn’t want to leave his room, he’d never get rid of them.
    “That’s debatable.”
    “I appreciate your concern, but it’s unnecessary.”
    Adam moved in front of the chair, guiding himself by the back of his knees against the edge of the seat. His hand securely on the arm of the chair, he sat down, then pressed his back firmly against the cushion. In the past he’d always liked space and the ability to move freely. Now it made him feel helpless and lost. “Please tell Mother not to bother with dinner.”
    “You aren’t fooling anyone, Adam, and I think it’s time the kid gloves came off.”
    Adam stiffened, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. The reasons Jonathan was such a good doctor were his unshakable concern for others, his dogged determination to help those in need, and his keen intelligence. Once committed, he was unshakable. “What are you talking about?”
    “Your stubborn refusal to listen to reason,” Jonathan told him. “You have to realize that there is no way you can stay here by yourself.”
    “Odette and Samuel will be back Monday.” Adam tried to get his tense body to relax and his voice to sound normal. He knew he accomplished neither.
    “Today is Thursday,” Jonathan said.
    From the closeness of his voice and the faint whiff of the spicy Oriental cologne he always wore, Adam knew Jonathan had stood and moved closer. His nearness was oddly menacing.
    “What,” Adam’s godfather finally continued, “do you plan to do in the meantime?”
    “I’ll manage.” Somehow he had to.
    “I’m looking at the way you’ve managed for the past three days. Not only is this room in shambles; you’re in pretty much the same condition. You need a haircut, a shave, clean clothes.”
    The painful words were like a slap in Adam’s face. It took all of his control to remain seated. Giving full vent to his anger and coming to his feet to defend himself might make him feel better…until he stumbled over some object and proved Jonathan right.
    Adam’s fingernails dug into the soft leather armrest. “If I offend you so much, leave.”
    “If I didn’t care about you and your family I would, but I do and you’re stuck with me.” Jonathan’s sigh was long and deep and filled with frustration. “I was there with your father the night you were born. I watched you grow into a man to be proud of. You’re the son that I never had. You’ve been hurt and it’s not my intention to hurt you more, but I will if you leave me no choice.”
    “Stay out of my life, Jonathan.”
    The older man continued as if Adam hadn’t spoken. “If you insist on staying here by yourself I have a lawyer ready to start proceedings to declare you incompetent.”
    Fear came first, almost choking Adam before reasoning intervened. He eased back in his chair, dismissing the threat with a negligent wave of his long-fingered hand. “You’d need Mother’s