Benton drove back home long enough for Frieda to grab a bag, to stuff a few clothes in it. She grabs here were-pills as well and heads back to her father’s car. As he drives back to the down town area Frieda begins to speak up.
“I’m not sure mother had a chance to talk to you about this,” Frieda states; “I had a get together with the household staff. While some would be willing to return, they will not unless there are some serious changes in your attitude towards the help. The book I gave mother details every grievance as well as every false accusation both of you made to the staff. Staff you never apologized to after realizing you were in the wrong.”
Benton purses his lips; “was this last night?”
“Yes,” Frieda answers; “Also John our chauffer and Ethel our cook are getting married today in Seattle; It would be a good show of faith to change if you and mother could do was offer them some form of congratulations.”
“I’ll talk to your mother about that after my press conference,” Benton keeping calm; “was Jeffery present at this gathering?”
“No,” Frieda answers; “John informed me that at the advice of his attorney, Jeffery wasn’t going to attend.”
Benton remained silent the rest of the way. Giving no hint to his state of mind about what his daughter tried to do; he just focused on the speech he had prepared for his press conference at the elementary school. Also on the back of his mind are the tests and exams he just agreed to do; to see if he was in fact Bi-polar. Genuinely afraid that he could one day go feral if he was bi-polar and never got treated. We was broken out of his train of thought when he pulls up to his Brother’s place of business; Not knowing where Lance lives.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know where Uncle Lance lives, father,” Frieda states.
“Well it’s not as it your uncle and I have been on speaking terms,” Benton sighs; “I don’t exactly know where he lives.”
“It’s okay father,” Frieda say calmly; “but next time swallow your pride and call him okay?” Frieda kisses him and gets out.
Benton nods and drives off.
As soon as Benton is out of site Frieda starts walking to Spencer’s place. After getting her address from their skype chat, she plugs the info on her phone and starts walking there. About three minutes into her walk, Frieda gets a message from both Eric and Spencer.
‘Is your father dropping you off?’
‘Are you on your way other now?’
Frieda sends both a text; ‘Father dropped me off at my uncle’s gazette; on my way to you.’
*****
Twenty minute later all three meet up at a playground. After being reassured by Spencer that Eric was no worse for wear after Benton attacked him last night. Frieda goes on to fill them in on her mother’s condition; telling them that she will make a full recovery and the police will not be pressing charges in regards to father’s flask in the car. But the bombshell she drops on Eric and Spencer is that her father just upped and agreed to being tested for Bi-polar disorder?”
“What,” Spencer asks; Why would your father just up and do that?”
“Don’t know,” Frieda answers while on one of the swings; “One minute I was talking with my mother and father comes back with doctor Tora and he is white as a sheet; scared out of his mind as it were.”
“Perhaps doctor Tora told you father something to convince him,” Spencer states.
“Or showed him,” Eric asks.
“Both are plausible answers,” Frieda lost in thought.
Eric picking up that this is a conversation best left alone speaks up; “We should do something.”
“Any suggestions?” Spencer asks.
“Well,” Eric grinning; “I was thinking of me chasing you both in the woods. The girl I catch first gets the first round, while the other settles for sloppy seconds.”
Frieda laughs while Spencer grins but shuts that ideal down; “Not after the breakfast feast we had with our families, Eric. I’m still feeling sluggish from the steak and eggs and piles of bacon I had.”
“How about a walk,” Frieda states.
“That’s perfect,” Eric answers; and we could walk back to my place.”
“Why your place,” Frieda asks.
“Well for one, we will have worked off breakfast by then and two,” Eric grins; “we have a sound proof basement.”
Spencer starts to feel aroused at what Eric just said. Remembering their noisy lovemaking at her place during Thursday’s thunderstorm; she quickly whispers in Frieda’s ear what Eric just suggested. Frieda lights up at the idea of an overnight sleep over at a boy’s house. She sends her father a text message letting him know that she is spending the day with her friend and promises to call later. Putting her phone away, she joins Yin and Yang for a lovely walk and an even lovelier time at Eric’s place.