Benton was still unsure what to say to Eric; trying to come up with an excuse, he looks at his daughter Frieda and sighs.
“It is well known throughout the town that I am referred to as a bully and a brute; and my actions of late kind of reflect that.” Benton continuing, “but early this morning I found out that I have Bi-polar disorder; whether this could explain why I attacked you Friday, that I cannot answer for certain. In fact there are a lot of questionable acts I have done in the past, which I’m now thinking could that be the result of my now diagnosed medical condition. Do I truly hate my brother Lance, or is it just the fact that I’m jealous that he received more attention from our parents? Various people do know I have been acting erratically of late.”
“That’s not much of an explanation as to why you attacked me,” Eric answering; “If you can’t give a reason as too why you attacked me, then how can you expect to fully make amends? Let alone apologize to Mike Lawson?”
“Eric,” Frieda sighing; “this is extremely big for my father to do. While I know you are hoping for an immediate explanation; it is clear that it is a difficult process for him that will require time.” Frieda pausing, but then smiling at an ideal she just had, “in the meantime; I still have my platinum card. Let’s just join up with your mother and help her pick out some stunning clothes.”
Benton blanches, “Frieda is that the same card you used for the party you threw on Friday?”
“Yeah,” Frieda answering and pulling a receipt from her purse; “That’s the bill from the party.”
Benton moaned upon seeing the receipt; while it was a small drop in the ocean that was his fortune, he knew he needed to resolve matters with Eric Anderson and Mike Lawson soon. Frieda can’t keep buying him time or bailing him out of messes that he made.
“Fine Frieda,” Benton sighing; “go with Eric. There are one or two matters I need to talk with Tachibana. But please don’t spend too much on clothes shopping.”
"no promises there," Frieda answering.
Frieda kisses her father and joins hands with Eric leading him out the door. William looking baffled just looks at Tachibana; “Is that it?”
“It would seem so,” Tachibana answering; “but to reiterate, a lot of what Benton has to do will take time. You just need to be patient for a while.”
William Anderson getting up to shake Tachibana’s hand follows Eric and Frieda; leaving Benton and Tachibana alone. Benton bringing out his check book begins to several cheques and hands them to Tachibana. “That should handle the medical bills in regards to those I injured during my assault at your office; as well as the damages sustained on your property.”
“And this third one that you left blank directed to the Andersons,” Tachibana looking at Benton.
“You write in a sum that you think is fair,” Benton getting up; “One other thing. Part of my treatment for Bi-polar disorder is to see a therapist. The one Doctor Abigail Robison recommended after asking her which ones also do anger management is Frances Twist. I hope this will satisfy the elder council in regard to the edicts it handed down on me last Thursday evening.”
“I’ll inform the council as such,” Tachibana gets up as well; “But Benton, please knows this. The council will not tolerate any more outbursts from you. Expect another scroll from any council member informing you of this and such penalties for disregarding their warnings.”
*****
Both Frieda and Eric met up with Eric’s mother just as she was starting her clothes shopping for Eric; after William dropping them off downtown next to the shopping district, he heads back home to check on Nate and his chores and possibly relax. Frieda and Eric were soon joined by Spencer; still not understanding the bond all three share; Spencer just spoke, “I just happened to know where both of you were. Got your texts; mom and dad have agreed for me to be at the were-panther gathering this Tuesday.”
“Great,” Eric smiling; “you’ve arrived just in time, shopping spree courtesy of Frieda’s platinum card.”
“What,” Martha looking shocked; “A shopping spree on who’s card?”
Frieda pulls out her platinum credit card, “the advantages of being wealthy. And don’t worry about the cost, Mrs. Anderson; my father has agreed to this.”
“Talk to dad when we get home mom,” Eric adding; “it all has to do with the chat we had at Tachibana’s estate.”
“oooh shiny,” Spencer ogling at the credit card; “what store shall we hit up first?”
Frieda smiles; “how about we start with Awareness and go from there.”