Once my upcoming existence was a fact, there was no way but forward. George set Newport’s wedding machinery in motion and planned for a social event of unprecedented magnitude. He had to act quickly, because April’s pregnancy couldn’t show at the wedding. Only a man of his stature was able to get a wedding of this proportion organized in two months. Also as fast as he could, he needed to turn Robert into a suitable groom.
George carefully weaved a web of disinformation around my father’s origin. He was appalled when he heard that Louise was a nurse and her late husband a civil engineer in the local administration. George set to work and hired a public relations agent. The wedding ad in the The New York Times turned Robert into a rising business star with a family tree reaching back to the days of Charlemagne. The ad made Robert’s day and he kept it in his wallet for many years.
Louise was not aware of the public relations lies that George had woven around her and Robert. She didn’t need the extra burden on her trip to the United States. She was already travelling with a heavy heart and the premonition that not all was well.
When the Warners’ chauffeur drove up the long driveway to the mansion, her mind filled with foreboding. As soon as the limousine came to a stop, a butler and two other liveries hurried out to meet her. One of them took her small tattered leather bag from the trunk with an ill-concealed look of contempt. She had learnt to ignore the judgment of others a long time ago but she feared for my well-being and wondered if anyone in the Warner household would be able to provide the compassion and guidance I was going to need.
Louise’s spirit lifted for a brief moment when she sensed April’s love for her unborn child. She saw how April was going to give her best to take well care of me. Then she registered the glass of red wine in April’s hand and feared that April’s best was going to be limited by her own problems. Exploring the mansion with its abundance of things and lack of warmth Louise knew I would need more than April’s tenuous love.
She played her part in the preparations and never once protested. She smiled, she conversed and sat patiently through rehearsals and fittings. Her only subtle protest was wishing her husband Emil were there. Under no circumstances would he have played along. Alas, he was dead and beyond making trouble.
She didn’t shed a tear in the church when April and Robert said I do. She almost missed their wedding vows because her mind had drifted away hatching a plan.
After the young couple had left for their honeymoon in the Caribbean, Louise walked into George’s study and was overwhelmed by dozens of pictures showing him shake hands with presidents and celebrities from the media and finance. Fighting a spell of self-doubt she realized the room had been designed to intimidate and took a deep breath to work up her courage. She sat down in the guest chair in front of his walnut desk.
George sized her up and recognized an equal. She might lack his shrewdness but he saw the intelligence, resilience and patience in her eyes that made her worthy of his attention. He leaned back hiding his curiosity behind a well-practiced meaningless smile. His guess was she wanted money.
“So, what can I do for you, Louise?”
“The baby needs someone.”
“Yes. We have plenty of family and staff to provide for him.”
“How do you know it’s a boy?”
“I just do.”
“Aha. Whatever it will be, I’ve decided to stay and take care of the baby. The hospital made me an offer for early retirement and I’m going to take it.”
“What if we think, you’re not needed here?”
“I’m here to convince you that I am.”
George thought about it. It was clear to him that April would need assistance. He had thought of hiring a nanny. A grandmother was even better.
“Do you want money?”
“No, of course not. I only need a place to stay.”
“You can have a room in the mansion or the cottage at the gate.”
“The gate house.”
She decided against thanking him. For her, the conversation was over.
“Do you want me to hire an English teacher for you?”
“Let’s wait and see. Maybe I will talk German to the child.”
“That’s a good idea. He will be bilingual. That’s always a plus.”
“Good. I am going to bring my affairs in order back in Germany and will return in four months’ time.”
Louise got up and left.
George remained at his desk and thought about their meeting. He had not expected Robert to have such a mother and couldn’t make up his mind if she was as selfless as she appeared to be or if she was an excellent con artist who would work her way into his confidence and then extort a bigger amount of money later.
Upon her return April learnt about the addition to their family, and was unsure at first. She feared more control over her life. Once Louise had moved into the gatehouse, she quickly learnt how Louise was in fact her savior.
Everybody was happy except Robert. He had hoped to be rid of the thorn in his flesh. He wanted to embrace his new life of wealth and power without his mother nagging him.
End of Chapter 2
Here’s what happens in chapter 3:
3. AN APPLE, A COW, A SHEEP AND A TREE
Nick is unhappy. He refuses to walk or speak to anyone but Louise. Robert thinks his son is a retard, April stumbles over herself to make him feel better but doesn’t know how, and George thinks he is a genius and takes him to a child psychiatrist in California to have him tested.
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The Nick Warner Chronicles, Volume One ©by Ines Strohschein * TNWC@gmx.com