Secrets Past chp 2
Date: 5/29/98
From: barnster

Barnabas entered the house half an hour later. Julia hearing him enter, went to greet him. "The panic's over, Barnabas. He returned half an hour after you left."

Relief crossed his face. "Where is he?"

"In his room."

"Did he say where he'd been?" asked Barnabas, as he hung up his coat and cane.

Julia shook her head, and went back into the drawing room, Barnabas followed moments later. "I think he resented my asking," Julia informed him.

Barnabas frowned. "What did he say?"

"What he said isn't important, Barnabas," sighed Julia. "But helping him through this, is."

Sighing, Barnabas walked over to his favorite chair. As he stared into the flames, a look of infinite sadness crossed his face. "I've tried!" he said, sighing heavily. "But he refuses any help I try to give."

Julia went over to him, and knelt down beside the chair, placing her hand on his arm. "Keep trying. He needs your help, Barnabas."

Barnabas looked away. Until recently, he had been like his son. refusing any help offered. On the news of the double tragedy, he had sunk into a depression, that had taken two years to climb out of. Taking little interest in the world around him. The care of the children had been left in the dubious hands of Willie. Who surprised those living at the main house, with his hidden parental qualities. With Julia's help, he had slowly regained his interest. He had returned to work, and had begun to visit Collinwood again. But with his son, it had been vastly different. He blamed Julia for their deaths, and nothing would convince him otherwise. And Barnabas began to despair that his relationship with his son, would mirror that of his own relationship with his father. With a sigh, he rose from the chair. "I'll go and see him now," suggested Barnabas. "Will you wait?"

Julia nodded. "Yes, I'll wait."

On entering his son's room, Barnabas soon realised that the lad was asleep. He stood there a moment, allowing a smile to cross his face.

Not wishing to disturb the child, he left the room, closing the door quietly. But as the door closed, the boy moved restlessly in his dream-filled sleep...

To be continued..