Subj: Kate ch 31
Date: 6/2/00 4:26:27 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen
It had been five days since Barnabas decided to quit drinking. It was not as easy as Barnabas thought it would be. True, the alcohol passed out of his system fairly quickly; it was the cravings that were difficult. He felt as he used to when he craved blood. The insatiable desire was over-powering. Willie helped by walking the floor with him, but both felt it wasn’t enough. Barnabas needed professional help to stop the cravings for liquor.
While Barnabas rested after a long night of pacing, Willie called Collinwood to speak to Julia.
"Julia," Willie said, "I think maybe you better come over here. Barnabas is havin’ a tough time. He needs some help." Willie could hear Julia breathing on the line. "Didja hear me, Julia? Barnabas needs your help!"
Julia took a deep breath. "Yes, Willie, I heard you. Is he willing to seek help? I can’t help him otherwise." she said.
"Yeah, he wants your help. We was talkin’ about it last night. Barnabas thinks maybe he needs to go to Wyndcliffe or somethin’." Willie said.
Julia thought about it and said, "All right, Willie. I will set up a room for him at Wyndcliffe. Will you bring him there this morning?"
Willie breathed a sigh of relief. "No problem, Julia. I will have Barnabas there before noon." he assured her. "Oh, one more thing, Julia. Barnabas wants to talk to you before you say anything to the family, okay?" he added.
Julia sniffed. "Willie, you know as well as I do I cannot tell anyone where Barnabas is going. It is up to him to tell the family." she said indignantly. "I will see you later this morning, then." Julia hung up the phone. She stood in the foyer, thinking. It is funny, she thought, I still love Barnabas and yet, I don’t.
Since Julia’s trip to New York and meeting Gerard Mathews again, she had felt very different about her relationship with Barnabas. She had know for a long time that he would never love her; at least not in the way she had hoped. When Kate left, Julia had known Barnabas would seek her out, wanting sympathy. Julia knew she couldn’t do it again. She just couldn’t face the agony Barnabas went through each time a love affair failed.
Getting away to New York was the best thing that could have happened to her. The Big Apple, with its glittering lights, Broadway shows, great museums, was exactly what the doctor ordered.
And seeing Gerard again, after all these years, was wonderful. Julia had forgot what it felt like to be with a man who wanted her. Gerard certainly made her feel desirable and beautiful. The flirtation they had begun in Chicago 5 years previously at a psychiatrists’ conference, was continued in New York.
Gerard was a wonderful companion; escorting Julia to plays, museums and art galleries. Dinners, brunch on Sunday, lunch in Central Park, it was as if Julia had been transported to another world. A world far removed from Collinsport and Barnabas.
Julia was abruptly brought back to reality by Kate’s voice.
"Good morning, Julia. How are you today?" Kate asked.
Julia smiled. "I am fine. How are you feeling?" she replied.
"Terrific! I appreciate you examining me, Julia. I feel better knowing you were willing to check me out." Kate smiled as she thanked Julia.
"Well, I am happy to help out in anyway I can, Kate." Julia said. "It is early in your pregnancy, but I think everything will be fine." Julia reassured her.
"Thank you, Julia. I am starving this morning. Are coming in for breakfast?" Kate asked.
Julia shook her head. "I need to get to Wyndcliffe early this morning. I have a new patient coming in. Preparations need to be made for him. I will see you this evening." she said, heading for the door.
"Bye, Julia," Kate called after her. Kate went into the dining room where the rest of family were eating breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone!" Kate said in a cheery voice.
Elizabeth looked up from her scrambled eggs and exclaimed, "Kate, you look like you got the rest you needed. Come and sit down. Carolyn, would you pass the teapot to Kate please?"
Roger told Kate, "It is a pleasure to see you looking well. We were worried about you, especially David." Roger laughed and playfully cuffed David’s shoulder.
"I was afraid you were really sick, Kate. School isn’t as fun as it was with you! I have missed you terribly." David said.
Carolyn poured Kate a cup of tea, saying, "We missed you at dinner last night, Kate, too. We do understand, though, you needed your sleep more than your dinner." Carolyn smiled sympathetically. Her mother hadn’t told her the whole story, but she could guess at most of it anyway. "If you feel up to it, do you want to drive with me to Bangor? I have to pick up a dress I was having altered. We could have lunch and catch up." Carolyn asked.
"That would be great, Carolyn. I have missed all the doings here. I need to get caught up on all the gossip. When do we leave?" Kate asked excitedly. She knew she had to get her mind off Barnabas and a trip with Carolyn would be the best thing for her.
"Now, Carolyn," Roger chimed in, "don’t monopolize all of Kate’s time. She just got back to Collinwood. The rest of us want a good talk as well, don’t we, David?" Roger asked his son, who looked sad at the prospect of Kate going with Carolyn for the day.
Kate, seeing David’s crestfallen face, said, "I tell you what, David. I will go out with you tonight and catch the stars. How would that be?" From the look on David’s face, it was perfect.
"Maybe we can see a shooting star again. Do you think so?" David asked excitedly.
"I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see." Kate replied.
Kate dug into the plate of food Mrs. Johnson has placed before her. She thought she could eat a horse. At this rate, she said to herself, I will be as big as a house in a month!
The conversation turned to cannery business. Elizabeth was pleased with the progress the workers had made this season. Roger brought up a couple of ideas he felt would increase the production even further. His sister liked his ideas, which made Roger feel good. He drained his coffee cup and left for work.
David followed him out, reminding Kate about their ‘date with the stars’ that evening.
"Don’t worry, bud, I won’t forget." Kate reassured him.
She sipped her tea while Carolyn and her mother began discussing household matters. Mrs. Johnson came in and said, "That Willie Loomis wants to speak to you, Mrs. Stoddard. He’s waiting in the foyer."
"Willie?" Elizabeth said, puzzled. "I hope everything is all right at the Old House." She left the room.
Kate drew in a sharp breath. What would Willie be doing here? He doesn’t come to the great house often, she remembered. Is Barnabas okay? she worried.
Carolyn must have read Kate’s thoughts, because she said, "I am sure Barnabas is all right, Kate. Willie probably came to give something to Mother." Carolyn turned as her mother came into the room. "Look, here she is now. Mother, what did Willie want?" she asked.
Elizabeth was carrying a piece of paper in her hand. She sat down and read it aloud.
"Dear Elizabeth,
I wanted you to know I will be going away for a few weeks. I will be staying at Wyndcliffe during that time. The family is welcome to visit me there, provided Julia says it is all right. Please tell Kate I would like to see her, but she is under no obligation to come here. Thank you.
Your cousin,
Barnabas
Carolyn looked at her mother in astonishment. "Wyndcliffe! Why do you suppose he is going there?" she asked.
Elizabeth replied. "I asked Willie the same question. He told me Barnabas thought it would be better for him to stay there. Apparently, Barnabas has been having trouble keeping from drinking. I believe it was wise of him to seek Julia’s help." Elizabeth paused and looked at Kate. "Do you think you will honor his request, Kate?"
Kate shook her head. "I don’t know right now, Elizabeth. I will have to think about it." she replied.
Carolyn looked at Kate, then at her mother. Elizabeth’s expression said, "Give her time." Carolyn wanted to say something about Kate being a fool, but knew it wouldn’t do any good. Kate had to come around on her own. No persuasion on Carolyn’s part would work right now. She nodded in understanding at her mother.
Carolyn stood up. "Well, Kate, can you be ready in about 20 minutes? My appointment for the fitting is at 11 o’clock." She waited for a reply, but there was none.
Kate seemed to be in a daze. Carolyn touched her shoulder and said, "Kate, are you all right?"
Kate looked up as if realizing Carolyn and Elizabeth were still in the room. "Oh, yes, I can be ready. I’ll meet you at the door." She got up and left the dining room, still lost in thought.
"Mother, why is Kate doing this to herself? She loves Barnabas, he loves her. What is she waiting for?" Carolyn asked.
Elizabeth looked up at Carolyn. "Kate is confused right now, Carolyn. Barnabas treated her very badly when she came back. It will take time to heal those wounds. Just give her some time." Elizabeth replied wisely.
"Okay, but I still don’t understand. But I guess it isn’t up to me to understand." Carolyn bent down and kissed her mother. "I will see you later, Mother."
"Goodbye, dear. Have a good time." Elizabeth answered.
"Don’t worry, we will!" Carolyn laughed and headed for the stairs.
******
Barnabas entered Wyndcliffe with some trepidation. After all, the last time he had entered these walls, Angelique was trying to turn him back into a vampire. He could still remember her endless calls at night. Without Julia, Barnabas would never have made it through those long nights. He was grateful to her for so many things. At times, he wished he could love her as she wished. Now, it was too late. Julia had Gerard Mathews. They were so obviously in love with one another, it was almost too hard to bear. It did not help to see them while Kate was gone from his life. Their happiness was like a knife stuck in his heart. Now that Kate was back in his life, at least somewhat, Barnabas felt he could face Julia and Dr. Mathews happiness with hope for his own.
Dr. Mathews greeted Barnabas with a smile. The tall, ruggedly handsome man with dark hair and blue eyes, had come to work with Julia. While the two were in New York, Julia had persuaded Gerard to leave his staid, bored housewife practice in upstate New York and come to work with her. It took Gerard about 5 minutes to make up his mind. He shut his office, farmed out his patients to colleagues, and moved his apartment to Collinsport.
He loved it in the seaport town. The small town atmosphere was quaint and relaxing. He was able to indulge in his twin love of fishing and sailing. The people were friendly and best of all, Julia was here. He loved his work at Wyndcliffe. It was so different from his old practice. Gerard felt he could really make a difference here.
He approached Barnabas and shook his hand. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Collins. If you follow me, I will show you your room." Dr. Mathews said cordially.
Barnabas smiled slightly and shook the other man’s hand. "I appreciate you and Julia putting me up on such short notice, Dr. Mathews." he said.
"Not to worry, Mr. Collins. If we can help in any way, we will. By the way, please call me Gerard. Dr. Mathews is so formal." Gerard said, laughing.
Barnabas looked a bit uncomfortable. It seemed odd to call a doctor by his first name, especially on such short acquaintance. Nevertheless, the request was heartfelt. Barnabas was aware Gerard knew Julia loved him. It didn’t seem to bother the big man. If he wanted Barnabas to call him Gerard, who was he to argue.
"And I am Barnabas." he said courteously.
"All right, Barnabas, this way." Gerard walked with an easy grace for such a large man. He stood about six foot three and weighed about 210 pounds. Gerald’s body was mostly muscle, except around the middle, where it had started to spread. Julia loved to tease him about his spare tire.
Barnabas could not help but admire the man. He had dropped everything he had built over years and had moved to be close to the woman he loved. Barnabas wished he had that kind of courage. If he did, he would have jumped in Kate’s van and gone to the future with her. It was too late for regrets now. He had more important things to worry about.
It didn’t take long to arrive at Barnabas’ room. It didn’t have a lot of furniture; a narrow bed, a chair and desk. What it did have was a large window overlooking the rose garden.
Barnbas looked out the window. "Nice view" he said, noncommittally.
Gerard joined him at the window. "Yeah, it’s not bad. I will leave you to admire it. Julia will be here in a little bit to discuss your treatment. I’ll see you around, Barnabas." Gerard said, waving his hand as he exited the room.
"Goodbye, Gerard" Barnabas said. He looked around the sparse room. He hoped Julia’s treatment for his cravings for alcohol were successful. More than anything, Barnabas wanted to prove to Kate he could be that man he once was. He felt he could be. He just hoped Kate believed it too.