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He graciously didn'tit was like living with an explosive hidden soo off sooner or later Never a word to reproachhim a defiant, disrespectful son who refused to care how iven him

Oh, how ony he'd suffered because of Bart, and still he didn't say a word to conde with deliberate intentions afterthat deep ache beginning again

My Christopher drove away in the early h yet another anxiety-ridden day Over the years I'd grown more andindependent, able to go my oay and not need anyone nearly as badly as they needed er My needs had come first Noas the needs of others that came first

Restlessly I roa at Bart when he ca to throw all kinds of accusations his way, yet so soabsolutely the perfect young executive No guilt No shaover the telephone, or co with his coenuine smile of welcome

"When Joel told me Cindy had decided to leave, it cheered my whole day, and I still feel that way" Yet as that oddness behind the darkness of his eyes? Why did he look at me as if soon he'd cry? "Bart, if ever you want to confide in me--"

"I have nothing to confide, Mother"

His voice was soft Too soft, as if he spoke to soone

"You may not know this, Bart, but the man you so hate, my brother and your uncle, has done the best he could to be a good father replacement"

Shaking his head, he denied this "To do his best would have been abandoning his relationship with you, his sister, and he hasn't done that I could have loved him if he'd only stayed my uncle You should have known better than to try to deceive row up to ask questions and reet, but those children don't forget They take thosethem out later when they can understand And all that I can remember tells me that the two of you are bound in ways that seem unbreakable, except by death"

My heart quickened On the roof of Foxworth Hall, under the sun and stars, Chris and I had sworn certain vows to see us through eternity How young and foolish to create our own traps

Tears could so easily flood my eyes lately "Bart-- how could I live without him?"

"Oh, Mother, you could! You know you could Let hi mother I've always needed to keep my sanity"

"And if I can't say goodbye to Chris--what then, Bart?"

His dark head bowed "God help you, Mother I won't be able to God help me, too Even so, I do have to think of my own eternal soul"

I went away