Borderland - Jennifer Seet

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in his work and he was away from the office more and more frequently. His clients were beginning to phone in and complain.

      Acknowledging this developing dependence on Jake, Harry was concerned, and, with the stories floating around, he made a mental note to check the latest bank statements.

      When Harry suffered a heart attack five years ago, Travis asked him to move in. Looking back, it was a gesture that benefited both men. Now that they were retired from the insurance business, Harry’s duties were to oversee the house and Travis. Unofficially, they enjoyed the companionship and took care of each other. Their loyalty went beyond the normal boundaries of friendship.

      “Harry, were you listening to me?”

      Hearing the question, he jumped slightly, his concentration broken. Travis had his full attention. The concern about the bank statements was pushed into the recesses of his mind and memory.

      Harry gathered his thoughts and concentrated on what had just been said. “Of course, Travis. I’ll make the call tomorrow morning.” But, as he picked up his book and began to read, he was soon lost in the story, his desire to check the statements and the request to make a call to Jake Turner forgotten entirely.

       CHAPTER THREE

      In the days that followed, Harry utilized every spare minute to care for Travis and to ready the house for Karen’s stay. When he talked with her, she had indicated that she would wind up some business affairs and then catch the next available flight to see her father; there had been no reluctance in her voice.

      A self-satisfied smile crossed his face when he remembered the talks he had had with Travis over the last few weeks, urging him to ‘set things right with Karen’. At first Travis had been very resistant, roaming around the house in a foul mood, criticizing everything and everyone in his way. As the weeks wore on, Harry noticed him becoming more introspective, indicating inner turmoil, and his demeanor showed it.

      Then, the surprising request to summon Karen! At this, he let out a sigh and said a silent prayer that Travis would hang around until his daughter arrived. He knew time was short.

      * * * * *

      A form, so small that the bed coverings enveloped all but a frail, wizened head, Travis shifted ever so slightly. Karen jerked awake and studied the fragile, old man who stirred in his sleep. Her Dad, how different he looked now! Gone was the powerful, towering man who made weaker people pale in comparison. In his place lay the still shape of human life, ebbing with each gasp of air. She knew his time was near. She wrapped her arms around her chest and without knowing she was doing it, she took long, deep breaths and tried to transpose them into his struggling frame. Her breaths came deeper and longer, calmer, until she no longer wished them into his body; they just became involuntary.

      She thought about the last week and how their relationship had come to a new crossroads. Travis Morton was a stubborn man; that’s for sure! Since her mother’s death, Karen had felt the depth and magnitude of his control. She knew that he loved her, but at times felt almost like a business acquisition. For now, the person in the bed presented a totally different impression-dependent on her in every way, a shadow of his former self. She reached down to touch his hand. So cold! Helplessness enveloped the room, stemming from the feeling that there was nothing she could do to change this situation; it also came from the inevitable state of his body.

      “Karen”, her father whispered. She bent over until her face could feel the faint exhalation of life seeping from his lips.

      “Yes, Dad. What is it?”

      His chest lifted with one final effort as he said one word, “sorry”, and then Travis Morton settled into the pillow and left this earth for a better place and time.

      She laid her head down in her father’s lap and wept for all the remembrances, both happy and sad, and for the loss of her only remaining parent. She wept for the futility of the time the two of them spent estranged. Looking on in spirit, Travis lingered, making a promise to be there for her in death, knowing now how much he missed by not being there for her in life.

       CHAPTER FOUR

      A small circle of friends gathered in the misty rain to pay their respects to Travis Morton. Karen stood slightly apart from the group, unaware of others until Harry walked up and put his hand gently on her shoulder. Turning, she offered a grateful smile as her eyes filled with tears. He slid his arm down around her waist, tenderly holding onto her. While they stared silently at the newly-dug gravesite, two men stood at a respectful distance, waiting to lower Travis Morton into his final resting place. Karen glanced over at the tombstone situated to the right of the casket. The inscription read, “Elizabeth Morton, beloved wife and mother. Born December 2, 1940, died August 14,199I”. “So young,” Harry whispered. “You know, your father really loved her…and you.” Karen looked up into his face and nodded, one small tear trailed down her cheek.

      “Do you want me to walk with you to the car?”

      Karen shook her head. “Just give me a few minutes.”

      Harry patted her on the shoulder and walked away, leaving her alone in her grief.

      “He certainly was a fine man,” a voice announced.

      She spun around to see a tall, good-looking man grinning at her. His hair was combed perfectly in place. He wore an expensive suit, double-breasted; his shoes were shiny black. His hand rested comfortably in the pocket of his suit jacket and his whole demeanor exuded confidence, almost to the point of arrogance. As her eyes traveled up to his face again, she noted a cruel twist to his smile, or could it be that he was nervous? No matter, her first impression was not a positive one. Plus, he interrupted her final moments with her Dad.

      “Hello, Mrs. Sands.” He extended his hand, “I’m Jake Turner, your father’s attorney.”

      She took his hand and shook it without much enthusiasm, continuing to stare at him, wondering why she was reacting so negatively.

      He noted her irritation and tried to be as pleasant as possible. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am.”

      Karen stood perfectly still and waited.

      Jake cleared his throat and said, “He was a fine man” one more time, with an awkwardness that emphasized the silence.

      “Yes, he was a fine man,” she solemnly repeated. Glancing at the coffin one more time, she brushed a tear from her cheek and turned to walk back to the car. Her pace quickened as she felt him trying to keep up with her.

      “I didn’t realize he had died until I read the obituary two days ago,” he stammered.

      Karen stopped and stared at him until his eyes broke contact with hers and he shifted uncomfortably.

      “I know you probably don’t want to discuss it right now but we need to go over the will.”

       She glared for the longest time, only adding to his discomfort. “You’re right, Mr. Turner. Now is not a good time. Call me in a week.”

      He nodded and walked away.

      She watched his quick retreat and her intuition told her he was very nervous. She slowly walked toward the car still wondering about Jake Turner.

      Harry stood there, impatiently waiting for her, his arms crossed. “What did he want?”

      Sighing, “He wanted to know when we could get together to discuss the will. I can’t believe he didn’t just call; instead he shows up at the cemetery and wants to talk business. What a jerk!” She shook her head in disbelief, with a dawning realization that she didn’t care for Jake Turner. “I get the impression you don’t like him either.”

      Harry shrugged his shoulders, “Let’s just say I don’t trust him. He hesitated, “No, you’re right. There is something I don’t like about him. Also, I wanted

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