Teresa went to the liquor cabinet, opened the cupboard door and got a fresh bottle of vodka. "You intended to sign the papers all along?"
"I have no choice. I know it and he knows it. How long it takes me to sign is just a little game we play. I do believe Mathew likes the game as much as I. He pretends he is going to kiss me and I pretend I am going to let him. We are both equally demented, you see."
"I thought… I feared he might hurt you."
"Hurt me? Oh no, he is too clever for that. Daddy would have…" she paused long enough for Teresa to hand her the drink and then take a sip. "Well, now that Daddy is gone, perhaps I should be a little more careful."
"Perhaps you should."
Laura brushed a piece of lint off of Teresa's sleeve. "Don't worry; he won't be back until he wants something else. Find me a movie to watch, will you? Something where everything blows up."
Teresa giggled. "I know just the one…if you have it."
"There are hundreds, maybe thousands in the family room. I belong to a club that sends me every movie ever made. Some are truly dreadful. And Teresa, will you stay and watch it with me?"
"What about my duties?"
"I'm sure the dusting will still need doing later."
Teresa smiled and headed off to find a movie.
In the family room, the rows and rows of movies were neatly arranged alphabetically, probably accomplished by one of the former maids. Finding the one she had in mind was easy. Although there were old televisions in other rooms, this was the only room that contained a big screen TV and a DVD player.
Laura brought her bottle with her, set it on an end table, and sat in her favorite chair. "I adore the way movies take me away from my dull life…if only for a time."
"You could go out more," Teresa said, as she loaded the DVD in the player. "I saw several invitations cancelled in your social calendar."
"Oh those. I assure you, none of those could be called exciting. Daddy used to let me ride his horses from time to time, but I haven't been in ages. Do you ride?"
"I have never learned."
"That's a pity. I'm sure someone could teach you if you care to learn."
"Perhaps someday. I don't take a fancy to animals much. We had a dog once in the…at school, but he ran away."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I love all sorts of animals. I should get a dog or a cat. Mathew hates them. I should get one just to irritate him…perhaps I will."