Welcome to the world of
Michael G Kimber
Michael G Kimber
The Nightwriter
Three Days - Tomorrow
Who can say what twists and turns the way ahead may bring. Certainly not Tobias McAlister. He was fortunate to have been well educated and so far, had been successful in business, but as for the rest he would tell you, “who knows?”
He pressed the button and threw the remote control on the bed. “That's enough of you.” he said to the television, bored with the endless soaps that masquerades as drama on US television, or the canned laughter of their ‘comedies’.
He was glad his trip to New York was nearly over. Not that it hadn’t been worthwhile. His partner would be pleased at the interest that had been expressed, and that a number of firm orders had been won by their US office. But Tobias preferred the settled environment of his home office, and was quite happy to let his business partner do the globe trotting.
Earlier there had been a little party at the office to see him off, and a curious thing had happened; a chance encounter which he could not seem to get out of his mind.
“You’re McAlister?” this chap had said, in a manner that combined a statement and a question, and at the same time offering his hand.
“Yes I am; Tobias McAlister; what can I do for you?” taking the hand and shaking it firmly.
“Any relation to Marshall McAlister?” he asked.
“Marshall McAlister is my father. Did you know him?”
“You bet, we were good buddies years ago.”
Toby studied his new acquaintance with interest. He was about his father’s age, and though he knew that he had lived and studied in America, he had no idea of his lifestyle then.
“Soon as I saw your face, and heard you name I felt sure. We were all in the gang, he and his girlfriend; no his wife; hey I was at their wedding; your mother I guess; Judy.” He paused, an unusual occurrence I was to discover, waiting for a gesture from me to confirm that Judy was indeed my mother. “We met first at the university, and then again at a ‘Thanksgiving’ party; stayed friends after that until they went back to the UK. Hey, I remember now, she was expecting and Marshall wanted his kid to be born in England; something to do with cricket; guess that little bump must have been you.”
“My sister actually; I came a little later.”
“Great; he got two kids then.”
“Three. I have a younger brother.”
“Great,” he said again, “Is he still….you still in touch?”
“I’m sorry to say that they split up twenty years ago,” It seemed such a simple statement to tell of such a complicated time. “but I see him from time to time and he seems to be well.”
“Glad to know that, pity they split; happens all the time; when you see him say hello for me.” He pressed a card into my hand as he shook it again. “Knew I was right about you; great; got to go; another meeting.” And he was gone.
Toby sat on the bed and looked again at the card. They must have had so much to look forward to back then, so many dreams. So many twists and turns. Yes, he was glad to be flying home in the morning.
“Hi Sis.” He said brightly.
“Hello Tabby, but you know I don’t like being called ‘Sis’.”
“Josephina then; how’s things?”
“‘Jo’ will do if you don’t mind, and since you ask I am rushed off my feet.”
“OK, just make a note in your diary, Nov 26th. I’m giving a party, a thanksgiving party, and I want you and Martin to be there. Get someone to look after the kids.”
He put the phone down, but a little grin stayed on his face.
It was Jo who was responsible for Tobias being nick-named Tabby. She was only two when he was born, and could not quite get the hang of his name. The nearest she got was Tabby, and Tabby it stayed.
He thought about her for a while. Poor old Jo; no longer the career girl she once was, having thrown it all away - so she says, but he knew she didn’t mean it - for love. She married a legal eagle from a rival company, and before they could say ‘honi soit qui maly pence’, there was a baby on the way. Jo’s baby was duly delivered, but somewhat to her mother’s discomfiture, rather sooner that was appropriate. That feeling was very short lived however, for she could not resist the nature in her and quickly took all the delight she could in her first grandchild. When, some eighteen months later another one arrived - and with no one checking the calendar - she was in heaven.
Tobias picked up the phone again, this time to call his brother. Stefan had become interested in the RAF while at the university, and when he left with his science degree he enlisted for officer training. Following his ‘passing out’, and a further couple of years training he became a pilot. He had risen in rank to Flight Lieutenant, and had let it slip that he had high hopes of imminent promotion to Wing Commander.
“Hello Stef, can you swing a day or two leave around Nov 26th. He started to tell of his plans for a party, and …..”
“Hello; is that you Tabby, it’s not a good connection?”
“Stef; it’s Toby here, what’s all that noise?”
“Hi Tabby, sorry about that; it’s a jet engine, I’m at thirty thousand feet.”
“What! Have they put me through on air traffic control?”
“Good Lord no. You got me on my mobile.”
Long live those twists and turns. Stef assured his brother that he would be there. “Can I bring someone with me?” he asked.
“Wouldn’t be a girl by any chance?”
“Yes as a matter of fact. Why; would you rather I bring a fellah?”
“You what? I’ll have a word with mum about the sleeping arrangements. I’ll see if I can book you a double; might just swing it with a girl, but a fellah; no chance.”
They dissolved into laughter, but then Stef cut in. “Better stop now Tabby, the C.O. doesn’t like us chatting at five hundred knots; says it ruins our concentration. Bye.”
Once more the phone went down, and the grin on Tabby’s face was wider than ever. Now he had work to do, and he turned his swivel chair through half a circle until he faced his drawing board, and picked up his pencil.
With a university friend he had set up a graphic design company. He spent most of his time in the office, but he liked the discipline of the drawing board, and liked to keep his hand in whenever there was a spare easel. His partner looked after the Computer Aided Design side, and between them and the internet, they had established a very lucrative business. Thirty years old now and still unmarried, he managed to create a feeling of pride, and concern, within his mother’s breast.
“Can’t you find a nice girl and settle down?” she would ask. He would reply that he was happy with his life, and at the moment didn’t want that kind of commitment. What he didn’t tell her was that he did not share his brother’s enthusiasm for girls.
Thanksgiving day duly arrived, and one by one Tobias’s guest arrived at his flat. First to arrive; no surprises there; was his mother. “I thought I’d come early dear in case you needed any help.” Tobias smiled, thanked her, and made her comfortable in his lounge. He hoped that the surprise he had planned wasn’t spoiled by her early arrival.
Next on the scene was Josephina, without husband. “Sorry Tabby,“ she said, as she stretched up to give her brother a peck on the cheek. “He’s been delayed, but he has promised to be here in time for the party.”
“That’s fine Jo. Now go into the lounge and keep your mother entertained, and out of my way.”
“She’s here already?”
“Yes; you know her; wants to help.”
“Oh dear.” Josephina looked a bit sheepish. “That’s why I have come early too.”
“Everything is under control. Gerald is beavering away in the kitchen, and I’ve hired some help, so thank you, but go away.” He finished his mock rebuke with a firm, but not too hard, slap on his sister’s bottom.
Another hour passed before Stefan and his girl friend arrived. Tobias was very fond of his brother, who seemed to have inherited all the good points from his parents and none of the bad. He was good looking (mother) intelligent (both) sharp witted and humourous (dad). Unlike them both he was gregarious and open. He was one of those fortunate people who everyone seemed to like. Inevitably his ‘friend’ was like a model. Beautiful, slim, gloriously topped with long golden locks, and with a smile that would melt the hardest heart.
“Hi Tabby,” he said a he gently drew his girl friend forward, “this is Louise.” Introductions complete they too were dispatched into the lounge. Success in business had allowed Tobias to afford a large luxury flat, so there was plenty of room for his guests, but only two bedrooms. He had, as promised, persuaded his mother, that in this day and age, it would not be improper for her to accommodate her youngest son and his girlfriend in one bedroom for their overnight stay. His own spare bedroom was set aside for another purpose.
Everything was ready, and with only five minutes left before the appointed time the doorbell rang, and when Tobias opened the door two men stood waiting. Both were greeted warmly, but only Martin, Jo’s husband, was ushered into the lounge to join the others.
Adjoining the lounge, but slightly separate was the dining area, in which was a very large oval table with eight chairs, and at their host’s invitation the guests took their places where name cards indicated. When all were seated three chairs remained unoccupied, but soon one was taken when Gerald, known to family members as Tobias’s business partner, took his seat at one end. The one at the other end, place named ‘Tobias’, and the one to its left, place named ‘Guest’ were still empty.
Tobias arrived, but remained standing behind his chair. He paused and looked at his visitors. “Welcome to my home and to my table.” he announced, rather formally. “We are here at ‘Thanksgiving’ to thank God for the good things in our lives, and I for one have much to be grateful for.” Then he indicated the empty chair. “But you will all have noticed that there is one more space at the table, and I hope you will all welcome my final guest. He looked at his mother as he then said, “Please come in father.”
Tobias was very relieved to see his mother joining in the applause which came spontaneously as the ‘special’ guest entered the room. Then she smiled, first at her son, then at her husband who had taken his place diagonally opposite her.
At a signal two ladies appeared, hired for the evening to serve the meal, one of whom was carrying a tray on which sat, suitably roasted, a magnificent turkey.
The dinner was a huge success, after which as was their custom, each person around the table was invited to say a few words. Jo, to the right of Tobias started off by thanking her brother for such a pleasant evening.
Her husband Martin was next, and apologised to Jo for the subterfuge, and the inevitable little white lies he had been forced to tell to bring her father to the dinner “without risking the whole world finding out.” Much laughter resulted with the suggestion that his wife could not keep a secret.
Then it was ‘mum’s’ turn to speak, a moment of concern for Tobias. But he need not have worried, for she was charming and welcoming to the man who was still her husband, and said she was sure they would have much to talk about.
Gerald next, from his place at the end of the table. He said, simply, but somewhat enigmatically, how nice it was to be part of a family.
Then Louise quietly thanked Tobias for inviting her.
She was followed by Stefan, gregarious and as funny as ever, had everyone laughing, and finished off by saying that now Louise had met the family, she might say ‘yes’ next time he asked. Someone called out ‘depends on what you’re asking’ . That brought laughter, another round of applause, and the slight pinking of two beautiful cheeks.
Now it was ‘dad’s’ turn. He stood up, the first one around the table to do so. He started by thanking Tobias for giving him the opportunity to be once more with his family, and thanked his wife for welcoming him so graciously. He sat down to more applause.
The circle was almost complete, with only Tobias left to speak. He also stood up, but was rather slow to start. When he did however he had much to say. He repeated his welcome to his guests, and especially his father, and said how pleased he was that, while he did not expect a reconciliation for his parents, it was rewarding to see the beginning of a renewed friendship. Then he looked to the far end of the table. “Now,” he said, and paused again, “it is time that I introduced my partner Gerald.” Gerald bowed slightly.
“But we all know Gerald, your business partner,” Tobias heard his mother say, and also something similar from Jo. “No.” Tobias said, “Gerald is my partner.” It took a moment for the significance of that statement to sink in, but when Gerald stood up it was clear.
“Oh Tabby,” his mother was first to speak, “would you believe that I think I already knew.”
There followed a period of slightly awkward confusion. A handshake from Stefan was achieved across both corners to Tobias and Gerald. There was some cross talk, some movement and pats on backs, which was ended when ‘mum’ left her chair to give her son a kiss on the cheek, followed by going to the other end of the table, and doing the same to Gerald. Gerald then sat down, and the gentle ring of spoon against glass sent everyone back to their chairs.
“Thanks folks for your support,” said Tobias, who was now the only one standing, “but I haven’t quite finished.” He took up his glass, but didn’t raise it. “This is what I want to say. We all know about our past; when it was good, and when it was bad, and what we could learn from it. And we all know about the present. The lives we lead, what’s right and what’s wrong. And about days like today; all together, what a blessing.“ There was another little pause, before he concluded. “But I think that we all have good reason; no doubt different from each other; to look forward to our tomorrows.”
Tobias raised his glass. “My toast is … Tomorrow.”