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"Okay, Jewell. I'll take care of it."
Jewell ended the call, letting her hands drop heavy into her lap, and rested her head against the wall. She felt so out of place here. So foreign, backward, and uncultured. Many times in the last two days certain things Victoria told her came back to her as she witnessed the dynamics of Benjamin's family. His godfather was right about the denial aspect. Denial and avoidance.
"Did you marry my son?" asked a small, slightly slurred female voice somewhere nearby.
It startled Jewell in the tomblike silence of the upstairs hall. She stood and looked around, but didn't see the source of the question. With slow, cautious steps Jewell moved down the wide hall. A quick glance through the first open door on her right confirmed it was empty. The voice hadn't come from there. The sitting room was empty. The next door down was closed, but the door across the hall was open.
Benjamin's mother sat on an elaborate Victorian settee near a gigantic window draped in mauve velvet panels. Barbara Roth sat so still and motionless that Jewell almost didn't see her. Her eyes were distant and she looked pale, her hands and cheeks seemed transparent. A shallow stare met Jewell as she stepped inside. Silence stood between them like a wall.
Jewell stepped forward and crouched down near Mrs. Roth's knee. She tried not to remember the way this small woman had stood to the side and watched her husband verbally and physically abuse their son. Barbara Roth might very well lose one of her children. Anyone in her position deserved a sympathetic turn.
"Can I get anything for you, Mrs. Roth?" Jewell asked.
Barbara turned her shallow gaze from the doorway where Jewell had stood to where she was now. She stared at Jewell for several seconds before a mild sign of recognition turned up her lips. It was obvious the woman was heavily medicated. Her dark hazel eyes were muted and glassy, and her attention focused too long on unimportant pieces of furniture or empty spaces across the room.
"You're Benjamin's wife?"
Jewell shook her head and tried not to smile. "No, we're not married. I was just trying to think of something to say to someone on the phone." Right now, it sounded like a very lame excuse.
"You didn't marry him?"
"No."
"But you're here with him?"
"Yes."
Jewell felt self-conscious beneath the quiet woman's long and shallow gaze. The corner of Barbara's mouth edged up in a small smile and her eyes brightened slightly.
"I remember you. I saw you at my son's house once."
Jewell didn't know how to answer without dredging up unpleasant memories, or confusing Mrs. Roth any more than she was right now. She leaned back on her heels and looked around the room for a glass of water, or perhaps something else she could offer the woman.
Mrs. Roth nodded slowly and her brow wrinkled in deep thought. She seemed to have difficulty keeping up with the most basic of conversations. "Are you that wonderful girl who works with Benjamin?"
Wonderful? It surprised Jewell to hear Benjamin's mother describe her as wonderful. This was the first time they'd ever actually spoken. The woman had barely opened her mouth that night at Benjamin's house, and nothing she'd said had been directed at Jewell.
"I work with Benjamin, yes."
The older woman nodded. "Victoria told me all about you. She likes you very much. Said you're good for Benjamin. Are you going to marry him?"
"Do you need anything, Mrs. Roth? A cold drink? Something to eat?"
The simple question was enough to distract her from the original subject. "No, thank you."
With a nod, Jewell stood again and headed for the door. She would take the opportunity to leave the woman alone. Jewell was nearly out when Benjamin's mother spoke again.
"Benjamin is a good boy. I'm so proud of him. His father always wanted to do so much for him, but Jon's pride always got in the way."
"What are you doing in here?" an angry male voice boomed from the doorway.
Jewell jumped and turned to see the ominous form of Benjamin's father filling the open space. His fists were planted firmly at his waist and an ugly scowl twisted his features. Her breath caught in her throat and her pulse quickened for several seconds before Jewell calmed herself.
"Hello, Jon," his wife said with falsetto cheer.
"My wife is not to be disturbed." Mr. Roth's stern voice ground out through his clenched teeth.
"I—I'm sorry," Jewell mumbled and moved quickly past him into the hall.
