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Six weeks later Jonathan drove an hour to long island where his parents lived. He wasn't in any mood to talk golf and business with his father but he really missed his mother and he also had a slight motive to visiting her, he really wanted her advice on his current situation. To him she was the wisest person in his eyes and from giving the best advice she always knew what he needed even if he didn't know.
In his Lincoln MKZ he drove at mad speed trying not to think about Thomas. For weeks he'd been driving himself mad thinking about him and how they'd left things, he couldn't erase the look on Thomas' face out of his head. There was so much sadness and defeat in his eyes. Many times he attempted to call especially after hearing from a mutual friend that Thomas and Marian had separated but then he remembered that it was his idea initially to end things and maybe it was for the best but it still didn't make it easier.
He buzzed the gate of his parents 20000 sqft mansion and drove around the circular drive way with a huge water fountain of a Picasso look alike in the center. That was all his mothers' doing. She had a very androgynous taste which reflected throughout the house's decor. Before he got out of the car he could see his parents making their way to the front steps which were covered in Italian made mini tiles all placed individually by a highly recommended artist.
Despite his very foul and groggy mood the minute he saw his mom he went completely mush inside especially when she had the most adorable grin on her face. He got out of the car and tossed the keys to Danny the caretaker who was making his way to Jonathan. "Nice to see you again Mr. Donavon."
"You too Danny," Jonathan responded warmly to the older man he's known since he was a child. As he made his way up the ten steps leading to the massive two doors entrance he noticed his father standing there with a glass of cognac in hand as always and a hand around his mom's waist.
Thirty years of marriage and they still managed to love each other as unconditionally as ever despite each others' faults. First he gave his father a firm handshake then a very loving hug, then a warm tight hug from his mother almost lifting her off the ground after which placing to kisses on each cheek and one on her forehead. "Oh my baby's home," she crooned in her most nurturing voice rubbing Jonathan's back.
"Will you stop calling him that? He's clearly not a baby, look at the size of this guy, I wish I could say you got that from me son but we both know that's not the case, your mother is two inches taller than I am for god sakes." Jonathan couldn't help but let out a barking laughter at his father's comment especially when he saw that his mother creasing her lips trying not to laugh.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you darling but why the sudden drop by, you don't exactly live down the street," his mother asked sounding somewhat worried.
"Yeah about that, I really need to talk to you about something mom," Jonathan said answering only to Juliette who was now planted dead in her path studying her son's face for anything to let her know it wasn't anything serious but his eyes said it all. She knew her child like the back of her hand and her baby wasn't ok.
"What's the matter son? I hope it's nothing to do with the company, you know what it took for me to give you complete control. Don't disappoint me son." Jonathan noticed his mom whole demeanor starting to change and cut in immediately before she sent her blood pressure up, he knew how protective she was of him.
Grasping his father firm on the shoulder he began. "Dad come on we've been over this, I need you to trust that I know what I'm doing, I mean not to sound smug but quite frankly since the company's been under my control, profits have sky rocketed plus we have more clients and accounts than we can handle. Listen I know it was hard walking away after so much years but trust me when I say I got this ok."
Richard looked up at his son with so much pride and gratitude he knew he couldn't ask for a better person to take over. "I know son I'm sorry for being such a grump at times but I know you, hell you're a better man than I was at your age."
"Come on that's not true, why else would mom have married you."
"Hell if I know, I don't understand why she still puts up with me half of the time."
"For the same reason you put up with me my love," Juliette assured her husband then planted a kiss on his mouth causing Jonathan to steer at them with so much awe. "Let's go to my office darling," Juliette called Jonathan who was now holding the door open for his parents to enter.
Closing the door after they entered he turned around taking in the main halls' décor which appeared to have undergone some recent renovations for the umpteenth time. Everything was color coded in white except for the chandelier which was mixed with black and white crystals. The twin staircase, the huge white plush carpet plus imported tiles were also white and the list goes on. The house was spectacular, he really wanted more than anything to live in something as beautiful as that one day, now if only...
Juliette handed her husband a palette with an avocado salsa dip and whole grain nacho chips for him to indulge after sending him to the entertainment area to watch a previously recorded golf game while she spoke to her son in confidence in her botanical garden which she referred to as her office. While in the kitchen waiting for his mother to return he opened the seven feet fully transparent glass refrigerator which his mom told him she saw on some television show, and took out an organic beer which to his surprise didn't taste any different than the regular kind and a slice of pineapple which was one of his favorite things in the world to eat.
"Darling just take the whole thing out before you soil your shirt, you know you're just going to end up eating them all," came his mother's know it all voice from over his shoulder. He couldn't argue with her about that so he just grabbed the platter of sliced pineapples and followed his mother through the side door which led a polished stoned path to the botanical garden which had all sorts of exotic plants and flowers and a small pond filled with exotic goldfishes, and koi fishes with a garden bridge which led to two huge red oak trees with a sofa swing dangling between them both.
