The Woman Behind the Glass Wall

by DB Jones

  “What else can I tell you. I hope you realize that I, too, have put much of this in the back of my mind. I was raised to suppress what happened, so it might take awhile for me to remember.”

  “That’s okay; we’ll do it together.” She smiled and handed him a small handpainted porcelain bread plate with a buttered muffin.

  Teddy grinned. “Aren’t these Mommas old plates? I thought she gave them to the church.”

  “She did.”

  “How did you end up with them?”

  “A friend bought them for me at the church rummage sale because she knew how much I liked them.”

  “Why didn’t you ask Momma for them?”

  “She sacrificed so much for me that I just couldn’t ask any more of her.”

  “That friend wouldn’t by any chance be Anna, would it?”

  “I refuse to answer on the grounds it could incriminate me or someone I know… counselor.”

  “You can take the fifth, but your eyes tell me who it was, and I’m thankful she did that for you. That person must care a great deal for my sister; she’s a treasured friend.”

  “Indeed. I just wish I could do the same for her someday.”

  “I’m sure you will. Now, what’s on your mind?”

  Sydney leaned back in her chair and locked eyes with Teddy. “I know you’ve been the one supporting me all these years. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate your kindness.”

  “Wait a minute. Before you go any further, I have not been the one providing for you, and neither has Rosa.”

  Sydney’s eyes opened wide. “What? I just assumed…”

  “You assumed wrong. I’ve sent you money on your birthday and Christmas, but that’s all.”

  “But your practice?”

  “Yes, my law practice is successful, and if you ever needed anything, you knew I’d be there. However, I have not paid for all of this over these years. I pay the bills, but it’s not out of my money.”

  “Then who? Momma and Daddy didn’t have this kind of money.”

  “You have a trust fund.”

  “Are you telling me I’m living on trust fund money that didn’t come from our family?”

  “That’s right. It was set up right after your accident by an anonymous benefactor.”

  “You pay my bills, but you don’t know who set up the trust fund.”

  “That’s the truth. I have no idea. I can tell you whoever it is, has continued contributing to it for years. You’ll never want for anything, even the best treatments, or surgeries or anything you’ll ever need.”

  Sydney thrust herself back in her chair. She held her head in her hands. “How have I not known this all these years?”

  Teddy reached over and put his hand on her knee. “I assumed you knew. You never questioned me or asked before, so there was no reason to mention it.”

  “Holy crap. What benefactor would do all this for me?”

  “My guess?”

  “Yes, what is your guess?”

  “My guess is maybe it was the person who caused your injuries.”

  “That brings me to my next question. Who was it?”

  Teddy swallowed hard and bit his lower lip. “We never knew who hit you.”

  “What? How is that possible?”

  “It was a hit and run. The police never found out who it was. When they tried questioning you, Momma stepped in and stopped the police because you would get so upset. They just assumed it was someone passing through town on that rainy night and may not have known they hit something, or they might have believed they struck a deer and kept going.”

  “So how could it be that person who set up the trust fund, if he didn’t know he hit me?”

  “That might be a puzzle we’ll never solve. Syd, I tried to find out many years ago, but it went through an overseas account. There is no record of where the money came from. I wish I had more to tell you, but I don’t. You’ve got to let that part go, or it will drive you crazy.”

  “You’re probably right, but you have to admit it’s a mystery.”

  “Oh, that it is.”

  Suddenly, the door opened, and Anna struggled to get in. “Hey, I could use a little help here.”

  Teddy jumped up and rushed to the door. Anna handed him the pizza box and then picked up the bags of groceries. “Anyone want pizza for lunch?”

  Sydney chuckled. “Like we have a choice?”

  “Oh, you have a choice; pizza or a bologna sandwich.”

  Teddy quickly interjected. “I vote for the pizza. It sure smells good.”

  “Yes, pizza,” Sydney quickly added.

  “I thought so.”

  Teddy glanced at his watch. “I can’t believe we’ve been talking for so long. I could have sworn we just finished those amazing muffins.”

  Anna looked over at Sydney then to Teddy. “They were amazing, weren’t they.”

  Teddy licked his lips. “Best I’ve ever had.”

  “They were pretty good, Anna. Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” Anna put the groceries away as Teddy reached around her getting a few plates out of the cabinet. His arm brushed up against her cheek as she turned. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before she quickly turned away. “What would you like to drink with your pizza?”

  “I could go for a beer,” Sydney blurted out. “Oh, heck. I forgot the doctor was coming over at 1:00. I’ll skip the beer and just have a glass of water.”

  Anna turned to Teddy. “And you?”

  “I’m not proud. I’ll have a beer.”

  Anna opened the fridge and handed him a cold one.

  Sydney frowned. “Save me one for later.”

  “There’s plenty. I stocked up when I knew Teddy was coming.”

  “You see me as a drinker, Anna?”

  “That came out wrong. I just wanted us to have some fun and thought pizza, and few beers would liven up these walls.”

  Teddy gave Anna a half grin and put his hands on his hips. “I see. That was a fast recovery.”

  “No, Teddy. I’m serious. Honest.”

  “I’m just kidding you. Would you like a beer now, or do you want to wait with Sydney until the good doctor leaves.”

  “That’s her thing. I’ll get started with one now.”

  Sydney snarled her lip. “Gee, guys. Thanks a lot.”

  “Your choice, Sis,” Teddy laughed.

  He placed the pizza on the coffee table, handed Sydney a bottle of water. “Here you go.” She hesitated for a moment, but then took it. “I’ll catch up with you two later.”

  Jacob sat on one of the barstools at the kitchen counter thinking of his patient, when his cell phone rang.

  “Hey, Jacob, it’s Frank. I just had a cancellation. Are you free?”

  Jacob looked up at the ornate clock on the kitchen wall. It was 11:30. “Frank, I have an appointment at 1:00. Can you come now?”

  “I’m only about ten minutes from your place. I’m on my way.”

  “Thanks, I’ll see you soon.”

  Frank arrived a little later than expected. “Sorry, I forgot about the new road construction. I know you have an appointment, but maybe you can give me a quick overview of what you want.”

  They walked down the hall to his bedroom and Jacob pointed to the wall behind his headboard. “I want to open up this wall, enlarge the bathroom and make it one big room that opens out to the patio.”

  Frank walked around the room taking notes. “How much of this wall do you want to open up?”

  “I was hoping to make it one big room with a sitting area facing the lake.”

  Frank proceeded to the bathroom. “And what do you want to do here? It’s already a huge bathroom.”

  Jacob looked toward the door and whispered. “This is for my father. I want him to be safe. If you get what I’m saying.”

  “Oh! Does David know about this yet?”

  “Yes, we discussed it last night, but I don’t want him to think I’m changing the bathroom to a handicapped one
. I’ll need subtle adaptations. Maybe a grab bar in the shower, and one of those higher toilets; not a handicapped one. I just want safety for now.”

  “No problem. There are some great new upgrades, and you’d never know it was to assist.”

  “That’s what I want.”

  “Do you mind me asking what brought this about?”

  “Dad wants to retire, and I thought he’d be more comfortable downstairs. I’ve been staying up all hours, and sometimes I think he’s afraid he’ll wake me if he comes downstairs.”

  “I always wondered why he didn’t get a place of his own after your mother passed away.”

  “It was my idea. I wanted Dad to come live with me. It’s a good arrangement.”

  “Yeah, now. But what about when you get your own family some day?”

  “This house is plenty big enough for all of us. That is if I ever get married I would like the idea of my children growing up with their grandfather around.”

  Frank shook his head. “I sure wouldn’t want my old man around, but then your dad was always a great guy.”

  Jacob smiled. “How soon do you think we can get started on this?”

  “I have another project I’m finishing up now. However, I could start working on the plans next week. I’ll call you when I have some ideas down on paper. Oops, I’d better get out of here. I don’t want to keep you from your appointment. Thanks for thinking of me for this job.”

  “Of course. We’ll talk again soon. Say hello to that gorgeous wife of yours.”

  “I will. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “Give her a kiss and hug from Dad and me.”

  “Will do. See you later.”

  Jacob walked Frank to the door and followed him out. After Frank drove off, Jacob jumped into his car and headed to Miss Parker’s place.

  He pulled up in front of her building and parked across the street on the park side. He slowly walked toward her place, glanced up at her window and saw a male figure standing next to her desk. “Hm, she never mentioned a boyfriend.”

  He took the elevator to her floor and knocked on the door. Anna greeted him. “Good afternoon, Doctor Thornhill. Sydney’s in her room. I’ll get her for you. Would you like something to drink?”

  “No, thank you. Is this a bad time for her?”

  “Not at all.” Anna knocked on Sydney’s door, and Teddy opened it. Anna stuck her head inside. “Sydney, the doctor is here.”

  “Tell him I’ll be right out.”

  Teddy followed Anna to the living room and extended his hand to the doctor. “So you’re Sydney’s new doctor. I’ve heard a lot about you. Would you like a beer?”

  “No thanks. Nice to meet you…uh.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Teddy Parker.”

  “I didn’t know Miss Parker was married, or should I say, Mrs. Parker?

  Anna was just taking a swig of her beer when Doctor Thornhill mentioned Sydney being married to Teddy. The beer spewed out her nose, and she grabbed at her face.

  Teddy also burst into laughter, but before he could reply, Sydney wheeled herself into the room. “What’s so funny?”

  Teddy composed himself. “Excuse me, Doctor Thornhill. Anna and I are on our second beer. No, my sister is not married. I’m her brother.”

  Jacob smiled. “I’m sorry, Miss Parker. When your brother introduced himself, I assumed he was your husband since the same last name. I wasn’t thinking, or I would have known. I didn’t see anything in your file about marriage. My apologies, Mr. Parker, Miss Parker.”

  Sydney smiled. “No harm. Have you had lunch yet?”

  “No, I haven’t. I’ll grab something later. Maybe I should come back when it’s more convenient for you.”

  Teddy picked up the box of pizza. “We’re just having pizza and a beer. Please, join us.”

  Jacob reached into the box and pulled out a slice of pizza and placed it on one of the paper plates.

  Teddy sat down across from him in the leather chair. “We’re a pretty casual family. How about joining me in a beer. My sister didn’t want to have one since you were coming over, but if you have one, maybe she’ll loosen up some and have one too. What do you say?”

  Jacob looked at his watch. “Sure, I don’t have any other plans today. Thank you, Mr. Parker.”

  “It’s Teddy.”

  “Jacob.”

  Teddy pulled out two more cold bottles of beer, opened Sydney’s and shoved it in front of her. “Don’t make me drink this, Sis.” She took the beer and gave him a half-ass smile. “Thanks.” Teddy handed Jacob the unopened bottle. “Would you like a glass with that, Jacob?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  Anna sat at the other end of the couch watching Sydney as she wheeled up next to Teddy’s chair. “What did you want to talk to me about today, Doctor Thornhill?”

  “Nothing too important that it can’t wait until Monday.”

  Teddy turned to Sydney then back to Jacob. “Jacob, I sure wish you’d talk my sister into going outside like a normal person. I’m afraid she’s going to die behind those glass walls of hers.”

  “Teddy!”

  Teddy jerked his head around to her. “I love you, Sis, and would love to see you get out and explore the world.”

  “I’m fine right where I am.”

  “Sure you are. What if Anna had to go somewhere for any length of time, like to the hospital or something. Then what would you do?”

  Sydney wheeled up closer to the couch. “I’m sorry Doctor Thornhill. My brother worries and normally doesn’t drink. I think his tongue wags too much with alcohol under his belt.”

  Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t argue with him on that.”

  She took a sip of her beer. “I know; neither can I. Don’t think I haven’t thought about that,” she said softly.

  Jacob studied her expression. “It’s not out of the realm of possibilities. I don’t want to scare you, but something like that could happen.”

  “Is this your subtle way of encouraging me to go have those tests you want me to have?”

  “That’s your decision. I’m not going to push you.”

  Teddy leaned up closer to Sydney. “Sis, if you decide to do it, I’ll take you and stay with you the entire time.”

  She looked around the room. All eyes were on her. “Okay, I’ll think about it. I’m not making any promises, but I’ll give it some thought. Now, can we enjoy the pizza and beer?”

  Teddy raised one eyebrow and winked at Jacob. “That’s progress.”

  Jacob didn’t say anything. He slightly smiled and took a bite of his pizza.

  It was nearly 4:00 p.m. before Jacob finally got up, thanked them for dinner and left. He walked out to his car, sat down and tilted his head back against the headrest, making an air fist. “Yes! That’s progress.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Sydney tossed and turned most of the night. Her dreams filled with the events of her accident and then would jump to a vision of her dancing along the path in the park outside her window.

  The clock read 3:30 a.m, but she couldn’t get back to sleep. She hoisted herself up with the trapeze over her bed and opened her laptop. She had been working on a children’s fantasy adventure about a young girl caught between two worlds. Her goal was to finish the graphics for the book before June, but all she could think about was the possibility of getting out of her wheelchair. “I hate that I’m getting my hopes up again. All that ever happens are let downs and set backs. Maybe I should just accept that I am never going to leave this chair. I’d be better off, and I’d get more done on my books.”

  Sydney wrote for nearly an hour then deleted it when she reviewed what she had written. “This isn’t working.” She got out of bed, washed her face, dressed and wheeled into the kitchen to make coffee.

  The room was dark except for a glimmer of light from the street lamp across the street. She quietly reached for the coffee when she heard the squeak from the old hinges on the guest room door.


  “Good morning, Sis. You’re up early.”

  “I couldn’t sleep. What’s your excuse?”

  “I thought I’d take a run in the park before it got too crowded. Care to join me?”

  “Don’t be a smart-ass, Teddy.”

  “I’m just projecting the future.”

  “Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren’t we? I haven’t even agreed to take the tests yet.”

  Teddy walked over to the counter, placed his elbow down and rested his head on his hand. “Syd, what do you have to lose? You know that technology has come a long way since Doctor Casey diagnosed your injuries. I did a little homework last night on your Doctor Thornhill.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  “I’m sure you did too. If you have a chance at walking again, I can’t imagine any other person in the country that would be more knowledgeable than him in finding a way to get you out of that chair.”

  Sydney bit her lower lip. “Teddy, I’m afraid.”

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “I’m not afraid of being disappointed.” She hesitated.

  Teddy walked around to the other side of the counter. “Then what?”

  “I wish I knew.”

  “Do you think it has something to do with your fear of going outside?”

  Sydney looked at the French door to the balcony. “Possibly. I’ve tried to go out, but my entire body begins to shake, my hands sweat, and my heart starts to race. Fear engulfs me, and I don’t know why.”

  “Have you thought of being hypnotized?

  “For what?”

  “To see if that fear is based on something that happened to you.”

  “No. I haven’t. I’m not sure I could be hypnotized.”

  “You won’t know unless you give it a try.”

  Sydney poured the water into the coffee pot and set it to brew. “This is all too much for me to think about right now. Enjoy your run.”

  Teddy patted her on the head and headed to the park.

  “I wish I could run with him like we did when we were children.” A tear fell from the corner of her eye. She wiped it away, poured a cup of coffee and then wheeled to her window.