[Titanic] Ticket

When the old Hockley wrote in September, Catherine was probably in a remote and pleasant small village in Italy. She was fascinated by the unique food and scenery, and had no plans to return to the United States in a short time.

Lester threw the pen and parchment on the table and said wearily, "I can't write. This news sounds so bad that I can't even find a good word to describe it."

Karl touched his shoulder, walked around the desk, and sat down in the armchair. There were two letters in front of him, one from Pennsylvania, very solemnly covered with wax crest and postmark, but that The handwriting can still be seen in haste and anxiety—Old Hockley was ill, and he had symptoms since half a year ago, but no one expected it to come so quickly and suddenly.

The other letter was still blank, with two words written on it, which was crossed out impatiently. This was a letter of distress sent to Catherine, hoping that she could rush to Old Hockley, after all, this might be what they had left. Being with him—whether arguing or fighting—that's all the rest of the time.

"I'll take care of things in New York as soon as possible. You take Lovejoy with you. He has a good relationship with the people there." Carl copied the description of the old Hockley's condition on the letter paper. He looked unusually calm, as if It had been expected that such a day would come, their expressions could even be called icy cold, which was the main reason for their quarrel these days.

"Where are Vincent and Rebecca?" Lester said. He buried his face in Carl's neck. Bad news always makes people grow. Although he is not very used to Carl's reaction, he has to say something. A calm lover is better than hysteria.

"You can take them with you." Carl frowned and crossed out a wrong word, "I'll have someone book a train ticket for you, Congressman Doyle's wife will also go to Pennsylvania tomorrow, you take The same bus—the atmosphere in the country has been tense recently, and radicals are everywhere, so it will be safer, and I must guarantee that you will not have any problems on the way."

"I sincerely hope that Vincent and Rebecca won't see those bad things with their own eyes at such a young age, but Charlie is their grandfather, so it seems inevitable." Lester said softly, Holding Carl's arm, the strength is actually very strong, showing that his heart is not calm.

Carl's pen finally stopped. Before that, he always had the posture of writing to the end of the world. He pushed away the piles of documents, contracts, and letter papers in front of him, and hugged Lester into his arms. Posted on him—this is the closest distance they have been in three days, those quarrels are gently worn away, this is what life is like, they will always have conflicts, but because they love each other, they will always be There will be no shortage of the one who compromises and concedes first.

"Believe me, Lester, no Hockley is as fragile as china. Of course we enjoy your worry, your concern, your apprehension - that's much desired, but when it comes down to it, Hockley isn't afraid of any bad things. Even if I don't want to admit the identities of those two little devils, there is no doubt that they are Hockley's species." Carl said that he just passed his 31st birthday not long ago, and he has completely lost the aggressiveness of his youth. And impatience, even if they still have a bad temper, they always appear extremely strong, "...if the worst happens, they may remember this regret and sadness, but it is only temporary, and the power of time always surpasses Imagine. They have to learn to face it, after all, the world can't always stand still and wait for them to grow up."

"...you're right." After a while, Lester was defeated, "I've thought about all this too well, I don't know what's wrong with me, Karl. I'm afraid of these things, war, parting Or worse, I don't understand why this keeps happening in the world."

Carl accepted his disorganized venting wholeheartedly, and his eyes fell on the letter on the table, which was nearing completion-it was shorter than expected, after all, he really couldn't think of more to say, he knew Catherine-as She understood him, the more they faced such a terrible moment, the less they needed comfort from the outside world.

Scars will always heal, and his only hope at this moment is to look at the good things he has done-God is willing to give him a special gift, Carl hugged Lester tightly, his eyes seemed to pass through the layers of the sea with wind and waves.

……

Pittsburgh and New York are not too far away. Lester arrived at the state hospital after nine o'clock in the evening. Vincent and Rebecca slept soundly because of fatigue. Yi took them directly back to the old house.

Holding the note with the address written on it, Lester walked all the way to the fifth floor. Compared with the lower floors, this place is extraordinarily quiet and cold, not popular, but the decoration is exquisite and decent, and the nurse serving at the front desk is also a rare beauty. He has long brown hair and a friendly temperament.

"You can call me Mariana." She said softly as she led him the way, "Mr. Hockley's condition is very stable, and the operation is scheduled for three days. Dr. Pince is the best surgeon here. doctor."

Lester nodded, they will be there soon, he stood at the door rubbing his face, squeezed out a smile - this has always been his strong point, but now it is not so easy, Mariana knocked on the door , the person who opened the door was an elderly man in a tuxedo—Henry, White Cuckoo's housekeeper. Since he followed Old Hockley, they haven't seen each other for a long time.

"You are here, sir, a little earlier than I expected." Henry greeted him politely, and told him something in a low voice. It was a kidney operation, and the grasp was more serious than Lester estimated. Bigger, that's good news for reassurance.

Old Hockley himself was quite open about it, as evidenced by his urging Henry to have a mince pie for supper to celebrate the fact that he was loved at last when he saw Lester - actually It couldn't be more obvious, and Lester even felt that Karl knew this. They watched him jump up and down like a monkey that was about to be burnt.

Old Hockley half leaned on the head of the bed, held up a book and read it slowly. He actually didn't care much about the content in it. Neither the deep thinking of the soul nor the discussion of the value of life was of any importance to him. It’s worth taking a look, but he needs something to cover up his exposed emotions—there is no time when he is so old that the hard and cold things in his heart have been swept out, leaving only one The empty shell with strong outside and dry inside maintains a minimum facade.

When Lester walked in, Old Hockley took a look at him. He felt that he was well disguised, and even changed his posture leisurely, looking like he was completely immersed in this book with incomparable depth.

"Good evening, Charlie." Lester took off his coat and handed it to Henry. He was wearing a thin sweater and shirt inside, like a young man enjoying life. Old Hockley scanned his clothes critically and hummed dismissively. , "Oh, good evening—actually I'm not that good, but for the polite part."

Lester sat down by the hospital bed, and there was a bottle of fresh lilies on the table. He fiddled with it, and the water dripped down his fingertips, giving him a slight coolness.

"how do you feel?"

"I can't die." Old Charlie frowned. "If you came here on a special trip to ask these things, it doesn't make any sense. Go back to the old house, and I'll let Henry prepare a room for you."

"You shouldn't get angry at this time. I heard that emotions have a great impact on the disease." Lester said tolerantly, "Karl will come over as soon as possible. He has recently set up a line with the parliament. The oil can be passed through the military. The channel to sell abroad, to ensure the interests and safety."

"The Hockley family shouldn't get involved with politics. I once taught him that such a stupid thing must never be done." Old Charlie seemed to be mad, and wanted to jump off the bed. Lester held him up, tough Pulling the blanket over his chest.

He didn't want to talk, and he couldn't find any proper reason to tell Old Hockley that this was an excellent opportunity. They had to accumulate enough funds before the Great Depression. Well done, which effectively ensured that they would emerge victorious in this global speculative frenzy.

After a while, Old Hockley looked at him with half-opened eyes—he looked much older than before, with dense wrinkles on his face, and the awe-inspiring look in his eyes was like ice and snow, he said tiredly and helplessly : "I don't know what his plan is, but I hope he can keep the Hockley family business. Lester, I'm old, and I'm lying here now, which means that death is already entrenched in my bedside, and it will come at any time." Maybe after taking that step, I will not be able to protect Karl anymore, and he will have to face all the storms and thorns in the future."

"And me, Charlie, no matter what, I won't leave him alone." Lester held his hand, and the eyes of the old man slowly began to soften from cold and hard, like a guest in the sun The ice cream melted, and the young man said softly, "Good night, Charlie, and you should keep yourself in good spirits."

"...you will be here..." Charlie hesitated to speak, but Lester said gently, "Of course, I will be here with you. This is the meaning of my coming to Pennsylvania."

……

Pennsylvania has very good sunshine and temperature. Lester used this reason to persuade old Charlie to go downstairs for a walk the next day-he refused to make a wheelchair, but the eyes of Vincent and Rebecca made him compromise, and Henry gave him a A blanket, and worried that he might be able to wear another one.

Lester pushed the wheelchair to the lawn bench, and the two children huddled around Old Hockley like birds, while the young man lounged on the back of the chair, the sun shining on his blond hair and white scarf Jumping, he is young like a college student who just walked out of school.

Not far away, a lot of people gathered around an old woman who was also sitting in a wheelchair. She looked no more than 60 years old, and she was wearing a woolen hat that looked very warm—probably used To cover the hair that fell out due to the treatment, with a gentle and loving smile on her face, her daughter or niece or something put a lavender shawl on her, and gave her a quick kiss on the face, In return, the old woman cried out in surprise.

There was a long table in front of her, with a three-tiered cake, drinks and food on it, they were about to cut it, the old woman turned her head and saw them, then motioned for one of her nephews to lean over, pointed at them and said a few words.

The young man who was entrusted with the important task ran quickly across the lawn, panting and stopped in front of them, Henry put on a fighting posture, but the young man scratched his head and smiled shyly: "Good afternoon, gentlemen, My grandma has a birthday today and she really, really loves kids - and you just happen to have a pair of cute little angels, and I'm honestly overwhelmed by them, and she wants to invite you over to share the cake."

Rebecca screamed and chanted, "Cake—Daddy, I want cake!"

Vincent looked more calm: "Is it okay, Dad?"

Lester looked at Old Hockley, who squinted his eyes expressionlessly: "Mrs. Margaret, I didn't know she lived in the same hospital as me."

"You know my grandma?" said the young man in surprise.

Old Hockley didn't answer. In fact, he was more familiar with this lady than they knew. They had known each other for more than half a century, but they finally cut off communication because of Carl's mother's death.

"She and her deceased wife were close friends in the boudoir." Old Hockley explained to someone, and Lester stood up and pushed him towards the group of people. As the distance approached, Mrs. Margaret's face looked The smile gradually became forced. If it weren't for the large number of other people, Lester would have no doubt that she would have covered the entire long table with cakes on Old Hockley's face.

"Long time no see, Mr. Hockley." Mrs. Margaret said coldly. She straightened her frail and thin back, wrapped her heavy shawl tightly, and looked completely on guard.

"Long time no see, Margaret, you look much older than before." Old Hockley smiled without sincerity, and then congratulated her hypocritically, "Happy birthday."

"Not as old as you, Hockley, I thought you shouldn't appear in front of me again with such a thick skin." Mrs. Margaret said, patting the armrest of the wheelchair angrily.

"You invited us," said old Charlie, looking quiet and sad. "I never thought I'd be able to sit down and have a good chat with her friends since Raven died."

"You shouldn't mention her." Madam Margaret said indifferently, with deep hatred in her eyes, "I'm tired, David, push me back to the room."

"Dad, I want to eat cake." Rebecca timidly pulled Lester's trousers, and Vincent held her hand. They both seemed frightened by the battle. Realizing their existence, I was taken aback, realizing how terrible my actions just now were to two children under three years old.

Lady Margaret restored her loving face almost immediately, although it was stiffened by the presence of old Hockley, she quickly asked her eldest daughter to cut the cake for the two little ones, and coaxed them to come to the Come by yourself, after knowing their names, Mrs. Margaret's face became a little complicated: "They are Carl's children? God, it's just a blink of an eye, that kid has children? I still remember him When she hugged me and acted like a baby, she was as tall as this——" She made a gesture that was less than the height of the wheelchair's hand, "and little Kelly, God, I haven't seen them for many years, I can't Dare to imagine!"

Old Hockley didn't mean to explain the truth to her at all. Margaret had a deep affection for his wife Raven. If the identities of the children were exposed, this stubborn woman would most likely turn around and leave, Rebecca And Vincent is still too young, they should not accept this injustice prematurely.

"...But they call him Dad?" Mrs. Margaret looked at Lester hesitantly. The young man stood behind Old Hockley's wheelchair, and wiped the cream off the corners of the mouths of the two children with a relaxed and gentle expression.

"It's just what you think." Old Hockley said impatiently, and gave her a wary look. "Lester is fine. Carl likes him like crazy. Don't do unnecessary things, Margaret."

Margaret looked at Old Hockley delicately, with an indescribable expression of "God, I heard that right, that Hockley is actually praising a man who seduced his son": "I don't know you are now ...so easy to talk about."

Old Charlie rolled his eyes at her, and Lester walked up to Margaret with Rebecca in his arms, who looked at him scrutinizingly, "Say thanks, baby."

"Thank you, ma'am, the cake is very good." Rebecca racked her brains to search for the words she knew. The way she frowned amused many people. Vincent leaned at Lester's feet, quietly Remind my sister: "It's delicious, Rebecca. Thank you for your generosity, ma'am."

"You taught them very well." Margaret said, she looked at the young man carefully, he looked like a college student, but his appearance was too good, and his clothes were elegant and delicate, which made her feel a little uncomfortable Good idea, it made her very uncomfortable.

Lester smiled. He had already passed the thought of caring about other people's eyes. He pinched the little faces of the two children: "We should take some practical actions, shouldn't we?"

"Is that one, Dad?" Vincent looked at him expectantly with big bright eyes, and Rebecca squealed, too. They loved those cute little afternoon games, but usually Leicester doesn't have that much free time to play with them.

Lester kissed them, then walked around the table, took two or three goblets and some shallow bowls, filled them with water, and placed them casually in front of the two children.

"Old rules, baby, remember the first tune I taught you?"

"Yes, Daddy!" said the two children happily.

Mrs. Margaret and her relatives all came together, and Rebecca tentatively tapped the rim of the goblet with her chopsticks. The crisp sound seemed to inspire her, and the little girl giggled I knocked it over and over again, found those suitable scales, and then whispered the music score while knocking on it.

"Oh my god, it's Ode to Joy!" said David, sprawled over the edge of the table, looking desperate to join them.

Vincent was the second one. He was much more proficient than Rebecca. He didn't even need an audition. The individual rhythms gradually merged together, and the sound was divided into two parts, high and low, and became rich and vivid.

The children's laughter was getting higher and higher, and David couldn't help but shake his body gently following their rhythm. A birthday party finally had a happy part, and Mrs. Margaret couldn't help letting go of her heart. , she turned her head, and Old Hockley leaned back in the chair, his eyes fell on Lester and the two children, his eyes were gentle and satisfied, like a real elder.

He's moved on from that sad past, Margaret thought, but that's just ridiculous, where's her Raven?She was lying alone in the cold coffin, she was a gentle and good girl, even in that situation she still forgave old Charlie, whether it was for her two children or whether there was a real relationship between them So much love, what's the use of that guy who's damned ten thousand times pretending to be a lover now?

"I didn't pretend."

"What?" Mrs. Margaret was startled, and she realized that she had said the words out of her mouth. Old people always prefer to talk to themselves, and she has been like this for some time.

"I didn't pretend." Old Hockley repeated patiently, "The Hockley family doesn't produce this stuff. I owe Rui Wen, this is something that can't be changed, I don't expect you to forgive me, I don't need Anyone's forgiveness."

He turned his head, and Margaret saw that there was something hard as a knife that was deeply rooted in his eyes, but there was also something soft that he didn't hide very well, so she could see clearly.

She looked at Leicester again, they were happily playing the Ode to Joy, everyone was driven by that atmosphere, and the lawn of the hospital became lively and full of life.

This is what he made up for, no matter how unwilling he was, he was still trying to redeem and learn to be a qualified father-although it may be many years late, but at least it was not that late, Margaret thought.