Ties That Bind by Debbie White Page A

nodded. I was aware of all the game playing this family could do, but I was always surprised by the next level of game playing we came across.
    “Well, we’ve probably taken up too much of your time this afternoon. It was a pleasure meeting you. I can see what Lyle loved about you. You seem like a very sweet woman.”
    “Well dear, it’s nice seeing you again. You’re all grown up now. Do you have children of your own?” She asked.
    “Oh yes. We have three children. Charlie, Carole, and Peter.”
    “Grandchildren?” She asked.
    “Yes, we have a few,” I smiled thinking of them.
    I hugged Mary good-bye, and Charles and I left the big stone home on the tree-lined street and headed for the nursing home once more.
    “You heard what Mary said. Let sleeping dogs lie,” Charles said agitatedly.
    “I know. I just want one more time with her. She is my sister,” I reminded him.
     
    ***
     
    We were beginning to really know our way around Sioux City. It was a big city, but with a small town feel. We were in the burbs anyway, so it definitely had a small town vibe.
    “You wait in the car,” I ordered when we pulled up to the nursing home.
    Looking rather shocked, but nevertheless obedient, Charles stayed in the car.
    I quickly found Teresa’s room. She was reading a book.
    “Oh so you enjoy literary works, do you?” I sneered.
    “What are you doing here?” She smirked back.
    “Listen. We can hate each other if that’s what you want. Me, I prefer not to hate. It takes too much energy to hate, and I don’t have time for it. I’ve met a lot of friendly and interesting folks this time in Iowa,” I said pulling up a chair.
    “Well, I’m glad. But I told you. Lyle and Irma were your parents, and as much as I hate admitting it, Daddy loved you more than me.” Then she added in a whisper, “That’s always bothered me.”
    Feeling somewhat sad that she’d always felt this way, I softly said, “He did not love me more. I was little. You were a pain in the butt teenager. He just wanted me to have every opportunity for love and acceptance, which I’m sure you had too.”
    “My mother was not that kind; especially after Lyle…Daddy and she divorced. I went to live with Irma and Daddy, and that really got under Mother’s collar.”
    I nodded. I knew how that felt. “I don’t want to rehash old stuff. I just had a couple of questions. You insist that Lyle and Irma were my biological parents. Ok, I can’t prove that otherwise, but what about Thomas? Why did you disown him too?”
    “I was hurt. I wanted Daddy all to myself. It just propelled into hate and soon I didn’t like anyone or anything. Heck, I didn’t even really like Irma,” she confided.
    “She was a hard one to like,” I agreed.
    “Anyway, Thomas is dead, Daddy is gone and so is Irma.”
    “What about Priscila? Did you know about her?
    “Priscila? I don’t know anyone by that name.”
    “She was known around here as Inez.”

Chapter Sixteen
     
     
    “How’d it go?” Charles asked as he started up the car.
    “Just as I expected. At least she didn’t throw anything at me,” I laughed.
    “Did you find out anything?”
    “Yes. She said she knew Inez.”
    Jolting his head toward me, he said, “Oh, do tell me more.”
    “She confirmed that she is still alive. She said for me to ask Francis the details. She didn’t want to get involved anymore. She said too many years had passed and that I should just go about my business.”
    “We mustn’t give up. We’re close. I can feel it.” Charles repeated for the hundredth time.
    “What’s on the agenda next?” I asked slightly disgusted.
    “Well, I think we should meet with Louise again. After all, it was she who introduced Mary to your daddy. And now we have confirmation of Mary Inez from both Mary and Teresa. Besides, I’m curious what other curveballs she’ll throw at us.” He said amused.
    We didn’t bother to call her, just showed up on the stoop. After all, we were family.