As the hours passed it was soon evening, the burning summer sun was in a descent down toward the western horizon. The large grandfather clock in the estate living room sounded off with a loud
Dong!, the hour hand resting on six o'clock exactly.
Beatrice was in the kitchen finishing up supper when she heard the clock sound, and glanced at her small, simple wristwatch to see the time.
She then returned to stirring away at the iron pot before her, the smell of fresh meat sauce drifted up into her face, making her own stomach rumble at the tantalizing smell, which drifted through the entirety of the house.
"That certainly smells good," came a voice from behind her,"how much longer till it's ready?"
Beatrice turned to face George standing several feet behind her, a satisfied and eager look on his face at the contents for tonight's supper.
He was an older man with a thin, wiry frame, and a somber face with grey eyes that were droopy in the corners. His hair was dusty brown with waves of gray along his hairline and on the sides. He wore a white dress shirt with a black bow tie and a pair of black slacks and matching dress shoes.
Beatrice looked back to the pot smiling.
"About ten more minutes, of course we have to wait for Mister Colvin to get home before serving."
"Of course." George said with an affirming nod.
As if on queue, the opening and closing of the front door could be heard, followed by the heavy clopping of dress shoes on the floor.
"Ah, speaking of whom..." George began as he hurried out of the kitchen into the foyer.
As George departed, Beatrice withdrew the wooden stirring spoon from the pot of sauce and, after slightly tapping it against the pot's interior, lay it on a napkin on the nearby counter.
After wiping her hands on a nearby dishrag she hurried out of the kitchen herself.
Blake Colvin now stood in the foyer, George helping him remove the solid black blazer he wore over his shirt, a blue button-up with a red tie.
Once his arms were free, Blake loosened his tie slightly and reached up and brushed a strand of curly black hair from his forehead.
His face was drawn up and intense looking, and his eyes beheld a tired look.
"Exhausting day, sir?" George asked as he nearly hung Blake's blazer on the coat rack near the door.
Blake released a heavy yawn and finally responded,"Indeed, enough paperwork and files to numb a man's fingers."
It was then that Beatrice's voice suddenly rung out throughout the house,"Maddison, come on down now, it's time for supper.
And there's someone here to see you."
She put heavy emphasis on the second sentence, annunciating it practically by the letter.
Blake froze in place, his hand on his watch, his eyes directed in the direction of Beatrice's voice, which was at the bottom of the second floor staircase.
George looked around at Blake and said with a smile,"She's here sir, she arrived this afternoon."
"I practically forgot." Blake grumbled, his bounce low.
"Sir..."George said, his toned glazed with a hint of disapproval.
Blake waved him off though, and George clasped his hands behind his back and remained silent.
Blake remained grounded where he was, his mind swirling with a single thought.
My daughter, she's here.