Week Two, Day Two - Do Unto OthersEliot awoke to hear his phone ringing loudly. Not wanting the ever-tired Meg to wake from a deep sleep, he bolted out of bed and held the phone to his ear, whispering, "Hold on a moment, please." He walked to the front of the house and went outside to take the obviously important call.
"This is Agnes. Can you meet me outside the library in ten minutes? I really need someone to talk to."
"I will, once I call the babysitter. Meg's on bed rest because the triplets will be born very soon."
"Triplets??"
"Yes... I'll fill you in on the details in a few."
As he hailed a cab, Eliot flashed back to his and Agnes's chance encounter that blossomed into a close tie. Eliot first met Agnes at the art museum the night Meg rejected his proposal. The two convened at Hogan's Deep Fried Diner for a friendly breakfast a couple days later. After talking for a long while, Eliot discovered that Agnes was actually his aunt. They now regularly exchanged phone calls, though Eliot had not seen Agnes since Terra was born.
Eliot arrived to find Agnes sobbing on the street corner. He rushed to her side to comfort and console the grieving widow.
"I just can't do this anymore."
"Because Erik's gone?"
Agnes nodded and cried. She said softly, "Nothing feels the same without him. I have no inspiration, no career, and no hope for the future. I can't do this anymore. I just want to be with him."
"I know it hurts, and I know how close you were to Erik. But you can't let that hold you back from achieving your goal of being a successful author and painter. Ending your life would truly break my heart. You can do this. You are so strong inside, and I fully believe in you."
Agnes sighed but looked calmer. Tears rolled down her cheeks for a few minutes, and Eliot hugged her.
"Thank you, Eliot. If you are having triplets, then you'll need a bigger house." Agnes's lips turned up into a smile. "I wanted to mention this to you anyway, but I have a newly renovated rental house. Four bedrooms and a master suite. There's a greenhouse, which I know Meg would appreciate, and the new additions to your family will have plenty of room to grow up."
"How much is the rent? Meg and I have barely been able to pay our bills on time since Terra arrived."
Agnes smiled wider. "That's the beauty of it. I sold Erik's Bwan Speedster. Plus you're family. You can stay as long as you'd like, free of charge."
Eliot's jaw dropped. "Really?"
"Yes. This is the least I can do for you because you've helped me realize that life goes on. You treated me the way you'd want to be treated, and I will never be able to repay you entirely. So please accept this gift."
"I'll tell Meg as soon as I get home. We'll pack tonight."
