Page 61 of Between Two Shores

Sue took a sip of her tea and carefully placed the rose china cup onto its saucer. “It’s too much for me in my old age to worry about him. My hands are tied. Until he humbles himself enough to listen to the professionals or those who come to care about him, he’ll keep cycling through the ups and downs.” She raised her palms. “So many people have tried to help.” She shook her head.

“My neighbor has Bipolar. Medicine helps him manage it well. If Nick found a good psychiatrist willing to journey with him, it could change his life.”

A budgie chirped from inside the house. The calming sounds of the wind chime and fountain also did little to alleviate the heaviness of the conversation.

“Nicholas doesn’t like the way the medicine makes him feel. By the time he’s ended up in a hospital, the doctors have to give heavy doses to stabilize the mania.”

“My neighbor looked like a zombie his first day in the mental ward. Heartbreaking to see him that way. He had to have several adjustments before they found the right medicine for him. It’s not perfect, but he holds a job and has a lovely family. No one would know he has Bipolar. He’s stayed well for eight years now.”

“Nicholas is a caring man. So many good qualities. And he does want to help others. He’ll do okay for six months, then the signs start showing. A few weeks or a month later, he becomes driven by grandiose ideas, and soon he can’t sleep at night. Next, his mind crashes. Sometimes he burns those around him. Usually, that’s me.”

Sue met Beth’s gaze. “If he tries to get back together with you, don’t accept him unless he’s on reliable treatment—for a year, at least. He can’t keep going off his medicine and breaking hearts.”

How many girlfriends had Nick had? “I’m not planning to stay in the States. I’ll be booking my flights back to Australia soon.”

“Of course. I understand completely, dear.” Sue brought a cup to her mouth, sipped her tea, then leaned back.

“I wanted to give you the ring before I leave. It must be worth a small fortune. He didn’t hold back in splurging on me.”

“That’s another sign he’s becoming unwell. He spends a lot when he elevates.”

Beth’s mouth went dry. When would his money run out? How much did he have left before he’d need his mother to come to his rescue? She moistened her lips. “Nick gave two hundred dollars to a homeless person the night before he disappeared. In itself, it doesn’t seem a bad thing, but in the middle of the night? I was concerned for his safety.”

“During mania, he’ll be invincible in his eyes,” Lachlan said.

Beth collected her handbag from under the table and gave Sue the Pandora bracelet and the engagement ring. “I’m sorry. I don’t have a message to pass on. I thought I did, but in light of what you shared today, knowing Nick wasn’t well, I—” Tears stung the back of her eyes.

Lachlan rubbed her shoulder. Then he looked at Sue. “We better get going. It’s been a long night for Beth.”

“Of course.” Sue reached one hand out to Lachlan and the other to Beth. “Thank you for coming.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

BETH

The smell of parmesan cheese, garlic, and bacon mingled in the air. Beth stood comfortably in the Peters’ kitchen, peeling apples. At least she could be helpful. Cooking had become second nature, growing up in a big family. Judging by the number of dishes on the counter, Lachlan’s family must be large too. When all five of her siblings eventually had children, family get-togethers would become a massive affair. Her niece needed some cousins.

A perfect spiral of unbroken apple skin dropped into the bowl. Hmm. Who’d be the next sibling to have a baby? Perhaps after Trudy got married, Beth would have another baby shower to organize.

“How many more apples do you need?” Beth looked to Mrs. Peters, who had opened the oven and retrieved another ceramic dish.

“All of what’s in the bag. Thanks, darling.” She placed the meatloaf on a heat mat.

“No worries.”

Mrs. Peters let out a small laugh.

Beth smiled. “Did I say something funny?”

She shook her head, grinning. “I just love your accent and the Australian phrases you use.”

“Oh, should I say, ‘no problem’ instead? We use that term also.”

“Don’t change a thing. You’re perfect the way you are, dear.” Mrs. Peters covered the dish with aluminum foil.

She’d welcomed Beth into her home like an old friend. Not a single condemning word or action for the predicament Beth had found herself in. Girly knick-knacks had transformed the spare room. Fresh flowers had dazzled in a vase on the dresser, and guest soap was placed on top of fluffy towels were positioned at the end of the bed.

Lachlan strode into the kitchen. “Smells delicious, Mom.” He placed his arm over his mother’s shoulder and kissed her cheek as he picked a buffalo wing.

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