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One Flew Over The Santos Nest
By Sleuth
It was approaching the holidays in Springfield. The malls were crowded with
shoppers and friends meeting friends.
Blake hurried through the mall looking for children's toys.
She had not seen Ben following close behind her. She looked in the window of
the toy store and admired the large red fire truck.
"Yes," she mumble to herself.. "They will love that."
She glanced up and saw Ben reflected in the window. It startled her.
She turned and spoke " Ben.. what are you doing here.. shopping for Carmen..
I think GunsRUS went out of business"
Ben stared at her and asked what she meant by that.
"Just kidding.. why so serious Ben" she asked
"Nothing.. just the holidays approaching , I guess.. melancholy time the
holiday's.
"Yes , I heard your mother.. ah .. sorry.. I didn't mean to bring that up."
"Well, it was nice talking to you Blake.. have a happy Thanksgiving" Ben
walked off.
"Whew .. touchy these days.."
Blake ran into the store just as it was closing. She had to get that red
fire truck.
Carmen talked with Pilar about the plans for Thanksgiving.
"Would you like to invite Bill, Pilar?" Carmen asked as she looked through
her desk drawer.
"No.. I am sure he will be with his family, Mama" Pilar said sullenly
"Now.. Pilar.. sweetheart.. you can at least ask him can't you?" Carmen
continued searching in her desk.
Pilar played with her hair and smoothed her skirt and then said
"Mama, is Ben going to be here too?"
Carmen did not look up but replied "Yes, baby.. why?
"Nothing.. are Michelle and Danny going to be with us?"
"I suppose so." Carmen said distractedly.
She sincerely hoped that Danny would and Michelle wouldn't. She knew of
course that was not possible. They were joined at the hip these days and
never left each others side.
Pilar got up and poured herself a cup of coffee. "Will Deitz and Abuela come
to dinner too?"
"Of course, Pilar" Carmen closed her desk drawer and opened the folder on
her desk.
"I wish Ben would go away.. he looked at me the other day and I felt naked.
He stares at me Mama." Pilar turned away from Carmen and smiled secretly to
herself.
"Don't be silly, Pilar.. we have talked about this before.. Ben does not
stare at you!" Carmen said impatiently.
Danny and Michelle entered the room hand in hand.
"Do you want some coffee..sweetie?" Danny said as he kissed Michelle on the
cheek.
"Thank you , darling.. yes" Michelle answered as she slid her hand down
Danny's chest.
She stood near him as he poured the coffee. She whispered "I am sure this is
driving her nuts..shall we keep it up.. poopsie,sweet heart,baby, lovey.. "
Michelle giggled
"O.K. enough Michelle.." Danny laughed as he handed her the coffee.
"Oh thank you ,my love" Michelle smiled.
Pilar stared at Danny and Michelle.
"Danny, are you and Michelle staying for Thanksgiving dinner?" Pilar asked
"I guess so.. it's up to Michelle.. what do you think, baby?" Danny asked
"Whatever you want my darling husband." Michelle cooed
Carmen got up from her desk and left the room.
Michelle and Danny fell into each other's arms laughing.
"Just stop Michelle.." Danny said ..
"I can't I am on a roll."Michelle laughed.
Pilar sat down behind her mother's desk. She glanced at the folders covering
the desk top.
She picked up a folder and started to read the contents.
"Pilar ..you better put that down.. don't let Mama see you reading that
stuff.. she doesn't even let me read it lately" Danny said as he sipped his
coffee
"I will read what I want. Michelle, does Ben ever look at you in a
...strange sort of way..you know .. like he see's through your clothes or
something?" Pilar continued to play with her hair and twirl it around it her
finger.
Michelle looked at Danny and then answered Pilar "No! not at all.. why?"
Michelle asked
"I dunno.. he just is weird and he has a thing about women.. I mean he has
been with so many and did you know that he raped Blake.. do you think he
might rape anyone else." Pilar looked down at the floor and smiled.
Michelle and Danny looked at each other. Michelle shook her head and Danny
mouthed.. what is wrong with her?.. Michelle shrugged her shoulders.
Pilar picked up the letter opener and ran her fingers up and down the blade.
"He gives me the creeps.. I think he likes me.. you know.. he keeps looking
at me.. all the time."
The phone rang and Pilar answered it with "Hello, Santos residence. This is
Pilar speaking."
Danny and Michelle retreated to the bedroom still laughing.
"Oh Bill, I am so glad to hear from you. Are you coming to our Thanksgiving
dinner. Everyone will be here. I am so excited. You will come won't you?"
Pilar said
"You will? Oh that is wonderful... I knew you wouldn't let me down. You must
meet my grandmother.. she is so sweet and she will be here too. Ben and Mama
.. so your boss will be with you on Thanksgiving.. is that O.K.?" Pilar
tried to read the papers on her mother's desk as she talked on the phone.
Carmen walked back into the room and pulled the papers from Pilar's hands.
"Goodbye Bill.. we will see you next Thursday then.." Pilar hung up the
phone.
"Damn.. he said he is coming on Thanksgiving.. he has a family.. a big
family why isn't he going there?" Pilar stamped out of the room
Carmen stared after her and wondered what had happened to her little girl.
Ben walked into the living room, passing Pilar in the hall. She said sweetly
"Hello Ben, Mama is waiting for you in the living room. I am so glad you
will be with us for Thanksgiving. It will be a big family celebration and
Bill is coming here too, isn't that neat" she smiled and brushed back her
hair and smoothed her skirt.
"Great.. sounds like lots of fun, Pilar" Ben walked away with a puzzled look
on his face.
Danny and Michelle lay on the big bed still laughing about Carmen's
irritation at their happiness. Danny asked Michelle if she really minded
having dinner at Casa Santos for thanksgiving.
"Nah, I think it will be a hoot. Rick and Abby are just going out for dinner
anyway. I certainly don't intend to go the Lewis's.. had enough of them in
San Cristobel.. didn't you?"
Michelle laughed.
"Well, Pilar is acting really strange lately. I mean .. she says one thing
one minute and something else the next.. even Bill noticed it." Danny said.
"Well, I am sure she will be O.K. by then. She is just struggling with some
sex stuff.. you know she and Bill haven't" Michelle started to say
Danny interrupted her with "That is more information than I need
Michelle..please"
"Anyway, it is the holidays.. let's just all be happy.." Michelle teased.
"Sure.. Ben, Mama and Pilar.. it will be swell.. I can hardly wait. I even
feel sorry for the turkey." Danny got up from the bed and told Michelle he
was going to take a shower.
Michelle followed him and told him that taking a shower together was going
to become a holiday tradition.
"We don't have much opportunity to develop any other holiday traditions."
Michelle laughed
Danny told her he was afraid she was going around the bend along
with Pilar.
Ben told Carmen that he had some bad news.
"My foster mother .. my mother is coming to Springfield for the holidays. I
don't want to intrude on your Thanksgiving Carmen.. but.." Ben stammered
"Don't be silly.. Ben your mother is welcome here.. of course... we have no
secrets or problems between us.. do we?" Carmen fondled the button on his
shirt.
Pilar hid behind the door still smiling.
Danny and Michelle had spent the last hour in the shower and decided to take
a nap. There was a knock at the door.
"Damn.." Danny shouted
"Shhhhhh, I'll get it.. calm down.." Michelle chuckled and threw his robe at
him.
Pulling on her robe she opened the door to find Pilar standing there.
"Michelle, Danny.. guess who is coming to dinner" Pilar whispered.
"Monty Wooley or Sidney Poitier??" Danny laughed
Pilar looked dumbstruck.. "Who?"
"Nothing , Pilar.. what ,, I mean who..?" Danny shook his head
"Ben's foster mother.. the one that burned his face..I guess she wants to
meet Drew or something and Mama said it was O.K. if she had dinner here.. do
you believe that?" Pilar whispered.
"Is Drew coming here?" Michelle was suddenly not laughing.
"No .. not Drew.. she will meet Drew before that on Thanksgiving eve or
something.. no Mama would never let her come here." Pilar was smiling again.
She brushed her hair back behind her ears and smoothed her skirt. She turned
and left the room
Danny and Michelle looked at one another and wondered about this
Thanksgiving. It would not be the best one Michelle ever had.. that was for
sure.
Blake sneaked into the house and put her packages away in a closet. She told
Meta that she had just finished all of her Christmas shopping and now she
could collapse. Her pregnancy had her worried.. she didn't dare wait until
the last minute for her shopping. Meta agreed that she was wise to complete
it now. Meta went home.. glad that she could now start her Christmas
shopping and no more baby sitting.
It was now only a week away. There was a flurry of activity in Casa Santos.
Abuela had come down from her room to bake the pies she always made on
Thanksgiving. Pilar watched her and smiled.
"Can I help you Grandmother.. I would be happy to mix the fillings for
you."Pilar said sweetly.
"What a darling girl you are.. my sweet Pilar.. of course. Here are the
bowls .. now you get busy and we will be finished in no time at all." Abuela
laughed
Ben was worried about his mother coming to dinner.
She was not the most stable person in the world.
He wasn't the only one worried about it. Carmen already had concerns about
the day.
Michelle and Danny had been driving her crazy with their constant pawing of
each other.. she tried not to show it but it really upset her to see her son
so under Michelle's control.
Pilar told her grandmother that she knew that Ben liked mincemeat pie.. and
since no one in the family liked it ..maybe they could make him a special
one.. just for him.
"What a polite girl you are Pilar, my darling.. now.. I will show you how to
make a small pie for him. Come here sweetheart and pay attention." Abuela
said smiling at the idea of Pilar being such thoughtful young woman.
Ben waited in the living room for Carmen. He poured a brandy for himself and
one for her.
He noticed a shadow in the hallway.
"Carmen is that you.. I have your drink all ready.." he called out.
It wasn't Carmen .. Dietz slowly appeared around the corner.
"Well, Deitzy.. how's it goin.. you joining me for a drink?" Ben laughed
" No, Carmen said she is delayed.. she will be here shortly." Deitz turned
to go.
"Well, maybe we can have a chat.. you know .. I have some information that I
bet Carmen would love to have.. you think I should tell her?" Ben took a sip
of his brandy
"What information" Deitz said warily
"Information about you.. my friend.. all about you and Nino" Ben chuckled
"Oh.. and what would that be" Deitz walked back into the room
"Uh,, well.. let's say it involves a bomb." Ben put his drink down on the
desk.
Danny and Michelle appeared in the dining room and said hello to Ben.
Deitz froze and looked from them to Ben.
"Uh.. I have to go and uh.... help Abuela .. Olga took the night off and .."
Deitz ran from the room.
"Danny.. Michelle.. would you like a drink?" Ben asked
"We can get our own drinks, Ben.. don't trouble yourself" Danny said
sarcastically.
As Carmen entered the room Danny said to Michelle
"Darling ..did you want a drink?"
"No, sweetheart.. I will just have some club soda.. with a twist of
lemon..baby.." Michelle smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips.
Ben laughed out loud.
He knew this performance by Michelle and Danny drove Carmen to distraction.
"Oh yes, he thought, this will be one hell of a thanksgiving"
Ross had assumed that Blake was pregnant with Ben's child. He had not spoken
to her since. Her mother was busy with the paper almost all the time it
seemed. She felt very alone.
Blake cried most of the night thinking about what would happen when Ross
returned to Springfield. Would he ever speak to her again? Would he and her
mother marry.. it was too dreadful to contemplate..she tossed and turned and
finally fell asleep.
Thanksgiving was now only two days away. Ben called his mother and assured
her that Drew would love to meet her.. no Drew did not know about his
mother's "problems" and she should not Ben declared.
Pilar stood in front to the mirror and practiced looking sweet. It was very
difficult because she felt particularly bitter today. Bill had called and
said that he was too busy to see her today. She picked up her brush and
threw it across the room. It hit the door just as Carmen entered the room.
"Pilar! What are you doing?" Carmen shouted
"Nothing, Mama .. I don't know what happened.. it slipped out of my hand..
my hair is a mess.." Pilar started to cry.
"Is it because Bill could not see you today..you know that Ben needed him to
work on the software problem.. he has to do his work Pilar.. how else can he
..." Carmen was interrupted by her cell phone.
"Yes... Oh hello Ben.. no dear ,, you take your time.. don't worry we will
have a lovely evening with your mother... yes.. of course .. see you later"
Carmen turned off the phone.
"Ben's mother is coming here.. how nice.. I am looking forward to meeting
her..... are you?" Pilar smiled.
"Of course..Pilar.. now finished getting dressed and help me with the flower
arrangements.. there are so many to complete before this evening." Carmen
left the room
"Yes.. it will look like a funeral parlor when I am through" Pilar giggled
to herself.
next
A tall dark haired woman approached Casa Santos. She was wearing a red suit
and she had a determined look on her face. She had just left Drew's
apartment and wondered just what her son intended to do about this girl. She
had withstood a full hour of her whining and felt confused about her choice
of men. Surely she had more brains than that.. she must take after her
mother.. (she had still not met Selena)
Jimmy came up beside her and asked if he could help her.
"Help me do what, pray tell?" she asked
"Why are you here.. who did you want to see?" Jimmy said as he reached
inside his jacket.
"Oh .. please.. are you reaching for a gun? Come now.. what is this.. I am a
guest here.." She sneered at him.
"Sorry.. who are you here to see?" he asked again
"Ben Warren.. you know.. W A R R E N? Is that clear enough for you?" she
pushed his hand away from her arm.
"Oh, sorry.. Mr Warren.. you must be his mother.. please let me take you to
him" Jimmy said bowing slightly from the waist.
This gesture did not escape Ben's mother..
"Are you mocking me?" she asked
"Of course not" Jimmy said
After he presented her to Ben he closed the door and returned to the
courtyard..muttering to himself.. "bitch"
"Ben darling.. it is so good to see you.. nothing for months and then I find
out that I am a grandmother.. how exciting." she said sarcastically " Not
only am I a grandmother but she is a grown woman"
"Well, things happen... don't they mother" Ben poured her a drink in hopes
it would somehow sweeten her disposition.
Carmen entered the room and smiled at them.
Ben introduced Carmen to his mother.
"You are some kind of mob boss , I hear. Unusual job for a woman , isn't
it?" Ben's mother laughed.
Carmen was stunned and looked at Ben. He merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I run a family business.. I would hardly call it a "mob".. Carmen
said recovering as best she could.
Pilar hid in the hallway smiling. This was going to be the best Thanksgiving
she ever had..
Danny and Michelle entered the hallway and saw Pilar with her hand to her
mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter.
Danny came up behind her and said
"What's so funny, Peanut?"
"Nothing and don't call me that.. it's childish.. so stop it." Pilar glared
at him
"Fine.. whatever.. so what's funny?" Danny asked
"Nothing.. I was just watching Ben, Mama and Ben's mother. Isn't it nice
that we will all be together for Thanksgiving. I can hardly wait." Pilar
smiled sweetly and kissed Danny on the cheek.
She walked off down the hall and both Danny and Michelle stared after her.
"Pilar is .. really.... strange these days" Danny said with a concerned
expression
" I told you what was wrong... she and Bill haven't.. "Michelle started
"Michelle..please don't go there.. I don't care about .. you know.." Danny
waived her away with his hand.
Danny and Michelle walked into the living room to meet Ben's mother. She was
extremely nice to both of them and Ben looked on with a puzzled expression.
"God, would the holidays be over soon?" Ben asked himself.
Carmen was giving Olga final instructions on the dinner preparation and
serving.
Olga had brought her brother Herman to help with the serving. Olga assured
Carmen that he was experienced and had worked in some of the finest homes in
Chicago.
"Well, as you know Olga, it is not just family this year.. we have guests
and Daniel's new wife, so it is important that this dinner go well. Please
thank your brother for helping us out this way" Carmen did her best to sound
sincere.
Inwardly she was terrified of Ben's mother making another scene. She had
gotten totally smashed on brandy the other evening and it had been a
nightmare.
She did not understand Pilar's behavior at all, she was absolutely
solicitous of Helen. She helped her to the taxi and bid her a farewell
suitable to a favorite Aunt.
Ben of course laughed it off and told Carmen that he had warned her about
his mother.
Danny and Michelle were oblivious to it all. They retired early, as usual.
The table did look beautiful with a centerpiece of fall flowers. The
antique silver reflecting it's light in the crystal goblets. Carmen was
quite pleased. She stood and admired the table and her mind drifted back to
other Thanksgivings. The children excited and always eager for dinner to
begin. PaPa always trying to quiet them to no avail. Abuela teasing Carmen
about her cooking. This was quite a change. Everyone grown, PaPa gone and
even Ray was away now. He had to take over for Father Tomas who had gone to
Italy on an assignment.
Ben entered and commented on how great everything looked and he was hoping
that this dinner would be the last time he would have to face his mother.
Ben asked Carmen if she had seen Deitz. She said he would be here for dinner
but he had something to take care of and she let him have a couple of hours
off.
"Did you need Jimmy for something instead?" Carmen asked
"No .. I was just ribbing him the other day that I had something on him and
I was just joking around. I heard a rumor that he and Nino were fighting
over Vera.. Vera the bombshell.." Ben threw his head back and laughed. "You
should have seen his face.. it was a picture of pure panic!" Ben laughed
again.
"Poor Deitz.. he has been seeing her forever.. I didn't think it was all
that serious." Carmen adjusted Ben's tie..and kissed him.
"What was that for?" Ben asked
"Because your mother is a beast.. and I am sorry." Carmen smiled
"Well, she has her problems and we have ours..speaking of which.. where is
Pilar?" Ben asked with a weary voice.
"Pilar? She isn't a problem.. she is just going through a phase or
something.. young girls can be like that Ben.." Carmen sounded annoyed.
"O.K... she's just going through a phase and someday I will end of dead from
her frozen stares or syrupy smile... she is a puzzle"
Ben walked into the living room and poured himself a scotch. He held up the
glass with a questioning look at Carmen.. she shook her head and said "Too
early and too much to do Ben"
Pilar entered and smiled at her mother and Ben.
"Here we all are.. ready for a wonderful family dinner. Is Helen coming
soon, Ben?" Pilar said in a strange voice.
"In another hour Pilar.. why do you miss her?" Ben said sarcastically.
"I am looking forward to all of us being together.. the other night was such
fun" Pilar smiled
Danny and Michelle were still in their bedroom. Danny was sprawled on the
bed contemplating a piece of fuzz from the blanket. Michelle was brushing
her hair and watching him in the mirror.
"Danny are you practicing some new form of meditation?"Michelle turned to
look at her husband.
"Nope.. just waiting for your predictions on the family dinner hour." Danny
continued to twirl the piece of fuzz around his finger.
"Oh no.. you are not going to trap me in that one.. nope.. I am going to be
strictly an observer.. quietly waiting for Ben's mother to fall in her soup"
Michelle laughed.
'See , I knew you would have a prediction or two...my private swami.. or is
it swamette.." Danny got up from the bed and put his hands on Michelle
shoulders. He rested his chin on her head.. "We have a whole hour..before
the festivities.." He wiggled his eyebrows in a poor imitation of Groucho
Marx.
Pilar went into the kitchen and asked Olga if she needed any help.
"Don't forget now Olga the little pie is for Mr. Warren.. O.K" Pilar face
was full of self satisfaction. She straitened her skirt and brushed her hair
behind her ears.
Pilar walked into the dining room to find that Bill had arrived. She ran to
him and threw her arms around him, kissing his face over and over.
"Oh, I am so glad you are here.. come with me Bill, I need to talk to you"
her eyes filling with tears.
"Pilar what is wrong?" Bill said in a concerned voice
"It is Ben..." Pilar whispered.
"What... Ben .. what did he do?" Bill asked
"He... he looked at me and well.. you know ..like maybe he thought .. I was
.. you know ..interested in.. him sexually." Pilar stammered
"What!" Bill shouted
"Shhhhhhhhhh.. Bill don't let them hear you.. please don't say anything.. I
just had to tell someone.. Danny and Michelle just laugh.. MaMa will not
hear of it.. she thinks I am imagining things.. but I am not.. I know what I
see. He is after me.. Bill.. I don't dare be alone with him..you know?"
Pilar said in a strange voice...
Deitz entered through the front door and overheard Pilar's last words.
Who was she afraid of he wondered? Who was she afraid to be alone with? They
saw him and immediately stopped talking.
The doorbell rang and Deitz opened the door. Helen Warren stared at him and
said "Just who are you.. some henchman for Carmen. How amusing.. who on
earth does your hair?" she walked passed an amazed Deitz and saw Pilar and
Bill.
"Helen, how are you?" Pilar said sweetly
"Why I am sober as a judge at the moment.. but hopefully I can rectify that
situation with your help,Pilar" Helen laughed
"Come with me.. I'll see what I can do" Pilar said in that new strange
voice.
Bill watched with a look of amazement on his face. "Pilar was acting so
strange these days" Bill thought.. "what could it all mean?"
Carmen and Ben welcomed their guest. Ben watched as Pilar poured a drink for
his mother.
Olga and Herman busied themselves in the kitchen. The turkey was taken from
the oven and it was perfection they both agreed. Herman asked Olga about the
strange girl in the family.
"The daughter is odd..," Herman confided. "She seems to use strange voice
every now and then and smiles for no reason. Does her mother know of these
...mood swings"
"Shhhh Herman it is none of our business.. in this house we must be careful
of what we say.. Mrs. Santos is a very suspicious person.. she has spies
everywhere." Olga whispered.
"Now I will go and announce the dinner is being served, I am sure they have
all had enough to drink by now" Olga said with disgust.
Dinner was announced and all the guests filed to the table.
Ben and Carmen sat at either end of the table with Danny and Michelle on
Carmens' right.
Bill and Pilar sat on her left and Helen and Deitz sat opposite each other.
Abuela sat next to Deitz.
Carmen insisted that Ben say grace.
Pilar objected saying that he was not PaPa and that Danny should say grace.
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence and then Danny said
" Pilar .. it's O.K. I will say grace if Ben doesn't mind" Danny took
Michelle's hand and proceeded to say a short prayer.
Helen sipped her drink and looked on with a bemused expression. "This family
was crazier than hers" she thought.
Herman brought the turkey to the table and Carmen asked Ben to carve.
Pilar clapped her hands like a child and urged Ben to hurry and carve the
turkey. She laughed and asked if he needed a sharper knife.
Everyone at the table looked in her direction. Bill had serious doubts about
her sanity at this point. He looked at Ben to see if he could discern some
perverse attitude toward Pilar. There was none.
Helen asked for another scotch and she had hardly touched her dinner.
Michelle nudged Danny and whispered " Are holiday dinner's always this much
fun?"
Bill tried to talk about the football game and no one seemed interested.
Danny said he didn't follow football and Pilar just stared into space. Ben
made a few remarks about business and that fell on deaf ears also. Abuela
just kept exclaiming about how beautiful her grandchildren were and when
could she expect to be a great grandmother.
Finally it was time for dessert.
Helen could hardly sit up straight at this point. Her eyes were glazed and
she asked for another drink.
Ben was not far behind her.
Carmen could not wait for this dinner to be over.
Pilar was smiling.
Abuela was getting very tired and her family was boring her. She just wanted
to go back to her room and watch T.V. She asked Deitz to please push her
wheelchair. She would leave the rest of the celebration to the young people
she said.
Deitz jumped up from his chair, delighted for a reprieve from this disaster.
Danny and Michelle explained that they had to go and have dessert with Rick
and Abby at the towers. (they were really driving out to the lake)
Coffee and dessert were served in the living room. Helen refused coffee and
asked for another drink. She managed to get from the table to the fainting
couch in the living room.
Ben drank his coffee and Pilar proudly brought him his individual pie.
"Thank you Pilar...this is my favorite.. it was nice of you to think of me."
Ben said
"I always think about you Ben" Pilar said in a seductive voice
Bill looked at her with his mouth wide open. "What was she doing?" he
wondered
Ben took a bite of the pie and Pilar smiled. She pushed her hair back behind
her ears and smoothed her skirt. Thrusting her shoulders back she said " How
is that Ben? I made it myself."
"Wonderful.. has a spice I haven't tasted before.. but it is very good." Ben
put his fork down and continued to drink his coffee.
"Aren't you going to eat it all?" Pilar asked sullenly
"Sure.. a little later... I am pretty full."
Loud snoring came from the fainting couch. Helen was fast asleep.
Carmen prayed that this day would end soon. She didn't know how much more
she could take.
Danny and Michelle sat by the lake and laughed about the crazy day. They
were happy to be alone at last.
Ben felt a little dizzy and thought perhaps he should lie down.
He told Carmen that he was not feeling well and perhaps Deitzy could take
his mother home.
Pilar smiled, ran her fingers through her hair and asked Bill if he would
like to see her room.
"Pilar! you will do no such thing" Carmen shouted.
"Why not mother?" Pilar asked with a innocent expression
"I have to get home.. I still have work on that software problem.. have to
work out those bugs.. don't I Ben?" Bill could not wait to escape this
house.. Pilar was all over the place and it made him very uncomfortable.
"Oh, it is always work.. Ben you spoil everything.. oh well.." Pilar smiled
Ben felt really ill now.. he knew he had to lie down. Without any further
explanation he left the room.
Deitz was summoned to take Helen home.
Bill left and hurriedly drove to Vanessa and Matt's. Maybe he could make in
time for dessert and some normal conversation.
Carmen looked sadly at her beautiful table.. as Herman and Olga cleared away
all of the dishes. What a disaster this had turned into.. what an end to a
horrible day.
Ben did not feel sick anymore. He did not feel anything. Ben was dead.
the end of "One Flew Over" and the beginning of "Get thee to a Nunnery"
Carmen went to bed and tried to awaken Ben. She shook him and turned him
toward her. She noticed his eyes were wide open. She screamed.
Olga rushed into the room and asked what was wrong..
"Call 911 call someone.. I think Mr. Warren is dead" Carmen was weeping
"I knew someday she would kill him" Olga thought to herself. Out loud she
said "I'll get Deitz"
Olga ran to get Deitz and found him just returning from his task of getting
Helen home.
"Deitz... Deitz.. you have to help .. Mr. Warren is dead.. what should we
do?" Olga asked
"Calm down.. first of all .. calm yourself. Where is he?" Deitz asked in a
quiet voice.
"In the bed.. where else?" Olga said in disgust.
"Oh" Deitz shook his head. Carmen was such a passionate women..why did she
waste herself on that lawyer.. Deitz wondered
Deitz found Carmen sobbing and tried to comfort her. She pushed him away and
screamed
"Deitz did you do this? Just because of Vera and that silly teasing.. what
is wrong with you?"
Deitz wondered what the hell was wrong with this women and why was she
blaming him?
Pilar could hear all the screaming and confusion. She sat on her bed
brushing her hair. One hundred strokes just like MaMa told her.. and then
she decided that she would check on her mother. It would look wrong if she
didn't .. wouldn't it?
She walked into her mother's room and stared at Ben. Now he would never look
funny at her again.. would he?
"Mother.. I am sorry... are you all right.. did you do something to Ben.
Don't worry.. we will take care of you." she said sympathetically
"Carmen do you want me to get rid of the body?" Deitz asked.
"Are you crazy?" Carmen screamed.. "Call a doctor!!"
Pilar smiled and brushed her hair back behind her ears. She pulled her robe
tight around her and walked from the room.
When everyone had finished their work. The coroner removed the body. The
police notified Helen of her sons death but she was so groggy from drink she
hardly noticed.
Two days later the police informed Carmen that Ben had been poisoned. It did
not take much clever deduction on Carmen's part to know that Pilar was the
culprit.
She however swore everyone to secrecy about the pie. She was sure that Ben's
mother was so drunk she wouldn't remember dinner, let alone dessert.
Carmen had a long talk with Pilar and decided to call Vanessa. She knew that
Dinah had run off and the word was that she had joined a religious order.
Vanessa was not too happy that Carmen called her about this subject.
However, she was glad to hear the Pilar may be sent to a convent. Bill would
be safe, until the next girl came along.
Deitz was charged with the crime. Frank deduced that he was behind the
bombing and therefore that he killed Ben to protect himself.
Pilar did not want to go to Switzerland. She told her mother that she could
not be a nun.
Carmen told her it was either that.. or prison. Ray would arrange for her
flight and speak with the Mother Superior.
"You will leave immediately," Carmen informed her.
And so it was that Pilar became a nun. She met Dinah and they found they
could be fast friends.
