They talked about business and women during lunch. Anyone looking at them at that moment would say they were brothers if it weren't for the physical differences. John was taller than Thomas. And his eyes were green and his hair was brown, while Thomas had blue eyes and blond hair. But the chemistry that existed between them was almost palpable. They laughed together and liked the same things, and even their taste in women was similar. The difference was that Thomas didn't pay for their company. John preferred them to know that he was not looking for romance, and made a point of rewarding them. However, he rarely took them to bed. He paid only for the company.
They left there and went to the asylum. This time it was John who followed Thomas. He had been a little apprehensive at the thought that the journalists might recognize his car, but the chef, knowing of his drama and being sympathetic to John, lent his car and said that he would deliver his to the building where he worked and pick his up there in three hours, and made it clear that he didn't mind waiting until he arrived.
The nursing home was a big house located in a gated community. Thomas said something at the gate and the doors opened and let them both in.
John got out of the car excited. Finally, he would understand something about that forest. Thomas came to meet him and they entered together. Thomas liked to see John excited. If he had known that John would be so happy, he would have looked for the old director sooner.
Inside, they looked for Miles and one of the nurses led them to him. John realized that the place was upscale. The director's family must have been wealthy.
"It's nice that he has a visitor. Nobody does, and he gets so sad when he sees other people's relatives coming and he's left alone.... My niece, when she can, comes to visit him on the days of these visits so that he doesn't feel so unhappy."
"Haven't you told his family that he misses them?" John asked penalized.
"He has no family, sir."
"But... Who pays for him to stay here?"
"Well... I work at two places, and with one of those salaries I help pay for his stay here, and my niece, she gives half of her pay to help too. And the other nurses do the same. I still wouldn't pay for his stay here. But the director plays dumb and lets him stay."
She said those words and they walked over to the table where Miles was playing solitaire and stooped over him.
"Miles! You have visitors!" She said cheerfully and fondly to the man with thinning, white hair.
"Samira, don't you know that today is not visiting day?" He asked wryly, but the joy in his voice was unmistakable.
"It's not Samira. It's two gentlemen." She said quietly.
Miles looked back and saw the two men.
"Please sit down." He asked politely and turned to the nurse. "Would it be too much to ask that you bring some coffee for me and the boys?"
"Of course not. I'll be right back."
Thomas and John sat down and looked at each other. Now that John was there, he didn't know how to begin.
"Are you guys reporters?" Miles asked without showing concern.
The nurse returned with the coffees and left them alone.
"We are not journalists." John replied seriously. "Why would journalists come to you?"
"I suspect they may have the same motives as yours."
"Can you explain to me what you are talking about?"
Miles sighed wearily.
"What do you want with me?"
"I... I came here to ask you a question."
"Then have your coffee and do it."
John sipped his coffee and looked at Thomas.
"We went to a boarding school where you were principal some years ago."
"Twenty-six years ago. I have only worked as a principal once in my entire life." Miles said sipping his coffee quietly.
Like John, Thomas was a little disappointed that he didn't show any emotional disturbance when talking about that place. But John went on.
"When we studied there, there was a rumor that you went into that forest and that after you returned from there you had it fenced off so that the students would never go back there. Is that true?"
"Yes."
John looked at Thomas again who raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Could you, sir, tell us why you did not want the students to enter the forest?"
"I can say yes. But first I have two answers to that question. And which one I will give you will depend on your answer about my question."
"I need the real answer." John said a little impatiently.
"Both of them are true. But one of them is not for every ear."
"Then ask your question." John said dejectedly. He felt like he was talking to someone senile.
"Have either of you gone into the forest?"
John hadn't expected that question. But he was sincere.
"I did."
Miles stared at him as if looking at him for the first time. His interest had now manifested itself in his features.
"Then you know why I put up the fence. But I'll explain anyway. That forest is not only inhabited by animals and creatures we know. She asked me not to allow the students to go there again, because they disturbed the forest creatures. They had no respect for the trees and plants, and there would be more deaths if they went back in."
"More deaths?"
"It seems that decades ago, every time a class of students went in there, one of them would die. Not in the forest, but with some unknown disease."
"You said she asked you.... Who is she?"
"A young guardian."
"And what was she like?"
"I... I don't remember."
"And I think you are lying. It's impossible to forget her." John was quick in his response but still saw the disapproving look on Thomas' countenance.
Miles smiled.
"Yes. I remember. But that memory is something I am not yet ready to share."
"Do you really believe there is something supernatural in that forest, sir?" Thomas asked as he stared at John's determined face.
"Yes."
John then understood that he had found the source of information about the young woman who populated his dreams and kept him from having an interest in another woman. However, he also understood that that man would not say much in Thomas' presence. They would have to talk alone. And he couldn't tell Thomas that without Thomas feeling abandoned. Now he would solve the director's problems and then, at another opportunity, he would come back.
John stood up and Thomas did the same.
"It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Miles. But now we need to leave."
"My pleasure, young man. I will await your return."
John and Thomas left and John met the nurse who had taken him to Miles.
"How did he get into this condo here?"
"He had his savings that covered his expenses for a few years, but it's been five years since the money ran out and he doesn't know it."
"Let all the nurses and his niece know that they don't have to spend their salary on him anymore. I will take over his expenses from now on. Can you take me to the board so I can work out the details?"
"Yes, sir!" The nurse said with tears in her eyes not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Follow me, please."
She was heading towards the stairs when someone passed quickly and knocked John to the ground, falling along with him. The nurse stopped dumbfounded and Thomas began to laugh as she helped the young woman and John to their feet.
John looked angrily at the young woman and she returned his glare.
"Watch where you're going, you suit-wearing imbecile!" She said between her teeth.
John could not believe such impudence.
"You should leave the house early so you don't have to run over people on the way! Have you ever thought if it were any of the elderly in my place?" John said with his eyes squeezed shut with such anger.
The young woman widened her big gray eyes as if she hadn't thought of that before. John couldn't help but realize that she was very beautiful. And she carried a briefcase held to her chest as if it were a treasure.
The nurse accompanying them soon came to intervene.
"Oh sir! Forgive my niece. She is always busy with many tasks." She said and turned to the young woman. "Lidia, apologize to him. He's a well-to-do man and he's going to pass on paying for Miles' stay."
The young woman turned her eyes to John and raised her chin as if to challenge him.
"Thank you for helping Miles." She said with irony and arrogance and hurriedly left with her briefcase in hand.
John became more furious and amazed, while Thomas laughed shamelessly.
"It seems you have found someone as arrogant as you are." Thomas said laughing while John could only think that she had not apologized to him.