The Widow's Friend

by Dave Stone; Callii Wilson

  I tell you all this just for fun. I’m just curious about you and happy to share. I guess I’ll go to bed now. It’s two a.m. and I have to get up early so I can call in sick. So a special good night to you my friendly friend, as you lay snug in bed, snoozing away, dreaming of tomorrow and the big party. I wish you well. We’ll talk again later, cupcake.

  Your good friend, Levi

  ***

  Well sugar cookie, it’s Friday evening at seven twenty and I’m back. A ballgame is on TV tonight, but I can’t watch it because the Disney Channel is in full swing—that’s life with Lexi. Mary thinks I let her do whatever she wants to and I kind of do. But that’s the problem, Mary is always inverse of me, (controlling) and we’re rarely on the same page. Conflict and tension is a way of life with me. Lexi loves the Disney Channel and Mary is a television Nazi. She says, “All the studies show….” I get so tired of that line. Anyway, you know more than most about my personal life and you will learn more as we go, and now on to something else.

  Today was the funeral day, and it was good overall. All my brothers and sisters were there, all with their spouses. Everyone had a spouse but me, but for the most part I didn’t care much—Mary has a hard time getting off of work. And my prediction came true—I laughed and I cried. I caught Sam with red eyes—big tough diesel mechanic Sam. His wife put a hand on my leg when I broke down for a minute at the end. My sister soaked her handkerchief through and through.

  All of Sadie’s kids spoke and they all did well in their own way, even Will, who has been mentally challenged and in an institution for the last twenty years. Sadie’s husband, Glen, as well as four of her ten children had passed away before she did. She had many challenges over her lifetime.

  Tomorrow is book delivery day. I made appointments with Aunt Rosie in Rigby and Aunt Elizabeth in Blackfoot. We’ll hit them in the morning and then we’ll buzz through Sugar City and knock on doors, talking for ten minutes to those who are home and leaving a drop on the doorstop (with a note) for those who are not. I ran into Christie Miller today. (I don’t know what her married name is.) She wants to buy two full sets of books for her kids. I packed up two other full sets and mailed them off today, one for Cathy Henson Leidsman in Soda Springs, and one for her sister Terry in Preston, both Joyce Henson’s girls. I thought on the way home that I would like to drop off a basketball book to Bobbie Benson in Rexburg, if I can find him. He was the center on our six man team and a major personality in the basketball book. Sherry is riding along with me. It will be more fun that way and the aunts will look forward to seeing her. And besides, we’ll have a good talk as we drive. Everyone loves Sherry.

  Would next Wednesday evening be a good time for me to drop off some books at your house, maybe five thirty or six, or whenever you say. I’ll stay three minutes or three hours. We’ll see how it goes and I’ll do whatever you tell me to. You’re the woman in charge, so just let me know. I’ll be fully compliant.

  Right now, it’s Friday at eight o’clock, and you’re all wrapped up in your family party. I’m sure that it’s going great since you’re the hostess with the mostest. I’m looking at your picture and thinking of you right now, while you’re buzzing around showing everyone a good time.

  Well, I’m signing off now I guess. I’ll finish tomorrow and send the e-mail off to you then. You’ll be too tired to even check your e-mails tonight, anyway. Goodnight to you, Sweet Potato.

  Your old friend, Levi

  ***

  Well, this should wind up my longwinded e-mail over the last several days. I’m sorry I haven’t responded sooner. I know how hard it is to wait, believe you me. It’s not like I haven’t been writing all along over the last few days, but I figured by Saturday or Sunday you might have a little time to read the thing.

  I hope your party was fun. Knowing you, I can’t believe it would have turned out any other way. Do you have any people in your siblings group that are stinkers? Personalities don’t always mesh—I know that. Which brother and which sister in law gives you the biggest test to bite your tongue and let it go. Tell me just for fun, but only if you like. I don’t even know who they are, just tell a tale if you desire.

  I would love to have a couple of dolls for two five year olds. One has kind of medium brown hair and the other is blonde/brown/reddish, if that makes any difference. I’ll be happy to give you some money for them, you deserve some. I was thinking the other day that we both do the things that our mothers gifted to us. Yours is the tradition of making dolls, and mine is sharing the joy of growing up in a small town—with absolutely no reins. God bless both of our mothers.

  Delivering books today was pretty fun, but I got tired of it at the end. Sherry rode with me until three o’clock and then she had to go, but she didn’t miss much. I only found one other person home and I left the rest of the books on porches with a Christmas card. By the time I got home, about five in the evening, I was ready to be done, but I still had to package four more books for mailing. Yet now the end is drawing near. I just have to make a run around the neighborhood one evening, and then make the final delivery at work. Everything after that will be only a minor mailing here and there. I only have about a hundred fans, but that keeps me hopping for a week or so.

  I’m going to send you a link to your picture, to supplement the description of you that I wrote, you delicious little woman, you. And there I go, getting all syrupy again.

  You said you expected much from this note, so I tried to deliver. I was just slow to send it to you, that’s all. Are you sitting snug by the fire again? I will enjoy touring your house when I come. I expect much from your house and decorating tastes, but don’t feel any pressure—I’m pretty much of a bumpkin. I sat in one gorgeous sitting room, or front room, or whatever you want to call it, today. Jeannie Banks, wife of Dick Banks, in Sugar City. I doubt that you know them. Their daughter is Connie Banks, a few years younger than us.

  Anyway, as I’ve already indicated, my favorite color is beige, cream, off-white, or whatever. Jeannie had light colored furniture and a Christmas tree that was trimmed in a mixture of gold, off-white, and a touch of silver. It looked like it was light gold or cream colored overall, and it was gorgeous. And she had beautiful antique furniture in there, about four different pieces. She had some kind of a wonderful showcase for her porcelain figurines. I can’t describe it but I asked, “Where did you get that?” She said it was an antique and it was so old that her mother bought it as an antique, and this woman I was talking to is eighty years old! Anyway, it was a great room.

  Now—to be honest, I wanted to go on that road trip with you all along, and would still like to. I wasn’t pulling any punches. And I was really appreciative when you said you’d go. I could think of nothing nicer, for me, than to spend a full day with you. I still feel that way too. And as for beaches, I like that kind of thing too, but I enjoy sitting under an umbrella on a chair and shooting the breeze with friends. I don’t care if it’s Cooper’s Pond as long as there are friends there.

  I’m rambling a bit now so it’s time to quit and send this off. But one other thing: why did you think that I came back and took my music back? Do you simply mean I have a love for music or did you think something else?

  Anyway, please respond to my questions. I will wait as patiently as I can. And Calliijo, you are a doll. I love your eyes, I love your nose, I love your smile, and I love to send you music, because it reminds me of you. Thanks for letting me do so.

  Your friend forever, Levi

  ***

  From Levi Stone (Ten minutes later)

  I sent Callii another music link, “Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It”, by Buffalo Springfield. I hoped she would enjoy it.

  From Callii Wilson

  Dec 13th

  Hello Brother Stone. It’s Monday evening and it’s time to spend a few minutes with you again. First of all, about your last email, I opened it at about 11:30 Saturday night, and after reading it I couldn’t sleep. I was just putting my body into bed
when my phone told me I had an email. I looked to see who it was from and when I saw that it was from you I couldn’t wait to read it, so I squinted my tired eyes and did so. YOU ARE SO NICE. You made me feel really good. I had a really hard time sleeping after that because the things that you said kept going through my head. Like I said, you are so nice. I didn’t listen to the song you sent until the next day, but I loved it too—but then I blew it. When I was shutting down my phone I accidentally hit the delete button, and now I don’t have the e-mail anymore, so I can’t answer the questions you asked because I don’t remember what they were. Can you send it to me again, or do you erase them? If you do, can you remember the questions?

  It sounds like you had a good time getting your books out to your many fans.

  Wednesday would work out just fine for me. I look forward to seeing you. It was a bit strange seeing you at your aunt’s viewing. If I hadn’t been in contact with you in recent months we probably would never have clued in that we were at the same place at the same time. Does it make you wonder if we have crossed paths before without even knowing it?

  You mentioned Tommy Thompson. I saw him there also. He used to come and visit me last summer. I would be out working in my yard and he would drop in sometimes and scare me. He is a nice person. I guess he was one of those married men that you asked about that come to visit me sometimes. He is not married anymore. We went out a few times, but he is NOT my style. Did you know that he is an ex-convict? I swear that his whole family is interesting.

  Have you got your Christmas shopping done yet? I have been working on it. I babysat today for a few hours. Tomorrow I have Isaac all day while his mom takes his sister to the hospital. She is having problems again. She may have some kind of an internal puncture. That poor little girl, I pray for her future. I have to deliver a doll to Pocatello, so I guess that’s what we’ll do to entertain ourselves.

  I have the family party behind me now, and I think a good time was had by all. I cooked all day and I’m not used to that. I very seldom cook anymore, because it’s not fun at all to cook for just one. Next, I have the annual party for my kids and grandkids. It’s this coming Sunday, and that will be the end of the parties for the season. Can you believe Christmas is a week from Saturday? It seems like it comes more than once a year nowadays.

  I still haven’t decorated my basement yet. I am thinking I just won’t do it this year. Nobody cares anyway, except me. I’m sorry about the rambling. I lead such a boring life that I don’t know what to tell you. I think I will quit now, but I really do look forward to seeing you, and we can talk more then.

  Amen, Sister Callii

  ***

  From Levi Stone (Thirty minutes later)

  I always love hearing from you. I wish I could hear from you every day. I’ll be there about six on Wednesday. Got anything to eat? I’ll forward the last e-mail to you—the one that you erased. Goodnight, good friend.

  Until then, Levi

  ***

  I had been invited to visit Callii at her home. I felt happy but I felt anxious. I felt giddy but sober at the same time. I felt welcome, but I also sensed a need for caution. But after all was said and done I was totally excited. I had no idea what might develop or how long I might be there, but I couldn’t wait for Wednesday to get here. Grandma Callii, my old friend, would be there waiting.

  Chapter 21

  “Levi is Coming”

  I had seen Levi just a few weeks ago at the Expo, but it was a surprise visit and it hadn’t lasted very long. That’s not to say that it wasn’t fun, but it had been kind of brief. Tonight might be different. I had spent every spare minute cleaning and prepping today. I wanted everything to be just right. I was bone tired due to all of my parties, but an extra measure of anticipation gave me the energy I needed to get it all done. My home is somewhat older, but I’ve remodeled it inside and out and I am very proud of it, from the new furniture in the family room, and the theatre room in the basement, to the swimming pool out back.

  Levi had asked for food. I wasn’t much into cooking lately, but pizza would probably be good. And what should I wear? Something nice but conservative would be good. I certainly didn’t want to appear too… alluring, or give the impression that I’d tried too hard. We’d been joking back and forth about how tall I was. I wasn’t very tall really, but then again, neither was he.

  And I really wasn’t expecting much of anything to happen. After all, he was a grandpa and I was a grandma, both of us many times over. We were just old friends—that’s all. But on the other hand, he’d definitely made me feel good about myself. I hadn’t felt quite this way for many years now, and it felt good to be treated like this. I had to admit that, if nothing else.

  A friend had phoned me earlier in the day. She had wanted me to go out to dinner tonight, but I’d pushed her back. I told her Levi was coming over. I didn’t have to tell her that or anything else, but she was one of the few that new the slightest bit of what was going on between Levi and me. After all, this was not the kind of thing I would share with my kids.

  It was almost six o’clock. Levi could show up any minute now. I sat on the couch and scrutinized the family room. Everything seemed to be just right, but I felt anxious somehow. It was hard for me to believe that anyone could want an old woman like me. I had primped and fussed, but it was hard to cover all the wrinkles and blemishes that had been created over all these many years. I sighed and fidgeted in my seat. For a moment I thought I might have a panic attack. Reality was sometimes unkind.

  But Levi had my picture, the picture from the reunion, and he’d said that I was pretty; beautiful actually—that’s what he’d said. Stars flickered before my eyes and I felt light in my head. I wasn’t sure I knew what reality was.

  And then came a knock at the door. I hesitated only briefly before I rose up to answer it. I was ready, I thought, for whatever this evening might bring. My footsteps were small and my movement was slow, though in my chest, my heart pitter pattered a little faster than it normally would.

  Chapter 22

  “Callii’s Place”

  I had come directly from work, but I’d tried to wear something nice. It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about it or anything.

  Callii was a mystery to me. I still had all kinds of questions about who she was and what kind of life she had led. I had a fond memory of our first visit just a few weeks before, but that was a flash in the pan. It hadn’t been long enough for me to find out all that much, but still, it was long enough to make me excited to see her again.

  I parked in front of her home and waited, trying to collect my thoughts. It was dark and the night was cold. Suddenly, on the hood of my truck sat a large yellow cat. Its green eyes seemed to glow in the starlight.

  “So,” I said, “Are there any words of wisdom from the big yellow cat?” Immediately it hopped off the truck and sauntered up the sidewalk towards Callii’s front porch. It turned around and settled down on its haunches. It seemed to be waiting for me to join it, and so I did, but as soon as I climbed up the steps it ran off into the night.

  “I hope that’s not a sign,” I mumbled.

  I paused on the doorstep. Callii was fully decorated for Christmas there, and it was obvious she had good taste. A large wreath hung inches from my nose. I raised a fist and rapped three times.

  The door swung wide and there she stood. It took me a second to focus, but when I did she was a vision to behold. She smiled and I did too. I felt welcome.

  The first thing I noticed was her feet, her stocking feet. I pointed at them and smiled. She nodded and smiled back.

  “Won’t you come in,” she said, just as smoothly as a person ever could. She led me through the living room and into the family room out back—and it was lovely. An entry in the parade of homes couldn’t have been more proud.

  “See this chair,” she said, pointing to a piece next to the leather couch. “Remember it. This is where I sit when I send off my e-mails.” She smiled and then gestured at her c
ouch as she invited me to sit down. She sat down too, about three feet away. It seemed almost strategic, not too close, and yet not too far away.

  We talked a bit, but about nothing of consequence. She asked about my work and then spoke of her investments. She told me that she pretty much lived off of them. Her late husband had owned a restaurant in a franchise. She wanted to keep it after he’d passed away, but they forced her to sell it off, and that’s what she was living off of, a yearly sum from those assets. We talked and chatted, but I had to work hard at staying focused on the conversation—the vision of her right before me had me rather distracted.

  Callii was a beauty, in a mature kind of way, and that pleased me. Her hair was short and frosted, and her makeup was light, not at all overdone. The neckline of her blouse was cut low, low enough to entice but high enough to be proper. Her jeans looked new and she sat with her hands in her lap. She sat at a forty five degree angle, not away from me, but slightly toward me, which seemed about right. She was eyeing me too, but I had expected as much. I had showed up all of a sudden at the Expo and I think I’d overwhelmed her, but this time we were on her turf.

  We talked of the past, of when we had dated and what we remembered, though neither of us remembered all that much. It was a very long time ago, but it was fun to share our thoughts and talk about others who were there with us at the time. I was amazed at how easy she was to talk to and how our personalities seemed to mesh. I hadn’t expected it.

  She said something that made me laugh. Our eyes met and I asked to hold her hand. She smiled. We both reached out and our fingers touched. She was warm and soft, and I felt…at home.