Abby had rested completely for several days after she’d returned from Halifax. She’d gone auto shopping with Billy one day and he took her to a movie matinee on another, but outside that she had done nothing but rest for over twelve days. Abby was feeling back at full strength now and somewhat excited about beginning her new adventure. It had been barely a month since her world had come apart, but somehow it now all seemed so very far away, both in distance and in time.
Once the paperwork on the house was completed, Abby had arranged for the electricity and phone hook ups to be put in her name and Keith had arranged a heating oil contract for her with his own supplier. The men were already out painting the house and all Abby had to do now was move in.
True to her nature, Abby had no trouble at all in finding her way back to the place. She stopped for a moment at the top of the hill to gaze down onto her new home. The workmen were just finishing the painting and cleaning up from the job when she arrived. Keith introduced them to her as she got out of the car.
“Hello Abby, are you all set to move in?”
“All set Keith, everything I have is in the car. I’m here to stay.”
“Excellent, it will be good to have a neighbor again. I’d like you to meet the boys. This is Alfred and Henry Barnes. Boys, this is Miss Abigail MacKai.”
“A pleasure gentlemen,” she smiled as she shook each hand in turn.
“Miss MacKai,” said Henry, who seemed to be the spokesman for the pair, “if there is anything else we can do for you just let us know. We can do all sorts of odd jobs.”
“Thank you Henry, I will be sure to call you from time to time. I assume I can get your number from Keith.”
“Well, we don’t really have a phone,” replied Henry, “but we can usually be found down at the post office.”
“Excellent, has Keith paid you yet?”
“No ma’am,”
“I was waiting until you had a chance to inspect the work,” smiled Keith as he put the last of the paint cans in the back of their truck.
“Well then, let’s have a look.” They followed silently like two puppies as she walked around the house checking out the paint job. In truth they had done a very good job and she was quite pleased with it. “It looks good to me Keith, are you satisfied?”
“It looks good to me too Abby. I charged the paint down at the store in Pikes Cove. You can fix up with them when you go set up your mail box.”
“I’ve already been there and taken care of both those chores,” she smiled as she finished up her inspection. “Now how much do I owe these fine gentlemen?”
“Keith promised us two hundred dollars ma’am,” said Henry shyly.
“Will you take my cheque or would you rather have cash?”
“Cash is good,” declared Alfred.
Henry nudged him sharply in the ribs. “Manners,” he hissed softly.
“Cash it is,” smiled Abby as she opened her purse. The butt of a small but deadly looking pistol popped out of her purse as she pulled out the money. Abby casually tucked it back in, then counted out the money and passed it to Henry. The look on both their faces said that they had clearly seen the gun. She smiled as she met their eyes again. “Thank you so much gentlemen, you have done a wonderful job. I will know where to find you when I have more work for you.” They nodded their thanks and hurried to pack their truck and depart.
“You let them see that gun on purpose, didn’t you Abby,” said Keith softly as their old truck sped away.
“I live alone Keith; I could scream my lungs out over here and no one would ever hear me.”
“Mark said you take no chances.”
“I’m not a raging paranoid Keith, just careful. Can you help me carry some of this inside?”
“Happy to,” he replied as he pulled a heavy box from the back of the car. “The missus is in the kitchen straightening up a bit for you.”
Abby led the way inside and found a middle aged woman in a kerchief smiling at her. “Hi, I’m Wanda, Keith’s wife,” she said as she held out her hand to Abby.
Abby smiled warmly and set down the box she was carrying. “Pleased to meet you Wanda, I’m Abby,” she said as she accepted the proffered hand. “What hit this place, a white tornado?”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood so I cleaned up the kitchen for you and got everything ship shape. The fridge has been cleaned out so you can load her up right now if you wish.”
“I only brought a small cooler,” grinned Abby ruefully. “I thought I was looking at several days of cleaning before I could use the fridge or the cupboards. My god Wanda, everything sparkles so. You haven’t left me a thing to do.”
“Oh yes I have dear,” laughed Wanda, obviously pleased with Abby’s praise. “I’ve left you the rest of the house. Well, I did do the bathroom too.”
“The kitchen and the bathroom too? Woman, you’re a life saver. If old Keith ever gets nasty, you can come live with me and I’d be happy to have you.”
“Hey now, there will be no stealing my cook,” grinned Keith as he brought another of her boxes in and set it on the kitchen table.
“Oh, so that’s what you keep me for is it?” Wanda asked tartly as she poked him in the ribs.
“Abigail MacKai, I will get you back for this,” threatened Keith. Abby’s sweet laughter floated lightly through the old house, and it almost felt as though the spirits of the place had been lifted.
“What is it Wanda?” asked Abby as she saw the faraway look in the woman’s eye.
“Oh nothing Abby, it’s just that it is so nice to hear laughter in these walls again. I swear Bride was always laughing about something. I hope you are as happy here as she was.”
“You were her friend weren’t you?”
“For well over thirty years,” replied Wanda wistfully as she leaned against the counter. “It broke my heart the day I had to call the ambulance and they took her away forever.”
“Wanda, I have to go through everything in the place, and I will surely get rid of much of what is stored here. Are there any mementoes that you would like to have to remember her by?”
“Oh Abby, I couldn’t...”
“No, please Wanda, you must. None of these things have any meaning for me, but they might mean a great deal to you. Have whatever you would like, I insist.”
“Well, there is the picture of Bride and Terry, and the one of Bride and me taken years ago, they’re still on the mantle I think.”
“Come then,” smiled Abby as she took the woman by the arm and led her into the living room. The smell of dampness had been dispelled from the kitchen, but it was still apparent in the hallway as they passed through it. “These?” asked Abby as they reached the living room.
“These,” replied Wanda softly, slowly nodding her head. There was a small tear in her eye now. “You know, I spent many an enjoyable hour in this house over the years.”
“And I hope you will again, I would like us to be friends Wanda.”
“I had so hoped for that too Abby,” smiled Wanda as she took the treasured photos from the mantle. “There’s not so many folks left out this way and it can get lonely at times.”
“I sometimes can get a bit scattered Wanda, so don’t wait around for an invitation. Whenever you want, just pop in and know I will always be glad to see you.”
“Be careful what you wish for Abby,” laughed Wanda as she turned toward Abby with her mementoes in her hand, her bright mood returning. “I might just drive you nuts. Speaking of nuts, it looks like Keith has the car unloaded for you. We should be on our way and let you get settled in. Do you need any bed linen? Most of what’s here is damp still.”
“Thanks Wanda, but I’ve borrowed a sleeping bag from a friend. I’ll camp out in that gleaming kitchen until I get the place squared away.”
“Well then, we’ll get out of your hair and let you get to it,” smiled Keith as he joined them. “If there is anything you need, just shout.”
�
��I will Keith, and thank you.”
“Thank you Abby,” smiled Wanda clutching the treasured old photos in her hand as she stepped through the door. “This is truly a wonderful gift.”
They left and walked back to their own house, hand in hand. Smiling wistfully, Abby watched them go then she pulled the gun from her purse. “Well little buddy, you’ve done your job well,” she said as she pulled the trigger. A flame leaped from the muzzle and Abby used it to light a scented candle in the living room.
Roomies
“New boyfriend Hazel?” asked Sharon, Hazel’s favorite hairdresser.
“Naw, same old boyfriend Sharon, you know that,” laughed Hazel as she hung her coat on the rack.
“So how come I never see you out together?” asked Sharon as she settled Hazel into the chair.
“Because he’s gay and I’m lesbian. We just do the boyfriend/girlfriend thing when we don’t want to scare the rest of you natural folks.”
“Oh my god, Hazel,” laughed Sharon as she held on to the side of the chair, “whatever did you have for breakfast today? I swear you’re full of beans this morning. So tell me the truth now, is that your boyfriend?”
“High school sweetheart, we spent the night together at a hotel because he just broke up with his gay partner and was lonely.”
“Hazel, stop it for crying out loud. Do you want to make me slip and have to cut all your hair off?”
“Ok, I’ll be good,” said Hazel grinning at Sharon in the mirror, “but just remember, I’m really lesbian and I’m watching your butt in the mirrors.”
“Stop it Hazel,” giggled Sharon. Everyone else in the shop was having a good laugh with them now. “I swear I’ll dye you blonde if you don’t behave.” Hazel continued to tease Sharon good naturedly while she worked, and everyone was laughing and having fun with it all.
As Hazel was finished and waiting at the counter to pay Sharon, Tina, one of the other hairdressers, called her attention to the window. “Hazel, Hazel, look over there,” she hissed with a look of pure mischief, “there is the woman for you; isn’t she gorgeous?” Hazel glanced out the window to see an absolutely exquisite blonde load her car with groceries then climb behind the wheel and drive away. The look on Hazel’s face was the giveaway.
“Oh my god Hazel,” gasped Sharon softly as she reached out to touch Hazel lightly on the arm, “you were telling the truth, weren’t you?”
“Yes I was,” replied Hazel evenly as she brought her eyes back to Sharon’s, her defenses rising to the fore. Dammit, Sharon was the best and Hazel liked her.
Sharon met Hazel’s eyes for a moment then slowly nodded her head. “It’s Ok by me. Are we still buddies?”
“I’m fine,” replied Hazel relaxing a bit. “Are we cool?”
“We’re cool,” grinned Sharon, “just keep your hands off my butt.”
“I’ll try, but you know it will be sheer torture.” Hazel was completely at ease again.
“Ah, the price of irresistible beauty,” sighed Sharon as she turned back toward another customer. Hazel laughed and waved as she stepped through the door. With a light spring in her step, she headed for home to find Tommy waiting there for her.
“What is it Tommy?” she asked as she saw his face. He was sitting glumly on her futon, staring into space as she came through the door.
“I’ve just talked to Jack. He was all apology and contrition until I refused to come home with him. I mean, just think about it, why would I want to go back there where his sister and brother-in-law are right over my head? They all ganged up on me once, they would surely do it again. I said I wanted some time to think, and I suggested that he do the same.”
“So he blew up at you again, right?”
“That was it,” he sighed as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “I never really took a hard look at that part of our relationship before, but I think Jack saw himself as the dominant male. He wanted to move off campus, so we moved off campus. He wanted to come back to Newfoundland, so back we came. I guess he thought I would always do as he suggested.”
“Well, you always have so far Tommy,” Hazel said gently as she sat beside him on the couch.
“Have I really been that much of a doormat Hazel?” he asked softly, gazing into her eyes.
“You’d rather give in than cause a fuss, Tommy my love,” she smiled softly. “That has always been your way, and when we were in school I took full advantage of that.”
“Brat.”
“So what happened?”
“Jack blew up at me and said if I didn’t give him half the money he’d call the police,” sighed Tommy, studying his hands again. “I said I wanted the rest of my stuff. He said if I haven’t picked it up by supper time today he would burn it all then call the police and say I had stolen his money. What am I going to do Hazel? I don’t have anywhere to put the stuff and no way to get it there if I did.”
Hazel thought for a moment then smiled warmly at him. “Want to live together?” she asked mischievously.
“What have you got in mind gorgeous?”
“There’s a two bedroom on the top floor that is empty. I’ll bet we could arrange to move in today. If we split all the expenses it will be cheaper for both of us.”
“And it will give us both a chance to see what sharing space will be like with no extra obligations. Hazel, you’re the best. Are you sure you’re Ok with this?”
“Absolutely. It will be a real treat to have my own room again.”
“Alright sweetheart, let’s go see the man and get us a place to nest,” he grinned as he rose to his feet.
“Right this way my darling,” she smiled as she took his arm and walked him to the manager’s apartment. There was no problem, just a bit of paperwork. Hazel’s original security deposit was applied to the new one and they were ready to move in within an hour. Tommy rented a truck, and in short order, they had all his furniture installed in the new apartment. When they’d arrived, Jack had the furniture piled on the lawn and said he didn’t want anything to do with any of it; he just wanted his money back. They returned the truck and then carried all Hazel’s stuff up to the new place.
Tommy smiled as Hazel settled back onto the sofa and put her feet up. “So what is Mr. Stubborn going to do for furniture?”
“Move back in with his mother, I guess,” he replied as he went to the kitchen to make her a cup of tea.
“Tommy, you paid for the hotel room last night and then the truck today. That must have taken most of what you had, are you going to be Ok?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll drop a couple of courses and see if I can get more hours at work. It shouldn’t be much of a problem; they’ve been asking me to anyway.”
“Tommy, I could take care of the expenses, that way you could....”
“Absolutely not, Hazel Fillmore,” Tommy declared adamantly as he passed her the tea. “Hell, even the thought gives me shivers. Your dad would be up here in a heartbeat, pulling off my arms and legs. No ma’am, until we are officially married I will not let you support me. I can stay in school and up my work hours a bit. By next semester I’ll be back on my feet and there will be no problems. Graduation will be put back a year, no big deal.”
“Tommy.”
“No Hazel,” he repeated firmly as he brought a cup for himself and sat on the sofa with her. “Dammit woman, my manhood is at stake here. Leave it be.”
“Alright Tommy, I’ll let it go for now.”
“So what’s left to do?”
“Well, I’ve called and arranged for the telephone and power as well as the cable. That just leaves the change of address forms for the post office.”
“I’ll pick you up after work tomorrow and we can go do that together,” he mused thoughtfully.
“Honey, if you sold the old car it would make it a lot easier for you,” suggested Hazel as she finished her tea and set the cup aside.
“I know,” he replied with a deep sigh, “but that’s last resort stuff and I’m not qu
ite there yet.” Tears began to fill his eyes again, but he brushed them angrily away. “Dammit, it’s just not fair.”
“I know sweetie, I know,” soothed Hazel as she slid easily across the couch to take him into her arms for a moment. “You relax here for a while and I’ll make you something to eat.”
“I’ll cook Hazel, you do enough of that at work,” he sighed as he regained his composure. He gave her a peck on the cheek then rose to his feet.
“Alright,” she agreed, realizing that he was just trying to keep busy so he wouldn’t have the time to dwell on his troubles.
Hazel settled back on the couch as Tommy disappeared into the kitchen. Between them, they had actually managed to furnish the place quite well. They had his couch and chair as well as coffee table, end tables and that big TV that he refused to part with. She’d added her book cases, stereo, and paintings for the walls done by local artists. (She’d traded for meals at the café.) Hazel had furnished the kitchenware, and they had traded her TV for a table and chairs at the second hand store. Tommy also had a bed, dresser, and mirror. Hazel set up her futon as a bed and she had her own dresser. Tommy had a computer and desk which he put in the corner for them both to use.
It almost felt like a real home, and Hazel began to wonder just how bad it would be if she married Tommy. Sure, the sex thing would be nowhere, but she would be well loved and cared for, and Tommy would be gentle with her, that she knew. She was mulling that over in her mind when, quite unbidden, the image of that dazzling blonde flashed into her thoughts, and Hazel knew she couldn’t do it. As badly as she and Tommy might want it, she knew she couldn’t do it.
Hazel might spend the rest of her life in a fruitless search for that one wildflower that would complete her world, but she had sworn to be absolutely true to herself and so she had to keep searching. A small tear started to form at the corner of her eye, but she quickly brushed it away and turned on the TV. Tommy didn’t need to see that from her right now.
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