“I know folks around here think I’m just an empty headed little blonde piece of fluff. It comes in handy sometimes, but it can be a drawback as well.”
“Well I have always known better than that. You know Abby, Bride Murphy would be quite proud of you.”
“Do you really think so?” asked Abby, brightening at this suggestion.
“Absolutely. You handled the whole situation exactly the way she would have.”
“Well then, speaking of Bride, perhaps this is the day to explore some of the wardrobe possibilities she left for me,” smiled Abby as she rose to her feet. “Shall we have a poke through and see what we can see?” A few hours later Wanda’s church had a large donation of used clothing and Abby had several fine retro outfits waiting to be altered.
“Some of these belonged to Bride’s great Aunt,” said Wanda as she folded another woolen dress and laid it on the pile Abby wanted to keep.
“She took such wonderful care of everything,” sighed Abby as she smoothed out a silk dress and held it to her breast.
“Bride loved clothes, and she loved to look good. She always said if you look good, you will feel good, and that’s what life was for anyway.”
“Well I must say I am in full agreement,” laughed Abby as she folded the dress and placed it on the keeper pile.
“Let’s check the storage room and see if we can find some pins,” suggested Wanda. “If we can I will pin up a few of these and take them home to alter for you.”
They went back upstairs to the small room with all the wool and began the search. “Can you tell me why she had all this yarn?”
“Bride did love to find a bargain,” laughed Wanda, “and she loved to knit. She knit all those sweaters and that shawl that you seem to favor. A few years ago there was a yarn store that was closing down. Bride bought the entire remaining stock for a song. She never did get to knit it up, poor dear. She did so want to, but she had her first stroke soon after that.”
“My grandmother taught me to knit when I was a child,” mused Abby thoughtfully. “Perhaps I will dust off some of Bride’s needles and try my hand. It will help me pass the long winter.”
“Well let’s see,” mused Wanda, “ah yes, here we are, Bride’s basket of knitting needles and her patterns. If you can remember few simple stitches, the rest shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.”
“Perhaps I will knit a sweater for my man here,” smiled Abby as she patted the dog who was never far from her side. “That should make a good start up project for me. What do you say big man? Would you like Momma Abby to knit a sweater for you?” The big dog thumped his tail enthusiastically on the floor in response.
Abby walked Wanda home, holding a huge umbrella over her head. Wanda had her arms full of things to alter for Abby and was delighted to have the projects to do now that the days were getting so short and cold. Once they had Wanda safely home, Abby and Hubby raced for the house and safety from the storm.
Back in her own snug house Abby sat listening to the rain and getting depressed. She could feel the blackness of it settling around her heart and she sank into her chair to let it. Abby had kept herself busy all summer long, but now that was not as easily done, and talking about her misadventures today had brought it all back with a rush. Suddenly a warm muzzle slipped into her hand and a tail thumped on the floor. She looked up to see the saddest brown eyes she had ever seen, and she realized that he was feeling her mood too.
Fighting herself all the way, Abby struggled to her feet and found the tug of war rope in the kitchen. “Come on you,” she said as she shook the pull toy at him, “you and I both need some exercise, and it’s too wet to go outside.” A wild game of tug-o-war and chase that carried them through the house and back again changed her mood completely. At length they stood side by side, out of breath and gazing out the window at the storm.
“That was fun Hubby,” she laughed as she scratched behind his upright ear. “You know, it may be totally depressing out there, but as long as we have each other, we’ll be alright. Let’s have a snack, one last potty run through the rain, then dry off and go to bed. Tomorrow will be a much better day.”
Working to stay busy and beat the blues, Abby made herself stay sociable. She knew herself well, and part of the key for Abby was to have lots of friends. She went to great effort to build strong relationships with her hairdresser in St. John’s as well as the girls where she bought her groceries, at the bank, and where she usually shopped. She made friends with the vet and the guys who pumped her gas. Twice each month she would invite several folks to dinner and put on a big spread. The evening she introduced Keith and Wanda to Billy and Edna was a total blast for Abby. Billy and Edna ended up staying the night as they had all talked well into the wee hours.
Abby had also enrolled Hubby in obedience school and soon realized that she had far more to learn than the dog. Still it was fun and it got her out in public where she made several new friends. She attended plays regularly and always stayed to chat with the actors afterward. Abby was slowly building a network of people to support her whenever she had need and she knew she would have need as the winter deepened.
The shorter the days became, the tougher it was to fight off the depression. In late November she gave up the battle and returned to the happy pills. She used them only as necessary, but she realized that during the dark months of the year it surely would be necessary.
It was early December when the first snows fell. With a shriek of pure delight Abby threw open her window and drank deeply of the cold crisp air. Somehow snow had never depressed her like the rain did. Puling on her slippers, Abby raced down the stairs and threw open the door. Hubby bolted past her into the six or so inches of snow that covered the ground. She stood in the doorway laughing with delight as he raced through the snow, his nose buried up to the ears. From time to time he stopped, and, raising his head, snorted to clear his nostrils then went back to playing snowplow.
Abby let him run while she returned to the bedroom and dressed in warm clothes. A moment’s pause then a smile of childlike delight as she pulled out Bride Murphy’s woolen dress that Wanda had taken in for her. Warm tights, under the dress to protect her legs and down the stairs she ran. She pulled on long leather boots that were lined, short woolen coat, and then a hat and mitts that she had knit herself. Looking more like she was on her way out to town, Abby went outside to build the first snowman of the year under the close supervision of her Hubby.
Keith and Wanda came walking through the falling snow arm in arm. “So, enjoying the first fall of snow Abby?” called Wanda.
“I am having a blast. You folks out for your walk?”
“Yes ma’am, care to join us?”
“No thanks Keith, I know that would be an intrusion, besides, my man and I have more work to do on this magnificent piece of sculpture. Stop for tea on your way back?”
“Love to,” smiled Wanda in reply as she took her husband’s arm and steered him back onto the path.
“She seems to be holding up quite well,” commented Keith softly when he was sure they were out of hearing.
“So far so good,” replied Wanda, “but she gave me a turn or two back in November.”
“So it’s depression,” he said thoughtfully nodding his head. “We’ll keep a close eye out for her honey, don’t worry.”
“It’s just that she looks so very much like Bride in that outfit Keith; I swear, some days it’s like having her back again. When I think of what that poor girl has come through...”
“Now Wanda sweetheart, put those maternal instincts back on the shelf. Abby is a big girl and she has a mind of her own. She’ll be just fine, you’ll see.”
“I know Keith, but still I wish she would find someone to care for her.”
“So you think she needs a man do you?”
“No, I don’t actually think that at all.”
“So what are you not telling me,” he asked softly as he paused in his stride and turned to face her. “Is Abby l
esbian?”
“No, well, who knows who is what for sure,” sighed Wanda as she squeezed his hand before stepping forward again. “Abby is attracted to men all right, but I think she is attracted to women as well.”
“And you think a woman would be a better match for her?” he asked as he fell into step beside her.
“After what she’s been through, Abby needs someone who is both patient and compassionate. Women are far more sensitive and gentle than men, and that is what Abigail MacKai really needs, someone who is both sensitive and compassionate as well as loving and caring.”
“And a man can’t do that?”
“Oh stop,” she laughed as she slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “You are a rare and special case sir, and it still took me years to get you properly trained.”
“So what is on the agenda for today Abby?” asked Wanda as they sat in her kitchen sipping tea.
“Well, this handsome fellow and I are on our way to the big city,” replied Abby as she scratched Hubby behind his sentinel ear. “I have an appointment to get the winter tires put on the car and I want to do some Christmas shopping. This snow has really put me in the mood. I also have to get the decorating under way soon; I have to buy the lights as well as some decorations. Bride left me a few, but I do want more.”
“Ah yes,” sighed Wanda as she took a sip of her tea. “After Terry passed, Bride lost her joy for it and gave away most of her decorations.”
“Well, Hubby and I will go buy more and light this place up right and proper,” laughed Abby. “Won’t we big fella.” Her answer was an ear shattering woof.
“Are you going away for Christmas Abby?”
“No Keith, my father lives in Calgary with his new wife and their kids. Tess is quite jealous of me and the tension would surely spoil the day for their children. I’ll visit them another time; for now I’ll just send gifts.”
“And your mother?”
“Mom’s an alcoholic,” replied Abby softly as she lowered her gaze to the bottom of her tea cup. “She and her boyfriend of the week will spend the whole season celebrating, as they call it. No, I will spend the holiday with my Hubby and have a much more enjoyable time of it right here.”
“You could spend it with us.”
“I would really like that Wanda, but since the cats and Hubby don’t see eye to eye, how about you folks come here for the day. That will also give me a chance to try out a few of Bride’s Christmas recipes.”
“You found her cook books?”
“Yes sir,” grinned Abby, “and I am dying to try out a few of these things on you. Are you game?”
“Game? My dear, I eagerly await your call to arms,” grinned Keith.
“Just you mind your waistline Mr. Pike,” admonished Wanda. “I don’t want to be having to let out all your trousers.”
“And what about your waistline ma’am?” he asked tartly.
“My dear boy, that’s why I always buy clothes with elastic waistbands, they are so much more forgiving.”
Abby was still giggling to herself and mentally running through her grocery list as she drove through the fresh falling snow toward the city. She was driving slowly and carefully, mindful of Keith’s warning. Everything goes slow in the snow.
The Book
Cussing and struggling for breath, Tommy Reid made his way up the three flights of stairs to his apartment. The box he was carrying wasn’t really large, but it was certainly heavy, and he had already carried several up already. “One more,” he puffed to himself as he set it on the stack in Hazel’s bedroom, “just one more to go. Come on Tommy boy, you can do it. God, the things I do for that woman. If she were a guy, as she should be, I would make her do it herself.” He chuckled at his own joke then hurried back down the stairs and out to the parking lot. With a sigh of resignation he dragged the last crate from the car and kicked the door closed as he started back toward the building.
Setting the last of the boxes carefully on the coffee table, Tommy stood up and worked the kinks out of his back. A glance at his watch told him Hazel would soon be getting off work, so he decided to call and ask if she wanted a ride. “Sure, love one,” laughed Hazel as Tommy suggested she needed a ride, “what’s up?”
“Nothing’s up; what makes you think something is up?”
“I can hear it in your voice mister; you’re up to something, never fear.”
“You are such a suspicious woman, Hazel Fillmore, but it will do you no good at all. I’ll be there in about ten minutes. Ok?”
“Ten is perfect sweetie,” laughed Hazel as she hung up the phone.
“Was that Tommy?” asked Irene, Hazel’s work buddy.
“That was indeed the man himself.”
“So when are you going to marry the guy and make an honest man of him?”
“Why are you always so anxious to marry me off?” asked Hazel as she took off her apron and hung it on the peg by the back door.
“I just want to be the maid of honor and play dress up for a day,” laughed Irene as she arranged another order on a plate.
“I see,” replied Hazel with a naughty smile, “well, I promise you can be the maid of honor when I get married. Satisfied?”
“Perfectly,” laughed Irene as she swept up her tray and vanished through the swinging door. A few short moments later Tommy entered the café. “So Tommy, when are you and Hazel getting married?” called Irene. “Hazel promised I could be the maid of honor and I’ve already got a great dress picked out.”
“Well I did ask her,” replied Tommy, getting into the spirit of the game, “but she won’t give me an answer.”
“Dat, dat, dat, there will be no ganging up on Hazel,” laughed Hazel as she pulled on her coat. “Take me home sweetie; I’m beat to a rag.”
“Right this way my darling, your chariot awaits without.”
“Oh yeah? Without what?”
“Gas and snow tires mostly,” laughed Tommy. Hazel was still giggling as they drove away.
“Hey, you missed the turn,” exclaimed Hazel as Tommy drove right past their street, “where are we going?”
“You’re buying me dinner at Wendy’s. I have spent the whole afternoon doing something nice for you and I expect to be rewarded. You have to feed me.”
“Oh really? So what have you done for me today?”
“I’m not telling; you’ll see when we get home.” Try as hard as she could, Hazel could get no more from him. He seemed to be enjoying torturing her so much she stopped asking and decided to wait.
“So what did you do Tommy?” asked Hazel as she gazed all around the apartment. Everything seemed to be the same, except for that cardboard box on the coffee table.
“I carried all your books home for you like I used to do back in high school,” laughed Tommy as he hung up their coats. “All five hundred copies, and I can tell you for sure, they are darned heavy.”
“My books?” She seemed a bit puzzled then the light of understanding reached her eyes. “Oh my god, the books, Tommy, where are they?”
“On the coffee table; the rest are in your room.”
Hazel was already tearing open the box as he spoke. “Ohhhh, Tommy just look,” exclaimed Hazel as she held up a glossy hard bound book with a bunch of yellow blossoms on the cover. “Rare Blossoms of the Avalon. A Photographic Essay by Hazel Fillmore.”
Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she caressed the book and hugged it to her. “Oh god, I never thought this could ever be real. I never ever believed this could be real.”
“It’s real honey,” he grinned as he took her gently in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “You sit and gloat while I make us some green tea, then we’ll have a look through it together.”
A while later Tommy beamed with pride as he tucked his own personally autographed copy into his bookshelf. Hazel sat smiling sweetly as she gazed at the book in her lap. “I figure we have to sell three hundred copies at thirty dollars to get the money back and give you enough to pay off the last of you
r student loans,” he mused.
“Oh lord Tommy, how are we ever going to sell that many books?”
“Not to worry my little pumpkin,” he smiled as he resumed his seat beside her, “that’s my job, remember? I said I’d do it for you and I will. I’ve got one more exam to write in two weeks, and then I have the Christmas break. I’ll do what I can now then I’ll sell the rest during the break.”
“Oh Tommy, do you really think you can?”
“Hey, I worked in sales out west, remember? Piece of cake, just watch me go.”
True to his word, Tommy hit every book seller and gift shop in the city as well as dozens of the general stores in the outlying areas on his next days off. He managed to sell over two hundred copies wholesale. Once the break came along he arranged to have a booth set up in a major grocery store where he sold them personally at the full retail price.
It had been a long day and sales were slow. Tommy had used up most of his charm a few hours ago and he was nearly ready to give up and go home when he saw her. Tommy smiled as he thought of the dazzling blonde Hazel had described to him. Could this be the same woman he wondered?
“Now what have we here?” asked the smiling young goddess. She was dressed like a wealthy woman from the middle of the last century. Her looks would easily have drawn her enough attention, but add in the costume and she was like a rock star. Everyone in the store watched her every move. She was very much aware of it all and was obviously enjoying the attention. Right now, her own attention was focused on Hazel’s book. Tommy grinned and launched into his sales pitch.
“These photos are exquisite,” she remarked when Tommy finally stopped for breath. “I have seen so many of these blossoms near my home. This is just like having spring again. You are right my friend, these will make excellent Christmas gifts, as they will let me show all my friends everywhere what it looks like where I live. Is the photographer local?”
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