Wildflower

by Prudence MacLeod

  “Oh yes, she lives right here in St. John’s,” replied Tommy.

  “Do you know her personally?”

  “She’s a dear friend.”

  “And so you have been pressed into service today. When next you see your friend, please tell her how much I enjoy her work. I’ll take ten copies please.”

  “Ten copies?” he gasped, not really believing he’d heard her correctly.

  “I have friends and family scattered everywhere,” she laughed with a sweet rich laugh. “I’ll need at least ten.”

  “I can give you the wholesale price,” he offered.

  “Thank you, but I get the feeling this was self published, is that correct?”

  “Yes, she’s hoping to sell enough of them to pay off her student loans.”

  “Then I will pay full price today, it is Christmas after all,” she replied as she opened her purse and took out a wad of cash. Tommy carefully counted the money, then carried the books out to her car and put them in the back for her. The big dog gave a soft growl, but she silenced him with a quick hand signal. She thanked Tommy who had also loaded the rest of her groceries into the car for her. “Tell your friend I wish her all the success she so obviously deserves, and I hope to meet her someday so I can get my personal copy autographed.”

  “And that’s the whole story Hazel,” sighed Tommy as he finished relating the encounter to her. They were ensconced on the couch and Hazel was leaning forward eagerly as Tommy recounted his encounter with the dazzling blonde goddess.

  “Describe her again for me Tommy,” urged Hazel as she finally relaxed back into the sofa.

  “Why, are you getting turned on?”

  “Stop it you fool,” she admonished as she slapped his arm. “Actually, you’re not so very far from wrong. Tommy, I think you met my mystery woman.”

  “Your mystery woman?”

  “Yes, you know, the one who made me give myself away at the hairdresser’s, and the one we saw the day I got the money together to have the book printed? Green station wagon car, dog in the back, she dresses retro but rich, hair like fine spun gold, eyes so blue it almost hurts, and a thousand watt smile?”

  “That’s the woman; she’s really getting under your skin isn’t she?”

  “Somehow I just can’t seem to help myself,” she smiled wistfully. “What is her voice like?”

  “Oh no my girl, I will not abet your fantasies any longer. Oh alright, her voice is sweet, not too high or whiny, just rich and sweet. Ok? That’s all you get now.”

  “Did she really like my book Tommy?”

  “She bought ten copies,” he grinned, “and when I told her you were local and trying to make enough to pay off the old student loan, she insisted on paying full price. She said she hopes to meet you one day and get her personal copy autographed.”

  “I’d truly love to meet her too,” sighed Hazel. “Say, aren’t you supposed to be doing the dishes?”

  “Can’t, I’m working,” he replied as he walked to the desk and turned on the computer.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Look honey, I’ve gone as far as I dare in that old car of mine. Now I have to get creative. I had the cover and a few of the pictures scanned in for the computer; I have them on this CD. I’m going on line to find every Newfoundlander I can and sell them a book.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “God’s truth,” he replied as he sat in the chair. “There are millions of them out in Alberta for instance. I’ll bet they have clubs and specialty stores and everything. We’re going into the mail order business my dear. I promised to sell all those books, and I’m going to do just that.”

  “Thank you Tommy,” whispered Hazel as she kissed the top of his head on her way by to the kitchen. “You are my best friend in the whole world.”

  “Just you remember that at Christmas.”

  “It’s already bought and wrapped,” she laughed as she started the water running into the sink, “and don’t waste your time looking for it. I’ve got it at Sharon’s to keep you honest.”

  “Brat,” he laughed as he set to work.

  It was late when Tommy finally surfaced again. Hazel made a pot of tea and brought it to the living room for him. “So how’s it going?”

  “Well, I found dozens of possible places,” he said as he collapsed onto the sofa. “I’ve e-mailed all of them, sending a couple of the pictures along with the sales pitch. Now all we can do is wait and see if they respond.”

  “Tommy, I can’t thank you enough for all this. You are working yourself to the bone for me and I truly want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

  “Could I do less for the woman who rode to my rescue when my world fell apart?” he asked softly as he patted her hand. “We’re friends who go the extra mile for each other Hazel. Right now we are all we have and we need to always be aware of that.”

  “I am always aware of that sweetie,” smiled Hazel. “Whenever I have been up the creek, it has always been Tommy to the rescue.”

  “And it was Mamma Hazel to the rescue when I needed a place to land. You know, since we have been sharing the expenses, I have had more pocket money than ever before in my life. I think the idea of working a bit more and studying a bit less has made quite a difference to the quality of my life.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes really. I have more available money and more leisure time. I can give each course I am taking my full attention and my grades are reflecting that. You know, at this rate I may not have to take out any loans next year.”

  “Come on, you’re not getting that much work.”

  “I know, but if I take two more years to graduate, I can work a bit more and pay cash as I go,” replied Tommy as he twisted in his seat to face her. “Think about it Hazel, no student loan, no pressure. Can that be so bad?”

  “No dear,” she smiled as she patted his hand, “I don’t think that is so bad at all. In fact I am proud of you. I think you’re starting to get the hang of this life thing.”

  “So does that mean you’re going to marry me?”

  “Dat, dat, dat, I said not until the summer and then I will give you an answer,” she replied gently.

  “The blonde really turns your crank doesn’t she?”

  “Tommy, I am so sorry, but yes she does,” whispered Hazel softly, “and I can’t even tell you why.”

  “It’s Ok honey,” he said warmly as he gathered her into his arms. “We are who we are, and you are attracted to women as I am to men. You have to keep your eyes open for this one Hazel. Find out about her, is she single, is she interested, you know the drill.”

  “I know, but how do I find this mystery woman?” sighed Hazel relaxing into his arms and laying her head on his shoulder.

  “Well, she has several copies of your book,” mused Tommy thoughtfully, “maybe she’ll contact you. You know, a fan letter or something.”

  “Shit!” exploded Hazel as she leaped to her feet and grabbed a copy of the book.

  “What??”

  “Now I know what has been nagging at me since we got the books,” muttered Hazel as she carefully scrutinized the cover.

  “I repeat. What???”

  “The contact information isn’t on here,” sighed Hazel as she closed the book and let it fall back to the coffee table. Shoulders slumped; she sank back in to the overstuffed chair with a look of total despair. “I knew we’d forgotten something but I just couldn’t see what it was.”

  “Well, the wholesale buyers can find us through the printer and so can Blondie if she wants to.”

  “Yeah, I suppose so,”

  “Of course she can and of course she will,” he said brightly, trying to cheer her up. “Hazel my duck, there is only one thing left to do.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, smiling in spite of herself.

  “Next year you have to publish another and this time we will make sure it is all there. Better yet, the next time you won’t have to give the proceeds to the government because yo
ur loan will be all paid off.”

  “Thank you for that Mr. Cheerful,” she smiled as she rose and kissed his cheek lightly. “I am feeling better, and you are right, I will have to find even rarer specimens to shoot and a new book will be the long range target.”

  “That’s my girl. Now will you make me a peanut butter sandwich while I change for work?”

  “Late shift again?”

  “Afraid so. They don’t call it the graveyard shift for nothing.”

  “All right honey, I’ll make your lunch,” she smiled.

  With Tommy off to work, Hazel took a long bath then prepared for bed. Lying between the soft flannelette sheets she let her fingers run lightly over her body as she called up an image of the bluest eyes she had ever seen.

  Getting Through

  Abby paid for her groceries and headed toward the parking lot. She had worn this old style outfit on a whim and it had been a blast. Everyone looked at her the way they would at movie star. The best part was how warm the woolen dress actually was. Abby was truly having a wonderful time.

  There was a young man sitting at a table selling books, and he was on her way so she stopped to chat. The flowers on the cover caught her attention as did the young man. She noticed that he hadn’t glanced at her hardly at all. A short chat and a mild attempt at a flirtation later Abby was convinced he was gay, but now she was thoroughly intrigued by the book.

  The photographs were spectacular and they all were of familiar blossoms. She glanced through a few of the short poetic descriptions the author had made of how she had found and captured each shot. The woman was not a botanist; she was a lover of the outdoors and a photographer. Abby was enchanted and she bought several copies to give as gifts at Christmas.

  The young man said that the artist was a local and that she was trying to pay off her student loans. Abby felt the woman was wasting her time in school, she had already found her calling. Singing softly to Hubby as she drove, Abby headed for home well pleased with her day.

  She drove a little slower on the way home as the storm was picking up a bit, but the new spiked tires sang a welcome tune as they cut through the snow and gripped the road firmly. It was well after dark when she finally arrived at the door, and it took her several trips to carry everything into the kitchen for sorting. First the groceries had to be put away then the gifts separated from the decorations. Abby had packed the poor car so full there had barely been enough room for her and the dog.

  Once the perishables had been stored away, Abby changed into her sweats and engaged Hubby in a game of tug-o-war and chase. Only after she collapsed from exhaustion into a living room chair did the big dog relent and flop down to sleep. Abby affectionately patted his side and smiled. “I’m really sorry that today wasn’t much fun for you big man,” she whispered softly. “Tomorrow will be better; we’ll pull on hiking boots and take a long walk along the beach. I will pay better attention to my man’s needs from now on, I promise.”

  With a sigh Abby heaved herself from the chair and returned to the kitchen. Hubby raised his head, then slowly got to his feet and followed. Flopping down on one of her old sweaters that served as a day bed for him, the big dog was instantly asleep again. “Man I wish I could do that,” she grinned as she continued to organize her new decorations.

  For the next several days Abby concentrated on decorating her home. Henry and Alfred were pressed into service to put up all the outside lights. Hubby and Keith carefully supervised their work as they moved the ladder around the house. The next day Keith arrived with a tall tree for her. “There’s no need to buy one in town Abby,” he smiled. “There’s plenty growing along the power lines and they will just be cut down or sprayed in the spring anyway.” Abby thanked him with tea and a huge plate of short bread cookies.

  It took her all the next day to get the tree set up and decorated, but she did it all by herself. Smiling with pride and delight she called Wanda and Keith to come over and inspect her work. She took pictures of them and Hubby by the tree, then they took turns having pictures with Abby and then Keith took several of Abby and Hubby by the tree. Abby drove back into the city the next day and had them developed. She also had Christmas cards printed from one of the pictures. Proudly she showed them off to Edna over dinner.

  A few days later Abby had gotten her cards ready to go as well as her packages. She mailed them off and was told that she had just made it in under the wire on the ones going to the USA. Later that evening she was sitting by the fire, leafing through her copy of the book she had bought from the young man at the grocery store.

  “Oh my god, it’s you,” she gasped as she found a small insert photo she hadn’t noticed before. It was a picture of the author, Hazel Fillmore. It was also a photo of the dark haired woman she’d seen on the street. “Well now, just where do I find you Hazel Fillmore?” Eventually she gave it up with a sigh. Try as hard as she could there was no contact information to be found. “So how am I supposed to write you a fan letter Hazel?” Later that evening, as she snuggled into bed, Abby got a naughty grin on her face as she called up the image of Hazel Fillmore and let her fingers drive away her blues. This time Hazel followed her into the land of dreams.

  Christmas came and went without any real difficulty at all. Abby spent the entire holiday season visiting first one new friend then another. Billy drove Edna out on Christmas Day and Wanda and Keith came as well. In truth Abby had to admit it was one of the best Christmases she had ever experienced. She actually left the decorations up until the first week of February.

  It was in mid February that the storms began with a vengeance. One after one they came and Abby was virtually trapped in her home. Each time there was even the slightest break, Keith would plow her driveway with his tractor and she would make a quick escape for the mail and a few overpriced groceries at the general store in Pike’s Cove. Even the slightest break was an excuse for her to pull on hiking gear and take Hubby for a long walk along the beach. She was resorting the medication far more frequently now than she would like, but there was no other way. Suicide was no longer an option; she had sworn to care for Hubby, and as long as the dog was alive she had to live up to that promise.

  By mid March she was nearly driven mad by the confinement. Abby had taught herself to play the piano somewhat, knit several sweaters, read half her library, and spent countless hours on the internet. Finally there was a small break in the weather and she escaped to the city for two days. She shopped, had her hair and nails done, visited with several friends, spent the night at Edna’s, stocked up on groceries, and made it nearly back as far as Pike’s Cove before the worst storm of the winter hit.

  Abby cursed and swore like a mad woman as she crawled along the road, fierce blue eyes trying desperately to pierce the swirling gloom. Several times she encountered white outs and had to stop until she got another glimpse of the road. Thank the gods for those spiked tires. Abby was plowing through deep drifts of snow by the time she reached home, but she got there safe and sound.

  The wind howled and shrieked as she and Hubby fought their way the few short steps from the car to the house. With a loud bang the door slammed behind her as she entered the warmth of her own kitchen. “Care for some tea?” asked Keith as Hubby shook the snow from his back all over the floor.

  “Love some,” replied Abby as she struggled out of her coat. “What the heck are you doing over here on a day like today Keith? Why aren’t you all snuggled down with your lovely wife and her cats?”

  “Because she drove me out to make tea for you,” he laughed easily. “Edna called as soon as you left, and when you hadn’t made it home before the storm hit we got a bit worried. I called the folks at the store and they were watching for you. As soon as they called back and said you were on the way, I came over to make the tea.”

  “My hero,” sighed Abby as she sank into a chair and took a sip of tea. “Keith, without you and Wanda for neighbors I would never have survived the winter, that is, assuming I do.”

 
“Don’t give up now Abby, we’re almost there. By mid April most of the storms will have settled down and by mid May much of the snow will be gone.”

  “And then comes spring, blessed spring,” sighed Abby.

  “You should have flown out to California or somewhere for a few months Abby,” he grinned as he poured himself another mug.

  “I used to live there Keith,” she replied softly, a puzzled look on her face. “Didn’t Wanda tell you?”

  “No Abby, she said that you had shared some of your story with her, but that’s all.”

  “I didn’t expect her to keep it from you Keith.” She went on to tell him the whole story.

  “Son of a bitch,” he breathed softly. “Some folk have very small and twisted souls Abby. Please don’t judge all men by the likes of those two.”

  “I don’t,” she smiled. “Between Harry, you, and Billy Parsons, I have a few good men on my Christmas list.”

  “Abby, I’m sorry to have brought that back to you on a day like this.”

  “No sweat neighbor. Every blizzard I live through takes that several more years back into the past. By June it will be as though it actually happened to someone else.”

  “If there is anything I can do…”

  “Help me get the groceries out of the car?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him and looking as cute as possible.

  “I had to ask,” he grinned. “Ok, there’s a trick to it. I’ll get the groceries and you work the kitchen door. I can carry twice as much if I don’t have to worry about working the doorknob.”

  “I’ll help,” said Abby, reaching for her coat.

  “It’ll be more help if you work the door,” repeated Keith as he pulled on his boots. In far less time that Abby would have believed, Keith had the car emptied and was on his way home with her thanks and blessings ringing in his ears. Abby put away the groceries, tucked away her purchases then promptly sank into a blinding depression, watching from her chair as the storm raged outside. Fortunately she had picked up a refill of her happy pill prescription.