The Liberation of Ravenna Morton

by Suzanne Jenkins

  “Like Rumpelstiltskin?” Esme asked, incredulous.

  “Exactly! I can hardly wait. I’m going to make baskets with Ravenna and spin my own yarn. Just a few more months.”

  “You’re so young to retire. I’m jealous.”

  “I’ve really stretched out this extra year,” she said. “I’m almost over the hill. But I don’t care, because I want to craft!”

  “Now that is something I think I could really get my teeth into,” Esme said. “And I never thought I’d be interested!”

  “How long will you be here? We can do it together.”

  “I was just telling Ravenna that I think I’m going to stay. My father is coming Tuesday. Right now I’m just taking it day by day.”

  “I’m so sorry about your mother,” Stephanie said, adding softly, “That must have been so hard. It was not pretty around here for a while.” She nodded her head toward Ravenna, who was looking through her wild rice stash.

  “We didn’t know about Ravenna,” Esme said. “You know that, right? We didn’t learn about all of this until a few weeks before my mother died. Now I sort of feel like the family thinks I’m an opportunist, coming to see what I can steal away.”

  Stephanie didn’t argue with her. “Look, you’ll have to find your own way through this family. I still don’t feel like the sisters are too happy about me. Don’t let anyone scare you away, though, my husband in particular. He can be rather opinionated.”

  “Who, Wally?” Ravenna returned with a mason jar full of wild rice.

  “Yes,” Stephanie answered shortly. “He admits he was rude to Esme. He’ll apologize the next time they get together. I’m thinking it will probably be today, don’t you think, nimaamaa?”

  “Maybe. It is Saturday already, isn’t it?”

  “Well, anyway, I’m off to bake! Thank you,” she said, leaning in to give Ravenna an unsolicited kiss. “Esme, I’m looking forward to crafting with you soon.”

  They said good-bye, and Ravenna walked her to the door.

  “Sweet girl,” she said unenthusiastically closing the door after her. Esme thought it must be the same in every family; outsiders would always be outside.

  “Yes, I like her very much,” Esme answered. “But as much as I’d like to think I could craft all day, if I stay here, I’m going to have to get a job.”

  “Ugh,” Ravenna said, and Esme nodded her head in agreement.

  “Ugh is right.”

  Wally came down to the kitchen with his tablet in his hand and his phone up to his ear. Stephanie looked at him and frowned; she hated the phone on the weekends, and was about to motion to him to hang up when he said good-bye to the caller.

  “Well, we’re fucked.”

  She stopped kneading. “Don’t say that. You’re scaring me. What’s wrong now?”

  “My father had some kind of episode today, and now he’s at Dexter’s, painting in the living room.”

  “Say what? There’s no way in hell Faye Morton would allow Mike to set up an easel in her living room with its stupid white carpeting. Maybe he meant he was painting the walls.”

  She went back to kneading with vigor while Wally laughed. This bread was not a quick bread by any stretch of the imagination.

  He plunked down on a bar stool, watching his wife. “This family is going to hell.”

  Stephanie groaned. “Oh, come on, Wally. He’s over there painting, not divorcing your mother.”

  “They’re not married in the first place, remember?”

  “You better get over there and tell her about Mike. That’s not fair that everyone knows but the girlfriend, or whatever you’re calling your mother these days.”

  “They’re companions.”

  “Oh, bullshit, Wally! You don’t have six kids with a companion. You don’t spend every night with a companion or walk sixteen miles round trip each day for a companion. You better find another word.”

  He stood up and went to her, kissing the top of her head. “Calm down, will you? Do you think I should go tell Ravenna?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  He didn’t say more, walked to the mudroom, put his parka and boots on and left without saying good-bye.

  Chapter 22

  While April prepared to go to her mother’s, Ted begged off, saying he had some work he wanted to do so they could spend some time together later. She drove down Wiley Road, imagining her father trudging along at dawn in a dark overcoat, a prime target for anyone up to no good, or a careless driver with bad eyesight. Parking the car, she saw she was the first one there. Hopefully, Esme had come with the package from George Patos. Who knew what the day was going to bring? She’d have to improvise, making the decision to confront her mother or not. She’d wait until she read all the documents.

  “Hoot!” she called.

  Ravenna was waiting at the door for her, smiling. All was well, so far.

  “Nimaamaa, what’s going on today?”

  “Esme is here,” she answered, standing aside so April could pass by, but before she could close the door, another hoot sounded. It was Walter.

  Fuck, April thought. This was not going to be easy to navigate.

  “Walter,” Ravenna said, asking him in Ojibwe if bread-making was going on at his house.

  “She’s kneading,” he answered. “Nimaamaa, I need to talk to you about Daddy. Make me some coffee, please.”

  April scowled at him, and he leaned in to whisper, “I’m going to tell her about the incident. Let her get busy ’cause I’m not making a big production about it.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” Ravenna asked, going to the grinder again.

  “He had to call Dexter to pick him up this morning.”

  He and April went into the details they had, reading her the group text message, filling her in about Michael coming to do an examination.

  Ravenna nodded her head, speaking matter-of-factly in her nasal voice, in English, for Esme’s sake. “Oh, right. He was worried he might have to do it today. You children have to start bringing him back and forth, please. He’s getting too old to be taking that hike twice a day.” Then it must have registered that Mike had called Dexter. Not meaning to be disrespectful, she tried to have reverence when she spoke, but it was hopeless. “Why did he call Dexter? I don’t see Faye Morton being too excited about that!”

  “Mother, why the hell didn’t you tell someone about your conversation this morning? I could have come over with the car instead of him risking his life. Why didn’t you say anything to Stephanie?”

  Ravenna wasn’t pleased that he swore at her and addressed that first. “It is a sad day that my own baby bear speaks to me with such disrespect.”

  He grabbed her in a bear hug. “Forgive me, nimaamaa. But why in the heck didn’t you have him come to my house first?”

  “I knew he’d be okay, that’s why. And I forgot to tell Stephanie because I forgot about it. Evidently, it had already happened. What I want to know is how is Faye doing?” Ravenna sat down in the chair and hit her knee with the palm of her hand. “Oh my! I wish I was a fly on the wall at Dexter’s house.”

  “We’ll find out soon, because everyone is coming here this afternoon, even Ozzy and the kids. Even Faye,” April said.

  Esme had a momentary rush of fear, worried it would be a repeat of the last family gathering.

  Wally turned to Esme, as though reading her mind. “By the way, Esme, it reminds me of what a jerk I was. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for the awful way I acted on Thursday afternoon. Please forgive me.” He held out his hand for her, and she took it.

  “Okay, apology accepted.” So that was that.

  Now the big dilemma was Wiley coming to get her at four and not wanting to miss any family drama. But she didn’t know how much effort he’d put into planning for their date.

  “Shouldn’t I leave before everyone gets here?”

  “No, don’t go,” April said. “You should get the full family experience.” She leaned over while Wally was busy talking a
bout Mike. “Where’s the stuff?”

  Esme pointed to the bundle under the bench, and April nodded.

  “I have a date with Wiley this afternoon,” Esme whispered, and April gave her a wide-eyed but approving look.

  Ravenna got up to prepare food for later; it looked like her brood was going to be there to cross-examine Mike for his irresponsible trek this morning. Next to arrive was Ozzy and his family. The children stayed outside to hunt for treasures as they’d watched their grandmother do, so that left the adults. Every time someone new came in, they’d repeat the story. Wally was still going on about it.

  “Imagine having a son who lives five hundred yards away and not asking him for help.”

  “Wally, give it a rest, will you?” April said.

  “I can’t. What if he’d fallen over or tumbled down the embankment?”

  New voices talking to the children sounded. Mike had arrived with Dexter and Faye. Everyone perked right up, including Esme. Who is the ominous Faye? she wondered.

  But as she entered the house, Esme could see that she was a very nice-looking fiend. Petite and smiling, she had a bundle of foil-wrapped packages, and while the others huddled and admonished Mike, who Esme didn’t think looked any worse for the wear, Faye explained to Ravenna what she had.

  “Our neighbors hunt, right? This stuff is venison. He just brought it over.”

  Ravenna took it from her like it was gold. “I was just wondering what I’d serve everyone this afternoon, and now we know. I made wild rice yesterday.”

  Esme thought maybe she’d become a vegetarian. Deer meat was not exciting her.

  Faye turned to her and smiled. “You must be Esme,” she said. “I can tell by the look on your face that you might be eating peanut butter and jelly with me for dinner tonight.”

  “Am I that obvious? I better try to work on my poker face again.”

  “April won’t eat it either, or Michael,” Ravenna said.

  Next to arrive was Michael and Lily. It was clear by their body language and their slightly wet hair that they’d spent some time in bed that morning, most likely with each other. Michael was all about possession, his arm around her waist, pulling her into a full frontal hug every so often. The rest of the family couldn’t take their eyes off the couple, and Esme would later learn it was the first time Michael ever brought a woman to the cabin.

  Finally, Regina arrived alone. “Where’s Gloria?” Wally asked.

  “The same place Ted and Stephanie are. Home, where they belong. Let’s get this moving, shall we? I want to spend some time with her today.”

  “Relax, Gina. Everything will be fine.”

  But it wasn’t fine with her. She called out, her voice loud enough to be heard over the cacophony of voices. “I don’t have all day to chitchat,” she said. “Dad, it’s clear you can’t hike to the cabin anymore. What are we going to do about it? It’s a little late for him to be getting a license.”

  “I’m going to drive him,” Dexter said, the others laughing at Regina’s observation. “Faye and me. It’s already resolved. If we’re in a bind, we might call on one of you to fill in, but otherwise, we’re comfortable in making the commitment. And he’s going to stay with us. The apartment is too drafty, and the stairs will be too treacherous once the snow starts.”

  “Are you okay with this, Dad?” Regina asked.

  Esme was confused. Why wasn’t it an option for him to stay in the cabin with Ravenna? Why this back and forth stuff? But she didn’t feel like her opinion would be appreciated, not now or ever.

  “I’m fine with it,” Mike said, taking a passive role. “What’s not to like? After being on the river for forty years, I get to end my days on the lake.”

  “Let’s not get carried away,” Regina said, frowning. “Okay, now about a phone. I called, and they will install a landline here next week.”

  “I’m getting another solar panel, too,” Mike said.

  “Well, unless Ravenna has anything to argue about, I guess that’s about it!” Regina was still standing, so she looked around at everyone and turned to walk out.

  “Wait! I want you to meet Lily,” Michael said.

  It stopped her in her tracks; Michael never asked for anything and rarely spoke when they were together. It must be important.

  “Lily Baker, my family.”

  She stepped forward to shake Regina’s hand, and Michael introduced everyone by name. Esme thought Lily was perfect for Michael. They were both beautiful people, fit and attractive. She found herself wondering about their relationship.

  “How long have you been dating?” Esme tried not to smirk; this was Regina again.

  “Not long, but we’ve been friends for ten years,” Michael said. “Lily’s a nurse, too.”

  Everyone murmured, “Oh.”

  “Well, welcome to the cabin,” Regina said. “Have a good afternoon, everyone.” She kissed her father on the cheek, gave Ravenna the accepted one-arm hug, and walked out. Esme could hear her car start up and peel away. She wondered if anyone else heard. It would seem Regina was angry again.

  The conversation swirled around her, and finally, blessedly, she could hear Wiley’s boat motor and the yelling excitement of the children. Trying to get up from the table without calling too much attention to herself, Ravenna heard the motor too and had gone to the door to see who it was.

  “Miss Morton, I’ve come for Esme,” he said, looking up and catching her eye.

  Esme had an incredible sense of relief. He arrived when he said he would, and she didn’t feel as though her presence was necessary for the afternoon at the cabin to move on. She bent down to give April a peck on the cheek. “Don’t forget the bundle.”

  “I won’t,” she promised.

  Wiley was waiting on the slate under the tin overhang, and he offered her his arm. She was happy to take it. “I guess when my dad gets here, I better shop for some real boots and a winter coat.”

  “I can take you if you’d like.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “Men hate to shop,” she said, and he laughed.

  “Well, that depends. I might like helping you pick out the right winter gear for the boat, now that you’re staying and everything.” He looked down at her and smiled as he reached over to start the boat. It was a small boat with a cuddy cabin, a heater, and she noticed, a portable toilet.

  The boat had a deeper draft than the little one she was used to riding in, and he had to navigate with caution. “There’s a remnant of a channel here, so I have to be careful to keep an eye on the depth gauge. An alarm would ring if it was too shallow, and he made adjustments until they got into the river proper. They sat side by side in silence, taking in the passing view. With the leaves almost completely bare, the houses on the hillside were more visible.

  “I’d love to have a place up on that cliff,” she said, pointing.

  “Me, too. Look ahead; you can see the inlet to the lake.”

  Esme looked, and it was a breathtaking view, an ocean-sized vista, desolate, with not another boat in sight.

  He drove out a distance from the beach and put the anchor down. “It gets so deep out there I don’t have enough anchor chain. This is about as far as we’ll go.”

  “It’s fine here.” She was relaxed, warm and cozy. Sunset was in thirty minutes. “I can see why you like the boat.”

  “I do like it,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind living aboard one of those big luxury yachts. In the winter, you’d have to take it to Florida, though, and I’m not crazy about the ocean. I like my water bodies manageable.” He twisted around and pulled a thermos out of a canvas bag.

  “Tea,” he said. “The reason for the potty.”

  She laughed, embarrassed. “I think I’ll be okay.”

  He pulled mugs out of the bag and poured tea. He had a small container of cookies, too, in a cardboard box from the coffee shop on Hoffman.

  The sky was a little overcast. “We might not see the sunset,” she said.

  “Actually the
clouds will make it better,” Wiley explained. “The light will have something to reflect on. I could be wrong, but I bet it’ll be a good one.”

  He was right. The colors flashed across the sky, purples, oranges and yellows, becoming more intense as the sun dropped further below the horizon, and the final glory of pinks and reds from as far north to as far south as they could see. He poured the rest of the tea in the mugs, and they clicked, toasting.

  “Let’s head back before it gets too dark. No moon tonight.” Unlike the trip out, they chattered nonstop. She learned Wiley’s history, about his family, with a few secrets tossed in, she supposed to balance out what he knew about her. He slowed down; they were entering the no-wake zone around the docks.

  Esme saw her first, what she thought was a burlap bag on the bench outside of the bait shop, but as they got closer and he pulled the boat up to the dock, she could see that it was Rhonda, waiting with a blanket wrapped around her. They’d turned the interior lights off, so she wasn’t sure Rhonda could see her sitting next to Wiley.

  “Uh-oh,” Esme said, uncomfortable. It would definitely be interesting to see how Wiley was going to handle the situation.

  “Yes,” he said shortly. “This is weird.” He stopped the motor and pulled the key out of the ignition. “Stay here until I get tied up.”

  She watched how gracefully he leapt out of the boat onto the dock as Rhonda stood up and started walking toward him. Nonsensically, Esme was suddenly frightened. What if she had a gun and was coming to shoot Wiley. She’d duck down until the coast was clear. Getting her phone out, just in case, she strained to hear what they were saying to each other, and putting the words together, it appeared Rhonda was hoping to make a booty call.

  “What’s up, Rhonda?” he called, wrapping the ropes around the pilings.

  “Do you want to hang out this weekend?” she asked. “I’m off the desk until Monday.”

  Esme wondered if she hadn’t been there in the cabin, would Wiley have taken her up on it?

  He jumped back down into the boat and opened up the cabin. “Time for the reveal,” he whispered, and Esme frowned, not happy. “Rhonda,” he called, “you met Esme, correct?”