Fantasy House

by Ruth Hay

  Chapter 18

  By the end of summer, the inhabitants of Harmony House had settled into their own routines and established ways of communicating whenever necessary. The weekly meeting over Sunday dinner continued and there was usually an agenda supplied by Hilary to notify everyone about matters to do with the running of the house. She was concerned about electricity and water use but the house was set in such a way that a through breeze would cool the building on the hottest days of summer, while the porch shielded the lower main floor’s windows from the worst of the heat. Mavis had set up an outdoor clothes rack to the right of the stone patio and handy for the laundry machines. She checked first to see if Louise Ridley could spot it from her bedroom windows next door and when she was satisfied about that she demonstrated how fresh her bedsheets smelled when dried in the open air and gained several converts to solar-powered drying.

  All in all, Hilary was discovering that Harmony House was not exorbitantly expensive to operate. Its construction was sound and the insulation well above par. She ceased worrying about monthly expenses round about August when each of the house members contributed her portion on time.

  * * *

  Honor initially feared she could not manage to cover both her own and Faith’s expenses. She was well aware that Faith was not a full member of the co-housing venture and was occupying a space for which she was not eligible. None of the partners had objected to Faith, to Honor’s surprise. They would have been within their rights if they had done so. She searched for, and found, two more business companies that needed her services in the hopes she could afford to contribute something on Faith’s behalf.

  This situation changed for the better when the meeting was held in the Social Services building downtown at the beginning of August. Mavis had a contact with the Director of Welfare and Community Assistance and he was good enough to set up a conference at which all parties were in attendance.

  “I have your Nova Scotia reports here as well as results from the head of summer school at Saunders.

  Faith Jeffries, I am pleased to see how well you are coping with what has been a huge change in your living situation. How do you feel about continuing at Harmony House under the guardianship of your Aunt, Honor Pace?”

  Faith cleared her throat. She still suffered from flashbacks at any official enquiry into her wellbeing. Previous meetings of this type had never gone well. She glanced at her aunt and received a reassuring nod, but she lingered longer on Hilary Dempster’s face. Her current success was due to the time and effort this woman had given freely to Faith by driving her every day to and from school, encouraging her whenever she felt overwhelmed and actively helping her with homework assignments. Hilary’s constant support had made it possible for her to keep trying long after her own resources were depleted. She had learned so much over the summer and a lot of that learning was separate from what came from classes.

  Finally, she looked over to the Director with a confidence, hard won, but stronger because of the struggle.

  “Sir, if they will have me, I will do my best to be worthy of their confidence.”

  There was a sigh of relief from Mavis and Hilary and tears started up in Honor’s eyes. She was so very proud of her niece. Despite a heavy workload of studies, she had fulfilled her promise of helping Eve keep the grocery costs down and she had even found a babysitting job with a family on the crescent who had a new baby and needed someone young to amuse an older child.

  Not only Faith’s attitude had changed. The green-tipped hair was cut short and she dressed like a fashionable young teen with assistance from a pair of clever girlfriends (who knew Faith as J.J.) whom she met while in summer school.

  There was still work to be done on her housekeeping standards, but that was a minor concern compared to everything the girl had accomplished in a few months at Harmony House. Honor was convinced it was the atmosphere of hope and encouragement in the very air that kept Faith on target. She knew that same atmosphere had given her a new lease on life. She was grateful every day that she had found these women and been accepted into their home.

  The result of this meeting was a generous payment for the support of minor child, Faith Joan Jeffries, while she remained under her aunt’s care and in school full time.

  Honor knew there was a long way to go before Faith would be independent. As yet, they had merely brushed the surface of the damage done by her mother’s lifestyle. It weighed on Honor’s mind, but the girl had much to cope with at the moment and she hoped time would bring that difficult discussion and all its implications for both of them, to the fore, in a natural way in which healing could be accomplished.

  * * *

  Mavis had watched from the sidelines as her friend Hilary shouldered the responsibility for Faith’s success at school. They had many discussions over tea in the tower rooms about this first essential step on the way to a better life for the girl.

  “I feel as if I am here, now, as part of some cosmic plan to rescue this child. Honestly, Mavis, I would not say this to anyone other than you, but it is a great satisfaction to me to round out my career by returning to the one-on-one tutoring I am doing with Faith. Yes, running a whole school is perhaps a bigger challenge, but that is not why I entered teaching. I wanted to help children, first and foremost.

  In the endless politics and negotiation of an administrative position that original desire often seems lost. I have been granted this last chance to return to my root purpose and I must say I am relishing the opportunity.”

  “You are the only person I know who could be happy about the amount of time and energy you are devoting to this project, Hilary. You deserve a medal. I am sure you will get your reward in heaven, as my dear mother used to say.”

  “I don’t know about that! I am aiming to set Faith on the right road in the firm belief that when she understands the advantages of an education, she will take the reins into her own hands and forge ahead.”

  “So you believe she has the capability?”

  “I am sure she has the intelligence. The problem will be keeping her intelligence geared toward good purposes rather than some of the bad habits she learned from her mother.”

  “Ah! Honor confided in me about the perilous life they were leading in Nova Scotia. The fear of discovery must have been sapping the girl’s energies every day. During the time her mother was close to death in the hospital, no one knew she was living and scrounging on her own. Did you know she ate leftovers off hospital trays?”

  “I did not, but it demonstrates her determination to survive and that will stand her in good stead.”

  Mavis admired Hilary so much but every now and then she felt obliged to bring her focus back to her own family concerns rather than those of others. Their private conversation was going well so she decided to take a chance.

  “Hilary, I need to ask you about Desmond. You haven’t mentioned him for some time now. How is he doing? He did depart from here in something of rush.”

  They exchanged a knowing chuckle. Desmond’s sudden departure was the source of some relief in the difficult circumstances of Faith’s unexpected arrival.

  “He has been in touch, Mavis. I am pleased to say he is making much-needed changes. It seems he contacted two old school friends who have started a business here in London. The men have gone through the downsizing experience recently and they are online in an advisory capacity to give help to others in the same situation. Desmond is in discussions with them to extend their business to conferences and to provide live presentations in which he would take a role. I believe he has sold his Toronto apartment and is living more economically.

  In case you are wondering, he has not requested further funds from me.”

  “I am very glad to hear that, Hilary. Now shall we have another cup before I return to the garden?”

  * * *

  The garden at Harmony House developed all summer into a beautiful tribute to Mavis’s green fingers.

  Gerbera daisies were a splash of bright col
our everywhere and the trellis styles she erected drew the eye to the dark background of the woods at the rear and the colourful effects of clematis and climbing roses. It was her joy to spend the early hours of the day in tending this splendour accompanied by the faithful Marble who now had the run of garden and house and who knew the routine of Vilma’s dogs and always kept out of their way.

  Mavis ventured into the woods from time to time. She observed the native plants that grew in abundance in sheltered dells. She planned to extend her garden next spring, by importing intact clumps of the most spectacular plants to a new area closer to the house where they should do well when she reproduced their usual conditions. It was a type of experiment in which she was interested. Bees and butterflies loved native species and would be sure to benefit the future line of fruit trees she wanted to install on the side lawn between the house and the garages.

  She missed her piano but had discussed access with Faith who was willing to provide visitation rights as long as Mavis did not disturb any of her possessions or report on the condition of her room to anyone else.

  Mavis agreed to this stipulation. Faith was gone most of the day, leaving plenty of opportunity for Marble and Mavis to enjoy the music which was the second love of her life. In return for this privilege, Mavis made it her mission to educate the girl about the classics. She had a large collection of compact disks on the library shelves in her tower room and she made them available to Faith who was astounded that anyone would pay actual money for music that could be downloaded for free.

  “I do not object to funding this kind of music, Faith. When you hear Brahms’ Fourth Symphony resounding through the house you will understand that some music is meant to last through the ages rather than for a few weeks.”

  It was a constant back and forth between them but all in good humour. Mavis gradually wore the girl down enough to attempt to listen to certain things. She liked Elgar’s Nimrod Suite for some reason.

  Mavis was sure she would make inroads in this area when Christmas approached and the season’s inspiring music could be revealed in all its glory. She could bide her time till then. Music appreciation, like gardens, required patience.

  * * *

  Eve Barton found her connection to Faith in food. The girl volunteered to save money on the grocery bills and Eve was glad to relinquish some of her responsibility for shopping to Faith and Hilary.

  Over the months it was clear the girl had a good eye for bargains. She collected the weekly advertising flyers from the doorstep and circled the items she would buy on sale then consulted with Eve to see if she approved. Some changes in menus emerged from this partnership. Certain curry dishes and Mexican flavours were added to the delight of all the housemates for whom the Sunday dinners, in particular, were often a culinary exploration.

  This contact with Faith was important to Eve for another reason. She recognized in the girl a deep well of uncertainty deriving from experiences in her past. It was exactly the same for Eve. Although she had left behind the daily fears of living with an abuser, that fear left an imprint on her mind. It was like a black dot obscuring clear vision that could be ignored for some length of time but which would become intrusive when least expected.

  Eve saw this in Faith. Sometimes the girl was in a dark mood and did not respond. She would cut off conversations and leave the room, making feeble excuses. Once or twice Eve had caught her looking at her aunt as if she resented the fact that Honor’s life had been so easy compared to that of her twin sister. Since she could not claim to have overcome her own fears and inconsistencies, Eve dared not advise Faith about how to proceed toward mental health. She only felt equipped to watch and wait and be ready if needed.

  In the realm of food, however, she devised a plan to assist the girl. She made lunch for her each school day and packed it ready to go in a carrier called a bento box which she read was high fashion among schoolgirls. Not only was this a good way to ensure Faith ate healthily but it became a way for Faith to gather friends and admirers. Every lunch time in the cafeteria at school a crowd would assemble to inspect the day’s offerings. Faith occasionally exchanged items with others who pleaded to be allowed to sample Eve’s creative efforts. Her sushi proved to be very popular after Eve watched a television program giving instructions on how to correctly assemble the fish and rice portions.

  Faith would report back to Eve every day on the popularity of these unusual lunches. She declared they were a highlight of her day at school and brought friends to her sphere in a way she had never before experienced.

  “It’s kinda nice to know other kids talk about me for good reasons instead of because I’ve done something outrageously rude or illegal.”

  Faith’s thanks were all the reward Eve needed. It was little enough to do, compared to the contributions of other housemates at Harmony House. It gave her quiet satisfaction. She knew that some future day Faith would need more from her and she intended to be ready if at all possible. She also knew that to fulfil this wish she must first work on her own recovery. For that, she would look to Mavis, the one person she trusted completely with this matter.

  By the time Fall rolled around, Jannice O’Connor had completed her online course and some of the hands-on training. She was licensed to take on clients under supervision and she did this with good success despite having to take a bus to different locations in the city as required. She made a future plan to learn to drive and Vilma was willing to help with this.

  In the meantime, she often worked evening hours, the least popular with the senior home carers, and so she rarely saw Faith Jeffries. Any spare time she had was devoted to gaining more online qualifications or to catching up with Vilma and the dogs.

  Jannice did not realize it but Faith thought of her as an example to be followed. She knew from her Aunt Honor that Jannice was acquiring a career by using the skills life had taught her. Looking after old and sick clients was second nature to Jannice who had nursed her elderly parents for many years.

  After hearing this, Faith wondered what skills she had acquired along the way and soon dismissed all the illegal ones, leaving not much that was likely to ever earn her any money. She liked bargains but that required working on a very large scale before it could be profitable.

  This realization filtered down and reinforced her desire to do well at school. Of course, at first she was trying to impress Hilary and Honor, but as time went by and she saw how hard Jannice worked, what had begun as determined effort gradually became an automatic response to educational challenges.

  The one thing that might demolish all this forward progress was still lurking in the back of her mind.

  She knew she possessed a mental hair trigger that was fired by a certain type of dismissive comment. This reaction had caused a great deal of trouble in the past. Offhand remarks about her ‘slut of a mother’ or snide comments about her own appearance, made in the hallways at school so that she could hear them, caused a red rage to flood her brain and sometimes she did not know what she had actually done to the perpetrators until the mist cleared and she returned to see the undeniable damage before her.

  So far, nothing of this kind had occurred at Saunders Secondary, mostly because no one there knew her background and also because she now had a group of pals, the friends of J.J. as they called themselves.

  They were Jolene and Jessica and Jarvis and they looked out for each other in the dangerous first year of secondary school that was grade nine.

  Inside her head, Faith added Jannice to this elite group. Her inclusion had nothing to do with school. It was a little private thing she liked to have. Perhaps, some fine day, Jannice would become a real, older friend instead of an imaginary one.

  * * *

  Hilary and Faith set off for school so early in the morning that Vilma was the only one to see them go.

  She knew it was important to maintain a regular routine for the dogs so she waved goodbye to the two and rarely saw Faith other than at Sunday dinner. Even then, Faith somet
imes preferred a tray in her room when she had homework to complete.

  On these occasions, the topic of Faith’s progress was dissected at length so Vilma knew about her efforts and grudgingly admired her fortitude. Personally speaking, Vilma Smith would not like to be the one to disappoint Hilary Dempster. That lady was a force to be reckoned with. From the first moment when they had played a board game together in the Camden Corners house, Vilma had known the mental strength of her opponent. Hilary was the guiding hand behind the co-housing project and it was to her they all owed Harmony House’s present success.

  Nonetheless, Hilary had an Achilles’ heel. Having encountered her son Desmond, Vilma knew a mother, even one as accomplished as Hilary, could not always wield power over her own child, no matter how proficient she was in other fields.

  This made Vilma Smith feel a little better about her own failures with her stepchildren. Had one of them, God forbid!, turned up on the doorstep of Harmony House, Vilma could never have devoted time and effort to their rescue the way Hilary had done. In fact, she had to acknowledge, most of the housemates were cooperating with this Faith project. It might even be said Faith had drawn all of them together in a remarkable way.

  Vilma excluded herself from this helpful group. She remained cautious about the young teen. If time allowed she might get closer, but for now she had other responsibilities. Astrid and Oscar were much more predictable and reliable than any teenager she had ever known.

  Chapter 19

  Andy Patterson’s Fall gardening work was drawing to a close with the end of the growth season, and he dreaded it.

  In a good year, the leaves fell steadily right into late November and he could spin out the work until his winter snow removal jobs took over. This year, however, brought high winds in October and on one very cold night fifty percent of London’s leaves fell suddenly. The rest were soon to follow.