by Lesley Crewe
“Wow. Remind me not to get nominated.”
Ava took another sip of coffee. “I’m sure it’s wonderful if your family is with you and you don’t find out your mother has cancer on the same night. I have a pretty skewered take on it.”
“You found out that night?”
“Rose had to call me. They kept it a secret from me for three weeks because my mother didn’t want to ‘ruin’ it for me. Can you imagine? I was so upset when I found that out.”
Seamus shook his head. “You know mothers. They protect their kids at all costs.”
“But I hadn’t seen my mother in ten years. Three weeks is a long time to lose when you don’t have much time left.”
“Ten years is a long time.”
“So what do you do now, Seamus?”
He blinked at the rapid change of subject but followed her cue. “I’m a police officer.”
“Wow. I never would have guessed that.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. You planned on going to university.”
“My plans changed that summer.”
A dreadfully awkward silence ensued.
“This isn’t going to work,” Ava sighed. “Our conversations are filled with landmines at every turn. Maybe we should quit trying.”
“No. Please. That was stupid of me. I should’ve said that I liked the idea of helping the community and it was a great excuse to go live in P.E.I. for a while and get away from my dad.”
Ava took another sip of her coffee. “Tell me about your children.”
It got easier after that. Ava found out that Jack loved dinosaurs and hated vegetables and his favourite thing was to go fishing with his dad. Sarah loved everything except going to bed and her vocabulary was limited yet to only a few words. Seamus told her about his niece and nephew and about his cat, Dexter. Dexter thought he was a dog and liked to go for walks with Seamus along the beach.
Then, their coffee was finished.
“I guess I shouldn’t keep you any longer,” Seamus said.
“That’s okay. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to do what I have to do.”
Looking at his list, Seamus grinned. “I may be here till this place closes. I’m hopeless at this sort of thing. I get confused at the sizes. But Colleen believes in tough love. She says they’re my kids and my responsibility. It would take her ten minutes to do this, but she won’t.”
“She’s right. She’s trying to make you self-sufficient. What if she ever moved away?”
“My kids would be naked.”
Ava laughed. “I know! Why don’t I help you? I don’t have kids, but I do have a lot of nieces and nephews and I’ve shopped for their gifts every birthday and Christmas. We won’t tell Colleen and she’ll think you’re a genius.”
“Okay. Why not? Lead on.”
They spent a good hour rooting through the children’s sections at various stores. She explained the sizes to him and any time he picked up anything just because it was the right size, she tried to steer him to more suitable choices. She said she doubted Sarah would want to wear robot pajamas and maybe she’d like Dora the Explorer instead. When Ava spotted new bathing suits for both of the kids, Seamus turned to the pile in his cart. “I think I’m at my limit. Summer’s not here for a couple of months.”
She put her hand on her hip. “Spoken like a typical man. By the time you come back here in two months everything will be picked over.”
“Well…”
“Oh Seamus, let me buy them. Please? It would give me such pleasure.”
“You don’t—”
“I know I don’t have to, but I’d love to.”
He smiled at her. “All right then. Have it your way.”
Ava was positively giddy taking the bathing suits to the check-out. When the girl ran them through, she tucked them into Seamus’s shopping cart. “There. Colleen will thank you.”
“I thank you. It’s been a wonderful afternoon.”
They stood by the door to the parking lot, out of the way of the shoppers coming in and going out.
“It has been wonderful. I’ll never forget it.”
Seamus looked around and then leaned in closer. “Look, Libby, is there any way we can get together and be alone?”
She bit her bottom lip before saying, “Do you think that’s wise?”
“What’s to stop us? Our past? The past is over. We should be able to be friends and enjoy each other’s company. I miss talking to a woman.”
“I’d like that. But where?”
“Why don’t we meet at Gooseberry Cove? Just name the day.”
“Friday. I’ll meet you Friday at six.”
“Six it is.”
“Goodbye, Seamus.”
“Bye, Libby.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. And then he was gone.
It was only when she got home that she realized she forgot to buy anything for herself.
It was a long week waiting for Friday to come. Ava tried to keep busy. The house was spotless and she spent a great deal of time with her mother, telling her stories about her travels all over the world or reading to her for hours at a time. Often her mother slept while she read, but Ava hoped that the sound of her voice would bring her mother comfort.
One day her mother grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Thank you, Libby. Thank you for being so kind to me.”
Ava closed her eyes and tried not to let guilt overwhelm her. She knew she’d stayed away too long and she’d give anything to get that time back again. At least it did her heart good to know that Aunt Vi and Uncle Angus were feeling better. She took them to the doctor, who was pleased with their progress. They were still sore, of course, and moved slowly, but their good spirits had returned. Aunt Vi even insisted on making bread pudding one day, saying if she didn’t bake something soon, she’d forget how.
Finally Friday came and Ava spent the day puttering and humming to herself. That is until her agent Trent called with some bogus excuse to reel off more projects that might be coming her way—if only she’d come home sooner rather than later. She was polite but firm, and Trent was thwarted yet again. She had to give him points for trying, though. And then something happened that she never saw coming.
There was a knock at the back door.
“Someone get that!” Uncle Angus hollered. “And if it’s Boots Boutlier, tell him to get the jesus in here. I’m bored outta me gourd.”
“Okay!” Ava shouted back. She was in the pantry rolling out cookie dough. She wiped her floury hands on her apron and walked to the back porch. Who was standing on the outside steps but Hayden. Ava was dumbfounded. She could have kicked him.
He waved at her. “Darling, aren’t you going to let me in?”
She stormed over and opened door. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“Enlarging my fan base.” He waved to Thelma Steele and Geranium and the half-dozen other women running toward the house. “I best scoot in now, before I’m mauled.” He pushed past her and straight into the kitchen. He looked around. “My, how…country.”
Aunt Vi yelled from the living room. “Who’s at the door?”
“No one!” To Hayden, she whispered, “You have to get out of here.”
“But why? I’ve come to take you and your family out to dinner. I’m sure your sisters will be thrilled.” He shouted out, “Where is this wonderful Aunt Vi I keep hearing about?” He made for the living room before Ava could stop him. Ava heard Aunt Vi shriek, “Mother Mary and all that’s Holy! Are you who I think you are?”
“The very same.”
Ava ran up the stairs and grabbed Lola, who was on her knees scrubbing the bathtub. “You’ll never believe who just showed up.”
“Who?”
“Hayden.”
“Good God. I didn’t think he knew where Canada was.”
“He’s been here before, remember?”
“Oh yeah! Well, that’s typical behaviour. Give him an inch and he takes a mile.”
“He
wants to take us out to dinner. What am I going to do? Oh damn. Today of all days.”
Lola got up and looked out the bathroom window. “His arrival has been noted, I’m afraid. There are two ladies, and I use the term loosely, outside fighting over who gets the milk crate so they can stand on it and peek in the window.”
Ava hopped up and down in frustration. “My sisters will hear about this and dash over here after work, but I can’t go to dinner, I have to meet Seamus.”
“Your very famous boyfriend arrives in town and wants to take the whole clan out for a bang-up meal and you’re not going to be with them? How in God’s name are you going to explain that?”
“I hate him!”
“Who? God?”
“Shut up, Lola.”
Ava ran to the hall table and rooted around in the pile of magazines and found a phone book. She took it to her room and looked up Catalone, but it didn’t seem to be in the phone book—then she remembered to look under Port Morien. She searched through the O’s, and since there weren’t that many, it took only a second to realize his number was unlisted. She had no way of getting in touch with him. She didn’t dare call his family. Why hadn’t she asked him for a phone number? She threw the phone book across the room.
There was nothing she could do but go downstairs. Hayden had Aunt Vi and Uncle Angus enthralled with his tales of Hollywood nightlife. (There was nothing Hayden liked better than a captive audience.)
The phone rang and Ava hoped against hope it was Seamus, but it turned out to be a CBC reporter who wanted to confirm that Hayden Judd was visiting the area and whether it was possible to get an interview. Ava slammed the phone in his ear.
As predicted, the whole clan started arriving one by one, after fighting off the mob outside. Ava had to introduce them one at a time. Hayden was charm personified and everyone thought he was fabulous. Her sisters spent most of their time giggling at him. For her part, Ava wanted to gag.
Hayden told everyone that he’d booked an entire restaurant for them and everyone was invited, children as well. He looked at his watch. “How about we meet in front of Governor’s in an hour. Ava will need at least that long to put on her face. And it’s such a beautiful face.” He pulled her to him and kissed her in front of everyone. The family tittered. It took all her willpower not to kick him in the shin.
Everyone took off in twenty different directions and Hayden dragged her into the seldom-used front hall. He put his arms around her.
“You don’t seem very happy to see me.”
“It’s not that. I don’t like surprises.”
“I’m trying to help; to give your family something to smile about. If it makes them happy just to turn up and take them to dinner, then it’s worth the five-hour flight to get here.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” she sighed.
“Of course I’m right. Now kiss me.”
She gave him a peck.
“Not like that.”
“Hayden, I have to get ready.”
“Kiss me.”
She kissed him and he pulled her in tight. He wouldn’t let her go. He pressed his mouth against hers until it hurt. She struggled against him but he was too strong. Panic welled up inside. That’s when she realized there were people looking in the windows at them. And he knew it. The stupid jerk knew all along.
Since she couldn’t fight him, she went limp instead. He groaned, as if relishing his victory. He took his lips away. “See, baby? You love me.”
She caught him by surprise when she pushed him away. “You can stop acting for your audience now.”
Pretending he didn’t know what she was talking about, he turned to look out the window. “Goodness. All these people.”
“You’re sick.”
He rolled his eyes. “Ava, stop being so touchy. It’s a bit of fun. What better way to brighten up dreary lives than to put on a free show starring two of Hollywood’s finest?”
“You are so full of yourself.”
“Calm down, I’m joking. Ava, please don’t make a big deal out of it. I apologize.”
He looked contrite, but then again, he was a good actor.
“May I go upstairs and get dressed now?”
“Of course.”
She ran up the stairs wanting nothing more than to wash her face, but there was a lineup for the bathroom, what with everyone getting ready for their night out. Lola told them she’d stay with the elders, so they could enjoy themselves. Auntie Vi called her “a little darlin’.” As much as she would’ve liked to have gone, Aunt Vi was content with her private audience earlier. No one wanted her to fall and break her other ankle.
As she waited, Ava saw how much this night out with Hayden meant to them. It made her feel small and foolish. He flew all this way to make her family happy and they were. She had to make this sacrifice. She’d explain it to Seamus. Hopefully he’d understand.
When six o’clock arrived, Ava was in a limo. They went out on the town and everyone had a wonderful time. Hayden was the life of the party and her family was in love with him. They couldn’t believe how thoughtful he was. He’d hired a trio of musicians and he danced with all the ladies and the young girls. The looks on their faces told Ava it was worth it. She was one and they were many. How often did something like this happen to them? When she danced with Hayden herself, everyone clapped.
That night, as they drove home, she genuinely meant it when she thanked him. This time he was sweet, kissing her cheek chastely. “The gig in New York this September will be wonderful. You and I playing lovers. Great typecasting, don’t you think?”
She nodded.
“Take care of yourself. And if you need me for anything, I’ll be back on the next plane. I’m going to miss you, beautiful.”
He held her close and she let him, then he kissed her hand and said goodbye. She got out of the limo and walked into the house. It was midnight.
CHAPTER TEN
He waited until ten.
The day before Seamus had imposed on Colleen yet again, asking her to take the kids for the night. She gave him a bit of a look, but knew better than to ask what he had planned. It was the usual sort of day at work, nothing too exciting happened; near the end of his shift, he caught a drunk driver. Nothing gave him more pleasure than pulling the bastard off the road.
The day done, he hurried home to give the place a quick tidy-up, telling himself she wasn’t going to come back to the house with him, but if she did, he didn’t want to embarrass himself.
After a long hot shower and time spent trying to figure out what to wear, he finally chose a white denim button-down shirt and a pair of jeans. He threw on a brown leather jacket at the last minute and slapped on some of the cologne Colleen gave him for Christmas. Looking at himself in the mirror, he was satisfied. He wanted Libby to know that he’d made an effort.
For the last half hour, Seamus sat in a kitchen chair shaking his leg nervously. When he couldn’t stand it any longer, he hopped in the car. Gooseberry Cove wasn’t far away. He pulled down the narrow rutted road and parked to one side. He got out, locked the doors and walked along the grassy cliffs, looking out over the huge black rocks where waves broke in spectacular fashion, white foam flying into the air.
Seamus loved it here. It was quiet and away from everyday life. The blue sky was full of enormous white clouds and as he sat on one of the grassy knolls, he watched the gulls swirl about in the air. He was lucky enough to spy not one but two eagles, so high up he could hardly make out their white caps. It was a blustery day, but as the minutes passed, the wind died down a little and he didn’t have to squint against the on-shore breeze.
The first hour he waited, he laughed to himself, because the Libby he knew was always late. It was comforting to know she hadn’t changed. They would agree to meet and inevitably he was left to cool his heels. When he first went out with her, he’d panic and think she wasn’t coming, but after a while, he came to know all her excuses. There was a chickadee that followed her and she
didn’t want to leave it. A spider was building a web. There was a rainbow shining in the sky and if she were a rainbow she’d want someone to stop and look at her. The best one was the day she told him she’d found a snake run over by a car and all its babies were drying out in the sun on the hot pavement, so she had to take them to a shady spot, hoping they’d live. She was close to tears when she told him.
The second hour, he was concerned about her. What if someone gave her a hard time about meeting him? He didn’t think she’d tell anyone, but maybe someone found out. Then he wondered if she had an accident. She wasn’t used to these narrow back roads anymore.
The third hour, he worried that he’d pushed her into something she wasn’t ready for. He was an idiot for calling her up while he was drunk. What kind of impression did that make? She was being polite, that was all; didn’t know how to tell him to leave her alone. She always was a big softie.
The fourth hour, when the sun had long since disappeared behind the horizon and the stars came out; he concluded that she didn’t want him. She left him again. How many times did he have to be told? If she wanted him, she’d be here. He looked around the isolated landscape. He was alone. Wasn’t that proof enough?
Seamus was angry by the time he reached home, more at himself than at her. What a complete fool he felt. She was famous. Libby was someone else now. He was her high school boyfriend, a first love hankering after something that wasn’t real. He was in love with a memory—the memory of a girl laughing in the surf on a moonlit night, her hair dancing around her face as a gown of shimmering white flew around her.
Seamus got out of the car and went in the house, throwing his keys on the table. Off came his jacket, tossed over a chair. He went to get a Coke, but grabbed a beer instead, downing it as he stood in the light of the fridge. He tossed the can in the sink and grabbed the rest of the six-pack and took it into the living room with him. He switched on the TV and drank steadily as he flipped through the channels.
The local evening news came on. At the end of it there was a fun story about how famous actor Hayden Judd shocked the residents of Glace Bay by showing up unannounced, to escort his girlfriend, local sweetheart Ava Harris and her family to dinner. A reporter asked a few of the excited citizens on the street if they had a chance to have a quick glance at the handsome leading man.