Matt and Christine walked down Main Street noticing that several of the small shops were closed. With the loss of jobs at the chemical plant, the economy of the town was depressed and several small business owners could not make ends meet. It was very sad. They passed the dry cleaner shop with the closed sign on the door. “The dry cleaner, poor Mr. Watson, got turned down for the environmental business loan, even after the bankers made such a fuss about offering it. It just isn’t fair, Matt.” Christine knew these people personally and she was sorry to see so many of them moving away. Matt held her hand. He knew this was upsetting her.
“Maybe we should just go home.”
“No, I’m fine. I want to walk around town and see the effect this has had. I am going to do an article about it and I need to see for myself.” They walked on. Mr. Oliver was coming toward them with his walker. “Afternoon, Mr. Oliver. How are you doing?”
“Just taking every day as it comes, thank you. I miss my Margaret and now our son is talking about suing the town and the province over this water issue, but who could prove any of it. I just can’t be bothered. I am too old for this and it won’t bring Margaret back.” He walked slowly past, shaking his head.
“That is so sad. Do you think the water had anything to do with Mrs. Oliver’s death?” Matt asked as he watched the old man walk away.
“I don’t know but a lot of people are talking about suing and I heard that a big city lawyer is coming to town next week to put together a class action suit and everyone is joining in. It is terrible to take advantage of people when they are down and everyone is looking for a big payout, but the lawyer is the one that will get rich, because of someone else’s misfortune.”
“Speaking of the big city, has anyone heard from Sarah?” Matt wondered.
“No, not that I know of. Apparently, Dan told Jack that she went to Toronto for some big job with her new beau and that’s all I know.” Christine was curious about Sarah’s sudden disappearance. Matt gestured toward the coffee shop and they made their way inside.
Sarah returned to town a week later. Will had gone back to Brussels and she had accepted the job in Toronto. She was surprised at the changes in Bridgetown in such a short time. Her dry cleaner was closed and her designer skirt nowhere to be found. She wasn’t happy. After trying the street entrance, she moved through the alley. She banged on the back door of the store. A small Chinese man answered the door. “Yes?”
“I’m looking for Mr. Watson, the owner. He has my merchandise and I want it back.”
“So sorry. Mr. Watson gone. No more dry cleaners here. I just clearing out old stock.” He told her in broken English.
“Well you are not clearing out my designer skirt!” She pushed her way passed the surprised man, who followed her into the store. Several bags of dry cleaning hung on the rack and Sarah went straight to it. She started searching for her skirt.
“Please stop. You shouldn’t be in here. Stop!”
“Here it is. Now I will leave.” She turned rudely on her heels and stomped past the befuddled man. He stood in the doorway watching her go.
Next she stopped at the real estate office and listed her house. She wasn’t pleased with the outcome. “I don’t know how much luck you will have now, Sarah. There are more than three dozen houses for sale in Bridgetown right now and the publicity surrounding the water situation is not bringing new buyers.” The realtor was being as honest as she could be.
“I don’t care. List it and here is my new address and phone number. Call me if you get an offer. I want rid of it. If you can’t sell it, then rent it.”
“But your grandmother left you that house. Don’t you think you should reconsider?”
“Excuse me, but I am the client here. Give me the papers and start selling my house.” She signed and left the realtor gaping at her through the window.
“My how she has changed”, the woman said to no one in particular.
Sarah went home and started to pack. She would take all of her clothes and personal belongings with her and have a mover handle the furniture. She had rented a furnished loft in Toronto and didn’t really know what she was going to do with the furniture in the house. The loft was small, but had a sleek and modern, chic decor. She liked the new look. Perhaps she should try and sell all of her things, but she had to start her new job next week. She glanced at the phone and the machine was flashing a message. Sarah walked over and hit the button. Christine’s voice came over the speaker, “Sarah, where are you? I have been trying to reach you. Call me.” She erased it.
Taking her three large suitcases from the closet, Sarah began to pack. She looked around the room and felt a pang of guilt. The realtor’s words came back like a slap. “Your grandmother left you that house.” She folded her slacks neatly and put them in the case.
“Sorry Grandmother, but I am moving on to a new, exciting life in Toronto. I love you and thank you for the house, but it is time to move on.” She spoke to the air as if her grandmother could hear her, set her shoulders in a determined stance and packed her clothes. Sarah DeVries was leaving for good.
Chapter Twenty three
Christine drove past Sarah’s house. The car was in the driveway and she wondered whether she should stop or not. Funny, a few months ago I would have pulled in with no hesitation. But you are obviously back in town and haven’t called, perhaps our friendship is over. She was about to drive past when Sarah came out of the front door pulling a large suitcase.
Christine pulled her car to the curb and rolled down the window. “Sarah, Hi.” Sarah looked up in surprise.
“Chris how are you?” The tone was more formal than friendly and Christine hesitated before she got out of the car.
“When did you get back? Leaving on a trip?” She pointed to the luggage.
“Actually, I am moving to Toronto. The house is going up for sale and I am leaving. If you know anyone that wants to buy my furniture, please call the realtor.”
“When were you going to tell your friends? Or don’t you consider us friends anymore?” Christine was hurt and it was reflected in her voice.
“I don’t have to inform anyone and actually, no I don’t consider anyone in this town my friend. Everyone was so against Martin and Schultz, and me for working for them that I don’t think I have any friends left.” She was indignant and it made Christine angry.
“Yes, and we were proven right. There was a dump site that was causing the water problems in this town and there was also a body of a murder victim on the Martin and Schultz sacred ground. This town is in ruins because of that damn plant! So don’t come off all high and mighty with me. You did work for the enemy!” Christine’s face was red with anger.
“I simply did my job and Mr. Martin was completely unaware of the dump site and I am sure he knows nothing of a body. Good bye, Christine. I don’t think we have anything more to say.” She turned her back and opened her trunk, placing the suitcase in the back.
Christine was fuming. She grabbed Sarah’s arm and turned her around. “What happened to you? You used to be my best friend! Where the hell did you go, Sarah?”
“I didn’t go anywhere, I simply decided what I wanted and worked hard to get it. If you were my friend, you would be happy for me.” Sarah glowered at her defiantly pulling her arm from Christine’s grasp. “Now please leave, I have to pack.” She walked away leaving her old friend staring after her. Christine was dumbfounded. What had just happened? The door slammed. Well that is the second door I have had slammed in my face in a week. I wonder why you are in such a hurry to leave this town, perhaps you know more than you are letting on. Christine chastised herself for even thinking such a thing but she was angry. No, not Sarah, she wouldn’t have anything to do with the body. She got in her car and drove away.
She was very upset and silent that evening and Matt had to pry it out of her. “She actually said that? What a bitch!” Christine was about to defend Sarah, but then she realized that the friendship was over. She felt sad, and torn li
ke a piece of her was missing.
The next day Christine met Susan for lunch and told her about the altercation. “Susan, I don’t understand Sarah, we used to be friends.” Susan could see that Christine was hurt. She let her talk. “She can go to Toronto and her new life, who needs her anyway?” Under normal circumstances, Susan would not want to sit and listen to Christine go on and on about Jack’s ex, but she liked Chris and understood that she just needed to vent. Susan was a good listener and Christine felt much better after talking to her.
Susan finally assured Christine that it was probably for the best and the two of them went to the hospital to see Missy. The group was meeting again tomorrow night and they wanted to know if she had any more news on the body.
“The police officer that came in yesterday told the coroner that they had come to no conclusion, as far as the investigation was concerned.” Missy just shook her head. “Someone killed that poor man and buried him alive; it makes my skin crawl to think that person lives in our town.” The other woman agreed. “See you tomorrow night at Bernie’s, Missy. By the way, how are you and Bernie getting along?” Missy just smiled and turned away. The other two laughed. Susan looked at Christine, wondering if she should confide in her. She had received an assignment in California and they wanted Jack as well. She hadn’t told him yet but she was dying to confide in someone.
At the meeting, Jack announced that the water tests for that day were clear according to Dan and it looked like the water supply was finally clear. “Of course, the town will be under a ‘boil water notice’ and everyone is encouraged to use bottled water for the time being but the dump site has been excavated and the toxic materials removed. More modern filter systems have been installed and Dan and Mr. Carver spent weeks at an evening course at the university.”
Missy stood and went to the window, wondering where Bernie was. He was never late. Christine and Susan watched her and then exchanged a look. They agreed that Bernie might be wanting his apartment to himself soon, with the new relationship developing between he and Missy. Christine leaned over and whispered, “Have you told Jack yet?” Susan shook her head.
“After everyone leaves.” She whispered back. Christine grabbed her hand in support. She was very happy for both of them; she knew Jack would go to California with Susan. She was also relieved that things were getting back on track for the town.
Matt added, “The entire north end of the town is in chaos due to the digging up of not only the chemical plant lot, but the road, the scrap yard, and now the new subdivision is under scrutiny.” Apparently there was a large muddy pool at one end of it where the natural flow of water had reclaimed the land. The new home owners were not happy with Mayor Burton, since this land had belonged to him and the housing project built by his construction company.
Jack just laughed when he told them all that one day the new subdivision would be restored to its former status of marsh because the houses would sink into the mud. “Mayor Burton may have to move away before they lynch him.” He laughed and the others joined him. They didn’t think Mayor Burton would be re-elected after the water fiasco.
Christine told them that she had information that the new owners of the chemical plant were going to demolish the building and sell the land.
“The town is in a shambles but it will come back. The people of Bridgetown are a sturdy lot and I know the businesses will open again and the town will recover.” Matt proclaimed proudly. “I was born here and I am not about to see this town turn into a ghost town.” Everyone looked at him apprehensively. They knew it would be a long hard road back.
Bernie arrived a few minutes later and burst into the room. “Everyone, guess what?” They all turned to look at the large excited man before them. “I just heard that a Japanese car company is buying land north of town and opening a huge assembly plant. It will mean fifteen hundred to two thousand new jobs, home buyers and a lot of income for the town and surrounding area. Looks like Bridgetown has survived the eleventh hour!” They all raised their glasses and cheered loudly. “To Bridgetown!”
Chapter Twenty Four
THREE YEARS LATER
Jack stood on the boundary of his property staring out over the Serengeti in Tanzania. The sun shone high in the sky and he felt the searing heat on the back of his neck. The plains stretched out forever, with the low hills in the distance. He was focusing on a cheetah about three hundred yards from him, crouched in the high grass eyeing its prey. Jack and Susan loved their life in Tanzania and Kenya and were in their second year of working with the local authorities. Their assignment was for six months of the year. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most productive and nutrient rich areas for grasses and the wildebeest spend December to June in the plain. It is a prolific breeding ground and they love watching the young wildebeest, standing for the first time on shaky legs. The wildebeest migration follows the rains and nearly two million animals move when the monsoon rains stop in June. The plains become very dry and the creatures move towards Lake Victoria. The migration had begun and Jack watched as a few stragglers made their way out of the crater. A small herd of zebra joined them on the migration and the strange comrades disappeared in the distance. Suddenly, a cloud of dust appeared on the horizon as a jeep approached. Jack turned back toward the cabin. It was a small, rugged, two room cabin with outdoor plumbing and like the wildebeest, he and Susan returned to it every December. “Mail truck Susan,” he shouted. She appeared on the porch looking even lovelier than the day they met. She waved her arm, wanting him to hurry.
The cloud of dust came closer and soon stopped in front of the cabin. “Morning Ezra. Anything for us today?” Susan thought it was a silly question, because the mailman would not be stopping if he didn’t have something to deliver, but it was a private joke between the two men.
“Yes sir boss, lots of mail today.” The young black Maasai man handed Susan the bundle and took the glass of water from Jack’s hand. “Mighty warm today, won’t be long before the plain turns to dust and you two will be gone for another season. I better not forget the supplies.” The young man reached into the back of the jeep and handed Jack a box. Their food and water was delivered once a week although the system was unreliable. Last winter they were without supplies for three weeks and luckily Susan knew how to conserve. She set aside canned goods and dried food from each delivery to ensure a constant supply when needed. Water was available in a village about twenty miles from their camp and she refilled their water containers whenever she went to the Maasai village. Water was very sacred to the people of the outer villages and Susan always paid them well with books, notepads and pencils for the school or bolts of material that she brought with her in December. She taught a few classes in the small school house. Jack was responsible for bringing fresh water into the village by working with the government and teaching the people to conserve. Now, in the dry season, the villagers only had to travel one kilometer to get fresh water from a protected source. The villagers were fond of Susan and Jack.
Susan sorted the mail as Jack chatted. Soon the man gunned the engine and disappeared in the same cloud of dust that he had appeared from only minutes before.
“Look Jack, a letter from Christine.” Settling on the porch swing, she took the letter and gently opened the envelope. Jack soon joined her. Mail was a special treat, because the only internet service was more than fifty miles away and they only took advantage of it once a month.
“Read it out loud. I love news from home and with no internet we have to rely on the old snail mail.” She smiled when he said “home.” Even though they travelled the world in their quest to save the planet, never staying anywhere longer than six months, Bridgetown was still ‘home’ to Jack.
Susan unfolded several pages and a photograph fell onto her lap, she left it there and began to read,
Dear Jack and Susan,
I hope this letter finds you both well and happy, but what else could you be in the Serengeti with the beasts you both love so much? When we
received your last letter I knew you were exactly where you should be. Your descriptions inspired me to do some research and I found this:
Stewart Edward White, an American hunter, set out from Nairobi. Pushing south, he recorded: “We walked for miles over burnt out country... Then I saw the green trees of the river, walked two miles more and found myself in paradise.” He had found Serengeti. In the years since White’s excursion under “the high noble arc of the cloudless African sky,” Serengeti has come to symbolize paradise to many of us. The Maasai, who had grazed their cattle on the vast grassy plains for millennia had always thought so. To them it was Siringitu - “the place where the land moves on forever”
I was so taken by it that I copied it and we have it framed on our mantle with the pictures that you sent of both of you with the wonderful animals. It reminds us of you every time we look at it.
Matt and I are excited about the baby, which is due in one month. I have to admit I would not complain if our little darling decided to come early. I feel like a beached whale! Hopefully I will lose most of the weight after the baby comes.
We are also happy that you are coming home for Bernie’s wedding. I told Matt that you wouldn’t miss being Bernie’s best man, for the world. Missy is running around making plans for the wedding and Bernie just sits back and agrees with everything she says. That’s our Bernie. We are glad you are going to stay with us because their place is small and now filled with Missy’s possessions, not to mention the two dogs. We have the baby’s room all set up with a mattress on the floor. If anyone but the two of you were coming, we would worry, but compared to the rugged accommodations you are used to, this will be like heaven. We even have indoor plumbing! Of course, the baby will be in our room with us for the first few months so you won’t have to do the midnight feed. Buying Sarah’s house was a great step forward for us and we got it for a bargain because it had been on the market for months. We even bought the furniture.
Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour Page 22