Affinity House

by Ruth Hay

  I hope she will find her own happiness. She deserves it.”

  Mavis almost knocked over the flimsy wicker table in her eagerness to tell Hilary something related to Honor that had happened recently.

  “Oh, I almost forgot about this!”

  “Settle down Mavis! We nearly lost the gin and tonic there. What’s got you so excited?”

  It was one of those things you glimpse out of the corner of your eye and at the time it doesn’t mean much but when we were talking about Honor just now, I remembered.”

  “What did you remember? For goodness sake tell me!”

  “Well, last week the service call for the elevator maintenance was scheduled.”

  “Correct, I made the call. So what?”

  “The man who came looked familiar. Later I recalled why. He is the same man Honor recommended to us because he did the maintenance in her old apartment building and they met there and laughed because their last names were so similar. He helped with the wheelchair she needed then.”

  “Mavis dear, why is this in the least way important?”

  “Because, Honor appeared as soon as the man entered the house. They stood together very closely, I noticed, and they talked and laughed like old friends. She called him Jared and he asked right out if she was still Pace. She said, yes she was and she quite liked her initials so if he wanted to change her last name he was welcome to try as the change would be hardly noticeable.

  I moved along the hall at that point but I watched the clock and they were there together for a good half an hour and they were getting along really well.”

  “That is strange, indeed, Mavis! I can hardly believe our Honor was so forward with this man. Do you think they have been meeting secretly outside the house?”

  “I have no idea, but you can imagine they have been chatting together every time the elevator inspection happens. I also think what we said about Braden loosening up Honor was right on the money. She was giving off sparks. Even I could see that. Jared would have to be blind to miss her signals.

  I think we have a romance on our hands, Hilary!”

  “You may be right about that. Now that you bring it to my attention, I do believe I have heard Honor humming as she moves around the house. It could be a sign of her happiness.

  If we do have a romance growing there, it is good to know this Jared is a local man, not from Quebec or Toronto or parts even further away. I would hate to lose Honor Pace completely.”

  Mavis’s story made her friend realize she had become somewhat disconnected from the daily life around Harmony House during the summer and fall. She shifted around in her seat and sipped the refreshing drink. The thought was still a little uncomfortable.

  “Mavis, how have I missed all this?”

  “You, my dear Hilary, have been occupied with Shania most of the summer. Your tower room windows face the side lawn and you are missing events that take place elsewhere.”

  I suppose there’s some truth in that. I never thought I would retire and take up the tutoring role, not once, but twice!”

  “Oh admit it! You have never been so happy. Remember how you started in a classroom helping students one to one in recess or after school. That was when you loved teaching. As an administrator, you were gradually removed from the classroom and now you have had the chance to revisit those happy days of long ago.”

  Hilary laughed long and hard as she patted Mavis on her shoulder.

  “What a cheerful view you have of life, Mavis! Nothing is that simple, of course, but I will say having been through the basics with Faith, Shania’s academic problems are not such a shock to me. And, don’t forget, I have a good backup person in Faith. Those two girls text and message each other every day and Shania’s good attitude to learning depends a great deal on Faith’s steady encouragement as well as on her excellent example. When you think about it, Shania and Faith are perfectly placed to help one another and understand each other’s situations.”

  “Of course you are right, Hilary, but back to my original point. Your triumph with Faith has meant everything to Shania. Faith is set on a course for a successful future helping others. Conestoga College will be the making of her. It would not surprise me if Shania followed in her footsteps one day.”

  “Oh, now, don’t compare those two girls! Shania is younger and not at all like Faith in personality. She has a longer road ahead of her and a lot of that will depend on Louise and Dennis Ridley.

  Tell me how things are going next door.”

  Mavis sipped thoughtfully for a moment. It had been a long summer for the Ridleys. Mavis kept a close eye on Louise to ensure she did not become overwhelmed with her new responsibilities. What she observed was how vital Dennis’s help was in this enterprise. He had not only taken a parental leave from his work, he had also inaugurated such benefits for other new fathers or adoptive parents in his company.

  Rather than losing status at work by doing this, the move impelled him upward in the organization. Great interest resulted in the progress of the fostering experiment at the Ridleys and Dennis now produced an online newsletter with ideas he and Louise had found helpful.

  Of course, the couple were lucky to be doing fostering at a time when businesses were searching for ways to make their companies more socially acceptable for employees, and the public in general.

  Dennis gladly accepted his company’s financial assistance to help Louise with housekeeping so she could spend more time with the two youngsters.

  All this passed through Mavis’s mind in a flash. Hilary knew about most of it. What she was now asking for was a summary.

  “I must say, the Ridleys have been transformed in every way by this experience. The children are Louise’s dreams come true and Dennis’s participation makes their marriage a joint enterprise for the first time.

  The only concern I have is in regard to the future of the children.”

  Hilary could hear the genuine fear in her friend’s voice.

  “Do you mean there’s a chance the parents might claim them again?”

  “I sincerely hope the courts would not be that foolish. I am relaying excellent reports to social services and recommending that the children stay exactly where they are. My sources suggest the mother and stepdad will end up in a custodial sentence for negligence and consistent lying to the authorities. There is the serious criminal charge to be considered; a young child’s death caused by their neglect.

  I can’t promise anything, and it’s not my place to do so, but if matters progress the way they have been, there is the chance the Ridleys could be allowed to adopt the little family.”

  “Was there not a matter of a biological father’s claim on one of the little ones?”

  “Ah, that is a worry. There is nothing impending on that score at the present time. We can only hope the father’s circumstances mean he is not a good candidate to claim his child. He showed no interest while they were living in extremely difficult conditions.”

  In the silence that followed this statement, the women heard the sounds of children playing in the front yard next door. They exchanged glances and smiled at each other. It was a happy sound. Louise’s deeper tone of voice rose above the children’s chuckles encouraging them to continue with their play.

  Hilary and Mavis automatically raised their glasses and saluted each other.

  Ten minutes went by in joyful contemplation of the year’s successes until Hilary said, “I suppose this year in review must contain the less happy moments in order to be complete.”

  “Ah, you are thinking about Eve.”

  “Of course I am. It was wonderful that she ended her days peacefully here in Harmony House but it was a dreadful time for everyone. The first real tragedy we have dealt with.”

  “I know you are right, but look at how Jannice came through for us then. That was a triumph.

  I often feel as if Eve’s spirit lingers here. We have her paintings to remind us of how happy she was here, despite everything that went before in her
life.”

  “How is Jannice coping these days?”

  “She was quite depressed for a time, which is perfectly natural, but Mitchell Delaney’s influence appears to be positive and I am not just talking about his writing prowess.”

  “Mavis Montgomery! Are you suggesting there’s something more than a shared interest in Irish heritage going on there? What next?”

  “Jannice confided in Vilma before taking the step to move her relationship with Mitchell to a more intimate level while he was in London.”

  “But I thought they were just busy catching up with the young O’Connors and researching local history! Are you telling me Jannice was not coming home to sleep?”

  “Well, she arrived home quite late some nights but on others she stayed with Mitchell and she does not seem any the worse for it. Haven’t you noticed the new energy she has now?”

  “Ah, I put that down to her promotion at work. What else have I been missing?”

  Mavis searched her memory for items brought to her attention recently.

  “Oh, Maureen approached me. She wants to have a meeting with us about her stay here. Naturally, she is very grateful for our flexibility in accommodating her and the cousins, but she is wondering if Eve’s old room might be available in the future for return check-ups at the Cancer Clinic. She has reached the end of her treatment and recovery. With a clean bill of health now, she was released to go about her life in Manitoba other than for a scheduled six-month check-up in London.”

  “I see. Well, that will be hard to predict. I have no problem with her returning when necessary. She is just as delightful to have around as her daughter, and an even better cook. I will miss those spicy South-American dishes when she returns home. The question is whether or not we want to start another search for a co-housing candidate to occupy Eve’s old room on a permanent basis?

  Remember this also; Faith’s suite may well be vacant when she is in residence during term time. We could probably work out something to suit Maureen Lennox.”

  “That’s what I told Maureen. Hilary, how do you feel about the possibility of another woman joining us? Or it could be a man! I must say a man can be useful now and then.”

  “Seriously, Mavis, I have been thinking about it. Financially speaking, it is a loss if the occupant is not contributing a full share in this enterprise.”

  “But Eve left us a cushion to cover that eventuality.”

  “She did indeed. I am not averse to the idea of temporary residents, especially those who are known to us already and who we can be assured will fit in. I feel embarking on a new search would be difficult and time consuming. “

  “That’s my feeling too, Hilary. You might laugh at this, but it’s almost as if the universe has been filling places for us! We would never have selected Faith on our own and without Vilma’s input we would never have found Mandy, Braden and Maureen. I have been wondering about the possibility of becoming a stop on the international routes for young entrepreneurs.”

  “What? How much of that gin have you drunk, Mavis Montgomery? Where did you get such an idea?”

  “It’s not as outrageous as all that, Hilary Dempster. Look around you. London is a hub for universities, colleges and hospitals. There is a lot of research going on here and the money to support more innovation comes with the constant influx of new blood and new ideas.

  You must have read about Superclusters. It’s a growing trend in business circles. I’m surprised Desmond hasn’t mentioned it.”

  “Mavis! You are a continual fount of ideas! Are you suggesting Braden and Mandy might go home to Winnipeg and encourage other young people to stay with us for periods of time?”

  “It’s not impossible, is it? Wouldn’t you prefer to live temporarily in a quiet area with amenable people around you rather than in some anonymous hotel room or basic student quarters?”

  Hilary laughed out loud and almost choked on her mouthful of drink.

  “I suppose you are right! Who could have guessed we might be hosting young people from all over the world instead of quietly meandering our way into old age surrounded by equally old people, as we fully expected when we started this project?”

  “Well, haven’t we two lived long enough to know very little in life can be predicted with any accuracy, especially nowadays when everything changes at the speed of light? The world is different when you get up every morning, or so it seems.”

  * * *

  It could have been the influence of a full jug of gin and tonic that was inspiring the two old friends to think so creatively, or it could have been the euphoric effect of counting their many blessings. Whichever was the cause, it was a memorable conversation that brought a variety of subjects into focus.

  “Well, before we get to the giddy stage and need to be helped upstairs, I propose a toast to us for adjusting to so many changes despite our advanced years.”

  Mavis managed to squeeze enough out of the jug to provide each of them with a final toast but, before they raised their glasses, she touched Hilary on the shoulder and asked for her indulgence for one more minute.

  “I feel it is only appropriate for our final toast to include an acknowledgement of this wonderful house that is now our home. When you think about it, and I have done many times, it’s almost as if Harmony House has played an active role in our success. This house brings people together who need others in their lives. It keeps them safe within its walls until they can move on to whatever their future requires.”

  “Mavis, you are talking as if Harmony House was alive! Do you really believe that?”

  “Oh, now, if anyone other than you asked that question, Hilary, I would deny it utterly, but you and I have been here from the start and I can’t see any other explanation for the way in which the house has expanded to meet the needs of whoever arrives at its doors.”

  Hilary‘s eyebrows were raised as she contemplated this unusual point of view. She took a moment to look around her. The tower rooms were to her right. It was true that Faith had been saved from injury in some mysterious way when she climbed up to the top of the tower on a precarious ladder. It was true that the house had wrapped its arms around Eve as she lay dying in her room. It was also true that Vilma had been rescued in the nick of time and returned to the safety of Harmony House in the arms of Andy Patterson when she should have suffered serious damage from a prolonged period in the frozen woods while searching for her dogs.

  Was Mavis on to something when she described their house as being much more than four inanimate walls?

  Hilary Dempster blinked and resorted to her more familiar frame of mind which relied on practical and perceptible indicators. Mavis’s fantastical statements, and the thoughts they had inspired, would require a period of serious deliberation in the cold light of day, without benefit of alcohol, before she would be able to respond adequately.

  For now, she simply smiled and left the matter aside. Raising her glass she declared,

  “To Harmony House! Whatever it is, we were fortunate to find it when we did and that fortune has been shared with others.”

  Mavis responded with an addendum.

  “To Harmony House, now and in the future!”

  Epilogue

  Andy’s letter arrived with the first of the Christmas cards. Harmony House was beginning to gear up for another season of reunions when the winter dining room would be filled to capacity with those who, like Faith, had been absent for some weeks or months.

  Mavis piled the cards and letters on the hall table under the large and fragrant rosemary tree.

  Vilma collected her pile of correspondence as she returned from walking the dogs around noon.

  There was only a thin coating of snow on the ground, but the temperature promised much more from the laden clouds hovering above. Vilma had adopted the habit of a quick noon run to settle the dogs for an afternoon nap so she could help Mavis with whichever Christmas project was currently occupying her mind.

  The dogs knew the routine and quickl
y found their beds. Vilma spread the cards and letters on her desk, sorting out which needed a reply and which were personal cards to display on the shelves of her wall unit.

  As soon as her eyes fell on the handwritten letter, she stopped breathing for several seconds.

  The blue ink and the large sprawling letters of the Harmony House address were unmistakably written in the style of one Andrew Patterson. Had there been any doubt at all, his identity was confirmed by the business label on the left side of the envelope where a big red barn and the logo; Dogs Trained and Housed in Comfort, commanded attention.

  A wave of conflicting emotions washed over Vilma. She sat down on the nearest chair and waited for the chaos to subside. She told herself, in no uncertain terms, that she had settled this matter.

  She was content with the way it ended.

  She did not require anything further from the man.

  She did not want to open up old wounds.

  She did not need any kind of Christmas greeting from him for the first time.

  Curiosity won out in the end after Astrid, roused from sleep, came over to the chair and wrapped her warm body and long thick tail around Vilma’s feet.

  She knows how I feel! She will stay in place until I finish this.

  It was a further ten minutes until Vilma took up the envelope and slit it open.

  Inside was a one-page, handwritten note.

  It was too late now to change her mind. She took a deep breath and read to the end.

  * * *

  My Darling Vilma,

  You will know by the length of time it has taken me to write this, how difficult it is to do.

  I can’t begin to apologize. If I did the apologies would never end.

  Let me state the few things I can without too much shame.

  I owe everything to you. No one else could have been so generous and selfless to me.

  You found me when I was almost gone and dragged me back to life.