Chapter 13
It was on a Tuesday. Yes if I remember correctly it was a Tuesday and Jennifer was on her way home from work when she first became acquainted with Miss Donna. Jennifer was walking into The Villa in her normal positive confident way and Miss Donna was sitting out near the pool enjoying the fine Kentucky day.
"Well hi hon," said Miss Donna with a glorious smile. "Welcome to The Villa, I'm Donna Amery but everybody 'round here calls me Miss Donna." Jennifer's first thought was this is how to welcome someone new to the apartment building, what a wonderful sociability this fine lady has.
"Hello Miss Donna, I'm Jennifer Holmes." She had a nice smile on her face and reached out slowly to shake her hand. Miss Donna took her hand politely. Jennifer was standing and felt it more courteous to take the chair next to Miss Donna rather than hover over her.
"Yes Jennifer, please sit down and chat with me a little while. I'd heard we had a new tenant here at The Villa but that's about all. It's good to finally meet you." Miss Donna found Jennifer's way intriguing.
"It's nice to meet you as well Miss Donna."
"Would you like some tea Jennifer, I'm having some and I'd sure like for you to join me." Miss Donna always took tea out with her by the pool. Her giving nature showed well when she, without fail, brought two glasses and a pitcher, even when alone. She was ever at the ready for the prospect to offer a neighbor a glass of tea and a small talk. Miss Donna thought it would be selfish to just bring a glass for herself. She's so kind and always thinking of other folk's feelings.
Well I've already mentioned how Jennifer loves tea parties; and while this offer was not for hot tea, but rather for iced tea, Jennifer was happy to see the tea coming out. Funny how the little things can bring people together, but it's all about the little things really; especially with Miss Donna.
"I'd love some tea, thank you." Jennifer could not have held back the enthusiasm in her voice if she tried. They sipped the tea for a short moment before moving forward with their conversation.
"So tell me Jennifer, where do you hail from?"
"Oh I'm originally form a town slightly smaller than Owensboro out in the eastern part of the state, but I've spent the past several years back east at school," Jennifer replied with a little bit of hesitation in her voice, sounding as if she didn't really want to talk about herself, at least in this regard, too much. Miss Donna noted that she didn't give the name of her home town and decided to deduce that maybe Jennifer had simply decided to start a new life after college and didn't think much about the times before. Sometimes people in their early twenties have less memory of their upbringing than people in their fifties. Strange how we don't really look back on those times so fondly until they are long gone. Miss Donna thinks to herself: perhaps it's because once the times are long past and the memories are set in stone, they are safe. It's easy to look back on times that were good and can never be changed, ah memories. At any rate, Miss Donna decided to try to steer the conversation in a direction where Jennifer would feel more comfortable.
After a short pause in their little chit chat and some tea sipping, Miss Donna was pleasantly shown how well Jennifer's social graces have been honed. Rather than dominate the conversation about her, Jennifer took the initiative to move the conversation to Miss Donna. Genuinely too, Jennifer's questions weren't fake, she really was interested in this kind pretty lady.
"So how long have you lived here at The Villa Miss Donna?" Jennifer asked this while crossing her legs and leaning ever so slightly toward Miss Donna, showing her interest to continue the conversing. Jennifer wasn't preoccupied but still quite enthralled with the taste of Miss Donna's tea; not normal sweet tea but a peach blend that gave your tongue a tangy and delightful surprise.
"Oh Jennifer I've been here about fifteen years now; it's a lovely place to call home. I think you'll find there are a lot of good people here at The Villa and the same in the town of Owensboro. I've been around here pretty much all of my life and couldn't think of a better place." Jennifer thought to herself that Miss Donna seemed to be one of those positive people that simply enjoyed life and would be happy anywhere, always finding the good in what she observes; one of those truly happy people. Miss Donna lifted the pitcher and poured them both a little more peach tea.
"But ya know what the best thing is about The Villa hon," Miss Donna asked with an inviting grin on her face, as if saying will you take the bait?
"What's that Miss Donna," Jennifer was more than happy to be hooked. She loves the little subtle gestures.
"The best thing is I'm close to all my grandchildren," Miss Donna said with that twinkle in her eye. "I get to see them often and be a part of their life and in turn their upbringing. Ah, grandchildren they are blessings, that's for sure." Miss Donna looked down at the pool then up over the far gazebo and to the sky as she said this, almost as if acknowledging God for bestowing upon her the grandchildren blessing. Jennifer found this touching and gave Miss Donna a minute to contemplate. After her minute Miss Donna went into great detail about her grandchildren as she does with most folks she can get to lend an ear. She sure loves those grandbabies.
"Oh but look at me going on and on," Miss Donna finally said realizing she was dominating most of their conversation. "Don't get me started on the grandkids or I'll talk your ear off."
"That's OK Miss Donna, they sound sweet," Jennifer said softly with a sip of tea.
"They are hon, they sure are." Miss Donna was done talking about herself though.
"So tell me Jennifer, how do you liking The Villa and Owensboro so far?"
"I've really been enjoying it. The Villa seems great especially for the rent prices. The pool is really nice to have. I haven't spent much time in town yet but I'm sure I'll find it equally charming. I have been back and forth to work and it always reminds me of how much I like small towns. Pleasant and calm you know.
"Where is it you work honey," asked Miss Donna while turning slightly toward Jennifer.
"Oh I'm a reference librarian over at the Daviess County Public Library. I really like it. It's a nice library and the people sure have been welcoming."
"Yes I've been to the library many times. It is a nice place, nice and quiet." Miss Donna realized this point was a bit redundant when it comes to libraries, but she let it go. "They have a good selection of books for a small town library wouldn't you say?" She knew she was speaking from a layperson's perspective and wondered if a librarian might have differing opinions.
"They sure do have a good selection of books. I've been getting really acquainted to the place and I'm starting to feel like I can answer more questions than I ask finally." Jennifer was being modest as she actually memorized most of the place in her first day. She was good at that sort of thing. She was good at her profession, better than most even, due to her love for the work.
Miss Donna and Jennifer sat and conversed for several more minutes and then parted with pleasantries one has at the end of a first time meeting. Miss Donna felt she made a new friend. She almost always felt she made a new friend at the end of a first meeting. Even when she first met Dr. Frank Whitney, Ph.D.; he wasn't at all polite but she still felt she made a friend and could see that in his eyes as well. Jennifer was impressed by Miss Donna as she seemed quite polite and caring, in fact, by the end of their conversation, she felt like she'd known her for years. Miss Donna has a way of making people feel like that. It's nice.
Just as Jennifer stepped into her apartment and closed the door behind her she began to reflect. She was thinking back to how she anticipated her first job and overall life would be just out of college. Jennifer understood paying dues and thought that would be high on the agenda for several years out of school. She thought she would have to buckle down and live with a life that was less than fulfilling, both at work and possibly home life as well; struggling that is. She's seen quite a few starry eyed recent grads, still wet behind the ears, have their dreams crushed. Dre
ams that were not realistic, as Jennifer's were. Dreams that included a great job, good money and welcoming by all to their new life in the work force. Jennifer knew better than to dream that right away. Dues had to be paid.
However, as she compared her "realistic" dreams with her short time at her new job and her home life at The Villa she was happy. The comparison was favorable. Now don't get cocky, she thought to herself, but do take the good times when they come. They were coming now. A nice work environment, quiet and peaceful just as she liked it; a nice apartment and now proof that at least one good person, Miss Donna, resides at The Villa. Things are going well. Jennifer smiled wide as she headed to the kitchen to begin a healthy dinner; maybe something special tonight.
A Modern Love Page 23