The Living Room (7 page)

“Jennifer, we’re here, sweetheart.”

There she was, lying down in the back. The little girl sat up; she was as pale as a ghost and unbelievably frail in her pretty red dress. It draped over her like it was three sizes too big, although it used to fit just right. Brenda walked past Daniel to help support the little girl as she took halting steps toward the house. Brenda nodded at him, trying hard to be a well-mannered guest.

“Hello, Daniel. Claire says hi.”

Daniel smiled back and tried to be casual about the arrival of his house guest. He wasn’t nearly as comfortable as he appeared and stayed out of the way unless called upon for any assistance. He spent most of the sunlit hours tinkering on the exterior just to avoid going back into the house.

When the sun began to set, he paced in the kitchen, waiting for his support to come home from work. He listened curiously to the music Brenda had put on upstairs and no longer wondered why the old record player was included with the equipment. It was almost classical, a slow and simple melody played only by a soothing flute.

He could also hear Brenda speaking with the little girl. It was as though there were nothing wrong with her. They talked about boys, television, and then dolls. Not once did Brenda introduce the topic of her health. Daniel just listened and waited.

Finally, a sound he recognized pierced his anxious thoughts. A car entered the driveway, and he rushed to assure himself it was his savior. Claire walked toward the house and Daniel tried to greet her outside the doorway, but she was in a hurry and brushed passed him. “Hi, sweetheart, just give me a sec, I’m running late for Brenda.”

Daniel wasn’t sure whether to be upset with her for rushing past him, or delighted at being called sweetheart. A minute passed, and Brenda came down the stairs.

“Good night, Daniel, I’ll see you in the morning.” She walked straight out to her car.

Claire called out, “Daniel, come up here for a second!”

He felt insecure but hiked slowly up the stairs and peeked into the room.

“This is Jennifer. She wanted to say hello before bedtime.”

“Hello, Daniel. Thank you for letting me stay over this week.”

The little girl was frail but managed to speak with a little effort.

“Oh, you’re welcome, Jennifer. Sorry I didn’t come up earlier. I was busy in the yard.”

Daniel wasn’t sure how to cover his absence, but the little girl appeared comforted.

“I’ll be right down. Have you eaten yet?” Claire inquired.

“I was just making”—he suddenly realized how much time had passed—“burning us something to eat. I’ll be in the kitchen.” He turned for the stairs.

“Good night, Daniel,” Jennifer whispered, stopping him in his tracks.

“Good night, Jennifer.” He returned an honest smile and then rushed down to the kitchen.

After a valiant attempt at a good meal, Daniel and Claire shared a few words about the day. He was still uncertain about the sleeping arrangement. “Well, I’m pretty beat—I guess it’s bedtime.”

Claire smiled and said, “I know Jennifer; she’s sitting there waiting for me to come up and talk so she can sleep.”

Seeing some disappointment in Daniel’s face, she leaned into him for an embrace. She touched his back and shoulders like she didn’t want to let go. He got lost in the moment and let her go without saying a word. She smiled, kissed his cheek, and walked upstairs.

Daniel smiled and retired to his sleeping quarters, now twice the room it once was. While dozing off to sleep, he heard something. It sounded like giggling. Two little girls giggling—except that one of them was a woman. The vent next to his bed brought down all of the conversation from the room upstairs. He snickered a little to himself when he discovered the topic of discussion. They were talking about him. Jennifer said he’s cute and that Claire should marry him and make babies.

After a few minutes of eavesdropping, Daniel slipped into a dreamworld more peaceful than he had experienced in years.

Chapter 7

Daniel awoke to hear footsteps in the kitchen and decided to surprise his new sweetheart with a hug from behind. He quietly crept up to the doorway, turned the corner, and lunged at her.

Brenda wasn’t too sure what to think, as Claire had actually left for work an hour ago. She seemed unimpressed over the mix-up. It was an awkward moment for both of them, so Daniel retreated to his room to recover from his embarrassment.

About an hour into his workday, Daniel was outside again when he noticed the dust cloud on the road. He at first figured that another joyous visit from Mrs. Lipton was upon him. He felt panicked when he saw that it was an ambulance.

It wasn’t traveling in any hurry. There were no lights or a siren wailing away. But there was still reason for concern. As he walked back toward the door, Brenda came out.

“There’s an ambulance coming to the house.”

“Yes. I called them,” she said calmly.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yes, Daniel. Everything is fine.” She stared off in the distance and tried to keep Daniel from entering the house. “But Jennifer is gone.”

“You mean she’s…But she just got here.” His voice weakened.

“I’m sorry, Daniel, but we never know when. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of everything.”

Brenda met the ambulance, and Daniel hurried for the phone in the hallway.

“Yes, is Claire there, please?” Fortunately she was near the counter and fully aware of the reason for his call.

“Claire, it’s me. Jennifer…” He paused but didn’t need to finish his sentence.

“I’m sorry, Daniel. She’s no longer in any pain and in a better place now. Go for a walk and let Brenda handle everything. I’m sorry, but I have to rush back to someone. I’ll be over as soon as I’m off, okay?”

“Yeah, of course. Um…okay. I’ll be okay,” he tried to reassure himself.

Claire wanted to spend more time talking to him, but it wasn’t a good day in the ward either. Daniel could hear others calling for her in the background.

He hung up the phone and awkwardly wandered through the kitchen then around to his room. He felt a slight ringing in his ears. Everything seemed more present. There was tightness in his stomach, and he was uncomfortable remaining in the house. He took Claire’s advice and went outside. Removing himself from the house and allowing the caregivers to routinely handle what he could not fully comprehend was his best option.

Claire arrived long before dark this time. She made a point of it, to make up for her tardiness the day before with Brenda and to speak with Daniel about the day’s events. They talked about Jennifer’s death and the feelings he endured from the experience. Claire had no easy answers to soften the pain and confusion.

“How do you do this every day?” he begged, attempting to alleviate his anguish.

“I just do, and move on to try and help the next child. I think that’s why I work so much sometimes.” She stared into the distance. “Maybe I’m afraid to stop and take it all in.”

After a moment’s pause, she grabbed his hand. “You know, I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and I thought it would be nice if we took a walk down to the water.”

They went outside for some fresh air and a reprieve from their somber discussion. Descending the naturally carved-out pathway to the water’s edge, they joked with each other about nothing of importance, trying to lift each other’s spirits. To a spectator, they would have appeared as a couple that had been together all their lives. To each other, it started to feel as though they could be, from this night forward.

They slipped off their shoes and stepped into the cold water, playfully kicking and splashing it at each other. They agreed to a momentary truce and shared the sunset, which felt warm against their faces. Their bodies warmed as they edged closer together.

Claire turned to Daniel. “I guess, under better circumstances, being alone tonight wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”

Then it happened—their first kiss.

Their lips slid passionately across each other’s and both struggled to stay on their feet. Their hands locked together tightly and neither wanted to stop long enough to move onto dry land despite the freezing water. They broke apart only to look into each other’s eyes and then climbed hand in hand back to the house.

Standing next to the bed, they struggled to pull away from each other’s lips. Their words were unspoken but they understood their mutual feelings. Claire undressed Daniel, and his clothes dropped to the floor. Daniel slid the straps of the summer dress over her shoulders, and it fell gently to her feet. After a moment, they fell to the bed in a passionate embrace. With so much pent-up longing now released, they made love into the night. Then they slept in each other’s arms.

The bed beside him was empty, but Daniel awoke with a full heart. A note rested on the pillow from Claire: “Thank you for a wonderful evening, and I’ll see you tonight.”

He heard no other sounds in the house and was thankful to be alone. Avoiding a trip up the stairs, he executed his chores on the main floor. He could finally see progress, although there was still work to be done. Daniel focused on simpler repairs: cupboard door hinges that needed tightening or lubrication to stop the eerie squeaking when opened, and a cutting board that needed realignment to slide back fully into the kitchen counter.

By early afternoon, the sound of a car pulling up to the house reminded him of his fears. This time, there was not one visitor, but two. He recognized Brenda’s car but not the second. It was a family member who had followed behind her, in a rusted, old, decrepit car. As they exited their vehicles, Daniel opened the door to reluctantly welcome them.

Brenda started the introductions. “Good day, Daniel. These are the Hendersons. Steven has come to stay with us.”

Daniel wiped his hands on a rag he carried in his back pocket and forced a smile with which to greet the approaching family. The parents appeared to be aged well beyond their years. He could sympathize with the reason. Their daughter helped Steven from the car. He was frail but happy to be with her. Hand in hand, they entered the house and Brenda directed them upstairs.

“Thank you very much for your kindness in allowing Steven to stay here,” his mother said. Her husband appeared too shy to comment and just nodded.

“You’re welcome. Please come in.” These were the only words Daniel could manage.

Reaching for his keys, he informed Brenda that he would be going into town to purchase more materials for the house.

Driving, he struggled to gather inner strength and tried to think of how to spend the next few hours before he could return home. His discomfort with the house guests was more manageable with Claire at his side.

After walking around the town and purchasing a few items, he traveled the road slowly home. It was dark by the time he turned into the driveway. He had left no chance of beating Claire to the house.

He entered quietly and, heading toward the bedroom, heard the sound of water running into a sink. Claire was washing her face before bed.

He called out to her, “So how was your day?”

He startled her, catching her in a private moment. She quickly wiped her face with the towel. “Good, dear. How was yours? Did you get everything from town?”

Daniel immediately noticed the redness in her eyes and traces of tears she was washing from her face. He felt her pain, seeing the visible effect of her work for the first time.

He pretended he hadn’t noticed.

“Oh, the day was good, and I just had a few things to grab for the house.”

After a moment of silence, Daniel glanced up toward the top floor and asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Oh yes, Steven is asleep now. His family just left. They’re very nice people.”

In the kitchen over tea, they discussed the house, repairs, paint, and everything that would keep them off the topic that was really on their mind. Daniel could tell it was a long day for Claire, so he suggested they turn in early. Claire entered the bedroom with Daniel close behind. They dimmed the lights and sank into much-needed sleep.

By morning, the last few days had seemed like a lifetime ago. Daniel wondered if he could get used to this caregiving lifestyle. Claire suggested that they meet for lunch in town. He jumped at the opportunity to get away from the house and to avoid a long day without her. They agreed to meet at the diner where they had shared their first meal together.

Daniel wasn’t too concerned about the quality of the work in his chores. His mind was on Claire. He wondered if they should talk more seriously about their new relationship, or if it was too soon to bring the subject up. He would test the waters first to see if the opportunity might arise, but he wouldn’t push it. After completing a few odd jobs, he showered and headed for town to meet his date.

Lunch helped Daniel learn even more about his newfound love—her passion for helping others, life growing up in a small community, and being an only child. She spoke candidly.

“Would you ever consider moving? I mean, there are lots of children in New York that could use your help.” While he asked casually, she recognized the seriousness in his voice.

“New York. That’s a long way from home for me.”

The door was open but he waited until another day to continue such a discussion.

He returned home after lunch, enjoying the scenery and the meeting with Claire. But joy was precious and didn’t seem to last long for him these days. Passing him in the opposite direction down his long and bending driveway was an ambulance, then a car he recognized from the day before. At first he sped up, but there was no rush to get home. Brenda was leaving as he pulled up to the house.

“I saw the ambulance.”

She nodded her head. “Have a good evening,” she said then marched to her car and drove away.

He wondered where her strength was kept, or if she had just given up caring after so many years. He called Claire and was assured once again that the patient had gone to a better place. She offered to make him supper when she returned, but he refused. He would have her dinner ready when she arrived.

“I can’t wait to be there,” she replied.

He hoped the time would pass quickly. He searched for small jobs to avoid the room before her arrival. Downstairs was already clean and only required a few more minor repairs and some fresh paint.

He spent the next few hours tidying the unused second-level rooms, sweeping and taking things to the basement, such as desk lamps left on the floor and some old clothing that hung in the inset closets. After several trips up and down the stairs, he was drawn to the glass room by a curiosity he found hard to resist. Brenda had kept it well. He stared out the windows at the sunlit waves, trying to steal a moment of peace. He sat on the bed and closed his eyes, letting the light warm his face and thoughts. He then realized that Claire would return soon and he hadn’t prepared dinner as promised.

The finishing touches were on the table when Claire’s car entered the driveway. He rushed to light the candles in hopes of instigating a romantic evening. As he opened the door with a flourish, he was thrilled to see Claire but noticeably shaken by her companion.

Holding her hand stood a little girl with a teddy bear and big smile. She was unlike the other visitors. This girl appeared healthy. Daniel struggled with his initial thoughts and wondered if Claire had a family that she had never mentioned.

“Please come in,” he welcomed them, speaking downward toward the girl.

“Daniel, I would like you to meet Isabelle.”

“Well hello, Isabelle. I hope you are joining us for dinner this evening.”

She gestured her approval to Claire who instructed her to wash up and join them in the kitchen.

This left them with a moment for her to explain. “I’m sorry dear—this just came up.”

His hope of this being a healthy visitor was shattered.

“But she doesn’t seem sick.”

“Isabelle’s been in and out of the hospital for years. I’ve watched her grow up there. She has a heart condition that deteriorates with age, and a donor hasn’t been matched yet.”

“I’m hungry. Can someone read to me?” Isabelle announced as she appeared from the washroom.

“Then let’s eat.” Claire grabbed Daniel’s hand and led him to the kitchen.

The three enjoyed a dinner and conversation about the house, the city’s buildings, and Isabelle’s favorite ice cream flavors. She was a talkative child. There was no shyness in her demeanor. She asked a lot of questions and keenly requested opinions from her companions during discussions.

“Well, it’s getting late. Let’s go see your room, sweetheart.”

Claire took her upstairs while Daniel retired to his room. He listened again through the vent as Claire read one of the many books the little girl had brought with her. He was almost asleep when Claire climbed into the bed. She curled up tight, and their tired bodies easily found the strength to join for another night.