Wildflower (13 page)

“Well I must say I am in full agreement,”
laughed Abby as she folded the dress and placed it on the keeper
pile.

“Let’s check the storage room and see if we
can find some pins,” suggested Wanda. “If we can I will pin up a
few of these and take them home to alter for you.”

They went back upstairs to the small room
with all the wool and began the search. “Can you tell me why she
had all this yarn?”

“Bride did love to find a bargain,” laughed
Wanda, “and she loved to knit. She knit all those sweaters and that
shawl that you seem to favor. A few years ago there was a yarn
store that was closing down. Bride bought the entire remaining
stock for a song. She never did get to knit it up, poor dear. She
did so want to, but she had her first stroke soon after that.”

“My grandmother taught me to knit when I was
a child,” mused Abby thoughtfully. “Perhaps I will dust off some of
Bride’s needles and try my hand. It will help me pass the long
winter.”

“Well let’s see,” mused Wanda, “ah yes, here
we are, Bride’s basket of knitting needles and her patterns. If you
can remember few simple stitches, the rest shouldn’t be too hard to
figure out.”

“Perhaps I will knit a sweater for my man
here,” smiled Abby as she patted the dog who was never far from her
side. “That should make a good start up project for me. What do you
say big man? Would you like Momma Abby to knit a sweater for you?”
The big dog thumped his tail enthusiastically on the floor in
response.

Abby walked Wanda home, holding a huge
umbrella over her head. Wanda had her arms full of things to alter
for Abby and was delighted to have the projects to do now that the
days were getting so short and cold. Once they had Wanda safely
home, Abby and Hubby raced for the house and safety from the
storm.

Back in her own snug house Abby sat listening
to the rain and getting depressed. She could feel the blackness of
it settling around her heart and she sank into her chair to let it.
Abby had kept herself busy all summer long, but now that was not as
easily done, and talking about her misadventures today had brought
it all back with a rush. Suddenly a warm muzzle slipped into her
hand and a tail thumped on the floor. She looked up to see the
saddest brown eyes she had ever seen, and she realized that he was
feeling her mood too.

Fighting herself all the way, Abby struggled
to her feet and found the tug of war rope in the kitchen. “Come on
you,” she said as she shook the pull toy at him, “you and I both
need some exercise, and it’s too wet to go outside.” A wild game of
tug-o-war and chase that carried them through the house and back
again changed her mood completely. At length they stood side by
side, out of breath and gazing out the window at the storm.

“That was fun Hubby,” she laughed as she
scratched behind his upright ear. “You know, it may be totally
depressing out there, but as long as we have each other, we’ll be
alright. Let’s have a snack, one last potty run through the rain,
then dry off and go to bed. Tomorrow will be a much better
day.”

Working to stay busy and beat the blues, Abby
made herself stay sociable. She knew herself well, and part of the
key for Abby was to have lots of friends. She went to great effort
to build strong relationships with her hairdresser in St. John’s as
well as the girls where she bought her groceries, at the bank, and
where she usually shopped. She made friends with the vet and the
guys who pumped her gas. Twice each month she would invite several
folks to dinner and put on a big spread. The evening she introduced
Keith and Wanda to Billy and Edna was a total blast for Abby. Billy
and Edna ended up staying the night as they had all talked well
into the wee hours.

Abby had also enrolled Hubby in obedience
school and soon realized that she had far more to learn than the
dog. Still it was fun and it got her out in public where she made
several new friends. She attended plays regularly and always stayed
to chat with the actors afterward. Abby was slowly building a
network of people to support her whenever she had need and she knew
she would have need as the winter deepened.

The shorter the days became, the tougher it
was to fight off the depression. In late November she gave up the
battle and returned to the happy pills. She used them only as
necessary, but she realized that during the dark months of the year
it surely would be necessary.

It was early December when the first snows
fell. With a shriek of pure delight Abby threw open her window and
drank deeply of the cold crisp air. Somehow snow had never
depressed her like the rain did. Puling on her slippers, Abby raced
down the stairs and threw open the door. Hubby bolted past her into
the six or so inches of snow that covered the ground. She stood in
the doorway laughing with delight as he raced through the snow, his
nose buried up to the ears. From time to time he stopped, and,
raising his head, snorted to clear his nostrils then went back to
playing snowplow.

Abby let him run while she returned to the
bedroom and dressed in warm clothes. A moment’s pause then a smile
of childlike delight as she pulled out Bride Murphy’s woolen dress
that Wanda had taken in for her. Warm tights, under the dress to
protect her legs and down the stairs she ran. She pulled on long
leather boots that were lined, short woolen coat, and then a hat
and mitts that she had knit herself. Looking more like she was on
her way out to town, Abby went outside to build the first snowman
of the year under the close supervision of her Hubby.

Keith and Wanda came walking through the
falling snow arm in arm. “So, enjoying the first fall of snow
Abby?” called Wanda.

“I am having a blast. You folks out for your
walk?”

“Yes ma’am, care to join us?”

“No thanks Keith, I know that would be an
intrusion, besides, my man and I have more work to do on this
magnificent piece of sculpture. Stop for tea on your way back?”

“Love to,” smiled Wanda in reply as she took
her husband’s arm and steered him back onto the path.

“She seems to be holding up quite well,”
commented Keith softly when he was sure they were out of
hearing.

“So far so good,” replied Wanda, “but she
gave me a turn or two back in November.”

“So it’s depression,” he said thoughtfully
nodding his head. “We’ll keep a close eye out for her honey, don’t
worry.”

“It’s just that she looks so very much like
Bride in that outfit Keith; I swear, some days it’s like having her
back again. When I think of what that poor girl has come
through...”

“Now Wanda sweetheart, put those maternal
instincts back on the shelf. Abby is a big girl and she has a mind
of her own. She’ll be just fine, you’ll see.”

“I know Keith, but still I wish she would
find someone to care for her.”

“So you think she needs a man do you?”

“No, I don’t actually think that at all.”

“So what are you not telling me,” he asked
softly as he paused in his stride and turned to face her. “Is Abby
lesbian?”

“No, well, who knows who is what for sure,”
sighed Wanda as she squeezed his hand before stepping forward
again. “Abby is attracted to men all right, but I think she is
attracted to women as well.”

“And you think a woman would be a better
match for her?” he asked as he fell into step beside her.

“After what she’s been through, Abby needs
someone who is both patient and compassionate. Women are far more
sensitive and gentle than men, and that is what Abigail MacKai
really needs, someone who is both sensitive and compassionate as
well as loving and caring.”

“And a man can’t do that?”

“Oh stop,” she laughed as she slapped him
playfully on the shoulder. “You are a rare and special case sir,
and it still took me years to get you properly trained.”

“So what is on the agenda for today Abby?”
asked Wanda as they sat in her kitchen sipping tea.

“Well, this handsome fellow and I are on our
way to the big city,” replied Abby as she scratched Hubby behind
his sentinel ear. “I have an appointment to get the winter tires
put on the car and I want to do some Christmas shopping. This snow
has really put me in the mood. I also have to get the decorating
under way soon; I have to buy the lights as well as some
decorations. Bride left me a few, but I do want more.”

“Ah yes,” sighed Wanda as she took a sip of
her tea. “After Terry passed, Bride lost her joy for it and gave
away most of her decorations.”

“Well, Hubby and I will go buy more and light
this place up right and proper,” laughed Abby. “Won’t we big
fella.” Her answer was an ear shattering woof.

“Are you going away for Christmas Abby?”

“No Keith, my father lives in Calgary with
his new wife and their kids. Tess is quite jealous of me and the
tension would surely spoil the day for their children. I’ll visit
them another time; for now I’ll just send gifts.”

“And your mother?”

“Mom’s an alcoholic,” replied Abby softly as
she lowered her gaze to the bottom of her tea cup. “She and her
boyfriend of the week will spend the whole season celebrating, as
they call it. No, I will spend the holiday with my Hubby and have a
much more enjoyable time of it right here.”

“You could spend it with us.”

“I would really like that Wanda, but since
the cats and Hubby don’t see eye to eye, how about you folks come
here for the day. That will also give me a chance to try out a few
of Bride’s Christmas recipes.”

“You found her cook books?”

“Yes sir,” grinned Abby, “and I am dying to
try out a few of these things on you. Are you game?”

“Game? My dear, I eagerly await your call to
arms,” grinned Keith.

“Just you mind your waistline Mr. Pike,”
admonished Wanda. “I don’t want to be having to let out all your
trousers.”

“And what about your waistline ma’am?” he
asked tartly.

“My dear boy, that’s why I always buy clothes
with elastic waistbands, they are so much more forgiving.”

Abby was still giggling to herself and
mentally running through her grocery list as she drove through the
fresh falling snow toward the city. She was driving slowly and
carefully, mindful of Keith’s warning. Everything goes slow in the
snow.

The Book

Cussing and struggling for breath, Tommy Reid
made his way up the three flights of stairs to his apartment. The
box he was carrying wasn’t really large, but it was certainly
heavy, and he had already carried several up already. “One more,”
he puffed to himself as he set it on the stack in Hazel’s bedroom,
“just one more to go. Come on Tommy boy, you can do it. God, the
things I do for that woman. If she were a guy, as she should be, I
would make her do it herself.” He chuckled at his own joke then
hurried back down the stairs and out to the parking lot. With a
sigh of resignation he dragged the last crate from the car and
kicked the door closed as he started back toward the building.

Setting the last of the boxes carefully on
the coffee table, Tommy stood up and worked the kinks out of his
back. A glance at his watch told him Hazel would soon be getting
off work, so he decided to call and ask if she wanted a ride.
“Sure, love one,” laughed Hazel as Tommy suggested she needed a
ride, “what’s up?”

“Nothing’s up; what makes you think something
is up?”

“I can hear it in your voice mister; you’re
up to something, never fear.”

“You are such a suspicious woman, Hazel
Fillmore, but it will do you no good at all. I’ll be there in about
ten minutes. Ok?”

“Ten is perfect sweetie,” laughed Hazel as
she hung up the phone.

“Was that Tommy?” asked Irene, Hazel’s work
buddy.

“That was indeed the man himself.”

“So when are you going to marry the guy and
make an honest man of him?”

“Why are you always so anxious to marry me
off?” asked Hazel as she took off her apron and hung it on the peg
by the back door.

“I just want to be the maid of honor and play
dress up for a day,” laughed Irene as she arranged another order on
a plate.

“I see,” replied Hazel with a naughty smile,
“well, I promise you can be the maid of honor when I get married.
Satisfied?”

“Perfectly,” laughed Irene as she swept up
her tray and vanished through the swinging door. A few short
moments later Tommy entered the café. “So Tommy, when are you and
Hazel getting married?” called Irene. “Hazel promised I could be
the maid of honor and I’ve already got a great dress picked
out.”

“Well I did ask her,” replied Tommy, getting
into the spirit of the game, “but she won’t give me an answer.”

“Dat, dat, dat, there will be no ganging up
on Hazel,” laughed Hazel as she pulled on her coat. “Take me home
sweetie; I’m beat to a rag.”

“Right this way my darling, your chariot
awaits without.”

“Oh yeah? Without what?”

“Gas and snow tires mostly,” laughed Tommy.
Hazel was still giggling as they drove away.

“Hey, you missed the turn,” exclaimed Hazel
as Tommy drove right past their street, “where are we going?”

“You’re buying me dinner at Wendy’s. I have
spent the whole afternoon doing something nice for you and I expect
to be rewarded. You have to feed me.”

“Oh really? So what have you done for me
today?”

“I’m not telling; you’ll see when we get
home.” Try as hard as she could, Hazel could get no more from him.
He seemed to be enjoying torturing her so much she stopped asking
and decided to wait.

“So what did you do Tommy?” asked Hazel as
she gazed all around the apartment. Everything seemed to be the
same, except for that cardboard box on the coffee table.

“I carried all your books home for you like I
used to do back in high school,” laughed Tommy as he hung up their
coats. “All five hundred copies, and I can tell you for sure, they
are darned heavy.”