Ch.13, Pt. 2: On Friday evening…
On Friday evening, after putting away the comfort food she had bought on the way home, she realized that she had nothing to do. She didn’t count the pile of dirty dishes on the counter. It seemed that she had always either been getting ready for Rick’s visit, doing things with him, or tidying up after his visit. Now, she didn’t care about keeping things clean and neat. It didn’t seem to matter. Yet she no longer knew how to fill the time otherwise. In fact, she had met Rick so soon after moving in, that she hardly knew how to live here without him in her life. What had she done before? The weekend yawned with boredom before her. She decided to call Frieda and see if they could get together.
Douglas answered. “Sorry, Katherine, Frieda’s away for the weekend…No, I’ve got the kids. She’s visiting a friend…No, no one you’d know…How’s the house coming?”
Katherine couldn’t bring herself to tell Douglas about Rick just then, so she gave a vague reply that things were fine. “Tell Frieda I called, will you?”
Now what, she thought. I need more friends. For times like this. I really must make an effort to meet more people and keep up with the friends I have. It’s a form of insurance. Why didn’t Frieda tell me her plans? Because I’ve been too busy with Rick. When you’ve got someone it’s so easy to forget about everyone else in your life. Everybody does it. Couples usually stick to family or other couples. Want to do everything together. So when you’re not part of a couple, people tend to forget about you. I’m not going to do that any more. If I ever have another relationship. Suddenly she remembered Clara.
The phone rang several times before Clara answered. Her voice was just like it used to be, bright and alert. “Katherine! How lovely to hear from you. I was just heading outside when I heard the phone, and had to dash back in…Taking Irma for a walk. It’s such a lovely evening.”
Katherine turned to look out the window. Lovely evening? She hadn’t noticed. “I was just wondering what your plans were for the weekend, or whether I could come out and visit you.”
“Great! Any time. What suits you?”
Right now, thought Katherine, but didn’t want to appear desperate. “Tomorrow afternoon?”
“Fine. Can you come for lunch?”
Katherine nearly wept with gratitude. “I’d love to. What shall I bring?”
“Nothing. I’ll make tomato-tarragon soup and my herbed cheese bread, shall I?”
“Sounds fabulous. But let me bring dessert, will you?” Katherine thought of a way to fill Saturday morning, by going to a special village bakery she had discovered, and getting one of their spectacular tortes. They even have tables and magazines, she remembered, so I can have a coffee there too. She was so relieved to be making plans. To have some reason to get up tomorrow morning.
“And why not bring Noodle? We could take the dogs for a walk.”
“That sounds perfect. I’m looking forward to it.” Katherine held onto the phone a moment after Clara had hung up. It felt like a life ring had been thrown her. Tomorrow was going to be all right. As for tonight? She looked at the sink and sighed. Three days’ dishes and pots were stacked crookedly on the counter. She hadn’t even piled the cutlery, but had left them in bowls and on plates. It was time to wash them. Inch forward, she thought. Step by step. She turned on the TV in the living room for some background sound and began moving the glasses and mugs to be washed first.
When she had the rack dangerously full of drying dishes, she pulled the plug, rinsed, dried her hands, and squeezed some lotion onto her palm. “Well, Noodle? A little TV?” She reached for a big bag of spicy tortilla chips and plopped down onto the sofa.
* * *
When Clara opened the door the next day, Katherine stepped in for a hug, taking advantage of giving some comfort in order to get some for herself. “How are you doing?”
“Not bad,” Clara said softly, patting Katherine on the back. “Each day is a little easier.”
Irma gave a bark as Noodle came up the steps. The women broke apart to watch the dogs’ encounter. Mother and son cautiously sniffed each other’s nose and then circled to inspect the rear end. Irma gave no sign of recognition. She stalked off the porch and squatted to leave her scent beside the steps. Noodle sniffed at the spot, then lifted his leg. Then both dogs looked up at the women, mouths open, tongues hanging out.
“Look at the grins on those two!” cried Clara. “Irma, did you make a new friend?” Both dogs cocked their head. “We’ll go for a walk later.” Four ears pricked forward. “Later. That’s right.”
The kitchen smelled fragrant of herbs, fresh bread, and warmth. The table was covered in a flowered tablecloth with only two place settings, Katherine was relieved to note. She set down a bakery box on the counter, saying “A light cheesecake, if you can believe such a thing.”
Clara murmured her approval and checked a pot on the stove. “I hope you’re ready for lunch.” She turned off the element and stirred with a dark wooden spoon.
“Famished.” Katherine pulled out her usual chair.
Clara brought two bowls to the table. “Here’s my garden tomato-tarragon soup.”
It tasted like summer: hot and fresh and with a flavourful zip from ripe tomatoes and dark green herbs blended smoothly together. Clara served a slice of herbed cheese bread, with pockets of cheese oozing, and a brown crispy crust. Katherine swallowed and exhaled in bliss. “I can’t even tell you how good this is.”
Clara waved off the compliment. “So, what’s bothering you at the moment?”
“What do you mean?” asked Katherine quickly.
“You usually have some trouble to discuss when you visit.”
“That’s not true. Is it?”
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Clara patted Katherine’s hand.
“If it’s true, it’s because I don’t really have anyone else to talk to about things. And you’re such a good listener.”
“I like to help if I can. Is there a problem now?”
Katherine took a deep breath. “I have had some upsetting news. I’ve learned that all the land around me has been bought and is supposed to be developed into an estate residential subdivision.”
“Oh dear.” Clara laid down her spoon. “Do you know how much land?”
“A lot. Something like 540 acres.”
“Do you know who’s behind it?”
“Rick Burman is one of them.”
“Ah, yes. He’s quite pro-development.” Clara thoughtfully tore off a corner of bread. “Didn’t you ask Harry and me about him some time ago?”
“Yes. I’m – I was seeing him. A fair bit.” Katherine took a mouthful to cover her awkwardness.
Clara chewed a moment. “Does he have all the permissions?”
“Permission from whom?”
“There are a number of different bodies that have to give approval for rezoning. And for that land to go from agricultural to estate residential, all the levels of government and the conservation authority have to review it. If you can find good reasons why the land shouldn’t be rezoned, you might be able to stop it, or at least delay it a while.”
Katherine looked straight at Clara.