Abby stretched and yawned after a night of quiet sleep. She remembered last night’s impromptu dinner and the easy companionship she and Tom had shared. She was looking forward to Sunday and Aunt Bessie’s reaction to Tom and the reopening of Agatha Wyatt’s old house. Ummm, she stretched again, so much to look forward to.
She jumped up straightening the Amish quilt and plumped up the pillows on her antique brass bed then stepped into the shower. Warm water pulsated on her skin as she lathered her hair, enjoying the self-indulgent master bath, singing music from “Oklahoma”.
The whole front area of the second floor was wall to wall Berber carpeting with a walk-in closet, a built-in library with cupboards for her personal writing projects, and an attractive seating area in front of the river rock fireplace. Tall paned windows revealed ocean and beach and allowed ample light into the room. To the rear of the second floor were two guest rooms with a shared bath.
She looked out to check the weather before dressing and the sun had already burned the night fog into wispy remnants in the blue sky. A great day she observed and decided to chuck her work plans and visit her girlfriend, Tess, at her Bed and Breakfast Inn across the cove. She wanted to share all of her good news and see the completed renovation of the Inn
She dried her hair and pulled on denim slacks, a gingham blouse and grabbed a light jacket in case the wind came up later in the day. Downstairs she fed Waif and fortified herself with a cup of hot tea before walking to the back of her yard to retrieve her bicycle from the garage. A covey of birds called from the thicket while jays scolded from the trees and gulls wheeled overhead.
The fog was gone as she cycled from the bluff down through town, along the harbor, and up the other side to the Bed and Breakfast. Sunlight danced on the waves while birds sang their songs and the mingled fragrance of ocean and spicy vegetation filled her senses as she pedaled along the familiar route.
She leaned her bike against the picket fence and called out to Tess as she opened the gate. She heard a muffled response from the back so she walked through the flower garden which was Tess’s pride and joy to find her weeding the herb garden.
Tess’s petite frame was perched on a gardening stool as she tended the herbs that were the basis for her culinary marvels. Almost everything she served at the inn came fresh from the local fishermen, farmers, and wineries.
“Oh, Abby, I’m so glad to see you, she said as Abby reached down and to help her up and the two hugged.
“Come inside and see my new kitchen,” she said as she brushed off dirt and twigs, washing her hands under the garden spigot. Tess was 5 foot even with black hair and deep brown eyes fringed by extraordinary lashes. She looked and sounded European and very cultured from her work as a UN translator and years spent in the international community. Actually, she was an Atlanta girl who had been a foreign exchange student and won a scholarship to study languages in Europe.
She led Abby by the hand into the inn, “My dream come true,” she said as she whirled and opened her arms to embrace the smaller version of a large, modern commercial kitchen recently installed in the old inn.
“Wow,” Abby exclaimed as she wandered through the kitchen touching stainless steel surfaces and admiring the amazing collection of cookware hanging above the modern grill and ovens. “It’s right out of a gourmet magazine,” Abby said, eyes wide with wonder.
Tess had saved her money faithfully while working in New York and with a small inheritance from her parents had purchased and refurbished the inn when she came to the cove. Actually, an advertisement for the inn in a magazine had brought Tess to the Cove and she had fallen in love with the inn at first sight. She had worked long and hard for several years, scrimping and saving to install this modern kitchen and redecorate the dining room.
“Now,” she said as she took Abby’s hand again, “the ‘piece de resistance’,” she said and stepped through the swinging doors that led to the dining room.
Abby stood, stunned by the breadth of the view before her. The whole west wall of the inn was covered with large tinted windows that showed off the rugged coastline in all of its majesty.
“You see,” said Tess, “the magnificent sunset will be the head liner of my dinner show, along with my food, of course,” she laughed with humor, “and if it is foggy,” she turned to the east gesturing at the east wall and the huge river, rock fireplace, “a warm fire will comfort my guests and make them feel warm and cozy.”
“It’s more beautiful then I can say.” The walls were washed gray wormwood and the carpeting was a medium blue-grey. “I love the carpeting and the walls too. Oh, and look at the beautiful silver and crystal, the table settings are exquisite,” she said with awe.
“I didn’t want the colors to compete with the view and sunset,” Tess said, “and the thick carpeting will make the service quiet and mute the sounds below the level of the recorded music I will play.”
When they finished admiring everything,” Tess said, “Come back to the kitchen. I have a new pasta dish I want you to try out.”
“I’m so glad you didn’t let that decorator talk you into anything, Tess. It’s perfect the way it is and it’s your vision.”
“It was your concept that convinced me Abby. Remember that you said you wanted to live in your house for a while before you started renovating? I decided it was the same with the inn, I have lived here for years and know how it should look.”
Abby, grinned, pleased with the compliment.
Tess puttered with her new dish and asked, “What’s new in town,” Abby, “I’ve been so busy here that I haven’t been out.”
“One more week of school and I can start writing some of the articles I’ve been thinking about,” she said.
“No field trip again this year,” Tess asked?
“Not with my new home to enjoy,” Abby said, “You know that as soon as I graduated from high school Dad started taking me on field trips. It just doesn’t have the allure it used to have.”
“You sure it doesn’t have anything to do with your ex,” she asked Abby.
“Of course it does,” she said, “You know that they’re still investigating.”
“Have you heard anything new,” Tess asked.
Tess and Abby had exchange their life stories: ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’. Tess knew all about Abby’s ex-husband, even about the last horrifying call from the D.A.’s office. They knew each other so well that each had a hard time hiding anything from the other.
“No, nothing since that last call,” Abby answered.
Tess continued to prepare the lunch and Abby said, “I do have some interesting new news though,” Abby enticed, wanting to change the subject.
Tess put the new dish in the oven and brought ice tea and salads to the table, “Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” she said.
“I have a new neighbor,” said Abby.
“What,” Tess exclaimed, “Someone new in town? Give, Abby.”
Abby grinned, “You know the Wyatt house, right next door to me?”
Tess frowned, “Bessie Gurney’s chum,” she asked?
“Yes, Agatha Wyatt’s nephew started moving in yesterday. He’s an attorney from LA and he’s going to be writing a law text.”
“Well,” said Tess, with a twinkle in her eye, “Name, age and vital statistics, please?”
“I’m not sure, thirty something, brown hair and eyes, maybe 6’2”. Very nice and he has a wonderful sense of humor.”
“And just how did you learn so much in such a short time, Abby Cavanaugh?”
She grinned again, “He came to dinner last night,” she said, “and we talked for hours.”
“Well, well, well, it’s not like you to invite a strange man to dinner, Abby. Remember that you’re shy,” she said.
“I know,” she frowned, “I guess that’s why I wanted to stop by.”
Tess got up and brought the casserole to the table, “Now, start from the beginning,” she told Abby.
“O.K.,” I was just getting home from school and shopping and he was coming out of the back door of the house next door. “Naturally, I was curious.”
“Yes, of course, and then…..?”
“We introduced ourselves and he helped me in with the groceries and we just started talking. His kitchen isn’t working yet and it was getting late so I invited him to dinner.”
“What’s he like,” Tessie asked?
“He was raised here in town, he loves the theater, went to Sunday school in Aunt Bessie’s classes, played baseball with Ken Tanaka, is up to date on off shore drilling and fishing laws and has a terrific sense of humor.”
Tess was grinning ear to ear and Abby balled up her napkin and threw it in Tess’s general direction.
Tess touched Abby’s hand, “Tell me what’s troubling you about all of this?”
Abby took a deep breath, “First, was it appropriate for me to invite him into my home, and second, it feels like I’ve just started meeting new people and leaving my old life behind. It’s like I’ve been on hold all of this time and now I’m opening up. Does that make any sense,” she asked?
“Abby, you would have fed him if he was an ugly little dog that followed you home. Just look at that ratty little kitten you took home.”
“She’s not ratty, she’s sleek and beautiful,” Abby protested.
Tess grinned, “What did you feed him?”
“Well, it wasn’t fancy, we split a bottle of wine and dinner, and then we had coffee and dessert in front of the fireplace and talked for hours.”
Abby was quiet for a moment and then said, “It sounds kind of intimate doesn’t it?”
“No, Abby, it doesn’t. We’ve done the same thing and chatted half the night away. Stop feeling guilty for having a nice evening with an interesting young man.”
“Your right, Tess, it wasn’t planned and it was fun. I guess I feel guilty because of Cliff.”
“Oh God, not the fish,” Tess said.
“All right, Tess, truth time, you like everyone. What is it about Cliff that turns you off?”
“Well, he doesn’t like me, which makes his judgment questionable.”
“O.K., assuming that’s true for the moment, why doesn’t he like you,” Abby asked.
“ummmm,” Tess wondered how to put it diplomatically, “I think it’s because I spent time in Europe and I speak several languages.”
Abby felt defensive about the statement, “Well, that’s a pretty strange reason for not liking someone. Are you sure that you’re not mistaken?”
“I’ve been wrong many times in my life, Abby. How did you like the pasta?”
Happy the discussion about Cliff was over, Abby said, “It was terrific, Tess, the inn looks terrific too.”
Tess squeezed Abby’s hand, “I’m so glad you came, I’ve been worried since the work here was completed. I’m just a crazy person who worries if she’s not working. I should probably start thinking about employees now.”
“Have you thought about employing college students during the summer,” Abby asked?
“What a great idea! Can you help me find reliable students to work here,” she asked?
“Sure, I’d love to help. The college has an employment office for students; I’ll check it out for you. Why don’t you make a list of openings for me to submit to the student office?”
Tess already had pen in hand, “I’ll start the list today and get it to you before the weekend is over.”
“Tess, why don’t you come to the church potluck on Sunday? Tom is going to be there and I’d like you to meet him,” Abby suggested.
“I’d love to meet him. And,” Tess said, “Don’t be surprised if he asks you to dinner to make up for the one you fixed for him. It would be the normal thing for a nice guy to do and it wouldn’t really be a date,” she added.
“I have to admit that I enjoy his company, Tess, he’s just fun to be around and I want to leave it at that, for now.”
“Understood, and I should have the employee list ready for you by then.”
Abby stood up and complimented the inn and kitchen again, “The pasta was superb and thanks for the friendly ear. I needed to talk.”
“De nada, sweetie,” she took Abby’s hand and walked with her to the front door, “Don’t worry about all of the activity in the Midwest, it’s out of your hands and your divorce is final.” She stopped Abby and said, “That feeling you had is right you know. Last night was the ‘first day in the rest of your life’, as trite as it sounds. So, enjoy your new neighbor whether it’s a romance or a friendship.”
Abby smiled, “Your right Tess, if he’s a friend I get to keep him no matter what. Thanks for lunch and the grand tour, you’re going to get rich,” Abby waved.
Abby giggled as she coasted back down the bluff to the harbor. She’d revealed a bit of her silly, “Edith Ann”, insecurity to Tessie and it felt good to be able to be herself and be “O.K. Funny-eerie, she thought, but introducing two friends was kind of like taking someone home to meet the family. I want Tess and Tom to like each other, she realized.
When she reached the fishing pier most of the boats were already in for the day. She wanted to buy a freshly caught ling cod from one of the commercial boats.
As she walked out on the pier with her bicycle she could feel the timbers shudder as each swell surged under foot. Gulls shrieked and fought over scraps as the fishermen cleaned the days catch and washed down the decks. Surf pounded on the nearby beach and the throbbing of diesel engines filled her ears. She loved the docks and often joined the fishermen she knew from Aunt Bessie’s church in the small café. . She saw Manuel Abreu’s boat reach the dock. His teenage sons were dressed in yellow oils as they readied the boat for the next day.
“Hey, Abby Cavanaugh,” Manuel hailed her from the bow of the “Sadie”, “I have a big, beautiful cod here, your favorite.”
“You’re reading my mind, Manuel, my mouth is already watering. Looks as if it was rough out there today,” she called.
“Rough, yes, and slow fishing, but soon it will be salmon season and we’re hoping for a good run this year. Now, what will you give me for this beautiful fish?”
“That ugly old fish,” she called, “Why anyone can see that it’s mostly head and short on meat.”
They haggled and came to an agreeable amount and Abby rode off on her bike thinking that she would have every cat in town following her by the time she reach home. The bank of fog that lay off the coast all day began to move in and press against the shore. Chilly, Abby stopped and put on her jacket.
All was quiet next door when she got home and the drive way was empty She went in and filleted out the fish and saved the scraps for fish chowder while Waif put up a loud clamor. “All right you, no raw fish,” she said as she opened a can of cat food.
She decided to put together the casserole for tomorrow’s potluck so that she could have more time for grading finals. She put the casserole in the refrigerator and went upstairs to get ready for her dinner date with Cliff.
Cliff pulled back the chair and helped Abby get seated comfortably. They decided against a drink; instead, Cliff ordered a bottle of wine from the wine list to go with the choppino they both ordered.
Cliff was a lean, light haired man of medium height. His outdoor life as the Fish and Game biologist for the Trinity Cove area kept him tan and fit. He nodded after tasting the wine he had ordered and the waiter poured for both of them.
“How did your meeting with the board go, Abby?”
“The purpose of the meeting was to try and anticipate future conflicts between developers and certain sites important to the spiritual life and history of the area’s Indian tribes. I’m afraid some of the board members don’t have much appreciation of other cultures. Some of them don’t respect much except the money involved,” she said as she sipped the wine.
“Well, if I know my Abby, you’ll have them eating out of your hand before all of this is over. After all, the board will pay a lot more attention to an educated white person than some of those Indians.”
“Cliff, that’s and unbearably patronizing thing to say. The people I’m working with are all well educated, Blackie is a doctor and Gary an attorney...and what about the people who don’t have a degree tucked away somewhere, don’t they have any rights?”
“O.K. honey, O.K., I’m sorry,” he said as he reached across to pat her hand. “I’m not saying that it’s right, I’m just saying that’s the way it is.”
Abby sat back with a sigh, “Your right, let’s enjoy the dinner.” But she was thinking, he’s right, I get upset with him often lately. I just can’t believe some of the things he says.
They finished their dinner quietly and Abby declined an after dinner drink and dessert saying, “I’m tired Cliff, let’s make an early night of it. I have lots of papers to grade tomorrow.”
When they reached Abby’s house Cliff switched off the engine and turned toward her, “Honey, I wasn’t trying to be patronizing or anything like that. I was just trying to complement you. You know how much I respect you.”
“I’m sorry too, Cliff. I guess I’m kind of touchy lately. Let’s forget about it and get in touch later in the week.
“How about tomorrow, are you going to the potluck,” he asked?
“You don’t enjoy those things, Cliff. You haven’t gone with me since the first time, besides I kind of promised someone else he could tag along with me.”
“You’re going out with someone else.” he demanded?
“Cliff, calm down. In the first place it’s not a date, just a friendly gesture to someone new in town. And in the second place, you know I’m not ready to commit to an exclusive relationship. I’ve told you that over and over again.”
“I know that you’ve told me over and over again,” he went on in a more reasonable tone, “but we’ve been seeing each other for over a year and neither one of us is getting any younger. I am ready for a commitment, Abby, I’m ready for marriage.”
“Cliff, listen, I made one bad mistake and I’m not going to make another. I don’t want to commit to an exclusive relationship and I want you to feel free to date if you find someone you are attracted to.”
He took a deep breath, “Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere. I really care about you, Abby.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Now, let’s get you inside, you’re shivering out here in the fog.”
Cliff walked her to the door and gave her another quick kiss on the cheek. “I have to get right back to Sacramento, sweetheart. I’ll call you when I'm back in town again," he said.
Good night, Cliff, we'll talk when you get back," she said.
Abby climbed the stairs to her bedroom on leaden legs. Her ambivalence about Cliff really bothered her. Was he a bigot or was she just touchy? She thought back over past arguments, usually he could explain away what he said.
She really wished he would date other women. She didn't have any desire to settle down with Cliff, or anyone else. She didn't date anyone else but that didn't involve Cliff, it was because she didn't know anyone else she wanted to date. Cliff seemed to misinterpret that into a monogamous relationship.
She really wished he would date other women. She didn't have any desire to settle down with Cliff, or anyone else. She didn't date anyone else but that didn't involve Cliff, it was because she didn't know anyone else she wanted to date. Cliff seemed to misinterpret that into a monogamous relationship.
Still shivering she pulled on one of her floor length, flannel, granny gowns and a pair of wool socks then padded downstairs and turned on the tea kettle. Waif paced and grumbled waiting for her to settle in someplace. Abby noticed there were lights next door since she had come in.
She padded back upstairs and snuggled under the covers before sipping the hot tea. Waif finally curled up at the foot of the bed. Abby thought that it was kind of nice having the house next door occupied, knowing someone was sleeping nearby. She slid down in the bed and was asleep in minutes warmed by the tea and pleasant thoughts.
@ 2013 May Karen maceanruig
@ 2013 May Karen maceanruig
No comments:
Post a Comment