New Quarters

by Tey Holden

  As for Karen, she kept wondering what other thing could possibly turn up in that head that would make her regret the words she had just spoken. But for now, life was good and there was a need to celebrate. So they did. The hot tub, indeed had been money well spent, there had been plenty of celebrations spent there.

  ***

  JP and James came to visit in June, right before the opening of the inn. When they arrived, Karen and Addy picked them up at the airport. JP was overjoyed to visit, and as talkative as ever. “Oh my God! I can’t believe that I’m finally here to see the famous inn that almost wasn’t! I really don’t know how you guys have adapted to drive on the other side of the road, especially you Addy because Karen was used to this nonsense, but not you. I would have gone nuts! I don’t even know if I would even try it. I think my mind would have such a shock that I would probably end up crashing somewhere.”

  Addy smiled, and looking at Karen replied, “it was tough, JP, but after a little while it didn’t seem so odd.” Addy continued to look at Karen, noticing the grin on Karen’s face. Not a word came from Karen. She was just smiling as she drove. Addy couldn’t help smiling as well. She knew very well what was going through Karen’s mind.

  As Addy and JP talked endlessly, Karen reminisced about that first drive. She could still remember that infamous day. Addy had been nervous just sitting behind the wheel while she had been trying to reassure her that all would be fine. She praised Addy’s excellent driving record, and pointed out that in any eventuality the Range Rover was a very safe car. They drove for a long time because the road was clear, and Addy was feeling confident and doing very well.

  All of a sudden, the unexpected happened, the one thing that could have only happened in rural Scotland. A herd of sheep suddenly appeared from nowhere and started to cross the road. In the confusion of not knowing if to turn left or right to get out of the way of the herd, Addy ended up in the embankment and going, quite fast, down a ravine.

  As the car plummeted, Karen kept telling Addy to put her foot on the brake, however, Addy was frightened to death and panicked. She was unable to press the brake pedal, and if it hadn’t been for the cow, God knows where they would have ended. They saw it in front of them, and then they figured they must have both closed their eyes bracing themselves for death because neither one actually saw how it happened. All they knew was that the car had finally stopped because they felt the forward thrust, before they felt the backward pulled of their seat belts holding them in place. The impact was rough, blunt and sudden, and the women were rattled.

  As soon as the car stopped, a much shaken Karen turned to Addy. “Are you alright, baby, are you alright?” Addy was in state of shock looking straight ahead. When she looked at Karen, she started to cry and Karen immediately hugged her. “It’s okay, baby. It’s fine. We are okay. No one is hurt, all is well.”

  A shaky, wide-eyed Addy began to touch Karen’s arms as if to make sure that everything was in its place. “Oh my God, Ker, are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” Then they heard the awful, annoying noise. In their confusion, they couldn’t figure out what it was, or where it was coming from. When they looked out the window, they realized what was happening. There were hundreds of sheep everywhere surrounding the car. Two men came running towards them, yelling, screaming and raising their arms in the air. In addition to the shock of their near death experience going down the ravine, the noise from the sheep, and the yelling men added to the already chaotic scene.

  Karen thought to get out of the car, but she couldn’t because the sheep were everywhere and there was no way to open the door. Addy didn’t even try. She was still in shock and was also afraid of the sheep and was terrified to get out of the car. She had never been the type to be fond of animals. The men moved the sheep away, and the women were finally able to get out of the car. Karen got out first, and knowing Addy’s condition, she immediately walked over to her side of the car. The minute she stepped out of the car, she embraced Karen and cried. Karen comforted her not caring for the yelling from the men.

  “Are you sure that you are okay?”

  “Yes, Ker, what are we going to do?” Addy seemed dazed. When Karen confirmed that Addy was fine, she turned around, still holding Addy by her waist. Karen hardly knew what to say, or do faced with the unbelievable scene. The men, who turned out to be the owner of the sheep, and the cow, were still yelling and waving their arms in the air. Addy gasped in horror, and was again in tears when she saw the dead cow. Karen, instead, was totally amazed by the absolutely extraordinary circumstances.

  Because they were on an incline, rather than the cow lay on its side, it was propped up by a rock next to it, totally upside down, legs up in the air. The sight didn’t even look real. It looked like a poster board for some ice cream or milk advertisement. Fortunately for all, the cow had an instant death, so there was no suffering, and the car sustained only minor damage. Had it not been for the unfortunate event of the death of the cow, all would have been just fine.

  The owner of the cow was livid, screaming and demanding payment. All the commotion attracted attention, and others in the vicinity gathered around them astonished by the incident. The dead cow, feet up, laying on the ground visible to all. Not knowing what to do or what to say, Karen again hugged Addy. In the confusion, it was all she thought to do. Then she thanked God for looking out for them and keeping them safe. While hugging, Addy felt Karen’s body shaking. Addy pulled away from the embrace to comfort Karen, thinking that she was crying, but instead she realized that Karen was laughing. Addy stopped crying and wondered what could possibly be going through Karen’s mind to make her laugh. She thought that Karen’s nerves had prompted her to laugh rather than cry. Everyone was looking at Karen as if she had gone mad.

  “Ker? Are you okay?”

  “Addy, I’m more than okay. I’m laughing about the dead cow.” She was crying from laughing so hard. Addy was still in awe, not understanding Karen’s reaction. “Wait for me here. Let me talk to these guys.”

  Still laughing, she walked over to the owner of the cow and spoke to him. “Sir, calm down. We will reimburse you for the cow. I will give you our address and you will send me the bill. Now, here’s what I’d like you to do—.” She was smiling while talking to the man, and began to laugh, unbelieving what she was about to say. “I’m sorry for laughing, sir, but since the cow is already dead, is there someone we can call to come and get it and chop it for us? Like a butcher?” She couldn’t help laughing.

  “Yes, that can be arranged. I will call my friend and have the meat delivered to you.”

  “Here’s my address.” Karen gave him her business card. “Can you call me ahead of the delivery? I will need to buy a freezer to store the meat.”

  As soon as the owner of the cow realized that he would be well compensated, he too began to laugh about the butchering proposal. Addy was by the car, still in shock from the incident, and trying to comprehend Karen’s reaction. She kept looking at the cow as if expecting it to get up and walk away. Because she had remained by the car, she was not able to hear the conversation between Karen and the cow’s owner.

  Karen walked over to Addy smiling. “All is fine. I took care of everything.” She gave her a big hug and pulled her towards the car. “Come on, baby, let’s see if we can back the Rover up the ravine and get out of here. Get in.”

  “But the cow, what about the cow?”

  “Come on, it’s all taken care of. Get in the car. We are going home.” Addy, still in shock, did as Karen requested. Karen got in driver’s seat and backed up the Rover. It was a fabulous car. It backed up, went up the ravine and back on the road with very little effort. Karen was now convinced that their next car had to be another Rover.

  “What about what happened? What about the cow?”

  “Let’s just say, we are going to be eating meat for quite some time.”

  “What? What did you do?” Then it struck her. “You didn’t!”

  “Well, i
f we have to pay for it, we might as well eat it.” Karen chuckled.

  Addy was silent. She always admired Karen’s ability to come up with practical solutions, or answers under the most chaotic circumstances. In this particular situation, it made sense to make the best of a bad incident. Addy glanced at Karen smiled and remained quiet.

  She hadn’t expected Karen to yell at her or be mad about the incident, because that would not be something Karen would do, but she was expecting her to say something. However, Karen was totally silent and smiling. “Aren’t you going to say anything about what happened?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like I’m an idiot, like how could I have done such a thing? I almost got us killed and for God’s sake! I killed a cow! Oh my God, Ker! This is awful! I will never be able to forget this, or get behind that wheel again. How could you not be screaming at me? Or be mad at me?”

  “Why would I say that? It was an accident. What happened could have happened to anyone. It was totally unpredictable. Who would have thought those sheep were going to show up just like that? And the cow, well, it was unfortunate. Or maybe it was fortunate. It could have been a tree and we could have been badly hurt, or there could have been no cow, or tree and we would have continued to roll down hill, and the car might have tipped over and God only knows what would have happened. No, in my opinion, we got lucky. And, I wouldn’t bet on you not getting behind this wheel. We are having another practice session tomorrow.”

  “What? Are you crazy? No way!”

  “No, I’m not crazy. Just determined to have you drive and not panic. You know what? There’s something very unique to be said about this incident.”

  “What?”

  “Not everyone can say they’ve killed a cow.” Karen grinned and then started to laugh again. She was laughing so much she had to stop on the side of the road because she was afraid she would have an accident also. Addy began to smile when Karen made her statement and by the time the car stopped, they were both practically in tears from laughing. “My little butcher!”

  “I will never live this down, will I?”

  “Nope, I’m afraid not. It’s a pretty unique happening.”

  “Ker, if you ever mention this to anyone, I will kill you!”

  “Don’t worry, baby, I will take your secret to my grave.” Karen leaned over and kissed her.

  “I feel so stupid. I don’t know how you can take all this so well and not be mad. It’s embarrassing.”

  “Addy, I find it funny, In fact, I think it’s hilarious. I think it’s amazing that we came out in one piece from the whole ordeal. I love you, baby. You and all the crazy stuff you pull. This was just an accident, granted that it was somewhat unusual.” She chuckled. “How could I possibly be mad at you for that? I mean, who would have thought all those sheep were going to appear out of nowhere! And the cow the upside down cow, oh my God!” She just couldn’t stop laughing.

  “Ker, I killed a cow. It’s not funny. It’s awful!”

  “Well, that was the unusual part. I rather think of it as the cow that saved us,” Karen chuckled, “and then we ate it!” Karen continued to laugh. Even Addy was laughing now.

  “I guess now we know who is the real butch, or should I say butcher?”

  “Ha ha, very funny. Let’s just go home. I need a drink to forget this ordeal. Sometimes I don’t know who is crazier me and my happenings, or you or your solutions.”

  Karen kissed her before starting the car again. Addy looked adorable in her grief for the cow. Karen would never forget that day, as long as she lived.

  The next day, Addy, got behind the wheel and, as nervous as she was, took off with Karen by her side. She did very well. Thereafter, she drove more every day until she felt comfortable again behind the wheel. Even after all the time that had passed, they still had meat in the freezer.

  Karen kept the incident to herself, as Addy asked, and never told anyone, not even JP. Many years passed before they retold the story, and it was only told to a very special someone. In retrospect, Karen thought, that experiences such as that one were the type that really made life real. And she wondered how her life would have been without them. Her life with Addy was very different than her previous life, but as crazy as it was sometimes, it was a wonderful full life, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

  As Karen finished reminiscing, she got back into the conversation with JP, but not before glancing over to Addy. Addy knew what had been on Karen’s mind, and smiled back at her. She felt content savoring the feeling of being completely loved in spite of all her flaws.

  Once at the inn, JP was asking all sorts of questions. “So, tell me, how many rooms do you have here? Oh my God! This is beautiful!”

  They filled JP and James with all the details, and all the problems they had encountered refurbishing the inn and rejoicing in how booked they were now.”

  “Well, I think your move over here was a good idea. Things back home are bad. I was just laid off, believe it or not. We are barely making it with James’ salary.” James rolled his eyes. The situation was not as dramatic as JP described it. James was in the web development business, and made very good money designing and maintaining web sites for clients. James let JP and Karen wander ahead and he stayed behind to talk to Addy. The two of them had always gotten along wonderfully. “He has been unbearable since he lost his job. You’d think he doesn’t have food on the table. We are getting by just fine. I make good money, Addy.”

  Addy laughed. “It’s just the way he is. He’s got to be busy and feel useful. Maybe you guys might consider staying with us for a while. James, your job is portable, and JP could help us with the inn. You know what? He could help me manage the inn. We can’t pay much, but you’d have free room and board. Mention it to him, and let’s see what he says.”

  “I will, but I’m certain he would like it. By the way, that day that Karen got mad at him for making that ugly comment he cried like a little boy all night.”

  Addy grimaced. “She did get mad at him that day, didn’t she? It’s just that she feels this need to protect me all the time.”

  “Well, he should have known his boundaries. I think Karen really stopped his horse that day, if you ask me. I love how Karen handles him. I wish I had that grip on him.”

  “Come on, James, you are crazy about him, and you do know how to handle him.”

  “I love him, Addy, but the truth is that he drives me mad sometimes.”

  JP came over and laced his arm through Addy’s. “Now I need to spend some time with the queen of the castle! Come here, sweet one, tell me about life here in the Highlands.”

  “JP I think the Highlands are further north, I—.”

  “Oh you know what I mean, how was last winter? Did the blonde keep you warm?” And, please, don’t tell her I asked. She turns into a lion at the mere mention of your name. You are just going to have to tell me what it is that you’ve done to her, she is like a woman possessed.”

  Karen rolled her eyes as she watched them walk away towards the pool deck. “Hey JP, I’m a very good distance shooter, so be careful with the way you speak to my queen there!”

  James laughed, and Addy smiled as JP made all sorts of faces mocking Karen.

  Karen and James sat and had a beer by the pool. “You two look really happy, Karen.”

  “We are, James, we are.”

  “Everything working out between you two, huh?”

  Karen smiled. Nothing more needed to be said. She and James had a few things in common. One was that neither needed many words to express their happiness, it just showed.

  Of course, prior to making the work offer, Addy and Karen had spoken about it. They knew JP would like the idea, but they wanted to get James reactions first. They didn’t want to get JP excited without knowing how James felt. James was the steady income and the one with a more stable head on his shoulders. When James heard the offer, he told JP, and JP was thrilled to accept the position.

  The following
day James confided in Kaken. “Karen you know I’m kind of private about certain things, but I will tell you that last night turned out to be a very satisfactory night when I told JP about your offer. I will say no more, but the guy is really happy about the arrangement and as for me, well if he is happy—.”

  Karen put her hand up, signaling a stop. “I get it, James. When your partner is happy, the other partner is very happy.” They laughed.

  Addy and JP were also engulfed in a conversation on another part of the inn. “So, how are winters in here? Maybe I should go to the city and get plenty of lotions and beauty aids. I have very sensitive, dry skin and you know we have to keep it moist or the signs of aging will show. Can you recommend any moisturizers?” He kept on and on and on. He probably knew more about moisturizers than Addy, but Addy just laughed at all his comments. They made a great pair.

  ***

  It was September, and exactly two months after the inn opened for business, when Laurie and her boyfriend, Shawn, came to visit. She was the first member of the family who came to stay with them. Laurie was excited about the trip even before arriving. On the way to the inn from the airport, she became enamored with the city. “Karen you are going to have to show us around. How’s the inn? How are you guys doing? Are we staying at the inn or with you?”

  Karen smiled, but remained quiet hoping that Addy would handle all the questions. She was happy about Laurie’s visit because she loved Laurie and knew that Addy would be happy, but was concerned about how Laurie might react to their life as a couple. Until now, her interaction with Laurie had been as a friend, but the dynamics of their relationship had changed and, although Karen knew that Laurie was aware of everything and approved the relationship, it still concerned her. She had resolved to stay busy with her legal work and with JP and James working at the inn, and to let Addy be with, and enjoy Laurie. However, Addy and Laurie had other plans for her.

  Before her arrival, Addy told Laurie about Karen’s nervousness, and Laurie told her not to worry and to trust her. The minute they got to the inn and they got out of the car, Laurie who was a loving creature like her mother, grabbed Karen’s arm and leaned into her giving her a big hug. Addy smiled realizing that her daughter was already working on Karen. Karen was pleasantly surprised by the hug. What’s with all the women in this family and the hugging?