by Risner, Fay
“Mom, that was back in grade school when I was a child. I'm grown up. I think I'm a good judge of character, and I happen to like Henie. Besides, she helps out a lot around here, and she's good company. What I meant to say was I couldn't remember her last name right off,” Karen declared.
“So has your memory improved suddenly?” Helen pushed.
“Yes, I remember now. Henie's last name is Robot,” Karen said quickly.
“Robot. I don't remember any families in this area by that name, but we've had newcomers moving here all the time. How much do you pay this woman?”
“Nothing,” Karen said feebly.
“And the woman is all right with that?” Shot back Helen suspiciously.
“You saw her. She's elderly, and she needs a home. She works for her room and board,” Karen excused.
“I still think you would be safer living all the way out here if you'd get rid of that woman,” Helen stated adamantly.
“Fine, I've heard your opinion. I just don't happen to agree with you. I'm staying right here and so is Henie. Isn't it about time you headed home to fix Dad's supper?”
“Yes, but I will call you in a few days to see if you're all right. You just better be able to answer the phone is all I can say,” Helen warned.
“I will be, Mom. I promise,” Karen answered, trying not to laugh.
Chapter 10
The next morning after breakfast, Henie came to the office door. Karen looked up from the pile of her mother's black and white pictures.
Henie said, “Sorry to interrupt. I'm going for a walk. I figured I best tell you so you wouldn't think I disappeared and start searching for me.”
“I don't think a walk is a good idea this morning. Have you looked outside? The fog is so dense you can barely see your hand in front of your face,” Karen admonished.
“So?”
“So you might rust if you stay outside in all that dampness long enough to go for a walk,” Karen insisted.
“Nonsense, I'm made of a rust proof material. Won't ever happen,” Henie countered.
“Well, where were you going anyway? To the barn to see the cat?” Karen asked.
“Already been there and fed Sock. The kittens are growing and so playful. You really should go see them, dear.
I'm going to walk across the pasture to that cemetery in the trees. I won't be gone long,” Henie said.
Karen gasped. “Oh no! That far? That's too far for you to walk. It must be a quarter of a mile away.”
“Don't exaggerate. It's more like an eighth of a mile. I bet I can make it there and back better than you can. No more exercise than you get you would play out fast,” Henie criticized.
Karen shot her a despairing look. “I don't think so, but if you insist on going, I'll take you in the car.”
“I want to walk. In the old days, on foot is the way people always went to that cemetery,” Henie said stubbornly.
“Suppose your battery stopped working? What would you do?” Karen worried.
“My battery is on full charge so that is not a problem. See you later,” Henie said with finality.
“Oh,” groaned Karen. “Wait for me to shut down my computer. I better go with you.” Henie gave her a bothered look. “Well if for no other reason than to prove I can keep up with you walking that far and back.”
Before she followed Henie, Karen slipped the picture of the elderly couple in her blouse pocket. This might be as good a time as any to ask Henie if she knew more than she was telling about the couple. How she possibly could know them was beyond Karen's imagination.
Henie opened the front door. “Good. You really can use the exercise. Maybe a walk will make your appetite improve, and you will be able to clean up your plate.”
Karen groaned followed Henie outside. “If I ate everything on my plate, you wouldn't have anything to feed the cat. I'd have to buy cat food.”
Henie stepped onto the top step and looked around.
“What's the matter? You lost already?” Karen teased.
“No, not at all, silly. I just like watching the fog roll. It's pretty amazing to walk in a cloud,” Henie said.
“I guess I have never thought of a fog that way,” Karen said dryly, feeling the uncomfortable, misty haze plaster to her hair and clothes.
When Karen came to the yard gate in the pasture fence, she opened it to let Henie through first.
Henie gazed along the fence line and clucked dolefully. “Will you look at all those peonies? This fog flattened those pretty flowers.”
“When the sun dries them off, they will stand back up again, pretty as ever,” Karen said, closing the gate behind Henie.
“Don't forget to fasten the gate tight, dear. We don't want to let the cattle get out,” Henie ordered. “I'll bet chasing cattle is no fun. They have minds of their own and usually blind when it comes to seeing an open gate hole.”
Once they walked up the slight hill, Karen looked back. She couldn't see the black silhouette that was her house. “I have no way of knowing which way we're going without a landmark. I think this hike is a bad idea.”
“What's the matter? You giving out already and making excuses?” Henie gloated.
“Never mind my stamina. I was just worried about us getting lost. Just keep walking and get this over with. If we can't find our way home, we'll wander around for hours in this fog. We'll both get all wet, and I catch pneumonia. It will be all your fault. You will have to face my mother and explain to her how come you let me get sick.”
“I'd be glad to do that, but you're healthy as a horse so I don't expect facing your mother will be necessary. Frankly, dear, as little time as possible with your mother is all I can stand. Just don't expect me to carry you home when you give out,” Henie said. “I'm only programmed for fifty pound lifts.”
“You don't hold back much. I take it you weren't impressed with my mother.” Karen's face scrunched up as she tried to see ahead of them. “How much farther do you suppose it is to that cemetery?”
“Just a half a cloud away. Keep walking,” Henie said, grinning.
Off to their right, the grass made whispering rustles. Karen's eyes widen as she stared at the fog. “Henie, what's that noise?”
Before Henie could make a guess, out of the haze emerged a black cow. She perked her head up at the sight of Karen and Henie and cocked her tail.
Karen hissed. “A – a cow! A big cow. What do we do?”
Henie eyed the cow. “Keep walking. She's not …. .”
Karen grabbed Henie's arm and jerked her sideways, causing the robot to stumble. “Watch out. You almost ran into a cow. We're in the middle of the whole herd. This is all Amy Brown's fault.”
“I'm more than willing to let you pass the blame on now that you're ranting and raving, but how could this be Amy's fault?”
“She shouldn't have programmed the bad idea app into you that got us in this mess. Wh – what do we do now?” Karen stuttered.
“Sing,” whispered Henie.
“Really? Sing?” squeaked Karen.
“Cowboys used to do it all the time while they circled the cattle,” Henie said in a low voice.
“I'm not real fond of western movies, but I'd swear those cowboys sat high above the cattle on horses where it was safe,” countered Karen.
More cattle emerged from the mist to surround and stare at the women. “You think we're going to run into two horses in this fog we can mount?” Henie quipped.
“Of course, not,” snapped Karen.
“Then we better wing it while we're a foot and sing,” Henie advised.
“What tune did you have in mind?”
“I think a hymn would be appropriate since we're in this predicament. We could use some divine help. In The Garden seems perfect. Do you know it?”
“I don't have it memorized. I usually sing it from a hymnal at church,” Karen grumbled.
Henie squeezed Karen's hand. “Well, hang onto me for moral support and follow my lead. Just do the best you
can. Sing low and no sudden movements.”
Karen watched one very curious cow, edging along with them. Her nostrils flared as she sniffed them. “You should tell that to the beast following us.”
“Just start singing.” Henie took a deep breath and began. Karen joined in. “I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”
They finished the song as they came to the fence line. “We're here,” Henie said, sounding relieved. “See we found the cemetery.”
As easy as that was for you, even in a fog, I'll just bet you've been here before, Karen thought.“Thank goodness, and I think we lost the cows.”
“That was the idea. I thought that song was right for the the spot we were in. Didn't you? Of course, as off key as you were, they probably got tired of listening to us mutilate that pretty hymn.” Henie turned east and went through the gate in the cemetery fence.
They walked through the moisture laden, calf high grass as they skirted along the fence line by the graves. Karen's jean legs and Henie's skirt soaked up the moisture like a wick in a lamp.
Henie rounded the corner and stopped by the two older sandstones belonging to the Cranes. “This is who I came to see.” Her voice was sad as she patted the top of Clell Crane's tombstone.
“Why did you insist on coming here today in this awful fog?” Karen complained.
“Today is Clell's birthday. They're the people in the picture I showed you in the attic,” Henie said. “I just wanted to pay my respects to him on his birthday.
You're from a different generation so you may not be aware of it but visiting loved ones in the cemetery is something humans used to do. On Memorial Day, they left flowers on loved ones graves. I've always thought just any time is right to leave flowers or pay visit. It doesn't have to be just on a once a year holiday.”
“Don't you think it's time you told me more, Henie? How about telling me the truth for a change,” Karen said.
“I have always told you the truth.” Henie sounded put out.
“Maybe, but you do it a bit at a time. I figured out some time back when you start a sentence with I'll bet that means you're telling me the truth when you're talking about Henrietta and Clell Crane.” Karen pulled the picture out of her pocket. “My mother brought me some old pictures, because on your say so I asked about my family tree. When she was here, she was amazed and a little shaken up by you. By the way, it takes a lot to shake up my mother.”
“I noticed,” Henie said, grinning.
“Seeing you wasn't funny to Mom. Since she remembers her Grandma and Grandpa Crane she recognized you from this picture.” Karen held the picture in front of Henie. “Down to what color your dress. Just our luck, by coincidence, you happened to be wearing it the day Mom was here and jogged her memory.”
Henie gazed fondly at the picture and rubbed a finger over Clell's face. “That was a wedding anniversary. The last one.”
“What is your last name, Henie? Mom asked me so I made up one,” Karen shot at her.
Henie's lips pressed tightly together as she looked from the picture to Karen.
“The truth, Henie,” Karen demanded.
“I think my last name is Crane,” Henie said.
Karen swallowed hard. “Doesn't that seem impossible even to you when you say it?”
“All I'm saying is, I might be your great grandmother, and Clell, God rest his sweet soul, your great grandfather,” Henie admitted.
“Can you explain how that can be when the Cranes are both buried here?” Karen wavered a finger at the graves.
“I can't. That's the plain and not so simple truth of it. I know how strange this sounds to a practical woman such as you. I know I'm a mechanical robot that isn't supposed to have a past. When I came to your house, I felt and looked like a teenager. I powered down for the night and woke up the next morning an old lady. I didn't understand it any more than I expect you to understand. I felt right away like your house was my home. I realized I knew more than the information I had programmed in me.
All sorts of memories were in me from seventy to eighty years ago about the farm and your great grandparents. Now that is the truth.
I didn't ask to channel your great grandmother. It just happened. I don't mind, but if that bothers you, you call Amy and tell her to come get me.” Henie walked toward the gate. “We can go now. Keep up with me until we get back to your yard gate. I'd hate to lose you in the fog. The cows might get you if you're in the pasture alone unless you memorized the words to In The Garden.” As an after thought, she turned and waved at the headstone. “Bye, Clell. Happy Birthday.”
Mid way across the pasture, the sun came out, and the fog lifted. Karen had time to give what Henie said some thought. She had seen the transformation in Henie and watched her connect to the house as if she belonged there more than Karen did. She couldn't rationalize Henie's story. She wasn't sure she wanted to since she'd grown fond Henie. It was nice to have a grandmother in the house with her.
Karen looked ahead of them. In the distance she saw the house. She pointed it out.
Henie quipped, “Just where we left it. Imagine that, and you're not lost yet.”
“Right, and I kept up with you all the way to the cemetery and back. Imagine that?” Karen retorted.
Chapter 11
When they arrived home, Karen wasn't about to mention it to Henie, but she was bushed. She headed to her office to sit. Henie followed her. “Would you like a glass of ice tea, dear?”
“That sounds good,” Karen said, quickly turning on the computer like she meant to work.
Henie stared at the answering machine. “Your machine is blinking at you.”
“So it is.” Henie left for the kitchen as Karen pushed the button. “Hi Karen. This is Amy Brown. It's time to give back the robot. I'll be coming for her in an hour. Don't bother to call me back with directions to your house. I had to get them from your mother.”
In the kitchen, Henie was just pouring the glass of tea when Karen went to tell her.
“You feeling better,” Henie said, smiling at her.
Karen scraped the chair up under the table. “Can't fool you can I? Yes, sitting a few minutes did wonders. May I have a chocolate chip cookie to go with that ice tea?”
“Of course, you can. Have as many as you can eat?” Henie said generously as she placed the large glass of tea in front of Karen and pushed the cookie plate closer.
“Will you sit with me? I need to talk to you about something,” Karen said.
“What is it now?” Henie said, exasperated as she sat down that Karen might have more questions.
Karen picked up a cookie. “If I told you I don't care whether there's an explanation for how you have somehow channeled my great grandmother, would it make you feel better?”
Henie perked up. “Maybe.”
Karen continued, “I've enjoyed having you here with me. You've livened me up and taught me a thing or two about living.”
Henie's bottom lip jutted out, but her eyes sparkled. “Only a thing or two?”
Karen smiled. “Henie, bottom line is you're good for me. I'd like to have you stay here with me.”
Henie looked pleased. “Thank you, dear. I would like that very much.”
Karen grasped Henie's hand. “The only thing is we don't always get what we want. That missed call on the answering machine was from Amy. She’s coming for you right now.”
“I heard her voice. I was afraid that was what she wanted,” Henie said. “One thing about being an old lady robot is my eyesight and hearing never fails as long as my battery stays charged.”
Karen said reluctantly, “I don't have the money to buy you from Amy so you have to go back with her.”
Henie sighed. “Well, it was fun while it lasted, wasn't it, dear?”
“I don’t know
what else I can do,” Karen said with a hitch in her voice. She looked imploringly at Henie and found she was sliding down in her chair. “Henie, are you all right?”
The robot's eyes were half shut, and her head drooped. Her voice came out at a droning, slow pace. “You're not the only thing that played out on that hike. I think my battery may need charging and at the worse time, too.”
Karen tilted her ear to the front of the house. “Oh, no, I hear Amy’s car coming in the driveway. She didn't waste any time getting here.” Suddenly, it was if a light bulb lit in Karen's brain. “Wait a minute! Maybe I have an idea. Henie, stay seated at the table and close your eyes. Don’t say a word until I tell you to speak. Maybe we can make Amy think you're in bad shape.”
Karen answered Amy’s knock on the front door. “Come in. You didn't have any trouble finding my house I see.”
“No, your mother gave me good directions. I'd have been here sooner to take the robot off your hands if you'd been nice enough to email me the directions. Where’s the robot?” Amy asked curtly.
Karen waved back handed. “In the kitchen.”
Amy marched that direction, and Karen followed.
Amy gasped in dismay on first sight of the robot. “What did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do anything to your robot,” Karen said innocently as she noticed Henie's attempt to help. She had to quench the desire to laugh and cry all at the same time.
The robot had taken her bun out and frizzed up her gray hair. A thick strand of wavy hair hid half her sagging face.
Amy snorted. “That's not the robot you took home. This one looks like an old woman two sheets to the wind. Why didn't you tell me this happened?”
Karen shrugged. “Acts that way, too. I called you to tell you I watched her transform before my eyes. You didn't seem concerned at the time.”
Amy's face reddened. “I didn't realize she looked this bad. I knew you were a messy housekeeper, but not slob enough to wear her out. She’s nothing but a bucket of bolts now!”
