‘You Scallywag,’ she cried, as she bent down and picked her up in one sweeping movement. She held her to her face, then gave the top of her head a kiss. The purring all this attention provoked was almost deafening.
‘What do you guys feed her? I swear she gets heavier at each visit,’ she remarked, chuckling. She loved Scully and loved her even more as a big fat cat.
‘That’s a British Shorthair for you,’ Reine laughed in response. ‘They’re the big solid ones. Thank your stars ‘she’ is not a ‘he’. The males can grow to be porkers.’
Thea poked her head around the brick partition that separated the kitchen from the living room, tonight wearing an apron over her flowing, floral dress. The colors were vibrant and many, on a black background.
“Where does she find them?” Sidonie mused to herself, as she took in all this color, jumbled together.
‘Hi Sid,’ she sang out. ‘How be you?’ Regarding her keenly, she stopped, not going back as she had intended. ‘You look tired. Are you okay?’ Always motherly, she would be the first to pick the unspoken.
‘No not tired, Thea.’ She put Scully down and ambled over to the kitchen. ‘Just concerned and yes, worried.’
‘Oh, what’s up?’ Reine joined her. ‘Problems at work?’ she asked as she put the carton and juice into the fridge.
‘No, nothing like that. It’s Tenille.’
‘You two onto domestics already?’ Thea enquired as she returned to her work.
‘Now listen here. Let me get my two bits in.’
The older women looked at each other, pulling the corners of their mouths down. Reine waved a majestic hand, indicating she had the floor.
‘I’ll get us beers.’
‘No thanks Reine. Just a glass of the juice for me please,’ she requested. ‘I took Ten to the hospital just now.’
This arrested the women in their tracks, astonished. ‘To the hospital?’ they said in unison.
“Goodness, they’ve been together a long time,” she observed to herself, but liked it. Out loud, she replied: ‘Yes. She’s to have surgery on the tendon at the back of her ankle. It’s scheduled for some time tomorrow morning.’
Thea set her food preparation to one side and went over to Sidonie to clasp her to her. Oh, my Little One, it will be all right, you’ll see.’ At that moment, Sidonie did feel like her ‘little one’ and just stood, resting her head on the sympathetic shoulder.
‘Come and have your juice.’ She felt Reine’s large hand patting her back and looked up. She was moving into the living room so she followed, after receiving an understanding nod from Thea. When she sat down, Scully was instantly on her lap, demanding to be stroked. She obliged as she expressed her fears for Tenille, explaining how she’d not wanted to go back to the track just yet and feeling so worried, she’d not wanted to be alone.
‘Of course,’ Reine commiserated. ‘We understand. I’m glad you called us.’
Thea joined them briefly. ‘Unfortunately, we have people coming for dinner.’ She looked glaringly across at Reine. ‘That’s why I’m stuck in the kitchen … like always.’ They both laughed at each other. It was a standing joke because Reine hated to cook and Thea loved it. However, Reine was very appreciative of any culinary efforts Thea cared to dispense. She returned to her hot stove.
‘Oh. I wouldn’t have intruded had I known,’ she protested. ‘I won’t stay long.’
Reine put a restraining hand on her shoulder. ‘Relax Kiddo. You’re not intruding. In fact Thea is planning to feed you too.’
Thea called out from behind her partition: ‘That’s Reine’s way of saying you’re invited so please say you’ll stay.’ She laughed her high tinkling laugh, surprisingly light for such a big woman. ‘I’ve enough for the proverbial five thousand.’ Sidonie did feel tempted to remain, this environment so warm and comfortable; a time out from being responsible. Apart from that, she loved Thea’s meals, she managed to make the humblest dish irresistibly tasty.
Reine continued, Sidonie’s presence taken as assured. ‘You don’t know these two – I don’t think so anyway, but knowing you and the way you get around, you probably do,’ she added and gave her a nudge and a wink.
‘Now Honey,’ Thea chipped in from her station: ‘Sid is a reformed character these days, ain’t that the truth, Sunshine?’
‘What do you mean, reformed?’ she expostulated, in mock indignation, joining in the badinage. ‘I was never as bad as Madam here tries to make out. You know you shouldn’t believe everything this woman tells you; you of all people.’
Thea laughed. ‘Now let me tell you about Freyer and Narelle,’ she insisted, but didn’t get the chance. At that very moment the intercom demanded attention and Reine got up to buzz them in. Quickly Thea explained they didn’t know them well. They’d met at the bar last week, playing pool and gotten on famously, so in her enthusiasm, Reine had invited then over and … well, you know me, eh? Couldn’t pass up a chance to have a dinner night.’
‘They’re quite young, not our usual style, but fun,’ Reine offered by way of defence to Thea’s earlier observation.
Sidonie sat back and sipped her cranberry juice as she watched the arrival of the newcomers. No, she hadn’t seen them at any of her haunts. The dark one, Freyer, was quite good-looking. Really flashing eyes, that arresting combination of black hair and blue eyes, so rarely seen in Canada, but she believed common in Ireland. Now where had she heard that? Perhaps she hailed from Newfoundland? She was shorter than Narelle and a little on the plump side, so wore a dress that consisted of a loose overblouse style, belted at the hips, then falling in a straight skirt to just below the knee. The pattern was floral, very tiny rosettes on white. Sidonie turned her attention to her friend, Narelle, who also wore a dress, but was more tailored, a no-nonsense, pale blue shirtwaister; white collar and cuffs. Now she felt underdressed. Looking at Reine she noticed she was in fact, ‘gussied up’. Smart beige pants and cream shirt, worn open to the last two buttons over a beige T-shirt. Reine’s usual style was like hers, T’s and shorts.
Reine made the introductions, then settled to bartending, taking their orders and asking Sidonie if she’d switch to something stronger.
‘No thanks Reine, I’m driving,’ she reminded her.
‘Oh pooh. It’ll be hours yet before you’re in your car, and anyway, you’ll be eating first.’
‘Okay, cool. You twisted my arm,’ she capitulated, but then stood her ground. ‘Please make it half and half with Seven-Up, and I’ll say yes to a shandy.’
‘Darn.’ Reine punched the air with her fist. ‘Just as I thought I’d won you over.’ She looked across at Sidonie fondly. ‘I should have known you’d get your own way somehow.’ Her laughter was rich, full throated.
The other guests sat on the chesterfield, across from the coffee table, in awkward silence until Reine’s return, although everyone smiled. Thea bringing cheeses and crackers relieved the self-consciousness. She added a small dish of smoked oysters and one of stuffed olives, followed by homemade corn relish dip and nachos.
‘Here are some nibblies for you.’ She perched herself on the arm of Sidonie’s seat and enquired of the young women if they’d found the apartment all right. This helped to get the talk flowing, especially as Narelle had gotten them a bit lost. They all laughed over the story, then Reine came in with their drinks. They kept the bar in a 1950’s sideboard, in the dining area, located the other side of the kitchen, in an L-shaped space. This was great when everyone congregated in the kitchen, but tended to fracture the group under these circumstances. Conversation became easier with Reine to keep the link between the two sides. Thea left.
After a while Sidonie began to notice that Freyer’s eyes were always upon her in a most disconcerting way. She looked at Narelle, but she seemed oblivious. Thea called them to a beautifully laid table. The sight made Sidonie recall what she’d grown up with and it certainly wasn’t delicate china and fragile crystal. This was very much Thea’s style and, she reflected
, seemed to belong to an older generation. Or perhaps it was something that came with a good job and security? She felt almost in a time warp; back to the days when these niceties were significant. Certainly, she herself would not go to such lengths, just to feed people. Then again, it made her feel pampered, being on the receiving end and she knew it gave Thea pleasure. Wine still made a meal into a special occasion for her. As she took her seat, she wondered what sort of dinner Tenille would be getting, then remembered that patients had to fast before surgery. “My poor darling.”
Thea had placed her on her right with Freyer and Narelle opposite. Reine was at the far end. As the meal progressed, Sidonie could sense Freyer’s looks becoming more insistent and, as sparingly as Sidonie drank, Freyer seemed to consume twice the amount.
It was certain from the start that dinner would be a success. Thea had a way with a menu, timing everything just right. Quite the culinary artiste.
After dessert they returned to the living room, Freyer opting to sit next to Sidonie, on the chesterfield. Suddenly, the rest of the group evaporated, either to make coffee or use the washroom and they were alone. Freyer started to ask personal questions. As Sidonie spoke, she noted every change in her expression. By the time the others returned she was expressing great enthusiasm to visit Woodbine Racetrack to see Sidonie at work; to watch the horses training. Perhaps Sidonie could show her around?
‘Yes.’ she agreed. ‘You and Narelle could come out on a Sunday. I can apply for special quest passes to get you into the backstretch.’
‘Oh, Narelle wouldn’t want to go,’ Freyer declared with finality: ‘She’s not interested in horseflesh.’
‘And since when have you been interested in horses, dear?’ Narelle retorted waspishly, as she entered. ‘I never heard of this interest before.’
Sidonie didn’t like how things were shaping up. She didn’t want to come between two people and for all that Freyer had a pretty face, she certainly didn’t like her personality. Too pushy and demanding by far. Some young people could be very self-centred. Oh, it was all very well to know someone thought you good looking, but she could do without a domestic.
‘Well, I guess I should be making tracks,’ she turned to her hostess.
‘You’re not leaving so soon, are you?’ Freyer complained, with the air of one personally aggrieved.
Thea sensed Sidonie’s discomfort and interjected before she had to reply: ‘Yes, she has to be up at five o’clock.’
‘You’ll not be putting your foot to the floor ’til noon,’ Narelle observed.
‘Not churchgoers, then?’ Reine observed, being the devil’s advocate. Freyer gave a great hoot of derisive laughter at such a thought. She really had gone overboard with the wine, Reine thought, but then she did like her guests to feel relaxed. ‘I’ll come down with you,’ she confirmed.
Sidonie said good night to the others and gave Thea a big hug as usual, with her thanks for everything. ‘Sorry I’m a party pooper,’ she whispered.
‘It’s okay, Sid. I could see you needed an escape. Call me after you learn how Tenille is. I’d like to know she’s out of the woods, too.’
Descending in the elevator, Sidonie told Reine she really didn’t need her to come down. ‘I know that Sid. You’re a big girl and you can find your own way, but I wanted a moment alone with you; just to say, if you need help in any way while Ten’s laid up, if she’d like us to visit, we’d be right along.’ Sidonie’s shoulder felt a reassuring squeeze. ‘Thea and I really like your Tenille and we’d like to see something come of this.’ She was silent for a moment then added, gloomily: ‘Although with you off to Guelph in the fall, I can’t say as how we can see things working.’ They reached the ground floor then strolled to the car. It was a peaceful night, still and balmy, the sky a high flung canopy over Toronto, clear and sparkling for once. Looking up, Reine remarked that a sky like this reminded her of weekends at the cottage. ‘Off Georgian Bay, the air is so pure and crystal clean. No light pollution either,’ she remarked.
‘We haven’t thought nearly that far ahead,’ Sidonie resumed. ‘We’re still one day at a time.’ She stopped suddenly and turned to her friend. ‘But I tell you Reine, I would dearly love to have that woman for the rest of my life and you know for me, that’s saying a hell of a lot,’ she admitted.
‘It is indeed,’ Reine agreed. ‘I thought you had that moonstruck look about you the last time you and she were at our place for a night-cap, remember?’
‘Reine … I’ve never looked ‘moonstruck’, as you so quaintly put it,’ she protested, heatedly.
‘I know you were trying to hide it, but we could see. I know you too well, mi amigo.’ Reine gave her an affectionate squeeze. ‘Seriously though. Anything, anything at all. Thea and I will be only too happy to be of service,’ she finished up, rather formally.
‘Thank you for that, Reine. I really do appreciate it.’ They stopped at the Tercel and she fished for her keys.
‘I’ll be in touch,’ she promised, as she turned over the motor.
‘Drive home safe. Don’t lose your concentration,’ Reine advised and with that she headed for the bright lights, musing how unexpectedly her evening had turned out.
That Freyer was too much. How could Narelle sit by and watch it all? She was really nice, in her quiet way. She had seemed a very sincere person. “Tenille would have had a good time,” she surmised. She liked people – enjoyed their differences. She, on the other hand, tended to be locked within herself; saw people only as they impacted on her, personally. She supposed she wasn’t really interested in them for their own sake. Not like Tenille. She could never have gone in for nursing. But then, that was probably one of the reasons she got on so well with animals, her communication with them was so open. Besieging facades or storming defences was not her forte. With animals she didn’t have to. They came to her, even the ones who played up, still weren’t trying to dissemble.
‘Oh, Ten darling,’ she whispered into the night: ‘Please don’t let anything happen to you. I couldn’t bear it if I were to lose you now.’ She gripped the steering wheel hard, as if by hanging on she could make sure those around Tenille would do their jobs responsibly, with all their might, in total dedication to perfection. Tears squeezed from the corners of her eyes and hung, glistening on the tips of her lashes, as the searing image of a lifeless Tenille on the operating table passed before her. “Only under anaesthesia,” she thought, “not in death.”
“Get a grip on yourself, girl,” she chastised. “You still turn to spineless jelly when it comes to Tenille. What’s the matter with you? She wouldn’t be impressed with your performance, if she could see you now. You’ve got to be brave for her. Don’t go falling apart.” The words of the song on her radio intruded into her mind. CONSTANT CRAVING. She reached forward and turned it up. She had always liked k.d. and with each new release, she was appreciating her more. “What a voice she has,” she admired “ …and this one speaks to me all right. For sure, I know what she’s going through.” The song had soothed her troubled mind and she turned into the residents’ parking lot just as it came to an end. She was glad now she was in a job that allowed her to finish at noon. Tomorrow she would call the desk, then get down to the hospital right away.
Getting ready for bed, a plan began to form. After this ordeal, she would try to figure out some way she and Tenille could live together. There had to be a way. There just had to be. Reine’s remarks had triggered something. Surely, between them they could work things out? She’d not always be at the track. Once Tenille was over the worst and on her way to recovery, she would broach the subject. “Two heads are better than one,” she mused. Tenille was so special … and tomorrow she’d be under the surgeon’s knife. She shuddered. The thought didn’t bear thinking.
In the morning Sidonie was aware of the ironies of life. When organizing herself for work she observed that the dawn was spectacular, the colors of the morning sky shimmering softly with the promise of the day’s heat to come. A
perfect day, weatherwise, but for her a day filled with anxiety and worry. Fortunately, she would have her thoughts distracted by other responsibilities. Although she was, strictly speaking, a hot walker, because she would be continuing her studies at Guelph in the fall, Michael the stable manager, was giving her small grooming jobs, from time to time. She’d been shown how to clean out hooves; how to pack them at any sign of fungal growth. She loved this extra contact with her charges and would have liked to work as a groom. But she didn’t like the racing side of things. Once involved with that, your horse was your responsibility, it being frowned upon to ask someone else to look after it. Not so bad in summer, racing was right there at Rexdale, but wintertime … sometimes on those nights the return home wouldn’t be until well after midnight. That wasn’t for her, just so people, (who probably couldn’t afford it), could place bets in the evenings when they were free. She loved caring for animals, not using them.
She had hoped to get finished a little earlier today, but it was not to be … in fact, everything conspired to take longer than usual. Perhaps it was because she was more nervy. She couldn’t get to a phone until well after two o’clock, and then it seemed she had to wait forever for someone to come on the line. Tenille was in recovery. It appeared everything had gone smoothly. She wasn’t too keen on ‘it appeared’ and asked for clarification.
‘Well, there’s nothing on the sheet,’ the nurse explained, ‘so that usually means there was nothing special to report.’
‘When will it be possible to see her,’ was her anxious enquiry.
‘I suggest you call again later this afternoon. She’ll probably be returned to the ward by then and you can speak to the duty nurse.’ She gave a more direct number to call, so with her thanks, Sidonie hung up. She dialled Reine’s number. There was no real news to pass on, but she wanted to let them know.
‘Do you want to come over to us?’ Thea offered. ‘We’re just puttering about in our usual Saturday way,’ she explained.
Outing of the Heart Page 52
