Memory House

by Ruth Hay

  What use was a prescription when she needed someone to listen to her and understand her fears?

  Of course, there was Mavis who listened. There was always Mavis, and she thanked God every night for her good friend. They knew each other’s life stories so well that often they could finish the other’s sentences. Their old jokes were worn through from overuse.

  The time Hilary rushed out of her house with shoes of different colours and had to conceal her feet beneath a table all through an important board meeting at the Education offices.

  The time Mavis started to trim a bush in her old backyard and found out, almost too late, it was a prized black walnut her husband was hoping to nurse into a massive and valuable tree.

  They were old friends and they could laugh at each other without causing offence.

  But what about these new people? Were any of them prepared to listen to an old lady or were they busy with their own lives and running in and out the house at all hours on their own pursuits with never a thought for their elders who found the lovely home and made it a sanctuary for themselves and others?

  She thought of Eve. Like a broken bird, Eve nested in Harmony House until she grew strong enough to try her wings. Her art was her salvation and Mavis’s garden was her first inspiration. Two of Eve’s beautiful paintings hung on the walls of the winter dining room but who would tell the newcomers about the artist who painted them so lovingly?

  Hilary cast her eyes over the plan once more. It was no clearer than the first time. She rubbed her eyelids and tried again. Perhaps she needed new glasses? Perhaps she would wait until Mavis explained it all to her again.

  Perhaps she would go and have a nap and when she woke up everything would become clearer to her.

  Perhaps?

  Hilary pushed aside the copy of the house plans with their neat notes saying who would live in each.

  She was immensely glad neither she nor Mavis was required to move. This tower room was her place of peace and rest. She hoped never to leave its comforting space with the curved wall and the inset windows, the large bed, the sofa and the handy washroom just for her use.

  She stepped over to the washroom and was instantly shocked to see the wet towels thrown onto the floor, and the showerhead dripping into the bath.

  Who had been in here invading her space?

  Where was the maidservant who usually kept everything tidy and clean?

  Tiredness overcame her and she stumbled back towards her bed and rolled underneath the covers for a short nap.

  Surely, it would all make more sense when she awoke.

  Jannice O’Connor never took for granted the privilege of living in a hotel. Such luxury was not easy for her to get used to even after several years of following along with Mitchell Delaney from place to place as he pursued his research.

  When his book, Irish Influences in Ontario, was published to some acclaim, Jannice thought he would sink back into his quiet scholarly existence in Quebec City and the days and nights of gallivanting all over the country and living in hotels would come to an end.

  Then came the televised series of Margaret Atwood’s book Alias Grace, and the hunt was on again to see all the sites in and outside Toronto where the events of the sad tale took place. Mitchell insisted on her accompanying him. He said she spoke the same language as descendants of the Irish settlers. He said they trusted her automatically as soon as she opened her mouth and he could not succeed without her help. This was flattering, if slightly exaggerated. She was mostly a silent partner. That was not to say she did not enjoy the whole process of digging around in old records. Searching for local people who may have heard stories from their elders that no one today cared to listen to or publish, was like a treasure hunt.

  It was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to Jannice, with the possible exception of the first day when she met Vilma Smith and found a person with the biggest heart and kindest manner in the world. It was thanks to the generosity and innate style of Vilma, that Jannice’s tired old family home got spruced up, and then sold. The price was good enough to admit her to Harmony House. It was not only Jannice’s old home, that got the special ‘Vilma’ treatment. Jannice herself learned how to dress using clothes donated by Vilma. This gave the girl confidence for the first time in her life. She stepped out from the shadows, and began to live with five other women, and contributed to their lives in significant ways.

  Without that magical holiday to Jamaica, sponsored by Vilma again, Jannice would never have met Mitchell Delaney, a man far removed from her very limited social circle.

  It seemed to Jannice, that Vilma Smith was like a kind of fairy godmother. One who waved her wand and transformed everyone and everything around her. There was a sore place in Jannice’s heart where she felt sorrow that Vilma had not found the love life she deserved. Andy Patterson seemed to be the match for her, but he had disappeared from the scene too soon. No one else had arrived to fill his place. Jannice regretted she was not there to comfort Vilma and help her with anything she needed. Jannice was rarely at Harmony House nowadays since she had given up her job as a Personal Support Worker to follow Mitchell.

  She knew her old room with its antique furnishings was still there for her. Mitchell made sure of it by sending the monthly amount through his bank. He did not want to force Jannice to make a choice between her home and him, but the time was fast coming when she must make that choice.

  Hotel living was fine for a few months but Jannice needed a secure base. Mitchell offered to share his house in Quebec City. It was a magnificent place, in an ancient city full of history, and it suited Mitchell perfectly. Jannice, however, felt intimidated by the language difficulties she encountered there. She could not communicate with Mitchell’s elderly mother. She seriously doubted she would feel at home in a province so far removed from all she knew and loved.

  On the other hand, there was the option of inviting Mitchell to share her room at Harmony House.

  Mitchell Delaney was a big man. He was tall, with a big personality and a big voice to match.

  When Jannice thought of her dainty furniture and the matching drapes, bedspread and cushions, her heart quelled. She could not see Mitchell fitting into the feminine environment that she created with such care and attention to detail.

  The phrase, ‘Bull in a china shop’ came to mind. It made her chuckle in a sympathetic way, but the truth was that he fit into the oversized beds in hotel rooms much better than he would fit into her bed or her bedroom in Harmony House.

  * * *

  Thankfully, the difficult final decision was now postponed for a few weeks yet. A new book idea was in the works. The Ward Uncovered: The Archaeology of Everyday Life was a book recently published by Holly Martelle, Ph.D., a modern archaeologist, who took the lead on a major dig in Toronto. The location was under an old parking lot in the heart of the city. It was the place where many immigrants first settled in the early years of the 19th century.

  In 2015, this site was earmarked for Toronto’s new courthouse and the preliminary excavations revealed an extraordinary amount of archaeology. Holly Martelle described the excavation as “one of the largest urban archaeology projects in Canada.” She also declared The Ward to be an area “really densely multicultural”. Wave after wave of immigrants occupied this area and the number of artifacts uncovered after The Ward was virtually plowed under, reached close to one million.

  Mitchell had been following the progress of this major dig since its beginning. When he read that many artifacts from the dig were to be washed and pieced together right in London, Ontario, he drove Jannice home to the city and begged Holly Martelle for access to her company’s findings.

  Of course, it made sense for Mitchell and Jannice to stay in Harmony House during this period. It was how she found out about ‘the bull in the china shop’. She enjoyed the brief return to her room especially when Mitchell stated his preference to work in the Central Library downtown or in Western University’s archives. His plan w
as to study the artifacts from the early 19th century and devise a story centred on the Irish immigrants who descended on Toronto and lived in those crowded and primitive conditions as uncovered there. This information from the artifacts, tied in nicely with Mitchell’s Alias Grace interests. His story would not conflict with the serious study produced by Holly Martelle. He expressed the hope that his work might be complementary to The Ward Uncovered.

  Jannice did not know how to resolve the problem of living conditions. Possibly, it was a sign she and Mitchell were not meant to be together, in the long run. She could not see a mid-point between their two locations where both would be happy. When his initial research in London and Toronto was complete, Jannice suggested he return to Quebec City to do the actual writing. She was not involved in that stage of the work and Mitchell would work better without worrying about her.

  When he agreed with her suggestion, Jannice knew she had successfully postponed the final decision for several months if not longer. She was content with the outcome.

  She waved Mitchell off and turned back to Harmony House with a contented sigh. She would be here to help while all the changes were taking place. She was particularly pleased to be able to assist Vilma, and she would also be available while the two young doctors settled into Eve’s old premises.

  It was a helping role, with which she was most comfortable, and in a place she was glad to call home.

  Chapter 8

  Vilma called on the London Home Builders’ Association and they recommended the Home Modification Council for experts who understood that 95 per cent of seniors want to age-in-place in their own homes.

  Mavis and Hilary agreed that after ten years, it was advisable to review what was done originally to accommodate the residents, and they were more than willing to share the costs of any improvements.

  Two people, a man and a woman, arrived in due time to examine Harmony House.

  The first comment came from the woman, a retired engineer, who gave high praise for the elevator and the roof canopy that let in so much light to the front entrance. She also admired the step rise in the stairs.

  “Most home owners and builders do not realize how important it is to make staircases easy to climb.

  Her companion, who was a builder himself, nodded in agreement and he went on to advise that an additional hand rail would prevent falls on the stairs.

  “A railing on each side is a lifesaver.”

  They asked for the original floor plans and toured the house tapping on walls and making notes. Vilma had to draw their attention specifically to the guest suite and the improvement she needed in the washroom, but although they acknowledged her request, the couple preferred to oversee the entire building first.

  Vilma clicked her teeth together impatiently, and took the dogs out for a walk, leaving Hilary and Mavis to follow along with the experts and watch what was happening.

  Some interesting insights emerged. These varied from small to seriously large and Mavis immediately made a note on the kitchen chalkboard to call another house meeting. Nothing could be decided until everyone approved. Mavis contacted the legal firm that held their joint money in escrow and she asked Honor for a report at the meeting on their current financial state, with respect to their investments.

  She had the sense this upgrade could be expensive.

  The five women assembled for Sunday dinner and discussion. Jannice was welcomed back into the fold and she told them about Mitchell’s exciting discoveries. Much news was shared about Honor’s plans and the two men who would soon be joining them.

  “Well, it seems to me a good time to be looking at improvements. We have never had so many future residents in Harmony House before. I believe this house will only benefit from more love and care.”

  Jannice’s statement was the beginning of the more formal discussion. Coffee was poured, the plans were spread out and Mavis took the floor.

  “I would like to start with the simple things to make the house, and us, safer. None of these items is particularly expensive, you will be glad to hear, but it’s amazing what safety experts see and what we may have missed entirely.

  Lighting is an important consideration. We should have rocker-style light switches, no higher than 48 inches above the floor. We got a big checkmark for large windows and natural light, particularly in the lower level but we should perhaps have more casement windows that can be easily operated by everyone.”

  Vilma thought, ‘so far so good’.

  Hilary was apprehensive having heard some of this from Mavis already.

  Honor was not worried. She had the financial report and it was healthy.

  Jannice hoped there were not structural problems.

  Mavis continued. “Fortunately, we were forward-thinking enough to install lever-style door handles.

  I now see the benefit of these as my hands are not as strong as once they were.

  That’s most of the small stuff. The rest falls into two categories, good to have and wish list.”

  Heads turned around the table and eyebrows raised.

  What next?

  “It seems we have a partition wall upstairs, just behind the gas fireplace in the sitting area of the kitchen.”

  Everyone looked over at the indicated wall and wondered why. It looked solid enough.

  “The engineer says it’s a useful space and her recommendation is to use it for a laundry since the plumbing from the kitchen would be easy to connect.”

  “Does that mean we lose the gas fireplace altogether?”

  “I say do it! It’s too far to drag laundry baskets up and down to the basement, even with the elevator.”

  “This sounds expensive!”

  To prevent further speculation, Mavis again took charge.

  “As far as I can figure it out, we could have the new laundry beside the counters here, and the sitting area just moves back a bit with the fireplace. There would be more space for everyone. We could add a chair or two and put the extra leaf into the table here.

  Oh, I almost forgot! There’s another advantage. The tiny balcony here that’s only big enough for one or two people at a time, could be extended far enough for a small table and a couple of chairs, with a new entrance door for access.”

  “Well, this is quite a change,” said Hilary. “It would improve our view on the east side of the house. It’s just as well we have no neighbour on that side or we would be gazing into their windows from the balcony.”

  “I think it sounds amazing! I presume we still keep the other laundry? I prefer hanging some items outside in the garden to dry and the pulley system Andy rigged up is perfect for that purpose.”

  Everyone laughed. They remembered the discussion when Jannice first broached this idea and everyone voted to approve, provided she never displayed underwear on the drying line.

  Jannice caught the joke and stated there was less chance than ever of showing her undies with so many more men around.

  Vilma was still waiting to hear about her renovation on the ground floor. She interrupted the laughter to enquire, “Are there more major items?”

  “No, Vilma. They did approve the space in the kitchen for wheelchair access and recommended future doorways be widened.”

  This was a sobering thought that brought everyone back to focus on possible future needs.

  Honor, who had the need of a wheelchair years ago, nodded her head. With all the women, she hoped never to need one again, but she knew it was wise to be prepared for anything, as all of them aged.

  “So, that’s the main stuff. We can vote when the estimated costs are submitted to us. Vilma is funding the improvements to her new area so I can discuss that with her if the rest of you want to get away.”

  “Wait a minute! That’s not fair! Vilma should not be solely responsible for those alterations to what was a guest suite. I have the financials and we can afford to subsidize this. Believe me, I know that Faith was not the most careful of occupants. I say Vilma’s improvements should be folded
in with the rest of the work and voted for in the same way.”

  Vilma was astonished to hear Honor’s impassioned outburst. She looked around the table and saw agreement from the others. She realized, not for the first time, that these inhabitants of Harmony House were the nearest thing she had to a real family. They looked out for each other and wanted the best for everyone. She swallowed a tear that was threatening to overflow.

  “Thank you. Please, if you want to, stay to hear what Mavis learned.”

  Curiosity kept everyone in their seats.

  “Right! We had a good chat together about the former guest room. Hilary and I went over the space with the experts and we think their ideas are sound. Vilma is giving up a larger bedroom upstairs and it is only right that she should have some kind of compensation regarding space.

  The washroom and closet situation, may be improved by incorporating the hall closet. A guest coat closet is easily made outside the winter dining room, which, by the way, was identified as the least-used place in the whole house. We can talk about that later.

  As for the floor space, we took a look at the size of the dog cage and it was clear Vilma needs more room to accommodate them. Keep in mind that two big dogs living near the entrance to our home must be considered as a security benefit for all of us. No stranger is getting past those two animals!

  The suggestion they came up with was one I approved of immediately for this reason.

  There is an unused closet on the common wall between my tower room and the guest suite. It is quite a large closet, and it will make a suitable place for the big dog cage, or for whatever else Vilma needs. The builder assured me breaking through the closet wall is not an issue.”

  Now, Vilma was having a lot of trouble concealing her tears. She wiped her eyes.

  “Really? Can we do this? I am so touched, Mavis. You have solved all my problems.”

  “Most of it was the work of the experts, as I am sure Hilary will agree.”