Affinity House

by Ruth Hay

  Honor held herself in control on the short return elevator ride and did as Eve had requested in a simple and sympathetic way.

  My Dear Friends,

  Do not weep for me now. I have had the finest care and help from all of you, and my years at Harmony House have been full of rich and happy times. You gave me safety and a new life.

  My wishes are few.

  Inform Kylie when I am gone. She will tell my friends at the Art Club.

  Please, no announcements in the newspaper.

  No funeral. Just a quick, private cremation. Scatter my ashes in Mavis’s garden that I have enjoyed so much.

  I do have a few bequests.

  To Hilary, I leave the remaining money from my inheritance, so that she can offset the expenses incurred by her generosity to me and to Faith.

  To Mavis, I leave all my art and possessions with the exception of the three paintings she will find dedicated to Vilma for her new life with Andy.

  To Jannice, who has been a rock and comfort to me these last months, I leave my online art clothing business, Eve’s Garden, with all the unsold stock, to do with as she wishes.

  To Honor I give any and all future proceeds from the sale of my stored paintings, now in the Byron Library, to be shared with Faith in any way she sees fit.

  My last request is that my room in Harmony House be used to give shelter to any compatible woman or man who needs a temporary home and who can afford the monthly fee. I am thinking of the two cousins from Manitoba, of course, but that decision is not mine to make.

  I wish you all health and happiness as you move forward.

  Think of me in the sunshine, painting happily or cooking something delicious in the kitchen.

  I am sorry to leave you all so soon but so blessed to have known you.

  With Love,

  Eve Barton.

  * * *

  When Honor finished reading the letter, there was not one dry eye around the table.

  She filled in the emotional pause by adding the information that Eve had set in place all the legal and financial requirements for her bequests, including those for the cremation.

  “How do we proceed now, given this information about Eve’s generous last wishes?”

  Mavis passed around a box of tissues. Eyes and cheeks were wiped dry and noses blown, while this new idea was processed.

  As no else responded to her question, Hilary took the lead.

  “My feeling is that I want to thank Eve in person, while I can. It is so brave of her to think of all of us at a time like this. Her letter is incredibly moving and demands an action from me. That does not mean everyone should feel the same way. Please, each woman here should do as she feels best. These are unusual circumstances.”

  Jannice then repeated her advice about timing.

  “Wait until tomorrow morning. Go in separately and do not stay long. Even if Eve’s eyes are closed, she will hear you. Hold her hand while you speak and be as uplifting as you can manage, ladies.

  God bless us all!”

  Almost as if it were meticulously planned, the women chose their individual moment to speak their last words to Eve.

  Hilary was first and earliest. Jannice was still at Eve’s bedside checking her pulse and adjusting her medication. She moved into the washroom to clean Eve’s glass and washcloths and by the time she emerged, Hilary had gone.

  Vilma was next. While she was out with the dogs, she had decided to thank Eve without mentioning the fact that her gift of paintings was not likely to be displayed in a new house shared by Andy. This in no way detracted from Eve’s kindness. Vilma would always treasure her thoughtfulness.

  Honor chose not to speak to Eve. After the experience of reading the letter to the household, she felt she would not be able to stay calm in Eve’s presence. Painful thoughts of missing her sister’s death were plaguing her, and she was sure she would overreact and do more harm than good.

  * * *

  Later the same day, as the sun rose in an April sky, Mavis looked out of her window and gasped. The daffodils that had been reluctant to open in the recent cold snap were now blooming all over the garden. It was a field of pale gold stretching to the woods.

  She ran downstairs to the garage and retrieved her garden shears and a large crystal vase from storage. Then she went back to the front entrance and soon knocked on Faith’s door. The girl was sleeping late as it was a Saturday, but her sleepy voice responded.

  Mavis went in and explained what she wanted Faith to do. That got her out of bed quickly and into her jacket and pants, pulled over pyjamas.

  The task was to fill the vase with daffodils for Eve’s room. They picked the best of the blooms and Mavis took the chance to explain to Faith everything that had happened in the last few days.

  “Aunt Honor has seemed very sad about Eve, and I did not want to ask too many questions, Mavis. Thanks for telling me. Eve was always very kind to me. She often made me snacks at odd times, and fed me when I was studying late at night. Would it be all right if I come with you to see her one last time?”

  “Of course it would, Faith. I am glad you asked.”

  They went to Eve’s room with hands full of flowers. Faith had found a second container lurking under the garden bench and filled it as well.

  They found Eve sitting up in bed and quite conscious. Her eyes glittered with delight when she saw the daffodils and her breathing deepened to catch the scent of fresh-cut stems and the glorious bright yellow flowers. Mavis set the crystal vase on Eve’ bedside table while Faith took the other to the window where it sat in the sunlight and spread the true scent of spring throughout the room.

  Suddenly it was not a scene of death and dying but a place of ever-renewed hope.

  Faith stayed by the window while Eve and Mavis spoke privately for a moment. There was no crying. Just smiles and hands clasped together.

  Faith thought of her mother’s last days in the stark hospital room and knew this peaceful place was far better than that sterile environment where no one thought to explain to a frightened girl what would happen to her once her mother was gone. She could now see that dreadful experience as the beginning of her deep antagonism to authority figures; an antagonism that led her into so much trouble.

  As each year of what she mentally termed, ‘her rescue’, progressed, she knew she owed a debt to every woman in Harmony House; a debt she might never be able to repay in full.

  As if Eve had read her thoughts, she signalled to Faith to come closer.

  Her voice was weak. Faith leaned in to hear her words and Mavis gave up her seat after one last, soft kiss on Eve’s forehead.

  “My dear girl, you have been such a breath of fresh air in this house, much like these glorious daffodils!

  I want to tell you to keep growing and caring for others. You are capable of doing much good in the world. You are unique.

  Thank your aunt for me. Now off you go and enjoy the day.”

  Eve sank back. The brief conversation had taken the last of her strength but it was something Faith would remember for the rest of her life.

  Mavis and Faith hugged once they were on the balcony landing again. Jannice was waiting with the hospice nurse.

  “How is she?”

  “She is happy and content.”

  “Good,” said Jannice, and the two carers went into the room together.

  Chapter 14

  The death of someone close can have different effects on those who are left behind.

  At Harmony House these effects varied from sheer relief that Eve’s pain was over, to a feeling of regret for words left unsaid.

  As the days passed and Eve’s final wishes were fulfilled to the last detail, the atmosphere in the house lightened. April was morphing into May with warm breezes and sunshine that surprised everyone with its intensity.

  Life began to resume its usual routines, but not without significant changes.

  Mavis spent every available daylight hour in her garden, when she was not helping
Louise Ridley.

  Vilma received a text from Amanda informing her that her mother was scheduled to fly with her to London, Ontario to begin her cancer treatment. Vilma’s plans would need to be speeded up to accommodate this.

  Jannice made arrangements to accompany Mitchell on his delayed trip to Toronto to investigate the original locations of the Grace Marks’ drama.

  Honor made the decision to spend time in Kingston in July, with the Jeffries family, to give Faith a break away from her growing school responsibilities.

  Hilary was stunned to discover how long she had spent, isolated in the house while Eve was requiring support. Her first drive to Byron revealed changes happening nearby. A new housing development had grown up on the other side of Oxford Street, called West 5. This, according to the billboards, was a Sifton building project, incorporating solar technology for Millennials who wished energy saving residences.

  Not only was the traffic in the area increasing, but as Hilary passed the intersection with Westdel Bourne, she saw large earthmoving vehicles re-grading the area for a future light commercial plaza to include a Tim Hortons.

  On her return from shopping in Byron, she hastened to inform Mavis of these incursions.

  “Well, it seems the city is beginning to encroach on our secluded and private crescent!”

  “I am sure it will be many years before development reaches this quiet side road. It will mean better bus services and more amenities, Hilary, and as we grow older that is a benefit.”

  Hilary was not convinced. She was not pleased with the pace of change. She would prefer to have inconveniences rather than be surrounded by vast housing estates and their accompanying problems.

  She decided to pay more attention to announcements in the newspaper regarding such developments and to attend City Hall forums whenever public input was requested.

  This matter was tabled at the next Sunday dinner and discussion, but it was soon passed over in favour of other more immediate concerns. Vilma needed a decision about accommodating Amanda and Braden. Jannice’s imminent departure for Toronto brought up the matter of housekeeping and cooking duties.

  Hilary agreed to monitor the stocking of kitchen supplies. Honor promised to keep an eye on the common areas and vacuum and dust as required in Jannice’s absence.

  No one could replace Eve, their Kitchen Queen. Mavis attempted to fill in the gap by offering to cook meals but she was quickly shouted down.

  “Mavis! You have enough on your plate with the garden and Louise’s foster children arriving very soon.

  Your contribution to cooking will be fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden. The rest of us will do what we can. I suggest using the whiteboard to inform us if a large dish is planned for sharing.”

  Vilma, who felt guilty about her lack of culinary skills, promptly added her intention to provide a substantial dish from her favourite catering company for their twice-monthly Sunday dinners.”

  “That’s very generous of you, Vilma. Perhaps someone will take a cooking course and help us out, but I do not believe we are in any danger of starving, not with a Tim Hortons soon to arrive close by!”

  Hilary’s comment made the others laugh but it was laughter tinged with regret. No one could be the cook that Eve was. It was not only her food they would miss; it was also her warm and welcoming presence.

  Hilary vetoed the prior plan to use Mavis’s tower room for the cousins.

  “It’s no longer necessary to dislodge Mavis. Eve wished us to offer them her room on a temporary basis.”

  “If we do that, there is a problem with beds. They will need two beds. I am glad to refresh the room for them and do anything that is required, including purchasing two single beds. They will be right beside the kitchen and the elevator, which is convenient. Braden will rent a car. I know they are anxious not to disrupt our routines and one or both of them will be at the hospital most of the time.”

  “That sound good, Vilma. Do you still feel confident that they will fit in here with us?”

  Mavis was expressing the doubts of all of them. It seemed too soon to be replacing their Eve.

  “I can only speak from my observations of a week’s holiday with the pair, but I know they are good people, younger of course, and with busy online lives. They are very grateful for the opportunity to share Harmony House.”

  Honor was acutely conscious of the privileges all these women had bestowed on her. She suddenly saw an opportunity to repay some of that generosity.

  “I am more than willing to share my work space with Amanda and Braden. They will love being close to the garden and I have good tech connections they can use. That will make up for only having one bedroom.”

  Honor’s helpful idea was applauded by all, and the matter was shelved for now.

  Time would tell what the effect on Harmony House would be of a man around the place on a daily basis.

  Braden’s presence would be more consistent than Andy’s had been. Vilma wondered how long it would be before anyone noticed the latter’s absence.

  Hilary wondered if Braden could cook.

  Mavis hoped Mandy’s mother would respond well to her treatment. It was much too soon to have bereaved people in their environment again.

  Honor was looking forward to having talks with other young people who worked on the cutting edge of business technology.

  Jannice was delighted to be going to Toronto to meet Mitchell, leaving far behind the memories of Eve’s last hours. When she returned to Harmony House again, Eve’s room would look different and it would belong to two different people. Eve’s spirit would be gone.

  Vilma felt enthused by the prospect of redecorating Eve’s room. Most of the furnishings were older items from Hilary’s Camden Corners house and could do with being replaced.

  She realized this activity was a way of compensating for the loss of her plan to decorate a home for Andy and herself. She would enter into this decorating task with a whole heart and do her best.

  Once more Harmony House was a hive of activity.

  Vilma chose paint colours to harmonize with Eve’s paintings and refreshed her old room with new details, including fresh towels and accessories in the washroom. The set of new twin beds was installed with matching nightstands, bedding and comforters. She looked for decorative items that were more neutral so that Braden would not feel surrounded by a purely feminine vibe. Anything small and personal to Eve, was removed and saved, to be offered later as souvenirs to the women of the house. Vilma secured her three paintings and stored them carefully. For now, she did not want to see them hung. The reminder of their intended location with Andy was still too raw.

  She took the dogs to the barn a few times for sessions with Andy but she did not enter the extension.

  Once they ventured to the farm where the flock of sheep were now outdoors for the summer and, for a while, it felt like old times as she watched Andy expertly handle her dogs’ behaviour and restrain their impulse to dive into the flock and scatter them everywhere.

  One of Andy’s pals accompanied them in order to make an advertising video so Vilma was relieved of the worry about a personal conversation with Andy. She had no good news to give him.

  She knew he had promised to resume weekly lawn maintenance at Harmony House. Away from the barn, and all the memories related to the farm, she hoped she could deal with him without too much emotion getting in the way.

  Amanda arrived at Harmony House with Vilma after the two of them took Maureen to London Health Sciences Centre and saw her settled there.

  Mandy, as she preferred to be called, was enthralled by her new accommodations and was so pleasant and grateful to everyone that she was an immediate success. When she discovered there was a gap in meal preparations, she gladly volunteered to treat the women to exotic dishes of South America that were a delight for all of them. Mandy insisted they had the best-equipped kitchen she had ever seen and set to work there with enthusiasm. When her mother’s treatment schedule was in place, the ti
ming would change, but she was determined to pull her weight in the food department.

  After two weeks, Braden arrived with the bulk of their luggage and a routine emerged which included work sessions shared with Honor, visits to the hospital and walks in the woods or nearby parks with Vilma or Faith and the dogs. They also spent time exploring the city and Braden stated London was a charming place with many amenities and a thriving business sector.

  Hilary put the cousins in touch with her son, Desmond, who also reported they were knowledgeable entrepreneurs who could be a good resource to others in London.

  Jannice had left for Toronto to tour sites related to Irish maidservant, Grace Marks. While in their hotel, they discussed Mitchell’s outline for a book featuring other true Irish tales and history. Jannice insisted he must return to the London area with her to see the village of Lucan, and hear about the infamous clan of Black Donnellys who once lived there.

  For all the Harmony House residents, life resumed a forward pace almost as if the sudden death of Eve had reminded them to use their time as productively as possible.

  Chapter 15

  Mavis planted and pruned furiously for a few weeks then turned her attention to Louise Ridley.

  Dennis and Louise were now working together, to make the dream of a new family come true.

  Dr. Liston had been consulting with Louise all winter and was happy to declare her former patient restored to good mental health.

  At their final meeting, Dr. Liston was very positive in her comments.

  “I am here for you, Louise, whenever you feel uncertain or confused but I can confidently say you are ready for the new responsibilities you wish to undertake. Remember that you will be dealing with children who have been through trauma. Your own recent experiences will give you special insight into what the children are going through. I know you will do your best for them and make a difference in their lives.”

  Louise felt encouraged by her psychologist’s assessment. She knew she was ready. The courses she had taken, together with spells at Merrymount Children’s Home, had prepared her for a variety of situations but, nonetheless, she was relieved to know that, in addition to her husband’s full support, she could still count on Mavis Montgomery.