Mary #32

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32

“I thought I would make something light for lunch since you’re going out for dinner.  It will be ready soon.” 

“That sounds wonderful.  I think I’ll go sit on the porch if you don’t mind.” 

“How about I bring you some in a little bit and we can eat out there since it’s a nice cool, sunny day?” 

Perfect” Elizabeth said.  

Mary finished making the salad and put some food in the bowl for Lulu.  She grabbed the salad bowls and silverware and went out on the porch. 

"Guess what?  While you were bathing, I called Eli and we are going to have an early supper.”

“That’s nice.  I hope you have a good time.” 

They didn’t talk much while they ate.  Mary could tell that Elizabeth was deep in thought.  When they got done eating she said, “If you don’t mind I think I’ll take a bath.” 

“Go ahead; even though I’m staying here you don’t have to keep me company all the time.  I might take Lulu and go for a walk in the woods” she said as she got up. 

“See you later.”

Mary went up and started the bath water.  She got her robe and got in the tub.  The next thing she knew she heard a knock on the door. 

“Yes, is that you Elizabeth?”

“Yeah, it’s me.  I’ll be leaving in about a half hour.  Did you fall asleep in there?”

“Oh my goodness, I must have.  Thanks for checking on me.  I’m getting out right now.  I’ll see you downstairs.”   

Mary put her robe on and brushed her hair and went downstairs.  Elizabeth was sitting on the porch waiting for Donna.  

 “Are you nervous about your appointment?”

“I haven’t really thought about it too much.  I so wish Mitch was going with me,” and she started to cry. 

Mary went to her and hugged her.  

“I know but I know Mitch would want you to get started on your treatments as soon as possible.” 

“I know your right.  It’s so just hard.  I still can hardly believe he’s gone.  Sometimes it just seems like a bad dream.”

“I know, I know.  Looks like Donna’s here.”

“Tell her, I’ll be right with her.  I’m going to go wash my face.” 

“Okay.”

Donna pulled up to the front porch.  Mary went to the driver’s side of the car.

 "Hi Donna, she’ll be with you in a minute.  She’s finishing up getting ready.” 

“How is she doing?”

“I think she’s more distraught about Mitch then even thinking about her appointment today.”

“I can certainly understand that.  It’s like a double whammy.  How have you been Mary?  We haven’t talked in ages.” 

“I’m doing well.  It certainly wasn’t what I thought it would be like coming home but I’m glad I came when I did.” 

“I know Elizabeth is glad to see you.  I just hope you are going to stay in contact with her through the cancer for the long haul.” 

“Why wouldn’t I?” 

“It’s not like you’ve kept in touch with her much all these years.  She and I have gotten pretty close. She’s in a very vulnerable place right now with what happened to Mitch and the cancer.  She couldn’t take you missing in action in her life again.” 

Elizabeth came out onto the porch.  

“I’m ready; I’ll see you later Mary.  Have fun and don’t hurry on my account.” 

“Okay, see you later.”

As they drove off, Mary could feel the bad vibes Donna put off.  She walked in the house and up to her bedroom to get dressed to see Eli.  She realized that she had still had some fence mending to do.    

She decided to dress casual.  She put on a pair of jeans and a matching purple top and cardigan.  She went to her mother’s jewelry box and pulled out the purple violet broach and attached it to the cardigan.  When she looked in the mirror, she could almost see her mother standing behind her smiling that she was wearing it.  She brushed her hair and sprayed some perfume on and she was ready to go.  It was a little early so she fed Lulu and then went to sit on the porch.  She couldn’t get what Donna said out of her mind.  Would she be there for the long haul with Elizabeth?  She made up her mind that she would.   Even though she lived in New York, she would figure it out some way to make it happen.  

She could hear her cell phone ringing in the house.  She ran to answer it “Hello?”

“Sounds like you’ve been running.” 

“Oh hi Eli, I was on the porch.  Is something wrong?” 

“No, I wanted to tell you before you came, after I dropped off the crops; I stopped and picked up something to eat.  I hope you don’t mind but I’m pretty exhausted and thought we could eat here.  I hope that’s okay.” 

“No, that’s fine, sounds great.  I was going to be leaving soon anyhow.” 

“See you then.”

Mary looked at herself in the mirror put on a pair of flats and got into the car.  She drove over to Eli’s place.  Wow, she thought we are going to spend time at his home.  This could be very interesting. 

She pulled into his driveway.  A black Labrador retriever was barking and following her car.   When she reached the porch, before she could even get out, his black nose was on her lap with his tail wagging.  She petted him and then she heard, “Ralph, come here and leave her alone.”  He took off running towards Eli.  

“That’s a pretty friendly dog.  I hope he’s not supposed to be a watch dog” and she laughed. 

“Yeah, he’s more for companionship than guarding.  I’m really happy that you called today.  I could use some people company sometimes.  Come on in.”

She followed him into the house.  They went into the living room.  “Would you like a glass of water?”

“Okay”

 Ralph followed him into the kitchen. 

The living room was sparse of furniture; a couch, coffee table and lamp.  A fire was lit and on the mantle she could see some pictures.  Also, by the window there was a dog bed for Ralph.

In the dining room there was a small table with two wooden chairs. 

“Here’s your water.” 

“Thanks” she said. 

“How was your day?”

“It’s been okay.  Donna picked Elizabeth up and they were going to the oncologists to see about her treatment.  I’m nervous about that.  I wish I would have gone but since Donna had experience with breast cancer she wanted to go with her.” 

“That’s probably smart.” 

“Yeah, I know.  I think I’ll have to go on the Internet and learn all I can about it.  How was your day?” 

“Very tiring, I harvested the last of my crops and I got a pretty good price for them.  Now it’s just a matter of getting the farm ready for winter.  It’ll be here before we know it.” 

“Don’t rush it too much.  Autumn was always my favorite time of the year on the farm with the leaves changing colors; bonfires and hayrides.”

“Depending on how long you stay, I can cover the bonfires and hayrides.” 

“My thinking now is I want to be around for Elizabeth so I might stay until after the holidays.  Besides her having treatments, I know it will be her first holidays without Mitch which will be tough on her.” 

“Yeah, I know how that is.  I’m hungry.  I’ve got the food in the oven.” 

“I can eat.” 

“Do you want to eat in the kitchen or the dining room?” 

“The kitchen is good.”  Mary was anxious to see more of Eli’s house.

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