Wildflower (25 page)

“I know dear heart, I don’t want to go, but I
have groceries to buy and a dog to retrieve. Want to come to the
store with me?”

“You bet,” sighed Hazel as she rose from the
couch. “I’ll try to be adult about all this Abby, but I’ll probably
pout every time we part.”

“I know sweetie, I know,” sighed Abby as she
put on her coat, “me too.”

After the grocery store, Hazel went with Abby
to pick up Hubby and to meet Edna. Billy was home too and there was
no way out of it, they had to stay for dinner and share their
story. Abby had expected to be in Jamaica Point by dinner time, but
it was nearly dark by the time she dropped Hazel back at the
apartment. A teary goodbye, a quick kiss and she was on the way
home, this time with joy in her heart.

As she walked through the door Abby saw that
there were several messages on her machine. “Ah well, first things
first,” she said to Hubby as she set about unloading the car.
Eventually she sat with a cup of tea and began to check her
messages. A few could be easily deleted, three were from Harry
wanting a progress report, two more enquiring about hiring her
services, and one from Hazel.

“Hi sweetie, I know you aren’t home yet
because I didn’t give you enough time, but I miss you and wanted to
wish you sweet dreams. I’ll call you tomorrow after work Ok? Sweet
dreams.”

“You’re a sweet dream Hazel Fillmore,” smiled
Abby as she turned off the machine and climbed the stairs for
bed.

“Hi honey, I’m home,” called Tommy as he came
through the door, then, “Oops, sorry Hazel,” as a sleepy Hazel came
tottering out from her bedroom. “I forgot how late it is.”

“It’s Ok,” she laughed as she threw her arms
around his neck and kissed his cheek. “It’s really good to see you
again.”

“Everything went Ok I see.”

“Tommy, it was wild and magical and
.....”

“So who proposed, you or Abby?”

“Abby,” she smiled dreamily. “Oh Tommy, it
was all so mixed up. We weren’t there more than two minutes when
Donnie started hitting on her.”

“Some things never change.”

“Yeah, well, Abby shot him down in flames,”
laughed Hazel. “You should have seen her Tommy, she was wonderful.
He started on her again the next morning and she cut him apart.
Honey, this gal can take care of herself and me in the
bargain.”

“So tell me more,” he prompted as he hung up
his coat and headed for the refrigerator. Hazel followed him into
the kitchen and sat to the table before continuing with her
story.

“Well, at first everybody was in awe of her.
After a while she did something and nobody could quite tell what,
but she was waiting on the older ladies and stuff. I’m telling you
everybody loved her.”

“Even Lilly?”

“Well, maybe not Mom, but she’s no match for
my Abby, when Mom tried to send her away for the night rather than
let her sleep in my room by saying the bed was too small, Abby
offered to take me to a motel where there would be a much bigger
bed. Mom shut up then.”

“Wow, I wish I could have seen that. What did
your dad think of her?”

“She had Dad eating out of her hand in
minutes. He says Abby is all class and I have to agree with
him.”

“So do I Hazel, after the way I behaved she
had every right to feed me to the dog, but she didn’t. She didn’t
try to put a wedge between you and me either. Walt is right, she’s
all class. So when is the wedding, or is there going to be anything
official?”

“The wedding will be on my grandmother’s
birthday, November eighteenth,” replied Hazel softly. “Want to be
the best man?”

“Love to, not having a bride’s maid?”

“Bet your boots,” she laughed. “Can you share
the duties with Irene?”

“Be my pleasure. Get a ring yet?”

“Not yet, but I think I might soon. Somehow I
have to find the means to get one for her.”

“Maybe I can help you out there,” he grinned
as he passed her an envelope. She opened it to find a cheque for
fifteen hundred dollars made out to her.

“Tommy, what is this?” she asked, a bit
puzzled.

“I sold the rest of the books to a Newfie
specialty store out in Vancouver. Girl, you are now officially out
of print.”

“Tommy, you’re the best boyfriend I ever
had.”

“Woman, I’m the only boyfriend you ever had,”
he replied primly, “try again.”

“You’re the best friend I ever had,” she
said, smiling brightly, a twinkle in her eye.

“Much better,” he laughed. “Hazel my love, I
am so happy for you.”

“Thanks sweetie, so how is it going with
Charlie?”

“He wants to get married.”

“Got a ring?” asked Hazel, mischief in her
voice.

“No,” he replied emphatically, “we’re boys
and boys don’t do the ring thing.”

“No?”

“Ok, so I’m buying him a ring,” laughed
Tommy.

“When’s the big day?”

“First of October,” he sighed, a wistful
smile on his face.

“Can’t wait?”

“Can’t wait. Want to be the best woman?”

“Love to,” she replied delightedly.

“I’ll keep up my end of the expenses until
you’re ready to move out,” he promised.

“Tommy, how did we get so lucky?”

“Maybe it was our turn honey,” he smiled as
he steered her back toward her bedroom. “Sweet dreams.”

Singing softly to herself Abby busied herself
about the house. It was still early, but she’d already walked Hubby
on the beach and started a load of laundry while she made herself a
breakfast. “Hello the house,” called Wanda as she poked her head
through the door.

“Come in Wanda,” called Abby, “tea’s
ready.”

“Wonderful.”

“So how was the shopping trip?” asked Abby as
Wanda joined her at the table and poured herself a cup of tea.

“Overwhelming actually, I so rarely go
anywhere that I got a bit of a culture shock. There was so much to
choose from that I couldn’t seem to make up my mind.”

“That can happen. Growing up in Montreal I
always thought of myself as a big city girl, but when I first hit
New York I was totally blitzed. I didn’t know where to look
first.”

“That was exactly what happened to me,”
sighed Wanda as she took a sip of her tea. “So tell me about your
trip.”

“It went pretty well I thought. I met the
family and think I can get along with them Ok.”

“So is that completely necessary?”

“Afraid so, they are to be my in-laws after
all.”

“So, Hazel proposed did she?”

“No, I did,” laughed Abby. “After what
happened to me the last time I didn’t want there to be any guessing
games going on. As soon as I was certain she was the one and that
she felt the same, I popped the question.”

“Well now, things sure have changed since I
was a girl.”

“So how do you feel about all this?”

“Oh no Abby,” breathed Wanda as she laid her
hand gently on Abby’s arm, “I think it is quite wonderful.”

“Honest?”

“Honest and for true.”

“Care to be the matron of honor?”

“Oh dear lord yes,” enthused Wanda. “When’s
the big day?”

“November eighteenth, that was Hazel’s
grandmother’s birthday.”

“That’s sweet, so have you started making any
plans yet?”

“Not yet, I have a report to get out of the
way and Hazel has a few days work to make up, but as soon as she
gets a couple of days off, she will come out here and we’ll get
right to it.”

“Any ideas at all?” asked Wanda searching for
even a hint.

“Retro, we both want to do it in retro
outfits.”

“Well,” smiled Wanda, “Bride was married in
her grandmother’s wedding dress and I think it still might be here
somewhere.”

“Yes it is. I tried it on one night last
winter and it actually fit me. I will need it adjusted a bit, but
that’s the one I want.”

“Bride Murphy would be proud of you
Abby.”

“Thank you Wanda,” blushed Abby softly. “That
does mean a lot.”

“So have you bought her a ring yet?”

“Not yet, but I have to soon. I want to give
it to her when she comes out.”

“Have you thought about giving her Bride’s
rings?”

“Oh my god Wanda, no, I didn’t think of
that,” exclaimed Abby, “but that would be perfect. I put them in my
own jewelry box intending to wear them myself one day, but they
will be perfect for Hazel. Her hands are bigger than mine so I’ll
have to get them sized up for her. Oh Wanda, thank you so much for
the suggestion and for being my matron of honor.”

“All my very great pleasure Abby,” smiled
Wanda. “Will your family be able to come do you think?”

“I’m not going to invite them. As I’ve said
before, Mom’s a drunk and Dad’s new wife is jealous of me and shows
it. Why would I want to spoil my wedding day with that? No, I’ll
send them each an official announcement and a photograph after the
fact. We will all enjoy ourselves so much more this way.”

“So who’s going to give you away?”

“I am going to ask Harry to come up for that.
The man is closer to a father than any other I have ever known. If
he can’t make it, I’ll ask Edna Parsons.”

“Well my dear, you have a lot to do in the
next few days,” sighed Wanda as she rose to go, “so I’ll leave you
to it. If there is anything I can do...”

“You and Keith have dinner with Hazel and I
when she comes out?”

“Absolutely, we’re both dying to meet
her.”

“Stop by for tea tomorrow?”

“Count on it,” smiled Wanda as she
disappeared through the door.

“And so to work,” smiled Abby as she rose to
her feet and headed for her office.

The Visit

It had been a full week of hard work and
phone calls, but it was over. Outside the Foggy Morning Café, a
time displaced movie star paced back and forth anxiously in the
parking lot, a huge floppy eared dog right at her heels. She
stopped to glance at her watch for the hundredth time and then
resumed her pacing. Suddenly her wait was over. “Hey gorgeous,
looking for me?” asked a rich contralto voice and Abby spun around
to see that smile that lit up her world.

“Absolutely,” she gushed as she hurled
herself into the waiting arms of her lover. Hazel kissed her
deeply, not caring one whit who might see. “Mmmm, I think somebody
missed me,” she purred.

“Stop teasing me and let’s go,” laughed Abby
as she dragged Hazel toward the car.

“Oh Abby, I’ve got something to show you,”
grinned Hazel as she opened her purse and pulled out her new
driver’s license. It had a beautiful picture on it; she’d obviously
made herself up for the occasion.

“Wow, what a babe, so you’re legal now?”

“Yes my darling. Tommy has been making me
drive him everywhere so I can get in some practice.”

“Bless his heart,” laughed Abby. “As soon as
we load up at your place, I get to be the passenger. Are you all
packed?”

“All packed and ready to go. I’ve got six
rolls of film and my digital just in case.”

“Did you pack any clothes?”

“Yes Miss Smarty,” retorted Hazel, “I packed
some clothes. Oh Abby, I can’t believe it is finally happening. I’m
finally going to spend a few days with you out in your world.”

“Me too sweetie,” sighed Abby as she turned
into the parking lot of Hazel’s building. “We’re so close now I
don’t want to take any chances. We grab your things and head for
Wendy’s then we’re out of here before anything can mess us up.”

“Stay right there,” laughed Hazel. “I’ll just
run up and grab my bags and we’re on the way.” Abby was amazed at
the speed as Hazel bolted for the building. She was back in a very
few minutes, wearing jeans and carrying three suitcases which she
stowed in with all the groceries in the back of the car.

“Three bags?” smiled Abby as she slid over to
the passenger’s seat. “Moving in I hope?”

“I wish,” sighed Hazel as she settled herself
behind the wheel and adjusted the seat and mirrors, “but I thought
I’d leave a few things out there if it is Ok with you.”

“I think it is a splendid idea,” replied Abby
as she scooted over to the middle beside Hazel and fastened the
seat belt. “As a matter of fact I love the idea. This will make it
so much more real to me sweetheart.”

“And to me,” Hazel agreed. “Ah, here we are
at the restaurant of choice.” Hazel smiled at the way people
automatically treated Abby with deference. She commented on it as
they sat to the table.

“It all started as a part of my revenge plan.
Part of living well is feeling good about yourself and I always
feel good when I’m dressed up a bit. It didn’t take me very long to
notice that others treat me more respectfully when I’m well
dressed. I’ve talked to a few of the girls at the hair salon about
this and they all tried an experiment for me. They went a few
places dressed in jeans or sweats one day then went back the next
dressed up a bit. They were astonished at the difference clothes
can make to the level of service you get at most places. I wear
sweats on my beach walks and when I’m doing the house cleaning, but
I always clean myself up and dress a bit before I go out, even if
it is just to get the mail or even if I am staying at home, but not
working. I even wear a business suit when I working in my
office.”

“Go on, Abby, you don’t,” Hazel exclaimed in
surprise.

“Too many folk who work at home work in their
house coat or worse,” laughed Abby. “After all, who’s going to see
them? However, I tried it a few times and I noticed that my work
suffered, it was far too easy to get distracted, and I couldn’t get
any real enthusiasm going for the tasks. When I am in my work
clothes, I am ready to work; I get twice as much done in half the
time and I do a better job.”

“Well, I’ll be darned,” mused Hazel.

“Hazel, what are you thinking?”

“I was wondering if that might work for
me.”

“You mean dressing like you’re on safari or
something when you’re out taking photographs?”