Review, Revision, Edit and Update
My revision in the second last paragraph related to dialogue which I don't usually have to alter. I don't even like to, but felt that Martha was not really being clear with her husband James. On second thought, regular dialogue is not always clear. In this short story there was no room for James to ask for clarity. So, were my revisions necessary or was I just fiddling?
Busy Work and Pussy Willows
Never ending puttering or busy work……Martha shook her head. “I just can’t seem to stop. Trip myself up every single time.” She had planned to have a wedding reception for Miss Em and Dr. Jeremy when they returned from their elopement. “No, I did not go through with my plan. I didn’t even make a plan. What on earth should I do now?! Quite full of myself, I told everyone we’d have a wedding reception.” Martha turned the heat on under the tea kettle. “Let’s see. If I were to start now, where would I start?’ Scrabbling through the cupboard drawer that served as a desk drawer, she pulled out paper and pencil. Putting them in her apron’s pocket, she picked up her tea things and took them to the table. Setting everything in front of her - notebook, pencil, teacup and teapot - she poured a cup of tea. “Oh goodness, I forgot the cookies.” Pushing back from the table she returned to the counter. Before getting her cookie jar, Martha finished tidying up the cupboard. “I’ll just get these things put away while I’m here. Oh, goodness. James never wipes the cupboard when he’s done. Such a neat and tidy man, except when it comes putting his breakfast things away. Now, what was I doing? Oh, the wedding reception.” She folded the tea towel and hung it up carefully. “Now. Who - what - when - and where. Well, I know where. It will be out here. That’s easy, but should it be here at the cottage or should it be over at the estate? I’ll have to ask James what he thinks.”
After an hour, the tea pot was empty, the cookie jar was not quite empty and Martha’s list was not as organized as she had wanted it. “Martha Haverstock-Digby! Can you not make a simple decision to make a list! If it was something that someone else needed, you’d have it organized in - what’s that Joanie says - oh, yes - you’d have it organized in a heart beat.” She closed her book with a snap. What was that thing Auntie Bertha used to do? Jeannie and I laughed at her funny ways.” Martha pulled out two of the kitchen chairs, set them in front of the sink, facing each other. She was about to sit down on one, but went over to the kitchen window and pulled the curtains. “This is silly Martha, there’s no one out there - there’s never anyone out there. It’s our back yard!” Sitting in one of the chairs, Martha began to talk - asking questions to an empty chair, then getting up, sitting in the other chair and answering the questions.
~~~~~
“Martha! I’m home.” James Digby, butler for the Beaufort estate had been out all day. First to the Estate to complete paper work for the upcoming tax time, then into town for groceries and a haircut. Martha, the Estate’s housekeeper, jumped up from her chair - “Oh, James - so early. I’ll just be starting supper a bit late.” She quickly put the chairs back, put her forgotten tea things in the sink and set the cookie jar in the corner of the cupboard. “There you are, Martha, you look dreadfully flustered. What have you been doing? Don’t worry about supper, I had a late bite in town with Giles.”
“My, my…don’t you look nice. That barber does such a nice job of your hair, James. How’s Giles? I suppose with Dr. Jeremy still working, Giles will still be needed out here.” Martha pushed a stray hair back from her forehead.
James held her shoulders gently and kissed her on the forehead. “Now where did that come from? Dr. Jeremy?” Martha was sure James had caught her before she’d had time to put the chairs back. Nervously, she said,… “Do you remember that I wanted to set a wedding reception for them? I’ve been struggling all afternoon trying to figure out what to do. Really punishing myself for not getting it organized before now. I’m glad you’re home, dear.”
“Well then, my dear, it must be time for a walk. All the snow is gone and the walkway is mostly dry. It’s a lovely evening and I know where there are some pussy willows just peeping out. You can leave your plans till tomorrow……or maybe later this evening.” James knew the meaning of Martha’s wrinkled brow and really wanted to ease whatever was troubling her.
~~~~~
“Thank you James. It was a lovely evening for a walk - and seeing the pussy willows out - well that made it all the better. I hope you don’t think I’m going crazy.” Martha had told him about using her Auntie Bertha's little 'chair' practice for organizing the gathering for the newlyweds. “You know, I finally know why my aunt did that. She probably only did it once, but in my memory, it seems many more times. It did help me finally know what I need to do. Leave all the little bits of puttering alone and sort things out between me, myself and I - but then I suppose I should have had three chairs. “
James laughed and gave his wife a hug. “I do not think you’re crazy and I look forward to whatever it is you have planned.”
“Distraction wastes our energy, concentration restores it.”
~ Sharon Salzberg
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