Chapter One, Episode 60 - Old Friends - Situationally Theirs

July 05, 2020
Review, Edit and Update
There were one or two punctuation typos that I repaired. More importantly, I improved the settings - both in the hospital and out at the Beaufort Estate  - with a better depth of description. 

Old Friends

Non-emergent elective surgeries had stacked up. An emergency preparedness plan had been put in place at Hartley General Hospital. The province was keeping a certain percentage of beds available for the expected influx of Covid19 patients. Dr. Jeremy Crawford, a general surgeon, almost felt a sense of relief. A bit of wishful thinking that he might have some time off? However any one of the patients coming to the hospital, whether diagnosed with Covid19 or not, may require emergency surgery. He was fortunate to have general surgery as his experience, giving him a wide range of diagnostic and surgical skills. Today he was tired. Tired and afraid. Working daily, potentially at risk for contracting this novel virus, was almost more draining than the constant gowning and gloving. He had long ago accepted that this was part of being a good surgeon. When surgeries were close together, it was tiring. To see every single staff member, in and out of the operating room gowned and gloved, was frightening. Housekeeping, nursing, food services, secretaries, porters - everyone. The anxiety in the hospital had mushroomed, with new Covid19 cases arriving for care. 

~~~~~

Emmie sat on the shaded and open verandah at the front of her home. It was a bit cool but her old blue sweater, the plaid lap blankets, and a hot cup of Earl Grey tea with a good book was all she needed. She’d been very busy in the last few days. Dez had needed her advice for setting up her project; a project that had expanded from two beehives to the rejuvenation of the orchard and possibly four beehives. Now that Matt was involved, her participation could ease off. She’d also been busy communicating with the Art Board and the Housing Board she was on. The Art Board would be on hiatus until things got back to some kind of normal. Not many people were purchasing art these days. The Housing Board was much more active. Helping the city find housing for the many people experiencing  homelessness had been a mammoth job. But today was a day off from all the busyness of the past week. Emmie's interest in charity work, weakened since her husband Michael had passed, had been renewed. 

~~~~~

Jeremy arrived home from the hospital two hours later than his shift was to end. But at least today, he was home before the sun was down. Showering before leaving work, clean clothes in his locker, he put his scrubs in the hospital laundry. As soon as he walked in his kitchen, he washed his hands, lotioned them well and looked in the refrigerator. Nothing of interest. Not uncommon in this widower’s world. He still missed his wife Elaine after seven years. Her passing was sudden. None of his medical knowledge or even surgical skills could have saved her. He was her panicked and grieving husband, not a doctor. He was alone. If it hadn’t been for Mike and Emelina he didn’t know how he would have survived. They brought him out to their estate and gave him a bed for as long as he wanted it. He and Elaine had never had children. His sister had to return to her home on the other side of the country. After that week at the Beaufort Estate, when he had rested and eaten well, he returned to Hartley and buried himself in his work. Restless and hungry, he got in his car and drove, finding himself on the road out to Mike and Emelina’s. 

~~~~~

Emmie raised her teacup to her lips, her eyes still reading from her mystery story. When she heard a vehicle on the gravel drive, she looked up. A low riding silver grey vehicle approached. She closed the book, marking it’s place and stood up. As the car approached, she wondered who it could be? The car stopped in front of Emelina, gravel and dust spitting from the tires. The driver got out. “Jeremy? Is that you?”

“Emelina! Where’s Mike? Get him out here. I’m hungry and I remember Cook’s fantastic food.”

“Oh, Jeremy. Mike’s not here anymore.” Emmie stumbled on her heartache. “I mean........  Mike died…. Oh, Jeremy I’m so sorry.”

Jeremy ran up the few steps to Emelina. “No, I’m sorry Emelina. When? Why didn’t I know?”

“He got sick while you were staying with us when Elaine died. He didn’t think it was anything, but when he went to the doctor, there was nothing they could do. But we had two more good years. Where have you been!? I thought you must have moved away when you weren’t at the funeral. Jeremy, you look wonderful. A little tired, but wonderful. Come with me to the kitchen for something to eat. We’ve already eaten but there are lots of delicious leftovers. And lemon meringue pie. If I remember, that is one of your favourite desserts.”

“How I wish I could give you a hug, Emelina.” 

“I am so sorry that you didn’t know about Michael. But I am so glad you’re here!” Emelina walked Jeremy to the back of the house, took him into the kitchen. “Cook! Look who’s here.” 

“Well, Dr. Crawford, don’t you look as handsome as ever.” 

“Hello Cook. And you’re just as pretty as ever. I’m only sorry I can’t kiss your hand and waltz you around the kitchen.”

“Go on with you, Dr. Crawford. Miss Emelina must have told you about the lemon pie. Now you just sit down at the table and I’ll serve you up a plate of pork chops and mashed potatoes. You got here just in time, before I was to put them away.”

Emelina smiled as the little flirtation played out. It was good to see Jeremy. It brought memories of the four of them: Jeremy and Elaine, she and Michael; a foursome always ready to go to a play, a dance, a jazz club or just for a day trip to the beach. Emelina wiped a little tear away before anyone could see it. 

“Miss Emelina ~ are you wanting another piece of pie? That man has already eaten his supper - two big helpings! - and now wants his pie! You sit down and have some too. I’ve made a fresh pot of tea for the both of you.”

“There are no rules for friendship. It must be left to itself. 

We cannot force it any more than love.”

~ William Hazlitt

Chapter One, Episode 59 - The Rest of the Story and A Bit More - Situationally Theirs

July 04, 2020

Review, Edit and Update
Once more, I've written more setting along with the dialogue, watching for any altering of the details of setting and location. For example, Samuel's squatting position when accepting his glass of tea.

The Rest of the Story and A Bit More

“Hey Samuel, you’re workin’ pretty hard at keeping the weeds down.” Matt stood at the end of the long garden. Straight rows of black earth, new growth peeking through, soaked up the sun. Samuel was down on his knees tending to the fragile new plants, weeds dispatched carefully but quickly. “Can’t let’em take hold.”

“Take a break, Samuel. I have a question for you.” Matt spied a dandelion growing happily in the grass outside the garden. He pulled a slim trowel from his back pocket and dug out it out.

“Is that ice tea from Cook?” Samuel heard the tinkle of ice against the metal of Matt's tall travel mug. When he looked up, Matt was holding out Samuel's own drink container fill with tea and ice.

“Yep. And she sent out a couple of sandwiches. Roast beef from last night. 'Just like you asked for' Cook said.” Samuel took possession of his tea from his squatting position on the ground and took a big slurp. Matt slid the lunch basket from his arm and set it on the ground. "Are you sure you can tear yourself away from the garden?"

“Them weeds’ll have to wait. Elizabeth does take care of me.” Samuel sat back on his heels, dusted the loose dirt from his hands and stood up easily. One handed, he pulled the red kerchief out, hands and face wiped as clean as possible. He picked up the basket and set out to the toolshed.

“Dez said there’s lawn chairs around here somewhere. Point me in the direction and I’ll get us set up to eat.”

“In the toolshed, Matt.” Samuel was already eating the thick roast beef sandwich slathered with horseradish, layered with fresh lettuce and red pepper. He didn’t seem to mind the awkwardness of holding his tea with one hand, eating the sandwich with the other, while pointing with his tea hand to the toolshed. Matt ducked into the toolshed and glanced around for the lawn chairs. Finding them easily, he took them outside and set them up. He tipped up a chunk of log lying up against the toolshed so the two men had a table. Samuel set his tea on the table. “That was one good sandwich. You had a question, Matt?”

“You didn’t finish your story yesterday. You never told me why you got a hiding from your gran’pappy. I just couldn’t sleep all night because of that.”  Matt laughed.

“Well, I missed the most important part of the story. You done your lunch?”

“Last bite, Samuel. You going to tell me more?”

“Come on, Matt.”

“Where are we going?” Matt licked the good roast beef from his fingers as he stood from his chair. His tea gone, all but the ice, he left the glass to sit on the stump beside Samuel’s.

“I can’t finish the story without showing you the most important part. Here we are. Good old tree. You look up there, Matt. See those little scars on that big lead branch. You can barely make out the 'S' and 'A'  I carved in that tree trunk. I was 'bout ready to carve an 'M' when I heard gran’pappy comin’. 

“He called out to me 'Samuel! You get down from that tree. I didn’t give you that little knife for you to go around scarrin’ up Mr. Beaufort’s trees. Don’t you know that tree has to take care of those cuts. It’ll make scars that’ll be there forever.' D'you know he took that knife away from me for what seemed like a whole year. Couldn’t a-been that long. Got it back before the snow. He gave me quite a hiding. Between losin’ my knife and a sore bottom, I never have done anything to a tree 'cept to prune 'em so they can breathe and feel the sun.”

Matt grinned. “Did you ever apologize to the tree?”

“Truth be told, I did. Cryin' like a little baby givin’ the tree a hug and gettin' it all teary wet. Don’t you ever tell nobody about that. Nobody at all. Especially not Elizabeth.”

“Who’s Elizabeth? I’ve met most people around here but no Elizabeth. Samuel, you’re looking a little flushed.”

“Stop that Matt. Elizabeth’s called Cook most of the time. Now I have a question for you? What you doin’ out here today? You told me yesterday you wouldn’t be back here for a week or more.”

“Dez wanted  me to take her into town and show her the equipment that she’ll be having to get. You know. A little tractor, pruning shears, all kinds of things. I could have met her in town, but she was already out here so I just thought I’d drive over and pick her up. It’ll take a while so we’ll probably get something to eat for supper in town.” Matt was rambling. “I’ll take her out and show her what healthy trees look like and my apiary. The bees'll settle when it cools off in the evening.”

Samuel’s blue eyes twinkled. “Well, you just better go on then. I think I see Miss Dez comin’ to the toolshed now. Maybe you want to check in there before you go buyin’ a bunch of stuff. Chairs go back in the toolshed, Matt.........  lookin’ a little flushed yourself, Matt.” Samuel was enjoying himself like he hadn’t for years. “I’ll be gettin’ out of your way. Got to go to town myself.” Samuel stifled a chuckle, patted the old apple tree and walked out of the orchard.

“Not much gets by that old guy.” Matt shook his head, smiling sheepishly. He ran his fingers through his thick curls, patted the old apple tree and whistled his way toward the toolshed.

“There is always the rest of the story, right? 

Even if you don’t know right now what it is.”

~ Sarah Dessen, The Rest of the Story

Chapter One, Episode 58 - Man to Man - Situationally Theirs

July 03, 2020
Review, Edit and Update
While there were no typo's or punctuation issues, I did write in many more details regarding story development and dialogue, specifically Samuel's speech patterns. It required an addition of about 200 words. 

Man to Man

A blustery day, Dez walked with Matt out towards the apple orchard at the back of the property. They had to pass the toolshed on the way. “Matt, I know nothing about this orchard and little about apples except that they taste good. But there is one man on this property that knows a lot more than most about this orchard. His name is Samuel. He doesn’t talk much unless he gets going about something that interests him.” Dez recounted the story Samuel told her about the original beehives and a very young apple orchard.

“So his grandfather told him this story?”

“Yes, and he swears it’s true. Digby even says it’s true. His father told him so when Digby was a teenager. I need to go up to the house to see when Cook wants to have supper…..You are staying for supper, aren’t you?…..I’ll introduce you to Samuel before I go up and you can talk while I’m talking to Cook.” Dez didn’t know whether she wanted Matt to accept a supper invitation or not,. She wanted him to stay, but she didn’t want all the teasing she would get from Cook afterwards. “Isn’t he a good looking young man?” So she didn’t push Matt in one direction or another.

“Supper?…..I’d love to stay, I’ve been getting tired of my own cooking with all the restaurants just opened on Tuesday. And I’d really like to have a good home cooked meal.” Dez’s heart flipped and it flopped. But she was a big girl and apparently a mature woman, so she could handle Cook. Or at least stay out of her way for a couple of days. 

“Wonderful! I’ll tell Cook while I’m up there to set another place.” Dez also knew she would hear a character assessment - or assassination - of Matt after he had left the estate.

“So this Samuel maybe knows more about the trees? The one time I was out here with you when you thought you saw a ghost, I did see the orchard. A quick look told me that trees at the front of the orchard are not that old and seem to have been taken care of, but not for a long time. If there is any disease in the back of the orchard, it may have spread.” 

“Will we have to get rid of all the trees? Can we just spray them?”

“Remember, if you’re going to have bees, there has to be very limited pesticide  use or none at all.”

“Here’s Samuel. ‘Samuel, I’d like you to meet Matt Hamilton. He has an apple orchard as well as an apiary on the other side of Hartley.’  ‘Matt, this is Samuel, Emmie’s yardman, gardener and all around jack of all trades.’

It was natural for Samuel to keep his distance from new people, so the fact that Matt stood well distanced was not a problem. On the other hand, Samuel felt more confident that he may be able to trust this new person. 

“I’ll see you two later. Samuel do you need anything from the kitchen? No? I’ll be back.”

~~~~~

There was a long silence while the two men studied each other. Samuel set his dirt encrusted tools in his old wheelbarrow. He brushed the dirt from his hands on his jeans. "Let's go take a look at them trees.”

“Samuel, I need to know about the trees. Not the orchard, but the trees.”

“Good. That’s what I’m about to tell you.” As if reading each other’s mind, they both turned and walked to the back of the orchard. 

“Orchard only covers about five acres. It’s not a big’un.” 

“That’s what Dez told me. But she really couldn’t tell me much more than that. What I’ve seen is younger healthier tress at the front. As we walk to the back I’m seeing a bit more disease.”

“And these old trees haven’t felt the trim of pruning shears for far too long.”

“Do you know where the oldest tree is?”

“Sure do. I even got a hiding because of somethin’ I did when I was a boy.”

“Really? Show me.”

It’s this one all the way to the back. I used to come in here and play when I was a youngster. Them days are long gone.” Samuel  chuckled. “That ol' tree was my favourite. See that one with the big flat rock right beside it?”

“A flat rock?..... oh, yes - I see it” Matt followed the line from Samuel's gnarled fingers.

“Nobody’s tried pullin' that big speckled thing out. Possible now with a big tractor. She's pretty far back for big equipment.”

“So what did you do to get a hiding?” Matt liked Samuel. He didn't spend a lot of time with words, but you never had to guess what he meant.

Samuel was over by the old tree. He beckoned to Matt. “Here. Look up there, Matt. See that little scar on the lead branch. You can barely see it anymore. Well, I had me a penknife that my gran’pappy gave me for Christmas. Y’see, I’d climb up there on that rock and then shinny up the tree. It was already an old apple tree. No one knew who planted it or when. Growin' all by itself, it started this orchard. See these four or five trees around back here? All from cuttin's that first Mr.Beaufort took. Babied and planted 'em. Some planted were a nice breakfast for deer wanderin' past.  My grand’pappy rounded up some wire fence and wrapped it all around those that were spared. Grand'pappy and ol' Mr. Beaufort worked and worked to get the orchard started.”

“Good for them. Those two sound like quite a pair. There doesn’t look to be too much disease on the trees. Well, maybe that one that's sort of off on it’s own. It’s too early in the year to start any pruning. Maybe the shoots close to the bottom.” Matt was fascinated by not just the trees, but by Samuel and his obvious affection for them.

“I suppose clearing all the grass and weeds would make 'em happy. Better drinkin' water.” As he spoke, Samuel was pulling away the overgrowth from his childhood climbing tree.

“Taking that one tree out would make a nice little clearing for the beehives.” Matt had noticed one of the old trees was especially diseased. So much leaf damage the tree looked lacy. He walked over to examine it more closely. "Samuel come take a look."  

"Yep, we better get a tree doctor out here. More disease thru' here." The two men went tree to tree, nodding, talking, pointing, laughing obviously enjoying each other's company.

~~~~~

Dez had returned to the orchard. But when she saw the two men talking with such animation, she stood still and just listened. “Dez! I didn’t see you there. Samuel’s been telling me about his favourite climbing tree. He showed me the oldest trees. There’s one that will have to be taken out….it’s that one over on its own. The trunk is sounding hollow, lots of leaf damage and really sparse leafing. I suspect the other trees are affected. Samual says some of the trees haven’t put on any apples for years.”

“It does seem you two got along just fine. What about the rest of the orchard? Can you recommend an expert, Matt? ” Dez was concerned. Another big expense she had to tell Emmie about.

“We didn’t really finish examine the whole orchard - sorry about that -" Matt smiled sheepishly. "Samuel does tell a good story. But I there are some things you can get done in the next week or so. Oh, and I'll have a business card for the company that takes care of my trees. They should be able to give you a diagnosis for your orchard." Matt was flipping through a small packet of business cards from his wallet.

“Supper will be ready in 30 minutes. Samuel, are you coming up for supper? We can talk about the details over supper.” Dez just assumed that Samuel would come for supper, but didn't think much about it after she and Matt walked away.

“No. Tell Cook thank you anyway. And tell her if it’s roast, I’d like a thick sandwich for tomorrow. Gettin' back to my tools now. Nice t'meet you Matt. You’ll be out here again?”

“Good to meet you as well, Samuel. Yes, I’ll be out here from time to time when Miss Dez needs me. Right Dez?” Dez smiled and silently planned Matt’s next visit.

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

~ Rudyard Kipling,  The Collected Works

Chapter One, Episode 57 - ReFreshed - Situationally Theirs

July 2, 2020
Review, Edit and Update
The changes I made for this post were word-crafting only. 

When I see that I have used any word more than two times in a sentence or paragraph, I change the last one to a different word. In the second last paragraph, last sentence I changed the word 'he' to the subjects name 'Matt' - replacing one too many he - he- he's!

The other change is actually an addition. When I write things in italics, it is my attempt to write the thoughts of a subject, but sometimes it is not clear to me on my review. In this case, in the last paragraph, I added the sentence 'Cook's thoughts turned to her own longings'. 

ReFreshed

“Martha, d’you know what those two women are up to now?….Martha? ….Martha?….Since you and James have been socializing - and I’m not sure about the distancing part - I can hardly talk with you anymore.” Cook shook her head. “Martha! Cook spoke more sharply this time. 

“What is it, Elizabeth?” Martha turned from her work at the table. “James and I are planning a walk down by that little stream at the back of the property. We’re taking a picnic lunch with us. What were you saying about ‘those two women’?”

Cook chuckled “Are you sure you can pay attention for more than five minutes. You and James both are acting like teenagers living on another planet. James isn’t quite as moony as your are, but he has his moments. The rest of us must be like annoying flies buzzing around in the midst of your bliss. I think that’s the word. Where is James anyway? If he’s already gone I hope he took my list with him.”

“James? He’s gone into the city on some estate business he’s tending to for Miss Emelina…….oh, there you are, James. You sweet man, you brought me flowers. I’m going to have to open a flower shop. …….Elizabeth was about to tell me something.. ..What was it about?”

“Hello James….It’s about Miss Dez and Miss Emelina.…James, did you get my groceries? Here, I’ll just put them away…Anyway, that pair are turning into farmers….what’s the fancy name for it ‘orchardists or something’… They were in here one day last week asking about the apples. What did I think about them. Are they good baking apples? Well, I told them that they were not always that good. Some years better than others, but since Mr. Michael passed on they weren’t getting tended to, no matter how many times Samuel said something. Why, he finally gave up. Went out grumbling that he’d just let them all go. And I guess he did, because the apples haven’t been the same since. …… 

Cook just kept talking as she went back and forth from the table to the refrigerator or pantry putting her groceries away. After putting the last cans of tomatoes in the pantry, she came out dusting her hands on her apron. Martha and James, who hadn’t really been listening, had teacups and cookies out. The kettle was just starting to sing.

“Can I join this tea party or should I go home and leave you to lovebirds alone?” Cook was feeling a little left out. Her two oldest friends, not yet married, were now a couple. There seemed no room for Cook anymore. She had to find a new place for herself, without just getting mad and behaving like another kind of teenager. The kind with an attitude and a smart mouth to go with it. 

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. Of course you can join us. Here, give me your mug or would you prefer a teacup.” James felt badly. He knew how close Martha and Elizabeth had been. 

“No James, I like my tea in this mug for now. You know that I miss you two. Feeling like an extra left shoe these days.” Cook sat down with her friends at the table. She wanted to push the flowers away, but didn’t want to push her friends away by doing that. 

“Now what’s all this about Miss Dez and Miss Emelina. They’ve taken an interest in the orchard. Is that what you’ve been trying to tell us?”

“Yes. First it was just bees. I thought that when they found out all the trouble they were getting themselves into, that would just die out. But no. Miss Dez talked to Samuel. He told her that story about his grandpappy that none of even know is true or not. Miss Dez did some study on the Internet and found out about what the bees need to be healthy. That’s when the questions about apples started. They’ve been tromping through that orchard ever since. Why, they even had another orchard man out here to tell them what to do.”

James and Martha had been listening intently. James spoke up. “Elizabeth, from what my dad told me, that story that Samuel tells about his grandpappy is true. There’s even an old piece of wood in the toolshed with initials carved on it. His grandpappy’s and the first Mr. Beaufort’s.”

“I think it’s wonderful to think that old orchard could be revived. James, when we go for that walk and picnic, we could walk through the orchard and maybe see if they’ve started work of some kind. Elizabeth, if they were to get the trees producing good fruit again, you could make those wonderful apples pies you used to make from them. The store bought, or even some from the trees we have, just don’t make a good pie. At least not as good as the original Beaufort apples made.”

Cook drained the last drop of tea from her china mug. Martha, breaking the last sugar cookie in half, gave half to James, kept half for herself. “Thank you, Martha. I have some paperwork to attend to in the office. I’ll see you later this afternoon.” 

The back door opened bringing laughter with it. A motor gunned, the crunch of gravel sounded as a vehicle left the backyard. “Welcome, ladies. Where have you been? You look like you’ve had a busy afternoon. You’ll have to tell Cook and Martha all about it. I have work to do. It’s good to see you both looking so well and happy.” James was especially glad to see his employer happy and laughing. Her many years of grieving alone, despite all the functions she attended, were in the past. She wouldn’t be alone anymore. 

After James had gone, Dez started talking. “We were out in the orchard with Matt Hamilton. Matt of the curly brown hair and deep brown eyes. But seriously, he’s an orchardist and an apiarist - that’s a fancy name for a beekeeper. He’ll be helping us - I mean me - revive the orchard and getting our beehives set up. It will take the rest of the summer for most of it. It’s a big job. Matt’s got his own place to take care of, so he’ll only be over here about once a week or maybe ten days.”

“More teenagers! Sounds like you’ve been revived already, Miss Dez.” Cook laughed out loud. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying a second childhood these days. Cook's thoughts turned to her own longings. Maybe I should go out to that apple orchard or sit under the old redwood to see if I can get some of the magic! I think I’ll just settle for good apples and a dollop of honey. The old house, so empty and sad before this pandemic, was full of life and laughter.

“Every heart sings a song, incomplete, 

until another heart whispers back. 

Those who wish to sing always find a song."

~ Plato