Winter’s Thaw
Brigitte’s mother was nervous. Helen Smithson had changed her clothes four or five times trying to find just the right ‘ensemble’. “I haven’t been out for so long, I don’t know what to wear to such a fancy function!” Watching her mother twisting and turning in front of the full length mirror in a deep blue, ‘swishy’ dress, Brigitte smiled.”Mom, it’s not fancy at all. Just friends having supper in the kitchen. Cook said it’s pot roast and salad. I know she’ll have more than that because she always does. Definitely not black tie and tails.” Brigitte felt a hand on her shoulder. “How do I look, daughter?” Her father, Herbert, stood straight and adjusted his red silk tie. “You both look wonderful! You’re wearing that chocolate brown sweater I sent you for Christmas and it fits you so well.” She looked at her watch. “We’d better get going. Mom, stop fussing. You look perfect.”
~~~~~
Happy that the icy tension between her parents had thawed, even if only a bit, Brigitte relaxed in the back seat. But they still weren’t talking. When her mother saw her husband all dressed up, there was a short sharp intake of breath. As they were walking out the door she said. “Herb, you look very handsome.” Then hurried to get in the car. On the way, and without taking his eyes off the road, her father said “We should do this more often, Helen.” Silence. “Where would we go?” Silence. “Maybe you could wear that dress and we could go dancing like we used to.” Silence. “I’m not sick you know. I’ve just been feeling empty.” Silence. They pulled up to the Estate house, just as Digby and Martha arrived from their cottage. They waited on the steps for their guests. Almost whispering, Martha said “My, aren’t they a handsome couple. I can see where Brigitte get’s her good looks from. Now, James we must make them feel welcome. Doesn’t look to be anything troubling Mr. Smithson.”
“Martha. Digby. These are my parents ~ Herbert and Helen.” She practically pushed them forward. “Please call me James.” He extended his hand to Herbert, and then to Helen. “James and I are so pleased you could come out tonight. We haven’t had guests here for a very long time. Brigitte, your parents just fit the bill perfectly. Come with me into the kitchen and meet Elizabeth. That’s the woman that Brigitte calls Cook. Well, that’s what many people call her, but we’ve been friends for many years, so I’ve always known her as Elizabeth. My goodness, I’m chattering on. Not letting you get a word in edgewise! James always tells me I talk too much. Tell me, are you glad Brigitte’s back home with you?” Before Helen could say anything, Helen was being introduced to Elizabeth, who, still behind her apron, was just getting supper on the table. She set the pot roast and vegetables on the table and wiped her hands on her apron. “It’s good to meet you. Helen, is it? Brigitte calls me Cook, but please call me Elizabeth. Your Brigitte has been sorely missed out here. Miss Em is well now so doesn’t have a need for being taken care of, but may need her for another job.” She turned to Martha. “Did you see Samuel when you came in? Hope he’s not late. We’ll eat without him so the food doesn’t get cold. There’s the timer ~ rolls are done, so we’ll have them fresh and hot with our meal. Brigitte, call your father and James.” Helen was warmed by the welcome from the two women, but just little overwhelmed by their attention. Supper smelled wonderful. She hadn’t eaten well in the last many weeks and her hunger suddenly overtook her. “Mom, you look faint! Are you all right?”
“Yes dear, I think I just need a glass of water.” Brigitte sat her mother down, Martha brought her a glass of water. “Helen dear, you don’t look very well ~ so pale.” Helen took a big drink of water and smiled up at her. “I’m just hungry, that’s all. I’ve not been eating well. It’s good to have someone else do the cooking. Don’t worry, I’m just fine now.” She was feeling quite embarrassed, getting so dizzy on this first meeting. “You’ve all been so good to me, thank you, thank you.” She stood up, a bit wobbly. “Now, what can I do to help?” She steadied herself on the table, just as the men came in. James, Herbert and Samuel. Elizabeth, taking off her apron, shooed them all to the table. “Samuel, here’s the carving knife. You do a better job than I do.” Without a word, he took it and set to work. “Best sit down everyone and hand me your plates.” With much shuffling of chairs, they all did as they were told and one by one was served up generous portions of meat. “Are you all right, Helen?” Herbert had noticed his wife’s pale countenance when he came in, and made certain to sit beside her. He pressed her hand resting on the table. “I’m fine Herbert, just need to eat my supper is all. Thank you.” Very grateful that he was beside her, she said quietly so no one else would hear. “Yes, we do need to go dancing.” After that, the only sounds were the scraping of plates, or ‘Pass the potatoes’ and sighs of satisfaction.
Declining dessert, at least right away, they cleared the table and got out playing cards. Brigitte excused herself from the games and said she needed to get some things from upstairs. “Not much, just some things I left when I went away. Miss Em said I could store them upstairs.” Just an excuse, she wanted to just let her parents get to know their hosts. They didn’t need a daughter there. At the head of the stairs, laughter floated up the stairs, her parents having fun with new friends. Brigitte took a book from the nearest bookshelf and sat down to read.
“The next best thing to being wise oneself
is to live in a circle of those who are.”
~ C.S.Lewis
