COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • OCTOBER 2018 Wishful thinking as Caribbean holiday nears When we left off last time,
Kenneth had finally asked Deborah to join him on the Caribbean vacation his mother had plotted to try to salvage their relationship, even though his thoughts were on Janice Newberry. Deborah agreed but wondered if Li’l Abner had ever been to the tropical getaway. Rural Redemption, part 103, continues.
Woodshed
Chronicles by BOB COLLINS
Kenneth Henderson spent
the rest of the afternoon in his office. Deborah popped in at 4:30 to let him know that supper would be early. She watched as he pulled the tumbler of Scotch from his desk and lowered it to his lap. “What is it?” asked Kenneth. “I just wanted to let you
know supper will be early. The kids and I need to be at the hall before six for rehearsal. Are you alright?” “I’m fine. You caught me off
guard is all. I wish you’d knock before you come in.” Off guard from what,
wondered Deborah. “‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realize
you were busy. I’ll be sure to knock next time,” said Deborah, closing the door. Kenneth lifted his glass and drained it as a defiant antidote to her sarcasm. He re-filled his glass and punched a number into his phone.
The phone rang on Erica
Swift’s desk. She glanced at the call display, then answered. “Good afternoon, Mr. Henderson. How may I help you?”
Kenneth was expecting a
more formal answer. “Is this Erica…I mean, Ms.
Swift’s office?” “Yes.” There was a brief silence. “Is this Ms. Swift?” “Yes.”
Obstinate cow! thought
Kenneth. “This is Kenneth Henderson.” “Yes.” “Could I speak to Ms.
Newberry please.” “I’m sorry, Mr. Henderson.
Ms. Newberry is out of the office.” “Do you know when she’ll
be in?” “No.”
Kenneth sighed loudly. “Fine, Ms. Swift.
Sorry to bother …” He was cut off in mid-sentence. “Perhaps there is something I might help you with?” “I’ve had an
accident. I need to speak to Ms. Newberry. I won’t be able to return to work for at least a month.” “Your broken leg?” “What?” “Your accident; was it the one that broke your leg?” “No! I still have a broken
leg, but I was in a building that collapsed on me. I was nearly killed, dammit.” Not near enough, thought
Erica. “Ms. Newberry will be sorry to hear that. What hospital are you in?” “I’m not in any hospital; I’m
convalescing at home.” “Ms. Newberry will be pleased to hear that you are convalescing. I’ll pass your message along to her. Thank you for calling, Mr. Henderson.” Kenneth listened as the
line went dead. He was on the verge of texting Janice when Deborah knocked on the door and said supper was on the table. At the dinner table, Kenneth announced to the children that he and Deborah were going on a two-week vacation. “Cool,” said Christopher.
“When are you leaving?” “I know,” said Ashley.
“Grandma texted me about it. Do you know where you’re going?”
The conversation ended when Deborah urged Christopher and Ashley to eat up because they had to leave
Check out BC’s most comprehensive ag calendar!
OCTOBER 2018
We’ve made our website more user-friendly:
• Subscribe and pay invoices securely online.
• Read our most recent Facebook and Twitter feeds.
• SUBSCRIBE • ADVERTISE • SEARCH • PLAN Helping BC farmers
GROW THEIR BUSINESS
countrylifeinbc.com Subscribe Advertise
604-328-3814
office@countrylifeinbc.com
Subscribe You can now renew your subscription securely and easily online.
in five minutes. They were out the door in less time than that, leaving Kenneth behind to eat on his own. There was something dishearteningly metaphoric about it.
vvv The community hall was a
hive of activity. It was less than two weeks before opening night and they were rapidly approaching full-dress rehearsals. The sets were mostly finished, and the rehearsal centered around the scene changes and curtains and making sure everyone could hit their marks after each change. Deborah and Doug McLeod found themselves alone together back-stage awaiting the set change for their Namely You duet. “Are we going to sing this
time through?” asked Deborah. “Just some yada yada and hit the marks, I think. We’ll probably be singing it all the way through before the end of the week. Val said she wanted at least three full- dress go-arounds next week. Are you getting nervous?” “Maybe a little, I think. Not
really. Sometimes though, a bit, maybe.”
“Sounds more like
probably,” said Doug. “We could get together with Jade and practice on our own if you think that might help.” “No. Yes…no.” “I don’t follow,” said Doug. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind but I don’t think it would help and I don’t think we should.” “Okay,” said Doug. He left
the word hanging. Deborah looked up at him. “We need to talk.” “Talk about what?”
“Us.” “What about us?” asked
Doug.
“Exactly my point,” said Deborah “What about us?” “Do you mean Daisy Mae and Abner us, or Deborah and Doug us?” “I don’t know if I can tell
the difference any more.” “Well, two weeks from now,
Daisy Mae and Abner us is going to be history.” “Do you really think it’s going to be that simple?” “Probably not simple, but true nonetheless. We go back to Deborah and Douglas, and I don’t know what you want that us to be.” “I know what it could be
but I know what it can’t be, too,” said Deborah. “What do you wish it could
be?” “Wishes don’t matter. What
I do know is I’m going away for two weeks with Kenneth the day after the play is finished. He wants to fix our relationship, and…” Doug interrupted her. “Never mind the details.
Too much information. Forget Deborah and Douglas for now and promise me this: dreams do matter, and you won’t just let go of yours until you’re sure you have one you want to hold more in the other hand.”
Deborah nodded, and wiped her eyes with her fingertips. “So, what do you think should happen to Daisy and Abner until then?” asked Doug.
Deborah squeezed his hand.
“I think we should send them off in a blaze of glory.” “Let’s do just that then, shall we?” said Doug.
HEADLINES SUBSCRIBE ADVERTISE vvv
Back at the house, an incoming call chirped onto Kenneth’s phone. It was Janice Newberry. “Hello. Janice?” “I got your message from
Erica. What’s happened? Are you alright?” “I had to be rescued. The stupid barn just fell in on me. I’d like to get my hands on the idiot building inspector who passed it in the first place.” “What were you doing in the barn? I thought your leg was broken?” “It is, but do you think
anyone here gives a damn about me or my broken leg?” Awww, poor widdle muffin, thought Janice. “Unbelievable,” she said. “The doctor says I can’t
work for at least a month and I should try to get away from here.” “That won’t be a problem.
It doesn’t look like we’ll have anything for you to review for at least six weeks anyhow. Where are you thinking of going?” “Believe it or not, Deborah has some half-baked notion about sending me to the Caribbean for two weeks. Janice, I think about you all the time. I miss you.” There were several seconds of silence. “For Gawd’s sake, say something!” said Kenneth. “Look after yourself, Kenneth. I’ll call you when we’re ready to have you review the first committee findings.”
Kenneth flipped through
his day planner and marked the day she promised to call. To be continued ...
The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915 CALENDAR ARCHIVES CONTACT
41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
