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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MARCH 2019 Deborah and Doug McLeod turn up the heat When we left off last time,
Kenneth Henderson had just paid Junkyard Frank twice the
Chronicles by BOB COLLINS
price for two tickets for the afternoon performance of the Spring Musical for his mother and him. But Susan Henderson had arrived at the house behind schedule and they were late for the start of the play. Even so, Kenneth was game for an early get-away before the play ended until the woman sitting in front of them cautioned they would not want to miss the finale. Rural Redemption, part 108, continues ...
The audience grew silent as Abner wrapped his arms around Daisy Mae and she sang the first verse of Namely You. A palpable excitement grew all through the number. When the last note faded and the song reached its climax, Daisy and Abner stood wrapped in each other’s arms,
gazing into one another’s eyes.
Woodshed
The crowd exploded. As their cheering, clapping and whistling rattled the rafters, the curtain fell on Abner and Daisy. In the dim light behind the curtain,
Deborah and Doug McLeod remained in one another’s arms. As the appreciative din continued their embrace tightened and they kissed. Their lips and the curtains
parted at the same instant. Abner and Daisy turned to the crowd and bowed to a renewed crescendo of clapping and cheering that persisted for five minutes as all the cast and crew joined them on stage. Eventually, the curtains closed and the ovation ended. The audience rose and started milling around but few of them headed for the exit. Most wanted to make their way to the stage to offer their congratulations. Junkyard Frank
approached Kenneth Henderson.
“Whooee, Mr. Henderson,”
said Frank, fanning his face with his hand. “Is it just me or did Doug McLeod and your wife just turn the heat up 10 degrees in here?”
Kenneth had hoped to
make a quick exit and take his mother back to the house, but Ashley had spotted them and was heading their way with Clay in tow. Ashley gave her grandmother a big hug. “I’m so glad you made it, Grandma. Did you like the show?” “It was wonderful, sweetie. I
loved it.” “Wasn’t Mom great?” “Everyone was great,” said
Susan. Ashley caught Clay’s hand and tugged him beside her. “Grandma, this is Clay. He’s
my boyfriend.” “Clay Garrison, ma’am.
Pleased to meet you.” “Nice to meet you, Clay. I’m
Susan.” Kenneth scowled. A fine
kettle of fish, he thought. She hasn’t been here for much more than an hour and she’s already on a first name basis with Cowboy Clay here. “How did you like it,
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Daddy?” said Ashley. “Did you see Mom?” “I’m sure everyone here
saw your mother, Ashley. What time are you coming home?” “They ordered pizza for the cast and crew to eat here after, so it will probably be about six or so.” Christopher arrived with
Lisa Lundgren in tow. Susan was shocked by her grandson’s appearance. “Christopher, look at you.
You’ve grown three inches since Christmas, and you have a girlfriend?” “This is Lisa, Grandma. How about it, Lisa. Want to be my girlfriend?” asked Christopher with a grin.
Lisa dug her elbow into Christopher’s ribs. “I’ll think about it,” said Lisa.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Henderson.” “It’s lovely to meet you,
Lisa. Please, call me Susan.” “I think my Mom would
freak out if I called you that.” “Thank God for her
mother,” muttered Kenneth under his breath. “Okay, Mrs. Henderson then, until we know each other better,” said Susan.
Mobbed Deborah was wending her
way toward them, but it was slow going. Everyone in the room wanted to offer their thanks and congratulations. It took her nearly half an hour to reach the corner of the hall. “Sorry I’ve been so long;
there’s quite a mob in here,” she said. “Congratulations,” said
Susan. “It looks like you’re the star of the show.” “I think everyone was the star of the show,” said Deborah. “Kenneth, did you see Ashley, and the sets Christopher helped with?” “Yeah, I saw the whole
works,” said Kenneth. “I suppose you’re hanging around for the pizza party in that ridiculous get-up?” Susan saw an almost
imperceptible slump in Deborah’s shoulders. Why is it, she thought, the men in this family are so insecure? So mean-spirited and critical? So utterly incapable of offering a kind or encouraging word? She knew how emotionally exhausting it had been to ensure her own light never outshone King Henderson’s. Like father, like son. She felt sorry for Deborah. Deborah glanced at Kenneth, then looked away to the front of the hall. Ten minutes earlier she was on the stage in the arms of a man she could easily fall in love with. Now she was standing in the disapproving gaze of a man who didn’t seem to love her at all any more. If he ever really had.
“No, Kenneth, I’m not going
to stay for the pizza party,” said Deborah. “But I can’t just walk out while so many people are still here. You might as well go. I’ll say my good-byes and be home in half an hour or so.” “Good,” said Kenneth as he took Susan’s arm and led her toward the door. As he turned, he came face-to-face with Newt Pullman. “Afternoon, neighbour.
How did you like the show?” “Not really my cup of tea, but it seems to have amused this lot,” said Kenneth with a dismissive wave. “I’d love to stay and chat, but we were just on our way.” Kenneth steered Susan for
the door, but Newt stepped in front of her. “You must be Mrs.
Henderson. Christopher said you were going to be the commanding officer while his folks are away. I’m Newt Pullman. I live next door. Give me a shout if there’s anything you need a hand with.” “Very nice to meet you, Mr.
Pullman, and please, call me Susan.” “You call me Newt and it’s a
deal.”
Kenneth rolled his eyes. “We really should be on our
way, Mother.” After hurried goodbyes,
they were gone. Junkyard Frank joined Newt. “That’s was Henderson’s
mother. She’s quite a looker, eh?”
Newt glanced over at Frank
and started to chuckle. “I’m just sayin’,” said Frank. As the crowd thinned out, Harriet Murray started herding various members of the cast back to the stage so she could take their pictures for next week’s paper. She singled out Doug and Deborah and stood them at centre stage. “I need a close-up of you
two for the front page. Just kind of snuggle back up like you did at the end there.” Doug slid his arm around
Deborah’s shoulder and they both smiled for the camera. “Not like that,” said Harriet.
“Put your arms around each other and look all lovey-dovey like you did right at the end.” They stared into one
another’s eyes. “What now?” whispered
Doug. “You know what. I’m going on holidays tomorrow.” “I mean, what about what just happened behind the curtain. That’s not the first time.” “They say once is chance,
twice is coincidence, and three times is enemy action.” said Deborah. “This time makes twice,
and you know darned well it was no coincidence.” To be continued...
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