Sarah Ann Gomes was as short as Matt was tall. How she gave birth to a giant like that Lee would never understand. She was a petite woman with a bright smile that seemed to shine on anyone her eyes touched. Nandie, who was usually pretty picky about who she let hold her, was all over her and loving it. Lee was shaking her head at the uncharacteristic changes she was seeing in all of her kids. It was as if she was now seeing a new side of them come out in a land they’d never been to.
Renee had come inside after the swing rides and helped Jaden to get a snack and played with him until he fell asleep on the couch. She was now sitting talking with Sarah Ann while Lee was putting away the vegetables and other groceries that Sarah had brought over. How was she going to pay these two people back? Of course, they were both insisting she didn’t have to but good manners said she should.
Sarah Ann was generous with her advice as her food. Over dinner she told her the best places to buy vegetables and fruits, which butcher had the best deals on fresh meat and where to pick up all of those UK treats that were often hard to find. Somehow, the conversation lessened Lee’s anxieties about the transition and she began to feel as if it wasn’t impossible.
Matt’s mom had visited for a few hours before she stood to make her leave and Lee didn’t want her to go. She was enjoying her company and she had such great stories to tell about Miss Mary.
“I’ll drop by later in the week to check on you all,” she said as she got to the door. “You have my number so call if you need me.”
“I will,” Lee promised. She closed the door after Sarah Ann left and headed to her room. It had been her grandmothers and it was her favourite room in the house. The windows were large and had a spectacular view of Little Bay, with the rambling Centre Hills off to the left. She’d taken the books from the lawyer out and rested them on the side table. Lee wanted to go through each one and she would. Right now she was feeling drained although she didn’t think she’d accomplished much but a lot of new information had been thrown at her. She would just close her eyes and rest a moment.
…..
A moment turned into hours and when Lee awoke it was dark and the house was still. She scrambled out of the bed to check on the kids.
Nandie wasn’t in her crib and her heart rate increased until she found her curled up next to Renee. Both were wearing night clothes and snuggled under the covers. Lee straightened it and kissed their cheeks. Jaden was sprawled on his bed. That boy slept like he played, always in motion. She didn’t bother with the covers since it wasn’t cold but she took the time to straighten him on the bed and cuddled him for a moment before heading out of the room.
All the doors and windows were closed. In the kitchen, the dishes were washed and a note was on the counter.
“Mom, I fed Nandie and Jaden. You were very tired, so we didn’t want to wake you. We love you. I’m sorry for being so angry. I like Montserrat and I think we can be happy here. Love, Renee.”
Lee wiped back tears and could only say thank you. She folded the note and tucked it in her pocket. Her stomach growled and she went in search of some crackers that Sarah Ann brought earlier and some cheese. No wine, in the house or she would have been tempted to make a toast to a new life.
Hmmm…Was this really it? Should she start over here or make an attempt to go back to the UK, to the real world? Montserrat almost seemed like a little paradise that you escape to but eventually know you cannot live in. How long could she live in paradise before she hungered for the bright lights of London, weekends in New York and Paris?
Fantasy. It was all a fantasy and a life that wasn’t hers anymore and she knew it. She just didn’t want to let go of the idea that she would be stuck here. Maybe Renee had the better attitude right now, but she didn’t want to regret returning home.
The crackers were quickly gone and a cup of bush tea did the trick to fill the remaining spaces. She grabbed the book, which looked like a diary and snuggled up in a corner chair. Miss Mary had a strong and bold handwriting. She wrote carefully and clearly, as if she knew the words needed to remain long after she was gone.
“I’ve decided to keep a diary to remember this time. So many family members and friends have chosen to go to England but I will not leave. This is home for me. It would be a good time to go and be with my daughter and Lee but I can’t live in all of that cold. I don’t want to. I also have to write to vent. Everyone is looking to me for answers and solutions. I didn’t know this house could hold so many people and now every space is full. But I cannot turn away, people are suffering and the government is not working fast enough. God will make away and He will give me strength to handle whatever this volcano sends.”
Lee kept reading and marvelled at her grandmother’s strength. She spoke of the people that came through the house during the summer of 1997 on their way to the UK. Page after page she talked about the frequent eruptions and the evacuations, more friends leaving. She shared how she felt alone and was tempted to call Lee’s mother but something made her resist. Lee still hadn’t come across anything to explain why the two were not speaking. Whatever it was her grandmother was refusing to give in, waiting for her mother to make the move.
Lee went back to sleep wondering about it and hoping by morning she would have a clearer picture of what to do about the land and staying on Montserrat.
….
Day two on Montserrat started just like the first. Lee jumped up with the sunlight streaming in and walking into the hall to hear Jaden in the yard talking to a male voice. She didn’t think Matt would have time to come by before he left and went to the door and looked out. It wasn’t Matt and Jaden was on the top step looking like he was protecting his turf.
Lee yanked the door open and went up to Jaden.
“Good morning. Can I help you?” she said pulling Jaden closer.
“My apologies for coming by unannounced but I didn’t know how else to reach you Ms. Matthew,” the man answered. He looked in his early forties and spoke with a distinct American accent. California she thought.
“I’m sorry who are you and why are you looking for me?” she didn’t like his energy. It was putting her on edge.
“I’m with Crystal Holdings and we have been speaking with your lawyer about the Mirror Bay Development. By now you’ve heard about the offer we made and I’m hoping you and I can discuss this,” he looked pretty sure of himself. His eyes roamed the property and then back to Lee, seeming to say that she should take the money and fix up this run down place.
“I haven’t made a decision yet but my lawyer will be in touch once I have,” she replied stiffly. She wanted him out of here. “Jaden, go on inside and wash up for brekky please.” Jaden didn’t seem to want to move but she turned him towards the door.
Once she heard it close, she turned back to her visitor, who still hadn’t given her his name.
“I still don’t know who you are but I probably don’t care to either. You are not welcome on my property and any further contact needs to happen through my lawyer and at his office. If you step foot back here I will call the police,” she stated, hands on hips and eyes piercing into his.
“Look, this isn’t necessary. My name is Anderson Rudolph and I work for the development company that is ready to build on your land. We’ve made a very generous offer, one I’ve been told is more than adequate for the work that we would still have to do to make that property run. But we are willing to do it,” he said almost apologetically.
“Like I said, you will hear from my lawyer Mr. Rudolph. Have a nice day,” she turned and didn’t wait to see if he was leaving. She wanted to be rid of him.
Filed under: 30-Day Challenge
