Jeannie had no sooner disappeared from sight, than Madge turned to me, saying, "We need to get her back here. Josh I love you. And I love Jeannie. How can we make this work? Not for two days, but long term?"
Holding her to me I answered, "I've been thinking on it. Let's start with the kids. We need to know them. See if they are compatible with us. Face it, if those kids are miserable up here, she will be too. And if she isn't, then she won't be the woman, or mother, I think she is."
Over the next twelve days Jeannie and Madge talked almost every day, sometimes for just a few minutes, other days an hour or more. Jeannie and I talked also, but I don't do phone convos well, so we would speak for a few minutes, then I would pass the phone off to Madge. Day five or six Madge asked me about that, saying Jeannie was wondering if I really wanted her back. I explained to Madge, and to Jeannie when she next called, that I was normally short on the phone. It wasn't a dislike of Jeannie, I simply ran out of things to say. Quickly.
We stayed busy during those days. Madge readied a bedroom for the boys. She sent me to a furniture store for bunk beds and matching dresser. And of course that meant correct size linens and blankets. She wanted me to get space ships or cowboys, I chose simple pine, on the theory we didn't know them yet.
Friday was July Fourth. In town all the shops had bunting, flags and streamers were everywhere. Main Street was crowded. People from ten plus miles around came to the celebration every year. John Sundgren, at the General Store, handed out free ice cream cones to the kids (and some of the oldsters too). Every fancy car in the area was parked at Charly's Garage for an informal car show; I brought Naomi's Mustang, as I did every year. Jerry's Pizza was selling slices, and barely keeping up with demand. Madge and I strolled about, her arm tucked through mine, Bogart on a leash beside her. Everywhere we went, I was introducing her, my proud manner told all how much I loved her. At the General Store we stopped for cones. John said, "No charge today for geezers, and I'll give your Grand Daughter a free one to."
"Geezer? You're at least as old as me, and twice as ugly."
"Well, standing next to this beautiful woman, you look a lot older."
Turning to Madge, "Welcome to Fairfax, I'm John. If you need anything, just ask."
Down the street, we found Marie Jepson and her husband, Carl. He's been doing poorly over the last few years, due to Agent Orange exposure in 'Nam, but normally refused to be glum about it. He was walking carefully, with a walker. Looking at Marie, I raised an eyebrow.
"He will not let me push him in the chair."
"Jarhead, you're one stubborn s.o.b. I know you don't want to be seen being pushed by Marie, but why don't you get one of those motorized jobs? I'm sure VA would buy it."
"Squid, you're always bustin' my chops about somethin'."
"Maybe so, but where does she have the wheel chair stashed today? The Post Office?"
He looked at me for the longest time, then glanced at Madge and Marie, "Yeah...maybe I should go that route. I'll think on it."
"Don't think, do. I thought you Gyrenes were 'Men of Action'."
"There you go, bustin' chops again. (...) But you're right, I'll call on Monday, get things going."
"I'm going to check with Marie."
"Arggh, Outa my face."
"See ya Marie."
"Are you guys like that all the time?"
"No hon, today he's in a good mood. Meds must be working."
Down at Charly's, Doug Foster had his BBQ running. It's a trailer mounted cooker he custom built. To say Doug was serious about barbeque would be an understatement, this was his hobby, the price charged just paid for the supplies. Customers were lined up waiting for the next batch; everyone chatting, catching up with neighbors they may not have seen in months. Bogart was tugging at the leash. He knew about barbeque, saliva just running down his chin. When we reached the front of the line, Doug greeted Bogart first, serving the dog a special bone he'd been saving.
We meandered over to the cars, paper wrapped sandwiches in one hand, big wads of napkins in the other. Bogart happily carrying 'his' bone. 'Big Swede' Johansen had his Camaro parked next to the Mustang, a few cars over, Charly had his E Type Jag, and next to him was Shelly and her MG. We strolled along the line, admiring as we went. Many of these cars came out only when the weather was good, but every one of them was driven here, no 'Trailer Queens' for us. Shelly greeted me with a big hug, and after my introduction to Madge, wrapped her in one of her patented hugs.
"Shelly," I explained, 'has been a good friend forever. When Naomi got seriously ill, she was one of the women that watched after me."
"I was just doing the neighborly thing. Besides, you and Naomi cared for me when Will was killed."
"Her husband died in a traffic accident, what, ten years ago?"
"Today."
"Oh, that's right...are you ok?"
"I'm staying busy; it'll get me through the day."
Shelly turned to Madge, "Marie say's you're staying with Josh, come over and visit, I'm just a couple miles up the road."
As darkness fell, everyone gathered north of town at what was once a lumber mill. We had all contributed towards fireworks, and now awaited our show. Madge and I were at the edge of the crowd, arms around each other, Bogart stretched out next to us. Shelly walked over, kissed me on the cheek, then smiled at Madge, "I really mean it, come over. I'd like to know you."
***
Sunday I pulled the canoe out of the barn, giving it a good going over. This was a custom built cedar boat I'd owned for over twenty-five years. Varnish had been scraped in a couple places, and mice had nested in her, but overall she was in much better shape than I expected. We put the canoe on my tractor's trailer, taking it down to the lake. We packed a picnic and life preservers. Madge had no experience with boats, so was leery of it initially, but once she learned the proper position, felt the stability, she relaxed.
We paddled about the lake, she in the bow, me aft, paddling and steering. We snuck up on a family of Canadian geese foraging among the reeds, then moved farther along. Looking down, a large trout caught her eye, slowly working its way along a bed of grass. Looking back, she asked if I ever fished the lake. I responded, "Yes, but not in the last few years."
"Why not?"
"No real reason. I just haven't felt like it."
"Naomi?"
"Yeah...when she got really bad, I took a lot of time off to care for her. I didn't feel right playing when she couldn't"
"And now?"
"Some things have changed. You've come into my life, I'm awake again. I want to experience things again."
"Teach me to paddle."
I showed her how to hold a paddle, a proper stroke, how to put a twist in the stroke to turn the boat, how to correct a drift. She picked it up easily, relishing the sense of control on the craft. After some practice, we pulled onto a bank, traded places, moved back onto the lake. Now she was paddling and steering. I could override her if necessary, but never had to.
Back at our launch point we had lunch, lying back on a blanket, looking up at the clouds.
"Josh..."
