SEVENTH INSTALLMENT OF...THE LAKE...by b. Malin
CHAPTER 3 CONTINUED...
Sarah had stopped off at the Wellington Inn after her Yoga class for pregnant women. It was one o'clock in the afternoon and she was already thinking about what to have for dinner that night, food always seemed to be on her mind lately. But on this particular day, so was what she had found in the bathroom drawer on her side of the matching sinks. The top drawer, where she kept her makeup and cotton balls had been sticking and not closing properly. It felt like there was something stuck in the back of it. She pulled the drawer out, and found a crushed picture of a young couple. The woman was holding a baby and the young man had his arm around her. There was a large palm tree and lots of greenery in the background...they looked Latin... She wondered who they were, and how the picture had gotten into the bathroom. She carefully laid the picture down and tried to smooth it out. She went back into the bedroom still holding the picture as she gazed around the room, her eyes spotting the heavy dictionary that she had found when they moved in. She decided to place the picture under the dictionary to flatten it out. Satisfied that it was now hidden from view and feeling a little guilty for thinking that way... But Robert, she reminded herself, wanted nothing to do with anything connected to Danielle.
Sarah saw Maggie as she was placing her order. When she was finished she walked over to where Maggie stood. "Hi, Maggie." "Hi, to you my lovely Madam" Maggie replied back in her thick Irish brogue. "You look wonderful, Sarah, so radiant...I'm off in a few minutes, we could walk together, I know how you love to walk my dear." "Oh, Maggie, I took the Jeep today, for I picked up some fresh fruits and vegetables...it's in my car...Hey why not come home with me? Sarah said brightly...I've got mint tea and cookies". I believe I will do that my dear, but I will bring our mint tea leaves and we just baked apples...my treat". Together they walked over to where Sarah was parked. With Maggie carrying the hot apple treat.
After they had put away the fruits and vegetables and Maggie had brewed the tea and placed the hot apples with caramel and nut sauce down on the table, they both sat down smiling at the treat before them. "You didn't tell me they'd look like this" Sarah said sighing as she took a bite...I think I just died and went to heaven, oh Maggie...wow"! Sarah wasn't offended that Maggie had completely taken over her kitchen, with the brewing of the tea and setting up the dessert treat. Actually she kind of liked it. Maggie remained silent, a sad look came into her eyes as she looked at Sarah. "Sarah my child, don't use that expression...died and went to heaven, not in this house". Sarah looked at her, she felt shocked. "Why Maggie, why, it's an expression, nothing more". "I know, my dear...but this house...it's had it's tragedy...her voice trailed off...let's talk about something else, my dear".
"Maggie, Sarah cleared her throat, do you really think that Terrance Jordan's wife, Danielle killed herself"? Maggie stared at Sarah for a moment, she studied her beautiful features, she felt a chill around her. "No, Sarah, I do not...she had too much to live for. I sat here in this very room with her two days before she died...she was working on a screenplay, a Hollywood director was interested in her work. I was watching the baby, while she worked on her computer. She was so happy and alive with life"... and how she loved that baby. "I didn't realize that you knew her on a personal level...I thought you knew her because they always ate at the Wellington Inn" Sarah replied. "Oh yes, Sarah we were good friends, just like you and I are becoming". Both women sighed at the same time. "Maggie, you don't think her husband killed her, do you"? "No, I don't...I don't know who did it...but the case is closed my dear, so it really doesn't matter what you or I think" Maggie replied as she looked down at her watch. "Oh dear, I've got to get going...my sister Mary is coming for dinner, and I have got to put up the chicken and prepare some vegetables, come dear walk me to the door." Maggie was saying good by to Sarah when Robert pulled up. It was on that day that Maggie and Robert had the words over the Frog Legs.
Sarah realized later that night as she was climbing into bed, that she had forgotten to show Maggie the picture she had found earlier that day. "Ah, there's always tomorrow" she smiled to herself, as she looked at the dictionary before turning out her nightstand light, and turning to Robert to say good night.
To be continued....
