Chapter seventeen: Aster waits for her husband at the ferry terminal. Finally, a Mayne Islander stops and offers Aster a ride. What is Kenneth James' house address? How will she find him without it?
Chapter eighteen
“Kenneth James?”
“Yes, my husband is a landowner. He’s building a house.”
“Professor? The only Prof I know is Kenji Tanaka.”
Aster acted like the woman had slapped her. “My husband’s name is professor Kenneth James Stevens. We’ve been happily married for over twenty years.” The woman mumbled something Aster didn’t hear. “Pardon me.”
“Oh, hmm, congratulations. Twenty years is a long time to be married, especially when... when... Don’t worry I know where he lives.”
“Well, isn’t that interesting. And exactly how do you know the location of my husband’s estate?”
“My husband and I are friends of Kenj—.”
Aster couldn’t stand to hear that horrible non-name mentioned in her presence again. She didn’t hesitate to supply the necessary correction. “Ken...neth...Jam..es.”
“Yes, of course, Kenneth James and—. And we like him very much. They’ve—. He’s had us over for supper occasionally and we’ve had him over as well.”
“Performing domestic chores, such as cooking, is not a skill Kenneth James possesses.”
“Mayne Island has a way of changing people,” the woman said. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have—. I’m Kate.”
“Kate? Kate is a nickname. What’s your given name? Or is it unpronounceable? In which case I shall call you—.”
“Kathleen—after my dad’s mother. I was her only granddaughter.”
“Kathleen is lovely. Why would you hide it behind something as plain as Kate? Kathleen is your name and Kathleen is what I shall call you.”
“Oh, okay. Sure. Why not.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kathleen. My name is Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens but you may call me by my first name Aster. Now, pray, please tell me, how did you make my husband’s acquaintance?”
“Aster what a unique name. Were you named after a relative?”
“Aster—Greek for star. My father’s passion was botany. He was enchanted by the star-shaped, late-blooming blue, purple and white flowers. You will of course know of the Greek goddess Astraea. The goddess who cried for stars. Aster... As a girl, I dreamed of changing my name to something more common, perhaps Esther. But now that I’m a woman, I’ve abandoned childhood dreams.” Aster squared her shoulders. “Now, tell me, Kathleen, how did you make my husband’s acquaintance?”
“Oh, we meet him through a...a...mutual friend.”
“A mutual friend?”
“Yes, that’s right. That’s how we met Kenji.”
“Whom?”
“Oh, sorry, Kenneth James—your husband.”
“Thank you, Kathleen. Now, who is the mutual friend who introduced you to my husband?"
“It’s hot in here.” Kate rolled down the driver’s side window. “Don’t you feel hot? Or is it just me? I’m always telling my husband, menopause isn’t for wimps. I get hot flashes at the strangest, most inconvenient times. And night sweats, don’t even get me started. Then there are the grandma arms. You know flap, flap, flap. But it’s not all bad. Being older settles your mind. I’m finally figuring out who I am beyond being a wife and a mother. Do you have children, Aster?”
“No, I have not reproduced.” Aster spat the last word out like it was a bone.
“Thank goodness.”
“Thank goodness? What do you mean by that comment, Kathleen?”
“Oh, I just meant that sometimes I wish I could take back those years I spent raising my three. Not that I don’t enjoy my kids. Because I did, I do. It’s just that there never seemed to be any time for the things I wanted to do. But now finally, thankfully, all that has changed. Sure I have to be on call for the ferry. We work hard there but I’ve always liked being part of a team.” Kate paused. “What do you do on the mainland?”
“I shaped young minds and thus prepared them to become contributing members of our society.”
“Oh, that’s nice. My husband’s a retired teacher. Although, he’s as busy as he was when he was employed—working for this organization and that one. Volunteers run Mayne Island. You should see the long list in the MayneLiner. The MayneLiner is our monthly news magazine. It lets us know what’s happening on our island. Most volunteer organizations do monthly write-ups. Shander does the one for the library. The library is over there, to your left. It overlooks Active Pass. It’s worth taking a book out simply to enjoy that view."
“Shander is that a surname, Kathleen?”
“Shander was his mother’s maiden name. His full name is Shander Alvin Maebily.”
“Alvin is acceptable.”
“And I like Shander. So I guess, he’s doubly blessed. Would you like to stop by?”
“Stop where?”
“At our house? We could just pop in for a cuppa and something yummy. Shander makes the most delicious cakes and you must be hungry.”
“What? Now?”
“We’d be your first connection, you know, with Mayne Island. It helps to know people, especially when you’re going through what you’re going through. I mean, I mean...um...by your luggage it looks like you’re planning on staying for a while, maybe the entire summer.”
“I’ve vacated my house on the mainland and will be residing on Mayne Island permanently.”
“What did you say?”
“I’m moving to the island.”
“Oh. Oh, that’s...um...er...a...nice.” The car shrieked to a stop.
Aster’s seatbelt wrapped tightly around her, holding her in place. The belt’s grip was firm and somewhat painful. “What’s the matter? Why did you stop? Are you out of gas? Is something broken? Is—.”
A large animal broke through the bush and headed for the car.
Aster braced herself against the glove compartment. “What...is...that...animal?”
Larger than the largest dog, it had long legs with hoofs that could kick..could kick holes...could shatter glass...could shatter a windshield. Hoofs that could, would kill. A mouth with teeth. Teeth that could bite, could chew—chew human flesh. Its eyes were full of hate. Hate. The animal of death was coming for As—.
“That’s a deer and it just wants to cross the road. And where there’s one, there are often two.”
Two fawns and a deer came out of the bush.
“Oh, and babies. Aren’t they adorable?” Kate cooed.
“Adorable?” Aster sniffed. “A nuisance. A hazard. Venison can be rather tasty paired with the right wine. But adorable? No, definitely not.”
After the deer had made their way safely to the other side and had disappeared into the woods, Kate continued the journey. “So-o-o, you’re moving to Mayne Island. I’m sure you’ll love it here. Oh, what’s wrong with me. I should have taken you around and shown you where everything is post office, community centre, church, grocery stores. You know everything. It’s not too late. Why don’t I just swing us back around.” Kate pulled the car into someone’s driveway.
“No, Kathleen, let’s focus on the task at hand, shall we.”
“Yeah, sure. So that’s no to tea, as well? We so enjoy having visitors.”
“Are you unclear about our mutual goal, Kathleen?”
“No, got it.” Kate backed out of the driveway. “On to the house. It’ll be nice for you and Ken—...um, sorry Kenneth James to be together.”
“Yes, rather.”
“Marriage is tricky. A dance, really. Sometimes you dance together, sometimes separately. But...” Kate paused, briefly. “You know, when my oldest got married, last year, I told him, I said, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll have fights, discussions, differences of opinion, whatever. It doesn’t matter. You can work it out, as long as love is in your home. As long as you can find it in each other's eyes. Love is all that matters.
“I told them, both of them. Why not? I’m the mother-in-law. I can say whatever I like. I said, ‘Don’t look for a saint. You didn’t marry one. Forgive and look for love.’
“I don’t know if they heard me, but that didn’t stop me. I said it anyway and something more. ‘Dwell on happiness. Forget misery. It’s too easy. You’ll find it everywhere. Happiness that's rare.’
“‘And one thing more,’ I said, giving them hope that I would soon be quiet. ‘Don’t worry that your relationship doesn’t make sense to anyone else. It just has to make sense to you.’ Then I stopped talking, which may have shocked them both.”
