Sunday, June 25, 2023

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby by Leanne Dyck (Ch 25)

 Chapter twenty-fourKenneth James slipped away and Aster waits for him to return to her. She waits even though the truth of where he went is within her reach. How can Kate help her come to terms with reality? How would you? Would you?


photo ldyck

Chapter twenty-five

 Aster’s basket held the arms and the back of her latest knitting project. Once assembled, they would form a fisherman’s sweater. Aster knew, as most knitters do, the history of the Aran sweater.  

Aster loaded stitches onto her needles. Knit, purl, knit...

What made her look through the sliding glass doors?

Someone was walking through the woods.

Kenneth James? He was coming home. In her heart, she knew it was him before her eyes could confirm.

In one fluid motion, she dropped her knitting into the basket and raced to the door. Hand on the door handle, she waited to throw her arms around him and welcome him home. She waited to slide the door open. 

He broke through the woods and... The hips were too wide. The waist was too narrow. The hair was too long.

Aster ran a hand down smoothing her husband’s t-shirt. Her husband’s t-shirt? She needed to change.

The person waved.

She didn’t have time to change. All she could do was wait.

The person cut through the tall grass... Kathleen.

Aster waited until... Now. She breathed out slowly and slide open the door. “Oh, hello, Kathleen.”

A sarcastic comment... A look of scorn... She waited but all Kathleen said was, “Hi, Aster.”

“Please do come in, Kathleen. Would you like tea? I can boil the kettle.” She set the tin of teabags on the table so that Kate could make her selection. 

A cup and saucer for Kate. Guest served, Aster took her own tea back to her knitting. 

The women sat silently for a time until Kate remarked, “Wow, you knit fast.”

“Yes, I use the English method. It’s superior to all other methods.” Aster spread her knitting out on her lap.

“Such pretty yarn. What’s it going to be?”

“Another sweater for Kenneth James.” And Aster added. “I have good news, Kathleen. Kenneth James is eager to expand the cabin. We’re going to add on for...” She explained her plans in great detail. 

“You should hire the guy that worked on our house.”

They continued to talk and Aster said, “Kenneth James had to go back to the mainland earlier than expected but before he left he showed me the island. He was busy with research but every spare minute he had he spent with me. I took pleasure in seeing this island through his eyes. I’m expecting him to come home next weekend.” It was just a hunch she had. He hadn’t phoned or emailed or texted since his disappearance. She’d tried to contact him but was unable to reach him. “Kathleen, what does this island have to offer, culturally speaking?”

“There’s a map that lists all the home studios. I’ll bring you one. And you saw the library.”

“I was thinking of something Kenneth James and I could enjoy together. What’s the nightlife like?”

“What? Here? Well, there are bats. And... Hmm, yeah, don’t go outside at night for a while. Adolescent owls are learning to hunt. And if you do wear a hat and don’t put your hair in a ponytail. Young owls think anything with a tail is prey.”

When Aster was once again capable of speaking, she said, Kathleen, I was enquiring about nightlife. I trust that you have heard of nightclubs? Kenneth James enjoys listening to jazz.”

“You’d have to pack a bag.”

“Pardon me?”

“The closest nightclub is on Vancouver Island and the last ferry leaves for Mayne Island at 8 PM. So you’d have to stay over.”

“This island lacks a population of musicians?”

“No. Not at all. But they perform at house parties and around campfires and sometimes on the bandstand at the Ag Ha—.”

“What? Outside?”

It’s relaxing, sitting under the stars and letting the music—.”

“Yes. Yes, that’s fine.” Aster waved her hand indicating that it wasn’t at all fine. “What about a movie, then?”

“I have some DVDs that you could borrow.” Kate noticed Aster’s frown. “You’d have to sail to Vancouver Island.”

“The theatre?”

Mayne Island Little Theatre is run by talented volunteers. Sometimes they get the whole island involved. It’s fun to watch friends and neighbours onstage. I usually help out with costumes and props.”

“That sounds entertaining.” Aster sniffed.

“Yeah, it’s lots of fun. Probably this fall, Dar—. Darling.”

“That's a rather long time to wait.”

“It’s just that right now everyone is really busy with yards and gardens and tourists.”

“What is there to do of interest during the summer on Mayne Island?”

“Lots of things. You could go for a hike.”

“We’ve been.”

“There’s volunteering.”

“Yes, you mentioned that Alvin is rather active.”

“Alvin?”

“Your husband.”

“Oh, you mean Shander.”

“Shander is a surname, Kathleen.”

“Alvin is his middle name.”

Aster gave Kate a cold-eyed stare. “Some people use middle names when the first name is unsuitable, Kathleen. Alvin is a fine name. Your husband should be proud of it.”

“He likes it fine, but it’s not his—.”

“When will you give up these silly games, Kathleen?”

Games? What game? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I just caught you in a lie. You forgot who Alvin is because he doesn’t exist. You made him up.” Aster held up her index finger. “You knew where my husband lived.” She held up her middle finger. “You had a key for this cabin.” She held up her ring finger. “And—.”

“I didn’t have key. The door wasn't—.

Aster pointed her index finger at Kate. “You had a key because you were having an affair with my husband.”

“Me? I’m happily married.”

“So you say. Do you think I’m daft? Shander is clearly a made-up name. Quit this silliness.”

“Shander Alvin Maebily is a living, breathing man.”

“Hush! I won't tolerate your lying, Kathleen.”

“You want the truth. I’ll tell you the truth.”

Aster bowed her head over her knitting.

“Kenji is having an affair. Her name is Darlene. Darlene McDonald. I’ve known her for years. I know she would never have taken up with a married man. I know she’s not like that. If she knew about you..." 

Aster was frozen--she didn't move, she barely breathed.

"I'm sorry you found out like..." 

Kate's lips moved but Aster didn't hear a word.

I love you. I will never leave you. I love you. I will never leave you... Never ceasing, gaining strength with each repeat--his words in her head. Aster's heart pounded, filling her chest, filling her head, filling the cabin. Her heart beat to the rhythm of those words. And she, and she...  “Do you know how to knit, Kathleen?”

“No, I don’t. But I always wanted to learn.”

“Well, allow me to instruct you.” Aster set her knitting on her lap. She searched her knitting basket for a worsted weight yarn and size 7 needles. She cast on twenty-four stitches and worked a row. “Poke this needle into that stitch, wrap the yarn around the needle like this and pull the old stitch off like that.” Aster completed the row and handed the knitting to Kate.

“In. Wrap around. Pull off the old stitch.” They chanted as Kate took her first stitches

“That’s right. Very good." Aster said, encouraging progress." You’re doing an excellent job.”

Aster picked up her own knitting and the two women knit side-by-side. Kate worked in garter stitch; Aster worked in cable stitch.

A few minutes later, Kate stopped knitting. “Where’d this hole come from?”

“You may have dropped a stitch.” Aster took the offered needles. “Don’t worry. It’s easily fixed.” Aster ripped the knitting back and collected the dropped stitch.

“Shander’s got a new hobby. He’s started painting with a group of local artists. They run all over the place, dripping paint on flowers, rocks, and sand. Sometimes they even put some on their canvases.” Kate waited for Aster to laugh. And when she did, Kate joined. “He and his pals are going to pack the library with their work. Opening night will be this coming Thursday. I thought that would be a great way for you two to meet. I could come and pick you up and we could go together. These things are so much more fun when you go with a friend.”

“Thank you, Kathleen, I would enjoy that.” Aster spread her knitting out on her lap. “I hope this sweater fits Kenneth James.”


photo by ldyck


Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby

Chapter twenty-six

The final chapter

Will Aster ever get a happy ending?


Sunday, June 18, 2023

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby by Leanne Dyck (Ch 24)

 Chapter twenty-three: Aster shared her plans for their new house with Kenneth James. Kenneth James had news of his own that he tried to share but Aster wasn't prepared to listen. 

photo by ldyck

Chapter twenty-four

An owl hooted. Such a mournful, lonely sound.

Aster slipped off her dress and pulled on one of Kenneth James’ old t-shirts and a pair of his sweatpants. The scent of him comforted her. She climbed into bed. Her mind drifted away through time and place like the wind. Gaining direction from memory and longing, Aster dreamed that she was in her classroom.

“Class, does anyone know the answer?”

Hands reached for the ceiling.

Unable to suppress the joy of knowing, Devin bounced in his chair. “I do. I do. Please, call on me, Mrs. Stevens. I know the answer.”

She was so proud of her accomplishment. When everyone else had turned their back, she and she alone had refused to abandon him and now he had become one of her star pupils. She had reached him; she had taught him. She was his teacher.

A black cloud enveloped the scene.

“No, you weren’t.” Devin left his desk. “You didn’t teach me.”

A ray of light punched a hole in the cloud. It shone on the mirror the boy held in his hand and into Aster’s eyes—temporarily blinding her.

“You hurt me.” Devin held the mirror in front of Aster’s face. “You. Are. A. Monster.”

She couldn’t avoid looking at her reflection. Blood dripped from her razor-sharp teeth.

All of the students formed a ring around Aster. “You. Are. A. Monster.” They chanted. Their shoes stomped on the tile floor as the circle grew tighter and ever tighter.

“No! No! No!” Aster screamed. And she was a wake. But where was she?

A coffin of books...

Mayne Island?

She ran a hand over her husband’s side of the bed. It was cold. “Kenneth James? Are you there?”

No answer.

She climbed out of bed and pushed back the curtain.

He wasn’t in his reading chair or at his desk.

She filled the kettle with water from the tap. A question waited for her there. Why didn’t Kenneth James come home?

She plugged the kettle into the wall socket. It took forever to boil, but eventually, it gurgled and sputtered. She poured half a cup into the teapot, swirled it around, and dumped it into the sink. She hunted through the tin of tea bags.

Questions were scattered amongst those tea bags. What happened to him? Had he run out of gas on his way back from the bakery? Had he lost his way? Had he—?

A tall, muscular man—an uppercut to Kenneth James’ chin.

She found two tea bags labelled ‘English Breakfast’.

Had a wild animal attacked him?

A bear, a tree, and Kenneth James dangling from a top branch.

Was he stranded? Was he bleeding? Was he gasping for air in the middle of the sea?

She found the almond milk in the fridge, poured some into her cup, and added the tea.

Kathleen’s note was still on the paperback. Aster’s hand hovered over the note. In those numbers, she saw a way to solve the mystery. She should call Kathleen—but not yet.

She took a sip of tea.

Where was he?

Another sip.

When would he come home?

Another sip.

Why didn’t he call?

She drained the cup, washed it, and returned it to the cupboard.

“He must know that I’m worried. Why doesn’t he call?” She paced back and forth across the length of the cabin. Each time she passed Kenneth James’ desk, she stared at the note.

“If you think I’m worried...? If you think I care where you are...? Well, then...” She unfolded the note...


Dear Aster,

I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to... But I’ve met some


Aster stopped reading. She tore the note in half and in half again. She threw the pieces into the wood stove.

He found some...

She folded herself into his reading chair, knees to chest.

He’s left...

She closed her eyes and rocked back and forth.

No, he would never... He won’t...

She felt Kenneth James draw her into an embrace. She heard him whisper, I will never leave you. I will always love you.

Those words became her truth. Still, a question remained—where is Kenneth James?

photo by ldyck


Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby

Chapter twenty-five


Kenneth James slipped away and Aster waits for him to return to her. She waits even though the truth of where he went is within her reach. When Kathleen help her face the truth?

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby by Leanne Dyck (Ch 23)

 Chapter twenty-two: Kenneth James continued their tour of Mayne Island. At Dinner Bay Park, he proudly showed Aster the mural he worked on with the community. In words and photos, the mural depicted the history of the Japanese-Canadians on Mayne Island.


photo by ldyck

Chapter twenty-three


Kenneth James led the way through the tall grass. "Slip a bookmark in the book. That chapter ended. We're home."

Aster sighed and he found comfort in that sigh. He thought Mayne Island was having an effect on her. He thought it was changing her.

"Our home," she said and he slowed down to listen. "It's a clump of clay. Clay that we can mold into..."

He sped up.

“We could keep the current structure and..." 

He slid open the door.

“Add bathrooms and bedrooms and a kitchen and..." 

Kenneth James unearthed his laptop and began to type.

Aster stood in front of the wood stove. "And of course, we'll need to purchase new appliances." The stove was like an insatiable baby--constantly in need of feeding. Even though they had just finished eating lunch in order for the stove to have gained enough heat to cook on she would have to start a fire now. "An electric stove is far more convenient. After all, you can't expect me to spend my days preparing meals. My quality of life needs to be higher than that. " She recalled Kenneth James's instructions--paper teepee first, then kindling, then a small log. When the fire is roaring steadily increase the size of logs.  

Paper tepee and... Fiddle-faddle, Aster had a better idea. She formed a triangle with two middle-sized logs and put crumpled newspaper in the centre of the triangle. She weighed down the newspaper with kindling. The first match went out the instant she tossed it into the stove. That was disappointing, but she was determined that her method would work. The burn basket held flyers, envelopes, and newspapers. She ran a match under the corner of an envelope. The return address was for Ms. Darlene McDonald of Mayne Island. The envelope had been torn open. But opening someone else's mail was a felony. Surely, Kenneth James knew that. Orange flames licked her fingertips. Aster set the envelope on top of the newspaper. She watched the fire consume the newspaper and then added a small log. The fire continued to grow. She increased the size of the log from medium to large. The fire grew increasingly larger. She felt as giddy as one of her students.

“Kenneth James.” She went to his desk expecting to see a Word document open on his laptop but--. He was reading an email? “I—. ”

His right hand remained on the keyboard as he corkscrewed around in his chair. “Um... What?” He pressed a key. A picture of the Mayne Island lighthouse appeared on his screen. He pressed another. Music—fiddles playing a waltz. Kenneth James leapt out of his chair, swept Aster into his arms, and danced her across the floor.

Aster laughed. She was actually happy—on Mayne Island.

Out of breath, she fell into her reading chair and he slipped into his. They huffed and puffed as they tried to catch their breath. The expression on Kenneth James’ face grew sombre—like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Aster..."

"Yes, Kenneth James? I'm listening."

"I..." He held her hand and looked into her eyes.Aster, I’ve met some—.”

“I know the amount of work required to transform his cabin into a livable home may seem daunting but just think we’ll actually have a home that we can feel proud to call our own. K—.”

Kenneth James dropped her hand and went back to his computer.

Aster left her chair and hunted through cupboard after cupboard hoping to find something delectable. All she found was a tin of salmon. “Would you like mushroom soup and tuna sandwiches for supper? I know we had sandwiches for lunch but...”

“That’ll be fine.”

Aster took tomatoes, celery, and mushrooms out of the crisper and brought them to the cutting board. “How many sandwiches would you like?” When no answer was forthcoming, Aster turned from the cupboard and faced the sliding door. It was open. Kenneth James was no longer sitting at his desk and he wasn’t in his reading chair either. She figured that he must have gone to the outhouse. The desk was clear. The only paper remaining was a folded note weighed down by a paperweight.

Aster set the table.

Kenneth James still hadn’t returned. When she investigated further she discovered that his keys weren’t hanging on the hook. His backpack was gone. She figured that he’d decided to pick up something for dessert.

Aster ate supper and washed the dishes. She knit until her wrists started to ache. When the sun slipped behind the horizon, she yawned and stretched. She went to bed confident that she would wake to find her husband by her side.


photo by ldyck


Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby

Chapter twenty-four


Aster shared her plans for their new house with Kenneth James? Kenneth James had news of his own that he tried to share but Aster wasn't prepared to listen. 

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby by Leanne Dyck (Ch 22)

 Chapter twenty-oneKenneth James takes Aster to the light station park. She is impressed with the view of the mainland but... And then...


photo by ldyck

Chapter twenty-two

Kenneth James took Aster to Dinner Bay Park. He steered her to a mural that hung on the front of the Adachi Community Pavilion.

“This is one of the projects I worked on with the Mayne Island residents,” he told her with pride.

In text and photos, the mural documented the history of the Japanese on Mayne Island.


‘In the early 1900s, when families from Tottori Prefecture in Japan settled on Mayne Island their options were limited by BC’s anti-Asian laws to farming, fishing, and logging. Nevertheless, they became respected for their skills and hard work. By 1940 Japanese Canadians of Mayne Island represented one-third of its residents and an estimated one-half of its economy.’

In 1926, Kumazo Nagata experienced with great success in growing hothouse tomatoes. Others quickly followed and in 1935 formed the Active Pass Growers Association. By 1941 the cooperative had eight acres under glass, shipping fifty tons of top-grade tomatoes to Vancouver.’

‘After Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Canada ordered all persons of Japanese ancestry removed from the coast. In February 1942, after assurances their properties would be safeguarded, the Japanese Canadians were sent to Hastings Park in Vancouver awaiting internment.’

‘Early in 1942, despite impending relocation, Japanese tomato growers planted seedlings as usual. Kumazo Nagata, secretary of the Active Pass Association, requested that non-Japanese workers be permitted to continue tending the greenhouse, to ensure that the crop—and the workers’ income—would not suffer.’

Kenneth James led Aster down a woodland path. They came to a fence and he escorted her through the gate to another woodland path and eventually to a Japanese-inspired archway. On the other side of the archway, their world exploded—in colour and fragrance.

“This is the Japanese Gardens,” Kenneth James told her.

Aster took many pictures. When she took a break from the click, click, click, they shared a bench in the Japanese Waiting pavilion. They sat there quietly enjoying the tranquility, enjoying the view. The trees seemed to bow to the pond they surrounded.

Leaving the bench, Aster found a plaque on a rock...


‘The people of Mayne Island dedicate this garden in memory of the Japanese families who lived and farmed on our island, the love, labour and donation of caring people created this place of peace for the enjoyment of the community and its visitors.’


While at Dinner Bay Park, Aster needed a washroom. She pushed open the stall door and discovered that someone had failed to flush. With disgust, she flushed the toilet. She braced herself and pushed open the other stall door. That toilet had been flushed. She wiped the seat before she sat. For want of something better to do, while she was occupied, she read the note on the door.


If it’s yellow

Let it mellow

If it’s brown

Flush it down


Surely, they couldn’t mean...? Aster was appalled. She flushed that toilet once and then again in protest. And she was done with that park.

***


Kenneth James took Aster to have lunch at Sunny Mayne Bakery. They sat outside on the patio and Aster admired the view. Kenneth James identified the bay as Miners Bay.

“Miners? What did they mine?” Aster asked.

Her husband got a dreamy look in his eyes. “In 1886, a merry band of adventures, consumed by the lust for gold, left the Southern Gulf Islands and travelled north to the Klondike. Most returned to their islands with little more than a grand tale—most, but not all. Jake Robinson returned to Mayne Island with his pockets weighed down with gold. Depositing it in a bank was out of the question. He trusted no man but himself with his new wealth. He buried his treasure on the family homestead.”

“There’s gold on Mayne Island?”

He brought his index finger to his lips. “Shhh.” And gave her a wink. “Of course, there is. Look around at all this wealth—the blue sky, the warm sun, the tall trees, the sparkling water, the...”

No wonder Kenneth James and Kathleen were friends.

Lunch eaten, Aster waited to be ushered back to her husband's, regrettably their, cabin.


photo by ldyck


Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby

Chapter twenty-three


 Kenneth James continued their tour of Mayne Island. At Dinner Bay park, he proudly showed Aster the mural he worked on with the community. In words and photos, the mural depicted the history of the Japanese-Canadians of Mayne Island.



Photos of the Memorial Japanese Gardens on Mayne Island...