Chapter twenty-four: 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. How can Kate help her come to terms with reality? How would you? Would you?
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.”
