Ava Comes Home (10 page)

Lola found her with the blankets up to her nose. She tossed the cell phone on the bed. “You dropped something. From a great height, I might add.”

Ava kicked it off the bed with her foot. “I hate it.”

Lola rummaged through her suitcase. “What did that poor old phone ever do to you?”

“Hayden was on the other end of it.”

“Ah, the boy wonder. How is the spoiled brat?”

Ava turned over on her side. “He wants my mother to hurry up and die so I can go home and screw him.”

Lola stopped in mid-search and turned to face her. “Tell me you're kidding.”

Ava shook her head.

“Shall I hire a hit man?”

“Yes.”

“I'll get right on it.” She went back to her rooting. “I wish I'd brought more practical clothes. I feel like a bit of a freak.”

Ava pointed to her nightgown. “See. I found this in the closet. I love flannelette. Why did I ever stop wearing it?”

“Because your image would suffer, my dear.”

“Who cares?”

“Your accountant, your lawyer, your studio, your staff…”

“Bullocks.”

There was a knock on the door and Aunt Vi poked her head in. “You girls have everything you need?”

“You don't have another nightgown like Ava is wearing, do you?” “That old rag! My drawers are full of them. I'll go get you one.” She disappeared and in a flash was back with three suitable choices. “This here one is the smallest I've got. You'll swim in it.” She passed it to Lola.

“I love it, it's perfect.” Lola gathered her bag of toiletries, took the nightgown and headed for the bathroom. Aunt Vi sat on the end of Ava's bed.

“Are you all right, my love? You look pale. I'm afraid this is going to be too much for you. You never were a strong girl.”

Ava got up and sat cross-legged on the bed. “I'm fine. You worry too much.”

“It's a hard, hard thing, to lose your mother. A once in a lifetime event. Doesn't matter how close you are, or how much time you've spent together, it's the end of a connection that will never be replaced.”

Ava swallowed hard. “What was my grandmother like?”

Aunt Vi picked at her bathrobe sash. “She was a stern woman, a very hard worker. She had your Ma and me well trained by the time we were married.”

“Was she fun?”

“Fun? No. Mothers were teachers in my day. They weren't your best friend, like they are today.”

“Didn't you ever wish she could be your best friend?”

“No, not really. I had your Ma and she was enough.”

“You're going to miss her,” Ava whispered. “Probably more than I will.”

Aunt Vi reached for a tissue in her pocket and wiped the end of her nose. “Yes, I daresay that's true. I was always closer to her than my older brother. You know how sisters are. You're lucky to have three of them.”

“I don't know them very well.”

“That can change, honey. You don't always have to be the outsider. You can let them in anytime you choose.”

Ava nodded and looked up at Lola, who stood in the doorway. “Ta da!” Lola twirled around to show off her faded pink flowered nightgown. “This is so comfortable. I wonder if we can get Vera Wang to start selling these things. She'd make a fortune.”

“Vera who?” Aunt Vi asked.

“A designer. She's famous for her wedding gowns, but she makes everything now.”

Aunt Vi pointed to Ava. “Well, tell this one to make an appointment with this Wang woman real soon. Libby is on the verge of being an old maid.” She patted Ava's leg affectionately. “Love ya anyway.” She got up and gave Lola a quick squeeze on her way out the door. “Have a good sleep, girls.”

“Aunt Vi, if Ma wakes up, I can go to her. You should get some sleep while you can.”

“That's real nice of ya, honey. We'll take turns. Good night.”

“Good night,” Ava and Lola said together.

As it turned out, Ava was up three times that night with her mother, but it didn't matter, since she wasn't sleeping anyway. She didn't have the heart to wake up the snoring Aunt Vi. She'd probably get heck for it in the morning, but Ava knew her aunt needed the rest. Besides, her mother seemed to take comfort from her presence, and that was a good feeling.

She went back to bed for the last time just before dawn and woke around eight o'clock. Lola's bed was empty. Ava looked in on her mother and went downstairs. Aunt Vi had Lola up to her armpits in bread dough.

“Look Ava, I'm making bread!”

“Will wonders never cease? Let me get my camera.” She raced back upstairs and came down with her small digital camera. She pointed it at Lola. “Say cheese.”

Lola gave her a big grin, “Cheese and bread!”

“She's a natural, I can tell,” Aunt Vi laughed.

“How so?” Lola asked.

“You've got strong hands. I'm afraid Libby here would be useless.”

Ava looked at her hands. “Hey, according to this family, I'm useless at everything.”

Aunt Vi hugged her. “Don't mind us. Come and get a cup of tea. You've had a long night, you little scamp. I told you to wake me.”

“That's okay, it was no trouble.” Ava sat at the kitchen table and looked out the window. The woman next door was in her living room window with a pair of binoculars trained at the house. “Good grief, is that Geranium?” She waved. Geranium waved back.

Aunt Vi put a plate of hot biscuits and homemade jam in front of her. “The very same.”

“She never changes.”

“Are you talking about a plant or a person?” Lola asked as she kneaded the bread.

“A person.”

“That's her name?”

Aunt Vi laughed. “No, my darlin'. She's called Geranium because she's always in the window.”

Ava cut her biscuit in half and slathered butter on top. “Everyone has a nickname around here. Isn't that so, Aunt Vi?”

“Oh gosh yes, couldn't do without them.”

“Like what?” Lola said.

“Angus had a friend who was always scratchin' his bum. They called him Archie Itchy Arse.”

Lola gave a shout of laughter. “No way!”

Ava took a bite of her biscuit. “Oh yeah. I love the guy who was really religious. The other miners called him Pope, so his son became known as Little Pope and his grandson was Poop. It's a science. Someone who's bald is called Curly, someone who's tall is called Stump.”

Aunt Vi poured her own cup of tea. “Then there are names for the whole clan, like the Biscuit Foot MacKinnons and the Bore Hole Macdonalds.”

“Stop! I can't breathe,” Lola gasped.

They took to giggling. The back door opened and in walked Uncle Angus. “Look what I found on the lawn.” He held up Ava's nighties. “Can't for the life of me figure out what they're doin' in the rose bushes.”

“They're my nighties, Uncle Angus.”

“Nighties! They look like hankies.”

“Exactly. That's why I threw them away. Fire them in the coal stove.” Aunt Vi grabbed them. “You'll do no such thing. If you don't want them any more, give them to your sisters or your nieces. They'd love them.”

“You're right. Sorry, I should've thought of that.”

Uncle Angus went to the sink for a glass of water. “It's a fine winter day out there. No snow on the roads. I think I'll take a run up to Sobey's. Anything you need at the store, Vi?”

“Oh dear, lots of things.”

“Why don't you go with him, Aunt Vi?” Ava said with her mouth full. “You probably never get out of this house. Lola and I will hold down the fort for a few hours.”

“Oh my, I'm not sure,” Aunt Vi hesitated. “What if your mother wants something? And the nurse is coming by in an hour.”

“I'll get whatever Ma needs and I'll be here when the nurse comes. I'd like to talk to her anyway. If it makes you feel better, why don't you take my cell phone and I can call you if something comes up. That's if it's still working.”

Aunt Vi took off her apron. “Okay then, I don't see why not. I'll just be a minute, Angus.”

Ava followed her aunt upstairs and picked the cell phone up off the floor. She flipped it open, and lo and behold it was still functional. She gave it to her aunt, but not before slipping three one hundred dollar bills in her hand. “Please take this. We can't be eating you out of house and home.”

“You eat like a bird.”

“Please. Don't make a fuss, just take it.”

Her aunt took it. “Thank you, dear. I don't mind tellin' ya, it comes in handy.”

Vi and Angus left the house, feeling a bit guilty that they had some free time together but enjoying it all the same. Of course they didn't get too far up the first aisle in the grocery store before someone beetled over to talk about Ava.

“Is she as pretty in real life as she is on the screen?” Tootsie Wadden wanted to know.

“She's prettier,” Angus said loyally.

“Oh my,” Tootsie squealed. “Do you think she'd mind if I came over to say hello?”

“She might not, but I do,” Vi said. “My sister is ill and needs her rest. We don't need the likes of you showin' up.”

Tootsie stomped off.

Then there was Ethel Snow. “I'm bringing round a mess of cod tongues for your dinner. Will Ava be there?”

“You've never brought a mess of anything round to our house, Ethel. I wonder why you'd pick now, eh?”

“Bein' neighbourly.”

“Go way with ya. I don't have time for you or your tongues.” This time it was Vi who marched off. There was nothing for Angus to do but tip his ball cap. “Ethel.” He hurried after his wife.

At the check-out counter, Ava's picture was on the front of the TV Guide. Angus picked it up. “We should buy this.”

“Suit yourself.”

The cashier rang it in. “Isn't she your niece?”

Vi nodded proudly. “That she is.”

“Wow. Can you tell her I'm her biggest fan? I've seen like every movie she's ever made at least three times.”

“I will, dear. What's your name?”

“It's Debbie.”

“I'll tell her, Debbie.”

“Thank you. Oh, this is so exciting.”

“This here's her money. She gave it to me this morning.” Vi passed over the bills.

“It is? Oh my gosh.” Debbie stroked the bills. “My hand is touching where she touched. I'm so lucky!”

“Calm down, dearie. It's dirty old money.”

“No it isn't,” Debbie sighed. “It's her money.”

Vi and Angus walked out of the store and put the groceries in the back of their truck. Angus settled behind the wheel. “That young girl is a lunatic.”

“We live in a nutty world, that's for sure.”

“Let's go get a Tim's and a Boston cream doughnut before we go home. I could do with some warming up.”

“Okay,” Vi said happily.

On the way to get their coffee the cell phone rang. Vi fumbled for it in her purse. “Oh gosh, I hope nothing's wrong at home. How on earth do you open this thing?”

“I believe it unfolds, at least that's what I saw on a commercial once.” Vi opened it. “Hello?”

“Don't hang up! I love you and I miss you like crazy. You have to forgive me, okay?”

“Who is this?”

“Who's this?”

“Vi.”

“Vi who?”

“Who are you?”

“Hayden. Is Ava there?”

“No, she isn't.”

“Why do you have her phone, then? Is she okay?”

“Of course she's okay. I'm her aunt. Now tell me who you are.”

“I'm her boyfriend.”

“That so? She never mentioned a boyfriend.”

“Didn't she?”

“No.”

“Well, she has one and I'm it. I'm trying to get in touch with her. I said something really stupid last night and I want her to forgive me. Will you please tell her I called?”

“I'll tell her, but if you really want a woman to forgive you, you should send her flowers.”

“That's a great idea. Do you have an address?”

“I'll give it to you.” She told him.

“Thank you. I appreciate your help, Vi. I hope I get to meet you one day.”

“Well, you just never know, do you? Gotta go. Bye.”

She closed the phone. “That was Libby's boyfriend.”

“I didn't know she had one.”

“Can't be too serious. She never mentioned him.”

Naturally, at the coffee shop they ran into about six people they knew and had a great gab, everyone asking about Ava Harris. Aunt Vi bragged about her niece and felt very important.

And then it was time to go. They climbed back into the truck and stopped at the entrance to wait for traffic to go by. It was a busy intersection and Uncle Angus had to swivel his head back and forth to see who was coming. Aunt Vi gave him the all clear on her side and he revved the truck forward. He never saw the car speeding through the red light until it was too late.

CHAPTER FIVE

The phone rang. Ava was washing the dishes, so she grabbed a dish towel to dry her hands and walked over to the phone.

“Yes, hello?”

“Ah, yes. This is Constable Murrant with the Regional Police Department. Does an Angus or Vi MacIntosh live there?”

Ava's mouth went dry. “Yes, is something wrong?”

“I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but there's been an accident.”

“An accident?” Ava whispered. “What do you mean?”

Lola got up from the kitchen table and came over to stand beside her. “There was a car accident. Are you a relative?”

“Yes, yes, I'm their niece. Please tell me, are they all right?”

“They've been taken to the Regional Hospital.”

“Oh, my god. Are they badly hurt?”

“They do have injuries. Do you have someone who can take you to the hospital?”

“Yes, yes. I'll go right now.”