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The next week I was busy around the place, running into town, meeting up with a couple friends. You know, the usual stuff we all do.When I finally checked back on the couple, I was impressed with the site. They had moved as I suggested, and the camp was clean.
Dave wasn't around, and when I called, "Hello the camp."
Marjorie responded "Hello the Landlord."
A sense of humor. I liked that.
So I sat and we talked. Bogart came over and gave her the sniff test, then sat at her side with his chin in her lap, she idly rubbing his ears as we chatted. That big black dog knew a softie when he saw one. Dave, it turned out, had found a couple days work, and would be back around sunset. She was staying busy around camp, then just walking the woods, but not being a 'nature girl' didn't know what she was looking at.
The more we talked, the more I got the impression of a smart woman finding herself in a difficult situation, and trying to make the most of it. I also had a better look at her since she wasn't wearing three layers of clothing. She may have weighed 120 lbs, and her shape was pretty nice, if still covered by jeans and a sweat shirt. Her eyes were blue-gray, with golden flecks. There were the beginnings of lines around her eyes and mouth, probably indicative of the stress she had been going through.
After a while I suggested we walk around a bit
, and I would give her some nature lessons. As we strolled I named the various trees and plants, pointed out a few of the birds around us, including an Osprey sitting in a tree at the side of the lake. I noticed as we walked how stiffly she was walking and commented on it.
"I'm not used to sleeping on the ground." she said with a wry smile.
"What about Dave?"
"He's not much better, but working helps him get the kinks out."
"I may have a solution. You two come up to the house when Dave returns and I'll buy you dinner."
I pointed up the hill, then headed home.
***
I wanted to keep things simple, yet fancier than camp food, so opted for spaghetti, salad and wine.Before they were due, I grabbed a shower and shaved several days worth of stubble off my cheeks, then donned clean jeans and shirt. I was feeling nervous, but put it down to not having entertained for several years. Even so, I kept fussing with my shirt, combing my beard, pacing about.
They came up the hill just after 7; She had changed to a flannel shirt, and he was in jeans and sweat shirt with cut off arms.
I welcomed them in, and both took a moment looking around.He was first to speak, "Wow, this is a nice place. Looks well built."
She just said "It looks very homey, but I don't see much of a woman's touch."
I realized I hadn't mentioned my wife, so gave them a brief rundown as we did a short tour of the downstairs.Back in the kitchen I put the spaghetti on, it takes only ten minutes to be just right, and the sauce and salad were ready.The wine was a Merlot, I served a glass while the pasta cooked.
Before the pasta was finished Dave had finished his first glass, and was looking around as if expecting another. I shot a glance at Marjorie, who had barely touched her's, and she cast a worried look towards him. I poured him another, smaller amount, he looked up at me but said nothing.
We sat at the table, and both ate as if it had been a long time between meals. Luckily I had made a lot of spaghetti, and they, especially Dave, made deep inroads in it.
When everyone was finally satisfied, I got up, reaching to clear the table. Dave sat back, but Marjorie jumped up insisting that since I had cooked she would take care of it.
Dave still hadn't moved, except to pour the last of the wine, and throw it down in one move.
I looked toward the kitchen, and there she was; doing the dishes and humming!
I started to say something, she just said, "Let me do this."
"Okay, but make it quick, we need to talk, and it's going to be dark when you head back."
She quickly finished up and joined us. Dave had taken my easy chair so Marjorie and I sat on the couch.
"OK," I began, " I have a rough but serviceable apartment over the barn. I'll make you a deal. In exchange for a roof, a bed and running water, Marjorie..."
"Call me Madge."
"Ok, Madge, will do some housekeeping for me, and you Dave, perhaps you can do some of the ouside stuff I've been neglecting."
