Thursday, September 4th
Trinity, Julian Stone’s mother's home, 5 pm
Miriam was a little worried because Julian’s mother’s car had automatic transmission, and she was not used to that type of car. After a short test drive with the reassuring presence of her colleague on the passenger seat, she realized that it was not too difficult. The car was relatively small, but the boot was fairly large, the vehicle had been kept in order, and it was not too old.
Julian's mother was waiting for them at home, with a cup of tea and a slice of freshly baked cake. Amelia was a petite woman, with short grey hair and lively brown eyes, always watchful and wary. It was as if she wanted to scrutinize the person in front of her.
When Miriam entered, preceded by Julian, Amelia approached her with courtesy.
“Welcome to Canada, Madam.”
" Thanks, but, please, call me Miriam.”
Miriam looked around. Mrs. Stone's house was similar to her bungalow. Julian had told her that he lived in the other portion of the semi-detached house. Amelia took great care of her home, everything was in perfect order, every surface was covered with a crocheted doily or cloth, there were beautiful pictures on the walls and a strong scent of wood polish and soap.
Amelia herself was impeccable, with a pristine housecoat, perfectly coiffed hair and a serious and solemn countenance.
" What a beautiful home, Madam.”
“Thanks! Please, come in! I prepared a cup of tea!”
Miriam took a seat on an armchair. Julian went to the kitchen and came back, after a few minutes, with an enormous tray. He laid it on the coffee table with great care, and he poured tea into the cups. On the tray there were three small plates, each with a tiny fork and a napkin. Miriam couldn't help noticing that Amelia didn't move, she just let her son pour tea and put a slice of cake on each plate. It was evident that mother and son had a close relationship and that Julian had a deferential attitude to his mother. Miriam found this a little excessive, especially in a thirty-seven-year-old man, but she had missed a maternal figure so much that she didn't dare judge her colleague.
“Do you like the car?” asked Amelia, while they were drinking tea.
" Yes, I was a little worried about the automatic transmission, but I found it easy to use. It is not too big… You know, in Italy I had a Cinquecento, a very small car.”
Mrs Stone smiled. Miriam felt a little uneasy, because the old woman kept on looking at her with penetrating eyes, as if she wanted to perceive even her thoughts and feelings. For a few moments they remained silent and Miriam lowered her gaze, trying to concentrate on the cake, which was delicious.
" Did you bake this cake? It is very good.” she said to break the silence, which was becoming heavy and uncomfortable.
Julian looked at his mother with what bordered on worship. As soon as Amelia had finished eating, he hastened to take her plate and to lay it on the tray.
The woman answered: " Yes, I enjoy baking cakes. This is Julian's favourite.” Mother and son exchanged a glance and a smile. Oh, Miriam was so envious of that complicity, of that harmony. Her mother had never looked at her like that.
The old woman turned to Miriam and asked:
“And you, Miriam? Do you love cooking? In Italy you have wonderful dishes, I think…”
" Yes, I like it very much. In the last few years I lived with my dad and I cooked for him. He used to tell me that I was an excellent cook, but I believe he was partial…”
She involuntarily smiled at the remembrance of the way her father encouraged her, praising every dish she prepared. When her mother was ill, she always complained about her cooking…
" Do you like Canada?”
The question brought Miriam back to the present time.
“I have been here for a few days, but I like it very much, especially the peaceful atmosphere in this little town.”
“Yes, it is very different from big cities. I was born and raised in Ottawa. It is not excessively big, but certainly more chaotic.”
“Were you born in Ottawa, Julian?” Miriam asked, trying to involve her colleague in the conversation. Since they had entered his mother's home, he had become silent and almost invisible.
" Yes, we moved here when I found a job at Don Bosco High School seven years ago. I was afraid my mum would not like it here, but I have noticed she has settled fairly well.” Once again that knowing glance between mother and son. " Isn’t it true, mum?”
“Yes, I hoped Julian would find a job in Ottawa, but he likes the High School here. I decided to reach him after a year.”
“Julian told me that you haven't felt well in the last period. I hope it is nothing serious…” Miriam noticed that her interest in the old lady’s health had met with her approval. Amelia smiled benevolently and answered with a sigh:
“I had a strong bout of labyrinthitis. Now I am better but I still feel dizzy from time to time, and I don't dare drive. In reality, I have never used the car very much, because my husband insisted on driving me, as long as he could, and now Julian is always so kind…”
Miriam thanked the old lady for the snack and the car offer. They arranged to meet the following week for the property transfer.
Julian drove Miriam home. When they arrived and she was opening the car door, he said:
“I think my mother likes you. I am really glad about it.”
Miriam couldn't help wondering, while she was unlocking her house door:
‘And if she had not liked me?’
There was something in the relationship between mother and son that gave her a sense of uneasiness.
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Oshawa, Jill’s home, 6:30 pm
Jill had tried hard to go on with her life. As long as she was working, she was able to avoid thinking of Steve and of that horrible place. In the evening, however, when she was at home alone, she couldn't help remembering the pleasant moments spent with that sweet, affectionate man. He was able to make her feel loved as no one had ever done in her life.
After refusing the invitation of a colleague to go to a bar and have a chat, she opened the door of her apartment, ready to face another solitary evening in front of the TV. She had a shower, she dried her hair, and she prepared a sandwich. Sitting comfortably on the couch, she tried to concentrate on the magazine she was reading.
When she heard the doorbell, she guessed it was a colleague who sometimes came to drink herbal tea in the evening. She didn't feel like having company, but she had to admit that her colleagues had been really kind to her in the last week. They had looked concerned, seeing her so depressed.
She spoke in the intercom:
“Who is it?”
An imploring voice answered:
"Please, Jill. Give me the chance to explain. I tried to call you every day, but you never answer. Please! If you decide not to see me any more after I have explained everything, I will accept it…”
Jill remained there, uncertain… She had hoped Steve would go to her to make things right and now… maybe there was a plausible explanation. Why not let him explain? She pressed the front door opener quickly, as if she was afraid of changing her mind.
She waited for Steve to climb the stairs with her heart beating faster. She really cared for that man she had known for such a short time… And she had always said she didn't believe in love at first sight!
Steve appeared on the landing, his face almost hidden behind an enormous bunch of red roses. When Jill took them, she saw an anguished expression in her boyfriend's eyes.
With a gesture, she invited him in. A lump in her throat prevented her from speaking. She didn't want to break into tears.
Steve remained standing, while Jill closed the door and put the roses on the little credenza in a corner.
“Thanks for the flowers! Please, sit down!” She said in a soft voice.
All the questions she had thought of asking him, all her doubts about that horrible place, everything vanished. She just felt pity for that man who still wanted her back into his life, who, she was absolutely sure, loved her as much as she loved him. She sat down next to him on the sofa and waited for him to speak.
“Jill, I am really sorry! When I asked you to stay out of it, it was because I wanted to protect you!”
Jill nodded and waited. What did Steve do in that place? Was she completely wrong about him? Had love made her blind to his true nature?
“Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, I met some people. They invited me to play poker. I had just broken up with my girlfriend, I felt lonely and I accepted. I started playing poker, then they convinced me to bet and I started losing money… I didn't know what to do, but, one day… Oh, Jill, I would like to tell you more, but there are important people involved and it has to do with my job, so I prefer not to mention names… Anyway, a person offered to pay for my debts. She asked me for favors. They trapped me! If I don't do what they ask, I can lose my job and I won't be able to pay back what I owe those guys. It is all my fault, I trusted the wrong people, but now…”
Jill tried to hold back the tears. How could she help him? She didn't have enough money, that was sure!
“Steve”, she said with a broken voice, “the only way out is to pay your debts and get out of it. If you don't owe money, you won't be obliged to do what they ask. You will be free!” Was it a sensible piece of advice? Jill thought it was. She had never had friends similar to Steve’s, she knew nothing of debts and gambling. She only knew that she wanted Steve to regain a little serenity.
Steve’s face brightened and he said:
“Maybe you are right, Jill. In a few days I will be able to pay the last part of my debts, then I will stop going to the Trucker and I will get out. They can't force me to play poker and to lose money if I refuse! Yes, I will do this!”
Steve relaxed visibly, now that he could see a way out.
“Thanks, Jill! I promise that, after I have settled this, we will start making plans for our future. Tomorrow night we can go to the cinema. I won't go to the Trucker. They will start to see that things are changing…”
“Good idea! There is a romantic film at the cinema not far from here!”
Jill looked at the face of her boyfriend, finally more serene and she added: " Have you had dinner?”
" Yes. But.. Why don't we go to the diner in the centre? We could drink a beer and talk a little… I promise nobody will interrupt!” He turned off his mobile phone.
Jill put the roses into a vase, she got dressed, forgetting to apply her makeup. The young couple went out, laughing and chatting happily and looking forward to a pleasant evening.
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