EVIE OFFERS HER EXPLANATION

EVIE BEGINS A FEEBLE EXCUSE

Challenged by Janice Evie acknowledged her problem was not all Roy Cohen. “But he is a lot of it”, she protested.

“I don’t doubt that but ---” Janice did not finish.

Nothing is louder than labored silence, but Janice was about to let Evie off the hook. Time seemed suspended.

Finally Evie said, “You’ve never met Roy or anyone like him if you’re lucky. You cannot imagine--”

Silence.

“And it’s not just one thing. When he first came here James was so welcoming and generous. We-- James and me-- always tried to welcome new faculty members. We always invited the new people to dinner. We introduced them to other people. And we did that for Roy and his wife. We invited them to dinner. You know how I entertain-- not a hot dog picnic but a real – you know.” Evie waited for a response but got none. “I prepared a real nice meal, my favorite veal parmigiana. I set a nice table with flowers and candles. They were to arrive at 7:30. 7:30 came- then 8 and 8:30. We wondered if something was wrong. James called and you will not believe this.”

Silence.

“Evie sighed heavily. “You will find this hard to believe. Roy said he forget they were invited. He forgot.”

Janice eager to diffuse the rising tension said, “That would piss me off too. But --”

“Does it matter that much, you’re thinking.” Janice shrugged. Evie continued, “But if that was all.”

“If that was all you would it be ok?”

“But it wasn't all. He spent years with his relentless efforts to undermine James, to keep him from being promoted to full professor.”

“And you know this how?”

“It doesn’t matter how I found out. What matters is he admitted it and tried to justify it.”

JANICE HEARS EXCUSES

Janice listened as the story of Roy Cohen poured out. “Before James died we were part of group that net twice a month for lunch and conversation. Three couples. George and Doris, Nancy and Don, James and me. After James died George invited Roy Cohen to the group. From the time we first met Roy we never clicked, but nothing boiled over.”

She paused, closed her eyes and took two deep breaths. Janice waited. “Roy is a know it all. And a control freak. He insists on controlling the direction of the conversation. I think I could deal with that...” Silence

“I did deal with it until..” More silence. “Until-- as I was cleaning up James’ computer entries I found it. Roy had sabotaged James’ promotion to full professor. I confronted him. He admitted it. He offered a feeble explanation about protecting his own career and  his place in the department. I just cannot go twice a month and sit side by side with him.”

Janice raised an eyebrow “Then don’t go.”

“It’s not that easy. I have tried to make appointments on meeting days. But I …. I can’t keep doing that.”

Janice fought a need give an unkind response. “You can just say I am not coming anymore.”

“You aren’t getting it. George and Doris-- James and me. We were best friends for nearly thirty years. They were beside me all through James illness. And so supportive after. Well George died last year and Doris and I. We needed each other. Until I found out about Roy. I can’t ask her to just dump Roy. How can I say ‘Choose. It’s me or Roy’”

Evie buried her face in her hands. Silence.

Janice said, “You’re telling me you guzzle wine because of this? Evie, that’s bullshit and you know it.”

JANICE CONFRONTS EVIE

Janice, summoned by her old friend, Evie, arrived to a house in disarray and a friend encumbered by too much wine. That was last night.

Janice awoke to the smell of coffee and the whir of the vacuum. Evelyn clad in an over sized T shirt and a blue bandana did not notice Janice’s entrance. She started when Janice clapped her hands. “Damn it Janice, don’t sneak up on me.”

“You’re looking better than you did last night. And so is the room.”

Silence.

“Do I smell coffee?”

Evelyn scurried to put away the vacuum. “And donuts. Or would you like a bigger breakfast? I think I have ham and eggs.”

“Coffee and donuts are fine. But first-- Evie just what in hell is going on here?”

Silence.

Janice watched a jittery Evie set out two cups and a plate of donuts-- with more fuss than needed. “Evie you pleaded with me to come here. I came and what did I find?”

“I expected you today, not yesterday.”

The strained silence, the hot coffee. The Crispy Creme Donuts did little to lessen the tension. Finally Evie said, “I am in a real funk.”

“Fueled no doubt by wine-- I suspect by the number of empty bottles which I see you have removed from the room.”

“Roy Cohen is---. You don’t know him. But he has turned me into someone I don’t like.”

“Who is Roy Cohen?”

“He was a colleague of James. We had a spotty relationship with him and his snarky wife from the beginning. But now I’ve discovered-- and he does not deny it- in fact he admits it and tries to justify it--” She paused and sipped her coffee. Janice fought back the urge to say “Get on with it.”

“He admits he was the one who sabotoged James’ promotion to full professor.”

“And that drives you to drink?”

“Not by itself.”

Janice closed her eyes to avoid looking directly at Evie when she said, “Tell me more.”

JANICE GOES TO HER FRIEND IN OHIO

The trip to Dublin was long enough to fuel Janice's dread of what she facing. Her last conversation with Evelyn echoed in her head. She slowed the car. Two deep breaths as she turned into Evelyn's driveway. She rang the bell the third time. Standing on tiptoe she tried to peer in the small window at the top of the door. Standing on tiptoe she tried to peer through the small window in the door.

As she   returned to her car for her phone the door opened. Evelyn came out. Bra-less, in an oversized T shirt and baggy shorts Evelyn said. "I thought you were  coming tomorrow." She brushed back her uncombed hair. "I was just straightening up."

Straightening up was needed. The house was a mess. Newspapers, magazines, cups, glasses covered the table, counter, and chairs. Janice could not restrain her gasp. "Evie, good God what is going on here?"

No answer. No answer was needed. The row of empty wine bottles told it all. Evelyn was silent.
"Evie." Evie burst into tears and fled.

Coming out of the bathroom with combed hair and dried tears she stood face to face with Janice. "I'm in a bad place."

Janice embraced her. "Well I'm here."

DEPENDABLE JANICE IS CALLED INTO SERVICE

Janice for the first time in what seemed like an eternity felt good. And not too soon for Mazie who missed time well spent with her old friend. Needless to say Mazie did not respond well when Janice announced her plans for an open ended visit to a cousin in Ohio.''

"What do you mean- you don't know how long? We have plans for the play series at the playhouse."

"I mean I don't know. Evelyn is going through a bad time right now. You surely remember how badly she took her husband's death. The whole family wondered about her sanity."

"My god, that was what-- eight or nine years ago. I don't mean to seem heartless, but isn't it about time she coped?"

"This is a little more complicated. And right now she's in need of somebody."

"Is she sick?"

"No at least not physically. But it is complicated and I don't feel comfortable telling anyone about it until I know it is ok with her. I do have to go, and I don't know how long I will be gone. As long as I'm needed."

Mazie hesitated before saying. "Well you have always been the available one-- for any of us as we needed you. I'll find someone else to go to the plays. But do keep in touch --please."

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Jewellee Cardwell

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MAZIE NEEDS A DOG

OLD PEOPLE 13

Janice ate sparingly; she drank less sparingly. She felt better. Mazie are more, drank less. “Hard to believe it’s nearly July 4th,” Mazie said. “I had in the back of my mind to plan a July 4th something. But since Clyde died I can’t seem to get organized. He was the planning master.”

Janice drained the last wine from her glass. “What you need, Mazie, is dog. Or a cat or a bird for god forbid a man. Alone is not the way to go.”

“I don’t need a cat or man or a dog.”

“But you like my dogs, don’t you?”

Mazie ran her finger around her plate, scraping up hardened cheese bits. “I love your dogs-- in your house. But not in my house. My god, Janice, I see how you’re plagued with dog hair-- everywhere-- everyday. That I do not need.”

The beagle Paddie and the ‘who knows what breed’ Kelly lay on either side of Janice’s chair. “Mazie, just look at them. So sweet. Sometimes when I feel so alone and can’t decide whether to sob or drink Paddie or Kelly or both circle around me demanding I meet their needs. When I do I feel better. I feel alive. I feel needed and loved. I’m telling you you need a pet.”

“Works for you maybe. But not for me.”

Then came the gasping, gurgling sound from Kelly. Janice was out of her chair, on her knees watching Kelly gasp for a breath. “Oh my god Mazie, call my vet.” Mazie was on the floor, arms around Kelly. She hugged, she tugged, she slapped, Kelly’s heaving body. Kelly gasped. Mazie hugged the dog tightly and squeezed. Kelly gulped; the gasping stopped. Mazie pulled Kelly to her chest.”

Janice I am so sorry.”

“Sorry? You were great. You saved her life.. I thought she was going to die.

“But it’s my fault. I slipped her pizza crust.” Silence. More silence. “I am really sorry.” Kelly nuzzled up against Mazie’s legs and licked her. A tear ran down Mazie’s cheek. “And you’re right, I need a dog.”

“Get your own, you can’t have Kelly.”

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FLORIDA TRIP CUT SHORT

Old people 12

Janice had not anticipated leaving Florida sick. But she was sick and remained so during the long return trip. Four days after her arrival home she was still sick.

Results from a battery of tests were-- what did they tell her? Inconclusive. Whatever that meant. Janice’s physical discomfort, bad as it was, did not begin to equal her deflated spirit. “I have no time for this.” she told her haggard face in the mirror. She had stopped counting the phone calls interrupting her private pity party.

Mazie had not called again after the explosive response to the last of Mazie’s many solicitous calls. “Why did I yell at her.” Janice asked the pitiful reflection in the mirror. “How can I blame her?”

Now was not the time for recriminations-- about anyone – about anything. Now was the time to find out what the problem was. Now was the time to see if it could be fixed.

Now was the time to ask for help from a life long friend. Janice picked up the phone and dialed. When Mazie answered Janice said, “Mazie, You had supper yet? I have a pizza in the freezer. Want to share it?”

“I’ll bring a bottle of wine. What time?”

LAST DAY: EVENTFUL DAY IN ST AUGUSTINE

Old People 12

Despite the rigors of yesterday’s outing Mazie and Janice were up early and ready to to. It was 8:00 AM. It was hot as they sat under the giant oak, Old Senator, and waited for the Red Train.

“Glad we’re getting started early, “ Mazie said. “ It’s gonna be a hot one.”

Janice laughed “Know what you sound like?” Mazie shrugged. “Like some old southerner on his porch on a hot summer day. ‘It’s gonna be a hot one’. Like Barney Fife and Andy Taylor.”

The Red Train arrived.

First stop. Gonzalez-Alvarez, the oldest house of the Spanish colonial period. The original was built in the 1500s. The one standing now was rebuilt in 1702 after a fire destroyed the original. It does represent the look of the time and period. “It’s amazing,” Janice said, “how much of the niceties these houses of wealth had, even in those times.”

“Still, “ Mazie said. “I suspect they might have liked air conditioning.”

Next stop the old Jail dating back to 1891. It was, they were told, a first class jail when compared to some of those in other parts of the continent.

Then down San Marco Avenue to the old fort. The ladies sat on a bench outside a cafe looking up at the Fort Entrance.

The heat had become oppressive; moisture hung in the air. Finally they began the long walk to the Fort entrance. With what seemed a sudden event dark clouds rolled in over the hill on which the fort sat. The wind increased and with threatening speed and force sent a driving rain horizontally. No hope for shelter. Fighting the wind and suffering the rain they made their way back to San Marco Avenue and waited for the train, which was filled to capacity. The only seats available were just behind the diver open to the elements.

Dripping cloths, soggy shoes, weary spirits. They entered their motel room. So much for St Augustine. They were leaving tomorrow.

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RED TRAIN TOURS

With Red Train Tour tickets in hand Janice and Mazie took the full ninety minute tour around the city. Choosing the sights they would see was a daunting task. “I am amazed by it all,” Janice said. “Just think what we’ve seen in the last hour and half. Five hundred years of Spanish and English. All that old and new. Right next to each other a Spanish Villa and a Victorian house. What do we do first?”

“Anything but Believe It Or Not,” Mazie said

“Agreed. How about Villa Zarayda?”

The Villa Zarayda, built as a winter home by Boston millionaire, Franklin W. Smith,  a 1/10 size replica Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain it oozed of wealth and elegance. End on end furniture, art work, rugs, and household articles collected from all over the world.

“My favorite,” Janice said as tired feet and growling stomachs forced and end to the tour, “was the cat rug. Do you believe it was woven from only cat hair and is the oldest rug in the whole world?”

“Does it matter? Not as much, I think, as the superstition that if you walk on it you will die.”

Janice laughed. “Of course if you walk on it you will die. We all die- sooner or later. You notice they do not tell you how soon after you step on it you will die.”

“But the day they finished it they found a dead cat.”

“Cats die too, Mazie.” Janice said as they entered a cafe for a late lunch

Jewellee Cardwell

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THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

It was an easy morning, perfect in every way except for a second admission charge. But as it turned out well worth it.

The Fountain of Youth exhibit laid out the history of Spanish explorers to the area and offered what they claimed was water from the same spring the Spanish explorers found when they arrived in 1513. It was indeed tasty containing what they claim is at least thirty minerals. It is that plethora of minerals which cures and prevents illness and lengthens life spans.

Exiting the exhibit Mazie said, “I think that water is in fact magic. I feel terrific. A lot better than yesterday.”

Janice laughed, “I suspect that might have more to do with not hiking all over the site than the water.”

“Maybe. Then we should feel super terrific after sitting on our behinds for an hour. Ready for the planetarium?”

The room darkened. The show began with explanations of sailing methods in 1513. Stars, quadrant and astrolabe. The ceiling of theater lit up with stars as they appeared on April 2, 1513. The explanations continued.

“Wow,” Mazie said as they reoriented their eyes to the sunshine. “Amazing. Absolutely amazing. But I think there might something in that water.”

.

TIRED TRAVELERS AND TIRED WAITRESS

The morning drive and the afternoon walk through the mission left Janice and Mazie with little energy or motivation for more activity requiring effort. Unwilling to drive at rush hour in unknown territory, too tired to walk far they settled on the first place they found, a non-elegant pizza place with dirty windows, iffy patrons at five of the eight not too clean tables. A tender looking waitress worked all the tables.

“Miss, you forgot my water.”

“Miss, this spoon is not clean.”

“How long does it take to nuke up lasagna?”

Janice picked at the salad of limp lettuce, pale tomatoes, rubbery cucumbers and browning celery. Mazie pushed her salad aside. “This is without question the worst excuse for a salad I ever saw.”

The pizza minimally acceptable they ate. Janice whispered, “I’d like more water, but...”

CRASH!! The waitress motionless before the lasagna covered floor. An overweight sweat browed man appeared waving a spatula. “You clumsy little heifer. Can’t you carry two plates?”

“Poor child,” Mazie said as they left. “But I did tip her really well. Ten dollars.”
Janice broke into laughter. “That’s why she opened the door for us with a big smile. “I gave her fifteen.”

Jewellee Cardwell

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THEY REACHED ST AUGUSTINE

The short trip into St Augustine from the nearby town took longer than anticipated. Three wrong turns (GPS reading was not easy for either of them); two accidents; a traffic snarl from what they never. Until Janice and Mazie hobbled into their motel. Amazing how an air conditioned room and a bottle of ice water can soothe splintering spirits.

“It’s early still,” Mazie said. “Let’s check out the Ponce de Leon Mission. The desk said it’s right behind the motel.”

“Mazie, aren’t you tired?”

“Tired of sitting cooped up in the car. Walking will do us good.”

Tickets in hand they began their tour of the reconstructed 1513 Spanish Mission. Two hours on foot in the humid 93 degree weather took its toll. They had covered less than half the exhibit. On a bench under a huge live oak tree, with shoes kicked off they watched to hurrying tourists. Mazie burst into laughter. “You should have seen yourself when they fired that big canon. I thought you were going propel yourself all the way to the motel.”

“I didn’t expect it to be so loud.”

“And the Spanish shotgun. You jumped then too.”

“It was loud, but I think when it nearly tossed the rifleman on his behind I was startled.” Janice turned her head to prevent Mazie from seeing her scowl. “You know we saw probable less than half of the exhibit. But I am just too pooped to go on. Can we see the rest tomorrow?”

“You think they’ll let us use this same ticket?”

“Mazie, it doesn’t cost that much.”

VACATION PLANS ARE MADE

Barely 6 AM.

Janice was jarred from sleep. She stumbled to the phone.
Who was calling at this ungodly hour?
“Hello.”
“The week is up. I have my list ready. Got yours?”
“What?”
“Janice, are you OK? Did I wake you?” Mazie.
“No Mazie. I am always up at 6 in the morning.”
“Is it only 6? My god it is. I’ve been up for – never mind, I’ll call you back later. When is a good time?”
Janice yawned. ‘Noon’, she thought but said, "No. I’m up now.”
“Oh good. I have my list. Can I come over?”
“Now?”
* * * * *
The numerous repeats of each list were tossed. The eight remaining were folded and dropped into a bowl. “Who picks?” Mazie asked.
Janice picked as the designated by toss of a coin plucked the destination from the bowl. She unfolded the paper, stared at it, grinned broadly.
“Well?” Mazie asked.
“We’re going to St Augustine Florida.”

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CLYDE DIED: MAZIE COPED

Jewellee Cardwell

Published by Jewell Field · Just now · 

Jewell Field
2 mins ·
Clyde died.
There was no funeral despite the criticism of Lisa, Clyde’s only living sibling, a sister fourteen younger than Clyde. She was what in the days was called a change of life baby. Mazie dismissed Lisa’s complaint for what it was. Guilt. Guilt born of her failure to visit Clyde The last year of his life, the worst year of his illness.

Despite the attention and care of friends and neighbors Mazie was restive. “I need a change,” she said over lunch with Janice. “get out of this house. Go somewhere new and different. Do something new and exciting.”

“Like what and where?” Janice asked.

“Spain or Italy or England or some exotic Greek Island. Clyde and I used to talk about traveling. We just never got around to doing it. Once we almost went to Canada, but his mother got sick and we canceled.”

After a silence Mazie continues, “We could do it. You and me. We have no ties to stop us.”

“And go where?” Janice asked.

“Anywhere. What do you think?”

Janice smiled at the eager face of her grieving friend. “That we start a little less ambitiously-- say some place here, in this country. Some place we’ve never been. We can see how that works and then maybe go to Spain or Greece.”

Mazie’s eyes widened. “Maybe Mexico.”