Vera watched her daughter in law carve a Julsinka; a salt cured Swedish ham. It was cured the day before and served cold. It was a family favourite of Ronja and her boys. Landon would eat anything and Vera and little Astrid shared a bit of a secret dislike of ham. Vera always brought a huge casserole dish of scalloped potatoes to family dinners and she and Astrid would eat lots, hiding the fattier bits of ham under them. The meal was served mid day as the Burrows family liked to have their evenings unencumbered when they could.
Now Astrid was beside her grandmother picking at her ham “I wish we had a dog.” She said out loud. She wanted to drop the ham to a furry friend who would make her problem disappear.
Vera stifled a smirk “I wish you had a dog too but I don’t think that would treat your dad so well.” Landon was highly allergic to anything with fur. Hence why he’d had reptile and amphibian pets in his own childhood.
Landon snorted “How about some fish Astrid?” He happily took a big bite of his ham.
Astrid made a face “Fish don’t really play. Can we get rabbits? Kami has rabbits and they live outside in their own house.”
Ronja grimaces a bit “Oh sweetie I don’t know if I want to take on a rabbit hutch. And the Gupta’s just had another baby. I hope those kids take care of those rabbits all on their own.”
Vera feels her phone buzz like she’s gotten a text and casually takes it out and sees Joseph’s turkey picture and grins at it. As Astrid negotiates more about rabbits she casually texts Joseph back but a little bit under the table.
Gorgeous turkey. Gorgeous you. Glad it all worked out. I’m wishing I was at yours now. Ronja insists on ham….and not a honey ham...a big Swedish salt cured ham. Not my favourite but I respect her cultural traditions. Maybe I should consider converting to Judaism and tell them I’m Kosher. XOXO
Her grandson Erik is 9 years old and never misses a beat “Who are you texting Grandma?”
Vera looks up after she hits send and tries to come off as nonchalant “Oh….just saying Happy Thanksgiving to my friend Dot.” she smiles at Erik “You remember Dot?”
Erik nods “Yes she married that stinky man who doesn’t like kids much.”
“Erik!” Ronja warns “We don’t know that for sure.”
Erik rolls his eyes “That’s he’s stinky or that he doesn’t like kids? I think we know…” He stuffs a big forkful of scalloped potatoes in his mouth and chews.
His brother Lief nods in agreement “Toby smells like cheese…...and not the good kind. And he kept sending us off to play whenever we talked. Children should be seen and not heard….”
Astrid frowns “That doesn’t make sense. Every grown up WAS a kid once. Why doesn’t he like kids? We’re people you know!” She had jumped off the rabbit soap box and onto this one with her brothers.
Vera threw up her hands . Dot was a rouse and now it had become a thing “Dot loves him. They live in Nanaimo. They’re retired with no grandchildren to annoy with Toby’s….and honestly I think he’s a bit scared of kids, not actually hating of them.”
Now Landon laughs “Well I can’t blame him. Children can be vicious. No one tells you that part.”
Erik and Lief both growl at their father like wild animals as if to prove his point and Astrid hisses like a cat and mimes swiping at him with claws.
Ronja and Vera both crack up as Landon pretends to be afraid of the children. It’s especially amusing because he’s a bald tough looking muscle bound gym teacher jock.
After the meal Vera ends up with all three kids either surrounding her or on her and takes a selfie and then texts Joseph the photo with a little heart sticker on it. His reply back makes her melt a little and it says:
Beautiful...all of you.The kids are playing games now and I am thinking of beating my mother to the dishes.
“Dot again?” Erik demands as he tries to look over her shoulder at her phone and sees a glimpse “Who’s Joseph?”
Vera gives Erik a little tickle “Snoopy Erik.” she teases. “He’s my….he was my….lawyer from dealing with great grandpa’s stuff. And a friend. Just saying Happy Thanksgiving.”
She quickly texts him back:
I find covering myself in children to be an easy way to get out of dishes. But I support you in your endeavours dear:)
Erik shrugs and then looks down at her phone again as another text pops up on the screen. It says:
I LOVE doing the dishes.It would be even better if the sink was by a window, i think.
“Your lawyer friend loves doing the dishes? Grown ups are so boring!”
Ronja peeks her head out of the kitchen doorway “We are boring. Do you kids want a movie or video game time. I bet you could talk Grandma into playing Mario Kart!”
A unified cheer erupts around Vera about the second option so she nods “Ok…..ok but go easy one me….I’m old and still learning this game.” She pockets her phone and takes a controller as Leif thrusts one into her fingers.
Vera muddles her way through the race “I’m the yellow car right? Who just ran me off the track?”
Astrid lets out a happy little squeal “I did Grandma!”
“Oh you little monkey…” Vera chides and then gets back at her granddaughter on the next lap “Waa haa!!”
“Noooooooo!” Astrid whines. “I’m out now…."
Leif and Erik are so busy running one another off the track that Vera flies by them and wins the race. They looks at her with shock “GRANDMA WON!” They both call to their parents.
Vera holds her fists in the air “Grandma won. I’m going to quit while I’m ahead. You three play the next round and I’ll watch ok?” As they get into it, she shoots a quick text back to Joseph:
Well it’s good that my kitchen sink is by the window. I’ll keep you in mind oh dish lover. BTW, I just won Mario Kart. I am a cool Grandma today.
Vera is half watching the next round when Joseph’s next text come in and she casually looks at it but can’t help grinning. It says:
I’d love to do your dishes. You’ll have to teach me how to play video games sometime.
She doesn’t even see Landon come in and sit down beside her taking the controller.
“Hey munchkins...I’m playing the next one. I’ll kick all your butts.” Landon leans in and nudges his mom “Dot’s chatty. You two must miss hanging out?” He didn’t hear her conversation with Erik while he was in the kitchen.
Vera turns over her phone casually “Yes…..yes I do miss Dot.” She lets out a little sigh wishing she didn’t have to hide things from her son. But for now she would. “We used to go for fall walks...Dot and I. I don’t have a walking buddy here.”
Ronja had been in the kitchen doorway now drying a platter with a dishtowel “I’ll be your walking buddy. I need one too. Let’s go for one today. Shake out the ham and potatoes. I’ll make us some roadies.”
Vera smiles at Ronja and got up from the couch “Roadies? What do you mean Ronja?”
Ronja was taking two travel mugs down from the cupboard and grinning as she grabbed the wine bottle and poured into them “You can put anything in a travel mug and no one asks you any questions.”
Vera gasped and then laughed “You’re so bad! I love it….let me use your bathroom and then I’ll get my shoes on.” She walked down the hallway and did use the bathroom but then paused as she came out of it and started to text Joseph back only to be interrupted by Ronja’s blonde head popping into view and her grinning from ear to ear at her. Vera cleared her throat “Oh….you’re ready…” Vera suddenly blushed fiercely.
Ronja nodded “I am.” She dropped her voice to a whisper “Finish your text and tell me about whoever this secret person making you blush like a teenager on our walk? I promise not to tell Landon.”
Vera gives a little groan and then laughs “Maybe….but thank you Ronja.” she does finish the text and it says:
Consider it a deal. Going out for a walk with Ronja so I may be slow to reply for a bit. Love you.
She heads to her shoes and puts on a light fall jacket that’s sort of fuzzy and a blue purple colour with a pretty scarf in the same base colour with some orange and gold patterns in it.. But today she has on a pair of brown corduroy pants and an off white turtle neck sweater. Her shoes are mary jane style sneakers in black and grey tones. She takes her travel mug and heads out with Ronja. Ronja is a shorter plumper woman with short blonde hair and a big grey hoodie on over with a black puffy vest worn open over top and blue jeans with white and grey runners. She has a bit of a cherubic face and is always smiling as she moves about town. She’s known for being friendly and talking to strangers.
Vera and Ronja walked at a steady but not fast pace as they went down third and passed the school, staying across from it. They both worked there, Vera as vice principal and Ronja as a resource teacher helping kids and teachers where there were some different learning challenges that ended to be addressed. As they got to 3rd Roja wanted to cross the street which Vera did but with hesitation. It meant they’d be walking past Joseph’s house. She’d never been there but she knew this was the side of the street he lived on with his children. As they were in front of the school Ronja had pressed her question.
“So….who is he?” She had asked point blank.
Vera had swallowed hard “Ronja…..we’re trying to keep it low key. It’s a job thing for me…..”
Ronja had of course jumped to her own conclusion and shaken Vera’s arm “Did you hook up with VanBurren?” She whispered animatedly.
Vera gasp coughed and swatted at her “No! God no! We’re colleagues….maybe friends someday but not like that.” She sighed “It’s not a staffer. It’s a parent…..I don’t know how picky Arthur would be or the board or the town. So i’m not going to tell you his name yet.”
Ronja rolled her eyes “On this tiny island? How picky can they be.” then she gives Vera a sly look “A parent…...younger? Are you going all Mrs. Robinson in this round?” she sipped from her travel mug and wiggles her eyebrows.
Vera hung her head and laughed “No….I’m not. No more questions. Just drink your juice Ronja…”
“My juice!” she sputters and laughs “Yes Mum…”
They’re now passing all the bigger houses, the Brates with all their cats roaming, the Beaulieus where a window was open and a cheerful conversation was happening between several family members in French, Lydia Alvin’s house made obvious by Stone and Elle Copper dropping some kind of toy in a cup from the second floor balcony with a tied on homemade parachute that wasn’t the right fabric to stop the whole things from just plummeting. They waved at Vera and Stone waves at Ronja too, being one of the kids she saw and worked with. The Negron house was obvious from how full of people it was and the sound of Puerto Rican music like a live concert was going on inside.
Mabel Stanley was standing outside her house holding what looked like a grappling hook ona long cord. She casually slid it behind her back as she saw the vice principal and the other woman who she knew worked at the school “Hi Ms. Fisher! Happy Thanksgiving!”
Vera looked suspiciously at Mabel “And to you…..what have you got there Mabel?”
Mabel pulled her arm out from behind her back “Oh this old thing? I dunno I just found it in the garage. Pretty cool eh?”
Ronja frowned at her “Perhaps you should put it back….in the garage?”
Mabel smiled nervously “Of course. I was just about to. Have a good walk ladies!” She started for her garage but went through to the back and then was very quiet as she waited them out.
Vera and Ronja exchanged a look and then kept walking towards the next house, the yellow house. When they got to that house, two worlds collided just a bit. The window opens and a young woman calls out of it:
“Help us Alexandra, we’re trapped in a house full of cougars!”
Ronja and Vera both laugh and Vera calls back to the voice “Should we call the vet clinic or animal control?” She can’t resist engaging. Looking harder at the window Vera can see it’s a purple haired teenage girl, a familiar student from the school. She’s pretty sure the girl’s name is Miranda.
Miranda turns back and calls into the house “Of course you’re one Dad…” And then she looks back out the window “Oh hi Ms. Fisher! We’re all fine in here. I’m just being dramatic.”
Then the face of Ruth Samuels appears in the window beside Miranda’s and she waves, smiling “Hi Ms. Fisher. Hi……” It seems like she’s unsure of Ronja’s name as she looks her way.
“Mrs. Burrows.” Ronja calls out “Happy Thanksgiving kids. Be careful of those wild animals.”
There’s a lot more laughter coming from inside after Ronja’s words and Miranda’s face disappears but her voice can be heard between laughs “Ok...thank you..”
Ruth remains at the window “No they mean cougars like older ladies that like younger men. Apparently I’m not supposed to google it.”
Vera and Ronja can’t help but start giggling after the explanation and Vera calls out “Probably best not to. Always ask your father before using the internet.” She only half jokes.
There’s ongoing chatter from inside the house and at some point a young man’s voice yells out “Oh my God! Dad….no!” Clearly a lively bunch but Vera is also suspecting that this is Joseph’s house and doesn’t want to linger and seem like she’s stalking him. Vera starts trying to herd Ronja to keep moving now “Well you kids have a Happy Thanksgiving. Bye now.”
But her efforts are thwarted by two of the Brates cats, Fred and George as they come and brush past Ronja’s legs and snuggle her “Oh you sweet babies...I wish my husband wasn’t so allergic.” She bends down and pets them and they purr and purr.
Vera sighs and stands there awkwardly. She does of course pet George as he comes to her because he is very sweet.
Then after more muffled chatter from inside Ruth disappears from the window but then comes right out the front door to visit the friendly cats as well as Vera and Ronja.
Ruth stands between Ms. Fisher and Mrs. Burrows and then picks up Fred holding him like he’s a baby with his feet sticking up. Fred looks delighted and keeps closing his eyes like he’s basking in the attention. She sees her father and grandmother coming and beams “Look….he likes it!”
Vera sees Joseph and an older woman walking out of the house and towards them now and smiles warmly, but there’s a bit of extra warmth in her eyes for Joseph she tries to tone down, maybe unsuccessfully “Hi there. Happy Thanksgiving.” She greets to them both. “Sounds like a fun celebration in the Samuels house.” She doesn’t know the older woman so she introduces herself “Hi I’m Vera Fisher. Vice Principal at the Alexandra Academy. And this is Ronja Burrows, our Resource Department head, and my daughter in law. Ronja this is Joseph Samuels….” And she waits for the woman’s name.
Ronja smiles “Hi. Happy Thanksgiving. It’s a cat day….little ones out here...cougars in the house from what Ruth told us.” She laughs “I have three kids. I get it. Nice to meet you both.”
Joseph walks outside to see Ruth holding a big old orange cat who doesn’t seem to mind how it’s being held. “I see.” he tells his youngest. He looks at Vera and smiles. “Happy Thanksgiving Ms Fisher and Mrs Burrows. A pleasure to meet you.” he means Ronja, as he and Vera have met. He motions to Esther. “My mother-in-law, Esther Fogel.”
Esther looks at the cat, but then closely at both this vice-principal and her daughter in law the admin. “A pleasure to meet you both. Happy Thanksgiving.”
Vera keeps it very professional since Joseph called her Ms. Fisher “Thank you Mr. Samuels. I return the sentiment.” It was the strangest way to speak to a man she was madly in love with but she did it. Then she turns to Esther “So nice to meet you Mrs. Fogel.” She smiles at Ruth and the happy cat in her arms “I don’t think you can take him home dear but he’s very affectionate.”
Ronja is also professional “Mrs. Fogel.” She chuckles about the cat. “My Astrid is negotiating for a rabbit hutch since they can live outside.”
Ruth’s eyes light up “Oh! They can can’t they?” She looks at her father with big eyes “Rabbits are easy pets I bet.”
Vera cringes a bit and smiles apologetically at Joseph “Oh now we’ve planted an idea. Sorry Joseph.” She slips on her formality. She looks awkwardly at her cup.
Ronja snorts “Sorry.” She elbows Vera “You did tell me to shut up and drink my juice didn’t you?” She teases and sips.
Ruth now looks at the cups “What kind of juice are you drinking?”
She’s directing it mostly at Vera who she knows but Ronja answers. “Oh it’s a yucky one. Very sour grape.”
Ruth looks a little irritated. She feels like Mrs. Burrows is talking to her like she’s a baby.
Vera catches the look from Ruth and tells the truth “ You’re too old and clever to buy that aren’t you?.” She smiles “It’s wine. Don’t tell on us ok?”
Ruth looks at Vera like she appreciates being trusted and acknowledged for her intelligence “I won’t. They won’t either.” She smiles at her father and Saba but right now she feels like Vera is her visitor and she’s still holding a sweet kitty.
Joseph grins. “I suppose they can.” he agrees. “How fascinating.” he glances at Vera when she calls him Joseph. He looks at her daughter in law wondering the same and then Very admits it is wine. “Nothing to tell.” he smiles. “The children drink wine at Shabbat and on the holy holidays. Just a touch of course, until they are grown. My youngest son on his bar mitzvah and Ruth will be allowed at and after her bat mitzvah in a couple of years.”
Esther chuckles about the rabbits and then when Joseph explains about the alcohol and knowing she is dealing with school administrators, but not of a Jewish school explains a bit more. “It’s Jewish law. When a child is 13 they are a man or.” she nods at Ruth. “Woman. So they get more privileges.” she almost appears to fear these women will judge them or think they let their kids go hog wild at 13. “But they are still monitored, of course.”
Vera looks a little contrite as Joseph looks at her after she calls him by his first name. Then she smiles about the wine and listens with interest about the Jewish coming of age cultural practices. “I was aware of some of that but not the full scope.” She looks between Joseph and Esther “I think it’s a beautiful way to help young people make that transition between stages in their lives. Honour it and celebrate it. And of course you’re still there to guide them. I mean I suppose the secular way is to tell them they’re old enough to be unsupervised and hand them an iPhone.” She laughs “Into the fire without hesitation or reflection.” She looks at Ruth and smiles “It makes sense to me.”
Ruth nods at Vera “That’s a good way to put it. Some of it’s still a bit scary. And I do already have a phone.” She looks a bit sheepish because she’s aware it’s a privilege to have one.
Ronja nods in agreement “It’s an interesting place where culture and religion meet. And I agree it’s good to mark those milestones significantly. Give kids that feeling of purpose and connection. Thank you for explaining it.”
Joseph smiles, because it’s just not easy for him not to smile today, especially with the extra added treat of seeing Vera. “Yes, the kids all got phones at a young age, I suppose. We were just saying earlier there are good and bad sided to our success. But we have also learned that some things effect us all.” he is thinking of the pandemic. “I suppose for us it was having to have Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah virtually. He was not amused and we never had a party for him afterwards.”
Esther nods. “But when that time comes you will be ready, Ruth. I have faith in you.” she looks between Ronja and Joseph and sighs. “Ah yes, poor Daniel. But I supposed he could have a party here?” she shakes her head. “Please forgive me, ladies. My mind sometimes just takes off in random directions.”
Vera looks encouraging “You could still have a party and invite his new school friends. He’d probably love it. Especially if he feels like he missed it before.” She smiles at Esther “I do that all the time too. More after age 50...we’re just storing too much wisdom perhaps.” She chuckles.
Ronja smiles and nods and sips away at her wine.
Ruth has a little lightbulb go on in her head. Ms Fisher was over 50? Didn’t Saba and Dad talk about that? And Dad had some “friend”? She liked Ms. Fisher and thought she’d make a better “friend “ if it had to go there. Now Ruth boldly turns on the interrogation after setting down a now squirming orange cat “Ms. Fisher, you don’t look over 50. Do you have a husband? A boyfriend?” She thinks about Levi and Jasper “A wife or a girlfriend?”
Vera had taken a sip of her wine and half choked at Ruth’s questions “Goodness Ruth. You just go diving right in.” She feels her cheeks blushing “I thank you for the compliment. I have been married twice. To men, specifically. I divorced from the first and then I was widowed.” She has to chuckle at the child’s curiosity.
Ruth nods and looks at her father. “My dad’s divorced and widowed too.” She announces. Now making it obvious why she was asking. “In case anyone was wondering.”
Ronja starts cracking up “ Subtlety is not your thing Ruth.” She looks between Ruth, Esther and Joseph and then back at Vera, highly amused and noticing the blushing.
Now Vera really blushes “Ruth....” She looks everywhere but at Joseph. “I suspect your father can sort out his own social life. But thank you for being so informative?” She has to laugh at the irony now and she does finally look at Joseph with an almost resigned smile “We should let you all get back to your family.”
Joseph nods. “That might not be such a bad idea. Or some kind of double thng for his birthday in the spring.” he looks thoughtful until Ruth starts in matchmaking. He shakes his head at Ronja. “I don’t think she can even spell subtlety, never mind practice it.” he sighs and looks at his daughter. “I’ve already been set up on one date at the grocers, Ruth. A nice lady but not for me. Plus, I’m not sure how professional it would look.” then he can’t resist. “And .. I thought you of all people would be against me dating.” he realizes Vera is trying to give them an out to get back to their guests.
Esther laughs at her granddaughter in surprise. “Oh my god, Ruth.” but she can’t help but laugh. “And I thought the same as your father. You and Daniel … your father hasn’t been legally divorced very long from your mother …” she blows out a breath. “Maybe we should discuss this later. When we don’t have a dozen guests?”
Ruth is unabashed and smiles at everyone “I’m not against you dating. I just want to help you pick people I actually like.” She smiles at Vera now “You don’t talk to kids like they’re clueless and that’s important. But yes Saba…” She looks as Esther now “Later.”
Vera just laugh coughs and shakes her head “This sounds like a family discussion for another time perhaps. And no Ruth...I don’t think children are clueless at all. Maybe a bit too clever for their own good sometimes though.” She starts to step away and smiles at Joseph and Esther “Well good day and good luck.” And because Ruth has sort of broken the ice a bit without realizing it she gives Joseph one last sideways grin “And nice apron Mr. Samuels.” She comments as she takes a step “See you at school Ruth.”
Ronja laughs silently through the whole conversation and gives a little wave as she starts to head off with Vera “Cheers!”
Joseph can’t help but smile at Ruth. She liked Vera and that counted for a lot with him. Vera compliments his apron and he returns the smile. “Thank you Ms … Vera.” she got one, he could too. “Good day.”
Esther laughs and offers her granddaughter a side hug. She knows the talk will happen .. but they did have guests. “Good day to you both. Take care.”
As Vera and Ronja get out of earshot down the sidewalk Ronja looks back and then leans in to Vera “OK so not a younger man but a parent at the school? Is it that silver fox we just chatted with because he’s quite easy on the eyes and you were blushing….again.”
Vera looks at Ronja in mild alarm “Shit...are we THAt obvious? We’re trying to be discreet.” With a sigh she just confesses “Yes it’s Joseph.”
Ronja smiles “Only because I know you. Don’t worry. And at least you’re not a cougar?” Seh teases.
Vera playfully swats Ronja before they both burst out laughing.
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