Ava Comes Home Read online

  “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.”

  “We’ll be in touch about the accident report. Charges may be laid. A teenage boy ran a red light. It wasn’t your uncle’s fault.”

  “Oh, no. Thank you for calling.”

  “It’s a tough situation. I’m sorry.”

  “Yes. Goodbye.”

  Ava hung up and grabbed Lola. “Oh my god, Aunt Vi and Uncle Angus are in the hospital. There’s been a car accident!”

  Lola hugged her tight to keep her from shaking. “I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

  “I have to tell Ma.”

  “No, don’t do that yet. Let’s find out their condition first. There’s no sense in upsetting her until we know all the facts.”

  Ava put her hand to her forehead, trying to think clearly. “Yes, yes, you’re right. What do I do?”

  Lola picked up the address book that was by the phone. “Call your sister Rose and get her to take you to the hospital. I’ll stay here with your mother. The nurse is upstairs now. Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of her.”

  Ava hugged Lola again. “What on earth would I do without you?”

  “Hey, that’s what friends are for.”

  Ava called her sister at work and Rose came as fast as she could to pick her up. Lola waved them goodbye. “Let me know as soon as you can.”

  Ava called back, “We will.”

  Rose zoomed out of the driveway. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. The police said a kid ran a red light and crashed into them.”

  “Oh my god, this is horrible. I can’t believe it. It’s not fair. They’re the sweetest people alive. Why did this have to happen?”

  Ava buried her head in her hands. “I told her to go. If only I hadn’t done that.”

  “It’s not your fault, Libby. Don’t think that.” Rose reached into her purse. “Here’s my cell phone. Everyone’s number is in there. Call as many as you can while I drive.”

  By the time they reached the hospital, almost all the relatives had been called. Rose parked the car in a no-parking zone and the two of them flew into the lobby and raced to the front desk.

  “My aunt and uncle were involved in a car accident. The police said they were sent here, Angus and Viola MacIntosh.”

  “Just a moment, please.” The woman left her desk and went to talk to someone. A few minutes later she came back. “They’re still in the emergency department. I’ll take you there.”

  “Thank you.”

  Rose took Ava by the hand and the two of them walked through several doors, oblivious of the people they passed. There was a bit of a buzz when they went by and someone called out Ava’s name, but they kept going. Soon they were in a crowded annex, with the nurses’ station in the middle and curtained cubicles surrounding it. There were several rooms off it as well.

  The woman who escorted them left them then, saying, “Someone will be with you in a moment.”

  They nodded and stood there, scared to death and set adrift. They didn’t know where to look for help. They watched nurses and doctors go about their business. If one approached them, they went rigid, afraid of what might be said, but they inevitably walked on by. Finally a young doctor with horn-rimmed glasses and a stethoscope around his neck approached them. “I’m Dr. Richardson. Are you the MacIntoshes’ relatives?”

  “Yes,” Rose said. “Please tell me they’re all right.”

  He looked at his chart. “According to the police, they’re very lucky it wasn’t worse, but it’s still considerable trauma for people of their age. Mrs. MacIntosh has a broken ankle and wrist…”

  “Oh no.”

  He continued. “Mr. MacIntosh has a badly broken arm. He’ll have to be operated on, as he needs pins to fix it. They both have considerable bruising and Mr. MacIntosh needed several stitches to sew up a nasty gash over his eye. He also has a dislocated knee. All that said, I’m sure they can make a reasonable recovery, as long as they have plenty of help for the next few months.”

  “Don’t you worry about that,” Rose said. “There are plenty of us to pitch in.”

  Ava nodded. “I can stay for as long as necessary.”

  Rose looked at her. “Are you sure?”

  “I don’t care. Can we see them now?”

  “Only for a minute.” The doctor smiled. “They are more concerned about each other. Please assure them they are in good hands.”

  “Oh, we will.”

  He escorted Ava and Rose to adjoining rooms. “Remember, only a few moments. They’ve been through an ordeal.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” Ava said.

  They went through the door and pushed back the curtains. Aunt Vi lay still on the bed, her face black and blue, hooked up to an I.V. Her eyes were closed, whether by bruising or by choice, it was hard to tell. They approached quietly.

  “Oh dear,” Rose moaned. “Her poor face.”

  Ava took her hand gently in her own. “Aunt Vi, can you hear me?” She fluttered her eyelids. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Ava ch
oked. “I should’ve gone instead.”

  “Nonsense. How’s Angus?”

  Rose stroked her hair. “How about I go see and I’ll be right back.” “Okay,” Vi nodded. “Tell the old coot I love him.”

  Rose and Ava looked at each other. “I think she’s going to be all right,” Rose whispered before she tiptoed out of the room. Ava kept Aunt Vi’s hand in her own.

  “Don’t worry now. Everyone will take care of you. I’m going to stay.” Vi shook her head slightly. “No dear. You be here for your Ma, but don’t stay on account of me.”

  “You’re more important than anything.”

  “Silly girl.” Vi moaned. “This is mighty sore, I can tell you. And you know the worst part?”

  “What?”

  “I bought you a box of Timbits, and now they’re all over the road.” Ava gave her hand a squeeze. “Timbits make you fat anyway.”

  “Don’t tell your Ma. Not yet.”

  “She’ll have to know soon.”

  “Well, don’t make out it’s so bad. Tell her I’ll be home in a couple of days.”

  “You might be here a little longer, but don’t worry about Ma, we’ll handle her.”

  Just then Bev, Maryette, and Gerard showed up. They couldn’t all come into the room at the same time, so Ava backed out and let them have a turn. Rose met her in the hall.

  “Uncle Angus is fine, but he’s pretty woozy. I think we better let him be.”

  Dr. Richardson made another appearance. “I’m afraid we can’t have any more visitors. We’ll let you know when the surgery is going to be and you can wait in the visitors lounge. After that, they’ll be assigned their rooms.”

  Ava stepped forward. “May I speak to you a moment?”

  He nodded and stepped away from the others, but before she could open her mouth, he said under his breath. “I’m sorry, but are you Ava Harris?”

  “Yes.”

  He suddenly stammered as if he were fifteen. “I’ve seen all your movies.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I couldn’t get your autograph, could I?”

  Ava wanted to spit. “Of course.”

  He handed her a pen and his prescription pad. “My name is Brian.”