Flicking her freshly-washed long red hair behind her shoulders, Cherry stepped out from the steamy washroom, the smells of bubble bath and the still-burning lemongrass candle scenting the entire main level of the house. Cozy in sweatpants and T-shirt, she walked through the darkened home to the kitchen, where she pulled a kettle out from the cupboards. Preparing herself a pot of green tea, she looked out the window to the street outside. The sun had gone down now, but the snow had melted quite a lot that afternoon, filling the city with the promise of spring and change. She glanced into the living room where a few empty cardboard boxes lay strewn across the hardwood.
Cherry carried the tea into the living room and set the mug down on the coffee table. Not in the mood for tv or even having any lights on, she brought the burning candle out of the bathroom and turned on the stereo; the soft sound of jazz filled the room. Grabbing a folded afghan off the back of the couch, Cherry curled up beside a snoring Ruffles. She stroked the little dog’s back, eyes fixed on the quiet street outside. A good ten minutes went by.
Hunt’s bmw eased to the curb outside and Hunt got out. She smiled as she watched him approach the house, his long winter coat replaced by a stylish leather jacket. Careful not to wake the dog, she rose from the couch and opened the front door for him just as he was about to knock.
“Hello,” she said softly.
“Hi, Crash.”
“Come on in,” Cherry said, leading him into the front room. “I was just having tea. Maybe you’d like one. Or maybe something stronger?”
Slipping off his loafers and coat, he followed her in.
“Tea would be perfect. Though I don’t know, after that birthing experience last night, something stronger might be good.”
He laughed a little. They both did.
She put the kettle back on, “You got that right. What an evening. Glad it went well, but I certainly don’t feel the need to experience that ever again.”
“Me neither.” He watched her scoop loose-leaf tea into the teapot. “How’s everyone doing?”
“Mother and daughter are doing just fine. Tristan too. He’s over at the hospital with them now. They’ll probably get sent home tomorrow.”
“That’s good. Why are all these boxes here?”
“We’re doing some rearranging,” Cherry replied, filling the cup with hot water, adding a touch of sugar and swishing a spoon around.
They returned to the darkened living room, where they both got comfortable on the couch.
Leaning right back and stretching, Hunt asked, “What did they name the baby?”
Cherry lifted Ruffles off the floor. The little dog turned a circle and curled up on her lap.
“Emma,” she said. “Emma Cherry.”
Leaning closer, Hunt rested a hand on her knee.
“That’s nice,” he said. “Though I confess, I’m surprised at what a traditional choice they made for a first name. Tristan and Electra are both pretty unconventional people. Either way, it’s great you have a namesake.”
“It’s pretty touching.”
There was silence for a couple of minutes, neither of them certain what to talk about next.
“It’s been so long since we’ve had your house to ourselves,” Hunt finally said, taking the first sip of his tea.
“I know what you mean,” Cherry said. “Actually, it was a little weird being here alone today. But it was good. I did a lot of thinking.” She gazed out the front window.
Trying to read her, Hunt looked hard towards her. “And…”
Cherry caught his gaze.
“And what did you think about today?” he persisted.
Cherry rubbed her slender shoulders, as if she were suddenly chilled. “Oh, lots of things. Lots and lots of things. Electra, Tristan and the baby. My brother. Dermot. You.”
“Ah.”
Twisting a lock of her long red hair, Cherry chose her next words carefully. “Hunt…”
“Oh, man,” he set his mug on the coffee table.
“What is it?’
“Something’s up. I can tell by the tone of your voice.”
She looked at him. “Hunt, I just think we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“You and me.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Cherry moved closer to him.
“Like I said, I’ve done lots of thinking.”
“And?”
“And…you’re such a great man, Hunt. You really are. So kind. So patient. So talented. You’re a great teacher, and this thing with your band, well…I hope you guys take off. I hope you become the next big thing. And what you did yesterday. Helping deliver the baby. Well, that was just…incredible. I don’t think a lot of men would have remained that calm.”
“True.” He smiled, but his eyes held a growing concern.
“But, well…I’ve made some plans. Some real plans.”
“All right. How do I fit in?”
Sighing heavily, she continued, ignoring his question for the moment.
“The kids…I feel the need to help them out a lot. They’re young. They don’t have a pot to piss in. I want to do whatever I can for them. You know, between the two of them, they don’t even have a car. I’m selling them my truck. Real cheap. They’re also going to move in together. They’re gonna…well, they’re gonna live here, actually.’
He raised an eyebrow. “That right?”
Fidgeting, she continued. “Yes, and well…Dermot’s driving in from the farm tonight.”
“To see the baby?”
“Yes to see the baby. And also to…pick me up.”
Hunt stared at her, trying to follow her meaning. “He’s coming here?”
Her voice came in a whisper, soft and faint. “Yes, to pick me up, and take me home.”
Rubbing his face in his hands, Hunt spoke. “Oh, Crash. Somehow I knew you were leading up to this. Now, just think about what you’re saying—”
She cut him off, gently. “I have.”
“Cherry,” he stated, grabbing hold of her shoulders, his eyes boring into hers. “It’s been quite the couple of days. Your emotions are running high. Your nerves are frazzled. And the birth of this new sort-of grandchild has probably made you feel very nostalgic.”
“Hunt,” she spoke softly. “Today’s events have definitely got my mind going, but trust me, I am perfectly aware of what I’m doing. Don’t be upset. You’re a good man. You’re a very good man, but…” She stopped and thought, fingers tracing the line of Ruffles’ back. “Despite everything that went wrong between Dermot and me, despite the life I’ve made for myself here in the city, there’s a bond between us. There’s…a chemistry I was reminded of when I spent those few days back on the farm. Those days were…well, they were me. We seemed to forgive each other for a lot of stuff. We got to know each other all over again too.”
She stopped speaking for a moment, giving Hunt a chance to absorb her words. “You know, this isn’t just a whim I’m having. I’ve given this a lot of consideration. I spoke to the owners of the store and told them I won’t be back. I talked to Elmer, my landlord, too, to let him know the kids are taking over the lease.”
Hunt leaned forward to speak but when he opened his mouth, nothing came out.
Cherry took a sip of tea, struggling with the rest of what she wanted to say. “You know, I realized something in the last day. For months, I kept telling myself there was something I needed to do. I kept telling myself I needed to get in touch with my lawyer and start working on the divorce. But there always seemed to be a reason I didn’t. Busy with work. Busy with this, busy with that…and then I realized that if I really wanted to do it, I would. You know what I’m like. When I’ve got my mind set on something, I just go ahead and get it done.”
Rising from the couch, Hunt moved towards the front door where he’d left his coat.
“I guess that’s it, then. There’s certainly nothing for me to decide. It’s all been decided for me.” His voice was low and bitter. “I feel like…like some sort of an experiment of yours.”
Cherry tried to find words of solace, but nothing came.
It was painfully awkward, watching him put on his jacket and open the front door. She tried desperately to think of something to say to ease his heartbreak. At last, when he had already left the house and was at his car, she followed him out onto the front step, oblivious to the freezing snow beneath her slipper-covered feet.
“Hunt,” she called, just loud enough for her voice to carry. “If it’s any comfort to you, I wouldn’t have traded this for anything.”
He looked up. “Traded what?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “My time here. My time with you.”
Hunt paused, waiting for her to say something more, but when she didn’t, he climbed into the car, started the ignition, and drove off without looking back.
Cherry was still perched on the step several minutes later when she saw the headlights of her husband’s half-ton coming down the street.