November 23
Disgusting! That is exactly what this week was turning out to be. Rosemary half-heartedly wiped out a dirty tea cup with a towel and then blew into it. That would have to do. She sloshed ginger tea into the cup and made her way to the table where she sat down and tried to ignore it all, which was quite a feat considering the disastrous mess and smell that was spilling over from the kitchen.
What a difference a year could make. This time last year, with it being their first holiday as newlyweds, they had a simple Thanksgiving dinner, just the two of them. Most people had assumed that the new married couple needed their privacy and at that, they were right. Her cheeks warmed just thinking of those luxurious mornings on Thanksgiving week, waking up to Lee stretched out beside her, their legs intertwined and contented sighs on their breath. Finally, one of them would make a move to get a pot of coffee on and the day would unravel in a peacefully cozy way. Ah, she couldn't get enough of those days. But now, Rosemary glanced around the kitchen dismay tugging on the corners of her mouth. Strewn about the living space was a menagerie of last night's dirty dishes, an assortment of dingy coffee mugs in need of a cleaning out, clumps of mud and debris clinging to the living room rug, and a weeks worth of old newspapers piled next to the settee. And that was just at first glance. She hadn't even started the Thanksgiving dinner preparations! Lee was out gallivanting around the woods, who knows why or where, while she was left to all the work. Since this was their second Thanksgiving as Mr. and Mrs. Lee Coulter, she had the notion that it would prove to everyone what a wonderful wife and hostess she was if she entertained a small Thanksgiving gathering at her home. She clearly wasn't thinking straight. Sure, a few weeks back she had twittered all around town how wonderful her Thanksgiving gathering would be and what wonderful dishes would grace her table, for those who were invited. The rest of the town, well, they would just have to wait until it was their year to attend. Now, the idea rolled in her belly and all she wanted to do was press a cold washcloth to her head and go hide under the covers. How could this have happened to her?
Three weeks ago, just prior to her eventful fainting spell at Yost's Mercantile, she had made a special order all the way to Buxton for their finest turkey to be delivered. She also ordered a bushel of fresh herbs and spices to be delivered, not to mention a new set of china, and a complete tea service. Oh sure, it had cost Lee a pretty penny, but she had convinced him that this was something she MUST do. But now, oh, now, all she wanted to do was sleep. But with Thanksgiving only three days away, there was certainly no time for that. In fact, there was hardly enough time to clean. How could they dirty so many dishes every day- especially when she had frequented Abigail's cafe for their evening meals more often than not the last week or so? Oh this was just tragic! Usually she was a wonderful cook, and thoroughly enjoyed showing off her culinary expertise. But how she was ever going to make it through this Thanksgiving was anyone's guess. Just the smell of seasoned green beans, pumpkin pie spice, or garlic gave her belly a fit.
Sighing, she took another sip of the tepid tea and reached across the table for her old recipe book. Taking the weathered book into her hands, she couldn't help but think of holidays past. For so many of the years, their family housemaid had attended to the LeVeaux holiday meals. The table would be set in the finest of china, with the silverware all polished and placed properly. The goblets sparkled, candles flickered, and delicious smells circulated around the dining room as the elegant entrees were presented. The LeVeaux family would dine, dressed in their Sunday best, not a worry to cross their minds, for their housemaid had ensured all would be taken care of for their special holiday meal. Until now, Rosemary hadn't noticed all the work a holiday meal could entail. Oh, if only she—
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in." Rosemary didn't even bother removing herself from the table. She was too sore and tired. Elizabeth came in and her eyes widened as she must have noticed the many dishes piled about and the unclean state of the kitchen.
"Rosemary, are you all right?" Elizabeth hastened to Rosemary's side and her eyes roamed over Rosemary's face as she reached a hand up to touch her forehead. "You feel okay. Whatever is wrong?"
"Oh Elizabeth. It's just horrible. Out right horrible. I talked Lee into letting us have a Thanksgiving gathering here, I ordered all the expensive necessities and now… now, I wish I could take it all back."
"What ever for? Have you changed your mind?"
"Of course I have changed my mind! This event is nothing short of a nightmare. I don't have near enough help."
"I could help you." Came Elizabeth's soft answer.
Rosemary gave her a look. Was the girl serious? Everything she touched turned to soot.
"Here. We can get started now." Elizabeth found a spare apron hanging on the hook and fastened it around her waist. "You know, this will be just the sort of thing I need. With Jack gone, I could sure use a distraction. This will help me keep busy and maybe I'll even learn something new about cooking."
Rosemary tried to smile, but now it looked as if she was stuck not only cooking but also teaching the helpless Elizabeth. But, maybe this would work for the best. She could sit here, perhaps even prop up her feet, and give directions while Elizabeth did all the grunt work. Well, she'd give it a shot, but one blunder on Elizabeth's part and she'd back out.
"Come on, Rosemary. It will be fun! I have the whole week off of school and not one thing to do. Let's start today." Elizabeth started to look around the kitchen and Rosemary knew she better interfere now or else she'd be stuck with a problem.
"Okay, since you insist- let's start with pumpkin pie."
"Oh, is it your mother's recipe?"
Rosemary winced. Her mother never rolled a pie crust to save her life. "Oh let's just say it's from way back. Butter's in the icebox."
Elizabeth made her way to the icebox and pulled out the crock.
"Measure half a cup."
"Where—"
Rosemary pointed to the middle drawer where she kept her measuring cups.
"I have a feeling this is going to be fun!" Elizabeth smiled as she searched through the drawer.
A Little Later
After three pumpkin pies were placed to bake in the oven, Rosemary sat back down to lift up her horrible, aching feet while Elizabeth began to tackle the stack of dishes in the sink.
"So Rosemary, I don't recall hearing much about your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
Rosemary's eyes widened at the sudden personal questions. If not for that sink full of dirty dishes, she would have dismissed Elizabeth quickly. How on earth should she approach this? This was something she didn't share with anyone. Even her own husband, Lee, knew just a few snippets here and there.
"Oh, who needs more than one child when the first is such as I?" Rosemary tucked her tongue in her cheek. Dramatics were always her go-to defense. But even that was a bit dramatic even for her.
Elizabeth laughed. "So really? Just the one of you? That's so different than what I grew up with. I don't know what I would have done without my sisters. Oh sure, they have brought their share of trouble, but it was nice to have someone to share things with."
"Oh I had someone to share with. Just not a sibling. I think it was better for me that way anyway." Or so she tried to tell herself.
"What about your mother? I know your father served on the Northwest Mounted Police Force with Jack's father, right?"
"Oh yes, he was a Grand General. He looked so dashing in red. I think that is why I in the past I always had a thing for a certain man in a red coat."
Elizabeth's gaze fell at the reference to Jack.
"But my mother, she was a socialite and famous world traveler. She went to many places like Paris, Austria, and Germany. She was in love with the world."
"Oh, wow, that is remarkable you've been so many places."
"Oh, not me. Just my mother."
"Oh." Elizabeth finished lamely.
"She would get a notion into her head that she just had to be apart of the latest and greatest shopping, dining, social clubs. Sometimes I would go with her, although not overseas, Father wouldn't allow that. In fact, she was the one who first took me to New York."
"I thought you lived in New York."
"Oh, I did, later during my stints on Broadway, but I actually grew up in Winnipeg."
"So you stayed in Winnipeg while your mother traveled? But your father was out serving with the Mounties. Who took care of you while they were away?"
Oh these questions were getting a bit personal. Rosemary shifted in her seat.
"Oh, we had a family housemaid."
"Oh I see." Rosemary saw an ounce of sorrow pass over Elizabeth's face.
"You know what? Enough of this jibber jabber. I think we should start on my world famous biscuits. Did I happen to tell you the one and only Delmonico's of New York, practically begged me for my recipe? Now that's a story…"
Later that Afternoon
Elizabeth had become very quiet. So, okay, maybe she shouldn't snapped at her during their biscuit making, but this blasted lingering illness, as well as this unexpected delving into her past, had Rosemary tied up in knots. And quite frankly, she did not have the energy for it.
"Rosemary, you look like you could use a rest or perhaps a cup of tea?" Rosemary didn't say anything so Elizabeth pressed on. "I'll put a pot on."
Inside she felt her defenses melting. Isn't this what she had always longed for? A friend to share with, and be honest with? And now that the chance arose, she was pushing it away?
"Did anyone ever mention to you that you have a knack for asking pestering questions?"
"Oh, Rosemary, I truly didn't mean to pester you. I guess I'm just curious. But if you don't want me to ask anymore questions, I won't. We can talk about something else."
Rosemary nodded and nervously played with the doily that adorned the kitchen table. After the space of a minute, she sighed, and began to expel a hint of her secret.
"Honestly, my past wasn't as perfect as I'd like everyone to think."
"Oh, I don't think any of us have a perfect upbringing." Elizabeth placed the tea pot onto the burner of the stove and made her way over to the table where she pulled out a chair and sat across from Rosemary.
"Well, I guess what's got me all tied up in knots is the mention of my mother. She wasn't a very conventional mother in every sense of the word, but she loved me. She passed away before my journey here. That was a lot of the reason I needed a new start. I needed to find where I belonged and with who I belonged."
"Oh, I didn't know, Rosemary. I'm sorry."
"Oh she was always full of drama, in fact, people would say I how much I resembled her." Rosemary felt a sad chuckle escape her lips. "She was the one who first introduced me to Broadway. When I was nine years old, we attended opening night of A Trip to China Town. It was the most grand experience I ever had. Oh, Elizabeth, you should have seen it- the lights, the costumes, the glamour! The lead actress, Avery Strakosch, was simply amazing. She sang this musical number and I knew, right then and there, I wanted to be an actress. Over the next years, Mother would go off to many different big cities to see the latest Broadway hit. I'd beg to go with her. Sometimes she'd take me, but more often than not I'd be left at home. While she was away, I'd write my own play, memorize the lines, make a costume, and set up the stage. Amalie, our housemaid, would assist me in my endeavors. Mother would return home and watch me perform on my own little stage, the pride evident in her eyes. But it wouldn't last. A week would pass, then she'd be off to the next latest and greatest Broadway hit or event. I always hoped my little acts would keep her home. I hoped she'd realize what a talented actress she had in her own home and not be so…so hungry to go chasing after all the newest Broadway hits."
"I'm sorry, Rosemary. I had no idea. I can't imagine how hard that would be on a child."
"Oh it had its hard moments for sure, but look at what a diamond out of the rough I became. It led me to New York, to Broadway, to fame. And there for awhile, people thought I was really something."
"So, why did you leave it all?"
"My mother was ill, but I truly left it all for… well, the chance to be with Jack. He looked at me different than any of the men I met in New York. They saw the fame, the drama, the passion I produced on stage, but Jack knew who I was in my heart. We grew up together as kids, you know."
Elizabeth merely nodded.
"I guess that is a part of who I am- craving the big stage, admiration, and fame … But it feels like there's apart of me many people don't understand."
"Oh Rosemary, I think we are all getting a glimpse of who you are in your heart."
The teakettle whistled. Thankful for the interruption, Rosemary stood and lifted it off the burner, took her time pouring two cups of tea, then delivered them to the table. Elizabeth nodded her thanks.
"Remember that time you delivered that awfully huge chocolate cake to the sleep-over I had with the girls? You did that just to check in with me, and keep me company, right after Jack was sent up North. You were being a true friend. Never mind the girls didn't sleep a wink that night due to all the sweets." Elizabeth laughed and Rosemary joined her with a halfhearted chuckle.
"And don't forget the time you gave all your beautiful bridesmaid's fabric to serve as bandages for the wounded men from the settlement after the mine collapsed. And the food- no one could ever forget that wonderful elegant food. You gave your entire wedding dinner for those in need. Yes, I'd say we are all getting a more accurate picture of who you are under all the excitement and pizzazz."
"I do have quite an aura of excitement and pizzazz, don't I?"
"Quite a handful."
"I just don't want that to change."
"Whatever could you be talking about, Rosemary? Of course that won't change, it is a part of who you are."
Rosemary cleared her throat.
"Right you are, Elizabeth, right you are." But she couldn't help but wonder if becoming a mother in the future would find a way of sucking all the excitement and pizzazz straight from her.