Wildflower by Prudence MacLeod Page A

you to the neighborhood so I cleaned up the kitchen for you
and got everything ship shape. The fridge has been cleaned out so
you can load her up right now if you wish.”
    “I only brought a small cooler,” grinned Abby
ruefully. “I thought I was looking at several days of cleaning
before I could use the fridge or the cupboards. My god Wanda,
everything sparkles so. You haven’t left me a thing to do.”
    “Oh yes I have dear,” laughed Wanda,
obviously pleased with Abby’s praise. “I’ve left you the rest of
the house. Well, I did do the bathroom too.”
    “The kitchen and the bathroom too? Woman,
you’re a life saver. If old Keith ever gets nasty, you can come
live with me and I’d be happy to have you.”
    “Hey now, there will be no stealing my cook,”
grinned Keith as he brought another of her boxes in and set it on
the kitchen table.
    “Oh, so that’s what you keep me for is it?”
Wanda asked tartly as she poked him in the ribs.
    “Abigail MacKai, I will get you back for
this,” threatened Keith. Abby’s sweet laughter floated lightly
through the old house, and it almost felt as though the spirits of
the place had been lifted.
    “What is it Wanda?” asked Abby as she saw the
faraway look in the woman’s eye.
    “Oh nothing Abby, it’s just that it is so
nice to hear laughter in these walls again. I swear Bride was
always laughing about something. I hope you are as happy here as
she was.”
    “You were her friend weren’t you?”
    “For well over thirty years,” replied Wanda
wistfully as she leaned against the counter. “It broke my heart the
day I had to call the ambulance and they took her away
forever.”
    “Wanda, I have to go through everything in
the place, and I will surely get rid of much of what is stored
here. Are there any mementoes that you would like to have to
remember her by?”
    “Oh Abby, I couldn’t...”
    “No, please Wanda, you must. None of these
things have any meaning for me, but they might mean a great deal to
you. Have whatever you would like, I insist.”
    “Well, there is the picture of Bride and
Terry, and the one of Bride and me taken years ago, they’re still
on the mantle I think.”
    “Come then,” smiled Abby as she took the
woman by the arm and led her into the living room. The smell of
dampness had been dispelled from the kitchen, but it was still
apparent in the hallway as they passed through it. “These?” asked
Abby as they reached the living room.
    “These,” replied Wanda softly, slowly nodding
her head. There was a small tear in her eye now. “You know, I spent
many an enjoyable hour in this house over the years.”
    “And I hope you will again, I would like us
to be friends Wanda.”
    “I had so hoped for that too Abby,” smiled
Wanda as she took the treasured photos from the mantle. “There’s
not so many folks left out this way and it can get lonely at
times.”
    “I sometimes can get a bit scattered Wanda,
so don’t wait around for an invitation. Whenever you want, just pop
in and know I will always be glad to see you.”
    “Be careful what you wish for Abby,” laughed
Wanda as she turned toward Abby with her mementoes in her hand, her
bright mood returning. “I might just drive you nuts. Speaking of
nuts, it looks like Keith has the car unloaded for you. We should
be on our way and let you get settled in. Do you need any bed
linen? Most of what’s here is damp still.”
    “Thanks Wanda, but I’ve borrowed a sleeping
bag from a friend. I’ll camp out in that gleaming kitchen until I
get the place squared away.”
    “Well then, we’ll get out of your hair and
let you get to it,” smiled Keith as he joined them. “If there is
anything you need, just shout.”
    “I will Keith, and thank you.”
    “Thank you Abby,” smiled Wanda clutching the
treasured old photos in her hand as she stepped through the door.
“This is truly a wonderful gift.”
    They left and walked back to their own house,
hand in hand. Smiling