Chapter 47
Carolyn (July 2018)
...
The fireplace was not lit but Carolyn sat in front of it anyway, imagining the captive flames and embers brightening the room. It was a warm evening in July and she was thankful that it wasn't too hot; blazing temperatures were never good for her and as she got older, the intense summer heat would cause her more and more fatigue. She wore a comfortable knit cardigan in her air conditioned home as she sat in her rocking chair while reading a new book that her sister Shirley had mailed to her. Carolyn would have to stop every now and then to adjust her glasses. They kept slipping down her nose. She looked over at the rocking chair beside her and noticed that Nancy had fallen asleep while working on a crochet project. Even though her arthritis made it a tad difficult, Nancy didn't quit her love of crochet. She made all sorts of items; hats, scarves, mittens, stuffed animals, and she donated many if these items to people and children in need. Carolyn looked down at the pinwheel-patterned blanket that Nancy had made for her and counted the years since it was gifted to her one year for their anniversary.
"Thirty-two years," she said quietly to herself. The blanket was thirty-two years old and still in great condition. She admired the earth-toned colors that Nancy had picked. Carolyn chuckled as she put her book down on the side table next to her rocking chair. She slowly pushed herself up and was about to reach for her cane but at the last minute she decided she didn't need it. Carolyn was feeling strong that evening. She left it where it was and shuffled over to Nancy who was snoring in her rocking chair. Carolyn gently placed her hand on her shoulder, waking Nancy.
"We missed supper time," Carolyn said. "It's getting late."
Nancy blinked and placed her crochet project to the side. "Let's make something easy then."
"You can keep resting while I whip something up." Carolyn gave Nancy a kiss as Nancy patted her on the shoulder.
"I'll join you in the kitchen in a bit then," Nancy yawned.
While shuffling down the short hallway toward the kitchen, Carolyn admired the photographs that hung along the painted wall as well as some that sat in antique frames on the credenza. There were photos of them together, as well as them on their wedding day in winter of 2015, after same-sex marriage was legalized in all fifty states. There was a photo of Carolyn working in the university library, a job that she loved with all of her heart. Next to it there was a photo of the grand-opening of Nancy's florist shop. Her smile popped in the photograph. Carolyn was surprised with how young they used to look, especially in their graduation photos from college. There were pictures of Roger with his husband, Tommy with his wife and son, Judith and Shirley with their husbands and children, and they even had photos of both of their parents, even though they were never able to reconnect with them. There was a photo of Willard as well; he was dressed in his best suit. Nancy would always say that she found it funny that she stayed in contact with Willard and not her father, and when Willard passed away, she felt a sense of grief that she did not experience when her father had died.
After looking over the collection of photographs, Carolyn went into the kitchen to make dinner. They usually never ate late at night but time got away from them. She made a fresh vegetable soup for dinner using veggies from their garden, with some homemade sourdough bread on the side. Carolyn called Nancy to the kitchen table for supper and Nancy wandered in, out of breath, and sat down.
Carolyn placed two pill bottles on the table next to Nancy's placemat. "Don't forget to take your medication."
Nancy chuckled, "You think I'm getting old or something?"
Carolyn laughed as she sat down to enjoy the meal she had cooked.
"Did I help make this bread? It's good," Nancy asked.
Carolyn thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, this batch of bread you did help make."
"I still got it!"
"After sixty years!"
The two women finished dinner and helped each other with the dishes after. They didn't have a dishwasher and they never owned one, believing that the hard work of hand-washing was the best way to ensure perfectly clean dishware. Although since Nancy developed arthritis, her skills in dishwashing were beginning to decline.
"Do you need help with that plate?" Carolyn asked, noticing that Nancy could barely lift the small saucer.
She nodded. "It feels heavier than it looks."
"I'll finish up. You go rest in the living room and then we can go up to bed."
"Imagine if we both had arthritis," Nancy chuckled.
"I do have a bit," Carolyn laughed, "just not as bad as you."
"I'll go rest then." Nancy shuffled back into the living room to relax in her rocking chair while Carolyn finished tidying up the kitchen.
When it was time for bed, Carolyn and Nancy both retired to their bedroom to watch some television. They had just bought a new TV and had it installed with the help of Carolyn's nephew Christopher.
"We're you on the phone with Tommy earlier?" Carolyn asked.
"Yes, yes, he's doing well. His wife is in the hospital again though."
"Oh? That's too bad. I hope she'll get better."
"She's a strong one."
Carolyn turned the TV off with the remote and placed it on her bedside table. "Ready for bed?" she asked Nancy.
"Actually, I think I'd like to stay up to read," Nancy replied.
Carolyn stopped herself from turning the bedside lamp off. "Reading it is."
After an hour of reading, Carolyn looked over to Nancy who was deeply invested in her book and showed a serious expression on her face. Carolyn giggled.
"What is it?" Nancy asked when she noticed Carolyn laughing to herself.
"I love you so much."
"I love you more."