Maxine's Tea

As she watched Maxine drive away Susan muttered to herself. ‘why can’t she just once have a Coke, mixed drink, or some juice. Why does it always have to be, “I’ll just have tea, dear.”

Frustrated she slammed the frying pan on the stove, added some salt, and threw the ground venison into the pan. After a minute she realized she hadn’t turned the heat on for the burner.

Grabbing a large spoon she angrily cut up and stirred the meat.

She planned to make lasagna with the venison, their first time to eat it.

“Mom, can I have a cookie?” Her first grade son, Matt, was home. Getting him situated with a couple of cookies and a glass of milk she went to check on her napping daughter, Marilee.

Marilee was just walking up and Susan picked her up and held her until she was fully awake. Then, in the kitchen, she got her cookies and milk and seated her at the table with Matt.

She’d forgotten to get the noodles cooking so she got that started and sprayed the pan she’d make the lasagna in.

‘I’m not usually so disorganized,’ she thought. “Got to get Maxine off my mind.’

She did some research online while the kids played a game on the table.

‘Interesting,’ was her only comment.

With the lasagna finally assembled and in the oven, she got out the pan to heat up the green beans then went back to the computer.

“Susie? I’m home.” Roger was headed toward her so she shut the computer down and stood up to receive his loving embrace.

Dinner was good. No one noticed anything about the meat.

The next morning she dropped Matt at his school and took Marilee to her nursery school.

Then she headed to the chemical store that, according to the internet, would have what she was interested in. She used a fake name and address and paid with cash. At home, she hid her purchase back in the corner under the sink.

Getting out the vacuum she cleaned and then swept until the house looked good. With two loads of laundry washed and dried she folded and put everything away.

With a fresh batch of cookies cooling on the counter, ready for her little ones when they got home from school and up from a nap.

She’d picked up Marilee, fed her and got her down for her nap.

Back on the computer she did some more research.

When Roger got home she had dinner ready. It was going to be a nice evening as the babysitter was coming and they were going to a country music concert. Who? She didn’t remember or care.

Once home they went to bed to cuddle and make love. What a great day!

In the morning she started her preparations for Maxine’s visit today. She had decided to change her tactics and welcome her with open arms. After all, she was now a widow, many of her friends had moved away or died and her kids lived several states away. No wonder she was lonely and frequented Susan’s home. It wouldn’t hurt to be nicer to her.

Two days later she repeated the tea party and even joined Maxine in a cup of tea. She’d made fresh peanut butter cookies and they had a nice visit. Once Maxine really started talking, and Susan actually started listening, it was easy to see that Maxine had known Susan’s mother very well and they had truly been good friends.

“I remember how pretty you looked, Susan, when you and Roger went to the prom your senior year. Roger looked pretty good, too, and you made a beautiful couple.”

“We had a lovely time at the prom that year. I’d gone the year before with someone else and it hadn’t been nearly as much fun.”

“Yes. I believe that was James, wasn’t it?”

“I think you’re right. Hadn’t thought of him in ages. Wonder what he’s doing.”

“I saw his mother the other day and she said he was living in Iowa and was farming corn.”

“Really? Not something I’d have connected with him. Hope he’s happy.”

“Yes. He’s married and they have a set of twin boys.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As she watched Maxine drive away she marveled at the information the old lady retained in her head. Not just about the next door neighbors but the whole neighborhood. Very interesting.

When Roger came home she told him how well the tea with Maxine had gone.

“Well, you don’t seem as upset as you were sometimes after one of her visits.”

“I got to thinking how hard everything is for her. Friends and neighbors have moved away or died. Her kids live a long way from her and don’t get back for visits very often. She’s got to be really lonely.”

“I’m sure you are right. How old is she, do you know?’

“I think about the same age as my mom would be.”

“Your mom was a lot older than you though, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, the folks got me when they were in their forties. So Mom would be nearly 80.”

“Wow. No wonder you’re so spoiled.” and Roger ducked as Susan swung her arm at him.

“Something else, Rog, She remembers when we went to Seniot Prom.”

“What’d she say about that?”

“Just how great we both looked and what a beautiful couple we were.”

“Shows she has good taste.”

“yeah.”

Susan pulled away and went to check on their dinner. The kids were playing together but it was pretty quiet so she wanted to see what was going on with them. She found them on the floor playing with a game they both liked. Dinner seemed to be fine and would be ready to eat in about half an hour.

“Susie?”

“Yeah, Rog?”

“Are you okay. You had the strangest look on your face.”

“Oh, I”m fine. Just thinking.”

“About Maxine?”

“Yes, in a way. Just wondering what it really is like to be that old and alone. It seems like regardless of what you accomplish in your younger days you still end up like her.”

“But not everyone ends up like her. Lots of older people live in apartment buildings with many others there as well. They get together with one another and play cards, go shopping, or just visiting.”

“I guess. Wonder why she doesn’t do that?”

“if she owns her home it’s cheaper to live there than to relocate I would guess.”

“Doesn’t sound very hopeful. No wonder everyone dreads getting old.”

“Well, I think you and I will grow old together so we’ll be just fine.”

“I hope so, Rog. I truly hope so.”

She walked over to the cupboards and took the dishes out for the supper table. Once she had the table set she went to get the kids, helped them wash their hands and brought them out for dinner.

Roger got the milk out and poured each of the kids a glass full.

Susan brought the casserole she’d cooked and set it on the table. On a hot pad she’d made in her craft class.

The next couple of weeks went about the same as this last one. Maxine was there for tea twice each week and Susan made her welcome. Each time she told Roger about a visit she was upbeat and smiling.

But inside she wondered if she was actually starting to believe her own lies. She had certainly convinced her family and friends that she had a great relationship with Maxine. But had she convinced herself?

The next Tuesday was Maxine’s birthday so she had invited a couple of neighbors who knew Maxine to come for tea.

Maxine arrived first. “Oh, Susan! You even decorated a cake for my birthday. How can I ever thank you?”

Giving her a warm hug, Susan replied, “No need. Glad to do it for you.”

Grace, who lived right next door, was the next to ring the doorbell.

“Come in, Grace! So happy you could join us in celebrating Maxine’s birthday.“ Walking Grace over to where Maxine was sitting, Susan smiled.

“Maxine, you remember Grace, of course.”

“Yes, indeed. How kind of you to come to my little party.”

Leaving them to chat Susan saw out the window that the other lady who was invited was just turning up the walk so she started toward the door.

“Good morning, Iva, pleased that you were able to help Maxine celebrate her birthday.”

“You know, Susan, I’ve known Maxine for over forty years and I still don’t know how old she is.”

“I asked her this morning and she only said she was older than the moon, which wasn’t very helpful.”

“Well, I say we ask her again when we’re all together.”

Susan laughed. “Worth a try.”

Once Iva found a seat at the table the ladies had quite a time visiting and laughing and remembering. Susan left them to their memories and went into the kitchen to make the tea. She already had little plates and forks on the table. She’d purchased little napkins with flowers on and placed them on the table as well. It all looked very festive.

“Ok, ladies, are you ready for some cake and tea?”

“Oh, yes!” they all chimed in.

Susan set the tea pot on it’s hot pad and took out the knife to cut the cake. Once they each had a slice on their plates she poured the tea and joined them at the table. Looking around the table she was very aware of the smile on each face. It seemed they were enjoying the conversation along with the tea and cake.

“Susan, this is all so good!” exclaimed Iva. The others joined in and agreed.

“More tea, ladies?” She poured each a little more tea. “Oh, I’ve run out. I’ll just put another pot to steep. Won’t take long.”

The water was soon boiling and she added the tea leaves, bagged of course. She poured part of it in a waiting large measuring cup and set it aside. Reaching under the sink she added the special ingredient for Maxine.

“Okay, ladies. I’m back. Iva, dd you get the answer to your question?”

While they were all watching Iva, Susan poured more tea in Maxine’s cup.

“That’s right. Maxine, now here in front of all of us, how old are you, anyway?”

Maxine smiled. “I’ll never tell.”

“No. We don’t accept that, do we girls?”

Grace smiled. “Okay, I’ll start. I’m 84.”

“Wow, you look great for 84! Well, I’m 82 but I’ll be 83 in a few weeks.” Iva added. “So, out with it! How old are you?”

Slowly Maxine nodded her head. “Ok. You all told so I will, too. I’m 86 today.”

As they all chatted some more about their ages and birthdays Susan quietly made her way to the kitchen and poured the tea down the drain. She rinsed the pot out thoroughly and then poured the saved tea into it. She had already removed the arsenic from under the sink and cleaned that whole shelf off.

Re entering the dining room to offer more tea and cake she noticed that Maxine was sort of slumped over.

“Susan, I think Maxine is falling asleep on us.” Iva said with a question in her voice. “Do you think she’s okay?”

Susan went to Maxine and checked for a pulse.

“Her pulse is quite weak. I’ll call the ambulance.”

Both the other ladies nodded in agreement.

Susan turned the porch light on even though it was mid day. It might help the driver find the address easier. Leaving Iva and Grace to watch for the ambulance she went to the kitchen and put the cups and plates in the dishwasher. It was portable so she rolled it up to the sink, hooked it up, plugged it in and started it.

“Here it is!” shouted the ladies. “it’s turning into your driveway right now.”

As the attendants exited the vehicle Susan flung the door open. “Right in here. Hurry!”

The attendant who reached Maxine first could find no signs of life at all. “I’m sorry, ladies, but I believe your friend has died.”

“Oh, no!” Both ladies had tears coursing down their faces. Susan managed to squeeze out a few tears but had mixed feelings inside. Maxine had about driven her crazy but should she have done this?

The End