The Blue Peacock

The Blue Peacock

A Short Story

By Kathy Hayes

Beulah was dining at The Blue Peacock.  She and Sam loved this restaurant.  There were so many memories there.

“Sam, what are you having? I am thinking about the filet.”

The picturesque small resort town, Oaks On The Lake, was in rural Appalachia.  Oaks was a small community of 1200.  The business and homes were located all around the ten acre lake.  The small village catered to the year around tourists and the wealthy men and women who had built their vacation cottages, or sometimes, mini mansions around the lake.  There was abundant sporting and activities in the small town.

“Ransom, that old lady is talking to herself.”

Ransom looked over at Beulah.

“Vella, you talk to yourself all the time.”

“Not in a conversational tone, no I don’t.  This is different.”

Vella and Ransom were spending the week at Ransom’s father’s house at The Oaks.  Ransom’s father inherited the large mini mansion from his grandfather.  Ransom and Vella’s friends, 14 of them, were planning a week of sun and water activities: skiing, tennis, jet skis, swimming and relaxation were on tap.  Vella had a list of things that needed to be done before guests started arriving.  Vella and Ransom were dining at The Blue Peacock to talk over what needed to be done before their guests arrived.

“Jasper already opened the house up and removed all the sheets.  The house is clean and airing out with the windows open. Deedee stocked the refrigerator and freezer.  Her cousin Mandy has agreed to cook.  Tomorrow, you and Jasper need to get the boats on the water.”

Ransom was not listening to Vella.  She always took care of opening up the house, and Ransom just pretended to listen and wait for his instructions.  

Vella, always organized, kept everything running and their weeks at the cottage with their friends were legendary.  Ransom brought Vella here when they were dating and she fell in love with the house and the community.  Folks that lived at The Oaks were sometimes standoffish with the weekenders and summer crowds, but Vella had charmed them with her wholesome good looks and friendly, empathetic personality.  The locals loved Vella.  This ensured that Vella and Ransom always got the choice picks of meats and produce.  All the young boys that live at Oaks On The Lake were in love with Vella.  They all called her Miss Vella.

“Sam, do you remember when you first brought me here on our honeymoon?  We fell in love with The Oaks the moment we saw the lake.”

Vella paused over her list and listened. Again, she looked at the table.  Only the old woman at the table, sitting alone.

Beulah continued. “Remember how Emily loved the water?  We brought her here with us on our tenth anniversary.  She was only two, but she could swim like a little fish with her life jacket on.”

Vella turned back to her list. “I think several of the tennis rackets need to be re-strung.  I will get the Haney boy to take care of that.  We need a new croquet set.  Can you take care of that? Filler’s Hardware has them in stock.”

“You are right, Vella, that old lady is carrying on a conversation and no one is there.”

“Remember the year we lost little Ian? You brought me here for an entire summer while you commuted to work. This place healed me. Emily and I swam and baked the pain out of us.  You always know what I need.  I love you so much.”

 As Beulah nibbled at her salad, she continued her conversation.

“I think our twentieth anniversary here was the best.  We brought all three children and let them each bring a friend.  Do you remember how wild that week was?  Alex and his friend left in the dead of night and took a sailboat without permission. We didn’t even know they were gone until the next morning and when we realized what happened, we had to get the lake patrol to find them.”

“Yes, I know how stressful it was, but it sure supplied some stories for later.  Doesn’t it amaze you how the stores get exaggerated over time?  Our children sure are storytellers.”

“Emily, Alex and Anna will all be here tomorrow.  They love you very much and would not miss your special day.”

Vella had abandoned her list and was listening to the one sided conversation.

“Oh Ransom, I am afraid this little old lady might need help.  She is alone. Do you think anyone else is aware?”

“Vella, I don’t think we should involve ourselves.”

Vella’s eyes went wide.  “How can you say that?  What if that was your grandmother or your mother?”

The server brought Beulah her main course. “The filet here was always my favorite, while you prefer lamb chops.”

“I wish our little Ian was here with us this week.  I know after all these years, that is just silly, but I have never stopped missing him.  It has been hard going through this life without him, and I know Emily feels his absence as acutely as I do.”

Vella and Ransom were eating their salads as they both listened to the conversation at Beulah’s table.

 “I shouldn’t have the sugar and butter on this potato, but after all, this is a celebration.  Have you decided on a place yet or are you keeping that a secret?  You always loved a secret, but I am afraid you must tell me soon.”

Vella should complete her list. Her guests were arriving tomorrow evening, but she could no longer concentrate. Vella was thinking they should call a doctor or someone to check out this old lady.  By this time Ransom was also concerned.  This was not just a case of talking to oneself.

Beulah paused over her meal and looked across her table. “I don’t want you to go, Sam, but I know you must.  It will be so lonely, but I hesitate to inform the children or grandchildren, lest I end up with a guest in my home.  They have their own lives to live.  I am so glad we passed down the joy of The Oaks to them.  They love it here almost as much as I do.  Cabin number 6 has held so many happy memories for us. Alex’s conception happened here in cabin number 6.”

The server came over and cleared Beulah’s plates and asked if she wanted her usual dessert.  She said yes and instructed him to bring two plates and two forks.

When the server brought Beulah the chocolate lava cake and coffee, Vella said, “Ransom, let’s try to join her for dessert.”

“I am not finished eating.”

“You are now handsome,” Vella said.

Ransom rolled his eyes, but he followed Vella’s lead.  They picked up their wine glasses and went over to Beulah’s table.  

“Hello.  We noticed you are dining all alone.  Could we join you for coffee?”

Beulah looked at the young couple and gave them a smile.  They were so young with their whole lives ahead of them.  They were just beginning to have hopes and dreams.  Beulah could not help but envy them just a little, but she would not change a thing in her life.  

“Yes, my dear.  That would be lovely.  Please sit.”

Vella and Ransom took the seats on either side of the old lady.

“My name is Beulah Reed, and this is my husband, Sam.”

Vella and Ransom turned their gaze to the seat opposite Beulah and noticed that it held an ornate urn. 

Vella looked at Ransom, her expression filled with sorrow and the trademark empathy in her eyes.  

“I am so sorry, Beulah.  Are we intruding on a private moment?”

“I had over fifty years of private moments with my Sam, and will no doubt have many more.  I am so happy you joined us.”

Ransom reached out and clasp Beulah’s hand in his and Vella did the same.  They sat together, clasping hands for several minutes.  Vella motioned the server over and said, “Bob, could you bring Ransom and I the chocolate lava cake with two plates and forks?”

The three sat in silence, eating their lava cake and drinking coffee. 

“Beulah, do you want to tell us about it?”

“There is nothing to tell.  Sam lived a long, happy life.  We were married fifty-two years and many people do not get those years.  Sam had a massive heart attack and died on the spot.  He always hoped he would die that way.  We raised three beautiful children and lost an infant, Ian, along the way.  We had many years together.  Happy times and hard times.  The things that make up a life, the things we rejoice in as well as the things we must endure.”

Vella thought about this for a long time.  She and Ransom had only been married for two years.  Were they taking things for granted?

“Beulah, how do you stay so positive?  How do you live a happy, long life like you and Sam shared?  Is there a secret ingredient?”

Beulah looked from one to the other and said, “You have been listening to me and I have been listening to you.  You have the secret ingredient. Love, but so much more. United in everything you do. Even mundane tasks like going over a guest list.  Solve problems together and face each day as it comes.  Losing an infant child and pulling together instead of apart.  You must not blame each other when tragedies happen.  You must cling to your love for comfort.  It is the realization that your baby girl is seventeen and has become sexually active and getting her the protection she needs to avoid mistakes.  Loving your children, no matter what, and guiding them through the difficult teens.  Hoping and praying every day that you can help them make the best choices.  It is facing your husband going through retirement when he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself and telling him you watch soap operas from one to three each afternoon and he has to find something else to do.  It is the joy and sadness of being empty nesters and learning to ramble around a too large house.  So many things.  The joy of a new puppy for the children or the joy of a new puppy for yourself when the children leave.  The joy of paying off your mortgage, knowing it is all yours.  It is all the decisions made daily.  Even when you can’t afford it, taking your children on vacations.  The knowledge that the traditions that you have made for your family will continue with their own families.  Watching your children carry out the traditions you shared with them and telling their children how mom did it.  The satisfaction when your daughter calls you for a special recipe, or advice on a sick child.  That, my friends, is the recipe for a successful marriage.”

Vella again grasped Beulah’s hand and gave it a little squeeze.  Vella and Beulah had tears in their eyes, not yet spilling over.  To her surprise, Vella noticed Ransom was also teary.

“Beulah, that was so beautiful and good advice.  Ransom and I will remember this conversation and live every day, whatever it brings.”

“My children and grandchildren will be here tomorrow.  I know you have plans, but if you would like to accompany us to tell Sam goodbye, Jasper is taking us out on a pontoon at sunset. The only thing Sam asked for was to be scattered in The Oaks.”

Ransom reached for Beulah’s hand and said, “It is an honor to be included.”

Vella, always the perfect hostess, said, “Beulah, Mandy is preparing a buffet for us at our house.  My friends will be there and we would love to host you and your family.  We were going to do a buffet tomorrow night anyway, so it will be no trouble whatsoever.  We will turn it into a celebration for Sam.”

“That would be lovely, and I know Sam appreciates it.  I accept on behalf of my family.  There are a lot of them, so prepare yourself.  I have three children with spouses, and thirteen grandchildren.  We are a crowd all by ourselves.”

“Not a problem,” Ransom said.  “Vella is legendary for her buffet suppers.  We enjoy the leftovers for days.”

The mood lightened, and the conversation changed to other subjects as they got to know each other.  Beulah looked at her watch and said, “Goodness, is it ten o’clock?  I must retire now.  I have a big day ahead.  

Vella and Ransom walked Beulah to cabin number 6 and waited until she was inside.  They continued on the lake path, heading toward their house.  Lights from the homes and vacation homes surrounding the lake, sparkling on the surface of the lake like twinkling stars.   The air was crisp.  

Vella took a deep breath, stopped and turned to Ransom.

“I love you.  I do not want one day to pass without saying that to you.”

Ransom took her in his arms, buried his face in her hair, and smelled the jasmine that she used.

“We are so lucky Vella, let’s not waste a single day of our lives.”