THE WIDOW SERIES- THE COTTAGE WEEKEND

 This story is just that. A story.

THE COTTAGE WEEKEND

 

As an early riser, she took her camera and her thermos of coffee for a quick walk along the shore until it blocked her to return to the cottage. Sunrise lake pictures were always loved by all.

 

The morning air was refreshing and helped with her pissed mood. How could I be so stupid? Lorraine reflected on the last few weeks.

 

George had been nice enough. Going to the Senior Centre had been a challenge. Usually more of a loner since Michael died, she needed to try something new. Some new social contacts.

Joining the Euchre group seemed innocent enough. She wanted an all ladies group but one was not available so she partnered innocently with George. A couples group. Looking back was it a set up. George needed a partner.

She did notice some of the women at the Centre becoming a little distant with her when it seemed George was giving her too much attention.

A few Wednesdays later, he invited her to coffee before heading home. Starbucks and a latte seemed okay. Then he did not have the exact change, could she pay and he would pay her back.

A phone call and an invite to breakfast the next day. Sunset Grill was a cheap easy meal. No change for the tip after he used his credit card. Sure what’s a couple of toonies.

Meet me at the park. So a walk along Mill Pond.

Let’s go to a movie. He suggested she buy her ticket in advance. Of course when they got there he had left his at home, could she cover him.

My invitation for him to come to dinner. Asked if he would bring the wine and dessert. He showed up with Timbits and a homemade wine he had in his fridge.

First time having sex after Michael died. George wanted to stay overnight. Sure. It seemed the adult thing to do.

After making breakfast and needing to load the dishwasher, George had to leave in a hurry as he had an appointment.

The next game at the Centre, had several people exchanging looks and were they exhibiting knowing eyes.

Lorraine only wanted some social time.

Now a coffee after the game and let’s go back to your place. What’s for dinner after some quick sex. It was a pattern for the month of April leading into May.

Then the big invitation. Would she want to come to the family cottage for the Long weekend. Victoria Day.  Could watch the fireworks across the lake. Knowing she loved photography, bring your camera.

Deciding what to pack. It was supposed to be warmer than normal for that time of May. By the third week, the lake may even be warm enough for a quick dip. So beach towels, soap, shampoo. The usual sweaters and clothes that could be layered for a Canadian Spring.

Sounded romantic enough. Or there did not need to be any romance. Just a chance for a change of scenery.

Hopefully George would stop having to talk about how lonely he had been since the death of his wife. How wonderful it was to have someone in his life to take care of him.

The red flag should have gone up. But Lorraine wanted to think she was special. She still had it, whatever it is supposed to be in your late 60s.

George gave her the instructions to the cottage. He had a last minute appointment and could not drive her. He was sorry to ask her but could she pick up a few things for the weekend. He texted her the list with the stipulation he would pay his share at the cottage.

The list seemed a bit much for two. Again a red flag should have gone up. She knew he had adult children with partners.

The Kawarthas had many lakes so finding Cameron Lake was not difficult with George’s instructions.

When she arrived she notice 3 other cars.

George came out to greet her. He wanted her to meet his children and their partners. So there would be 6 of them for the weekend and not 2.

Okay she thought. Guess it is doable.

He said he had to run for the phone as she lugged 5 bags of groceries and 1 bag of potatoes. She decided to buy a 5 pack of beer and not a case. 2 bottles of wine seemed enough.

George’s children- Derek and his girlfriend Ella looked her over. Then Bill and his girlfriend Carrie said hello.

Derek said “where is the case of beer?”

“ Excuse me” said Lorraine. “ I bought a 6 pack, I was not aware that George and I would have company.”

Derek smiled. Actually smirked. “ George always invites us too!!”

 George ended his phone call. “ I was going to help you with the stuff. Where is the case of beer?”

Lorraine simply said I chose a 6 pack and 2 bottles of wine.

Ella and Carrie said we will take those. Luckily for you Lorraine there is a LCBO 5 miles from here. It opens by 10 on Saturday.

George gave her a hug. “ Glad you could see our place. Do you want to fresh up with a nice bath before making dinner? If it is dirty, the cleaning products are under the sink!”

Everyone and was it just her imagination all looked at each other. Lorraine was shown her room with its unmade bed and inch thick dust on the dresser. She changed into sweats and headed to the washroom.

It was filthy. The tub had a disgusting ring around it. So she made an executive decision. She grabbed her towel and soap. Left the room. Found the group.

“I will freshen up with some cold lake water. I always swam in the lake even on cold days as a child. I guess your cleaning lady did not show up. The washroom is a disaster.”

Everyone seemed surprised with that response.

Lorraine found her way to the dock. She used several dips of wash cloth water and washed her face. She felt it to be rather hot. Was some anger showing?

Feeling better she returned to the cottage.

Derek asked what time dinner would be ready.

Lorraine looked at George.

“What are we having for dinner?”

George said you did bring steaks and potatoes and veggies like I asked.

Sure said Lorraine.

Then let me show you how to use our stove.

She popped the Apple pie to cook in the oven as well as 6 potatoes to bake.

Bill stated “ Carrie is a vegetarian so do not cook the potatoes near the steak.” Then he asked if Lorraine had bought some plant based food.

Lorraine said “ well ingredients for a salad. Who is making the salad?” She put the lettuce, tomato, onion, celery and cucumber on the counter. “ You all know where the bowls are so which one of you is going to make the salad. Carrie you are the vegetarian so maybe you?”

Then Lorraine knew when Carrie was casually answered.

“It’s my weekend off. George’s friends usually spoil all of us. It has been so hard since his wife died. She used to spoil us too.” Fluttering her eyes with helplessness.

“I will be only eating steak and a baked potato so whoever wants some salad can make their own.” Lorraine really wanted some salad but she could be as stubborn as that lot.

The ingredients sat there for the longest time then George started to make it. His children and partners played on their phones.

George told Lorraine the plates and the cutlery were over there so the table could be set.

Lorraine replied” Let’s do buffet style and everyone can plate up from the counter” as she set the plates, cutlery and cups on it! She quickly poured herself some white wine worried there would be none left for her.

Dinner was very quiet. No one really took any time to talk with her. They talked cryptingly. But she understood. They were angry with George with his new girlfriend selection.

Lorraine finished dinner second and rinsed her dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. She noticed no one else cleared their plates. Was she supposed to do it?

George went out for a smoke with his son Bill. When he returned and Lorraine had made herself a herbal tea with the tea she brought with a book under her arms to sit on the deck, he stated, “ Oh you did not clean up the kitchen?”

Lorraine said;” My spot and the pans. Come on George you did not bring me up here to wait on you and your children, did you?”

She brushed by him and stuck her nose in her book. She could hear talking but not the words. She knew they all were not very pleased at all with her. She felt like she was disciplining her children like when they were two.

The wine and beer were gone in no time. Again the inference to no case of beer and there was a LCBO not far away.

It seemed the usual cottage activities occurred- cards and games with the TV on constantly.

Strange. No invite for Lorraine to join the festivities and the dishes sat on the table as well as some in the sink.

Good thing she had her usual sleeping bag she used on trips with family and friends in the Car. She went and retrieved it. Being left out she went to the bedroom early to read some more. Putting the bag on top. She rolled her own towel as a pillow.

When George came to her room later, asking quietly if she was asleep, Lorraine feigned a few hefty snores and rolled on her stomach. George left the room.

Keeping her watch close by she looked at it several times during the night. She wanted to be up before dawn to get some lake pictures.  Finally it was 500 am. She quietly grabbed her bag, small suitcase and toiletries and went down to the dock. Brushed her teeth, washed her face and privates and put on clean underwear and top. She even peed in the bushes. The sweat pants would still do.

After putting her things in the car, she went very quietly back in the cottage and grabbed her food items from the fridge. She saw the request for breakfast and coffees from Tims on the counter with her name at the top to go out and get them. George had not paid her for the current groceries yet alone left money for breakfast. She left an envelope on the counter for George. She went to the car with her groceries and put them in, making sure the door was open slightly.

Grabbing her camera she popped off some early morning shots. The mist. The birds. Some reflections. The trees. She loved taking photos of trees. Then she remembered she had left her flip flops by the door.

She was taking them when Carrie was leaving the washroom after a morning pee.

“ You are up early Lorraine. Where are you going? Smiling! I bet to town to get us all Breakfast from Tims. I knew you would come through”.

Lorraine gave her a look and glanced over at the envelope on the counter addressed to George.

“ No Carrie I am not buying breakfast!!”

She almost ran to the car, started the engine and drove away. She knew the way back home and perhaps she could stop at a few spots for some more photos.

Just Saturday so she did not need to worry about the traffic.

The weekend was before her. She remembered her friend Carol was returning Sunday from her European Cruise. So maybe that was the plan to connect with her.

 

At her first stop for a photo op, she texted her card partners at the Senior Centre. Basically stating she was not coming back to the group. The activity was no longer for her.

She did not tell them she was not going back to the Centre.

She was not desperate for the activities nor their company nor George’s company. He could go back to one of the other women that have been giving her cut eye at their relationship for the last while.

But maybe Lorraine would buy breakfast at Tims. For her and some timbits for the grandchildren when they came over later next week. They freeze well.

Barbara Di Mambro

Copyright- February 2020

 The idea for this story came from the awareness of how some divorced or widowed men expect any woman to take care of them and their children.

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