A Call from James

♧

Down the road, it led to a path of narrowed houses where each of these houses were filled with hidden stories inside. The neighbours were one of the earthly jewels of her girlhood years. It left her with a feeling of wistful times, and there was still an ache of longing for cherished memories.

Lena remembered the night when she strolled with James on his seventeenth birthday. It was the same exact area where she met him and his grandmother. It felt so sweet walking along the same path, smiling at the recollection. Not alone since there were others passing by. Now the thought of him in her mind made her realize something.

In these couple of months, she didn't receive any letters from him. No mails. No news. No calls. Nothing. How was he doing so far? The man whom she had been waiting for years. She wondered if at some point he was trying to forget about her.

Then, for a fleeting moment, Lena stopped herself when another music drifted her conscious mind. Listening to the familiar sound of it suddenly captured her ears. It brought her there where she then spotted an old man on the bench. From where he sat, there were crutches laid beside him.

The old man was playing the violin, "Take me Home, Country Roads" and it was no wonder why she recognized the familiar piece. It was the same song Lena had taught to her lovely students. The street musician barely earned sufficient money that day. So when she approached him, Lena grabbed her purse at once and gave him a tip where it was placed upon the white thinned cloth.

A warm grin tucked at the old gentleman's lips while he was still playing. Lena remained there until he no longer could play anymore. Unexpectedly when he put the bow aside, the old man squinted at her and remarked in a whimsical tone, "Mark you, I thought you were Julia for a second." It got to her impression that he was someone else who lived here around the block. A stream of curiosity flowed in her mind. "That's my mother's name. You know her?"

"Of course! I've known your mom ever since she was a little girl. She was an old chum of mine. The minute I saw you while I was playing, I knew you were one of her daughters."

"How can you tell?"

For once, he looked amused at this question, and so he waved her off.

"Come on now, I see you everyday outside of the balcony." He answered quite bluntly, rubbing against his weak wrinkled arm. "With the little girl."

"My little sister." she wanted to add.

"Yea, ain't she a small version of Julia? Everything about the child looks very much the same picture like your mother. Her rich hues of brown hair and the shape of her little form," The image was still in the back of the old gentleman's mind. "Not to mention she's got your mother's face more than I'd expected. Even my weak eyesight could see."

"What do you know more about her?" Lena persisted, sitting beside him this time.

"I know your mom used to be an opera singer. There are several incidents I can never forget even as an old chap as I am. Your mom's got a mighty heart. She paid off my mortgage once, paid my son's college tuition, and gave me this old violin. I never thought of replacing it because if I did, then I'll be throwing the object your mother had given me. The woman who helped me endure the face of trials," he proceeded with a certain sigh of melancholy.

"During the summer in the late sixties, I was going through a phase of grief after the loss of my wife who died from a stroke. Not a lot of folks were able to help us during our hard times, and they've got their own problems with them which I can understand. I mean sure they did visit, but your mother was more considerate than any of 'em. A woman with a heart like hers never failed to bring light in the dark. Julia was about twenty years of age. Very young to be financially independent. She was like a daughter to me, always supporting us through thick and thin."

It was the first time she heard this story from anyone, and finally, it kindled her spirit. In spite of his ragged clothes, Lena wanted to know more about this old gentleman. She wanted to know his name, his background and where he came from.

Who's this man? How am I not aware of his existence all these years?

"It seems as if you two were very close," Lena observed after her thoughts of solemn curiosities flew away. "I've always known my mother would leave something good in this world. It was just hidden anonymously. I wonder if there are more good deeds she has left behind."

As the wind rocked chillingly yet tranquilly in a tang of perfume sea, a cluster of white doves flew past them beyond the sky.

"Well, it wouldn't be surprising if she did," He replied when he stared up at the angelic doves above. He shifted back at her when the doves flew off from the billowing clouds. "Seeing you here brings me back the memories of your mother and I. She may not possess beauty in her, but she was the epitome of what a woman should be. Kind, selfless, patient, strong, you name it." He said and his eyes flashed in radiance, very admiringly.

"What do you think she was like when you first met her?"

"When I met Julia she was still about twelve. We met each other at the amusement park. I was a professional photographer at the time and was hired to take pictures for the wedded couple who were on their honeymoon. They'd given me an hour to take a break, so I had time to find a decent meal for myself. While I was on my way for lunch, I saw children selling, though I felt strange because they were little kids," he held his breath for a while. "Among them, I remember your mother was the first kid I ever saw who didn't look like her age. I noticed she was small, dressed plainly, looked pale, and mighty thin. Wondered if she was lost, and so I approached her if she needed help. Julia was a very shy girl, didn't say a word to me until one of her friends had to come up and explain that she was part of the children who were selling." there was a prolonged silence, and the old man lowered his voice.

"Not long did I realize I'd found out she was an orphan."

Lena had listened to his little story without any interruption until she asked, "She was under foster care was she?"

He nodded his head. "Yes. My neighbour, Mrs. Plummy adopted her a year later."

Three minutes had passed, and the old gentleman struggled himself to get up from the bench. "It's getting dark. I reckon its better for us to go home soon." But fell back after he was having a little trouble balancing his frail legs. The pain stung his joints excruciatingly. "By George, this rheumatism in me had been here for ages!" he grumbled as the shooting pain on his knee worsened.

Alert by his growl, Lena immediately got up from her seat. "Oh, here I'll get it." And having said this, she grabbed the crutches for him.

"Many thanks," he returned in a raspy voice, taking the crutches and adjusted it under his arms. "I'd been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was in my late thirties. Jolly right?"

"It must be very annoying for you."

"It really is. But never in my wildest dreams, it'll affect my career. I have to stop working because of it. But I get used to it willy-nilly and get active as much as possible. Music is all I have left and it's been part of a great deal in my life." he rose to his feet and straightened his stiff back. "Do you live nearby, young lady?" he inquired.

"Just around the corner over there. Not far from here." Lena answered, seeing the old gentleman clearly in discomfort, she was debating whether or not she should help and escort the old man.

"I'm pleased to see you face to face. We should talk more often."

"Yes, we should." By the time she watched him plodded from behind, a sheepish smile crawled upon her lips when she called over him and said, "Sir, I-I didn't get your name yet." She was expecting a chuckle or a laugh from him.

But when the old gentleman turned, there was no hint of amusement in his expression. He speculated that this would happen eventually and so he gave her his name. "Walter Hemison. Folks here call me Walt."

"Did we get any mail letters today?" asked Lena breathlessly once she arrived at home, and was hastening to put her shoes on the rack.

"You're late," Serena sprang up from the sofa and it caused a fit of papers and pencil in her hand to fall, ignoring her sister's question. "See, look at the time!" her little finger pointed the clock on the wall.

"I waited for you for so long. Now we can't play dolls anymore." The freckled little girl grunted and crossed her squishy arms.

"We can. How about tomorrow? I met someone today that's why I came here late. It's sort of a long story, I'll tell everything about it to you after dinner—" her green emerald eyes wandered about the room. "By the way, where's dad?"

"He's upstairs."

"Alright. Can you help me set the table, little sister?"

"I already did, Lena. I prepared everything, including the plates and drinks way before you're even here. Just look!" Serena declared and dragged her sister into the dining room. "Please, won't you tell me if it's neat?"

"My, my," Lena paused for a moment just to look at the meticulous details her little sister did. It was a pleasant surprise to see the table was neatly set before her. The plates, the mugs, the kettle, serviettes, and a basket of flowers were tidied.

"You're such a dear. I didn't expect this," She bent over and kissed the fat, chubby cheeks in a sisterly affection. "I'd say you did a pretty good job." and reached out at one of the flowers as she held it in her hand. "Where did you get this?"

"I got these flowers in Ever- Flora."

"Ever-Flora?"

"Ever-Flora," Serena repeated, nodding her silken head at once. "It's in the fields. Remember the time when we went up the hill?"

"I think so. Were you alone when you picked these flowers?"

"Nope! I brought Axel with me."

Lena knitted her thick brow. "Did you ask dad's permission?"

"Nope." She shook her head brazenly.

"Now that's wrong. You know there are consequences, Serena. If neither of us knew where you were, you could be...Oh, God knows where." Lena said and could not bear the thought of her little sister's face on all the papers if she went missing.

The girl read her sister's mind. "You or dog Axel can search me." She replied tersely.

"But that's the thing, little sis. I don't want that to happen. I told you. We do live in a small town but it doesn't mean you don't ask an adult's consent. You are still a minor."

"But I am here now with Axel!" Serena cried, dodging her sister's rebuke lectures.

"Argh," Lena let out a frustrated groan. "I can't believe I have to repeat myself, Serena. One last time, don't do it again." She warned her with a sharp look. Serena straightened herself and lifted her pointy finger.

"Pinky promise." In a determined air this time.

Finally, once the trouble was over, Lena bundled her mousy brown hair in a bun. "I want to give a reward to you, Serena. Only if you will help me wash the dishes and clean up the tables after we finish supper."

"Oh! What's the reward?" Serena's strands of mahogany hair fell sideways now.

A triumphant smile spread across Lena's face. "The reward is you'll eat both meals tonight. Imagine the portion of it. You'll eat two bowls of creamy chicken soup. I won't have to eat mine."

"Really?" Serena piped up, marvelling at the idea. "Okay, deal then."

"Good girl. Now I'll have to prepare the ingredients soon."

With that, Lena darted to the kitchen and began her preparation for the small feast. When she was gone, Serena heard the telephone rang which bounced a perfectly loud echo in the room. Serena flew across with her speedy little feet, swooped up to answer the phone and held it up against the side of her ear.

"Hello? Can you hear me?" It was a masculine voice on the end of the line.

"Who is this?" Serena's tone became light.

"Hey, Serena. Is that you?"

A sudden gasp caught her throat when she realized who the voice belonged to.

"Mr. Allan!"

"Yes! That's me. How are you doing, kid?" She could tell he was smiling behind the phone. "Are you doing all right with dog Axel?"

"We are getting along just great! It's so good to meet you again! Dog Axel howls sometimes during midnight. I think because he misses you. When are you going back?"

"I'll be coming back next week. I'm bringing my old-time buddies with me. That's why I wanted to call on you guys. Is your sister with you?"

"She's in the kitchen right now."

"That's good. I was glad you picked up the call and not her. Because I've got a very special surprise. But you have to promise not to tell your sister. Hey, we'll keep it as a secret, alright?" he whispered while Serena could hear his breathing sound.

And so, at this moment in time, the little girl promised in a solemn vow and sealed her lips unless those lips betrayed her once she could not handle the restrain. Her ear was still attached on the phone, and was intently listening to the scheme he had been planning for a while. Serena would have to keep this a secret from her family for a week.

So, a week it was and it was not long for her to keep it hidden until he arrived.