Dale was on edge as soon as he saw the number displayed on the phone. He considered just letting it ring, but his wife Donna was watching so he took the call.
He shuddered as he hung up.
“She’s coming,” Dale said.
Ever since she’d heard about their father’s stroke, Dale’s sister Margaret had been threatening to fly in from Ottawa.
“Oh dear,” Donna said.
It had been more than two years since Margaret’s last trip home to Saskatchewan. On that trip, Margaret and her partner Richard had packed up in the middle of the night and left the Hanson farm. “Richard’s allergies,” Margaret had explained as they headed for Ed’s condo in town.
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“This time, let’s book them a hotel room,” Donna said. “Your dad’s place isn’t that big, and Margaret hasn’t even met Helen.”
When Donna had told Margaret over the phone about Ed’s girlfriend Helen, Margaret had asked, “Why would he need a girlfriend at his age?” Then, “Is she a gold digger? Is she after the farm?”
“Margaret wants to stay here at the farm,” Dale said. “Richard’s not coming, so we don’t have to worry about his allergies.”
“Oh,” Donna said.
“Margaret’s been researching stroke recovery,” Dale sighed. “She wants to make sure our ‘small town doctors’ are doing things right.”
“Oh,” Donna repeated.
On Tuesday, Donna was dispatched to the airport to meet Margaret’s flight.
Dale claimed to be too busy to go. “I’ve got a seed customer coming this afternoon.” Donna knew their son Jeff was in the yard, and the Hansons’ new hired man, Mark, had already learned enough to deal with one customer, but she didn’t argue. Dale was already stressed.
By the time she’d greeted Margaret at the airport and driven to Weyburn, Donna was tired. She’d been fielding medical questions since Margaret rode down the escalator.
But in the porch at Ed’s condo, Margaret paused.
“Maybe now’s not a good time,” she said.
“I know this is hard,” Donna said. “But you’ve come this far. Let’s go in.”
Margaret was shocked at the post-stroke state of her father.
“I wish you’d told me how awful he looks,” she accused Donna on the drive to the farm.
“I’m sorry,” Donna said. “He’s improved so much since it first happened, we think he looks good now.”
“And why is that Helen woman letting Dad eat at that café? Patients have to be careful about nutrition.”
Donna smiled. Even in a weakened state, Ed would hate being called a “patient.” And Donna, Dale and Helen had all been thrilled when Ed was able to get back to the café for toast, coffee and gossip with his friends. It was a recovery milestone.
Margaret was quiet until they were about to turn into the Hanson farm lane.
“That’s Jeff’s new house?” Margaret asked.
“Yes,” Donna answered. “I like these modern styles.”
“I’ll never understand why he built new, instead of fixing up the old place.”
Donna didn’t answer, not wanting to point out that the house Margaret and Dale had grown up in had been poorly built. Jeff and Elaine had priced out renovating, then finally decided to build their own house, “since we’re going to live here for the next 40 years,” Jeff had explained.
“And what’s that? Another new shed?” Margaret pointed across the yard.
“We put that up in 2012. You must not have noticed it when you were here last,” Donna said.
Jeff and Elaine brought their two kids to Dale and Donna’s house for supper and a visit with Aunt Margaret. Margaret was pleased to see her grandniece and nephew. “Connor’s gotten so big,” she said. “And this baby is just adorable.”
It wasn’t until after supper, when the kids had fled to the living room to find Donna’s toy stash, that things took a more serious turn.
“Dad’s not looking well,” Margaret said. “Should he really be living with that woman?”
“He’s not back to normal,” Dale said, “but he doesn’t need a nursing home.”
“I didn’t say anything about a home,” Margaret said. “I just wonder why he isn’t living here.”
“He’s better in town,” Dale said. “He can walk around the block. Get to the doctor. And Helen wouldn’t be happy here with us.”
“I’m not sure what this Helen woman has to do with it. I just want him to recover.”
“We all want that,” Dale started. “And you’re never here…”
Donna interrupted.
“It’s late. And with the time change, Margaret, you’re probably ready to turn in.”
The next morning Margaret picked up Ed and Helen and drove to the doctor’s office.
In the waiting room, Margaret saw a man she’d gone to high school with. “Margaret?” he said. “Is that you? Haven’t seen you in years. Bad news about your dad. At least he has Helen and your brother to help him out. Must be a relief for you, having them here.”
Once the nurse called them in, Helen helped Ed down the hallway.
The doctor greeted Ed and Helen warmly, then turned to Margaret. “Who’s this?” he asked.
Helen explained, and the doctor said, “Dale and his wife have sure spent a lot of time here. You’re lucky to have such a supportive family.”
Margaret felt stung.
“Not to mention Helen,” the doctor continued.
Helen had pulled a list of questions and a pen out of her purse and was ready to get to business.
After the appointment Helen was helping Ed into the condo when one of Ed’s neighbours saw them on the sidewalk and hurried over.
“I was wondering if you’d have time to fly home see your dad,” he said to Margaret. “You can go back East knowing Ed’s in good hands. I don’t even know how many times I’ve seen Dale and Donna parked here. And Helen’s been wonderful.”
Once inside, Helen turned to Margaret. “Ed will want to have a nap, but maybe you could come in for coffee and a little chat. These aren’t the best circumstances to meet, but I am glad you’ve come.”
Almost three hours later, Margaret drove back to the farm.
“Thought you’d forgotten the way home,” Dale joked. “Everything go alright in town?”
“Yes,” Margaret said, “but, well, I wanted to tell you… I’m sorry I came here with so many questions, so worried about Dad. You and Donna have done a great job looking after him. And Helen, too… I wasn’t sure about her, but she seems… nice.”
“Thanks,” Dale said, taken aback. “Come on in. Did you have lunch? Donna’s made soup.”
“Good,” Margaret said. “Now we can talk about the farm. I need to know what’s going on with my quarter section. Are you seeding any genetically modified crops there?”
