In the morning, she was gone once more. The blanket flattened as if nobody was ever under it. I stood at the door, breathing in the tangy smell of flora, looking in without much of a purpose. Though I knew by now she was not a ghost, I wondered how she got her knack for seemingly disappearing. There was no way she knew how to make a bed.
I went downstairs. As tempted as I was to take a peek in the backyard, I decided against it, not wanting to draw her attention. I wanted her to go away for the moment. To clear my mind for Sunday tea. Living this solitary, secluded life out in the woods had its joys, yet this was a day I always looked forward to. A lazy summer afternoon, under the shade, enjoying a meal with whom I considered to be a sibling. It was an activity we sort of fell into after Father unexpectedly passed away. Jane stopped by to check in with me on a regular basis, like a mother sparrow taking care of its baby chicks. Soon enough, we fell into a rhythm.
Jane arrived a quarter before noontime dressed in a green tea gown, her hair pulled back with a straw bonnet tied to her chin by a sky blue ribbon. As per usual, she skipped the front door and knocked in the back.
“Yoo hoo! Elisa!”
I slid the glass door open, smiling. “Good afternoon, Jane! Fancy sitting inside or outside today?”
“Outside, if that’s all right with you.”
She carried a picnic basket which she set down on the table. As she bent to sweep her chair, I dipped back to bring out the cutlery and the bread. She was patiently sat when I returned, setting out the dishes.
“I’ll say, how do you keep these chairs so clean when they sit outside all the time?”
“They are always covered by the awning. I hardly ever retract it.”
“Still, the ones out back at mine sit under an umbrella all year and they’re always building up mould or whatnot.” She gave the solid wood chairs a good stare, getting her face close to the ornament carvings throughout the arm of the chair and the back, almost as if she were sniffing them. “Must be because they’re expensive, isn’t it?”
I laughed. “Expensive or not, they will still get filthy. The awning covers the entire deck, so they’re well protected.”
“Very true, very. I suppose my dinky little umbrella doesn’t offer that much protection.”
I settled down in my chair, drawing the teapot towards me. Looking across, I saw Jane sitting up, the basket in front of her, her face beaming, practically ready to jump out. I entertained her eagerness as I opened my tin box.
“What’s in the basket?”
“Oh,” acting as if she just realised it was there, “A treat I brought for today!”
I took out a tea bag and set it in the pot. “What’s the occasion?”
“Need there be one?” she giggled. Opening the lid, she took out her little surprise. It was a tray of sweet treats; two strawberry fruit tarts and a small sponge cake, beautifully brown and dusted with sugar. They were a pleasant surprise.
“Wow, those look splendid!”
“Prepared by yours truly! Just for the two of us!”
“You spoil me,” I teased. She did have quite a sweet tooth.
She heartily laughed. “I’ll take pride in that!”