Cherry Two

Part 29

Chapter 27

As Robert and Calley talked, a laden Seattle car ferry slipped from the main terminal and plowed across Puget Sound, headed for Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Peninsular. After docking, a silver-grey sedan drove north, then west, not stopping until it reached the outskirts of Port Angeles where the female driver asked directions and made an entry into her GPS.

***

After making the bed, Ina pulled back the drape and looked out from the partially open upstairs bedroom window, across a stand of poplars, to the gleaming white sheds that would soon multiply and encroach, signaling an end to their adopted rural lifestyle.

The two story rented farmhouse stood on land once owned by the Bensons. They'd been forced to sell to pay back taxes and now the new owners let the elderly couple live on the property at a reduced rent until ongoing plans to convert the land to dairy cattle production had been completed. It wouldn't be long before their living space transformed from acres and became mere square feet. Already Ina had made enquires at a cramped retirement apartment in town they could barely afford, but at least Joe would not have to cope with the mounting pain of climbing stairs.

Despite all things cruel, Joseph and Ina were looking forward to the celebrations. Joe's ability to move around decayed by the week, but he seemed determined to hobble a dance with his lady at least one more time.

Ina had been Joe's nurse during these recent times. She took care to stay in perfect health and assumed the patriarchal role without complaint. A loyal Cuban woman who had stood by her husband and only child, despite being unable to deliver more siblings the way Catholic-reared Joe would have wanted. During a difficult childbirth under barbaric conditions, Jobyna had almost killed her mother and ended any chance of an extended family.

Ina reflected on turning seventy in only a day's time. An elaborate party had been arranged at the veteran's club located in the heart of town. Most everyone in Port Angeles knew them these days. Their circle of friends had never stopped growing since they'd turned up out of the blue from California with their pregnant daughter almost a quarter century earlier. Even now the townsfolk knew very little of their past history.

Because of the intervening twenty years in the salmon-rearing business, a good third of the well-wishers would arrive on the Victoria ferry. Joe Benson built up a sizeable Canadian clientele and knew all the fish hatcheries along the Vancouver Island east coast, from Nanaimo to Campbell River.

But those good times were over. Accepting retirement had been difficult for her seventy-two year-old husband. With knee joints all but useless, his advanced osteoarthritis had spread to his pelvis and lower spine and the minimal medical insurance barely covered the cost of medications, let alone treatment and therapy. Since diagnosis, eight years ago, their savings had dwindled to the point of depletion and a wheelchair now loomed on the horizon. Only the monthly disability check kept them afloat and paid the rent. Celebrations to the contrary, their future had never seemed less bright.

She sighed and went to close the sash window when an unrecognized silver-grey car turned into the long driveway.

"Joe," Ina called down the staircase. "Car coming. Are we expecting anyone this morning?"

Even small amounts of activity hurt, so Joe economized and did minimal moving about. A hollering reply would have to suffice. "Not that I know of," he yelled back. "We late with any bills?"

Ina reappeared in the parlor doorway holding a wad of folded towels, on route to the utility room. "Don't think so. You stay put, I'll get it." The final trace of a Hispanic accent had almost faded.