CHAPTER THIRTEEN – PUTNEY
There were so many questions that Edna wanted to put to Dwarg. She realized it was now impossible to ignore what Aggie was saying – her story (and that of Dwarg) was very plausible. No way would Aggie have known about the treasure chest that freaked Robert out. Edna was only a small kid when Pop used it as a threat. Everything about those incidents now made sense – poor Robert – what a cruel way of disciplining a child. No wonder Robert hated his father so much, he didn’t even cry at his funeral and never told anyone what was in the small mysterious box.
Mom was heartbroken when Robert left home as soon as he graduated high school, as was Edna. Dan, the youngest, took it all in his stride. Robert went off and became a pilot then joined the NASA and eventually became an astronaut and achieved world-wide fame. Mom’s funeral three years later was the only time that all the siblings were together again – now it was impossible. Thanks be, that we have Jade and Aggie to carry on after us, Edna thought.
What were those words?.. “Robert would not allow me to communicate with him” and Aggie said that Robert did not want to know anything about Dwarg, yet he still spent ten years inside him and obviously did bring some of Robert’s memories with him into Aggie. Edna’s probing questions could not have any other believable answer. ESP? – maybe – but Aggie was not acting like someone possessed or at all like a medium, no trances or theatrics, no convulsions or disorientation, certainly no hallucinogenic or stupefying substances. Perhaps, thought Edna, I am being like Robert and refusing to see what is in front of me – Aggie accepted Dwarg immediately – she was cured of cancer within the hour – is this really the truth? – she resolved to find out more. Was Dwarg a blessing or a threat? – The answer was paramount and she made this her resolution.
Dwarg had his own questions. He understood that something beyond his knowledge was within that Human and his paintings. In 1888, some unknown and mysterious Whisp had left a message on the painting called Starry Night on the Rhone. Dwarg decoded the message as information or a warning and he determined that the message was not directed at, or was for, Humans. Van Gogh’s later painting of The Starry Night shows a Swirl Chaos – perhaps that was the subsequent event forewarned. The question was - how did this Whisp know of Swirl Chaos some sixty-five Human years before the first one occurred? He had to divert his quest and his knowledge gathering, to ever more directions, and this, added with the delicate communications between him and a sometimes hostile Edna, put his now, in a high state of agitation.
Aggie, although a juvenile, had an amazing power over Dwarg, so much so that she knew the tolerances and boundaries of their pact – she indeed did have a power of veto – whether or not its exercise would kill her, is unknown. As far as Dwarg was concerned, he must remain within and continue his quest - this was for the sake of all Whisps and the Aura.
Normally Edna would pull into the “Big Smoke” of Brattleboro to stock up on groceries and have a chat with Ed at the supermarket.
Ed sold his famous Breakfast Baked Beans there and Edna would always leave with a carton of 12 bottles. She jokingly told him it cleansed her insides when she was constipated, but the truth was that she thought his baked beans were made in heaven. She even tried to replicate the recipe, but never came close to the wonderful taste of his beans. She worked out he must have added maple syrup, fern fronds, bacon and a secret sauce to come up with that lovely dish. If she was to be pressed for an answer to a truth or dare question about Ed, she would admit that she was just a little more interested in him than his baked beans.
Thoughts of Ed were not anywhere in her mind right now. She turned the truck off Highway 5 onto the road to Putney, drove directly through the town and onto Turner Trail, a dirt and gravel road, which led to the homestead – finally she was at the end of an epic trip of more than three thousand miles – and the pick-up had never missed a beat; she however, was quite worn out.
Lisa and Scott from next door watched the pick-up arrive and walked across the road to greet the weary couple. “Welcome home travellers from the Deep South – how did everything go?”
“Hi guys, we’re glad it’s over, no place like home. Aggie, this is Lisa and this is Scott – our neighbours. They’ve been looking after the place and the pups since I left.”
“Pleased to meet you, do I call you Lisa and Scott?” asked Aggie as she shook their hands.
“Whatever you like sweetie – up to you – it’s fine with us.”
“Do you have any children Lisa?”
“Well, no” she replied with a well managed smile looking at Scott, “we can’t have babies, but I do have a big Persian cat who keeps us busy and of course your two puppies, which Bangles will be pleased to see the back of. I’ve got them fenced in at the moment and I’ll bring them over when you all settle in. Wow didn’t you girls do some shopping? I’m sure you left with only a small suitcase Edna – just look at all that stuff and all those books – van Gogh? – Scott will give you a hand bringing it all in – by the way, I’ve beef stew on the cooker – are you guys hungry?”
“That sounds great Lisa, give us a few minutes to freshen up and we’ll be over directly – are you as hungry as I am Aggie?”
“Yep sure am and maybe we can bring the puppies back after we eat.”
Scott finished off-loading the bags, cartons and packets and placed them on a neat heap just inside the hallway entrance.
“Thanks for that Scott, we’ll see you shortly then.”
“Dar we go den” he said, then and walked off, hand in hand with Lisa back across the road.
The pleasant aroma of the stew wafted in the air. Lisa had also baked some fresh bread and rolls – Scott was concerned if there would be enough for him – he was a big guy, a mountain man born in the green mountains of Southern Vermont, and he was really hungry.
Lisa presented the food on blue, ceramic wicker designed plates and a basket of fresh rolls, still steaming. She passed the tureen of stew around the table, starting with Edna who scooped a ladle full onto her plate then one onto Aggie’s plate, Edna then passed the bowl to Lisa who seemed to be taking her time in scooping the stew for herself. Scott’s fixating stare followed the tureen around the table and Lisa’s slow-motion fairly taxed his urgent need for refuelling. At last he had the bowl and ladle. Lisa’s look reminded him of the requirement to use his manners and he managed to scoop one, and only one, ladle-full without spilling a drop of that precious life-sustaining brew. He delicately broke a bread roll, dipped a portion into the stew and just before his mouth opened; Aggie turned to him and asked, “What do you do for a living Scott?”
“Um...I’m a logger, I coot trees and sell the wode, got me own trook wit winch crane ‘n arm – ave a look thru window – a biggen eh?”
Aggie turned and looked through the window. “Why it’s quite a big rig Scott, it looks like an Autocar Michigan Special.”
Everyone looked amazed, “Ye got it in one, wee lass - she’s designed for eight feeters, crosswise.”
“So being a 94 Cummins, it would take about 22 cords?”
“Yea wee maam – your sure ken ye wheelees and lumber – want a job?” All laughed.
“Schooling first.” said Edna.
-oOo-
“Lisa, that was a delicious stew, it just hit the spot, and your bread rolls are out of this world.” Edna patted her stomach heartily.
Lisa turned to Aggie, “So Aggie, what do you think about settling down here with your Aunt?”
“I think I will be happy here, it’s such a lovely place and I love the mountains, the fresh air and the nice people. I can see why Aunt Edna doesn’t really care for the city life.”
“Why Aggie, you speak so eloquently. I’m pleased to hear you’re over all that horrible medical treatment and stuff.”
“Thank you Lisa, it’s such a shame that my daddy had to die just at that time. Yes, I miss him terribly but I know I have part of him in me, but with him and Aunt Edna – I’ll never
be sad or alone.” A few minutes of silence followed.
“Boy I’m glad I’m back in God’s own, and well away from the crazy rat race. That hospital in Miami is just unbelievable – they tried to keep Aggie there, even though they said she was a hundred percent OK – I had to really put it to them and they didn’t like my attitude or appreciated my telling them to kiss my burro.”
Scott had eaten as slowly as was humanly possible – and Lisa was proud of him.
“Lisa and Scott, thank you so much for looking after the pups, we’ll take them off your hands now and head off for a doubtful quiet night – the food was wonderful and we must have you over for dinner soon.”
“Glad to be of help Edna. Aggie it was a pleasure to meet you. Do you need a hand rounding up the dogs?... obviously not.” Aggie and Edna were already cuddling a puppy each. “Have you thought of names for them yet?”
“Not yet – I think I’ll give Aggie the honours of doing that.”
“Already have” said Aggie, “we can call the black one Moosbas and the white one Moolsem.” Edna was not going to ask Aggie the how or why of these names – she knew these Abernaki words and what they meant. By now, Edna was getting quite used to Aggie’s surprises and revelations.
Scott turned to Lisa as their neighbours left and crossed the road. “Lis, be that really a young wee lassie or wat?”
“Of course she is Scott, she’s been to hell and back with the cancer and her father passing away – maybe it’s affected her somehow, but what a lovely little girl – she’s sure to light up Edna’s life.”
“There’s still a wee dram of stew left if ye wee tummy can stretch a wee bit moor.”
“Watch yer cheeky tone, lass or I’ll stretch your’n tummy” – they cuddled their way back to the table – there was more eatings to be had. Ironically, and just before they returned to their home, Aggie told Edna that Lisa was with child.
“How wonderful,” replied Edna, “Aggie, you keep surprising me – I don’t want to know how you knew – but I’ve no doubt you’re right. It’s something Lisa and Scott always wanted but she said they had given up hope. We’d better not tell them just yet. Let’s leave that as our little secret.”