Whisper

62

I was about to say yes, when I remembered I had promised to play at Betty Maynard's birthday party. She was the oldest resident in Maynard's Rock and she was celebrating birthday number 100.

"I would love to, but I can't."

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She looked sad. "I understand."

She stared at her mug.

"I knew I would regret this."

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I sat down, quickly, nest to her and took her hand.

"No. No. No regret. I would love to go with you and in any other circumstance, I would."

.

"But?"

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"I made a promise to play at this wonderful old lady's 100th birthday tonight at Dove Hall. Actually I was going to ask you if you wanted to come."

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Evangeline shook her head.

"I have that photo shoot in Grand Falls. I have a contract."

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Why didn't anything ever work out for me?

"Do you have to be there tonight?"

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She thought for a moment. "I have a room booked and...."

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"I will pay for the room," I blurted out.

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She smiled. "I can't let you do that, Will."

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"No problem." I picked up my cell phone from the counter.

"What is the number of the hotel?"

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She got up from the table and put her cup on the counter. She then took mine and put it there too.

"I have to go."

She took my hand and started walking down the hall.

"But I still have a couple hours to kill."

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I heard Whisper giggling.

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Three hours later I was giving Eva a kiss at the veranda.

"I will see you tomorrow afternoon?"

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I kissed her again. "I will be there."

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We made plans for me to drive out in the morning and spend a couple days together in central Newfoundland. I hadn't told Whisper yet, but I felt she would be ok with it.

I watched her as she got in the car. I could see her get her keys out of her purse, but she sat motionless in the car.

Finally she got out and walked toward me, a puzzled look on her face.

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I asked her what was wrong.

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"I know you wanted me to stay, but this."

She held up her car key. It was bent like a fishing hook.

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"What the hell?"