As they made their way to the third shop, they ran into Caden, who was out with Butterscotch.
‘Scotchie!’ Dania immediately ran to give the dog a big hug, and he licked her face in response.
‘Good day, ladies,’ Caden said, tipping his hat to them. He was walking with a stick and was dressed in a beige waistcoat and trousers. ‘You are out in full force today.’
‘We are ladies on a mission,’ Kiri replied, holding up her small basket full of fliers. Sonya did the same.
‘We’re spreading news about the grand reopening of Bunto’sshop this Saturday,’ Sonya said. ‘You are, of course, coming, aren’t you?’ She handed him a flier, and he smiled.
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ Caden said, glancing at the flyer. ‘Ooh, tea!’ He looked up at Kiri, eyes warm. ‘Can I expect your famous scones?’
‘You’ll just have to wait and see,’ Kiri replied with a coy smile.
‘Of course. Can I help you spread the word?’ Caden asked. ‘I’m free for the rest of the day.’
‘Excellent idea!’ Sonya said. Once again she sensed he was quite keen on Kiri and wanted them to spend some more time together. ‘You and Grandma Kiri can pair off, and Dania and I can.’
Kiri furrowed her brow at Sonya. ‘You don’t know your way around yet, Sonya. I don’t want you to get lost.’
‘I’ll have Dania with me,’ Sonya replied, ‘and I am getting better with my directions.’
Dania only knew the way from the market to the cottage, so, in the end, Sonya paired up with Kiri, while Caden went with Dania and Butterscotch.
Despite her failed attempt to bring Kiri and Caden together, Sonya was glad to have some alone time with Kiri, who told her about the different places and who lived there and their history and relationships.
Sonya was learning that some of the very best stories were the ones that were real.
‘This is where my husband and I lived,’ Kiri said, pointing out a cottage as they walked past. Smoke rose from the chimney, and Sonya heard the laughter of children from inside. ‘We had a good life together here, and I’m glad the new owners seem to be having a good life as well.’
‘Do you still miss him?’ Sonya asked.
Kiri nodded, tucking a loose strand of gray hair behind her ear.‘Every day, but in a quiet way. I don’t notice unless I put my attention to it, like breathing.’
‘What was he like?’ Sonya asked. Kiri had an entire life full of stories. The woman smiled at Sonya’s curiosity, not put off by it, and she told Sonya how she and her husband met: how he courted her, how they married, and then the mundane, everyday stories that came after that. It was clear that there had been so much love, so much joy.
Sonya was happy to hear Kiri recount those years. And while she was happy, she was also a bit sad. She wished her father and brothers would speak of Sonya’s mother in such a manner.
She knew death was sad and painful, but wasn’t it better like this? To remember the love and the joy, too? Then the pain was just a reminder of how deeply you had loved the one who had passed. And there was joy in that, as well. To love was a privilege.
Kiri noticed Sonya had gone quiet, and she slowed her pace. ‘What is it?’
Sonya bit her lower lip. ‘I’m glad you can speak of your husband, that you can remember him. I wish I could do the same for my mother, but my father never spoke of her. I know so little about her.’
Kiri sighed. ‘Everyone deals with grief in their own way, but I can see how that is frustrating for you. You deserve to know about your mother. Lord knows if we’d had children, I’d want them to know about their father, no matter how painful it was.’
They continued handing out fliers, then met back up with Caden and Dania.
‘Come back to my place for refreshments,’ Caden said. ‘Dania has worked up an appetite.’
Dania pouted, whining. ‘I hungry!’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Kiri replied, unsure.
‘Come on,’ Caden said. ‘I want to show Sonya the pastures, and I know Dania wants to see the sheep, who miss her so very much.’
At the mention of sheep, Dania’s whining intensified. ‘Please, Gramma!’ she cried, tugging on Kiri’s skirt. ‘Please!’
‘Alright, alright,’ Kiri relented, and together, they all walked to Caden’s place.
