The Birthday Lunch Read Free Page B

in Moncton picking up the Italian marble for the kitchen countertops.
    Hal whistles. “Italian marble.”
    “I know it’s pricey but Reg wants a top-notch kitchen because once we get going we plan to serve evening dinner year round.”
    “That should bring in the four-hundred crowd.”
    “The four-hundred crowd?”
    “That’s what Corrie Spears calls the old money, the people in town who have more than four hundred dollars to spend in a week.”
    At the mention of money, Sharon sets her coffee mug aside and taking an envelope from the drawer beneath the telephone, she counts out four one-hundred-dollar bills, cash the bank cannot get its hands on that will pay for tonight’s surprise dinner and the deluxe hotel room Hal has reserved for Lily and himself in Saint John.
    Because Lily is not always punctual, Laverne is relieved to hear her running a bath because it means she will be downstairs on time. In high spirits, she pours a glass of chilled Pouilly-Fuissé and toasts the portrait of the Dutch burgomeister on the wall. The likeness (the Van Dyke beard, the balding dome) between the portrait and Lucas Verduyn is remarkable, which is probably why she chose this particular reproduction and she will tell Lucas that in five weeks when she sees him in Amsterdam.
    Laverne has never told Lily about her friendship with Jan Pronk and Lucas Verduyn, platonic friendships to be sure and far safer than her crush on Thomas Kimble in Middle Musquodoboit, and years later her crush on Alan Harrington in Sussex. Unwilling to expose her vulnerability and poor judgement, Laverne has not told anyone about these infatuations, not even Lily who has never once confided in Laverne about her marriage. When the sisters left home for good—Laverne for teachers’ college and, three years later, Lily for nursing school—their father expected them to keep their private lives to themselves. Of course Lily has had Hal to confide in while Laverne has no wish to confide in anyone and considers herself stronger on that account.
    Laverne finishes the glass of wine and turns her attention to Lily’s birthday present, a painting she hopes her sister will like. It’s a view of the Kennebecasis River Valley as seen from Fox Hill where, before moving to the Old Steadman House, Lily and Hal were renting a derelict farm house. Laverne knows her painting is the work of an amateur, but Lily often admired the view of the river valley and Laverne hopes she will be pleased.
    Every year, Laverne faces the challenge of choosing a birthday gift her sister will actually use. Because Lily is a sometime birdwatcher, last year’s birthday gift was a book in which to record bird sightings. Although Lily showed some enthusiasm when she opened the gift, the last time Laverne checked the book there wasn’t a single bird sighting recorded, and if none are recorded by the end of the summer, Laverne will pass the book on to her friend Jessie, who has already put Lily’s unusedflower-drying kit to good use. Laverne cannot abide clutter or waste. If something isn’t being used, she has no qualms about giving it to someone who will put it to use. It isn’t a question of her sister being lazy. Lily does her own housework, tends the flowers in the front garden, makes pickles and jam, works three weeks a year for Dr. O’Donnell when his regular nurse is on vacation, and occasionally volunteers in the library. What irks Laverne is her sister’s independent streak, her stubborn refusal to take up a hobby she has not chosen herself. Even as a little girl Lily was balky and did what she wanted in her own good time. Fortunately this year’s birthday gift does not involve a hobby and will not require Lily to put it to good use; all that will be required of her is to hang the painting on a wall.
    Something is wrong with the Impala. For the sixth time Hal turns the ignition key and for the sixth time the only response is a click. During the four years he has owned the car, the