Page 14 of Return to Cheshire Bay
“Fine. Let megrab a sweater.”
Hewaited, and afterflipping all lights off but the under the cabinet ones, wedescended over to the bonfire well under way.
“Hey,everyone, this is my neighbour, Lily.”
I heldmy breath as I scanned the faces one by one. Either they trulydidn’t know who I was,or they didn’t care. A wave of relief washed over me, and I stoodbeside an empty chair a guy opened as I approached.
“Goahead,” Eric said, pointing to the space, as he introduced hisbuddies. “This is Mitch and his girlfriend Cedar.” He walkedbehind them and squeezed theirshoulders. “Cedar works at the check-in gate at the airport and hasamazing knowledge about the area, so just ask if you needsomething. Mitch is the mechanic who services my plane. He’s alsothe baggage handler and all-around minion who just happens to be mybest friend.” A loving expression warmed his face.
Iglanced up to Eric.“Youhave your own plane?”
How cool wasthat?
Evenwith the glow from the flames, a new colour tinged his cheeks.“Don’t get too excited. It’s only a six-seater, twin-prop Cessna. And an older model toboot. That’s why I need a great mechanic like Mitchhere.”
“Still, that’spretty nifty.”
Cedarlaughed and tugged on one of her side braids. “Nifty. I like thatword. It should be used more often.”Her smile was infectious.
“Thisis Jesse,the local mortician.” Eric stepped another spot over to the lonegentleman. “He moved here a few years back and lives two doors awayfrom me, three from you.” He pointed down the beach.
“Oh,that way.” I laughed,only because I was the last house at the end of thelane.
It madeEric grin too. “Yeah.” He winkedat me and asked Jesse. “Is Jennacoming?”
“Nah.She’s not feeling well.” But he didn’t make eye contact andgrabbedfor a hot dogstick.
“Nexttime.”
“Maybe.”He squirmed in his chairand positioned the stick over the fire.
Ericmovedaround the growingbonfire to the other couple, the last of the group. “And this isWillow and her husband Arlo.”
“Do youwork at the airport too?” I askedsince Eric hadn’t volunteered anyinformation.
“Not atall.” Willow spoke first. “Arlo owns the bait and tackle shop onthe wharf, and I’m a midwife.”
Eric chuckled.“See, I told you it would be good for you to come.” He moved acamping chair closer to me.
“Amidwife?” I didn’t know what that was and looked around hoping someone would fill mein.
“I help womenbirth their babies.”
“Oh, like anobstetrician.” Which reminded me again to locate one, as I wasclose to needing a check up.
Shecrossed her legs andleaned forward. “Similar, but I help them birth in their homes.Birth doesn’t have to be a medical event, it’s a very natural partof life.”
“I agree.”
However,the idea of a homebirth didn’t appeal at all. It had to be messy,and all the new mother needed was to clean up after just given birth. No wonder I’dnever heard of her profession. It didn’t sound ideal atall.
“And shegives extensive prenatal care too,” her husband pipedup, the pride oozingthrough his words. “None of those thirty second appointments likeyou’d get with a doctor. Willow’s appointments take thirty minutesat least.”
I stared ather, trying to hide my curiosity. “How long does it take to stick afinger up my insides and tell me to come back in a month?”
Becausethat was all mydoctorback home did. Oh, and he added everything was textbook. Didn’tneed a thirty-minute appointment for that.
Shechuckled, a sweet melodic sound. “Oh, we don’t even do an internalexam unless we think its necessary. Mostly we talk. Discuss theemotional aspects, thephysical changes, and go over any questions you have. It’s really ano pressure visit.”