Just as I was getting used to the daily routine of the farm, the meals, Inna’s and Husband-to-be’s idiosyncracies, Inna became ill with pneumonia one weekend, and was hospitalized.
I didn’t know this until the Monday because I didn’t work on the weekends, so I arrived on my bicycle as usual and entered the back door, then the kitchen, to find a strange silence. Ordinarily Inna would have the kettle on the Aga, bread in the toaster, and the radio on. I went into her bedroom to find the bed made but no Inna so I called her and searched the house – still no Inna.
So I ran over to the dairy with a feeling of absolute dread that maybe Inna had died. Husband wasn’t finished milking yet so he just called out gruffly that she was in hospital and could I please get the breakfast done. Later, when he came in with the two dairyhands, he apologized for his gruffness but said his mother was in a bad way and would probably be in hospital for a few days. He asked if I would continue to come and help every day and I said that was fine. By then I was adept at cooking the meals – well, more or less – I could do poached eggs, I could do a roast and I had finally mastered the salmon mornay.
It was a very peculiar week because, with Inna not around, Husband-to-be and I were sort of thrown together into a situation of proximity that was awkward and it was a couple of days before we relaxed into each other’s company and conversed in a way that wasn’t stilted. There was definitely a mutual attraction there but I didn’t recognize it as mutual; all I knew was my own crazy heartbeat every time Husband-to-be entered the kitchen or spoke to me.
Inna got better and came home on the Friday. The first thing she said to me, with a twinkle in her eye, was, “I hope you and my son haven’t been canoodling in my absence!” I blushed bright red as Husband-to-be went out to feed the calves.
jmgoyder 
I can almost picture this story in my mind… You are so lovely in this story, this is like a film dear Julie, you really should make this a book. Think of this seriously. I enjoy to read you always.. and every time I love you more. Thank you my amazing writer, especially in English how captures me. Because I love this language. Have a nice day dear Julie and HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY, love, nia
You too! Thanks for the encouragement about a book – I would love to!
Glad to read that Inna is alright… Take care of each other and have a great weekend! 🙂
This love story is set back in time and Inna died many years ago now. I am worried it is getting confusing – what do you think?
Oh it does read as if it is in the present. Maybe find a transition that would help the reader recognize the time frame… 🙂
I probably should copy/paste the love story into a different domain – not sure!
No, it is fine where it is… Maybe blockquote it? It’s fine really….
No – I think it is quite confusing, especially for newcomers so I am working on copy/pasting it into another blog – I’m sure there is a faster way but am doing it bit by bit. I really appreciate your feedback!
Ok 🙂
love it – write the book
Doing my best – hehe!
I second Ingrid’s thoughts! ~ Lynda
that had to be a strange feeling of carrying out the day with one major person missing. it would take a couple of days to get used to it, and then when you do, it is over, and now you go back to the routine.
It was strange all right!
as usual, well written. Inna sounds like she was quite the woman!
She certainly was!
Just like a man to bail when something awkward is happening. I am so enjoying walking this walk with you Jules. Its the most charming love story and I am smitten with Miss Inna. What a friend you had in her I am sure. I knind was sensing she knew something was a foot.
But canoodling? Never!
She was a wise old woman!
Great story, Julie.
Thank you so much Anneli!
I was the first (and my Mom) that said needs to be a book/screenplay. All so endearing — and now knowing the current challenges your family faces makes this history even more meaningful. It’s a beautiful story Julie. I am not having difficulty with the time-frame btw. A new blog may be good – but I think you can make a new category here called Love Story? Or even a drop-down Menu page at the top if your template allows that? The new blog might be easier for prospective publishers/producers to discover you!! 🙂
I’ve now categorized it as LOVE STORY, but will also try as you suggest – thank you Robyn!
Canoodling!!! Hahahahahaha! Don’t you love those old expressions?
Yes, and she said this kind of thing a lot!
Hmm. That Inna was quite clever, wasn’t she?
Definitely!
Haha, I bet Inna couldn’t wait to get home to deliver that line! Quite a funny lady she must have been.
She was such an amazing character!
Hahaha – that Inna was a wondeful and wise old soul. Have you been reading these chapters to Husband?
Once I have done the 20th little chapter, I am going to print it all out and read to Husband – he will love it! (I hope!)
Cute to hear of such a sense of humor – canoodling – that’s great!
She was rather mischevious!
. . . blossoming domesticity? Just sounds better than “canoodling”–hehe!
Blossoming domesticity – ha – I love it!
Really loving this story. It’s beautiful!
Great! Some bits are hard to write and some easy – that’s why I’m just doing it tidbit by tidbit!
Gotta love Inna!