Room 46 & Short Story Collection Page 10

  Audrey couldn’t explain what made her read the fluorescent green slip of paper, rather than dumping it straight in the recycling bin with the other white one.

  Do you feel lonely or empty? Don’t despair! There are always options available – any problem can be overcome. Please call Careline Counselling any time. We’re here to help.

  Stunned, Audrey stared at the piece of paper for a moment before slipping it in her pocket. Was this Martin’s doing? Had he somehow arranged things to guide her out of this pit she had fallen into? She knew how disappointed he would be if she threw in the towel now, just when she had the chance to live a bit.

  ‘Oh, Martin,’ Audrey murmured as she weeded her pansy bed that afternoon. ‘It’s just so awful here by myself. I’d really just rather come and join you.’

  Sitting down in her armchair after dinner, Audrey fiddled with the pamphlet, curling and uncurling the edges. How could some stranger possibly help her? Nobody else could begin to understand just how devastating her loss was, could they?

  Glancing at Martin’s photo she sighed then picked up the phone and dialled.

  The voice that answered was warm and compassionate. ‘Hello Careline Counselling, my name is Olivia and I’m here to help.’

  Audrey paused, debating whether to say something or just hang up. Her problems seemed insignificant compared to what other people went through. Maybe this was just for really desperate cases and she shouldn’t be wasting their time.

  Her finger was hovering, ready to disconnect when Olivia’s voice came through again. ‘Please speak to me. You’ve come this far, just tell me what’s on your mind.’

  ‘Well, I … uh …’ To Audrey’s surprise she began to sob. ‘I’m s-s-sorry—’

  ‘Don’t be sorry, let the tears out. I can wait as long as you need me to.’

  With Olivia’s gentle prompting Audrey eventually told her story and her recent decision that the world wouldn’t miss her if she went.

  ‘Oh Audrey, of course that’s not true. You’re just a bit hidden away at the moment. Once we get you back out there you’ll feel differently.’

  ‘Well I don’t know…’ Audrey replied. ‘There just doesn’t seem much point.’

  ‘Can you promise me six weeks? Can you stick around that long?’

  ‘I don’t know Olivia, I just can’t imagine ever feeling happy again. Why wait?’

  ‘Well, it’s just about summer, the nicest time of year. Think about all those nice long evenings and beautiful sunrises. Not to mention the cricket and the tennis.’

  ‘Oh yes, I’ve always been a sports fan. Martin used to play cricket every Saturday, down in the park here.’

  ‘There you go! Please Audrey, do it for me? I’ve just connected with you tonight and I’d miss you if you went.’ Olivia’s voice was full of life.

  The kind words made Audrey teary again. ‘I suppose I could.’

  ‘Of course you can. Now, I know this is anonymous so I can’t ask your address, but if I give you a delivery code you can go to your local post office and pick up a little parcel I’ll send.’

  ‘What kind of parcel? I’m really not sure…’

  ‘I’ve been doing this work a long time Audrey and over the years I’ve put together a bit of a program designed to help people find themselves again. It’s nothing that’s ever been published or proven, but over the years people have told me it has helped them. Will you please look at it if I send it out to you?’

  Despite herself Audrey’s curiosity was piqued. ‘Yes I promise.’

  ‘That’s the spirit. Now where is your closest post office?’

  Audrey couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation as she ate breakfast two days later. She hadn’t been anywhere except the supermarket for weeks. Since her neighbour Joan had moved to Melbourne to live with her daughter and two other couples she’d been friends with had sold up to the developer who was building townhouses on their house lots, life in Audrey’s street was very quiet. There were no more coffee mornings, and no more sharing lifts to the Sunny Seniors group she and Martin had been part of. Having never learnt to drive Audrey didn’t like to be a burden to anyone and ask them to take her.

  It was only a short walk to the post office and despite her apathy Audrey was entranced by the beautiful late spring day. The azure sky and balmy breeze were like a tonic to her weary spirit. It wasn’t busy in the post office and the young woman who served her seemed happy to chat as she located the small parcel and handed it to Audrey.

  ‘Parcels are such fun aren’t they? There’s always the delicious hope that there might be something exciting inside.’

  ‘Yes, you’re so right,’ Audrey agreed. ‘I have the feeling this one might be quite exciting indeed.’

  Audrey examined the thick yellow A4 envelope when she got home. Although the return address had been blacked out with permanent marker, holding it up to the light Audrey could still read that it came from South East University, which was just a few streets away. That gave her some confidence. If the counselling service was run by the university then the people they had working there must be qualified in some way.

  Opening the envelope, she found a series of smaller envelopes and an accompanying letter which read:

  Open a new envelope at the beginning of each week. Open them in order, don’t skip ahead and read them all to start with. It works best if you just follow the instructions.

  Keen to get started on the program Audrey ripped open the first envelope. The small piece of paper read:

  Even if you find the days long and have nothing to fill them, don’t succumb to sleeping your time away. Set the alarm, get up and make your bed (to avoid the temptation to get back in), shower and dress yourself like you have somewhere to go and something to do even if you don’t.

  The sting of disappointment hit Audrey when she finished reading. She turned the page over and looked inside the small envelope to see if she had missed something. But there was nothing else.

  Audrey sighed wearily. She already did these things every day. Always awake by six o’clock without any need for an alarm, Audrey’s bed was made within minutes of her getting out of it. And she never sat down to breakfast without having her shower and getting dressed. It was a habit her mother had drummed into her.

  Swallowing back tears Audrey sat down in her armchair and stared up at the ceiling. Why had she let herself get excited about something? It was always so hard to live with the disappointment afterwards.

  Picking up a gardening magazine, Audrey flipped through it listlessly before examining the large envelope again. It had said not to read through all the instructions without completing the previous assignment. It hadn’t said you couldn’t skip ahead if you already did what it suggested.

  A small frisson of energy surged as Audrey picked up envelope #2. Inside was another small piece of paper that read:

  Your task this week is to do at least one anonymous kind deed each day. There is no limit on how small or extravagant the deed can be – just do what you are able to.

  Filled with purpose, Audrey got up off the recliner and went into the kitchen for a pen and paper. Sitting down at the table she began to write a list.

  Given that she was up and organised so early each day, Audrey found herself getting impatient when she had to wait around for several hours before she could undertake her kind deed.

  On Monday she baked a casserole and some scones for the harassed looking single mother across the street. Although the food was packed and ready to deliver by half past nine, Audrey had to wait until almost noon before the woman left the house. Feeling like a criminal and sure she looked very suspicious, Audrey managed to drop the items on the front door step without being seen.

  On Tuesday she took the washing off the line and ironed it for the young bachelor who lived next door. They had a nodding acquaintance and he had mentioned once how he often left his washing on the line for days and never got around to ironing it until the last minute. She had planned to
fetch it as soon as he left for work, but a quick shower of rain meant she had to wait two hours for it to get dry.

  On Wednesday she bought a stack of current magazines and slipped them in the mailbox of the student share house at the end of the street.

  On Thursday she paid a taxi driver to deliver a box of handmade chocolates to Martin’s niece Amelia, who had always been very kind to her.

  On Friday she went into the busy café three streets away, chose table number fourteen at random and went up to the counter and paid for their morning tea.

  Over the weekend she wrote donation cheques for three charities then spent the afternoons tidying the garden beds around the tiny community hall up near the shopping centre.

  • • • • •

  Although there was technically no reason why she couldn’t open the next envelope before the appointed day, Audrey chose to wait and do things by the book.

  The next note was written on the same lined paper and was similarly short and to the point. Her task for the following week was to finish two uncompleted household projects. Audrey immediately started sorting out her photo albums and as she worked contentedly while listening to talkback radio, she wondered why it had taken the words of a virtual stranger to give her the motivation to do something she could have done anytime over the past six months.

  She mentioned it to Olivia that evening. Audrey had fallen into the habit of ringing her every second night, just to check in.

  ‘You know Audrey, you can only do your best with what’s in front of you. When you’re grieving, you just don’t think the same way. Life loses all its colour. Isn’t it great that you’re feeling enough like your old self to want to get the albums finished?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose,’ Audrey agreed. ‘But now I’m wondering why I’m bothering. Who will ever see them? I felt so good today, but now, well…’ she sighed uncertainly.

  ‘Now, now Audrey. Remember, we talked about how the evenings are the worst? Don’t undo all the good by getting maudlin. Have a Tim Tam and find something funny to watch on TV. Didn’t you tell me you’re a huge Fawlty Towers fan?’

  ‘Yes, I think it’s my all-time favourite show.’

  ‘Right, it’s on in fifteen minutes. Promise me you’ll watch it and laugh yourself silly.’

  ‘All right, I will.’

  Her second task was doing up the spare room. She and Martin had rarely had people to stay, but she had always like the idea of a proper guest room. I could get some new curtains, she thought, and a new bedspread. It’s such a lovely, sunny room and it looks right into the garden. Full of enthusiasm, she headed to the bus stop.

  • • • • •

  Eager to open the next envelope and discover its contents, Audrey made a little celebration of it. Preparing a cup of tea in her best china and a slice of the decadent carrot cake she had treated herself to at the bakery, she made herself comfortable in her recliner before ceremonially slitting the envelope open. Taking the single sheet of paper, her heart lurched when she read the short paragraph.

  Have a five minute conversation with somebody every day (not including yours truly). It must go beyond the basic pleasantries. Engage the other person and take a genuine interest in what they are saying.

  Audrey wasn’t sure how to go about meeting new people. She felt she was at an age where it was difficult to make friends. Everyone was already in their little cliques and probably weren’t interested in letting an outsider in. A genuinely shy person at heart, Audrey had always been content to let Martin do the talking when they met someone new. Maybe I’ll just have to skip this step she decided.

  When she mentioned it that night, Olivia was surprisingly stern about not cheating the system.

  ‘Now come on Audrey, can you imagine what a dull old life it would be if there was an age limit on making new friends? Besides the instruction is not to make a new best friend, it is just to engage in pleasant conversation.’

  ‘I really wouldn’t know where to begin.’

  ‘Right, go to the library tomorrow and ask them about their computer classes.’

  ‘But I have no interest in learning about computers.’

  ‘There you go again Audrey, reading more into the instruction than you need to. I didn’t say you had to DO the classes, just ask about them.’

  ‘But I know nothing about computers. Won’t it seem put upon?’

  ‘Not if you’re asking about the classes because you want to learn. Admit you’re a complete novice, it will make for a much more interesting conversation.’

  Audrey was quickly learning that it was easier to do what Olivia suggested rather than argue the point. ‘Okay, okay I’ll do it.’

  After a tentative start, Audrey embraced the conversation challenge. The young woman in the post office became a favourite, as did the long-winded man in the corner shop. All Audrey had to do was mention the weather (the climate is changing, you mark my words!), the recent rise in council rates (daylight robbery!) or the youth of today (louts, the lot of them!) and she was guaranteed at least a ten minute exchange.

  She supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised when Olivia upped the ante mid challenge. ‘That’s the way Audrey, I’m so pleased to hear that conversation has become a daily habit. But I think you’re getting a bit comfortable with your regulars, so as well as talking to them you need to add a new person each day.’

  ‘Oh Olivia, I really don’t think…’

  ‘Audrey…’ Olivia began.

  ‘Fine,’ Audrey said.

  Although initially relieved when the conversation challenge was over, Audrey was also a little disappointed. Once she pushed herself out of her comfort zone, she had come to enjoy the daily exchanges. It only occurred to her on the last day that she could continue the practice and, of course, that was obviously Olivia’s plan in the first place.

  • • • • •

  So eager to discover what the next envelope contained, Audrey was awake at 4.30 am on the following Monday. Snapping on her bedside light she donned her reading glasses and slid the envelope open with the emery board she kept near her bed. The first thing she noticed was the size of the page, it was A4 rather than the small, notebook sized ones she had become used to. The second thing was the Woolworths Gift Card taped to the outside of the paper. Intrigued, Audrey unfolded the note and read the text, her eyes widening as she did so.

  Welcome to Audrey’s restaurant! When was the last time you treated yourself to your favourite meal? How often do you just go for the easy option of beans on toast just because it’s too much trouble to cook for one? Your challenge this week is to treat every evening meal like a fine dining experience. Prepare a menu, buy your ingredients and celebrate your food every night. Include dessert if you like! Please use the enclosed Woolworths Gift Card to offset the extra costs.

  As an extra challenge you can deliver an extra portion of each favourite meal to the City Homeless Shelter the following morning. Ring them for instructions.

  Shaking her head Audrey chuckled. She didn’t know where Olivia got her ideas, but she had certainly hit the nail on the head. Cooking had been one of the few activities that Audrey was capable of when she was ill and for her it had truly been one of life’s great pleasures. It was also one of the few things she had been able to do for Martin. Yet she hadn’t cooked anything more imaginative than meat and three veg for the past year. Reaching for the pen on her bedside table she turned the piece of paper over and starting writing.

  Normally reserved and softly spoken, Audrey couldn’t contain the excitement in her voice when she spoke to Olivia a few nights later. ‘The homeless shelter are so thrilled to get my meals,’ she said enthusiastically. ‘I had no idea one small gesture could mean so much. Besides it’s so much nicer to cook for somebody besides yourself. They’ve asked me to volunteer in the kitchen a couple of times a week.’

  ‘And will you?’ Olivia asked.

  ‘Well, yes I think I will,’ Audrey replied.

  ‘So, does that
mean you’re going to stick around?’

  ‘Yes Olivia, I think I might.’

  * * * * *

  Unlike the previous weeks where she had rushed to tear open that weeks’ envelope, Audrey was reluctant to open the final one. Sipping her tea at the kitchen table, she turned the envelope over in her hands, pondering why she just didn’t rip it open. I don’t want it to end, Audrey realised. These envelopes and the tasks within have made such a difference to my life and I hate the idea of going back to the way I was.

  Setting the final instruction aside, she went outside to work on her garden. All those years she was ill, Audrey had been the gardening director while Martin had done all the physical labour. She had often apologised to him for having to work so hard while she sat and watched, but he had always assured her it was good honest labour. Now since she was able to do the work herself she realised he was right. There was something almost primal about having your hands in the soil as well as pruning and weeding. Even the simple act of watering the flowers was a pleasure, especially on a beautiful morning like today.

  Audrey noticed the teenage girl as she turned into the street. Tall and willowy, she had the kind of figure many women would kill for. Dressed in a denim skirt and a white singlet, she wore bright pink thongs on her feet and was carrying a book satchel. She must be a student, Audrey realised. Her street used to be a bit of a thoroughfare to the nearby university, as there was a bus stop right on the corner and the budget conscious students knew it was almost a dollar cheaper to get off two stops early and walk the last kilometre. But then the council had changed the zones, so it was only worthwhile to get off early for those coming a fair distance.