The End of an Era

          Lori stood at the kitchen sink, washing the day's load of dishes. Looking out the window, she kept her eye on her seven year old son and his friends as they played on the swings and jungle gym. As she was rinsing the last batch, her telephone, on the wall, rang. Taking her eyes off the boys for a minute, she went to answer it.

         "Hello."

         "Lori, this is Mrs. Palmer. How are you doing today?"

          Mrs. Doris Palmer was an eighty-one year old lady that Lori had known all her life. In elementary school, she would always go to Mrs. Palmer's for sugar cookies and tea. She would feed and care for her cocker spaniel, Goldie. When Lori was thirteen, Goldie passed away. Her death affected both females heavily. It was three years before Doris had the courage to get another cocker spaniel. Oreo was still her constant companion.

         "Oh, I'm fine, but always busy. Is there something I can do for you? Is there something you need?"

         "The reason I'm calling you dear is to ask you a question. Are you free Saturday all day?"

         Lori spied the calender that sat on the wall next to the phone. Looking at the date, she noticed that Robbie had a ball game and her husband, Mike, was coaching that day. Looking back outside to see what the boys were doing, she went back to the conversation.

         "It seems that I have Saturday free. What do you have planned, if you don't mind me asking?"

         "Well dear, I have an adventure planned for us, if you are up to it. Would you like to know what it is?"

          Intrigued and having her curiosity piqued, Lori wanted to hear more. "So tell me more about this adventure, Mrs. Palmer."

          "The first thing we would do is have a nice breakfast here at my home. After that, I'm going to take us to 'Connie's Costumes' and we are going to rent two costumes that will make us look like well-to-do ladies from the late 1800's. After that, we will go to "The Book Shelf ' for a quiet time reading the classics and listening to a presentation by a new poet in town. The reason for the costumes is because that is the period that is being covered. Have you ever been to ' The Book Shelf '?"

         "No, I have not been there. I've always wanted to visit. It sounds like it will be a very interesting experience."

         "Well then, it's a date. I will pick you up at 8:00 on Saturday. Have a nice day, dear."

         "You too, Mrs. Palmer. I'm looking forward to this now. Take care."

         Lori looked back at the yard and noticed that Robbie and his friends disappeared. Worried, she opened the back door and called his name. Relieved, he quickly answered back .

          It's time for you to come in and do your homwork. Tell Micheal and Darrin you'll see them later."

         "Okay, Mom. I'll be in in a minute."

          Just as she closed the door, she heard the front door open. Her husband, Mike, was coming home from work. He took off his coat and laid his briefcase on the chair. Loosening his tie, he looked worn and drained. Giving him a hug, Lori began to tell him about her impending adventure. Mike looked at her in amazement.

         "Why are you giving me that look, Mike?"

         "Mrs. Palmer is a very eccentric woman. She is very weird to me. She still drives, but, at her age, should be staying home. I don't want you spending time with her."

         "You barely know her, and I've known her all my life. As a matter of fact, you not wanting to know her is your choice. I've already talked with her and we will be spending the day together on Saturday when you are at the field with Robbie and the ball team. "

          Standing her ground with her demanding husband, Lori walked back into Robbie's room to see if he doing his homework. Giving him a kiss on the head, she softly closed his door and went back to the living room. Mike had left the room to change clothes, so she sat and waited. After her husband's return, Lori rose to go to her closet and put an outfit together for her weekend outing.

          Three days passed and it was now Saturday morning. Lori rose early, showered and dressed. While she was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for Robbie and Mike, she heard one of them stirring. By the sound of the door, it was Mike she heard. She was not in the mood for a repeat of earlier in the week.

          Sitting at the table, Mike looked at his wife in disbelief. As she put the plate of fried eggs, crisp bacon, and rye toast in front of him, he began eating it without a word. As she poured a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice, she sat at the table and waited for Robbie.

         "Are you going to give me the silent treatment?"

         Looking at her, Mike stuffed another forkful of eggs in his mouth. Taking a drink of coffee and a sip of juice, he rose and left the room. As he was leaving, Robbie passed him in the hall. Dressed in his uniform, Robbie went to take a bowl and a glass out of the cabinet. Then he took an open box of Captain Crunch and sat down to start eating.

         Lori looked at her watch and realized that Doris would be arriving soon. Just as she was putting some things away, there was a knock at the door. Mike went to answer it and was surprised at who he encountered.

          Not ever meeting her husband, Doris asked if Lori was available. She introduced herself to Mike and extended her hand in friendship. Not accepting the friendship, Mike showed her to the living room.

          Lori heard Doris and Mike and walked in the living room to greet her. As she put on her coat, she kissed Robbie and said good bye to Mike. She wished Robbie good luck with his game, and left.

          Twenty minutes later the women arrived at Mrs. Palmer's home. Greeting them was Oreo. Thinking she had a playmate, she was ecstatic to see Lori. Removing their wraps, the women entered the dining room and sat down to a sumptuous breakfast. After eating and chatting for what seemed to be a day, but was only an hour, the women readied themselves for a day that would be enjoyable for both.

          Connie's Costumes was an interesting place. The choices varied for both adults as well as children. It took the women an hour to choose, try on, and display their outfits. They were to be returned later that day.

         The next stop of the adventure is the main point of interest, 'The Book Shelf '. Lori was in awe of what she was seeing. The building used to be a colonial home that was turned into a gathering area where local, as well as, national authors could come to promote their latest works and patrons could read, write, or just listen to a classic tale at their leisure.

          Doris found two empty wing back chairs near the fireplace and sat down. The weight of her costume was draining her energy. Lori looked at her with worried eyes. She wondered if this day was too much for her.

         "Are you ok, Mrs. Palmer?"

         "I'm fine dear. This costume is really something. It's a wonder how women got things done back then."

          After the poet's presentation concluded, Lori thought it best that they leave and return the costumes. She needed to get Doris home. She did not look well, and Lori was frightened. Once they returned the costumes, Doris seemed to feel her energy returning. She was the one who drove Lori home. Lori gave her a hug and told her she would talk to her in a few days. As she watched Doris drive away, Lori felt that this would be the last time she would visit her friend.

         The Wednesday after the excursion, Mike was watching the evening news. The top story was that of an elderly woman who was found dead from a massive stroke. Her housekeeper found her in her bathroom on the floor. She was identified as Doris Palmer, 81. More information would follow as it was learned. Lori was busy cleaning in the kitchen and didn't hear the report. By the time she finished her chores, she was in time for the the six o'clock version. As she sat down and heard what the newscaster was saying, her mouth was ajar and she was in shock. Mike and Robbie looked at her and it was Robbie who consoled her. The curtain on her childhood came down for the last time.