Merry Widows

With a quick thud, the car landed in a bed of clean white snow.

“Oh shit, where’s the road Pauline?”

“Well, what the hell was that?”

“I think we’re in the ditch, the road just ended.” Jan scanned the windshield.

“This isn’t the road to town, we must have missed our turn…this isn’t a road, I think we’re in someone’s field, I see corn stalks over here.” The car engine continued to idle. “Maybe we can just back up and turn around and go back to the highway. We’re close it can’t be that far.”

Pauline put the car in reverse but the Buick did not budge. She slipped into Park and looked over at Jan. “Well, I guess we’ll have to stay here until the snow lets up, we’ve still got about three quarters of a tank of gas and if we keep the lights on, maybe someone will see us. I’ve got a deck of cards in my purse; we can play some cards until someone finds us.” Pauline forced a little giggle as she dug through her purse. The reflection of the headlights on the snow revealed the concern in Jan’s face.

“Do you think we could walk back to the highway Pauline?” Jan’s voice cracked a bit as she glanced back.

“Naw, I didn’t bring my snow boots and it’s pretty nippy out there. We were on this road for a while. I bet it’s a good mile back to the highway. Someone will see our tail lights. I’m sure that they’ll find us before too long. It’s best to stay in the car where it’s warm.” Pauline dealt the cards.

They played cards for next couple of hours and watchfully observed the rear window for glimpses of headlights.

Jan smiled, “hey, I know where we are, the McCann farm is off this road, I think I saw a mail box a few yards back…yes, I know their farm is just up the road. I bet old Bob has a tractor that could pull us out if we just walked back to their place.”

“You’re right, I forgot about their farm. I bet you’re right. The farm can’t be more than half a mile back. Let’s chance it?” Pauline glanced at the gas gage showing less than a quarter tank.

Pauline grabbed the cards and began to shuffle them for the next hand. “Let’s finish this game. It’s almost 1 AM, they’re probably in bed.”

Both women smiled and began to hum to the radio. They were two school girls staying up late beyond their bedtime, playing cards, listening to music and not worried about getting up the next day. It was a holiday. They were warm, content and they had a plan.

“I guess they’ll have to do without my help tomorrow at Margie’s funeral.” Pauline gave a quick chuckle. “I’m going to sleep in tomorrow when I get home and keep my drapes shut.”

“Gin! Let’s bundle up and get going. It’s going to take a while to get to the McCann’s farm… make sure you have your scarf over your mouth and nose so you don’t freeze…we’ll have to hoof it quickly with the temperature dropping.” Jan gathered the cards and slipped on her gloves and stocking cap.

Pauline killed the engine and they pried open the doors. Sinking into the soft drifts both women slammed their doors in unison feeling their way to the back of the car. They locked arms, climbed onto the gravel road, and began to follow the car ruts. The driving wind and snow skidded off their stocking caps.

Pauline’s tennis shoes lacked the grip they needed and Jan held on to her so she would stay upright. Pauline slipped tumbling to the ground.

“Oh my God Pauline, are you OK?” Jan yelled above the howling wind.

“I can’t move, help me up, I can’t go any further Jan; I can’t walk on this damn ankle.”

“I’ll get you back to the car, lean on me.”

The two women hobbled back to the Buick, Pauline hopping on one leg.

“OK, just stay here and I’ll get some help…don’t try to get out of the car, just stay warm…I’ll be back.” Jan slammed the door of the car and turned back into the wind. She knew that she was a faster walker. She walked everywhere in town rarely taking her car. She should have gone by herself but now she was just wasting precious time. The thought of being in her warm house and lounging in her fluffy robe haunted her as the bitter wind stung her face—it took only minutes before her cheeks were numb. Her eyes began to water. Frozen tears gathered on her cheeks. She tried to keep her head down but the harsh wind made every step a struggle. She remembered Pauline’s call earlier that day.

“So, what’s up?”

“Same ol’ shit Pauline. Trying to stay warm and not doing a hell of a lot. Still in my robe.”

“I was planning on taking a little drive over to the Reservation to get some smokes and play a little bingo. You want to take a ride and get out of the house for a bit?”

“Well…I guess…I’d need a little time to get ready, I haven’t been out of the house except for church so I’ll need to do my hair…” Jan’s voice trailed off. She hadn’t been out of her night gown and robe for the past two days.

“That’s fine. I understand. I have to take a bath so I wouldn’t be leaving until about two.”

“Sounds good. Be sure to pull up to the back door when you come over to the house, I didn’t shovel the front sidewalk and I don’t want you to slip and fall. You know when we fall down and break a hip we get pneumonia and die.” Jan giggled.

“Oh hell Jan, they’re going to have to shoot us, we not going to die from falling on some ice! See you at two.”

Pauline collapsed in the driver’s seat. She was safe. She tried to catch her breath but it was difficult. She fished the car keys out of her pocket and tried to start the car. The engine briefly fired. She stared at the dim headlights reflecting in the snow bank. She forgot to turn the lights off before they left. The battery was almost dead. She tried the ignition again. It sputtered a couple of time and then just a “click.” The headlights went out. Oh well, Jan would be back with help soon. She still had a full pack of cigarettes.

Was Tuesday or Wednesday? When was the last time her daughter called? Yesterday? Sunday? Oh yes, it was Monday because she called during the Price is Right. It was a shame that both contestants had overbid their showcases.

She snuggled into the plush leather seat and patted her bulging pocket. She did not tell Jan about the money she won from the pull-tabs—$500 dollars all in ten dollar bills.

“You were so close; I can’t believe that lucky lady from the Lake won the final black-out bingo again! She’s so damn lucky and you had one number left on three of your cards.”

“I know! At least I bingoed a couple of times at the beginning and that $100.00 that I got from the pull tabs helped cover the cost of my bingo cards. I came out ahead even with buying my smokes.” Pauline smiled and reached over to light another cigarette. She cracked the window.

It was dark and the drifting snow created an almost indistinguishable view of the road ahead. There were times that Pauline saw the white line in the road but most often she was guessing that the car was on the right and not veering to the other lane.

One can’t stay home all the time just because of a little bad weather. Pauline turned on the radio and mellow country music filled the inside of her Buick.

Jan broke the silence. “Are you going to go to Margie’s funeral tomorrow?”

“Have to,” Pauline replied, “I used to bowl with her. I have to help with the lunch afterwards anyway so I guess I’ll go to the service too.” Pauline’s voice trailed off as she tried to read the road signs. The road they needed to turn on was coming up soon—she was only going forty-five miles an hour. They had been driving for over an hour without meeting any headlights.

“Pauline, can you see the road? I haven’t seen a single road sign since we left the Bingo Barn.”

“Yea, it seems to be drifting quite a bit. We’re in no hurry,” she chuckled, “Do you have a man tucked away in that house of yours Jan?” Pauline winked.

Jan shifted in her seat and forced a giggle. “That’s the beauty of being widow, no one waiting for us at home and no one to ask us how much we lost at Bingo. It’s not bad living alone but you know that it was three days before they found Margie’s body after she passed. You know, seventy-two is too young to die; Margie was just a year behind me in high school. She got a clean bill of health from her checkup last month.”

“You never know. Shit can happen whether you take care of yourself or not. There’s no guarantee…when the man upstairs says it’s your time, it’s your time.” Pauline grabbed another Marlboro and cracked her window again. Flakes of snow intruded into the car and she immediately shut it—guess Jan would have to share the smoke. Her stomach began to growl. She had a small bag of chips and a coke during the intermission and they shared a bag of popcorn but she didn’t remember eating supper.

Suddenly Pauline noticed the green sign that indicated their turn. She put on her indicator and slowed down to a crawl. She turned and immediately began to hit finger drifts.

“I can’t see shit out there, how are you managing?” Jan’s voice trembled.

“Oh hell Jan, I’ve driven in worse conditions. A little drifting snow isn’t bad. I just take it slow; we don’t have to hurry to get home. We’re free, white and 21!” They both broke into laughter. “This ol’ Buick has seen much worse weather. I’ve a full tank of gas and an extra pack of smokes in my purse; we could live in this car if we had to.” Pauline glanced over at Jan and tried to find her landmarks. There should be two farms right with yard lights—they should be visible from the road but the blowing snow cocooned the car.

No tire tracks on the road. Was pavement or gravel beneath the heavily compacted snow? The snow drifts progressively became higher and the front of the car plowed through. Snow flew up onto the windshield.

“This is getting bad Pauline. Are you sure we’re on the right road?” Jan wiped the condensation from her window.

“Well, I was sure that we turned on the right road. I saw the sign…didn’t you?”

“I thought I did but it might not have been a sign. I just don’t know…” Jan replied.

It was Wednesday…yes, she knew it was Wednesday but actually, it was after midnight so it must be Thursday. She needed to go to the store to get some milk and another dozen of eggs. Did she wash her sheets this week? Was the phone bill due on Monday or a week from Monday? Were all the drapes closed or did she leave the drapes open in her bedroom? Was her granddaughter’s piano recital next Tuesday or on Friday? Was she supposed to bring a hot dish or a salad for Margie’s funeral? Was there a can of cream of mushroom soup in the pantry or just cream of celery? Pauline turned to look out the rear window of the car. Are those headlights coming…?

They’ll be here soon. She smiled and let out a little giggle. They’d all be talking at the luncheon tomorrow after the funeral, silly old ladies getting stuck in a snow drift. Her daughter would give her that disapproving face, chastising her for not carrying the cell phone that she had specifically purchased for her. Why do people always have to have access to everyone all the time? She’d lived her entire life without a cell phone. Her breathing slowed and she drifted off to sleep.

It was a good turnout for the funeral. The weather had not prevented family and friends from navigating the icy roads and blustery conditions. Jan sat with the family, eyes full of tears observing the beautiful spray of red and yellow roses on the shiny mahogany casket. She died too young, no warning and she had such spunk.

Jan didn’t know why she was crying. The frost bitten skin on her nose was still tender to the touch. The EMT had told her that the feeling would eventually come back but that the skin would probably not heal very well without the bandage. She hated the bandage. It made her look like she just had plastic surgery and it made watching TV difficult. She was glad that she did not wear it to the funeral— everyone knew how she got frost bit.

A swell of organ music and the congregation shuffled out of the church and headed off to the parish hall for lunch. As Jan crossed the foyer Pauline’s daughter slipped an arm around her and gave her a quick embrace.

“You were always a good friend to Mom. She spent way too much time alone.”

The tears streamed down Jan’s face. She rummaged through her purse for another Kleenex. It was then that she saw the pack of cards at the bottom of her purse. Jan smiled.