Treasure Beach: Chapter Three, Part Three

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Treasure Beach: Chapter Three, Part Three

That morning Janya had been sad to discover once again that she was not pregnant, but she didn't tell her husband, Rishi. Janya tried not to dwell on the possibility she might never become a mother. Instead she had filled her day with things to do.

Now, back from Wanda's Wonderful Pies and finished with the dinner dishes, she decided to act like a mother anyway. She went through her cupboard, ground fresh spices, cardamon, pepper, ginger and cinnamon, mixed them with sugar and packaged them in a plastic bag tied with a red silk ribbon. She told Rishi, who was watching a cricket match on television, that she was leaving for a little while. Rishi was a software designer with his own business, and he worked much too hard. She knew the moment she left he would fall asleep.

Outside the air was as hot and steamy as a Mumbai evening. While she might sometimes be homesick, she could certainly never blame that on the weather in southwest Florida. She got into the little sedan Rishi had bought for her once she got her driver's license and started the engine.

She made her way past Wanda and Tracy's houses before she turned up Alice's driveway. At the doorstep she stopped and knocked, and in a moment Olivia opened the door.

"Janya." The girl gave her a big smile, then a hug.

"I heard the television. I thought it might be all right to interrupt? Your grandmother is up?"

"She's feeling better. Come in."

Inside Janya was glad to find that the air-conditioner was not set too low. She was certain too much air-conditioning caused illness, and she did not understand why grocery stores in Florida kept their temperatures so low. She wondered if indeed they hoped their customers would fall ill and need the many rows of medications they offered.

Alice was on the sofa, and she greeted Janya with a smile. She looked better than she had when Janya had seen her two days ago. She was dressed in a pretty cotton housedress instead of a bathrobe, and her hair was freshly combed. Best of all her cough sounded much shallower.

"You are feeling better?" Janya asked.

"Yes, I am. It's . . .nice of you. To worry."

Janya was used to waiting for Alice to finish a sentence. A stroke had affected her speech, although it had improved in the time that Janya had known her.

"I brought you something my mother always gave to us when we were children," Janya told her, bending over to hand her the bag. "You will not be used to it, though, so I would advise you to take only the tiniest pinch in a little honey or warm water after you eat. Twice a day. You will not mind the taste, I promise. It will help your cough and your digestion."

"You are so sweet . . . to think of me."

"We are all very glad you are on the recovery road." She straightened. "I thought perhaps Olivia and I could drive up to Randall's and shop for any groceries you might need. Juice? Tea? Fresh fruit? Soup?"

"We need cereal," Olivia said before her grandmother could answer. "And milk and maybe eggs. I'll check. Oh, and ice cream."

"My. . ." Alice winked at Janya. "Especially ice cream."

"Then we will shop together," Janya said. "I need a few things, too." She didn't, not really, but she knew saying so would help. She wanted to get Olivia out of the house, at least for a little while.

Alice made a list and gave Olivia money, and with her blessing, Janya and Olivia headed for Randall's.