The Qualities of Wood Read Online Free PDF Page A

sewing, so we quit the class. Besides, working with those women was like being in the military. The first week, the woman who elected herself leader of the group gave us an outline of how each meeting should go. They didn’t do any sewing the first three weeks, just sat around discussing the theme of the quilt, and looking over samples people brought in.’
    â€˜Sounds pretty boring.’
    â€˜I guess that’s how you do it, but I swear, it just seemed like a lot of nonsense to sew a blanket. If I ever did a quilt I would want it to be just mine. I don’t want to sew all my precious scraps together with strangers’.’
    â€˜Did Mrs Gardiner like doing crafts and things?’
    â€˜Normally, yes. I was a bad influence on her as far as that class goes.’ Katherine fluttered her fingers at Vivian. ‘We kept talking about doing our own quilts, but when I came to visit we’d usually get to talking about other things.’
    They sat quietly for a few moments while the shade enveloped them.
    â€˜Betty was a nice woman,’ Katherine repeated. ‘Didn’t have many visitors, except her son every now and then. Before he passed, I mean.’
    â€˜Her son?’
    â€˜Yes, Sherman.’
    Vivian shook her head. ‘Nowell’s father. I don’t think he came out here much. He lived about four hours away.’
    â€˜From what Betty said, he came regular as rain, several times a year. She was real proud of him, always talked about how successful he was and those two tall sons of his.’
    Nowell had told Vivian that his grandmother was stubborn and difficult and they hadn’t come to see her much. Even though he lived farther away than the rest, Nowell felt guilty for not visiting, especially now that she was gone and had left them both money and the house. Between the insurance settlement, the grandfather’s pension and Social Security, Grandma Gardiner had amassed quite an inheritance for her family. She divided the money equally between her three children: Nowell’s father and his two sisters, neither of whom had any children. Which left Nowell’s mother in charge of their third since Sherman was deceased.
    â€˜What’s that for?’ Katherine asked.
    Vivian followed the direction of her gaze. Katherine was looking at the thick sheet that Nowell had hung, curtain-like, to divide his study from the kitchen. ‘My husband works on his writing in there.’
    â€˜Is he working now?’
    â€˜He works most of the day.’
    â€˜I think I’ll just say hello.’
    Before Vivian could stop her, Katherine jumped up from the table, crossed the tile floor and flung back the curtain with the zest of discovery. ‘We meet again, Mr Gardiner!’
    Nowell looked over from his position in front of the window. He appeared to be looking outside, taking a break from the computer. Vivian expected him to be annoyed, but he smiled. ‘I thought I heard someone out there. Hello again.’
    Katherine gestured and her bracelets clinked together. ‘This sheet doesn’t block much noise, I would imagine.’
    â€˜No, it doesn’t,’ he said, ‘but it makes me feel sequestered.’
    â€˜It’s all in appearances, isn’t it, the things we let ourselves believe?’
    Nowell made a move to join them, but Katherine waved him off. ‘No, you get back to your work,’ she said. ‘I just wanted to say hello. I thought I might take your wife into town, if she’s interested.’
    â€˜That’s a good idea. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.’
    Katherine took one look around the room, made a quick inventory, then let the curtain fall back. ‘So, what about it? Want to ride into town with me?’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Vivian gestured to her swimsuit. ‘I’ve been outside sweating.’
    â€˜I’ll wait while you shower. I don’t mind.’ Katherine took