To say that even was interesting would be an understatement. I found myself sitting at a table, with six or seven other adults. Despite her suggestion, the kids did not eat outside and the noise did not diminish. I think that her mother and grandmother's plan was to fatten me up so much that I could not run away, and if that was their plan it worked. By the time a roast and potatoes were in me, and a second coarse of locally caught fish, they were serving up fresh strawberry shortcake for desert. i ate two pieces, and probably gained ten pounds. Everything tasted fresh, and I am sure it was.
Pawpa and Grandma caught me after dinner, and sat me down on a couch, between Alice and her mother. It was not unpleasant to be seated between them, but it was a little embarrassing. I think it was Pawpa's attempt at matchmaking. As it was, I found myself thigh to thigh with Alice, with little hope of escape.
Pawpa started off the tales of the town and of their family with the story of a beggar man. He said that long ago, when the family first moved to Newfoundland, and his own grandmother was queen of the household, a beggar man came to the door, seeking a free meal. Now the family was having porridge for dinner, as they often did, seeing as they were poor themselves. After dinner the littlest boy, Anthony, went around the table, scrapping the last little bits of porridge from the dinner bowls, back into the big pot. The beggar asked "That boy got right wit?" Great-something Grandma assured him that he did, and that he was just saving every drop that was left, so there would be enough left over for breakfast. It was a cute story, which told me much about this family, and this house. It seemed that the Taylor family had a history of taking in strangers and feeding them.
Grandma took over next, asking me about my loved life, or lack there of. It was an innocent enough question. "I see you don't have a ring on, young man. Are you single then?" As it was I admitted as much. This lead to a series of questions from Grandma and Julia, which had me in the end admitting that I had not had a full time girlfriend for some time, due to my globetrotting. The whole time, I could feel Alice growing more and more uncomfortable beside me, but I smiled over to her to assure her. The questions were rather personal, but asked with harmless intention.
Grandma told another story which really stuck in my mind, about the how Great-Grandma Taylor walked the sharpened path. It seems that there were two paths to the old well, back in the days before running water. One was an easy path with smooth stones, and the other had sharp stones. Everyone took the easy path, but Great-Grandma Taylor. She walked the sharpened path, in her bare feet, because she said she was getting it ready for others to trod. It seemed that that particular grandmother liked to play the martyr. I was not sure it was book worthy, or not, unless they could produce a photo of the old girl, but it certainly spoke to the character of that particular relative.
After a dozen such tales, and general information about the nineteen and early twentieth century history of the town, I felt like I really had enough for an entire book, with or without pictures. I found myself leaning forward and taking notes, in a notebook, as they spoke. For awhile, I quite forgot that Alice was sitting, almost pressed up against my side, that is until the old grandfather clock chimed ten, the children were ushered off by Pawpa to get ready for bed, or to go home, and Julia asked me if I would like a cup of coffee.
"Yes, please." Julia stood up, enabling me to move over a little. Suddenly, I was sorry not to be squished up between them anymore.