Ice Age by Barbara Waldern - HTML preview

XIV. Sunrise

A security patrol pulls up to the rowing club house around 4:30 on Sunday morning. By then, some effort at straightening up the place is under way.

A guard enters the hall and inquires as to what is going on. “Have a good party?” he asks.

“Yes,” says Lucy. “It worked out very well. Would you like some birthday cake?”

“Ah. No, thanks. I’m on patrol. This place is on my route. Just checking.”

“I think everything is fine. We’re just shutting things down now. We were having such a good time, and we decided that we would stay up to go see the sunrise.”

“I see. Yeah, but you have to go over eastward over the river to do that.”

“We thought about going to Mary Hill.”

“That might be a good spot. I don’t know. I haven’t tried it. Anyway, people usually clear out by 2:00 a.m. here.”

“Oh, sorry. I see. We have rented the place until noon.”

“Yep, but normally they don’t have people stay here overnight.”

“Well, we’re just tidying up a bit now, and we are just about to return to our hotels so we can deposit some stuff in our rooms rather than leave it all here, and then get ready to go out at dawn.”

“K, then can you wrap it up here quickly? I don’t want to get anyone here in trouble, including me, and you wouldn’t want to pay any fine or anything in case they don’t like this situation. I will have to fill out my reports about the status of the places I see on my route, you know.”

“Yes, of course. Yes, we’re just about to leave.”

The guard sits in his patrol car with his partner until all the people have vacated the place. Lucy has a key and so does the guard. The guard checks the doors and windows after the last guest exits.

At the hotel, the party-goers wash and smooth out their hair and clothing, though they elect not to change their clothes. There is not quite enough time for showering and changing, and they want to extend the party feeling anyway. They grab towels and blankets for sitting on the park grass to gaze at the sunrise. Trixie has fallen asleep but her parents are intent on taking her along regardless, as she will surely be upset if she misses the event.

Minun’s family arrives and everyone sorts out which cars they will take and travel in. They head for Mary Hill in Burnaby because it is easy to access and rises high above the twisting Fraser River.

When they get to Mary Hill, the vehicles are parked sloppily and the drivers and passengers pour out of them. They scramble to reach the highest point and discover the optimum viewing location. However, they find that trees and houses block the view. Not wanting to stand in the middle of street somewhere to take in the sunrise, they consult each other about finding an alternate viewing point nearby.

Mrs. Malinsky suggest the skytrain station, because she has taken it along the river many times before. It is already 6:30 and the sky is getting light.

“There’s a station just down the hill from here.” Mrs. Malinsky points in the corresponding direction. Everyone piles back into the cars and takes off toward the station by the hospital. The park their cars haphazardly, not caring whether they might be violating traffic regulations, and jump out to climb the stairs up to the station platform and stare out the window.

However, they find that the embankment on the other side of the river deprives the spectator of the best view. A train approaches in the distance and Selma, last one to reach the platform, calls out impulsively, “Get on the train!”

Transit staff turn and cock their heads in puzzlement to see this odd collection of people in evening wear race around the station. “Ya see everything in the stations,” comments one to her co-worker.

However, the partiers have to cross to the other side of the LRT tracks in order to take the train in the correct direction over the river. “Elevator!” yells Glen, pulling his mother-in-law along, and carrying a drowsy Trixie. Others agile enough for it run back down the stairs and cross over to the opposite stairwell to climb up to the west side of the platform.

Somehow, they make it. It takes a couple of minutes for the train to cross the narrow LRT bridge and climb up the east embankment of the Fraser. They get out at the first station in Surrey in order to view the sunrise. Again, they must descend in order to cross the tracks from the west side and get to the east side of the platform.

The sun is beginning to peer above the horizon of the flat Fraser Valley area as they climb hurriedly up to the east platform. The move up to where they look beyond the glass to the splendid scene before them.

Cameras are removed from handbags and pockets. A video recording of both the comical but charming scene of the gathering in the station and the beauty of the rising sun is done.

“Ah’s” are heard. Someone says how marvelous the sunrise is. Bright tones of pink and apricot color spread over the distant sky. A fiery ball looms large. “Hark, the new dawn,” says Mable. “Amen,” say Gertrude and Selma.

The air is chilly but the scene is calm. They are silent. The traffic below has paused. No trains pass.

They stand close to one another to gaze in wonder. Trixie has awakened and stands with her brother and cousins. Lucy and Glen hold each other, Selma standing on Lucy’s other side. Bonnie puts her arm around her man. Nona and her mother hold hands.

They stand there for about 20 minutes, as the transit system slowly comes to life. Three trains pass and a few strangers climb up to the platform before they stir and resignedly turn toward the tracks, wishing that the moment could last longer.

“Is it over, already?” yawns Trixie.

“No, dear,” replies her grandmother. “The thing about the sunrise is that the sun always rises. It will rise tomorrow and the day after. You can get up any day to witness it, sweetie.”

“Right. Mom, why don’t we get up to see the sunrise sometimes?”

“I guess because we either sleep too long or get too busy in the morning.”

In the train car, Glen asks anyone, “Well, what next? Who’s up for pancakes?”

“Pancakes!” echo Trixie and her cousins in pleased voices.

“Pancakes it is!” They leave the train station where they have abandoned their vehicles, and hop in their cars.

“No tickets!” notices someone. “We’re lucky!”

“It’s early on Sunday morning. Not luck, just timing,” answers Glen. He leads the procession to a pancake house on the west side of Burnaby close to their hotel, one that is open 24 hours a day every day of the week.

The hostess greets them. “Well, look at the party-goers. Been having a good time, have you?” They smile and tell her, “Yes.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“It’s my grandma’s 70th birthday,” announces Trixie. She points to her grandmother.

“Wow! 70th birthday?!” The hostess scans the faces before to find the birthday queen. “Well, happy birthday!”

“Thanks. I hope we can sit down somewhere. We’ve been having a busy time of it.”

“Certainly. It’s still quiet here. Come this way.”

They receive coffee and tea straight away, and sip as they discuss the menu. It is nearly eight o’clock when they start to place their orders. They start to notice they are hungry.

“Being up all night increases the appetite, even though we had a big meal the night before,” comments Louise. Others nod in agreement.

Although some of the party have opted out of breakfast and retreated to their respective accommodations, the remainder takes up three long tables. Relaxing in her padded chair, Selma Blais looks around and is pleased. It is better than she had expected.

“Lucy, dear,” she says quietly to her daughter, “Thank you for doing all this. It’s turned out perfectly. I’m so pleased. It’s truly a wonderful time.” Lucy kisses her mother on the cheek.

“Yes, mom, but not all on my account. I think you had some good tricks up your sleeve, and, clearly, you’ve been making some dear friends. I’m happy for you. I think this day has been good for all of us.”

“Yes, I think so too. You’re sounding and looking better, my dear.”

“We could all use a moment to celebrate every so often. We don’t have to wait until our 70th birthday.”

“That’s right,” answers her daughter with a short laugh. “I should have done something like this sooner.”

There is a pause before Mrs. Blais continues. “Yes, it’s done me good. When I think to how cold and lonely my life seemed last winter, it’s hard to believe I could have gotten myself into such a rut.”

“It can happen to anybody.”

“I guess I just never thought about life without your father. I never planned anything. I guess I just got stagnate and did not move on.”

“It takes time, Mom. Of course, you never wanted to think about him passing. That’s normal.” She adds, “I miss Dad, too.”

“I know you don’t forget him. We don’t have to forget those we loved who have passed on in order to go on living, you know. Yes, I’ve decided that. I think he’s right here with us. No reason to stop living before our time. In fact, I know that he would want us to continue to get the most out of life while we can.”

“I think you’re right.”

“I feel like I have a new lease on life.”

“Me too.”

“You and Glen seem to be getting on well these days.” Lucy nods with a smile. “That’s good. Don’t let the romance freeze up. We just have to keep out of the snow drifts and avoid getting caught in a rut.”

“You’re right. Glen and I want to take a week’s holiday, alone.”

“You can arrange something for the kids, I’m sure.”

“We’ll work it out. We have to. We have to give ourselves a break. We have to stop and breathe sometimes.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Mom, I didn’t mean to turn the subject over to me and my life. This is still your day. How are you doing, really? What do you want to do? Would you rather come and live out our way?”

“Lucy, after you just finished saying you need to stop and breathe. I would be a bother.”

“Not a bother—“

“The point is, I’m doing just fine. I have more friends and activities. It would be hard rebuilding that somewhere else. I’m fine where I am, for the moment, anyway. Yes, getting a helper was an excellent idea. I concede that. I’m happy with that.”

“Okay. I needed to ask out loud, properly.”

“I know you did. You’re right. I’m fine for the time being. We’ll see what happens. I’ll no doubt have to make some more changes down the road.”

“Right. We’ll hold off and see what happens, when it happens.”

“I know for awhile there I was blaming you for my predicament. It was my problem, all the same. I had to get with it. You prodded me a little, and it worked. You’ve been a good daughter. You have been doing your best. Don’t worry, Lucy. Life will happen as it may and there is nothing much we can do about it. I cannot avoid getting older and weaker, anymore than anyone else can. Don’t feel guilty. You are not responsible for that fact. Leave be.”

At that moment, they are interrupted. A server arrives to their table bearing pancakes stuck with a flaming candle. “Make a wish,” says the server.

“Oh. Ha-ha. Again? Well, why not?” Selma stares at the gleaming erect flame. The she closes her eyes and blows it out.

The discussion turns again to light banter as they eat their morning meal. Soon, they begin to discuss their options for spending the day.

“Who’s leaving the city today?” asks Selma.

“I’m taking Collin, Gerard and Trixie back. They have school tomorrow. Our flight’s not until 7:30 tonight,” says Glen.

Selma Blais’ sons are taking a few days off since they have traveled such a long distance to get to the party, and so is Louise. “I need a break and I want to spend time with Winona,” says Louise.

“I have school tomorrow, so I’m going back to Sophie’s tonight.” Sophie Malinsky nods.

Minsun’s parents excuse themselves and take Minsun away. Angela tells them that her mother will pick her up later this morning.

After the arrangements are all reported and understood, Selma indicates what she would like to do following breakfast. Could you take me to a garden somewhere? How about Burnaby Mountain, or what about Deer Lake Park?”

“That sounds fine. Let’s do a tour of gardens and parks around here. Sounds just fine,’ answers Glen.

“That’d be good. Trixie, I think you should get to bed for awhile,” says Glen’s wife.

“Ah, mom! I don’t wanna miss anything. Do I have to? I’m not sure I could sleep.”

“We had trouble keeping you awake earlier this morning, Trix,” her father reminds her. “Go have a nap and we’ll wake you up for lunch. Luce, what do you want to do? Do you want to stay with your mom or Trix?”

Lucy looks at her mother. Her mother replies for her, “Lucy can drive.”

“Yes. Yes, she can, and she can read maps. I can stay with Trixie, hon.”

Lucy says nothing but looks him in the eye.

Up in Burnaby Mountain Park a little later, Lucy and her family and her family’s friends look out toward the sea. The sun is high enough to cast a sheen on the inlet’ surface. Selma sits on a bench looking westward, and turns her head to look south where the sun continues its arc in the sky. The sun appears far from the western horizon where it will set to rest eventually. It is a warm and brilliant day.