Shadows Behind

Chapter 2

Chapter 2A rectangle of late afternoon sunlight shone through clouds of fine dust inside the small factory as a man, in shorts, black t-shirt and work boots, worked with a sanding machine to smooth out an old wooden framed couch. He grinned, ran a tanned hand over the section just completed, released the trigger on the machine so the grinding roar dropped to a faint whirr. That was when he realized somebody was watching and glanced up.

A woman in her twenties stood by the door, attractive and slim with brown hair tied back into a ponytail. She wore a white blouse, denim skirt, white anklet socks and sneakers. A shy expression crossed her lips as if she didn't wish to interrupt the worker.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” the man's muffled voice said. “I never realized I had a customer.” He turned to show a face covered in safety glasses and a small cone shaped mask.

The woman jerked back almost in alarm before she hesitated, relaxed and broke into a smile. “No, it is I who should apologize,” she replied in precise but accented English. “Please continue. I can come back.”

“No, it's no trouble. I need to call it a day, anyhow.” He removed his glasses and mask, switched the sander off and all became silent.

“I understand you're my landlord,” the woman said. “I've just taken over the bakery.”

“Of course. I should have guessed. There's been a hive of activity over there but, like you, I didn't want to interrupt.”

“So you must be Mr. Coleman, the factory owner. I am Niana Bolsa.” A slim hand was held out.

“Call me Matt.” He gripped the hand and stretched to his full height, a full head and shoulders higher than his visitor. “Welcome to Dixon Street. I hope old Annie left everything in good shape for you.”

*

Matt walked to the door and gazed at the century old building across the driveway. It had once been a general merchandise shop and included an apartment at the rear. He'd bought property three years back for his antique and furniture restoration business but had since moved into the building the pair were standing in.

A short time later Old Annie O'Neill rented the original building and set up a lunch bar to sell breakfast and lunches to workers in the area. Annie had placed the popular little business on the market two months back but, until now, had found no buyer.

He noticed a sign painter had changed the name Aunt Anne's Sandwich Bar to Niana’s Sandwich Bar, and frilly lace curtains appeared on the old fashioned windows.

“I must say, I like the improvements,” he continued. “Will you have everything ready for opening day?”

“Oh yes,” Niana replied. “Mrs. O'Neill has been most helpful and showed me everything. It's just…” She gave a nervous laugh. “The apartment at the back is lovely but I want to convert the store room into a third bedroom. Anyhow, when I went to take down the old curtains the rod holding it pulled out. I wonder if you have a screwdriver I can borrow.”

“I'll come and take a look,” Matt offered. “It shouldn't be hard to fix. I like the new name you've given the lunch bar,” he said. “Forgive me, but you certainly don't look like an old aunt to me.”

The young woman stared at him with earnest brown eye and flushed. “Thank you, I didn't want to change things too much but thought the original name wasn't really me.” She nodded up at the sign above Matt's door. “I like your firm's name, too.”

Matt glanced up at the ornate polished sign that read The Cuckoo's Nest - Antiques and Restored Furniture. He laughed. “Yes it's part of my hobby,” he explained. “As well as furniture, I restore old cuckoo clocks. Cuckoos hoard things so the name just seemed appropriate. I originally started in the old shop but have been in the new building for three years, now.” For a moment, the pair lapsed into silence as they walked across the driveway between the two buildings. “And the back flat? Do you think you'll like it? Annie told me you wanted to live there.” He shrugged. “It's been empty for a while but is perfectly serviceable. I did it up when I moved in for four months.”

“Oh yes. It is one of the reasons I'm attracted to the business. I look after two children and my present apartment is much smaller than this one. I'll move in next week and open the shop a week later.”

*

She smiled and thanked Matt as he stood back at the rear door of the building and let her enter first. Though the apartment was old, Matt had repainted and carpeted it throughout. Simple, but good quality furniture went with the place.

“It's just what I need,” Niana explained. “I'll put Adona, that's my little girl, in here and her brother in the other room.” She smiled. “At the moment they're both squeezed in one bedroom.”

Matt pushed a door open and a whiff of musty air hit their noses. “I'll get this painted for you,” he said. “It's the only room I didn't upgrade.”

“There's no need,” she replied with an appreciative glance.

“No, I insist. I've a friend who'll probably be able to get it done before you move in.” He glanced at the sagging curtain. “I see what's happened. The old brass fitting pulled away from the clip that holds it. I won't be a moment.” He clambered up the stepladder Niana had been using, twisted the offending piece back in place and smiled down. “Now, if you hand me your new curtain I'll clip it on the runners.”

Everything was completed in a few moments and, afterwards, the pair went through a connecting door to the shop itself where Matt noticed the improvements. He inspected the layout as the young woman explained what she'd done.

“I'm open from Wednesday to Sunday. Most of my sales are on the weekend,” Matt said when he could find no excuse to linger. “All the best for your move in and opening. If you need any more help, just ask. “

Niana smiled and held her hand out again.” You're so kind. I'll get the first month's rent money over to you tomorrow.”

“There's no hurry,” Matt said with a shrug. “I'm just happy to have the place open again. I reckon my business has dropped ten per cent since Old Annie closed down.”

He whistled a few bars of a popular tune as he strolled back, examined the couch he'd been working on and started the sander. On first impression, his new tenant seemed a very pleasant person. As he ran the machine up another section of the couch his mind reflected back. A great figure too, not to mention that cute accent. He wondered where she came from.

“Simmer down, boy,” he muttered to himself as he grinned and continued his work.

*

It was late morning few a days later when Matt arrived at his shop with the old truck loaded with second-hand furniture he'd picked up for a song from various auction marts and second-hand dealers. There were a couple of old oak bedroom suites from estates that, when brought back to pristine condition, would be very popular.

He backed inside but the thought of unloading the heavy items didn't appeal. He grinned. This life was certainly better than having to fit in with a clock from dawn to dust.

A little Honda parked next door made his thoughts turn to the woman there. Perhaps she was having lunch too. Anyhow, that was a good excuse to go and visit her. He ran a comb through his short hair and strolled across the alley.

“Come in,” came the response to his knock. Niana was sitting at one of half a dozen wooden tables between the door and counter.

“I like these,” he commented, nodding at the red and white checked tablecloths and comfortable looking chairs that completed the scene.

Niana glanced up from a thick document she'd been reading and sighed. “Hello Mr. ... I mean Matt,” she said in a quiet voice. “They have to go out again, I'm afraid.”

“Why?” Matt pulled out a chair and noticed she looked quite tired with dark circles under the eyes.

“Regulations,” Niana said, holding up the document. “I wanted to use these tables for customers. However, this means I'd be classified as a restaurant rather than a food bar. I can't comply with all the extra regulations.”

“I see. I had the same trouble when I decided to open my workshop as a retail store. The bureaucrats had a field day. I even had to put in male and female toilets. One's never used and is full of old junk.”

“That's one thing I need.” Niana gave a slight grin. “Oh well, I'll just give up the idea.”

“Wait a minute,” Matt replied. “I'm your landlord. Perhaps I can help. What exactly do you need?”

“I've highlighted everything.” Niana slid the document across the table. “I can't possibly comply. There's the extra toilet, an extra stainless steel work area and, would you believe it--off street parking for seven vehicles. I told them I was going to have six tables so that means seven parking spaces.” She chuckled. “One family must be going to drive here in two cars.”

Matt's eyes met hers and he burst out laughing.

The woman frowned. “What did I say?” she retorted.

“It's not you. I can solve two of your problems right away.”

“How?”

“Unless they've changed the regulations since I had to follow them, it says the men's toilet can be off premises.” He flipped to the back of the document and ran his fingers down the index. “Yes, here it is on page eighty six. It seems it's okay for the men to go outside somewhere but not the ladies.”

“But how can that help?”

My unused toilet is directly across the alley. That side door you can see is the one. I'll put in a corridor door and leave the outside one open. Stick up a Gents sign and you have your male toilet.”

“You'd do that?” Niana glanced up at him but her face remained serious.

“Well I have to keep my tenant happy.”

“Thank you but what about the other things?”

Matt grinned again. “I had parking problems, too so I created eight parking spaces down the back that are never used. I think I only needed four. I'll allocate half of them to you and stick up a new sign. Mine fell down last year sometime. You know, Parking at the Rear.” He laughed again. “Mind you, I'll have to move junk out of the way.”

Niana smiled for the first time. “You're a man of many resources, I see. You make it all seem so easy.”

Matt was enjoying himself. “How'd you like to go stainless steel sink hunting?” he asked.

“I suppose you have a couple of those lying around, too.”

“Afraid not, but there must be one somewhere in the city. If you give me twenty minutes to unload my truck, we'll go and look.”

Niana rose out of her chair and faced him. “If you're doing all this for me, the least I can do is help unload your truck. Come on.”

“It's heavy stuff.”

“So,” she replied in a determined voice. “If you were about to do it by yourself, I must be able to help.”

And help she did. For a petite woman, she was amazingly strong and never hesitated to take an end of several large dressing tables that were unloaded. Afterwards, she clambered up into the cab, smiled across at her host and watched for approaching traffic as they drove out.

*

An hour later, Matt found what they wanted at the site of a friend whose firm had just demolished a hotel. Niana purchased two large boxes of brand new dinner sets for almost nothing as they were embossed with the hotel's name.

“Who cares if they say Grand Hotel,” she said as Matt lifted the boxes aboard the truck. “Perhaps I could call the sandwich bar that.”

“Well, it's getting grander by the hour.” Matt laughed and turned to the man beside them. “I want the sink top delivered tomorrow, Ted,” he said.

“Sure, Matt.” Ted Wilson grinned after Niana walked away to climb in the truck. “One sexy lady,” he said. “Better than the old model, I'd say.”

Matt knew it was a joke but frowned in annoyance. “It's nothing like that, Ted,” he retorted. “She's renting the old shop, that's all.”

“Oh yeah. How's Judith anyway?”

Matt's expression darkened when his wife's name was mentioned. “She decided not to come back after our trial separation, Ted.”

Ted sighed. “Sorry Matt. I knew you were having a rough patch but didn't realize...”

“Oh, it's for the best, I guess,” Matt said. “We've no family and she didn't appreciate it when I decided to give up my big corporate job and start out on my own.” He laughed with a trace of sarcasm. “It is not so good on the golf and social circuit to have a used furniture husband instead of company director.”

“Snob,” Ted grunted. ”And your house?”

“I'm living in it. Judith's moved in with some guy who has a place over in Western Heights.”

“Well, you're a free agent, then.” Ted nodded at the truck. “Take my advice and go for it, lad.”

“Sure,” Matt said, huffing a laugh. “A run down old hack like myself. You must be kidding.”

Ted only chuckled, slapped his friend's back and walked away.

*

Matt watched him for a second before, deep in thought; he walked back to the truck. A faint fragrance of shampoo hit his nose as he climbed in and saw Niana smiling on him. Today she wore a dark blue sweater that enhanced her cleavage.

“A good friend?” she asked.

“I suppose.” Matt flushed at his thoughts. “Ted helped me when I was getting established and we often refer customers to each other “

“It's good to have friends,” came the hushed reply.

There was almost sadness in the way she spoke. Matt glanced across the cab but Niana had already turned away. She was a beautiful woman but a bit of an enigma, too. He was curious.

*

A few moments later, Niana glanced at her watch. “Oh, my God,” she whispered more to herself than to Matt. “I didn't realize it was so late.”

Matt frowned and checked the time. It was twenty to three. “Why, have you an appointment?”

“The children. I have to pick them up.” There was almost panic in her voice. “You've been so good but can I ask for one more thing? It's just that by the time we return to the shop and I get my car...” her voice trailed off.

“No problem. Where to?”

“Selwyn Avenue School. Know where it is?”

“More or less. You might need to direct me after I turn off the main road.”

“Thank you. It's just that they depend on me.” Niana glanced at Matt and continued, “They're orphans who came out with me. I'm all they have.” Her cloudy eyes linked with Matt's. “You see, Matt, we're refugees from Kosovo. My family has gone. Halia and his little sister Adona were alone and I, what would you say, decided to look after them.”

“I see. That sounds like one hell of a decent thing to do.”

“I guess, but I need them as much as they need me.” She stared ahead as Matt moved the old truck forward. “I'm sorry. You don't want to hear all my complaints. I'm so thankful for the help I've had since my arrival here and now you've been so kind.”

“No, I'm interested,” Matt said. He saw that his companion was almost in tears. “Niana,” he continued, “I can't even guess at what you went through, but I'd like to help.”

“Why?” she replied in a sudden hard voice.

Matt flushed a bright red. “Hell, I don't know,” he muttered. “Forget what I said.”

Niana, smiled. “You're different from most men I've had contact with,” she whispered. “Most are only interested in…” She hesitated. “You know.”

Matt thought back to Ted's comments and nodded.

“What about yourself, Matt. Have you a family?”

“No. My marriage is over and we had no kids.”

“Kids?”

It was Matt's turn to smile. “Children,” he explained. “Judith was a businesswoman and never wanted any.”

“I see.” The woman's eyes, still serious, bore into him. “Take the next left turn, then turn right at the third intersection. The school is two blocks further on. “

“Right,” Matt replied and slowed down.

“No left,” Niana corrected, caught his eye and they both laughed. ”I took English up to university level but still can't understand it at times.”

Vehicles filled every space outside the school so Matt double-parked while Niana searched through the throngs of children pouring out the gate. “There they are,” she said. “I'll go and get them.”

“Sure,” Matt replied, watching as she slipped between two parked cars and made her way to where a boy about eight was clasping the hand of a little girl hardly big enough to be at school.

A minute later the passenger door opened and two hazel eyes gazed at him as the girl scrambled in, followed by a shy looking boy and finally Niana. “This is Matt, children,” she said, and then repeated her words in another language. She glanced up at Matt and added more in her own language. Adona gave a chuckle and Halia a slight grin. “I told them you're the nice man who owns the shop and we'll visit McDonald's. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” Matt laughed.

Adona looked up at him. “I got a star at school today,” she said in almost accent-less English.

“Did you now? What for?”

“My writing,” Adona said in a proud voice.

“The children speak better English than I do,” Niana commented. She glanced at the boy. “Don't you, Halia?”

“Yes,” the boy replied, casting a quick glance at Matt before he lapsed back into silence.

“He doesn't trust men, I'm afraid,” Niana explained.

“Well,” Matt said. “We'll just have to show Halia that most men in this country are okay, won't we? “

Halia looked across at Matt. “Niana said you make furniture and wooden trucks.”

“That's right. I've made several toy trucks,” Matt said, glancing at his companion. They'd never mentioned the row of wooden toys he had on a top shelf in his shop. “If Niana doesn't mind, I'll show you how to make one when you visit.”

Halia nodded and glanced away.

“Niana bought me a teddy bear,” Adona interrupted. “I take him to bed every night.”

“Did she?” Matt said. He felt a hand give his arm a brief squeeze and saw Niana gazing at him.

“Thank you,” she mouthed.

*

At The Cuckoo's Nest, the children ran across to the Honda and Niana turned to Matt.

“I must go,” she said. “I'll be back after I drop the children off at school tomorrow. It'll be easier once I've moved into the apartment here.”

“What about next week?” Matt asked.

“You mean my early hours?”

Matt nodded.

“The mornings won't be too bad. The children will be with me and can walk to school later. I will be closing every day at two so will have time to clean up and meet them after school. That's one reason I thought the sandwich bar would be so good.”

“And who financed you for it?” Matt asked. As he was about to apologize again for being forward, Niana flashed a smile before her face turned sad.

“My parents anticipated the trouble at home and had a little money deposited in an Italian bank. I inherited it and a local bank loaned me the rest. Your government has sponsored a program to help us get credit.” She glanced across at her car. “But I must be off. Goodbye for now, Matt. Thank you for your help today.” Her smile returned.

“My pleasure.”

That evening as he drove into the driveway of his home, a modern house in one of the newer suburbs, he watched his cat crawl out from under a bush. He shrugged. Something was missing. He parked the truck in a space by the garage and climbed down before he realized what it was. For the first time in months, he never had that hollow feeling when he arrived back at the empty house.

“Well Misty,” he said as he picked up the little grey cat to pet. “I hope you've been looking after everything for me.”

Round yellow eyes stared at him as if the cat understood everything he said. Matt laughed, realizing that Misty was only hungry and knew he had cat food in his supermarket bag.

“Come on, Misty.” He laughed. “I bought a piece of fresh fish for you.”

*

Over the course of the next few weeks Matt found out a little about Niana. She was not, as he had first thought, a Muslim. A little research showed that about a quarter of Albanians were Orthodox Christians or Roman Catholics but Matt could find no facts on the ethnic Albanians from Kosovo.

“When I was a child, our communist government discouraged all religions,” she commented one of the few times the subject was mentioned. “I guess it worked reasonably well, but my parents told me it was only after Marshall Tito died that the ethnic differences surfaced. The language we speak makes us the enemy in the eyes of Serb nationalists.”

She spoke four languages with Italian added to her repertoire of two local languages and English; and originated from the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. There, she had been a postgraduate student. Her experiences during those fateful days in April 1999 were never mentioned but Matt could tell the memories were firmly embedded in her mind. Often small events would trigger a reaction from grim silence to soft tears before she'd swallow and continue whatever she was doing at the time.

Niana's Sandwich Bar opened without much fanfare, but it wasn't a whimper either. The original clients from Annie's establishment returned and the number of sit-down customers, especially for breakfast in the early morning, was so popular Niana moved her opening time back from seven to six-thirty and hired an employee part-time every morning until ten.

She proved to be an astute businesswoman who altered her menus to suit the clients' tastes. Unpopular choices were eliminated and she soon realized the majority of customers wanted ordinary food and tended to bypass the frilly stuff. As well as sandwiches, scones, muffins and small cakes sold well. Home-baked pies were also popular, with small individual ones preferred to the larger family-sized pies. Take-out coffee in paper mugs also sold well.

Matt noticed that the number of customers strolling through The Cuckoo's Nest increased and casual sales of smaller items such as the wooden toys and curiosities improved. He'd even sold two of the six cuckoo clocks that had been placed along the wall for months.

*