Chapter 4

Gina comes up to visit Dia to find her quietly reading a book when she arrived. She cleans up a bit, and finds the remains of Pete’s pie on the table. Gina knows that she didn’t buy pie for her recently, and she wanted to ask Dia about it. She decides not to considering that Dia will simply not answer or tell her to mind her own business. Time passes, and Gina is noticing something different about Dia. She has been looking out the window more often, like if she is waiting for someone. The look in her eye insists that she has something on her mind, but even Dia has no idea what it is.

Even though she is looking out the window, Dia sits in a spot where she is not easily seen. Every now and then, she notices Pete talking back or forth to his farm, but she doesn't do anything. She doesn't hide, she doesn't feel excited to see him, she's only curious about him. He comes to her home, leaves some pie, and doesn't even come back for the plate.

Pete on the other hand, does think about Dia. Like her, Pete has become curious about her story. Why is she living in a Sanitarium? Why is she so cold and uninviting, yet she leaves her door open for everyone? Why doesn't everyone in the small village know that they have a recluse living in the newly built Sanitarium. All that, and the fact that he finds her extremely attractive.

He may not have seen her smile yet, but there is a unique charm to her that Pete has noticed. Her dress looks rather expensive, like those that you see on a porcelain doll. Her face has no make-up, yet she radiates a natural beauty that can only come from a lifetime of dedicated care. Her choice of words and accent suggests that she is highly educated, like if she graduated from a private school in Europe. All this just begs the question, why is she living in a small village?

Sooner than later, Summer arrives. The air is hot, and villagers spend their days either indoors where the sun doesn't bake them, or at the beach to cool off. While the other villagers are beginning to enjoy their Summer, Pete is in his farm sweating from the heat. The spring crops had wilted and he is now planting tomatoes and corn. The animals are outside grazing on the lush green grass, which saves loads of time from manual feedings.

Since he has no harvests to pick, or animals to feed, he finds that he has some free time. Naturally, Dia comes to mind. He becomes curious as to how she is doing. Now that Summer has arrived, is she wearing something lighter than her long dress that covers her body from neck to toe? Is she still enjoying blueberry pie, now that blueberries are off season?

He makes the decision to see her once again. Blueberries are off season, but he has connections to get some from other places. They are expensive, but a good way to get on Dia's good side. He had already ordered them ahead of time, so he has what he needs to bake his pie. Breadfruit from the Spring season allows him to make the pie crust, and he knows some interesting blends of sugar and spices for the blueberry filling. All he needs is an excuse to go and see her.

As soon as the pie is ready, he places it in a basket, and heads over to the Sanitarium. He stays out of sight, and hides from a distance to wait for Gina to run an errand. He is not afraid of Gina, but he wants to be able to talk to Dia alone. Two is company, but three is a crowd after all. As soon as Gina walks out of the Sanitarium, Pete tip toes over unseen. He wants to surprise her without making a dramatic entrance. Just a subtle yet unexpected hello to break the ice. As quietly as he can, he walks up the stairs and sees Dia reading a book near the window. He smiles and knocks on the railing to get her attention.

Dia looks over, and sees Pete hanging by the stairwell. She is rather surprised to see him, but she makes no effort to show it. She just turns her attention to her book like if nothing was out of the ordinary. But Pete expected that from her, but he is not worried.

He takes a few steps towards her, and says, “hey there. What's up?”

Dia looks up at him, and says, “can I help you?”

Pete scratches the back of his head nervously, and continues, “I was in the area, and I figured that I'd visit. You don't mind if I do, right?”

She looks down at her book, and says, “it's a free country. Do what you like.”

“At least she's not kicking me out,” he thought to himself. He then places the basket on a nearby table, and says, “I brought some punch and pie. Would you like some?”

“What kind of pie?” asked Dia.

“Blueberry pie. I made it myself.”

Dia finally looks up curiously and asks, “blueberries are out of season. How did you make it?”

“I have my ways.” he answered. He then takes a slice of pie, and offers her a piece.

Dia accepts the pie, and has a taste. “These are Canadian blueberries that you used. It may be Summer, but it's still chilly up there.”

“You can tell, I'm impressed.”

“I have developed a taste for these things.”

Pete smiles. He is actually having a conversation with Dia, something he assumed that would be harder to do. But he was right about the blueberries. Offer her some, and she'll open up like a book. He then takes a slice, and has some himself.

After finishing her pie, Dia finally notices that she has let her guard down. Without realizing it, she has become friendly towards Pete. It is a bit late to be cold to him or ask him to leave, but she is curious to know why he has come back.

“So tell me, why are you here?” she asks.

“Me? I just want to talk.”

“About what?” she asks curiously. She was expecting the typical questions she would get at the hospital before she arrived in the village. Questions about her condition, her health, the accident. Too many questions that she may not be comfortable to answer.

“Tell me, why do you like blueberries?” Pete asks.

Dia is quite surprised by the question. “What do you mean? I do, because I do. There is no scientific reason why I like blueberries. It is like asking a lady, 'why do you like flowers', or 'why do you like puppies'. Of course, mother did like her wines, and she had lots of berries at home. I guess I just tried some one day, and discovered that I like blueberries over grapes, strawberries, apples and other fruits. I cannot think of any actual reason, nobody chooses what they like, it's just-”

Suddenly, Dia realizes that Pete is giggling. At first, she wonders why is he laughing. But then, she realizes that the question he asked was just meant to be idle chit chat, not something that merits a serious answer. Thinking about it causes her to giggle as well. It has been a while since she had a casual conversation with anyone. Even talking with Gina seems more like talking to a nurse than a friend.

Dia and Pete continue to talk about random topics. Just simple things like, “why is the sky blue”, and “what if pigs could fly”. Even though the conversations were pointless, Dia finds that she enjoys talking about things other than health and doctors. It feels like a breath of fresh air to her.

Gina came back from her errands about an hour after Pete came over. She places the groceries on the table, but she notices some voices coming from upstairs. She goes up the stairs quietly, and finds Pete there talking to Dia. She is also surprised to see Dia smiling, something she has not seen in a long time. Rather than be concerned over Pete's unexpected visit, Gina decides to sit by, and allow Dia to enjoy her company.

Pete didn't stay long after Gina returns. As he is leaving, Gina stops Pete to talk with him about Dia. Even though Dia never told Pete to come back, Gina asks him to make occasional visits to the Sanitarium whenever he had some time. Pete gladly agreed and goes back to the farm. Dia goes back to reading her books quietly, but now she does so with a smile.

To be continued.