Interview with Ivy Braddock

Cal got to the boarding house early so he could get a bit of lunch in him. He had two things on his mind as he sat down at a table there, alone. One was to have one of Andy's now famous burgers and the other was to talk to Ivy Braddock. He knew nothing about her and it made it difficult to come up with questions for her.

He was still waiting for the burger when he saw her enter the dining area. Cal stood as she approached. She was stunning in a wholesome way and he thought Jimmy Braddock was a heck of a lucky man.

"Mrs. Braddock." he affirmed as he offered her his hand. "I was just about to have lunch. Can I order something for you?"
 
"Oh, um. Ok. I'll get the usual. They know me by now. Call me Ivy please."

"Ivy. Its a lovely name." He smiled. Waving Andy over, he added her usual to his order. With that completed he turned his attention back to Ivy. "Let's get started, shall we? I noticed that Jim has left town. Will he be gone long?"

"He will be back a day or two before Toni and Richie's wedding. So I guess it depends on one's perspective. To me yes he will be gone a long time, even though it is just a few weeks."
 
Cal smiled at her. He never experienced having someone wait for him that way. It must be a good feeling to be loved. "Do you miss New Jersey, Ivy? Australia must offer a bit of culture shock for you."

"I miss the food in New Jersey. But other than that no. Which surprises me. But then it isn't like I have a job or anything back home. I gave up my apartment when Jimmy and I got married and all my stuff is in boxes in a spare room at his house. So if there was salt water taffy and pork roll here, this place is as good as any other. Well maybe better than some since it was here Jim and I spent our honeymoon."

"I haven't had pork roll since I did an internship in Phillipsburg. Let me know if you get someone to mail some to you from home. I'd love to pitch in on that shipment" He'd not been to Phillipsburg since he was a young cub reporter. "Are you going to be working here? Starting a business maybe?"


"Like I said Jim and I came here for our honeymoon. After Toni and Richie's wedding we are supposed to go back home. But Toni keeps hinting she wants us to stay. I'd have to find something to do of course, but more importantly we would have to find something for Jim to do." She had a far off look in her eye as she thought about the possibilities for a moment. "Oh I'm sorry I'm plotting. Maybe Toni and I will have to get together and see what we can come up with. Of course I'll have to sell the idea to Jimmy then. Are you going to eat your pickle?" she pointed to the pickle on the side of his plate.

He chuckled a little then moved his plate toward her. "It's all yours." Seeing the look her face made him wonder exactly what she was plotting.

"I did write down the info bout your honeymoon but I did not know you were even considering going back. It seems that most people who come here do stay here." He paused for a moment to look at her as if he were reading something in her eyes." You have the soul of a poet. Have you ever considered writing?" 

 "Hmmm, Oh I used to do creative writing and I have written several brochures for different historic sites I have worked at. Used to write educational programs too. But if you are talking about the great American Novel. No. But thank you I will take that as a great compliment." she blushed a little. "You know you should try some of Andy's salsa on your burger....that is how I get it, it is fabulous." She took a bite of her "usual" burger trying to balance it just right to retain the salsa.

"You know I was kind of nervous when I got your message about this interview. I didn't know what to expect. I know I'm not that interesting and I really wasn't sure how much you know about Jim." Ivy looked down at her lap a second then back at Cal. "I think it might be good for us to be here. Too many ghosts back in Jersey."

"Ivy, I should know more about him. I don't though. It's part of the reason I wanted to talk to you and I think it will give the other residents an idea of who you are, who you both are. If I make you nervous I'm sorry" He smiled warmly and with a cock of his head he reached over to give her hand a little pat. "I'm learning about everyone slowly but surely and passing their stories on to the other residents through the 'Times'. When I heard through the grapevine that Jim was leaving for a bit, I though it would be a perfect occasion for me to cop some of your time. Maybe even distract you a little to make the time pass."

He raised his hand to get Andy to bring a little salsa for him to try. Andy nodded with a grin. "Now, Ivy. I've fleshed you out a little. You're a closet poet who likes the spicier side of things in a covert way. So, beyond that my dear, are you looking forward to the wedding? It promises to be the event of the year at the Glen and I hear the Park fund has reached its goal." 


Smiling she nodded her head. "Yes I am looking forward to the wedding. I love weddings and Toni is the best friend I have ever had. She was the one who invited Jim and I down here. Your not making me nervous anymore. There are just things he doesn't like to talk about. But I'll do my best to answer your questions. Oh here comes your salsa....it really is good today Andy" she said while she gave Andy a thumbs up. "I am in a much better mood than I was earlier, thanks Cal." pushing her hair back behind her ears she smiled at him.

"Thank you, Andy." Cal took the little bowl of salsa and slathered some on his burger. He kept talking as he did so. "Ivy, I have to ask you this. If there was one significant thing that you wanted everyone at the Glen to know about you and Jim, what would it be?"

Ivy shifted in her chair sitting up a little straighter and rested her hands on the table. Breathing deeply she cocked her head to one side and looked at Cal. "I'd want them to know that Jimmy is a good hard working man and that I love him."

The sound of her voice brought a warmth to Cal that he'd never felt before. Her sincerity and love for Jim was more honest and touching then he could ever have imagined. "Mister Braddock is a very lucky man, Missus Braddock. I don't believe there's anything else that needs to be said."