Chapter 19
French Violets

William came to Thomas McMurdo's pharmacy. In the window were medicines, perfume, brushes and combs, garden seeds, and toilet soap. A brass bell rang on its chain as he opened the door.

He passed a stack of soap. A flowery smell came through the paper French Violet. He used to buy it for Iris when they were first married. She kept it among clothes in the dresser. When it lost its scent she used it on her skin.

He sniffed a cake of soap. There was no seal oil in it. He had not smelled violets on her skin in a long time. He put it back. He took her list from his sack and gave it to the pharmacist.

The pharmacist read the list. He looked over the top of his glasses at William's face. William tried to stand tall. He did not want the pharmacist to feel sorry for him.

The pharmacist gave him small bottles wrapped in paper. William tucked them in his sack and left the store.

At Baird's grocery, he saw barrels by the door. They held apples from Nova Scotia. They were not tight like his barrels. But they had the same number of staves. Thirty six. One for every year of Iris's life.

In the store were things he could not buy. A tray of dried apricots and raisins made him think of Iris's Christmas cake, and her dress. How sad he felt about that dress.