After Cecily and Izzy were safely tucked away in bed, Felix found his parents in the kitchen. Alec was reading the paper at the table and Janet was sewing a patch on a fresh tear in Daniel's dungarees.
"Father and Mother, I need something from you."
"Anything dear, you know that," Janet replied..
"Because of the coming war, I have transferred to the ground forces, but I need a signature in order to serve."
"No, Felix no . . . we just have you back. Izzy, you cannot leave her again. She has put up a very brave front, Son, but she has suffered." Janet's answer was so emotional that it physically hurt Felix to hear it.
"Mother, it is my duty as a loyal Canadian and as a King."
"No, we will not give you our permission to march straight into a war."
"Mother, my birthday is not far away and I will be forced to go then. The fighting may be worse by then and the training less than adequate." Felix tried to use reason to fight her emotion.
Alec had remained silent, but finally spoke. "I will sign."
"Alec, no. I don't want –" Janet tried to protest.
"Janet, he has the right and you know it too."
"Thank you, Father." Felix him the papers and Alec signs it and returns it to Felix.
Janet grabs her son and hugs him. She pulls back and speaks, "Felix, does Izzy know this?"
"Not yet, but I will tell her tomorrow after church." Felix eyes are filled with the pain of knowing that this could be destructive to their relationship.
After a quiet breakfast and solitary trip to church, Felix and Izzy leave hand in hand. "Is it okay if we walk home?" He asked.
"Yes, it is a beautiful day and I would love to walk. Felix, is there anything wrong with your Mother?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, she was so happy yesterday and today . . . it is like someone died last night. Is she okay?"
"She is upset with me, Iz." He pulled her close and put one hand on her waist and one under her chin.
"Why, you haven't been home long enough to get into any scrapes. Is she upset about us getting married?"
"No, she loves you Izzy. I need to tell you the truth." Felix then looked skyward as if trying to ask the heavens for help. "I asked my folks to sign an enlistment paper last night."
"What, you are getting out in a few months and you promised me that you would give up the Navy and not take a second enlistment." Izzy pulled herself away and faced him with more pain than anger in her eyes.
"I am not staying in the Navy. Elbert and I are going to defend our country in Europe."
"No, Felix say no!"
"If I don't enlist, I will be forced to go after I turn of age in September." Felix hoped that reason would sway her.
"So, wait for that to happen the war may never be what they are predicting. You promised me." Izzy thought quickly as her mind raced. "Marry me now Felix, that would lower your chances of being called in to serve wouldn't it? And by September we could be expecting and that would make it even harder for them to take you from me."
Felix was not prepared for this response. "Izzy, I cannot do something that would leave you behind like that. They could still take me and it would kill me to know that you were here carrying that kind of burden on your own. We will be together someday and raise our children together."
Izzy ignored his reply and her mind raced to other ways to make sure he wouldn't leave her behind. "We could marry and go to Boston. Aunt Lillian still wants me to come. She has recovered from her failed business and owns a very successful boutique now. We could be in Carmody and married by tonight. I know the minister that married Father and Muriel. I am sure he would marry us." Izzy put her hands around his waist and hugged him with what could only be described as a death grip. She was determined not to lose him again.
"I have to go Izzy. I must defend God and the Crown. I am a King it is my duty." Felix let one tear slowly descend his cheek.
Izzy loosened her grip. She couldn't take this answer. "Well, I guess that means I will never be a King." Slowly she removes the beautiful ring on her left hand. In all of her wildest dreams Izzy never thought that she would ever take off this symbol. After removing it, she placed it in Felix's jacket pocket and turns to leave.
Felix grabs her by the arms and turns her to him. "Izzy I will be back soon, we will be together."
"My mother died trying to wait for my father to return from the field. I won't do that to myself."
"Izzy, can you tell me that you don't love me?" Felix pleads.
"Honestly, no I cannot tell you that I don't love you, but I can tell you that (her voice breaks with emotion) I wish that I didn't love you. It hurts too much."
"Izzy, isn't there anything I can do or say to change your mind?"
"No, Felix, just say good-bye and don't follow me, please." With this she kissed him on the cheek and ran off toward the King Farm.
Felix walked the shore for an hour trying to understand what just happened and how he could change Izzy's mind. He found no answers.
