When he returned his mother greeted him with a worried look. "Felix, where have you been and where has Izzy gone to?"
"Isn't she here?" He replied. He knew she wanted time, but did not think she would run off so soon.
"No, she was here, packed her bag, said you would explain and kissed me good-bye. She was crying Felix, I don't ever remember seeing her cry."
"She thinks I chose the war over her mother." Felix let a solitary tear roll down his cheek.
Janet put his arm around his shoulder and pulled him nearer to her heart. "Oh, Felix, maybe she will come around to reason."
"Have you come around to reason Mother?"
"No, but I am going to support you and love you no matter what. If Izzy didn't love you so much she wouldn't be this upset. Give her time Felix. It is all that you can do Felix."
At that point Cecily entered the room. "Mother, Felicity is on the telephone and needs to speak to you."
Janet went in and Felix followed her. She spoke briefly to Felicity. All Felix heard was, "Yes, oh dear. I know. Thank you. Call me if anything changes." She hung up the phone and turned to speak to Felix. "Izzy is at the foundling home with Felicity and Gus. She is going back to Halifax on the first train in the morning. Felicity has been talking to her trying to clam her down. Izzy agreed to let me know where she was, but she was adamant that she won't see you or speak to you. That is why Felicity made the telephone call."
"I understand Mother." With that said Felix headed up to his room. The next two weeks were spent getting Felix ready for his new deployment. Felix never saw or heard from Izzy. Clive Pettibone called him the night before Felix was going to leave. He congratulated Felix on his courage and determination and apologized for Izzy. "Please don't give up on her Felix; she is hurting also."
"I know Mr. Pettibone. I am the one who hurt her."
"First of all, call me Clive, and second of all don't be so hard on yourself. You are in an impossible position. Izzy will realize that when the pain fades. Now, as you can imagine my daughter is not too happy with my defense of you."
"I am sure she isn't." Felix felt guilt for causing problems between father and daughter.
"I have spoken to Lillian Hepworth. Financially, she if very well off at the moment. Her dress shop is doing very well. She has invited Izzy to come live with her in Boston and Izzy has agreed."
"In other words, she wouldn't handle being on the same island as me and now she wants to leave the whole country."
"It will work out Felix. Lillian is going to send Izzy to school and have her work in her shop. Lillian still has a soft spot in her heart for you. I think keeping busy will keep her out of trouble and help her realize your suffering."
Clive gave Felix Lillian's address and finished up their conversation. Felix did feel a little better, but every night when he closed his eyes he saw Izzy with tears ion her eyes removing his ring. He placed the ring back in its box and put in his dresser. It was a token of the abandonment he felt in his heart.