Chapter 29

A Difficult Evening

It was the end of school on the last day before vacation. She had just dismissed all the children. As they all rushed out to enjoy their vacation,she yelled "Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a great vacation!" As she was going down the stairs,she had the nagging thought in her mind that she still hadn't told Jack that she was going home for the holidays. She needed to tell him today that she was leaving tomorrow morning. She had cleaned her house pretty well yesterday,and she didn't want to mess up her kitchen with cooking dinner. So she decided earlier,that she would grab some dinner at Abigail's restaurant on the way home.

"Hey Elizabeth,how are you? I'm sorry that I haven't talked to you in a few day.I was away in Union City for business." she was surprised to see Jack on the road where she was walking. She was going to go home and think of a plan that she was going to tell Jack of her plans but it looked like it was all going to happen sooner than she thought.

"That's ok, I've been really busy with school too. Lee had told me on Sunday that you were away for a couple of days." They were in front of Abigail's now,so she thought it was now or never.

"Um Jack,there's something that I need to tell you and I wasn't sure how you were going to take it so I wanted to tell you as soon as possible." Jack's look got very solemn when she said this.

"Of course,is there something wrong? He totally stopped walking at this point and turned to face her. I was just about to go in and get something to eat at the you like to join me and we can talk inside over dinner?" Jack offered. He was very curious what she could need to tell him.

"Sure I guess that would be okay,I was actually planning on getting a to go order and takin it home to eat it. Of course you would be welcome to come with me as well,but we can stay here and eat,it's totally up to you." Elizabeth told him her thoughts but she was willing to stay and talk here if that's what he felt kind of silly and yet kind of afraid too. She just didn't know how he was going to take this,but maybe she was just totallly imagining it.

"Well then let's stay here and then I'll walk you home after sounds pretty important whatever u need to talk to me about,so the sooner we talk the better. What I really need to know though,did I do something wrong?" Jack seemed like the kind of person that would be hurt if he knew that he did anything to cause a problem.

Elizabeth made sure that he knew that it was absolutely nothing that he did or didn't do and that it wasn't nearly as serious as he was making it out to be. He nodded a sigh of relief. They went into the restaurant and Abigail,who was waiting on ,told them to take a seat anywhere. They looked over their menus and Abigail came right over to take their order.

"I'll have the chicken fried steak, with mashed potatoes and green beans. What about you Elizabeth?" She said that she would have the same. Abigail said she would put in their orders and be back with some water.

"So...what's going on?" Jack started in right was curious about what she was so upset about.

"Well, she wasn't sure how to start,I wasn't sure how or when to tell you,but my family has asked me to come home for Thanksgiving. I'm really not very happy about leaving Hope Valley but I miss my family too." Elizabeth felt relieved that she was able to get it out. She still wasn't sure why she was so nervous to tell Jack about her going home for a couple days.

"Oh wow! Is that all? I don't want to make it sound like the folks of the town won't miss you,but I thought something was very wrong." Jack almost sighed in relief

"Yeah that's what I was trying to tell you. I don't know why but i wasn't sure how to tell you,I'm sorry if I made it sound like it was worse."Elizabeth sort of felt happy that she told him but then she was almost disappointed. She couldn't fiquire out why.

Abigail brought their food over, and told them to enjoy and to save room for strawberry shortcake. They sat and enjoyed their food in silence. It's not that they were upset with each other ,just that neither one of them wasn't sure what to say. When they were all finished,Jack paid for their dinner and asked if she was ready to go. She said yes,stood up and he grabbed her stuff from school before she could. Jack was very quiet on the walk back to her house. As she unlocked the door,he asked.

"So,what time are you leaving for home? he asked softly

"My train leaves tomorrow morning." Jack looked up at her and for some reason he looked shocked,like he heard that she was leaving for the first time.

"Ok, I'll see you when you get back. Hope you have a good time." with that he turned and walked back to town.

She stood there frozen. She felt tears sting her eyes an she wasn't sure what had just happened. He seemed to be ok with her leaving for a few days ,but what he just demonstrated,showed completely the went inside,made sure that everything was all locked and went to lay in her bed. She started reading her Bible and found the verse Deut 31:8, The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. This was an amazing verse that spoke to her and gave her comfort. Elizabeth fell asleep wondering if she had made the right choice to leave Hope Valley or not