Part 1: Chapter 51: 1888: Red Deer, Alberta
A Closer Look at the McSweeneys
With Thomas giving Nate somewhat silent encouragement every day, Nate was able to be much better with his public speaking and answers in Ms. Fletcher's classroom, and it also became clear that he got his work done quickly when he didn't need to speak out loud. And even though he was following her lessons, Nate found himself to be bored and would bring a book to read when everyone else was working.
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons Thomas would be at the Grant's house after school, getting help from the others on how to do certain things and then playing with them in the yard. Ophelia soon began to track where they were based on Thomas' and Colleen's noises. Thomas quickly wormed his way into the Grants' affections and was another honorary family member.
As the weather started getting colder and wetter and the leaves were changing, there was one Friday after school that neither of the McSweeney parents were waiting for Thomas. This concerned everyone because they were usually one of the firsts to arrive.
"Mama, is Thomas supposed to come with us?" Colleen asked when she saw that his family was missing.
"I haven't heard anything, no. But we will stay with him until they do," Ophelia said kindly.
Thomas smiled in thanks. The children put down their backpacks and began to play while
Ophelia watched down the road. When she finally heard someone traveling in their direction, it was James. Ophelia looked at him in surprise.
"Mrs. McSweeney hurt herself badly enough that she needed to be taken to a hospital. Mr. McSweeney is going with her," James said in a low voice.
"Is she okay?" Ophelia asked.
"She will be," James said.
"Where's Thomas going to stay?" Ophelia asked the important question.
"They don't want Thomas with them at the hospital. But they were also hesitant to ask," James replied.
"We'll take him in a heartbeat, but what if something happens to his mother while he's staying with us? It's a bit out of the way," Ophelia said.
James nodded in agreement. "There is also a large storm brewing, and it's going to hit when we are at our dinner. Do you mind if you stay a day?"
"But Thomas doesn't have his things," Ophelia pointed out.
"I will go get his things, and take care of your animals, then return," James said.
"Does Edith know?" Ophelia asked.
James shook his head.
"You sure you want us to come over when she will be introduced to a new person when she isn't society ready?" Ophelia gave him a look.
"Yes, absolutely! I need all the buffer I can get," James said honestly.
Ophelia snorted in amusement.
"Uncle James!" Colleen said as they came running up to him.
"Hello!" James smiled at each.
"Thomas it looks like something happened to your mother, you'll be staying with us until she's better," Ophelia said.
Thomas looked at her in worry.
"She'll be fine with time and rest, Thomas, but your parents had to leave town. They thought it would be best to have you stay here rather than at a hotel," James explained.
Thomas nodded, but still looked worried.
"Does this mean we aren't going to Auntie Edith's tonight?" Colleen asked her mother.
"No, we're still going," Ophelia said.
"YAY! Thomas you're going to love Auntie Edith," Colleen said as she looked Thomas in the eye. After they grabbed their bags and James went down the path to get Thomas' clothes, Colleen and Nate were leading Thomas into the fort and telling him all about the rules of the house and hand washing.
The Grant family plus Thomas all walked to the Normandeau's washing room. Thomas was put into some of Nate's clothes, which were simultaneously too long and too tight. Once everyone had gotten their humor at Thomas' attire out of their systems, Nate led Thomas to his aunt where she was sitting in the parlor without her wig or veil on.
"Thomas, meet Auntie Edith. Auntie Edith this is, Thomas," Colleen said as she gave her aunt a hug and pointed to Thomas behind her.
Edith was surprised to see little Thomas McSweeney standing in her parlor without notice. She had heard a lot about him, of course, but she had thought that their eventual meeting would be a more organized affair.
"Hello, Thomas," Edith said.
Thomas had been trying to grasp what he had imagined what Edith Normandeau looked like with how she really looked.
"Hello, Mrs. Normandeau," Thomas replied politely. "They said ya can't be around germs, but they didn't mention ya being that hurt."
Thomas looked at the Grant children.
"That's because Auntie Edith is beautiful anyway," Nate said.
Edith smiled at Nate with affection and pride.
Edith also was about to open her mouth to protest, but then saw Ophelia's glare.
"If I can't complain about the money the two of you spend on presents, then you can't complain about your looks," Ophelia whispered firmly.
"Are ya okay? Does it hurt?" Thomas finally asked.
"I'm as well as I can be, and sometimes it does. I feel it worse when the weather is poor," Edith responded.
"Like today?" Thomas asked just before the wind started blowing harder.
"Yes," Edith replied honestly.
Thomas gave her one last look over.
"I've traveled a lot with me cousin's family. I've been introduced to a lot of fine ladies who everyone says is pretty or beautiful, but they are the meanest people I've ever seen," Thomas started, "it's made me realize that only being pretty is a silly thing to want. Being kind is much more important. Nate and Colleen have said how kind ya are all the time. That's all I need to know."
Edith smiled fondly down at the little boy, who had become Nate's best friend. He was a handful and said what he was thinking, but he also had a large, kind heart.
"That's all I need to know about you, as well," Edith said softly.
Thomas smiled his deep dimple smile.
'This one is going to be a charmer,' Edith thought as she looked down at Thomas.
Edith smiled as she stood up.
"Now, I know we normally do homework on Sundays, but since Thomas is here, how about we do it now and give you all a homework free weekend?" Edith suggested.
Nate and Colleen both lit up.
"You're going to love this, Thomas," Colleen said as she grabbed their bags and books.
Archie and James ended up coming to the Normandeau house at the same time, and they both entered to find Edith and all three of the children playing an Irish game while speaking to each other in Irish. Ophelia was just looking fondly on, while knitting a scarf.
"What are they playing?" James asked as he leaned against the doorframe.
"No idea," Ophelia said, "Edith just suggested it so that Thomas would be more comfortable."
James nodded in agreement as he watched his wife with pride and love.
The people involved in the game all turned and noticed the men's presence, right before there was a loud clap of thunder, that shook the house, and then torrential downpour of heavy rain. The family went about eating their dinner by candlelight.
"So, Thomas. How do you like it here?" Edith asked.
"It's alright. It's not as big a town as we're used ta. But I like me friends," Thomas said as he looked over at Nate. '' And Mr. and Mrs. Grant are very kind to let me play a lot."
Archie and Ophelia both smiled at the boy.
"Yer welcome anytime, Thomas," Archie said softly.
"Most people can't handle me talking. They're nice for a bit, but after some time, they're mean about me talking a lot," Thomas added.
"We're used to Colleen," Nate said.
Everyone looked at the siblings. Colleen glared at her little brother.
"I would argue, but it's true," Colleen admitted loudly.
Everyone present started laughing.
That night, Colleen, Nate, and Thomas were sharing a bed in the room that Nate had stayed in. Thomas was wearing a pair of Nate's sleepwear, also simultaneously too long and too tight. Archie was the one telling the bedtime story. This one was a fairy tale that required participation, which Archie made sure to include Thomas in.
As they finally put their heads down to sleep, the rain was still beating, but it was less of a pounding on the roof. Edith was completing a sketch and a letter for the McSweeneys.
"I'm sorry about not giving you warning…again," James whispered as they were laying in bed.
Edith looked over at him.
"It was necessary. I trust everyone's judgment about me," Edith said.
James met her look.
"Besides, I won't deny that I was curious and a little sad that I hadn't gotten to meet little Thomas. It will be interesting to see who is more talkative in the long run, Colleen or Thomas," Edith smiled.
James nodded his agreement.
The next morning, after getting dressed everyone in the house was meeting at the Normandeau breakfast table.
"Good morning," Edith smiled at everyone.
"'It is especially good. I can feel me arms and me feet again!" Thomas stated loudly and pointed to both. He was in his own clothes.
Everyone got a good chuckle out of his comment.
"I'm glad," Edith gave him a wink.
"Thomas, I'm taking you to your mother and father at her hospital today," James said.
"Will I be staying there?" Thomas asked.
"I doubt it. But I'm sure you want to see your mother, and we can go discuss how best handle your care while she is still there," James replied.
"Are we going, too?" Colleen asked curiously.
The family looked around the table at each other.
"I can't. I need to see what damage the storm did to our yard and house," Archie said.
James and Edith nodded in agreement.
"Do you want us to go with you, Thomas?" Ophelia asked as she pointed between herself and her children.
Thomas looked at his friends.
"Would ya?" Thomas turned back to Ophelia, looking a little unsure of what would be a big ask in his family.
"Of course, we will," Ophelia smiled gently down at him.
Thomas sighed and smiled in relief and thanks.
This was how they found themselves in a train cabin to Edmonton. To everyone's surprise, Thomas seemed very comfortable and at ease with this form and luxury of travel. The children kept each other entertained in the train cabin, while Ophelia knitted, and James read.
As the train approached the train station, they collected their things. Once they stepped off, James had Nate in one arm, Thomas in another. Colleen was holding tightly to her mother's hand.
"No running off, while we are here," Ophelia said as she eyed her daughter.
"Yes, Mama," Colleen said, and would, at least this time, actually listen to her mother knowing kidnappers were everywhere. The sting of losing Kathryn Clarke was still on everyone's minds.
James ordered a driver to take them to the hospital where the McSweeneys were.
They quickly got a room number and directions and were soon outside of Mrs. McSweeney's room. James knocked on the door to announce their presence. They heard a shuffling inside and heard the heavy footsteps of Mr. McSweeney. He opened the door and looked surprised to see all of them.
"Hello," James said with a smile. "We're here so that Thomas can see his mother."
"Hi, Da!" Thomas said with a smile and a wave.
"Hello," Mr. McSweeney said flatly as he turned to open the door.
James set Thomas on the floor first. Thomas walked quickly towards his mother's bedside.
"Stop right there, Thomas McSweney," his mother ordered with pain but also irritation in her voice.
Thomas stopped dead in his tracks and ducked his head down.
"Mother, can I approach?" Thomas asked, looking down at his feet.
Mildred gave him a small glare of correction.
"Mother, may I approach?" Thomas asked without moving.
"Yes, you may. Just make sure you walk and speak lightly, please," Mildred said, not giving her son the least bit of encouragement.
Thomas slowly walked towards his mother and didn't say anything until he was by her hand and arm, which had a cast on it.
"Are ya alright?" Thomas asked softly.
Mildred only nodded once.
"My wife allowed everyone to stay near the fort last night, just in case, but she also wrote a letter for you," James said as he took one step forward, pulling out the letter with his free arm.
Mildred McSweeney took it and opened it. The drawing was the first piece she noticed. It was of the three children playing the Irish game. Mildred then started to read the letter, but stopped on the line of "Thomas is an energetic and charismatic little boy…"
"Thomas McSweeney, I expect you to be on your best behavior with them!" she lectured as she looked down in anger at her son.
Thomas visibly flinched.
"He was fine. Edith intends those words as a compliment," James tried to intervene.
"Thank you, sir, but I know how to read between the lines. Thomas should know better," Mildred looked sternly down at her son.
"Yes, ma'am," Thomas said softly, still looking down at his hands.
"How long do you expect to be here?" Ophelia asked from where she and Colleen were standing in the door.
The McSweeneys both looked at each other, then at their son.
"We're sorry if Thomas is too much to handle. We know how draining he is," Mildred said as she met Ophelia's eyes.
Ophelia shook her head.
"Thomas is welcome for however long he needs to be with us. He's a sweet boy," Ophelia said with a reassuring look at Thomas.
"She broke her arm pretty badly and banged up her side slipping on our land," Eoan finally admitted. "The doctor wants her here for at least a few days to make sure infections don't set in."
"He's welcome to stay with us, even after you get back, if you will need the peace and quiet to rest and heal," Ophelia said.
The McSweeneys had a silent conversation, with each other, but they agreed to let the Grants continue to care for Thomas.
"Thomas, ya should say good-bye now. They'll be wanting to be on their way back home," Eoan said.
Thomas nodded.
"Bye, mother. I hope ya get better soon. I love ya," Thomas said as he looked up at his mother for the first time.
"Be good for them," was all Mildred said in return. She didn't allow Thomas to go to her to give him a hug or initiate one herself.
The group quietly gathered their things and said good-bye and went back out into the hallway.
Colleen had grabbed onto Thomas the moment the door had shut to Mrs. McSweeney's hospital room, and she didn't let go of him the entire trip back. She had decided to chat up a story she was thinking about writing down, to give everyone a bit of a distraction from the revealing of the type of relationship Thomas had with his parents.
When they got back to Red Deer, it was later in the day, and they had decided to stay overnight in the fort again, so they wouldn't have a long trek back home in the dark. They all made a brief stop at the Mercantile to check mail, even the McSweeneys. Thomas got his first letter from his cousin, which cheered him up a bit, but he just tucked it into his pocket to read later.
"Welcome back!" Edith said with a warm smile and a hug for each person walking through the door.
"How did things go?" Archie asked from his spot. They all looked at him in surprise. "What? Ya think I don't know how yer minds work?"
They all gave him a shrug.
"The McSweeneys are mean to Thomas," Colleen began in a rant.
Both Edith and Archie looked down at Thomas.
"Surely, it's not that bad," Edith said.
"They didn't hug or kiss him," Nate said after he had stood next to Thomas.
"At all?" Edith asked in horror.
"Not once," Ophelia said with a tone of disapproval.
"I get the feeling that Mrs. McSweeney is from a Society family," James said as he explained his observation of the couple.
Edith looked at her husband with pain and fear.
"Is that true, Thomas?" Edith asked as she bent over to be at his eye-level.
"Yes, her and auntie are Whitmores," Thomas explained. "I don't know quite what that means, but she and Auntie treat me and Luke the same way."
Edith nodded as if that did, in fact, explain everything she needed to know.
"Well, you chose your best friend quite well then. The Grants all huggers, you'll get plenty of love and affection from all of them," Edith said as she looked at Ophelia standing with Archie's arms around her, and Colleen standing just in front of them. They all nodded in agreement with Edith's comment.
"So, what's being a Whitmore have to do with anything?" Archie asked after they had put the children down to sleep.
"Whitmores are upper crust, old Society money. Their entire family believes in keeping loved ones at a distance. Children are raised by governesses not the parents. They would only marry those who have similar views and wealth. Although, Mr. McSweeney doesn't seem to fit that description, and I can't believe that Mrs. McSweeney allowed them to move here," James explained.
"Eoan mentioned a fight between the sisters just about the time they were needing to leave. He's said that he's always been a farmer, though," Archie said.
"The more I learn about them, the more contradicting they become," Edith said with frustration in her voice. "It seems like they have to love each other, otherwise the marriage wouldn't have happened. But how can you love something THAT much and not show it?"
"It doesn't surprise me at all," Ophelia said.
Edith looked at her in confusion.
"My mother was the same way, and she didn't even have society breeding as an excuse," Ophelia pointed out. "Mildred reminds me of how my mother was with us. She didn't hug us; she didn't kiss our scraped knees. Not being like her, is why I'm extra affectionate with my children. At no point are they ever going to question if I love them."
"You're doing a grand job of that," Edith complimented.
Ophelia blushed.
"I'm doing alright," Ophelia demurred.
"No, it is painfully obvious to everyone that you love your children and show them affection," James said.
Ophelia just nodded awkwardly.
"So, what are we going to do about Thomas?" Edith finally turned the question back.
"They're not being physically abusive, so I can't do anything legally," James said.
"Why haven't you done anything about the Wallaces, then?" Ophelia asked as they had always been covered in bruises.
"We have to see it happening or Mrs. Wallace has to admit to it," James said with frustration. Mr. Wallace didn't let others see him be that hard on his family, and Mrs. Wallace thought that they would be better with him than without. Everyone frowned at that.
"With Thomas, I think the best thing to do is just keep showering him with love and affection. He may still have issues with his parents later, but he will know you are a safe space," James eventually said as he looked at the Grants. They both nodded.
Meanwhile in the children's bedroom, Thomas had waited until Colleen and Nate were both asleep to read his letter from Luke. He felt a nervousness about reading this letter in front of others. But he still wanted to read it. So, he had waited until his friends were asleep to read the letter.
Dear Thomas,
I finally got your first letter from Red Deer! You have no idea how long I waited anxiously awaiting the postman. Well, you do, because you'll be the same way. But I got the sense that your new friend and his family have kept you entertained while you were waiting. I only had the company of Gertrude, and we both know how strict she is.
Mother and Father have been in and out, like normal. I have been reading and doing my lessons, but I long to be in a place long enough to find a lasting friend. It sounds like you have already achieved it. Even in as remote of a place as Red Deer.
How is Auntie handling not having indoor plumbing? I don't think I would care much to live in a place without that little piece of civilization. But Uncle Eoan was always a bit more at ease with being in nature.
We're spending time in France for Christmas. Father heard that his mother isn't doing well, so we are going to Paris. I have left the address we will be at, at the bottom of the letter. Send your letters there until I say otherwise.
I hope you are enjoying Red Deer and your new friend more than you had hoped you would.
Best,
Luke
Thomas read the letter twice. Already knowing exactly what his reply would say, but that would have to wait until morning as Thomas was quite tired, warm, and content enough. Thomas had a feeling that moving to and staying in Red Deer would be better than he had dared to dream. So long as the Grants didn't move!
This chapter has been hard to move forward because my mind went several places to get to this point. For those who celebrate, Happy Easter! Thanks for the positive feedback!