Chapter 40 – A New School Year
Jack was right and Coal Valley woke up to a rainy Saturday morning. It meant business at the cafe was a little slower, but Abigail didn't mind. She was able to keep up without feeling like she was running all over the place. Jack stopped in for some coffee.
"Where is Elizabeth?" Jack asked.
"She went over to the saloon." Abigail said. "She said something about checking if everything was ready for school."
"I am sure it is." Jack said. "But I am glad she is gone, I need to talk to you. Actually, I have a favor to ask you."
"Okay." Abigail said. "What can I do to help you?"
"I would like to have a special supper for Elizabeth here at the cafe." Jack said. "I want to have the cafe to ourselves."
"I think that would be wonderful." Abigail said. "When?"
"Maybe Saturday night?" Jack said. "I was thinking of borrowing a phonograph and everything."
"You should talk to Cat." Abigail said. "I think she would let you use hers. Maybe you could also get some candles from her. Anything else?"
"I was wondering if any Elizabeth's students would like to help serve or something." Jack said.
"I think some of the older ones." Abigail said. "Maybe Gabe and Cassandra. Talk to Cat."
"I will." Jack said. "For now, this is all going to be surprise. I will ask Elizabeth later this week, but not tell her where we are going."
"I won't say anything." Abigail said. "What should I make?"
"It doesn't matter to me." Jack said. "Whatever is going to be easy for you."
"Okay." Abigail said. "I will work on something special."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I need to head back over to the jail. I think I am going to try and get all my reports typed up."
"Come over for supper if you want." Abigail said.
"I just might." Jack said.
Jack left and headed back to the jail. Elizabeth came out of the saloon as Jack walked by. He tipped his hat to her and went into the jail. Elizabeth headed back to the cafe. She had the books that she needed and everything else was ready for Monday. The weather got worse as the day went on and Abigail decided to close an hour early since no one was out anyway. Elizabeth had already eaten and headed up to her room. She wanted to write in her journal and maybe also write a letter to her aunt and uncle. Elizabeth didn't hear Jack knock downstairs. Abigail invited him in and made him a plate.
"Everything okay?" Jack asked.
"I just closed early because of the weather." Abigail said. "Elizabeth already went up stairs."
"She alright?" Jack asked.
"I think she wanted to write a letter." Abigail said.
"Okay." Jack said. "I am worried about her."
"Is there something going on?" Abigail asked.
"I don't know, exactly." Jack said. "I heard from a friend who is stationed in Hamilton. He says that the Thatcher's are talking about Elizabeth's return to take her place in society. Her older sister is courting and I guess he said that there is talk of two Thatcher weddings next year. It sounds like they are gearing up for a big welcome home for Elizabeth. I don't know how much is fact and how much is just talk, neither did my friend."
"Elizabeth hasn't said anything about leaving." Abigail said.
"I don't think she is planning on leaving." Jack said. "I think that this is her family's doing. From everything I have read and learned, it sounds like they have their own ideas about what they want for Elizabeth."
"Oh." Abigail said.
"Yeah." Jack said. "Don't say I said anything."
"I won't." Abigail said. "Maybe you should talk to her."
"I will think about it." Jack said. "Thanks for supper."
"Your welcome." Abigail said. "Let me know if there is anything else."
"I will." Jack said.
After eating, Jack left. Abigail finished picking up downstairs. She made sure everything was locked up, before headed up to bed herself. Abigail couldn't stop thinking about what Jack had said. She was worried about Elizabeth. Abigail knew that she loved Coal Valley, but if her family was actively planning for her return to Hamilton, well then she needed to know. Abigail decided to give it a couple of days and see what happened, before she would talk to Elizabeth. She tried to put it out of her mind and relax before heading to bed. Elizabeth on the other hand wasn't sure she was going to be able to sleep. She had received a letter from her father all but demanding that she return home and quit 'playing teacher' as he called it. Elizabeth knew that the last thing she wanted to do was leave Coal Valley. She wasn't sure what was going to happen with her family, but she was an adult and they couldn't make her return. She knew she should talk to Abigail, but since she had no plan of leaving, it was a moot point. Elizabeth didn't really care what her family wanted, she planned on staying in Coal Valley.
After a long night of tossing and turning by each, both Jack and Elizabeth woke to another rainy and overcast day. It wasn't long and there were rumbles of thunder that could be heard coming off the mountains. Elizabeth was disappointed because she had been looking forward to a picnic with Jack. The more that she thought about it, the weather matched her mood. She decided to try and put it all out of her mind and relax since she would be starting school the next morning. Overall, it was a quite day. Abigail had the cafe closed and Elizabeth spent the day in her room reading and writing in her journal. Jack spent the better part of his day at the jail working on reports and drawing. He did go over and check on Sergeant at one point, but it was better to be indoors. There weren't services that morning, nor were there people out and about. Jack decided to eat some stuff he had at the jail and turn in early. Jack knew that he could have gone over to the cafe and had something, but he just didn't want to be outside much. Jack was glad that he kept a few things to eat at the jail.
Monday, August 1st, was a big day. It was the first day of school for the new year. Elizabeth was excited and she hoped that the children were as well. Elizabeth knew that the students had had a short summer, so she had made a compromise with the mothers that they would let the student out early the first two weeks. Elizabeth had also planned a few things outside of the classroom which she thought would help. The students still didn't know about the changes and she would explain everything to the children when she talked to them that morning. She had come in early to set everything up. She still didn't mind teaching in the saloon, but there was a part of her that wished for her own classroom that she could it leave set up. It would be different to share the school with the church like before because then it would only be picking things up on Friday and resetting things on Monday morning. Elizabeth knew that the town couldn't afford to build a new church or schoolhouse right now, so she wasn't going to complain. She was just grateful that she had a job and that they had a place to meet. She would deal with whatever difficulties that they faced. She knew that the people of Coal Valley had been through a lot and she had been accepted as a member of the community. She also knew that she had grown up privileged, but she had to adjust to a different way of life.
Elizabeth was glad that she had stayed in Coal Valley and not gone back to Hamilton. Not only was she there to help Bo learn to read, but Elizabeth had been there to help Abigail during the move and the opening of the cafe. She knew that her family wasn't happy based on the letters that she had received, but at that point she didn't care. She was glad that she was there to repair her relationship with Jack. They still weren't where she wanted them to be, but things were much better. She knew that he was still fighting his feelings, but they had fell back into a comfortable presents. They were able to spend time with each other and not be self-concious with each other. She also knew that both had to work on sharing things. Elizabeth wanted to make things work with Jack and she knew that it would just take time. She wondered if there wasn't something in his past that made him hesitate about a relationship with her.
Elizabeth had been up early that morning and had breakfast, just as Abigail opened the cafe. She had wanted to get to the saloon early and get things set up. Elizabeth hoped that the rain would hold off, but it was another overcast day. Elizabeth headed out to the saloon and when she looked over, she saw Jack standing on the porch of the jail. He smiled and waved at her. Elizabeth smiled back and headed to the saloon. She was getting books and slates out when she heard the door open and the distinct sound of Jack's boots.
"Morning Jack." Elizabeth said without looking up.
"Morning." Jack said. "How did you know?"
"I told you before." Elizabeth said turning to face him. "Your boots."
"I guess I don't hear the difference from other boots." Jack said.
"I don't know what to tell you." Elizabeth said. "Maybe it comes from practice. I always knew who was coming up the stairs at home by the sound of their feet. I can even tell which of my students are walking around without looking."
"Maybe I should be worried about you." Jack said.
"No." Elizabeth said. "My aunt use to tease me that I was part bat."
"Well." Jack said. "That would explain it, as long as you don't turn into a bat and fly off."
Elizabeth looked at Jack and he had a dimpled grin on his face. She just shook her head.
"Is there something I can do for you this morning?" Elizabeth asked.
"I just wanted to come over and wish you a good first day." Jack said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "What are you doing today?"
"If the weather holds." Jack said. "I was thinking of headed toward Rock Creek. I want to check something out."
"Have fun." Elizabeth said. "Stop by the cafe for supper if you are back."
"I will try." Jack said. "How many are you starting the year with?"
"Twenty-one." Elizabeth said. "Same as when I first came. Bradley Ramsey left and Bo is doing well enough on his own, that he wants to work so I agreed. I have two new students – Andrew Blakely and Opal Weise."
"Opal will probably be shy." Jack said. "I have ridden by their farm a few times. Her parents are nice, but they don't come into town much. I am glad that they are sending Opal to school. Her father and I had a discussion about it. You know that Opal just turned five a couple of weeks ago, he was worried about sending her and thought may waiting a year. I told him that Opal would be fine with you and if things didn't work out, then they could talk about waiting."
"No." Elizabeth said. "I wasn't aware of that. I will try to make sure that she is with some of the other girls close to her age. I will also keep an eye on her. I think she will be fine. Children that age want to be with other children."
"I am glad that you will be here for her." Jack said. "I think you will do great, you are so good with the kids and they love you. The change you have made in their lives in just a couple of months is amazing."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth looked around the classroom one more time and she was satisfied that everything was ready so she headed to greet her students. Jack followed her out onto the boardwalk. He smiled when he looked over at Elizabeth and she was excited. Jack saw a group of students coming, so he left. He tipped his hat to the children and they waved excitedly at Jack. He didn't stop to talk to them, but continued to the livery to get Sergeant. Elizabeth greeted the students as they came in. Some were excited, others didn't want to be there. She knew that was to be expected, but she was hoping that it would get better. Once everyone was seated, Elizabeth went to the front of the room and looked at all of her students.
"Welcome." Elizabeth said. "I know that it was a short summer, but I am hoping that if the weather is nice, we will be able to get out of the classroom over the next couple of weeks. I also hope that we can all have a good year."
Elizabeth looked around at the children.
"I especially want to say welcome to our two new students." Elizabeth said. "Opal, Andrew, I hope that you have a good year. Just remember to raise your hand if you want to talk. I have other rules, but we can talk those."
She saw both of them nod at her.
"Now, for the rest of you." Elizabeth said looking up at the whole group. "Do we need to go through classroom rules again."
Elizabeth looked around and saw students shaking their heads.
"Good." Elizabeth said. "If things get out of control, I have no problem stopping and going over them all again. Please keep that in mind. We have a lot to do, so lets get started."
Elizabeth handed out the readers to all the children and got the older ones started on some independent reading while she went to work on letters with the younger ones as well as talk to them about the rules and what she expected of them. The rest of the day went well and Elizabeth let the children go just after two in the afternoon, which was over and hour earlier then she normally kept the students. They were excited to go out and play since the sun had come out. Elizabeth picked everything up and when she was done, she gathered her stuff and stepped out onto the boardwalk. She looked around for Jack, but didn't see him, so she headed to the cafe to have some tea and relax a bit. When she got to the cafe, she was surprised to see a number of the ladies sitting there having afternoon tea. Elizabeth went through and upstairs. She didn't want to have to deal with Florence or any of the other mothers. She had nodded a hello to them as she went by, but that was it. Elizabeth waited about ten mintues before she came downstairs again.
"How was your first day back?" Abigail asked when she saw Elizabeth.
"Good." Elizabeth said. "Only two new ones, so twenty-one students again. I think one of the new girls, Opal Weise, is so sweet."
"Nice family." Abigail said. "They have only been in Coal Valley about a year or so. I think they moved here last summer. I seen them a few times at church, but never really got to know them well. Maybe because he doesn't work at the mine, it made a difference."
"Yeah." Elizabeth said. "Jack warned me that she was shy. I think she will do fine. Her mother brought her in this morning and Opal had her stuffed bear with her. Her mother wanted her to leave it at home, but I didn't mind. If it makes her feel better then it is fine. I just asked that she put him in the chair next to her and not play with him."
"How did that go?" Abigail asked.
Elizabeth poured some tea and sat down before looking at Abigail.
"I only had to remind her once." Elizabeth said. "So, I think it will be fine. She is the youngest and I think she was scared. At recess, I tried to get her to play with Emily Montgomery and Morgan-Rose Miller. I think it will get better. For a first day, it was better then my last first day."
"I suppose." Abigail said. "You had quiet the welcome to Coal Valley. Just think of it this way, it can only get better."
"True." Elizabeth said. "I am hoping for a good year. I have high hopes for the children. I really want to get through to some of the older ones. I am worried about James Roberts and James Fremont. I know that they will be old enough to leave by the end of the year, but I wish they would stay. Depending on what happens, I could also lose Gabe Montgomery. I am just hoping I can get through to all of them and keep them longer."
"I don't think you will have to worry about Gabe." Abigail said. "The other two, well, I am sure that their mothers will let them work if they want. I will just pray for the best. We don't know what the year will bring, maybe things will change."
"I hope so." Elizabeth said. "But I don't want to think about that right now. I want to enjoy it one day at a time."
"Good plan." Abigail said.
Elizabeth worked on some papers and enjoyed her tea as Abigail got ready for supper. Elizabeth made herself a plate after awhile and ate in the kitchen. She was hoping that Jack would stop by. As supper started to wind down, she headed upstairs. She was tired and knew that getting back into a routine was going to take a few days. Abigail didn't say anything when Elizabeth headed up early. She knew that she was probably thinking about Jack. Abigail knew that he left town that morning and hadn't seen him come back. It didn't take long for Elizabeth to fall asleep.