Part 1: Chapter 52: 1888: Red Deer, Alberta

Winter Birthdays

Thomas had stayed with the Grants for a full week while his mother recovered and was trying to heal her hand and sides. During that time, Thomas had been showered with all of the affection each Grant and both Normandeaus would give him. When he had to return home, he was a bit sad, but he also knew that as neighbors they would see each other a lot.

At school not much had changed within the classroom or on the playground. Bobby Wallace and his gang would still pick on Nate in any way that they could get away with. But they were now picking on Thomas as well. Making fun of his accent. Thomas and Nate would still be a support to each other and mostly ignored the other boys when outside. They never played with anyone else. And they were okay with that.

It was the first week of December when they arrived at the school yard, and the Clarke family was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Elle and Becky?" Thomas wondered out loud as he was looking around for Colleen's best friends.

"They aren't coming this week," Colleen said softly.

"Why not?" Thomas asked.

When they had said goodbye last week, they hadn't said they were leaving.

"It's Kathryn's birthday," Nate explained.

"Who's Kathryn?" Thomas asked.

"She's their youngest sister, but she was kidnapped over the summer," Colleen said.

"This is her first birthday without being with her family."

The Grants all nodded in a somber manner.

"Oh, that's awful!" Thomas said sadly.

But they weren't able to say much else, as Ms. Fletcher rang the school bell.

After school that day, each Grant plus Thomas all piled into the Grant wagon to take the Clarkes some food and cards. This was the first time that Thomas would be meeting Mr. Clarke. He was always away when the girls were being picked up from school. Kevin was struggling on that day, and it showed. He was glaring at everyone who had trespassed in their moment.

"Mom and Dad don't think we are going to get Kathryn back," Elle whispered to the children standing near her sisters, as the adults talked.

"Yeah, they haven't said so to us, but we heard them whispering that if the Major hasn't set off on the search again then it's not going to happen," Becky said.

"I'm sorry," Thomas said with genuine feeling. "How can we help?"

"There's nothing you can do. The major did his best over the summer. If a man that highly trained, and with help, can't find her then, how can we?" Natalie said with tears.

"They're waiting a year to see if she shows up. Then they're putting a headstone in the cemetery on her kidnapping anniversary," Elle added.

They all sat in silence just being present for the Clarke sisters until they were called away.

Like Colleen had stated, the Clarke family didn't come into town again until the next week. That week happened to be Thomas' birthday. His parents had planned a small party to be held at their house, but on the day before his birthday, his parents had a leak in the house with the winter snow and knew that they couldn't have people over with that issue. Eoan was looking in the town to see if there was an available small room to rent anywhere and was in the Mercantile looking at the notice board, when he heard the noise of his son and Colleen Grant chattering away at Mrs. Grant.

Thomas was smiling and beaming at the Grants as he was telling them of his birthdays in the past. Mrs. Grant didn't say much, but what she did say was encouraging and affectionate. It hurt to see Thomas so open with another person. Thomas was most certainly not this gregarious with his mother. Not that Mildred had allowed him to be. It seemed that the Grants allowed and loved Thomas for the loud mouthed, energetic little boy, that he was, rather than trying to correct it. Eoan knew he had made the correct choice in neighbors. Thomas needed someone to give him what his own parents couldn't. Not that he would say that they didn't love Thomas, they did, but they were horrible about showing it, and he didn't want Thomas growing up to be like they were—strict and outwardly emotionless.

"Da? What are ya doing here?" Thomas asked in surprise when they walked inside.

Eoan's heart always expanded when Thomas called him the informal "Da." That had been what Mildred and her sister's epic fight had started on. His brother-in-law made a comment on it not being a good thing to continue. His sister-in-law agreed. He didn't. He fought and went back to Ireland. Mildred, surprisingly, stuck up for him in this argument and took Thomas back to Ireland with her. She had left saying that they weren't speaking again until they had apologized for insulting Eoan to Eoan. Eoan knew that wouldn't happen. He was wealthy enough due to his family's long hours and work in Ireland on the small Whitmore farms. But he also knew that being an actual laborer was a very serious strike against him for her family. With her being the younger sister, they were a bit more lenient and weren't as scandalized if her sister had done the same thing. But her sister had been married for years by a charming and gregarious man, who simultaneously loved his wife, but also had several affairs with many women. Eoan never understood men like that. He could barely handle Mildred, let alone dealing with the guilt and shame of stepping out on his family. So, when Mildred and her sister fought and Mildred gave them that ultimatum, Eoan knew that her sister and their family would dig in their heels and not budge an inch, because they thought Eon wasn't worth their respect. Eon couldn't care less about how his in-laws treated him. He cared about how Mildred cared about them, though. Mildred and her sister were best friends and had been raising their boys together. While his sister-in-law wasn't an attentive parent, she had noticed the melancholy of Luke, the same way Mildred and Eoan had noticed Thomas' lack of happiness. That was when he was ordered to find a new home with the problem with their crops.

Eoan also knew that Red Deer was a very far cry from what Mildred was used to. She had had people cooking and cleaning for her most of her life. In Red Deer, she didn't. She was learning, the hard way, about these things for the first time in her life. When Mildred had injured herself, it was because she slipped on the newly mopped floors and fell on things that should have been put away. Mildred's cooking was barely edible. Which is why they hadn't had anyone over at all yet. She was a very proud woman and didn't want anyone to see any weakness in her, despite the fact that it made Eoan love her more. And he was quite certain if she let her pride go a bit, that the other wives and mothers in the town would help her.

"Da?" Thomas repeated when he made it to his father.

Eoan looked down at his son and realized that he hadn't answered his question.

"Our living room sprung a leak," Eoan said. "I'm looking for a potential replacement for yer party."

"There's not many places with rooms that are suitable for children," Ophelia admitted.

"I've noticed," Eoan said as he looked back at the notice board. "We may need to postpone…"

"But it's his birthday! You can't postpone a birthday!" Colleen argued passionately in Thomas' defense.

"I don't see how else we can have it?" Eoan admitted as he looked down at his disappointed son.

Thomas just nodded sadly.

"Mama, can't we have it at our house?" Colleen asked.

"Parties are very involved. They take quite a bit of time and preparation, she would need more than a day," Eoan explained to Colleen.

"Which is why I'm asking to have it at our house, rather than at Auntie Edith's," Colleen explained as if that were the most obvious thing in the world.

Eoan and Ophelia both gave each other a look.

"Don't feel like it is something ya have to do. We can postpone it," Eoan said.

Ophelia looked down at Thomas, and then looked at both of her children giving pleading looks to her.

"Maybe not with you, but my children will have words, lots of words. We'll have the party at our house," Ophelia said kindly as she looked at Thomas. Thomas was beaming back as if this woman had single-handedly made his entire up coming year.

"Yay!" Colleen cheered as she came to give Thomas a hug. To Eoan's surprise, Thomas was only startled for a moment before he hugged her back.

"What were you serving?" Ophelia asked.

"We were serving finger foods," Eoan said.

Ophelia gave him a look.

"On his birthday?" she said with some skepticism.

Eoan nodded.

"Mildred's cooking is…" Eoan started before he realized that she wouldn't appreciate telling a stranger this.

Ophelia nodded in understanding, though.

"So, Thomas, what would you like for your birthday dinner? And what's your favorite dessert?" Ophelia said as she took Thomas' shoulder and led him to the grocery section of the Mercantile.

"Corned beef and cabbage and scones with clotted cream," Thomas said firmly.

Colleen and Nate both stopped to give Thomas a look.

"Corned beef? Really?" Colleen asked as they joined the others.

"It's me favorite," Thomas said happily.

"It's okay, but not favorite worthy in my opinion," Colleen said.

"But not everyone shares our enthusiasm for the same things, and that's okay," Ophelia gently reprimanded as she picked up the ingredients for tomorrow's meal.

"Mr. McSweeney, we have a package for you," Jennifer said from behind the counter.

Eoan looked around in surprise and stepped over to her. She popped back behind into their office and came back out with a large package with Thomas' name on it. Eaon gave a small fraction of a smile when he noticed his nephew's handwriting.

"Thomas, Luke sent ya something," Eoan called his son over.

Thomas turned around in happiness and raced over to his father. Thomas quickly examined the package and then looked up to his father eagerly. Eoan just gave his son permission silently. Thomas wasted no time and was digging out the objects in no time.

Dear Thomas,

Happy Birthday! I don't know if you will get this in time, but I managed to convince Gertrude to take me shopping for your birthday. And she also wrapped and sent them. Maybe we were a bit severe to her for no reason, because Mother and Father wouldn't have taken me even had I asked them. But we are still cousins! That is the most important thing.

I've included some thank you chocolate for Nate's family. According to your letters, they have been exceedingly kind to you. There are a variety of sweets we picked up in Paris. But I also made sure to include some Irish sweets, since you are homesick (I kind of wish I had somewhere to be able to experience that, but we both know my parents too well for that.)

Anyway, I've been at my grandmother's and have seen her exactly once. She does look quite ill. I can tell they are worried about her health. No one usually pays me much attention, but they are being even less attentive than normal. They've let me watch a magician through my window. He captured an audience quite well. I think I may want to read more about how he does that.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your presents. I hope Nate and his family enjoy their treats as well.

Best,

Luke

Thomas' birthday present from Luke was a large game board set. It had many types of games to play. Then there were also the French and Irish chocolates. Both were labeled for the people they were meant to be for: Nate, Nate's sister, Nate's Mother, Nate's Father.

"Look at what me cousin sent!" Thomas said happily as he walked back towards the Grants with the package.

"That's a very nice game set. You should bring it tomorrow," Ophelia said kindly.

Thomas nodded in agreement.

"Luke also sent these to give to all of ya," Thomas passed out the other items, but left Archie's in the box.

They all said, "Thanks, Cousin Luke" and with an initial flare that no one could make out.

"Thank him for these, but also let him know that he doesn't need to thank us," Nate said as he took a bite of his chocolate.

Thomas smiled and nodded.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THOMAS!" was the enthusiastic greeting from his party invitees as they showed up to the Grant's house the next day. Everyone was dressed nicely and even the major was there.

Thomas was beaming with happiness.

"I brought me game set," Thomas said as he was handed down and on the ground. Then he showed off his new toy.

"That just means we're going to throttle ya in a game of checkers later," Archie said with a wink at Thomas.

"Daddy doesn't believe in letting us win," Colleen said as Thomas stepped forward.

"That's just encouraging weak playing. If ya beat me in a game, it's because yer that good," Archie said with a wink.

Eoan nodded in agreement.

"Well, don't worry Master Thomas, I will soundly beat them both in chess," James bragged with a smile.

"Chess, huh?" Archie teased.

James nodded confidently.

"Somehow, I don't think that playing ya in chess is a fair fight, but I'm game anyway," Archie winked.

The party goers all gathered inside quickly as the cold was starting to set in.

Thomas, Colleen, and Nate were all playing in the living room with Sirius running about behind them as Ophelia was finishing in the kitchen. The men and Mrs. McSweeney all took seats around them. Archie and Eoan took out the game set, and each played a round of checkers with Thomas. Then each other. Then James took them on in chess, which soon proved to be a game that he excelled at. Nate, Thomas, and Colleen soon found watching that game more entertaining than playing their own.

James defeated Eoan several times in less than 10 minutes, and he beat Archie several times as well.

"How did you get so good, Uncle James?" Colleen asked when they had to put the set away for Thomas' dinner.

"I've been playing longer than I have been a soldier and being a soldier has aided in that skill set," James explained with a smile.

Everyone nodded in agreement just as Ophelia gestured for everyone to sit down.

"Do you normally pray?" Ophelia asked the McSweeneys after they were all placed properly.

They nodded as an answer.

"Daddy, can I say the prayer?" Colleen asked.

Archie nodded. Everyone lowered their heads.

"Dear God, thank you for letting Thomas spend his first birthday away from Ireland with us. We hope it's a good one, and he has many more just like it in the future. Thank you for our food, shelter, and family. God bless everyone," Colleen said.

Thomas was once again beaming with happiness.

They ate the meal, which was much better than anything they had ever had, with a light conversation led by Archie and Colleen. When it was time for dessert, they brought out a large plate of scones, and somehow Ophelia had managed to write 'Happy Birthday, Thomas' in icing on his and put 7 candles around the edge for him to blow out.

"Got yer wish in mind?" Archie asked.

Thomas nodded. He knew exactly what he was going to wish for.

'I wish to be forever part of this family!' Thomas thought heavily as he made sure to blow out each candle.

After desert they all grabbed the remaining gifts that Thomas needed to open. He started with the top one, which was from Ophelia and Archie. It was a hand knitted wool cap and scarf in Thomas' favorite colors.

"Ya won't go cold," Archie said as Thomas took them.

"Thanks," he said.

Ophelia just smiled kindly down at Thomas.

Thomas then opened the one from his parents. It was a kid's tool set. Thomas smiled and thanked them as well. They both nodded in acknowledgement. The next one was from the major and his wife. He opened the same book of Irish fairy tales that Nate often read from. Thomas smiled in gratitude towards the man, as he hadn't expected a present from him. The last one was from Nate. It was a hand drawn card that said, "Happy Birthday, Thomas!" written in neater toddler letters, and the picture had the two of them on the front of the Grant's porch with "My Best Freind," underneath them both.

"Thanks! I feel so blessed," Thomas said with gratitude.

As the McSweeneys returned home, Thomas was wearing his new cap and scarf, and had to admit that he felt a lot warmer in them. After his parents helped to put away his things, Thomas felt that he needed to write to Luke.

Dear Cousin Luke,

I got yer package just before me birthday. It was well received, and I am going to use that game set a lot. Nate's family all enjoyed the chocolates and say thank you. But Nate himself said that you didn't need to thank them. They do it because they care, (he didn't say that last bit out loud, but I've learned that he takes after his ma and silent communication is big with knowing them).

I almost had to miss having a party. Something leaked in our house. But Nate's Ma said they would let me have it at their house. She made my favorites and we got to celebrate with them. Nate's uncle was also there. Not sure exactly how they are related yet, but I'm also learning that the whole family kind of just embraces people in need. I think his uncle and his aunt are the same way and may have done something kind for Nate's family. But they haven't said much about the long story…yet.

I'm sorry yer Grandma isn't well yet. But I also know she wasn't exactly nice…I don't know if it would be better for her to get better, or for her to pass on and leave everyone alone. I will pray that your prayers about her come true.

I don't know if you'll get my other letters before Christmas, so if ya don't Happy Christmas, Luke!

Wishing you well,

Thomas

When I was planning out my whole story, there were certain moments where a character said something that I needed to get across in writing, Thomas introducing himself to Nate was one, and needing to show the desperate need for affection and the bond between Thomas and Luke is another. Every time I realize how long I have been writing this part, in addition to how long we have to go, I feel like I need to move things along at a faster pace, but then my characters overrule me. (In my original plans, James wasn't married, and then I realized that he needed a wife to better take care of Nate when Typhoid hit, then Edith and their entire backstory rose from that!) Just so you know, I do plan on writing it all. It just may be a few years! (Sorry, I hope you stay with me though!) Anyway, thanks for the positive feedback.