Part 1: Chapter 55: 1889: Red Deer, Alberta
In the Doghouse
As the winter weather began to lessen its tight hold on the area, and little signs of spring started to show, it was always a hard time for Archie's addiction. He would flare up because it was nicer outside. There were nights that he was starting to show up late to dinner and bedtimes again. Thomas seemed concerned at first. Not having had to deal with that problem from Archie before. But the others seemed to just kind of have had a look that they had dealt with this before.
James was also being sent here and there for different lectures and short assignments.
There was still no word on the kidnapped Kathryn Clarke, and secretly James was beginning to think she was lost to the Clarkes forever (not that they would close the case, but he knew it was highly unlikely that she was still alive). His guilt for coming back increased with each week.
Natalie had begun to work in the Mercantile as a store clerk to help her parents.
Elle and Becky were both trying hard to stay positive and cheerful, but they could see how hard this was for their parents. Elle's and Natalie's birthdays had been missed before Emily and Kevin both realized their mistake. It was nearing Becky's birthday, and it was on a school day, and Colleen was the one who said something.
Both parents flushed with embarrassment in forgetting something as important as their daughters' birthdays, so they had decided to host a friend for each girl for a sleepover. Colleen was chosen by Elle and Becky. Natalie picked a friend from her former class, Sara Brown.
Elle and Becky both handed over their hand written invasions to Colleen. She smiled.
"I'm sure Mama and Daddy will let me go," Colleen said kindly.
The Clarke sisters knew that, and it was soon arranged for Colleen to spend the night that upcoming Saturday.
Colleen arrived at the Clarke's home with three birthday gifts and her bag of clothes.
"Hello," Ophelia greeted them with Colleen standing at her side.
"Hi. Happy birthday!" Colleen said with a wide smile as she eyed each sister.
"Hello, Colleen!" they all chorused back.
"Enjoy yourselves, ladies," Ophelia said as she kissed and hugged Colleen goodbye and waved to each Clarke.
They all smiled and waved back.
"Oh, I will! It will be nice not to be surrounded by boys!" Colleen stated emphatically.
"You love them both," Ophelia said.
"Doesn't mean they aren't annoying," Colleen protested.
Ophelia just kissed her one last time before walking back down the road back home.
Colleen followed the Clarke family into their house. She had been before, but this was the first time that she was staying over. Colleen, Elle, and Becky were sleeping in Becky and formerly Kathryn's room. Kathryn's things hadn't been touched much. Just kept up with regular dusting. Colleen put her things on Becky's bed.
"How is it without her?" Colleen asked gently as she looked across the room.
"She used to get on my last nerve. She was always waking me up, and gettin' into my things, and borrowing my toys without permission. There were days I prayed for peace and quiet. I didn't expect it to be answered like this, though," Becky said with tears. "I didn't want her gone, I just wanted her to be quiet."
Colleen put her arm around Becky.
"I'm sure Nate feels the same way about me and my loudness, and now he also has to deal with Thomas being loud, too," Colleen said kindly.
Becky and Elle both smiled.
They could hear Thomas playing through the school walls at recess.
"How is it with Thomas being around so much?" Elle asked.
"It's normal now. He and Nate get along so good," Colleen said.
"What is Thomas like while not in a school room and getting detention for blurting out?" Becky asked.
"Much like he is at school, but he doesn't get into as much trouble with us for blurting. His parents are a different story; they're not very nice to him. Which is why we've taken him in," Colleen explained.
"I heard him calling Major Normandeau 'Daddy,' last week," Elle gave Colleen a look. "I wouldn't have the courage to call that man anything but Major Normandeau."
"Uncle James is just a big teddy bear! As long as you aren't being mean or doing something wrong, he's very nice," Colleen protested.
Becky and Elle both disagreed.
"We saw his face when he came charging back into town last year. When he got rid of the criminals in the saloon. I wouldn't want him after me," Elle said.
"I didn't see him until much later, with that one. But, those were criminals, of course he has to be intimidating to criminals. It's his job," Colleen pointed out. "Children he is always kind to."
The girls kept up their conversation until Natalie and Sara joined them and told them dinner was ready. The family ate their dinner and had a birthday cake and opened presents happily. Kevin and Emily were both watching how happy Colleen had been able to keep their girls, especially Becky and Elle.
"Colleen is special. We're lucky she has such a charming, happy, and kind personality. I don't think Becky and Elle would be doing so well if they didn't have her as a friend," Emily whispered to Kevin.
Kevin just nodded in agreement.
That night the girls played games, and were giggling long into the night.
The same night at the Grant house was much quieter than normal.
Thomas had been taken home by Ophelia and Nate just before dinner. Mr. McSweeney had been working on his land making it ready for planting. So, they didn't have to wait for him to come from another direction. They had waved Thomas goodbye and watched as Thomas had reached up to hold his dad's hand, but thought better of it and dragged it down again. Ophelia sighed heavily at the display, still trying to figure out what it would take to get it into their heads that it was okay to hold their child.
But she and Nate walked home in a companionable silence. Nate then went about doing his chores. Feeding the chickens and the other animals. Sirius was trailing behind him making sure the other animals kept their distance.
Ophelia made dinner for three, but Archie didn't show up in time. So, she put his dinner in the warmer, while she and Nate enjoyed a quiet meal together. Both of them were struggling with not having Colleen or Thomas around to fill the noise.
They played together after dinner.
Then she took Nate up to his room and got him tucked into bed. She read him a bedtime story, (worse than James) and kissed his head goodnight.
"I think next time Colleen has a sleepover, we'll invite Thomas. This is too quiet," Ophelia whispered to Nate as she tucked him in.
Nate smiled brightly.
"Can we? I would like that," Nate said happily.
"Of course, my love," Ophelia gently kissed his head.
Sirius followed her out of the room, which surprised her. But Nate had fallen asleep rather quickly and was clenching his toy General tightly in his arms.
Ophelia went about her normal evening routines of mending and knitting. Archie still wasn't home by the time Ophelia went to bed.
Sirius followed her upstairs and walked into her room after she went inside.
"You're not sleeping in my bed," she told the dog firmly.
Sirius just laid down on the floor next to her side. Ophelia got ready for bed and scratched his ears before getting settled.
They both fell asleep quickly.
Ophelia woke up with her normal tossing and turning and checked the clock. 2 a.m. and Archie wasn't home yet. Ophelia sighed heavily, and let herself cry some tears of frustration at her husband. Sirius licked her hand that had been leaning over the edge of the bed. She looked down at the dog. He was giving her a look of sadness and licking her hand softly to cheer her up.
Ophelia just gently started scratching at the dog's fur.
"Oh, alright, just this once!" Ophelia said as she patted the bed next to her.
Sirius jumped up, circled around in Archie's spot and laid out in exactly the right spot to get as many pets as he could but also leaving Archie no room if he showed up. Ophelia ended up falling asleep slowly stroking Sirius' fur.
Ophelia woke up to the sound of Sirius giving a slight growl next to her. Once she had processed the noise, she sat up. Sirius was growling at Archie, letting him know his disapproval of his actions.
Archie looked surprised by this.
Ophelia looked at Archie, who had only just taken off his coat and was still in yesterday's clothes. She looked at the time. 5:30 am. Her eyes narrowed.
"You're just getting home?!" Ophelia started in anger.
"Ophelia," Archie said.
"I don't care about your excuses, Archie! Nothing is open 24 hours, you've bunked somewhere," Ophelia said eyeing him down. "You were bunking with Ed."
Archie just raised an eyebrow.
"How many times?" Ophelia demanded.
"Six," Archie admitted.
Ophelia nodded in anger. She threw open her covers and put on her robe.
"Get out of my way, Archie," she demanded when he didn't move from in front of the door.
Archie just stepped outside of her path.
She glowered at him before stalking into Nate's room, waking him up, putting on his coats and boots, and then putting on her own boots and coat over their sleep clothes.
"Where are ya going?" Archie asked as he looked at her appearance.
"I don't even know, right now, but I can't be near you," Ophelia glared.
"Ophelia, don't be silly about this," Archie said.
"Silly! Silly! I don't think it's silly to want my husband to be at home!" Ophelia shouted, just before slamming the front door and stalking off with Nate in her arms.
"Are you alright, Mama?" Nate asked as he looked at his angry mother.
"No, I'm quite upset with your dad," Ophelia said in a tone.
They had walked fast down the path towards the fort, before she saw James riding on General for their morning rounds.
James looked at them in surprise and took in their apparel.
"Is everything alright?" James asked as he dismounted General and began to do a check to see if they were outwardly injured.
"Physically, we're fine," Ophelia said in a tone.
"Daddy won't be, though," Nate said.
"What happened to Archie?" James asked.
"He didn't get home until 5:30 this morning," Ophelia said, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Where was he?" James asked.
"With Ed," Ophelia answered. "And he's admitted to doing it multiple times."
"Do you want me to talk with him?" James offered again.
Ophelia shook her head.
"Let me get you to the fort. Please, will you ride on General's back?" James whispered.
"We've already discussed my inability to sit on a horse, James," Ophelia reminded him.
"I would rather you be off your feet. You've obviously dashed off in a hurry. Please, Ophelia, I will be the one leading General and we won't go faster than a walk," James rationalized.
Ophelia nodded her consent. She was getting tired. As James was adjusting the saddle, Sirius finally caught up with them and leaned against Ophelia's leg. She scratched him. James smiled once to see Sirius when he turned around. Then he helped Ophelia into the saddle and adjusted things again. Then he put Nate in front of her.
"Remember where to hold?" James asked Nate.
Nate smiled widely and brought his mother's hands down where she would need to hold.
"Good man," James praised him. Then he walked General and Sirius back to the fort.
Edith was looking at the group in horror when she saw them ride in.
She met her husband's eyes. All he mouthed was "Archie."
Edith nodded and then waited for Nate and Ophelia to come out of the clean room.
James went back on his rounds.
"What's brought you both here so early?" Edith asked with worry.
Before either could answer, though, Nate's stomach growled loudly.
"Oh dear. Have either of you eaten yet?" Edith asked.
Ophelia shook her head.
"Well, eat first. We can talk after," Edith said as she led them both to the table.
Nate and Ophelia both ate their breakfasts quietly. Edith was finishing reading a newspaper article.
When they were done, all of them walked to the parlor. Nate just helped himself to the toys, and was playing quietly.
"Ophelia?" Edith gently prodded as Ophelia had just been looking at Nate with pain.
"Archie has been getting hit or miss again," Ophelia started.
Edith nodded already knowing that bit.
"Colleen had her first sleepover with the Clarke sisters. So it was Thomas and Nate who were playing yesterday afternoon. And after we took Thomas home, Archie still wasn't there. It was just the two of us for the entire night. I hadn't noticed until Thomas and Colleen hadn't been around to make noise and distract us, that Archie's being gone is happening more frequently. We've all come to expect it. Not once did Nate ask why Archie wasn't back yet. Not once did we even speak about it. Then, Archie crawled into bed at 5:30," Ophelia said dryly.
"5:30? This morning?" Edith said in shock.
Ophelia nodded.
"Sirius has learned our moods and frustrations. He seems to know when I'm having a bad day before I know. But last night, he insisted on following me around and even slept in my room," Ophelia said.
Edith gave her an encouraging nod.
"During one of my usual wake ups, Archie still wasn't there. So, I let Sirius up next to me and fell back asleep. He growled at Archie when Archie tried to slink in," Ophelia said.
"Sirius is a good dog!" Edith commented.
"He is. He woke me. Archie and I fought, and I was too angry to be near him. So, I grabbed Nate, and we came straight here," Ophelia said.
Edith patted her hand.
"What are you going to do?" Edith asked as she looked at her friend.
"I don't even know. Every time he promises to be good and clean, I promise myself that if he starts again, we're gone. But every time, I'm also reminded of the fact that gambling is a relatively minor problem in comparison to all the other things he could be doing. I know he loves us, but his love for the table is sometimes stronger," Ophelia said.
"Well, you're more than welcome to show your anger by staying here, and we could make sure he doesn't come in," Edith said with a wink.
"Archie can't cook. I don't trust the man with my stove," Ophelia shook her head. "I would like to keep our house intact a little while longer."
"That's a fair point," Edith giggled.
They sat there in silence watching Nate play.
"Ophelia, I don't know how to give you advice about this. My husband doesn't have this problem," Edith said.
"Do the two of you ever even fight?" Ophelia asked, not having heard them argue.
"Of course we do. It's usually because we need other people to interact with. Small annoyances and bickering leading to anger," Edith said.
"What's the worst thing you've argued about?" Ophelia asked.
"Actually, it was about him being able to storm off in ire when we were arguing. I couldn't leave the house, and off he would go out the door," Edith said, "it made my anger and irritation that much worse. Especially, in our early days. I was so sure that he would storm away and not come back," Edith said.
Ophelia nodded in agreement.
"That would be hard to bear," Ophelia said.
Edith nodded.
"So, how did you overcome it?" Ophelia asked.
"Well, as our blowouts were getting more frequent and worse, James finally realized that he was doing something in the heat of the moment that was hurting me. And he became ashamed and we discussed why it upset me. So, now when we fight he storms off into one of the guest rooms instead," Edith said.
Ophelia smiled at that solution.
"I'm so glad that my children have at least one solid, stable relationship to watch and, eventually, model after," Ophelia said as she smiled at Edith.
"Thank you for the compliment, but surely your own is not so rocky?" Edith said.
"No. But mine always depends on Archie," Ophelia said.
"Well, James is gone quite a lot, too," Edith admitted.
"But only because of his career. He doesn't choose to be gone when he is off work," Ophelia said the difference that was hurting her.
"We are here for you whatever you need, whenever you need it," Edith said as she looked at the slouching woman sitting next to her.
Ophelia nodded once but was trying not to cry.
Edith put an arm around her and handed her a handkerchief, "you don't have to be strong all the time."
Ophelia rolled her eyes, but took the handkerchief and leaned into her friend.
The women sat like that as they were both trying to come up with a solution to what seemed like an impossible problem.
Hello everyone, sorry about the long update with this chapter. I was struggling with writer's block. I usually overcome it by typing on parts elsewhere, and that was why my Actually, It's Constable, Mrs. Thornton was updated so frequently. Thanks for the positive, kind words!