When it is time to leave

Chapter 1

She sat by the window embroidering the white linen napkins. She remembered when they came from New Bedford after the sale of her mother's house and furniture. She, Molly and Christopher had sat down and determined what they really wanted from their parent's things, then Candy wrote to the lawyer in charge of distributing the property and furniture. She added that along with the sale of the furnishings and house that a trust fund would be established for her siblings so that they could continue their education when they were of age.

She had chosen the white linen napkins that had been her mother's pride and joy and now, she was embroidering them for her and Jeremy's daughter Melanie Rose who would be marrying in just a few months. Everyone was happy for them. As she was remembering there was a little tear in her eyes for memories bring joy, happiness, and sorrow. The day she had found out about her mother she had her siblings had just arrived a few days earlier on the Ship with Captain Clancy. They were overjoyed at seeing their sister. She was overjoyed at seeing them. Oh, the first few days were wonderful, Jeremy wanted to propose but he did not say it quite the way he wanted to, and She did not answer the way she had thought. After all, she had two children that she was now responsible for and was not ready to make a commitment to Jeremy. He was very gracious and said he would wait.

Just then during her reverie there was a shout and a door banging open. Jeremy and their son Jacob or Jake as he liked to be called came in talking about going somewhere. She looked up and Jeremy saw that she had been crying. He went over, after all these years, he still dried her tears and tried to understand what was happening.

"Candy, what is the matter? Why are you crying?" Jeremy looked at her with concern and took his handkerchief to help her dry her eyes.
"Oh, Jeremy, I was just remembering when Molly and Christopher came and then my mother dying and stitching these napkins all brought it on…" Jeremy looked with such love in his eyes and said yes, he remembered as well, did she want to talk about it.

She shook her head no and said: "I think you and Jake have something to tell me?"

Jake looked at his mother and father. He had been considering moving from Seattle to Fridays Harbor in the San Juan Islands.

"Mom, Christopher said that business is booming with a shipyard and logging as well as a steam powered sawmill. I thought I might visit with Chris and see what kind of job I could do up there."

Jeremy looked at Candy, she looked at Jeremy; "Have you known about this?" she asked Jeremy.

"No Candy, he just told me that he wanted to talk to us today." Jeremy turned to Jake and asked: "What made you come up with that idea, Jacob?"

"Well, I have been writing to Chris and his wife for several months now and they are telling me that the place is up and coming. That commerce is good, there is plenty of work and fishing." Jake really liked to fish, and he was always more interested in that than the logging or sawmill.

"Jacob, how do you propose to finish college?" Candy asked

"Mom, I can finish college. They have a new course in marine biology at the University of Washington and they have built a station out there for the students to work and learn. I thought it would be a great additional class to take since I was interested in forestry. Besides, there seems to be much interest in the ocean life out there in the waters. There are whales and all sorts of grasses, even something called 'eel' grass! I…"

"Stop right there son," Jeremy said; "Where do you propose to live? How are you going to get there? I am not sure we can spare you at this time…"

"Jeremy" Candy said quietly

"Not to mention that your sister's wedding is in a month?"

"Jeremy,"

"I am not sure this is a good time to discuss this besides, if there are whales, I don't think I want him to go out there. That is how my grandfather died!"

Jeremy nodded; he too was worried that Jake would be harmed. "Okay, son, we will discuss this later not tonight though.

Jake knew that he wanted to go, even his uncle Chris said it was a good set up. But he had to convince his dad and mom that this was all for the best. He shook his head yes and then went to the back of the house to get his fishing pole.

"I will be out fishing at the lake mom." Candy nodded and watched as he went out the door and towards the lake.

"You know Jeremy, when we were young, everything seemed so right, and we could make our decisions and agree on many things. But I am not so sure we can agree on whether to let him go or not."

"Candy, I think you are right, but we will have to talk about it later. May I help you with cooking?" Jeremy asked with a smile on his face

Candy looked at him and said, "No thank you, Jeremy, we have had your cooking before and most everyone is very happy when I am doing the cooking" she smiled as he kissed her and then he went out the door.