Chapter 2

As Long as the Sun and Moon Shall Endure

It was the morning after: The morning after Nathan realized that there would be no future with Elizabeth, the morning after his heart was broken and the morning after he had to break the news to Allie.

It had been a long night for Nathan. He couldn't sleep with so many thoughts running through his mind. He knew he couldn't make sense of anything that happened yesterday, let alone the past three years. There was just no explanation. He thought about his conversation with Joseph and tried to stop thinking so much. It took hours, but he was finally able to fall asleep.

Nathan woke at first light. He sat up and just listened. Off in the distance he could hear the sound of a white-throated sparrow singing its distinctive, "O Sweet Canada." He always enjoyed the sounds of nature, and this familiar melody made him smile.

He quickly dressed in his uniform and went downstairs to start breakfast for him and Allie. He was surprised when he saw Allie was already dressed and had started cooking. Nathan enjoyed their morning routine of making breakfast together.

"Allie, you're up already."

"I woke up early, Uncle Nathan, so I thought I'd start breakfast." Allie turned to face Nathan. "How did you sleep?"

"Not great. How about you?"

"Not great either. When will it stop hurting, Uncle Nathan?"

"Well, I think it may hurt a little less after you've had a full day of school. What do you say we go fishing after school—just you and me. Judge Avery and I have some things to look at today, but we'll be finished before school is out." Nathan paused. "What do you think?"

"That would be great, Uncle Nathan." Allie turned back to the stove to check on the eggs. "Robert is coming by this morning. That Mr. Landis doesn't want Angela to go to school with us. Everyone is meeting at the Canfield house, and we're going to walk to school with Angela and Cooper—you know, to show support for Angela. That Mr. Landis can't ignore all of us. Robert is coming too, even though he graduated already."

"Well, that a real nice thing for all of you to do. I'm proud of you."

"Yeah. I like Angela. Have you heard her play the piano? She's amazing!"

"So, I've heard."

"Yeah, so we all thought that if she could show that Mr. Landis how well she can play the piano and read, he'd have to let her stay." Allie finished making breakfast while Nathan set the table. "Uncle Nathan, why do you think Mr. Landis doesn't want Angela to go to school with us?"

"The way I understand it is that he thinks she'll take up too much of Mrs. Thornton's time, and the rest of the students would suffer."

"That's never going to happen. Angela is really smart. Cooper says she has kind of a photographic memory. I didn't know what that meant, but Cooper told me. He said that's how she learns to play the piano. She just has to hear a song once, and she can play it. I figure if she can do that, she'll probably be the smartest girl in the school. What do you think, Uncle Nathan?"

"I think you're right. Let's get this breakfast going, so you won't be late. Come and sit down with me." Nathan paused and adjusted himself in his seat. "Allie, are you going to be OK at school today?"

"Well, I'm not too happy with that Mr. Landis or Mrs. Thornton for that matter. I'll be polite, Uncle Nathan. You don't have to worry. I'm not looking forward to seeing her, but I'll do my best. I promise."

"No eye rolling, OK? Finish up then, and let's get going."

Just as they had finished breakfast and started washing the dishes, Robert knocked on the door.

Allie yelled, "Come in, Robert. The door's open."

"Allie, go to the door and let Robert in. You shouldn't be yelling to him."

"Sorry, Uncle Nathan." It was too late though, Robert was already inside.

"Hi, Allie. Constable Grant. Beautiful morning, isn't it?" Robert nervously asked. "Allie and I are meeting everyone at the Canfield house, and . . ."

"Yeah, Allie told me. I'm really proud of all of you for supporting Angela." Robert smiled.

Allie grabbed her lunch pail, and she and Robert were off. "Bye, Uncle Nathan. See you after school."

"Have a great day. Learn something. I'll meet you here." Nathan just shook his head. Allie always had a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

Robert and Allie headed over to the Canfield house. The rest of the class was already there. Cooper and Angela were just coming outside when they arrived. Everyone cheered as they came down the steps. It was a quick walk to school, and the students were in good spirits. Mrs. Thornton and Mr. Landis were waiting on the steps as the children arrived.

"Good morning, class. Welcome back. I'm so glad to see all of you this morning. Mr. Landis is going to be joining us today and observe our lessons." Elizabeth smiled, and nodded to Allie as she walked to her seat. "Robert, are you joining us today?"

"No, Mrs. Thornton. I just wanted to walk to school with everyone. I'm helping out at the mercantile. See you later."

"Bye, Robert." Elizabeth gave Mr. Landis a look, like she knew some secret delight. She used her teacher voice and said, "Well, Mr. Landis, please come in. You can sit back here. If you have any questions, we'll be having recess in about two hours." Elizabeth walked to the front of the classroom. "I'm glad to see so many familiar faces today. We have one new student, Angela Canfield. Welcome, Angela. Would you like to stand and tell us a little about yourself? We already know your brother, Cooper. He started school here with us in the spring."

"Yes, ma'am." Angela stood, and did so proudly. "My name is Angela Canfield, and I'm 14 years old. You probably already know I'm blind. It happened when I was very young. My mother has been teaching me at home. This summer, Mrs. Thornton and mama taught me to read Braille, so I know I'll be able to keep up with all my studies. I love music, and play the piano. I've always wanted to go to school, and I promise I'll do my very best."

"Thank you, Angela." Elizabeth nodded to Mr. Landis and raised her eyebrows slightly.

The day went well for all the students, including Angela and Allie. They spent some time outside reviewing familiar plants and looking for birds. During afternoon recess, Cooper was playing catch with the other boys, and Allie went to sit with Angela by the edge of the trees.

"How is your first day going, Angela?"

"Oh, it's wonderful. I've always wanted to go to school and meet people my own age. How old are you, Allie?"

"I'm 12, but almost 13. Uncle Nathan says I'm growing like a weed. Uncles say dumb things sometimes. I hear you playing the piano at night. You're really good. I wish I could play the piano, but Uncle Nathan and I haven't stayed in one place long enough for me to take lessons, so I stick to baseball and fishing."

"Allie, I could teach you. I bet Mrs. Thornton would let us use the piano after school, or we could go to my house." Angela thought a moment. "But, I have one condition."

"Sure. What's that?"

"I'm really not very good at math, and I've heard you are. Do you think you could help me with my math? We might be able to help each other."

"Sure. That would be great."

"Thanks, Allie. Can we start today?"

"Oh, no I can't. Uncle Nathan and I are going fishing. I think he's worried about me because of Mrs. Thornton."

"Mrs. Thornton? Why would he be worried?"

"You don't know? Didn't your father tell you?"

"No. No, he didn't."

"Well, Mrs. Thornton told Uncle Nathan yesterday that she's not in love with him. She loves that Mr. Bouchard." Angela looked confused. "See, Uncle Nathan like-likes Mrs. Thornton, but she like-likes Mr. Bouchard. Uncle Nathan and I both thought she like-liked him. I was so sure we were going to be a family, but now we're not because of Mr. Bouchard. I'm not sure if I'm mad at Mrs. Thornton or if I'm just sad for Uncle Nathan, and, for me too."

"Oh, Allie. I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Papa never said anything."

"Yeah, he talked to Uncle Nathan yesterday. He told Uncle Nathan not to dwell on what might have been. I'm trying to do that, but I can't stop thinking about it. My mother died a long time ago, and then my dad left. If it wasn't for Uncle Nathan, I'd probably be in an orphan asylum in Calgary."

"Well then, Allie. We both have lost something. I lost my eyesight when I was little. I don't remember much about it. I do remember where we lived before we came to Hope Valley. The teacher at the school wouldn't let me attend class. Sometimes, mama and I would sit on the front porch for my lessons. The school children would walk by on their way home in the afternoon. They called me names, Allie. I wasn't sure either if I was sad or mad. Mama would always say, 'Ignore them, baby girl. They can't be learning much in that school if they act like that. Sticks and stones, Angela. Sticks and stones.' It hurt, Allie."

"I'm sorry, Angela. You know, it's not like that in Hope Valley. I hope we can be friends."

"I'd like that." Allie and Angela hugged each other. "Allie, did you read Anne of Green Gables?"

"Yeah. I borrowed it from the library. It was really good." Allie paused. "Wait, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yes, I am. We're kindred spirits, Allie!" Angela rested her chin on the palm of her hands and thought before saying aloud, "I, Angela Canfield, solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom friend, Allie Grant, as long as the sun and moon shall endure." Now you say it." Allie repeated the vow.

"You know something, Angela, Uncle Nathan might have been right. He said things could be better by the end of the school day, and I think they are. I mean, I know they are, because of you. Come on, Angela, recess is over; let's get back to school."