Not mine. I'm just speculating.

Chapter Three: Nor An Angel With Wings

The next morning, despite the lateness of the hour she had gone to sleep, Marian was up early enough to get breakfast for Winthrop. He went out to the Johnson's family farm to help with morning chores before he went to work since Mr. Johnson's accident.

"Mother's train comes in about 1:00 in the afternoon?"

"Uh-huh. Are you coming down to get her?"

"I think I'll have Gregory pick her up in the flivver. It will be such a treat for her." Gregory, as a car salesman, had one for his own use, but because it was so far to go for gas, he didn't drive it very often.

"She'll like that. She says it makes her feel like a queen sitting in the back seat while somebody drives her around."

Would you tell Amaryllis that I won't be in today? I have to finish cleaning house before Mama gets home, and then I'll want to visit. She can open at the regular time, but close early."

"All right. I traded with the morning guy, so I'm going in early today. That way I can be home early to visit with Mama. But, I'll run out to Amaryllis' place first. I better get going."

"Okay. See you this afternoon."

Winthrop waved at her as he went out the kitchen door to the back yard. He preferred to go out the back gate, because he didn't have to go around the block to get on the road out toward the farms.

When Gregory and Sean came downstairs an hour later, their breakfast was being kept warm in the oven, and Marian was well into her last-minute cleaning frenzy. She didn't get too excited, because she knew Mama would want to do her before-winter cleaning in the next couple of weeks. Marian did, however, want the house to be clean enough that Mrs. Peroo would accept it, and not start cleaning the next day.

"Is there anything you need Sean or me to do for you?"

"Actually, if you and Sean could check the flowerbeds and the garden for weeds, I would appreciate it. Also, could you two go get Mama in the car at about 1:00? It will be so exciting for her."

"No sooner said then done. I told Sean to stay close by, because his grandma is coming home today. He was very excited."

"So am I. This is the longest Mama's ever been away. I want to hear all about the boat trip, and visiting her family in Ireland. I wish I could have gone with her, but it would have been too hard."

"Well, you'll have your vacation starting next week. I hope you enjoy our time there."

"I know I will. Getting away as a family is something we don't do often enough." With that, Marian went back to her cleaning, and Gregory went to find Sean and check the outside to make sure it was as neat as the inside.

Later, Gregory and Sean came back inside to eat dinner. They then both cleaned up, put on their best clothes, and went to pick up Mrs. Peroo from the train depot. They left in the flivver, determined to make the woman the proudest lady in River City. They returned about half an hour later with Mrs. Peroo in the back seat, next to Winthrop.

"Mama! You look wonderful! We've missed you so much!" Marian met the car at the back of the house. She opened the door, and helped her mother out of the car.

"I missed you all too. It's so good to be home!" Mrs. Peroo embraced her daughter enthusiastically.

The two women went into the house, arm in arm. Winthrop and Sean followed, while Gregory put the car away.

"How was your family? Was it good to see them? Was Ireland as pretty as you remembered it?" Marian peppered her mother with questions. Mrs. Peroo settled herself in her favorite chair in the living room.

"Now, Marian, give me a chance. Your grandparents, God rest their souls, are gone now, as I knew. My oldest brother has the family farm. His family is all grown, as you'd expect. I didn't remember him being so OLD! Of course, he didn't remember me being this old, either!" That brought a laugh from all the others.

"It was good to see everyone, but I had no desire to stay. Eire is just as green and beautiful as ever it was, but it's not my home anymore. This is home for me, and I longed to be back here with my family." Mrs. Peroo gave a sigh of contentment.

The family then began to share back and forth about what had gone on in the last couple of months, and what Mrs. Peroo had done while she was in Ireland.

After a special supper, prepared by Marian while she and her mother continued to visit back and forth, the men went out for a walk. Marian and Mrs. Peroo sat on the front porch, Marian on the swing, and Mrs. Peroo in the chair.

"Marian, something is on your mind. I've known you these 30 and more years. What is it?"

"Mama, you know how we had talked about Gregory and I getting our own place?"

"Yes. Have you found something?"

"No. The thing is, Gregory has the possibility for a promotion, and a chance to prove to himself he is what we all know him to be, responsible and able to lead others. The problem is, it would mean moving to Detroit."

"Detroit! Darlin', that is so far away!"

"I know. I don't really want to go, although I had been thinking about moving to another town, to get away from some of those who have too long a memory. But two towns over is not in the next state."

"I hear a 'but' in your voice."

"Gregory really wants to do this. He wants the challenge. I think he's getting bored with River City, and he wants to be home more. If I don't go with him, I'm afraid he'll go by himself, and just be here on weekends. I don't think I can live like that for long."

"That is no way to keep a marriage going. I think you need to follow Ruth's example. Even if she was following her mother-in-law, and you would be following your husband, the example is valid."

"I've come to the same conclusion. We will probably move in the next month or so. We plan on leaving Sean here with you for this school year. We want time to find someplace to live, and not feel rushed to do it."

"That's fine. Between Winthrop, Amaryllis, and I, I'm sure we'll be able to take care of one small boy. Even if I'm not as spry as I used to be. Marian, you need to put your husband's needs ahead of your own this time."

"Yes, Mama. We're going to Chicago next week for a vacation."

"So Sean told me. Why Chicago at this time of the year?"

"Gregory grew up there."

"He did! Does he want to show you his childhood haunts?"

"To a certain extent. He had a horrible childhood, and wants to tell me, but can't. He thinks by showing me where he grew up, it will be easier for him to talk about it."

"What a shame! It does explain, though, why sometimes he would get such a look of wonder on his face when you first had Sean. He seemed so determined to do things with Sean, but sometimes it seemed as if he didn't know what to do."

"I remember. I wondered sometimes about his upbringing, his relationship with his father. It turns out, he didn't have a father. He was raised in an orphanage since he was younger than Sean."

"Poor little boy! Well, if it helps to tell you, I hope things go as he wants them to."

"So do I."

The men returned from their walk just then, and gathered on the porch. The five talked, and laughed, and did just what families are supposed to do: be together.

Over the next week, there were times when Marian wondered if she wanted to keep Gregory as part of the family. He was nervous about going to Chicago, even if he denied it. He wasn't 100 sure if he could open up the way he wanted to.

As a result, he was easily irritated, especially by Marian. Whatever was going on, it was her fault, especially if it was bad. Marian thought that if they had a thunderstorm, Gregory would somehow blame it on her.

The only good thing is that he was the same with Sean as he always was. He didn't get mad at him for being a typical boy, even if it meant he forgot to come home for lunch one day, or Sean tracked dirt into the living room. That time, Mrs. Peroo was the one who hit the ceiling.

Finally, Marian had had enough. There were two days left before they left for Chicago, and Gregory had been particularly impossible.

Marian suggested they go sit on the front porch after Sean went to bed. Her mother and brother had gone to the Johnson's house for supper.

"Gregory, I love you. No matter what you show me, or tell me, in Chicago is going to change that. However, if you don't stop snapping at me at the least little problem, I am personally going to strangle you!"

Gregory was startled. He had forgotten about Marian's temper, an inheritance from her Irish mother.

After a moment, he looked at his hands. "I'm sorry. I know I've been unreasonable for the last week. It's just that I want things to go well, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to do what I want to do. I want to show you my past, even though you say it doesn't matter to you. It matters to me. I want to show how much I trust you. You

know about Harold Hill, and love me anyway. That means a lot to me, but I want to show you everything. Harold is just the tip of the iceberg."

"Gregory, I told you 11 years ago that you didn't have to tell me anything. I meant it then, and I still do. I was thrilled when you decided to stay. I thought you would keep moving on. I know that you get bored sometimes; that this little town is not what you're used to. It's not Des Moines, or even Dubuque. But, you have stuck with me, and with Sean, for the last 11 years. I am not going to give up on you, just because you can't tell me about something I already told you didn't matter."

"I know, and I'm not afraid you'll kick me out. I need to do this for me, to finally lay to rest some of the ghosts that still haunt me sometimes. This trip is no sentimental journey. It's more like an exorcism."

"A what?"

"Look it up in one of your dictionaries."

"There you go again. I'm sorry that in this case I don't know a word." Marian was annoyed again.

"Sorry. It means to get rid of ghosts that haunt a place, permanently."

"Oh. I see what you're saying. It's okay. I understand, but it would help if you would try not to worry about it. You would be a lot more pleasant to be around. The way you have been, I'm not sure that I want to go to Mason City with you, much less Chicago."

"I'll try to be more reasonable."

"Thank you. That's all I can ask, that you try."

Gregory gave her a hug, which she returned, and a kiss on the cheek. Marian looked a little disappointed. Gregory explained, "Your family is supposed to be home any time. I would prefer not to give them a show like the one we gave the neighbors a week ago."

Marian blushed. She was still shocked at how she forgot where she was that night.

"Madame Librarian, would you care to go inside and show me what else you've learned from those books of yours?" The gleam in Gregory's eye was hopeful, and a little wicked.

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Hill." The answering gleam in Marian's eye was more wicked than his.

The couple linked arms and moved toward the door. Gregory opened it and let Marian precede him. As she passed him, he swatted her on the behind. Startled, she looked back at him in surprise.

"That is for the thoughts going through your head. Naughty, naughty."

Marian just laughed.