Interference

Chapter 10

A somber Laura walked to school the next morning. Caroline and Charles had tried to reassure her everything would work out, but she couldn't see how anything would be right ever again. Laura dreaded getting up in front of the class today and pretending life was fine.

At recess Laura went to the post office to see if a response from the school in Radner had come. Their telegram said they were thrilled to have her and would expect her at the end of August. Not sure if she should be ecstatic she got the job or disappointed about leaving Walnut Grove, Laura sat down on the bench outside the post office.

Mrs. Foster hung her head out the window. "Is everything all right Laura?"

"Well I am excited about this teaching job, but it will be the first time I've ever really been away from home for any length of time."

Mrs. Foster smiled. "Wouldn't you come home on the weekends?"

"No, I'm going to stay in Radner."

"What will Almanzo do while you're away?"

"I don't know," said Laura. 'Probably find himself a new wife,' she thought.

Laura walked back to school when the bell rang. She couldn't help but feel sorry about her lost dreams.

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When Eliza Jane heard about Laura's plans to go to Radner she tried to sound happy. "That's…that's wonderful Laura," she said with a smile. But inside she was filled with dread. Eliza Jane felt this was the end of Laura and Almanzo's relationship, and she felt responsible. Why had she even suggested the job to her in the first place?

"Eliza Jane, you don't have to pretend with me. I'm disappointed it didn't work out between Almanzo and me too."

"I wish you would at least reconsider staying in Radner."

"It's going to be hard, I know…but I can't forget Almanzo if I see him all the time, and seeing another woman on his arm would be too painful," admitted Laura.

"I admire you…going off to start a new life on your own," said Eliza Jane. "You know what you want out of life. I wish I did."

"Well maybe Harv can help."

"Perhaps. We're going on a picnic this Sunday after church."

"I hope things work out for the two of you," said Laura.

"Thanks."

Laura turned to leave, but took a moment to look around the schoolhouse where she had grown up. "I sure am going to miss this school," she whispered. She glanced back at Eliza Jane and then walked out, shutting the door behind her.

Eliza Jane sat at her desk for a few minutes before gathering her things. She hoped and prayed Almanzo would change his mind when she told him about Laura's plans, but she knew how stubborn her younger brother could be.

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On Sunday morning Eliza Jane put on the green dress she had bought when Harv came to town. She thought it might be good luck. Harv had hinted he wanted to talk to her about something.

Harv picked her up and they drove to church together, like they did every Sunday since they returned from St. Louis. Almanzo decided to go alone in his wagon.

Laura and her family stopped to talk to the Olesons on the way into church. Their daughter Nellie and her husband Percival Dalton were behind them. Laura peeked over at Nellie's growing belly and felt jealous.

As long as she could remember, Laura had been jealous of Nellie Oleson. Nellie always had more money, better toys, and prettier dresses than any girl in Walnut Grove. And it seemed once again Nellie had everything Laura wanted. Here was mean, ole Nellie with a wonderful husband and a baby on the way. Laura's dreams of marrying and having children - Almanzo's children - were all but lost to her now. Life was so unfair.

"Don't you think so Laura?"

Shaken out of her thoughts all Laura uttered was a confused, "Huh?"

"I said, 'don't you think I look as big as mother?'" chuckled Nellie unaware of Laura's thoughts.

Laura offered a tiny smile. "You are pretty big Nellie. What does Doc Baker say?"

"To cut down on food. Other than that we're doing fine." Nellie patted her round belly.

"That's good." Laura said goodbye and walked into church before Nellie could say anything else.

During the service Laura was distracted. She wasn't sure if it was from the guilt over her thoughts about Nellie or from a set of blue eyes that stared at her from across the aisle. She focused on Reverend Alden and hoped Almanzo would turn away.

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Laura stood alone next to the Ingalls wagon waiting for her parents and sisters to finish chatting with friends. She saw Almanzo approaching and felt a lump form in her throat.

Almanzo removed his hat when he reached her. "Hi Beth."

"Hi Manly."

"My sister told me ya took that teachin job."

Laura stood up straight and made sure to look in his eyes when she responded, "Yes, I did."

"Now the wedddin's off, why do ya need to work?"

"I don't need to work. I have to start a new life for myself. I can't sit around Walnut Grove wishing things were different."

"Things were fine til ya stopped believen I could provide for us," Almanzo said defensively.

"We've already been though this Almanzo. I know you can provide, but I wanted to help so we could get married sooner, rather than later. I don't know why you think that's a bad thing."

"I never woulda gotten your pa's respect, that's why."

"Is that what you're worried about?" Laura shook her head in disbelief. "I thought you were marring me, not my pa." She shook her head again. "I can't believe you threw it all away just because you were afraid of what Pa might think!"

"I didn't throw nothin away, you did," accused Almanzo pointing is finger at her. "You made that choice."

"You didn't give me any choice." Laura knew it was pointless to continue. "Excuse me Almanzo," she said and then walked over to stand beside Charles.

An angry Almanzo hopped onto his wagon and chirruped his horses into a fast trot.

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The lake looked beautiful and refreshing that day. It was hot in the sun, but they placed the tablecloth and the picnic basket under the trees and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the shade.

Eliza Jane was glad the school term would end next week and she could have some time to herself. It was the first time she ever remember being happy over not teaching school. She was sure Harv was going to propose and she would have so many plans to make. Harv had been quiet most of the afternoon. Eliza Jane thought he must be nervous.

After lunch they took a walk in the woods. Eliza Jane couldn't concentrate. She was too excited and anxious over what Harv had to say. She wished he would tell her already. Eliza Jane stumbled over a fallen branch and Harv reached for her. They lost their balance and Harv pulled her into him to keep from falling. They stood face to face for a moment, but then Harv pulled away as if burned by fire.

"What's wrong?" asked Eliza Jane.

"Nothin, I just…"

"Just what?"

Harv took a deep breath. "Eliza, I have to be honest with ya." Harv pointed to a large rock and asked her to sit down.

"I want ya to know how much I like spendin time with ya. You've been a good friend." Harv paused, trying to figure out how to say it. "But I…I just can't be what ya want me to be."

Eliza Jane trembled. She felt the tears forming and lowered her head to hide her face.

"I ain't the marryin type. I like livin alone."

"I...I don't understand. We get along so well," Eliza Jane said without looking up. She fiddled with the string on her bag.

"I know, but I don't think of ya in the way a man thinks of a wife."

"But the compliments about my hair and my dress, the way we shared things about growing up…you knew how I felt when you came back with me." The tears were streaming down her face but she was too angry and hurt to care. She looked at him and said, "How could you let me believe you cared for me?"

"I do care for ya Eliza, just not the way you want me to." Harv sat down next to her on the rock and reached for her hand. She pulled it away as if it had been bitten by a snake. "When I said I would come back, I told ya we would have to wait and see. I kept thinkin if I waited longer it would come to me…I would feel somethin. But I don't Eliza. You're a real special woman, but I…I just don't love ya."

"I feel so foolish. How could I have been silly enough to think you could love me?" Eliza Jane looked up at the sky for answers.

Harv put his hand on top of hers. This time she didn't pull away. "Eliza…" He waited for her to look at him. "If I ever cared for anybody that way, it woulda been you."

She leaned into him and cried. He put his arms around her and hugged her until the sun fell behind the trees.