Chapter Eighteen

.

Friendships

.

Weeping having ceased, Elizabeth had laid back on the pillows, exhausted.

Faith collected the pile of dampened towels and handkerchiefs and returned to her desk. Molly took the linens and added them to the laundry basket, pointing to a pale ginger ale for Faith.

Joseph, cleared his throat, letting Elizabeth know he was present.

"She turned her head on the pillow and with a small voice asked, "Is he… Is Nathan really gone?"

"Yes. He is." Joseph watched as a deep sadness settled on Elizabeth's countenance, her eyes closing.

Joseph spoke softly. "Elizabeth what has you so distressed?"

After a long wait, Elizabeth responded, "Nathan."

"Nathan?" When she only nodded, Joseph continued. "What is it about Nathan that is so distressing?"

"He left. He left me." Elizabeth gulped but her eyes remained closed.

"Yes, Nathan left Hope Valley. How did he leave you?

"Our friendship. He left me."

"Elizabeth, how could Nathan have left you when you weren't together? You weren't with him."

"No." Elizabeth's voice was small. When Joseph replayed the conversation in his mind later, that was the only word he thought described her voice. It had shrunk. It had become small. "But he said he loved me." She barely whispered.

"When was that? Recently or before you got engaged to Mr. Bouchard?"

"Last year." She gulped. "And then he kept his distance and… and now he's left me."

Having talked with his friend Nathan over the past year, Joseph was gaining a greater understanding for what Nathan had been through. "What did you say to him then?"

Elizabeth looked at Joseph. "I said I couldn't love him the same way."

"And what did he say then?"

"I don't know, I left."

"Elizabeth. You have just told me you told him you didn't love him. Since then you got engaged to Mr. Bouchard. What reason would Nathan have to stay?"

Elizabeth couldn't answer that for a while. Finally she responded, with less of a statement and more as a question. "For friendship?"

"You think Nathan should have declined a promotion for your friendship? "

Looking confused, Elizabeth responded quickly this time. "Of course. He did before."

"Nathan declined a promotion before?" This was news to Joseph. "For friendship?"

"Well maybe for Allie too…"

"Was this when you were with Bouchard?"

"No. Before."

"And after you got engaged to another man you expected Nathan to stick around for friendship?"

"Well…" Elizabeth went silent.

Joseph was ever more grateful Nathan had departed Hope Valley. Sensing this conversation was getting nowhere he decided to pray, then leave her with some homework. Joseph committed Elizabeth into God's loving care and then questioned. "Elizabeth? I want you to ponder this until our next talk tomorrow. Think of these two questions from Nathan's perspective. Not yours. From his. And remember, Nathan left while you were engaged to Mr. Bouchard. First, 'What would Nathan gain by staying?' And the second question is, 'What would Nathan gain by leaving?'"

After Joseph departed, Elizabeth sipped soup for her lunch and appeared to nap for a few hours.

Later in the afternoon, she had only one request. "Faith? Or Molly? Could you get two copies of the Village Voice for me? Please?"


Carol Collins had accompanied their cook's husband, and their house-handyman, to pick-up Allie after school on this first day. They stood outside the vehicle so Allie could easily see them and found that when she caught sight of them she came flying across the sidewalk, arms outstretched. "Hi Gramma Carol! Hi Mr. Cook." Mrs. Irma Cook was the cook at the Collins's home but since the family called her Irma and her husband Jake, the irony of their surname had been long forgotten. That is until now. Allie had mentioned it at dinner on her first day!

"Hello, my dear! Does this mean it was a good first day?" Carol queried hopefully as they climbed into the vehicle. "I hope?"

"Oh, it was. It was a very good day. I can't wait to tell you all at dinner! The only homework I didn't finish at school is Literature, so I have a couple chapters to read before Dad gets home."

Allie smiled excitedly. "I always try to get as much done as I can so we have our evenings together if he doesn't have to work. Is that okay?"

"Of course it is. We'll have a little snack and then you can find a good reading spot and get to it, okay?"

"Yes, thank you." Allie looked out of the car window, taking in the sights. "Wow. There are as many red serge around Regina as at some of the forts where we've lived. A Red Sea!" Allie had been waiting to find a time to try this joke on someone before she said it to her father. When both Gramma Carol and Mr. Cook laughed, Allie was thrilled. She had a joke she had thought of on her own and thought to herself, 'Dad will be proud!'


The Commissioner and Nathan conversed on the drive home late that afternoon and Peter was impressed with Nathan's plan for the search and rescue mission. "And Tim used the word 'innovative?'" At Nathan's nod, Peter continued. "You are making your mark on the first day, Son. I'm proud of you."

"Well, I hope making my mark is a good thing. I just think so much can be learned in this exercise. The Instructors will benefit and I hope it will give the recruits ways to remember important lessons going forward."

"Making your mark with Tim Stewart is a very good thing, Nathan. He is always open to new ideas and better ways to accomplish the end result of well-trained men. He is an educator and a Mountie, so if he appreciates your ideas you have an advocate on your side. Good for you to go for it, Nathan!"

"Let's hope and pray the exercise is successful!" Nathan chuckled. "If not then the learning experience will be mine!"


From her window seat in the Collin's front room, Allie had seen the automobile pull into the driveway and hurried to the door to greet her father. "Dad!" She hugged Nathan, hardly allowing him inside the door.

Nathan kissed the top of her head and returned her hug just as tightly. They swayed back and forth for a few moments and Nathan whispered. "My sweet girl! I missed you today."

"I know, I missed you too! We've had so much time together lately. I had a wonderful day, Dad, but there were a few times when I wondered how you were on your first day at the Academy."

"If I may interrupt, Nathan? Allie?" Carol Collins was standing in the entryway having kissed her husband hello. "Dinner will be ready in a half hour if you want to freshen up and change out of your uniforms?"


Allie had an attentive audience at dinner and enthused about her day. "The tour was interesting, but I'm glad I wasn't the only one who was worried she might get lost. The Academy is huge to me! At the Assembly they introduced all the teachers and shared about taking attendance, the class schedules and changing classes… I never did that before. We learned about the bells, the sports teams, music instruction and chorus and a winter concert, upcoming events… Oh Dad? There's Faculty Tea for you to attend. Miss Hills said all the parents will get invitations in the mail. It's a dress-up affair so you'll need to go in uniform. There are a few other girls whose fathers work at the Academy so you won't be alone. I wish I could go to watch how everyone looks at you though!"

"Allie… My serge is blue now, so I won't draw much attention." Nathan chuckled. "I'm just another parent."

"Oh, you are more than that, Nathan." Carol smiled knowingly.

Peter looked at her with a grin. "You realize you just said that out loud, right?"

Carol grinned back. "I did and truth must be spoken."

Meanwhile Allie was grinning as her father blushed. She decided to continue the day's report to ease her father's discomfort.

"I signed up for chorus and art club and a school play! Chorus is every Wednesday and art club only meets twice a month. We'll work on posters for school events and plan an art show for the spring. At Christmas we'll have a concert, plus put on 'Dickens' Christmas Carol' and do some other play in the Spring. I'm still thinking about joining the newspaper. It's called the Crimson and White. Isn't that a nice name?" Allie took a breath. "I hope this is alright, Dad? I'm excited."

Rejoicing in the new opportunities Allie had before her, Nathan encouraged her. "As long as your studies are accomplished well, and I have no doubt they will be, I think this is wonderful Allie-girl. I am thrilled for you to have all these opportunities and will have to mark our calendar for all the special events!" Nathan was curious. "Did you meet Miss Collins?"

"Oh! I love her! She is so pretty and so nice. All the girls like her a lot. She says we are going to have fun learning. Even Mrs. Thornton never said that!"

"So she wasn't bossy?" Nathan let the words slip out quietly, but watched for Allie's reaction with peripheral vision.

Allie giggled. "And she doesn't smell like chalk!"

Peter and Carol Collins gasped audibly.

"Oh, that's just an inside joke, Gramma & Grampa!" Allie grinned at her father and proceded to confess her comments from her first day of school in Hope Valley.

Much relieved, Peter and Carol joined the laughter. Peter commented, "You have had your hands full with this one, Nathan! A regular spitfire!"

Nathan agreed. "Never a dull moment!"

Allie decided to redirect the conversation again. "Tomorrow morning we have an all-school assembly and we'll sing the school song. We practiced it today. Did you ever hear of a school song, Dad?"

"Can't say that I have, Sweetheart." Nathan responded before asking the parental question. "Did you get tested for Latin and Math?"

"Yes." Allie sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm afraid I might not be with the other girls in my class for math. I might have to take a class with the older girls. I think Miss Collins will talk to you about it, Dad."

"Okay. We are still waiting on the transfer reports from Hope Valley, so just stay flexible, Honey. You will get used to each class before you know it." Nathan wiped his mouth with his napkin and continued.

"Did you make some friends?" He watched closely knowing this was one of Allie's biggest concerns.

"I did! I think there may be a few bosom buddies in my class. I sat next to one girl, Sarah, but she goes by Sally. She and I are already kindred spirits we know!"

"Well! That's wonderful news. I guess you have a lot to write home about, eh? What's the homework situation?"

"Miss Collins asked us to read a few chapters before tomorrow and there was a vocabulary list I already worked on. We'll start the other classes tomorrow. Miss Collins said to begin thinking about an essay on the most memorable thing I did this summer. I started that in my journal already! You know, when we were on the train." As an aside to the Collins's Allie added, "Teachers always ask that at the beginning of school."

Carol stood to collect the dishes and at Nathan's motion, Allie joined her.

When the ladies had departed into the kitchen, Peter looked at Nathan. "I can't tell you the last time I so enjoyed dinner! Allie breathes life into my old soul."

"She has her moods, but today was a very good day and I couldn't be more thankful to God for that! Due to my many moves, Allie has dreaded making friends at all her new schools… that is until now." Nathan looked pensive.

"What changed, Nathan?" Peter inquired.

"I think it was the investment of time her teacher gave her in the beginning… in Hope Valley. Her teacher seemed to understand Allie and she encouraged her until Allie broke through her shell and blossomed. I am grateful for her help." Nathan coughed. "Well at least in the beginning."

Carol re-entered the dining room carrying a golden, pear crumble pie. Allie followed with dessert plates and a bowl of whipped cream.

"So, Nathan? Tell us about your first day at Depot." Carol inquired.

"Well… I began the day with a staff meeting to introduce another new instructor and me to the other faculty. I only hope I will remember all the names!" Nathan paused. "I get the distinct impression that some knew about me in advance. There were some telling looks. But, I'll just hold my head high and if there are questions, I'll handle them as they arise."

Allie spoke up. "Stand tall, look them straight in the eye… Right, Dad?" Allie grinned.

"Right, Allie!" Nathan chuckled having his lesson to Allie repeated back to him!

Wanting to reassure Nathan, Peter spoke up. "There is no need for concern, Nathan. You are here because of your stellar reputation and since you are well-known at Headquarters, I'm sure some of that information has filtered down to your Academy peers." Peter chuckled. "I believe you might need to take your own advice! Didn't you tell Allie this morning to just be herself?"

Nathan laughed. "Point taken!" Advice he had given, twice returned to himself!

"What else did you do today, Dad?"

"I toured the facility with my officemate. Oh, he approved of the location for your Mom's painting, Allie. I hung it up this afternoon. He's a personable fella. Wes Murphy. Reminds me of Uncle Gabe!" He looked up from Peter to Carol and explained. "Constable Gabriel Kinslow, a colleague and dear friend from my days here at the Academy. He's stationed in a town not far from Hope Valley and is one of Allie's honorary uncles!"

"Uncle Gabe's the best." Allie added.

"Continuing with my day, I observed some drills and training exercises in Parade Square. Also, I met with a couple instructors to strategize a tracking exercise we are planning for Friday. That is I met with them after meeting with Chief Superintendent Timothy Stewart. He's the Commanding Officer in charge of Depot Division, Allie."

"Wow, Dad! You met with the Chief Superintendent on your first day? Impressive!"

Nathan, Peter and Carol laughed. "Not really, Honey. I just had to get approval for an idea I had!"

Peter leaned over to Allie. "Don't let him fool you, Allie. He made a good impression on the Chief and that's a very good start!" He winked at Allie who grinned, proud of her Dad.

"Now, I think you both had a good start on both first days at the Academies! Thank you so much for sharing so much with us." Carol looked at Allie. "Gramma Carol and Grampa Pete will never get tired to hearing about your days, Honey." She looked at Nathan and winked. "You too, Son."


Bill brought Jack to visit his mother again, along with a new book to read and his Mountie toy that Nathan had carved for Jack. Bill had tried to talk Jack out of bringing that particular toy, but as it was a favorite Jack could not be dissuaded.

"Good evening, Elizabeth. Your handsome little fella is here to visit again!" Bill was making the announcement as Jack made a running leap onto the hospital bed. When he slipped off, Bill assisted him up and into his mother's open arms. "Hi, little one. I…"

Jack stiffened and put his hand over his mother's mouth. "I am not little anymore. I am just Jack."

"Oh! My mistake, Jack. When did you stop being my little boy?" Elizabeth chuckled softly.

"When I got big." Jack offered his explanation as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

"Oh, I see. Can Mommy still have a big hug from her big boy?" She squeezed Jack and he squeezed back.

"Umm hmmm." Jack laid his head on Elizabeth's shoulder and they were quiet for a while. He moved to look closely at her face and patted her cheek in much the same way she had often patted his. "Are you sick or are you better now?"

"I'm still not feeling well, Sweet boy." Catching a view of the toy he had brought, Elizabeth sucked in a breath. "Oh…"

Jack followed her gaze and in childhood innocence said. "You remember my Mountie right, Mommy? Mountie Nat'n? Mountie Daddy?"

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears which she tried to blink away.

"You sad, Mommy? You miss Mountie Nat'n too?"

Elizabeth's eyes went wide and she looked at Bill, who shrugged. "Not prompted by me in any way. I actually suggested another toy, but… well, you know how that went!"

A small smile played at Elizabeth's lips but didn't linger. She looked at Bill, imploring him silently. He got the message and suggested it was time for their bedtime story.

Jack snuggled down and patted the first page, looking up at his Uncle Bill.

Bill began to read.

Later, while walking home after delivering Jack back to the Coulter's, Bill decided it was time to put his plan in action. He would talk to Constable Paul tomorrow after his morning rounds. Maybe they could even begin in the morning?