Chapter 5
The new October sky shined bright and clear, but a bit chilly over the school yard. Allie Grant and a group of her friends sat in a huddle. It was a day of good news and excitement. Mrs. Thornton had announced that they could have their Camping field trip. The news had everyone cheering. Together Mrs. Thornton and the children had come up with a plan on how to raise money for the camping trip. Mrs. Thornton had also approved Anna's idea of a school dance. She suggested that they make all the decorations themselves, and ask for donations from some of the local businesses in Hope Valley. They could also ask their parents to help, along with some of the local farmers. If they did that they should be able to decorate and provide the refreshments without spending any money. Mrs. Thornton also suggested they sell tickets to the dance. She explained how students could get in free with a student ticket, but if they also sold tickets to the rest of the town they could make this a community event and make money for their camping trip! The students couldn't believe their good luck. Mrs. Thornton had approved both the camping trip and the dance. They were so excited. After the class had settled down and were ready to listen again Mrs. Thornton informed them she had one more surprise. "Okay children I have one more detail to share with you all." She had regained their attention, and they listened intently. "So I think you all are going to be very happy that both Robert and Laura will be coming with us!" Everyone clapped and cheered. "Alright alright class settle down." Mrs. Thornton fought to bring them back. "There will be some rules to follow. We will go over all of them before the trip, but for now you need to know that Robert and Laura are there to look out after you. You should be respectful to them. Listen to them just like you listen to me, or your parents. We want everyone to stay safe out there, correct?" Opal raised her hand with a question. "Mrs. Thornton?" she asked. "I thought you said someone older like you had to come too and help you." You're right Opal, I did say that. I am still needing to find someone to come along with us that's why I am sending home your permission slips today. Would you like to come up and help pass these out? Opal smiled widely and sprang to her feet. "Okay class pay attention, this is very important. There are two slips here. One is your permission slip for the camping trip, the other is a volunteer slip. Please take a volunteer sheet home with you if you think you have a parent who might want to come along and help us out. Emily would you please come up and pass these out for me?" Sure Mrs. Thornton, Emily replied.
Allie arrived early for school the next day, and hid herself behind the school building. As each of the students arrived, the ones that had taken the parent volunteer slips quietly handed theirs's over to her, never having shown them to their parents. Allie readily accepted all but one, which she signed Minnie Canfield. Allie knew she wouldn't have much time to ditch the papers and be back before the bell rang so, she ran as fast as her legs would allow her to. The effort paid off and she made it back in time. She even made it back in time to hand the parent Volunteer slip back to Cooper without Mrs. Thornton noticing anything!
Allie knew it was wrong to sign another person's name. She even felt guilty and ashamed, but it had to be done. It wasn't just for her that this plan had been set in motion. Yesterday at recess, after Mrs. Thornton passed out the permission and volunteer slips the children decided they needed another meeting about the camping trip. They were quite excited of course, but one concern lingered. Since Opal's suggestion of Mr. Bouchard's coming along, the children couldn't get it out of their minds. No one disliked Mr. Bouchard, they just couldn't imagine him camping! They wanted someone to come along that would get dirty with them. Play with them and fish, and all the other things that come along with camping. That's when Allie told them about her idea. The children all loved it and agreed to work together to make the plan work.
Allie Grant stood at the stove and plated up Sunday's catch. The succulent smells bringing her father in from the backyard. "Wow Allie that really does smell delicious." Nathan complimented his daughter as he sidled up beside her to steal a small bite from the plate resting on the stove. "Ow, that's hot!" Nathan garbled, as Allie pretended to swat his fingers with the spatula. Nathan gave his daughter a devilish grin and popped another small piece of fish into his mouth. "How does it taste?" Allie asked. "Why, fishing for more compliments?" Nathan joked. Allie tilted her head to the side and rolled her eyes. She picked up the plate and held it out in front of her Dad. "No, just angling for some help. Will you please sit this on the table for me?" "Now who has Dad jokes! Nathan pointed out, and they both giggled.
"Wow that was one delicious meal Allie! You should be very proud of yourself. You caught it, you cleaned it, and you cooked it!" "Well you helped to catch it and clean it." That's true Allie, I did help, but you did everything else. I'm very proud of you, but now I think I will get some air. Maybe take a walk, make sure everything's okay. Would you like to come along?" "I think I will stay here and clean up, but before you go can I talk to you about something?" Allie asked. Of course Allie, is everything okay? Nathan asked with concern. "Dad, everything is okay, I just need you to sign a couple of papers I need to turn into Mrs. Thornton. Nathan raised an eyebrow and asked Allie, "What kind of papers?" Allie huffed and explained, laying the permission slip down on the table. Nathan picked up the paper and read it more closely. When he had finished he laid the paper back down and looked at Allie, a bit concerned. "This isn't far from where the windstorm blew over two years ago. I have to say Allie this worries me a little bit. Remember what happened to Emily and Mrs. Thornton the last time she took you all up there on a field trip? And this is overnight! I'm not sure this is a good idea, Allie. I don't think I can sign this permission slip for you." "Why not?" Allie asked of her father with a downtrodden look. "Allie! I know you are disappointed, but you are my only child, and my whole world! I will not allow Mrs. Thornton to take you up there all by herself! After what happened last time, I just will not allow it!" The mere thought of Elizabeth's irresponsibility two years ago was more than Nathan could bare, and he didn't want to get angry with Allie. "But Dad," Allie interrupted his thoughts. "That's what I'm trying to talk to you about. Allie tried to explain as she presented Nathan with the second sheet of paper. "Mrs. Thornton says that both Robert and Laura are coming too. Robert will be helping by staying with the boys in the boy's tent, and Laura will sleep with us girls in the girl's tent. Actually we will be learning to build tee pee's! It's going to be so much fun, and we will learn a lot!" Nathan gave Allie a skeptical look, but let her continue. "The only thing is that Mrs. Thornton still needs another adult to chaperone. "And I suppose you think I should be the one to come along?" Nathan stated more than asked. "I don't think Mrs. Thornton would want that Allie. Don't you think that would be awkward for both of us? You do remember a certain Adoption ceremony, right? She would probably think you were at again, and to be honest Allie, I'm not sure she would be wrong. "I promise, it's not like that. All the kids at school want you to come, they all told me so. We all want you there, Dad. You're fun, and you know all about camping. The boys especially want you there. They all think you are a real crackerjack, Constable Grant!" Nathan cracked a smile, and thought about the situation. Allie held her hands together, as if in prayer and looked at her Dad with big eyes. "Pleeease?" She pleaded. Nathan knew, Elizabeth and all the children needed to be kept safe. That was the most important thing. He needed to put their needs first, and not let his personal feelings keep him from doing his job. Nathan picked up the pen that Allie had placed on the table next to the slips of paper and signed both. He knew what he was doing was the right thing, but he feared that Elizabeth would object to his offer.