Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 6, Page 52

Fiona went over to Christy and pulled up a chair. She let the silence sit with them. Christy was still in her night gown and a robe that Fiona lent her. She said she was cold, but Fiona knew she was upset more than cold. Fiona brought her over some hot chocolate.

"Christy, you must know by now that there are very good people here that want to help you and your baby. I am happy to open my home to you and Timi Anne, while you both get better. It won't be long and you'll healthy enough to be on your own." Fiona was hoping to get Christy to tell her who she was.

"I'm sorry if we're in your way, so we can go back to the cabin when Timi Anne's jaundice is gone." Christy apologized.

"No, Christy, you are not in the way. I enjoy your company and your baby is such a darling. You are welcome to be here, but you need to help us help you. Please tell us who you are. We can contact your sister and make plans for your future." Fiona was sure she would want help.

"I don't know any of you, but you're right, I have to think of Timi Anne. I'm not sure where to start."

"Christy, what is your full name?"

"Christy Lipinski."

"All right, that's a start." Fiona smiled. "Where did you live before the cabin?"

"In between Hope Valley and Brookfield on a farm. Ma and Pa have a big farm and we all worked it. We all had to help with the farm either with the cattle or working the fields." Christy started her story then hesitated.

"Go on." Fiona encouraged Christy.

"Ma was so smart, and we learned to read, write, and some science. She told us all about Poland and the struggles back in the old country and when they immigrated to Canada." Christy was slowly starting to relax. "Ma was a great cook and taught us to can fruit and vegetables, sew our own clothes, knit sweaters, hats, and scarfs, and to wash clothes, anything that we needed done, we helped."

"How many brothers and sisters do you have Christy?" Fiona was getting more interested.

"I have five brothers and two sisters. Every one of us had to sleep in beds with another sibling or two. We had to look after our younger brothers and sisters. When Pa was done for the day, we had dinner together but that's when Ma and Pa rested, and we cleaned up the table and kitchen. When we were done, we gathered together and prayed the rosary in front a picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa in the living room."

Fiona put her arm around Christy and listened intently as Christy took a deep breath. "Pa was very strict. At times I felt trapped because we had no time by ourselves. He didn't want us to leave the farm, but Maggie and I would stuff our beds with pillows and sneak out the window to see other kids our age from time to time."

"Where did you go?" Fiona kept asking for more information.

"We just went to our neighbor's farms and met to talk, or sometimes we just played tag or pretended we were at a dance. It was fun just to be free." Christy said. "There was one boy a little older than me that gave me lots of attention. He was a good-looking boy, and a nice boy. He liked me. He was kind and that was why I fell in love with him. We talked about getting married and starting our own farm just for us. He showed me the abandoned hunter's cabin as he often would hunt. At first, we just kissed and cuddled. We even fell asleep. Then when we woke a short time later, we just got up, kissed and went home.

Christy looked away. Tears started to come easily now as he continued with Fiona holding her closer. "The next time I saw him, he told me he wanted to get married, but..." the tears took over then and she sobbed.

"Oh honey," Fiona held Christy tightly then whispered, "what happened"?

"He was called to war. He promised he would come back to me. We were together the night before he left. He told me he loved me and that was the last time I saw him." Christy blurted this out while sobbing fiercely.

"Is he Timi Anne's father?" Fiona asked after waiting for the sobbing to let up.

"No." was all Christy said.

"Then, who is?" Fiona was surprised and hoping Christy would tell her the whole story.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this, honest Fiona. We were just so upset with him gone that his brother and I, well, we both felt the same and we talked at the cabin. We talked late into the night, and we found comfort in eachother. One thing led to another and well, you know..." Christy looked so sad and embarrassed.

"Does he know about Timi Anne?"

"No, Maggie, my sister told him that I was in trouble at home. Which really was true. When I started to show, my Ma was very upset, but she wanted to take care of my baby. My Pa wouldn't hear of it. He said I would have to take care of the baby myself. He said I embarrassed him. Ma told him to pray the rosary with her and let me stay. He was too stubborn, and I saw him cry."

Fiona was holding Christy's hand. "Honey, your Pa let his pride get in his way. I'm sure he would like to see you and meet your little daughter. Perhaps after time, you could go back home."

"I don't want to. I mean, I love and miss my family, but I want to work for my own keep and take care of Timi Anne myself." Christy said firmly.

"Then maybe you might want to contact her father. You both have this beautiful daughter, and he deserves to know Christy. Are you afraid of him?"

"No, not at all. He's such a loving person, like his brother."

"Honey, maybe I can, or Mountie Nathan can get a hold of him for you. Would that help?" Fiona looked with sympathy at Christy.

"You're right, he deserves to know. I'd like for him to meet his daughter."

"What is his name?" Fiona asked.

"Rick O'Neill." Christy smiled.