Chapter 07

The end is only the end

If you can't see past the end.

So, what do you see?

Noah was sitting down on the docks fishing… well not really fishing as the line had nothing on the end and the end was not in the water. He could not grasp the fact that Allie left him standing there, in the driveway, while he lost his heart a second time. Walking by the house he went to the docks and sat there with a pole in his hand totally lost to the world feeling like he had arrived at the end of the world. He stayed riveted to the spot and failed to hear the car coming down the driveway. He was totally oblivious to Clem making a racket out front of the house. It was when the footsteps started behind him, hesitated and then stopped. It had been less than 24 hours since he last heard those footsteps. He straightened up and carefully placed the pole down beside him. Fearing he had got it wrong he didn't want to turn around.

"Allie?" Noah asked carefully.

She nodded in reply and then suddenly realized he was not looking at her so she added, "Yes…" and could not think of anything else to add.

"What happened?" was on his mind so he asked the question.

He did not see the tears start trickling down her cheeks. He did not see her starting to shake as wave after wave of grief passed over her. Finally she managed to get out, "I'm following my heart."

Swinging his legs up Noah got to his feet. Standing there he looked terrible. He too had been crying. "Lon?"

"Heading back to Raleigh."

"Alone?"

Cocking her head to one side, Allie replied, "Yes, alone."

"Upset?"

"Not yet, he will be when it sinks in."

"The wedding?"

"Hum, yes, the wedding. Lon is old enough to handle it."

"And you?"

Looking at Noah, Allie knew she had made the right decision. Slowly she walked down the pier and in to his arms. "I've made my choice." They stayed that way for a long while despite Clem's protestation about being hungry. "And before you ask, yes I am sure."

"I wouldn't have asked."

"In you heart you would. So let me say, here and how, I've made my choice and this is it. You, Shakespeare, Whitman, and the rest of them. A package deal."

Noah was smiling with a wide smile. He was smiling with unashamed joy. He was also smiling because this rollercoaster of the past days was coming to an end and an end he felt good about. His dream of marrying Allie was just about here. Slipping her delicate hands into his he brought the small hands to his lips and kissed them gently. Then he added, "Package deal." They stayed that way for a long while. There was magic in the air and a sparkle in the eye that oh so special.

Hand in hand they walked back to the house where Noah and Allie sat down at the kitchen table and started to plan out their future. She started first. "I really don't want a big wedding. Something small and local."

"This is New Bern. We are small and local."

"Not too many people"

"There aren't too many people in New Bern."

"And lets do it soon."

"Okay… how does this sound? Let's get married next week. We can have the wedding right here in the house and then a small reception, right here in the house?"

Allie's face lit up and then collapsed. "What about my parents. They should come."

"Then we better call them and let them know what is going on." Noah added the word 'we' more in sympathy that for a three way telephone call. Allie chewed her bottom lip as she thought about calling her parents. She knew it would be a couple hours before her mother got home. So it was no good calling home right now and dropping this news on her father without mother by his side. Allie's father was so proud his daughter was marring a Hammond he positively beamed with pleasure and pride. For months on end he has been reminding all his friends and associates of the upcoming marriage and which important persons were invited.

It was about this time Allie started to realize the ramifications of this decision. Saying 'no' to Lon was the beginning of a ripple that would roll through Raleigh NC in ways she could not begin to imagine. The ripple would start with her parents and Lon's parents and then fan out touching so many others in big and small ways. Allie could understand the beginning but had no inkling where, when or how the end would happen. Nor did she realize that this event would be carefully recorded and commented on in Raleigh society for the rest of her life. Decisions have consequences.

That Saturday evening they drove into town to do some shopping and for Allie to use the drug store telephone as Noah did not have one out at the house. Noah gave Allie plenty of coins so Allie could talk for as long as she wanted. When she closed the telephone booth door she was still chewing her bottom lip. Noah sat outside offering moral support. Fortunately it was her mother that answered the phone.

"Hello mother," Allie said. It seemed like a death sentence ago since she last saw her mother at Noah's house, "I've made my choice and I am staying down here in New Bern." Allie ended the statement and waited for a reply.

The reply took a long while in coming. "You're sure?" Anne asked in a flat tone.

"Yes, I'm sure." Once said Allie felt a whole lot better. Saying 'no' to Lon was super tough. Saying she was staying to her mother was the second hurdle to overcome. Her father was next.

"I guess it was that trip. Your father wanted us to come along for that summer. I wanted to stay in town with you so you could attend camp with your friends. That one choice changed everything". Then she added, "No good fighting fate. It is what it is so let's move forward. When are you two getting married?"

"We would like to get married down here. Less complicated. How would next Saturday suit you and father?"

Allie could hear air getting sucked in. She had surprised her mother: which does not happen very often. Her mother is usually unflappable. "That's quick. Small wedding? Down there?"

"That's what we are thinking. Maybe just you and father. I'm not sure of you could persuade any of the other clan members to drive down… At least see if Aunt Alice would come and bring her cameras. She is a sucker for weddings."

"Obviously we don't have anything going now the other wedding is gone, so I don't see why we could not be there. Have you told your father?"

"No."

"Are you going to?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Soon."

"In person?"

"Over the telephone."

"He's your father and deserves better than that."

Allie knew her mother was right. Dropping something like this over the telephone was the height of rudeness and totally disrespectful to her father. She knew she had to face the music and do it in person. "How about tomorrow right after church?"

"We were going to have lunch with the Hammonds… I guess that's off now." It was the finality of it all that made Allie sad for Lon and his parents. They had accepted her with open arms and made her feel so welcome. She had enjoyed her time with them and felt comfortable in their presence. In one easy move she has alienated all of them. A small shiver ran down her back. "If you are to get married next week I think you better bring Noah with you tomorrow."

"I was thinking if coming alone…"

"No," cut in Anne, "This is your father we are talking about. Not some idiot off the street. You made your bed, now lie in it." Allie hated that saying her mother has used since before she could remember. Making her bed has always been a drudge and never a pleasure. Every week the linen was stripped off all beds, whether they had been used of not, and washed. Every spring all winter blankets were stripped and washed then put away and the summer covers were brought out. In the fall this activity was repeated in reverse. Anne was very particular when it came to beds and so liked to use sayings associated with beds. Allie, on the other hand, did not. She was tired of listening to bed stories when all you do is sleep on them.

"Okay, see you tomorrow then."

"I'll have the garage doors open so you can pull your car in. That way we will be undisturbed."

"See you tomorrow mother, and thank you."

"Oh, don't worry. We will muddle through somehow. See you at lunchtime."

Allie put the telephone down carefully and stepped out of the booth. Noah held out his hand. By looking at Allie's expression he knew it had not been a walk in the park. Allie looked at Noah and said, "I guess we will be having lunch with my parents tomorrow." Then she added the brave smile of Marie Antoinette.

Noah's face dropped. He was not expecting to face the music that soon. "Tomorrow as in tomorrow?"

"As in a few hours time."

"Oh."

"Come on Sparkey," Allie said, squeezing his hand, "We better get going. We have a long drive tomorrow."

Noah was not feeling very sparky or perky. He was feeling rather down and in the dumps.

That night Noah and Allie together without making love. The next day was casting a long shadow over them.

Noah was up early and out paddling about. Allie arose about seven and started to make breakfast of omelets and biscuits. She had coffee going and then looked out the window to watch Noah come back, get out and put the canoe away. She looked longing at him as he walked up to the house and through the back door into the kitchen. He liked what he saw.

"Time to shower first?" Noah asked.

"Nope, we're good now. If you can grab the skillet I'll get the biscuits."

"That sounds like a good deal." Then Noah added, "Hope you don't mind me sliding out for a row? Sort of helps me get in to the day."

"That's fine, it gave me time to get ready." They ate quietly, each in their own thoughts of what the day will bring.

It is just over a two hour drive from New Bern to Raleigh so they left about ten in the morning. Being a Sunday, and everyone in church, the roads were easy, the towns all quiet so Noah took his time. Like Anne Nelson said, the garage was open. Noah pulled in and closed the garage doors behind them.

It was time to face the music.

Hand in hand Allie escorted Noah into the house and let out a loud, "I'm back." With a tense look, Allie gave a reassuring squeeze to Noah's hand. There was a disturbing silence in the house so Allie led Noah to the study as that is where she expected to find her parents. The large double doors were open and she could hear the rustling of newspapers as they approached the door. With another squeeze they brazenly waltzed in. Allie let go of Noah's hand to give her mother and father a peck on the cheek. Once done she sat down and Noah joined her.

Sadly, the news had already penetrated the heart of the home

Jumping in with both feet Allie started. "Father, I have some news for you. Last Friday Lon and I broke off our engagement. This is Noah, you have met him several times a long time ago. We are planning to get married next week and would like you and mother to join us in this happy union." Once said Noah gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. All this hand squeezing was clearly observed by Allie's mother and totally missed by her father. Allie's mother mentally noted never seeing Allie and Lon holding hands… ever. Here, in front of them, Allie and Noah were holding hands and having finger wars!

"I see", was the dire reply. Allie's parents had not gone to church but had had a heated discussion about their wayward daughter, Allie. Once Lon got back to Raleigh the cat was out of the bag. Telephones started to ring and had not stopped. Everyone was calling to ask if the news about Allie and Lon was true. Everything pointed at Allie, Lon wasn't saying, nobody was talking and everybody was wondering. Now, with Allie sitting in front of her parents, with Noah at her side, everything was confirmed.

Trying to break ice, Anne asked," So Noah, how is the house coming along?"

"Ma'am it is looking really good. I think I would say I'm just about done with the house and now am busy outside on the fence. Twelve acres is a lot to fence in. I'm using treated lumber on the outside fence and then I'm thinking of adding in some cross fencing. Maybe a horse or two. I'm not sure about the horses just yet. Sort of waiting to see how things work out once I'm finished with the main fence."

"You like it there?"

"Yes Ma'am. I've had my eye on that house an awful long time. Even before the time you came to New Bern."

"Why?"

Noah gave a little laugh, "Well Ma'am, I don't really know. Ever since I can remember I've seen that house. Every time I did I could see myself on the porch rocking away. It's been a dream of mine and that's the way it's always been."

"The house is not part of your families past?"

"No Ma'am, we have been in New Bern a long time, but not that long. Irish immigrants from the 1880's. First to New York and then moved south to get away from the hard winters. Well, that's the family story my father passed down to me and he swore it is true from his father."

To keep the conversation going, Anne added, "On my husband's side indentured servants from the 1650's and on my side a stowaway from Southampton England in 1680. We have been in the area of North Carolina ever since. The common thread through both sides has been tobacco. Our ancestors have written some of the most thorough and comprehensive books on tobacco and its cultivation.

"Please," said Allie's father in a demanding voice, "would you stop this useless discussion on our respective histories. What I want to know is what happened? Will someone please tell me what happened?"

"I'll tell you what happened," said Allie, taking the bull by the horns. "It all started back in the summer of 1932, the summer you took mother and I down to New Bern. That is were I met Noah and that is where it started."

"But you were too young back then. Only sixteen…"

"Yes father, only sixteen and Noah was only eighteen, we are now twenty-nine and thirty-one. Old enough to know what we are doing."

"And Lon is thirty-seven," Muttered Anne to her self, "old enough to have acted sooner."

"But why the change?" Pleaded Allie's father.

"Because I love him. I love Noah in a way that fulfills me. His passion complements me in a way I haven't experienced since that summer. He brings me strength and he wants me to paint. And I want to paint."

"Paint? What? You haven't touched your paints in years."

"I did that to please Lon. That was my mistake. I'm good at painting and I want to paint."

"This is ridiculous, really ridiculous. Leaving Lon to paint? Is that what you are saying?"

"No, that is not what I said. I said I love Noah and I want to spend the rest of my life with Noah and not Lon. I hope that is clear father."

"Perfectly clear but I don't understand it in the least. What's wrong with Lon?"

"Nothing father… except he is not the one."

"Not the one, is that what it's all about? Being the one?"

Anne put her hand on her husband's hand and patted it then added, "Do you remember when we met?"

"That was different. People were still running about in buggies pulled by horses."

"And we met when I was fourteen…"

"Fourteen! Mother, you never told me about that!" Allie said in a very surprised voice at this family revelation. "You never told me!"

"You never asked." replied a smooth mother with lots of emphasis on the word 'you'.

"May I put in a word, Sir." The Nelson family stopped fussing amongst themselves and looked at Noah. "I'm the other person in this and I think I have something to say. Ever since I met Allie at the county fair I knew she was the one. I didn't know how it would ever work out between us two, but there was something deep inside that said it was right. The two of us are right for each other. How the future will unfold, I don't know. What I do know is Allie and I are right for each other."

"How are you gong to keep her?" fired back Allie's father. He was thinking of Lon's secure financial position.

"I have some money. I have the GI bill and I can work. We will not starve."

"I'm not worried about you two starving as I am about keeping Allie in the life style that she is used to."

"Father!" said a very surprised Allie, "that is unfair and you know it. Life style indeed. I have a degree and can work just as well as Noah. And don't give me that lecture, Women Don't Work as I have heard it before."

Allie's mother was giving her husband a hard look then added, "As if your daughter can't get a job." Turning to her daughter she added, "Don't worry dear, you won't starve. Your father will make sure of that."

Then Noah stepped in and said, "As much as we appreciate you support we have to make a go of it from the beginning. Like I said, I'm not sure how we will do it, but we will. We will be just fine." With that he gave Allie a broad smile and gently gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Realizing he was loosing the argument, Allie's father looked at his daughter and possible son-in-law and wondered what Lon had been doing all the time he was dating his beautiful daughter. Why hadn't he acted last year, of the year before that, or the one before that? Why had Lon waited so long? All he could think of was, 'Stupid fool, now you see the price of slowness!'

On the other hand, Anne was thinking back to the summer of 1932. Her husband was given the short term assignment of supervising work for the company down in New Bern. The choices given him was to go or find another job. As good paying jobs were difficult to find, he elected to go. Rather than sit at home for the summer, Anne said she would come to and make lemonade out of the lemons given to her husband. From her side, the trip was a success as it brought the two of them closer together. They also thought it was safe to allow Allie time to roam about as New Bern was so small and absolutely nothing happened in such a small place.

It took Anne a while to realize something was going on with her daughter. In a matter of weeks she changed. The change was subtle, so subtle that only a watchful mother of a sixteen year old would notice and remember when she was a teenager in love.