Chapter 10 – Party Time, Time to Part

The noise in the pub was almost overwhelming and so were Louisa's emotions. She could not believe all the people who had turned out to wish her well before her departure for America. Thanks to Bert Large who had gone to great lengths to publicize the fact that for this one night his place would be turned over to Louisa's students, fellow teachers, friends, family if any, admirers, neighbors, well ... just to any and all who wished to come.

There had even been a short program quickly organized by several of Louisa's friends from school. , the kindergarten teacher, read the list of the ways her class thought things would be different in the United States of America. Everyone applauded when she was finished and agreed that the kindergartners in Portwenn were very wise indeed.

But the hit of the evening had been performed by some older students who had attended Portwenn Primary School. Louisa had been a favorite teacher for many of the students and they were happy to take part in this party for her. The students formed two groups that sang back and forth to each other with newly-written lyrics for the song "America" from the musical "West Side Story." Roger Fenn, with his musical skills, had helped get the song and the students ready. Everyone practiced long and diligently in secret at the church after school. This presentation for the occasion had cracked everyone up. And Louisa had enjoyed it most of all.

I want to be in America,

With new students for me in America,

Take my holiday in America.

If I can get to America.

We have to stay here in old Portwenn,

Never away from this old Portwenn,

You will escape from old Portwenn,

Think about us in old Portwenn.

Up in the sky to America.

When I get there to America,

I will get by in America.

Holiday time in America.

Your summer will be in America,

Sweltering sun in America,

Burning your skin in America,

No sea for you in America.

I want to be in America,

There's lots of room in America,

Skyscrapers boom in America,

And big cars zoom in America.

Everything's far in America,

Too many cars in America,

Everything's new in America.

You will be blue in America.

I will teach and I'll learn in America,

I'll do my best in America.

Just see what I do in America,

They will like me in America.

Better come back to old Portwenn

We're missing you in old Portwenn,

You love it here in old Portwenn.

And we love you in old Portwenn,

I said goodbye to old Portwenn,

But I missed you all in old Portwenn.

Now I'm back home in old Portwenn,

Nevermore to roam from old Portwenn.

You will come back from America,

With stuff to unpack from America.

We'll welcome you home from America,

No more to roam to America.

Yes, Louisa was having fun. So many people wanted to talk with her and wish her well. Her hand was starting to hurt from all the handshakes. Louisa thought her hand felt like it belonged to a politician who was running for office.

Al Large was busy supervising the trays of tasty morsels coming from the kitchen to be set out on tables. Several women in the village had volunteered their culinary skills to help prepare food for this large gathering. The bar was busy dispensing wine and beer for grownups for a price but free punch for the youngsters.

But amid all the hubbub, Louisa noticed there was one person missing. She thought of Martin sitting alone, reading a medical journal or repairing one of his clocks. Was he thinking at all of her tonight? Martin's Aunt Joan told her she'd called her nephew today especially to remind him of Louisa's Farewell party. She had pressed him into saying that he would attend and they both knew that Martin liked to keep his word. But they also knew of Martin's dislike of crowds and noise. He was probably waging a war within trying to decide to come down the hill to join everyone.

Bert shouted out that he had an announcement and his message was passed around so the noise lessened, then ceased.

"I would like to call on our distinguished local councilor Mrs. Townsend for a few words."

Mrs. Melinda Townsend, wearing a mint green suit with matching colored hat, waved her hand across the crowd at Louisa and said, "My dear, we are all going to miss seeing you and your perky ponytail around the village this summer. But you are leaving with all our very best wishes for fun and excitement on your adventure. We salute you for your bravery and your desire to learn from American teachers. We will be eager to hear all about your trip and our students will benefit from the knowledge you gained. Now everyone has chipped in for a few going away gifts. So, my dear, please come forward."

People stepped aside so Louisa could walk past and they saw her face was flushed, but her smile was as big and beautiful as ever. Bert handed her a small package and indicated she should open it. Louisa soon held up a black eye mask for all to see, but with a quizzical look on her face. Bert helped her out by saying that someone had told him it was difficult to sleep on an airplane, but this should help her get a few quick winks on the long voyage.

Mrs. Townsend had a larger wrapped package for Louisa. Inside was a lovely toiletry kit which contained a manicure set and smaller bottles of shampoo and hand lotion with room for more items Louisa would need on her trip. "Be sure this is packed in your large suitcase so you won't have trouble going through security at the airport," she said.

Then Reverend Reed's voice boomed out in his church voice, "Miss Glasson, as you go forth to conquer the New World, we want you to have the means to bravely and securely face whatever may arise. So here are a few "Dollars for Departure and Bucks for Bravery." He held up an envelope and pulled out several American dollar bills to wave to the crowd. A number of people opened their purses and wallets, which indicated they planned to add to the collection.

Reverend Reed gave Louisa a huge hug along with the envelope and Louisa's face turned a brighter red. She had never had so many eyes on her at one time before in her life. She quickly wiped at her eyes and regained her composure.

Then Louisa spoke loudly so that all the people there could hear her and feel that she was including them in her thanks. "Thank you, thank you, everyone. Frankly, I don't know what else to say. I'm overwhelmed. This is so much more than I expected in every way."

Louisa turned slowly from side to side as she spoke so that all the students, friends, townspeople, everyone there could see her. "I love your children. Working with them in the school every day is my greatest joy. I am leaving for the summer because of your children … to learn ways to help them, I mean to help me learn to help them …" Louisa paused a moment, then resumed her speech.

"I think that's all I have to say. You people of Portwenn will be with me here … always," and she placed a hand over her heart.

"This isn't goodbye. It's only so long and take care of each other until I return. Thank you all."

Bert called out, "Three cheers for Louisa. Hip, Hip ..." HOORAY, everyone shouted together. "Hip, Hip ... HOORAY. Hip, hip ... HOORAY" and Louisa thought the last Hooray was the loudest and longest she had ever heard. Now she was finally in tears, and she was again engulfed by the flood of well-wishers pressing toward her.

But as she had turned around thanking everyone, she had caught a glimpse of Martin's profile in the crowded doorway.

So he was here after all. Even if she didn't see him any more tonight, she was satisfied. Now she felt her party was complete. It had been a huge success and she was more fully aware that Portwenn was home for her than she had ever been before in her life.