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Choices and Consequences

Chapter Two

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A soft knock and the doorknob turning were Nathan's only warning before Elizabeth entered his office. She closed the door behind her and, without an invitation, took the seat in front of his desk, adjusting her skirt.

Having stood as soon as he saw her, Nathan quickly went to the door and opened it wide. The temperature outside was inconsequential compared to the importance of letting the townspeople see him standing behind his desk while the schoolteacher sat on the opposite side.

With her brow furrowed, Elizabeth looked from the open door to Nathan who now stood in his Mountie stance in front of the window, his desk between them. "It's cool today. Why did you open the door?"

"I cannot be privy to secret conversations in light of recent events."

Gasping with the realization that this would be more difficult than she anticipated, Elizabeth could only whisper, "Oh…"

"What can I do for you, Mrs. Thornton? Is something wrong at school?" His voice was quiet and steady, his expression guarded.

Elizabeth stuttered, trying to comprehend this formality. "M…Mrs. Thornton?"

When Nathan gave no explanation, she continued. "I… I…have Cat administering a quiz to the students s…s…so I could come to see you." She let out a relieved breath, grateful to have completed at least one sentence.

Nathan didn't flinch, not even raising an eyebrow to question her.

Swallowing hard, Elizabeth inquired. "Nathan, can we talk?"

"You are talking." Nathan's eyes gave away his hurt, but his response remained calm though clipped.

"Here? I hoped we could take a walk or meet for tea or…"

"No, thank you. Is there anything else?" With that question Nathan did raise his eyebrow.

"If this is how it has to be, then, okay." Elizabeth began to tear up, so paused to regain her composure before continuing. "I have made a mistake. I guess you heard I went to Union City with Lucas? I only went to see a famous author. It was not a date or anything like that…"

As a parent, Nathan was familiar with excuses and explanations that negated an admission of wrongdoing, so he waited, even while wondering. 'What is Elizabeth's definition of a date? And why is she telling this to me?'

"We had separate rooms of course. We heard the presentation, met the author, and dined. That is all that happened." Elizabeth's pleading look was trying to convince him of innocence. He had seen this before.

Nathan did not want to hear about this, so decided to make a comment. "Sounds like a date to me." He spoke softly but his disappointment was thinly veiled. "Minus the part about overnight hotel rooms, of course."

Flustered, Elizabeth tried to find her words. "Well, I guess it could look like that, but… well… it wasn't. It was just an outing of two friends… well, I thought we were friends…"

Another raised eyebrow from Nathan kept her uneasy. She continued. "I'm going to tell Lucas that it was a mistake to go."

Still wanting out of this conversation, Nathan's curiosity won so he questioned, "What about it was a mistake?"

"I shouldn't have gone with Lucas."

"Is that all?" His voice was low.

"What?"

"Your mistake was that you went on a date with Lucas?"

"Well, yes." Elizabeth bristled.

. .

On the street, Bill Avery was walking past when he noticed the jail's door was open wide. Retreating a couple steps he leaned backwards and was surprised to see Elizabeth was seated there. A step forward allowed him to see Nathan was standing with his desk between them. 'Uh oh… This can't be good. What is she doing there when she should be at school? What is she telling Nathan?'

Bill realized he couldn't just stop and stare, so he slowly walked towards his office while turning every few steps to see if Elizabeth had departed. Arriving at the Judge's chambers, he leaned against the newel post, crossed his arms and ankles, and watched. He had no pressing court business this morning and would hurry to see Nathan as soon as Elizabeth exited the jail.

While pondering the situation, Bill thought about news he had overheard in the Café, a parent meeting tonight. He would not be able to attend, but had every intention of being in a position where he could eavesdrop. Meanwhile, Bill worried and waited.

. .

Incredulous, Nathan tried to get Elizabeth to be honest with herself. "Why is going… Why is that a mistake?"

"Because I think I hurt you and I didn't intend to do that."

"Elizabeth!" In his growing frustration, Nathan forgot to use her formal title. Releasing his grip on his hands from behind his back, Nathan instead consciously clasped and released his hands at his side. "Why are you telling me this? I thought we were friends too, but you've chosen Lucas over friendship with me and I don't understand why you are trying to explain this now. If that's your decision, that's your choice to make, but I am not your confidant. Moreover, your mistake is far more than a date with a gambler."

"What do you mean? I'm afraid I hurt you." Again, she swallowed hard. "What other mistake?"

Nathan shifted his position and leaned his hands on his desk. "You are a widow so now a single woman, Elizabeth. You are a mother. You are a schoolteacher. Any one of those positions in life should inform your decisions, not just on who you date, but on where and when." He stood straight again, realizing he had to spell it out. "You went, unchaperoned, on an overnight with a man. As I explained to Allie, what you did or didn't do with Lucas Bouchard is not our business, but you gave the appearance of wrongdoing and now your character is suspect. Don't you understand? The students and townspeople know about your behavior. What kind of example… What kind of message are you sending to those young people? Thank God that Jack is too small to be affected by this right now, but he may learn of it in the future. What then?"

By now tears spilled down Elizabeth's face and she gripped her skirt tightly. Nathan was upset. He had never spoken to her like this. Actually he had rarely strung this many sentences together at one time! Yet, although those were fleeting thoughts, the content of Nathan's questions was convicting and, crying, she was unable to speak.

"Elizabeth? What you should be doing is confessing, apologizing and asking for forgiveness, not giving excuses. Let me spell it out. Your 'mistake' is that you left town on an overnight. How you make this right is not for me to say, but you need to admit your inappropriate actions."

"Oh Nathan!" She lifted her hands to cover her face. "I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry…"

"About what?" Nathan's voice softened as he removed his handkerchief from his serge pocket and moved around his desk. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he handed the cotton square to her before retreating to stand in front of the window again. "What are you sorry about?"

Gradually quieting, Elizabeth whispered, "I'm sorry I went. It was wrong. I'm sorry I went with Lucas. I'm sorry I've been a poor example. I'm sorry I hurt you. Nathan, in spite of appearances, I have not chosen Lucas. I cannot pursue a relationship with him when I…" She took a deep breath and, barely audible, admitted, "…When I care for someone else…"

Nathan's eyes wide, he wasn't sure of what he heard or if what he heard meant that Elizabeth cared for him? He let out a long, slow breath even as he prayed a silent request. 'God? Help me.'

Aloud, Nathan spoke with compassion. "Elizabeth?"

When she looked up, Nathan continued. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but there is a parents meeting this evening."

Her eyes wide, she let out a gasp and shrunk back as if frightened.

"I don't know who initiated it or what the concerns are but, if you value my opinion, I think you should put into writing what you have just told me. At least your realization, confession and apology, and give it to Lee later, before that meeting. Maybe your admissions will affect the discussion?"

With renewed tears, Elizabeth sobbed again, her remorse now evident. "I…" She stood, albeit with knees shaking. "Oh… I have to go… I have to go."

"May I suggest you go to the Infirmary or Fiona's and splash some cold water on your face. The students will wonder why you've been crying, Elizabeth."

At the door, Elizabeth heard Nathan and hesitated, then hurried down the steps and fled around the back of the main street buildings to head to the pond. 'What have I done? What…'

. .

Surveying up and down the street before closing the door, Nathan noticed Bill coming in his direction, so he left the door unlatched and took his seat. Elbows on his desk, he was combing his hands through his hair when Bill entered.

"Son? What happened?" Bill closed the door.

"I'm not entirely sure." Nathan lifted his head and leaned back in his chair. "Elizabeth just left and…"

"Yeah. I saw she was here. Is that why the door was open?" Bill took the chair Elizabeth had just vacated.

"I didn't want to add a private conversation with me to her current issues."

"That was thoughtful. Wise too." These words confirmed Bill's deduction. "What did she want though? What did she say?"

"She told me she had made a mistake and that she shouldn't have gone." Nathan stopped.

Bill fished for more. "And?"

Glancing down, Nathan spoke softly, "She was sorry that she hurt me…"

Still convinced there was more unsaid, Bill waited. Almost ready to ask again or give up, Bill saw Nathan take a deep breath.

"Elizabeth said she will not choose Lucas because she cares for someone else…"

"Ahhh…" Bill leaned forward. "Is that all? She didn't say you were that someone?"

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