Hope for Tomorrow
Chapter 40
Page 118
Little Jack had fallen asleep with his head on his mom's lap for the last hour, but when he felt the train slow down, he jerked up, rubbed his eyes, looked out the train window, and excitedly asked Elizabeth if they were finally in Hamilton. He looked out at all the buildings, automobiles, and people. It sure seemed crowded to him as he searched the people's faces. In a way he thought they would all be old, but his Grandma Thornton wasn't really that old and neither was Uncle Tom. As he pressed his nose to the cold window, he saw his breath make a cloudy spot on the window and it amused him. This caused him to draw a circle inside it and he laughed as he added a smile and two eyes. When the train came to a stop, Elizabeth grabbed his hand and kissed his head, "Well are you ready?"
As the two of them got help with their suitcases from the porter, they stepped down to the station and spotted Elizabeth's parents and saw her sister, Julie running towards them holding her hat on her head so it wouldn't blow off. Her younger sister had been to Hope Valley and actually enjoyed teaching art to the children when she joined Elizabeth at the school. Since then she had gone back to school to get a degree in art education. Luckily for her she was able to be hired right in Hamilton so she still lived with her family there. Always the naive one who flirted with any good-looking man. She had fallen for one of the Tolliver gang members and then was fascinated with Jack's Thornton's younger brother, Tom. Thankfully, neither one of those encounters developed into anything serious.
Today, Julie was still the happy-go-lucky young lady she always was and as soon as she saw Elizabeth and Jack she ran to Jack, picked him up and swirled him around which had him giggling like crazy! "Hello there young man, I'm your Aunt Julie and I'm so happy to see you!"
Elizabeth stood there and waited for Julie to stop gushing over Jack and as soon as she did, Julie looked at Elizabeth, "Look at you my dear sister, a mama now! How lucky are you!" With that the two of them hugged for a long time.
"Oh, how I missed you," Elizabeth said with happy tears welling up in her eyes. "It's so good to see you again," she giggled and hugged her again.
Her father followed shortly with her mother and they all stood in silence and looked at Elizabeth first with much admiration for what a beautiful woman and mother she had become and then her mother reached for Elizabeth with open arms and embraced her almost shaking with emotion. "My dear, dear Elizabeth, we have missed you and are so happy you brought little Jack here for us to meet him."
"He looks just like his father," Elizabeth's father spoke up, "I thought so by the photos you sent us." Then looking down to little Jack who was anxiously waiting to be included, William Thatcher said, "Jack, I am your mother's father, so that makes you my grandson!"
Jack grinned from ear to ear and thrust both of his little arms around his grandfather's legs. "Hi Grandfather!"
William was startled, but slowly bent down and hugged his grandson tight. "Hello Jack, I am mighty glad to see you!"
Grace was watching with tender eyes, bending down next to her husband, she spoke softly, "Jack, we are so happy that you've come to visit us! I'm your mama's mother, your grandmother. This is such a wonderful time, can I have a hug too?"
"Sure!" Jack said without hesitation as he wrapped his arms around Grace. Oh the innocence of little children with their honesty and love, Elizabeth thought. This little boy has taught her so much these last few days and little did he know his innocence had shown her another side of life.
As they all walked to their automobile, Jack couldn't believe his eyes when there was a driver who opened the door for each of them and even called him Master, and his mama, Ma'am.
Julie talked and talked to Elizabeth all about her new job teaching art at the Hamilton Academy! It was perfect for her except for the principal who was not thrilled with her bubbly attitude. He told her more than once that he wanted her to be more serious, but that never stopped Julie. Julie was always a bit on the extroverted side and saw the good in everyone and everything which made her a bit too trusting. Yet, it was hard not to enjoy Julie's company. Who could resist her positive outlook? She just needed a man in her life to settle her down.
When they arrived at the stately large brick Thatcher mansion, the driver helped everyone out and carried Elizabeth's and Jack's luggage up the stairs and inside, before he parked the automobile in the huge garage in the back. The butler took their belongings from the door and upstairs to the bedrooms. Jack just stared at the wide, huge staircase the butler took. He was mesmerized already in this house that was so big to him and hoped his mama would find him if he got lost.
He was very hungry and couldn't wait to sit down at the big dining table where the cook and server brought them lunch. Jack watched his mama put her napkin on her dress lap and nodded at him to do the same. On his other side was Aunt Julie and he relaxed because she made him feel comfortable with her constant happy laughter and winks at him.
Grandfather looked directly at him and asked him if he liked beef bourguignon. "What is that?" he asked innocently.
Mama just looked at him with love and said, "that's just a fancy name for grandfather's favorite food, we call stew. Why don't you try it and tell us what you think of it?"
When Jack tasted it, he nodded and said, "Yes, it's good, but mama's is better!"
Everyone laughed and Jack laughed too. That seemed to break the ice with his grandparents. After lunch Aunt Julie, wanted to take him outside and play.
"She's just like Uncle Tom, mama! She's fun!"
Julie helped him put on his warm snow pants, boots, gloves, and wrapped a scarf around his neck, "Let's go make a snowman Jack!"
"Do you have a carrot, pieces of coal, and sticks?" he asked.
"Why of course, and I even have an extra scarf and hat!" she held out in front of her.
Elizabeth watched out the window at the two of them playing. How she had missed her sister. Her father walked up behind her and wrapped his arm around her, "It's good to have you home."
"Father, I'd like to talk with you and mother for a little bit now while Jack is outside. May we?"
"Of course, we'll go into the library. Grace dear, please join us in the library."
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It was not going to be easy for Elizabeth to talk to her parents, but while riding on the train with Jack sleeping, she reflected on Fiona's remark that Fiona had never met her parents. Sure, she had invited them and told them they were more than welcome any time, but they never visited. They always had a reason not to come, but Elizabeth was easy to convince, so it didn't take much for her to accept. But now, now she seemed to be questioning their explanations.
As Grace came in the library she sat next to William and asked why they were gathering together. Elizabeth explained, "Mom, dad, I have been thinking of something that is bothering me and it concerns you both." She was hesitant to continue, but it needed to be addressed. "I realized that both of you have never come to Hope Valley. You weren't there for my wedding nor for the birth of little Jack."
"Dear, we've already explained to you why we haven't been to Hope Valley," William answered looking puzzled.
Elizabeth wanted them to know that she felt badly that they never came, but this was harder than she thought. Looking at her mother this time she spoke, "Mom I know you weren't feeling well at first, but then you went by Viola. I love my sister, don't get me wrong, but you were there for a long time."
"Yes, she needed me," Grace patted Elizabeth's hand. Elizabeth nodded.
"When I lost Jack, I didn't know where else to turn, except to you both. I love you very much and I felt comforted here. When I returned to Hope Valley and later called to tell you about being pregnant, you congratulated me and seemed happy."
"Of course, we were, our daughter was going to have a baby!" William smiled broadly.
Elizabeth looked around at the library and saw shelves and shelves of books surrounding her father's big mahogany desk and the leather chair he was sitting in, a globe, grandfather clock, and pictures of dignitaries, framed awards, and trophies. This was the world of her father. A wealthy proper man who was well known and respected. Men would tip their hats when they saw him, and ladies would blush and smile, stepping aside for him.
Her world was none of this. Nor did she want it to be. She had accepted the job for a teacher in Hope Valley. It wasn't easy for her at first, but this lifestyle no longer attracted her. Hope Valley was her home, but now she wouldn't leave her good friends and community.
Looking back at her parent's faces she saw puzzlement. Would they understand what she was so desperately trying to say?
Elizabeth cleared her throat and then started again, "Yet, you never came to see us. I had lost my husband and I so longed for my family to share this precious boy, your grandson with. You never came."
"Dear, you knew my work was sending me traveling and your mother had returned from visiting Viola and needed rest," William said.
Grace spoke up, "Honey, when I talked to you on the telephone you seemed to be so happy and content, I didn't think you'd need me then."
Elizabeth shook her face and almost crying continued, "That's when I needed you most! I needed you. I wanted your comfort, your hugs, your support. Sure, I have great friends and they provided that too, thank God, but a daughter needs her mother at times like this!"
Elizabeth could barely say it, but determined to have them know how she felt she forced the words, "You went to Viola and helped her, why, didn't you do the same for me?" With that her shoulders began to shake, she she could no longer hold the tears inside and allowed them to flow.
William stood up and came over to Elizabeth, putting his arms around her, "Now, now dear. We both love you. We know you are a strong woman and never doubted your fortitude for a minute."
Elizabeth sat in despair still crying, "It wasn't just me who needed you, little Jack did too."
The three of them sat in silence until Elizabeth looked outside. "Look how happy he is! Julie is outside enjoying him and playing with him. This This is what you missed!"
Grace slowly began to understand her daughter's anguish. "Honey, I am so sorry. You're right, I should've been there. If I had taken the train I wouldn't haven't had to rely on your father, but he's always protected me and forbid from leaving."
William was watching Jack and Julie outside building their snowman frolicking and laughing, yet listening to his wife. This was upsetting. His thoughts and emotions were all over the place coming fast and furious. He didn't want to take the blame for this, and thought he was not a failure, yet in Elizabeth's eyes he was. He wouldn't accept this. His future was in his children and grandchildren. Then again he thought could Grace be right?
Walking towards his wife and daughter he squatted down and reached for Elizabeth's hands, and holding them tightly in his hands, stayed frozen waiting. When Elizabeth looked down she saw his eyes were shimmering with tears. He never lost her gaze, gulping hard, he quietly spoke, "Elizabeth, my sweet, sweet daughter, I hear your torment, I feel your pain, and I am so very sorry for this." He kissed her hands and his eyes pleaded for forgiveness. "I am a proud man, too proud, and I am ashamed for what my pride has caused you. The only pride I want is the deep pride I have for you and all my family. You are all what makes me complete. Will you forgive me?"
Finally. The beginning of healing of the unmentioned hurt, followed by recognition, responsibility, and forgiveness. More would follow in time.
Elizabeth stood up with her father and hugged him now crying happy tears. Her mother joined in as they all shared a group hug in thanksgiving and love. They were laughing when little Jack came in all excited and barely waiting for his Aunt Julie to help him take his boots off, he then ran to his mama and grandparents yelling, "Mama! Grandfather! Grandmother! Come look at our snowman!"
Pointing to the creation in the yard, he grabbed his grandfather's hand and pulled him to the window. "Look, see, Aunt Julie and I put a carrot in for his nose and coal for his eyes and buttons, a scarf, then a hat!"
"Wonderful Jack, that looks just great!" William exclaimed as he picked up Jack in his arms and laughed right along with everyone else.
Elizabeth captured that moment in her memory, and treasured it in her heart.
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Hannah Burmeister was enjoying visiting her son and his roommate Andy for a few days. When they both left for work the second day, she went through their pantry and ice box counting and writing down what they had and didn't have. Next, she checked their dishes, pots and pans, and kitchen utensils. Again, she wrote down what they had and didn't have. She also checked their cleaning supplies, writing what they needed. Looking around she found a tablet of paper and wrote out a dinner menu for two weeks' time. Adding those ingredients, she made a list of all she would buy at the Mercantile. Putting on her boots, coat, babushka, gloves, and scarf and grabbing the shopping tote she walked into town.
She smiled at everyone she passed and although they didn't know her she received the Hope Valley smiles. She walked the main street carefully staying on the boardwalk as the children were running about sliding on the snow in their boots and throwing snowballs at each other. She spotted the bench by the pond and read the inscription In Memory and in Honor of Private Timothy O'Neill. She wondered who Private O'Neill was and immediately said a prayer for his soul and family. As she sat down resting she watched the boys skating on the iced pond with brooms and frozen cow dung patties enjoying their makeshift hockey game.
Realizing her feet were protesting the cold sitting still, she got up and continued her journey through town. She loved window shopping and spotted Dottie's Apparel. She went inside and was welcomed by Dottie who asked how she could help her. Hannah explained that she was Gunther's mother who was visiting, and wanted to find her son some new clothes for Christmas. She excused herself for being late, but clarified that it was still the octave of Christmas for 12 days.
Dottie reassured her she needn't explain herself and welcomed her to town. "Follow me upstairs to the men's department and I'll show you what we have. A lot of our winter clothing has been already picked over, but lucky you that means the rest is on clearance."
Hannah was aghast. "On clearance already?"
"Oh yes, I'm already ordering springtime clothing. Although not to worry, I have enough clothes for the rest of the cold weather."
"I'm looking for trousers for Gunther. I can mend some of his but he needs a new pair for Sundays and other dressy occasions," Hannah said.
After finding his size, Hannah was happy to be able to afford the trousers and a new belt. "I already knit him sweaters, but I think I'll get him some thermal long underwear for the very cold days too."
Dottie showed her the ladies' wear and accessories where Hannah spotted a hat. She walked over to the hat rack and tried one on looking in the mirror and smiling.
"Do you like that hat? It looks very becoming on you!" Dottie complimented her.
"Oh, I do, but I've saved my money for Gunther and I need to buy groceries for their pantry and ice box yet. Thank you for your help," Hannah grinned.
"Enjoy your visit!" Dottie called after her.
Hannah spotted the library and shuffled inside.
"Good morning," Rosaleen greeted her.
"Guten morgen," Hannah replied. "This is such a lovely town, I thought I'd stop by and see if you might have a book to borrow while my son is working."
"Oh, who is your son, may I ask?"
"Constable Gunther Burmeister!" Hannah announced proudly.
"He is quite a wonderful man. We are part of the young adult group here, the Hopefuls. I also know him from Church. He's volunteered to help with the building of St. James this spring."
"That is wunderbar! He didn't tell me but then again, I've only been here now my second day."
"Yes, now what book are you looking for?" Rosaleen inquired.
"I hope you have "The Gift of the Magi. I enjoy that story this time of year especially," Hannah said.
"We do have it, but only one copy, and luckily I can see it from here." Rosaleen walked over and retrieved the book. "I'll check it out for you under Gunther's name. Enjoy it and I hope to see you soon!"
"Danke!" Hannah nodded, the proceeded her tour of the town.
Arriving at the Mercantile, Hannah looked around and picked up a few things she spotted that were on her list.
Ned saw her and wondered who she might be, "Hello, can I help you?"
"Guten tag! I have a list of things I need to purchase. I'm afraid my son is not a homemaker. Can you help me please?" Hannah was hoping to surprise Gunther and Andy.
"If you don't mind my asking, who is your son?" Ned was curious.
"Oh, I'm sorry, let me introduce myself. I am Hannah Burmeister, Gunther's mother. I just arrived yesterday and while he and Andy are working, I'm getting their house in order for them," she explained with a smile.
"Gunther! He is quite an up and coming Mountie. You should be proud of him. I know Hope Valley is!" Ned shared.
"That's good to hear, it soothes this mother's soul. I worry about him all the time."
"I am Ned Yost, the proprietor of this store. Now I can reassure you that Gunther will do just fine, especially under Sargent Grant. He and Andy both are fortunate to have Nathan Grant as their supervisor. Now, let me take a look at your list."
While Ned was checking off the items on her list, he realized there was no way she could carry all of it plus her already full tote, so he gave her the total of the items and asked if she would like them delivered.
"Yes, that would be wunderbar! Danke.
Hannah was whistling a tune as she left. As she continued on, she walked into Millie's for a cup of tea before she would walk home. There she found all the Chickadees and others having a fun time. Right away a lovely lady, invited her to sit next to her and asked if she'd like some tea and muffins.
"Ya! Danke!"
With that Minnie poured her a cup of tea and handed her a plate with a muffin. Little did Hannah know she was in very good company!