Friday Afternoon
Henry had an uneventful week. He worked part-time at the lumber yard. Enough to pay for his room, food and put a little in savings. Lee Coulter had offered him the position when he got back to town. Henry half thought he got the job offer as a favor to his son. Christopher had married Lee's niece so technically they were family now. Other than work Henry stayed in his room.
"Henry." There was a loud knock at the door. Henry heard the knocking but didn't respond. Maybe if he was quiet they would go away soon. After three more knocks, he heard the person walk away.
A while later he heard someone knocking at his door again however this time it sounded like there were a few people at the door.
"Henry," Lucas called out. "I have a key. Either open your door or I'm coming in." Henry waited staying quiet hoping they would think he was gone. He always knew when Lucas was bluffing.
"Henry, we only want to talk to you. We are worried. Please." Elizabeth called out on the other side of Henry's door.
"Henry, please open your door," Lucas asked again. "Five minutes just so we know you are alright."
"I'm fine," Henry whispered and looked at the door as he sat in his chair. He waited for a few more minutes before walking to the door. When he opened the door no one was there. He felt relief with a mix of disappointment.
"I knew it," Lucas whispered as he and Elizabeth watched further down the hall waiting to see what Henry would do. He knew there was a part of Henry that still cared for his friends even if he was overwhelmed with pain and grief. They just needed to find the right way they could reach Henry without pushing him into a further spiral.
"There has to be something we can do." Elizabeth thought aloud. She and Lucas walked down the hall looking at Henry's door as they passed.
The next day was Henry's weekly meeting with Nathan. This week was scheduled for Saturday since Nathan had been out of town. It didn't matter to him because he had no plans for the day besides reading his book. It was never more than a few minutes as Henry just had to show up.
"Henry, good to see you." Nathan smiled as Henry walked into the mountie station.
"Really?" Henry shook his head. "Just here for my quick meeting." Henry looked at the jail cell and his heart ached. That is where he deserved to be for all the pain he caused.
"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You have been back almost three months now. I gave you time to adjust with some loosening of your probation requirements. Now it's time for some community service." Nathan said gently knowing this would be a hard discussion with his friend. He had kept in touch with Henry writing letters weekly during his time in jail. They grew close over a shared troubled childhood. Now Nathan considered Henry Gowen a close friend, something a few years ago would have been hard to believe.
"What? That is not fair. I thought the time I had worked for the library counted towards my community service. I did the book wagon in addition to working for Lee. I made sure to reach the hours required for my probation." Henry was on the verge of losing his temper. He clenched his left fist as he took a deep breath.
"Yes, you met the required hours of probation. But I also have discretion and control over your probation. I see now it was a mistake letting you do it all at once. You are struggling Henry. Probation is also about helping people rebuild their lives after time in jail. Community service will help give you a purpose again. Something you can feel proud about." Nathan wrote down some notes about the meeting.
"You can't force me to do this." Henry bowed his head feeling defeated.
"Yes, I can. Your choice is community service or jail time." Nathan regretted saying it but his friend needed some tough love.
"Fine. Lock me up. That's where I deserve to be." Henry got up and slammed the jail cell door.
"Why are you always so stubborn? Don't you see how many people care about you? I am your friend Henry. I don't want to see you in jail. Please agree to community service." Nathan walked up to the jail cell seeing Henry looking at the wall.
"I'm fine where I am." Henry sighed trying to hold back his tears.
"I will give you the weekend to cool off. Please reconsider your decision. The door will stay unlocked so you can go to the bathroom when needed. I will have your meals brought to you. I know you don't see it but I am trying to help you. You are my friend. Is there anyone I can call or someone here in town that can help?" Nathan asked.
"Christopher. I would like to talk to my son." Henry wiped away a tear.
"Let's call now and see if I can get him." Nathan took the number from Henry and asked Florence to call. After a few rings, there was no answer. "I will call again later and tell Florence if he should call back to send the call here. Good afternoon, Henry." Nathan decided it was best to give Henry time alone.