Chapter 88 – Checkers
Wynn and Dee sat there and watched Jack and Elizabeth head upstairs. Before either of them could say anything, Pastor Frank and Cody came in. Wynn, Dee and Frank could all feel the tension in the room. Frank didn't know what happened, but he knew that he was interrupting something.
"Sorry." Frank said. "I didn't know that you were back here."
"It is okay." Wynn said. "Jack and Elizabeth just went upstairs. We sat with them while we ate. Have you eaten?"
"We had a cookout with some of the others." Cody said excitedly.
To try and ease the tension in the room, Dee turned his attention to Cody. He knew that Abigail was feeling bad about not spending time with him, so Dee was going to make sure that Cody knew that there were people that cared about him even if Abigail was busy at the moment. He also knew that it wouldn't last and she would once again have time for Cody.
"Really." Dee said. "That sounds like fun. What did you eat?"
"Mrs Thornton and Pastor Frank made us hotdogs over an open fire." Cody said. "They were so good. We also had beans."
"Sounds like fun." Dee said. "Are you up for a game of checkers? I still owe you one from Christmas."
"I will get the board." Cody said, running up the stairs.
"Thank you for helping with the kids." Wynn said. "You and Charlotte are good with them."
"No thanks needed." Frank said. "I enjoy spending time with them. We didn't know how long the meeting would go and thought it would be good to do something with all of the children from Hope Valley and both settlements. I am glad to see them all getting along. I just hope that the parents don't get upset that we had a cookout."
"I am sure that it will be fine." Wynn said. "The meeting went a little longer than we had thought. At least the children were taken care of and that is the most important. If they have a problem, send them my way."
"Mind if I stick around?" Frank asked. "I promised Cody a game of checkers as well if he did his homework and he showed me he was almost caught up, so I told him would play a game."
"That is fine." Dee said. "I haven't had a chance to play with him and I know that I promised him at Christmas I would when I came to town again. I didn't last time because it was such a quick trip. We were barely here for twenty-four hours and most of that was dealing with prisoners."
"You three have fun." Wynn said. "I am going to go try and get a little more paperwork done. Dee, see you back at the house."
"Later." Dee said.
By that time, Cody was back downstairs. He ran up and gave Wynn a hug goodnight before returning to the table to play checkers. Wynn just shook his head. He realized that little boy had stolen a piece of his heart and was glad that Abigail had agreed to care for him. Wynn just hoped that he would be able to make it permanent at some point. Hope Valley was so good for Cody and Wynn knew that Abigail needed Cody as much as he needed her. Wynn was glad that Dee was willing to take the time to play a game with Cody. It amazed Wynn how much Cody reminded him of Dee when he was that age, maybe that is why he was able to steal a piece of his heart without trying.
While Dee and Cody played the first game, Frank made them some tea. He was having as much fun watching Cody and Dee play as it was to play. Dee wasn't going to just hand the game to Cody, he was going to make him earn it, but he also wasn't being ruthless when they played. After Cody played a game with Dee and Frank, he begged them to play with each other. They agreed, but neither was willing to give in and it was at a standoff when Abigail came into the kitchen. She shook her head, she knew that those two were just overgrown boys.
"Seriously, you two." Abigail said.
"What?" Dee said. "We are just serious about checkers."
"No." Abigail said. "You are serious about winning."
Finally, Dee and Frank decided to call it a tie. Frank realized that Abigail needed to talk when he saw her face. Dee realized it as well. After a quick goodnight hug to Cody, Dee excused himself to head back to the row house.
"Cody." Abigail said. "Will you please go up and get ready for bed? I will be up in a bit. I need to talk to Pastor Frank."
"Night Pastor Frank." Cody said. "Thank you for playing checkers with me."
"Anytime." Frank said.
Then after hugs, Cody was heading up the stairs. Frank waited a moment after Cody disappeared before turning to Abigail.
When Jack and Elizabeth got back upstairs, Jack knew that she was mad. He also didn't know what to do. They both got ready for bed, but instead of crawling in bed with Jack, Elizabeth went and sat at the desk. She picked up her journal and started writing. Jack decided that he was going to give her a little bit, but he wasn't going to sleep until they had worked it out. Jack was also upset, but he wasn't upset at Elizabeth. He was angry at her father. Little did Jack know that was where most of Elizabeth's anger was directed as well. Yes, she was a little upset that Jack didn't tell her right away, but as she sat at the desk, she realized that Wynn had been right. They were just trying to protect her, no matter how much she protested that she didn't need it.
"Jack." Elizabeth said quietly.
"Yes, Bella." Jack said.
"I want to go back to our own house." Elizabeth said. "I am grateful that Abigail was able to have us here, but it is time. We need to get back to our own space, especially if I am going to be going back to the classroom on Monday."
"I agree." Jack said. "I can rest at home. Let's plan on heading to the house while people are at the funeral. I think that it will be easier. Less chance of everyone stopping us to talk, not that I don't want to talk to them."
"I understand." Elizabeth said. "I will let Abigail know in the morning."
"I am sorry." Jack said. "I know that you are mad and I am sorry that I didn't talk to you this afternoon, but honestly I was just trying to protect you. That is why I had Joe go talk to Wynn. I didn't think that you would get so upset."
"I am not really upset with you." Elizabeth said. "I am more upset with Father. I just don't understand why he doesn't want me to be happy."
"I think that he just wants the best for you." Jack said. "He thinks that you are going to wake up one day and regret all that you have given up."
"But I am not." Elizabeth said. "I have never really cared for high society life. As a child was it nice to have every toy and doll that I wanted, yes. But the things that I wasn't allowed to do and the things that I realize that I missed out on make me realize all the more that is not how I want to raise our children. I want them to experience riding a horse, playing in the grass and not worrying if they are getting dirty. I want you to take them camping and fishing."
"I want those things as well." Jack said. "I just don't want you to ever regret your choice because I can't give you the life that you deserve."
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "As long as I have you, I will never regret leaving Hamilton. You are what I want. We will have plenty of money and we will use it for good. I don't care about material things. I want you and this child, as well as any future children we are blessed with. Even if we didn't have money, we would make do."
"As long as you are sure." Jack said.
"I am absolutely sure." Elizabeth said. "I just wish that I could get my family to understand that. I just don't know what I can say to get them to see. I think that my mother understands some, but I still don't think that she fully realizes that I have no intention of ever living in Hamilton again."
Jack got up. went over Elizabeth and gave her a hug. Even though she was still frustrated, she melted into his arms and that was when the tears came. She didn't really know why she was crying, maybe it was just the emotion of everything or maybe it was hormones. Either way, Jack held her. He hated when she cried, but he knew that she needed to release the emotions that had built up. After a few moments, he led her to the bed, they sat there and Elizabeth continued to cry. Jack wasn't sure what to say, so he softly started humming one of his favorite songs.
Elizabeth turned to Jack and looked at him. "What is that song?" Elizabeth asked.
"It is one of my favorites." Jack said. "It is called 'Abide in Me', I have been looking for the guitar music but I can't find it."
"We will have to ask Dee." Elizabeth said. "If we have the piano music, he can convert it to guitar for you if you ask."
"Wow." Jack said. "I heard people could do that, but I have never seen it. I might just have to ask him. Even if he has to send it once he goes back to Hamilton. Speaking of that, any idea how long they are staying?"
"I am sure that they will stay as long as we need." Elizabeth said. "I am sure at least another week or two until you are at least back to work part time. I think that they will also leave McGinty here for a bit. You know that it is going to take you a month or so to get your strength back?"
"Yes, I know." Jack said. "I may not like it."
After Frank was sure that Cody had gone upstairs, he turned to Abigail.
"Alright." Frank said, motioning for Abigail to sit down. "I know that face, what is wrong."
"I really don't know." Abigail said. "Maybe it is tomorrow and the memories that it brings up, maybe it is just everything that has happened has caught up to me. I just don't know. I was getting frustrated at the meeting by people and the grumbling. I mean I knew some people wouldn't be happy about the mine reopening, but the grumbling and complaining about everything was just too much. I gave them as much information as I could and they still weren't happy. I just wish things were easier. Thank you for helping Charlotte with the children by the way."
"We had fun." Frank said. "We had a cookout with hotdogs and beans for the kids. I had debated being there to support you, but when Charlotte asked me to help, I knew that she needed it."
"No, you were right." Abigail said. "Charlotte doesn't ask for help often, so she must have wanted you there. I am sure that the kids loved it."
"They did." Frank said. "I am worried about you."
"Thank you." Abigail said. "I think that everything is just hitting me. I haven't had time to process what has happened this past week. There is just so much that needs my attention, it feels like I haven't had a moment to myself in weeks."
"What you are feeling is normal." Frank said. "I would be worried if you weren't feeling this way after what you went through last year. I am sorry that people in the town aren't supporting you about reopening the mine. I know that you didn't make that decision lightly. I know that you want what is best for everyone. I think that reopening the mine may be hard in the beginning, but in the long run I think that it will bring good things for the town. This town is going to grow one way or another, I think that we need to be aware of who comes in."
"Yeah." Abigail said. "Charlotte said something about that as well. I just wish people understood that I do want the best for this town and I am trying. Selling and reopening the mine is bringing a lot of money into this town at a time when we really need it."
"You don't have to tell me." Frank said. "But are things really that bad?"
"Unfortunately." Abigail said. "Henry Gowen didn't invest well and spent money that he shouldn't have. The sale of the mine helps, but it is still going to take some time to get on better footing. New businesses help, but it is hard. It is not like I can talk with this about all the townspeople. I trust that you do not talk about this. If we wouldn't have gotten donations to help cover all those supplies that came in, I don't know what we would have done. I mean there are things that I want for the town, but I can't see that it is in the budget. I don't always like having to rely on donations and other people for help. I mean I guess if worstest comes to worstest, I could try and sell some of the many parcels of land that the town owns, but at the same I don't want to do that."
"Well." Frank said. "I think I know what I am going to talk about in some upcoming sermons. I think the people here need to be reminded how blessed that we have been and that is in part because they have pulled together in the past and learned. I think that some people also need to be reminded that they have been blessed by other people. You're right, don't sell the land unless absolutely needed. I think that there are other things that we can do. You are also right that new people and businesses will help. I will be here any time that you need to talk. Listening is like a requirement in my job, but even more than that, I know that there are few people that you can really talk to. So I will always be a sounding board for you."
"Thank you for sitting and talking with me." Abigail said. "Also thank you for taking care of Cody, I know that he likes spending time with you."
"It has been my pleasure." Frank said. "Maybe when things slow down for a bit, we can go fishing again and I will cook."
"I look forward to that." Abigail said. "I have no idea when that will be, but I look forward to it, as long as you are cooking the fish that we catch."
Frank smiled. He knew Abigail was a good cook, but she really didn't like to cook fish. He didn't mind cooking fish, it was one of the things that he could do well.
"Just remember." Frank said. "There are people here who are willing to help you, all you have to do is ask."
"I know." Abigail said. "I just have gotten so used to doing everything that I forget to ask for help. I am still not used to having to ask others to do things I have always done. Don't get me wrong, Noah was wonderful at helping me when I asked, but I also knew that he worked hard and it was my job to take care of the house and Peter, especially since I didn't have a job outside of the house."
"Well." Frank said. "I will continue to remind you. All else fails, I will just make sure that you are getting the help that you need. You not only have one, but two full time jobs. Please take time for yourself. Even if it is just sitting and having a cup of tea from time to time. I know that Wynn will make sure of the same."
"Thank you." Abigail said. "I feel bad that we haven't really had time to sit and talk. I know that we talked a little when we went fishing, but you still know more about me then I know about you."
"Sorry." Frank said. "It comes with the job and I don't talk about my past. Most people can't handle it. I have told you I wasn't always on the right side of the law. I just don't like to talk about things. I didn't have a good time growing up. I was pretty much on my own since I was about fifteen. I think that was what led me into a life of crime. I was smart about certain things and other people exploited that knowledge. The money was easy and it was good for a time."
"Well." Abigail said. "Whatever happened, it has made you the man you are today. Like you said in your speech to the town, the negative things of the past have taught you the positive things."
"It is the same for you." Frank said. "Losing your husband and son, have taught you to be compassionate to others' pain. I doubt that if the mine accident hadn't happened here, that you would have been so welcoming of strangers who went through something similar. Think about it. I am not saying that compassion is easy, but the settlers of Silverton and Rock Creek need people that understand and this town is understanding. Those children need someone who knows their pain. The children of this town can share that pain."
"Thank you Frank." Abigail said. "I am feeling better. I was just overwhelmed and talking to you is what I needed. I guess that I have been so busy trying to help everyone else, I didn't take the time I needed to think and feel. I was really missing Peter and Noah this past week. Maybe that is why I have felt bad about you helping with Cody and I have been avoiding talking about things."
"After what happened." Frank said. "It is normal to miss them. I am sure that Cody reminds you Peter. I do think that Cody is good for you. I think he is what you need. I hope that you consider keeping both him and Becky here."
"I want to." Abigail said. "I just don't know if I have the proper time to devote to them."
"Nonsense." Frank said. "It is not always going to be like this. You will have time and I know that they need you just as much as you need them. Cody had really made great strides being here with you. I don't even want to think about what would have happened to Becky if you guys hadn't found her."
"I don't want to think about that either." Abigail said. "I know that Cody has settled in here, but I also need to consider what is the best for Becky. I guess I will just have to wait and talk to her when she gets back here."
"At least you are considering what she wants as well." Frank said. "It is getting late, I should go. I will see you tomorrow."
"Night." Abigail said.
