Chapter 121 – Getting Through to Jack (short)
Elizabeth grabbed a piece of paper and started writing.
"If I wrote out an order." Elizabeth said. "Would someone be able to take it to the mercantile and get it done? I am thinking that we will need more things for next year, so we might as well get an order in. Ten new students is not that bad. I think that there are only two local children that will be starting school next fall."
"Don't forget that the mine will most likely be up and running by next fall." Wynn said. "You might also have people coming in to work with the railroad."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I forgot about that."
Elizabeth wrote out a few more things, then handed the list to Dee.
"Is this everything?" Dee asked.
"I think so." Elizabeth said. "I know that I will need more Latin books and at least a few more readers. Another crate of workbooks and paper will also be helpful. I am also going to need art supplies, but that can wait. Charlotte will you check if there is anything else that you think we will need."
"I will do that tomorrow after the breakfast rush is done." Charlotte said. "Your Aunt and I are going to be helping at the cafe in the morning."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I figured on the twelve that we already know about and added eight more. So I ordered things for twenty new students. I think that should be enough until we know more about the mine and railroad."
"I agree." Aunt Elizabeth said. "You can always do another order this summer. With Agatha and Henry ordering, it won't take long for you to get it anyway."
"You're right." Elizabeth said. "It will be just a matter of keeping a count of new families."
"How do you want me to do this?" Dee asked.
"Wire Uncle Henry." Elizabeth said. "Or you could wire Aunt Agatha, but I think it would be easier to send it to Henry. In their letter to me, they said that if I need more supplies that I am to wire them and they will send them. Also wait to wire him until Charlotte checks if there is anything else."
"Elizabeth?" Jack said.
"It is fine." Elizabeth said. "If I ordered things and Aunt Agatha found out that I paid for them myself, she would just send the money, this is easier. Besides that, Agatha might be able to get things cheaper since she sends supplies to other schools. So, she can do larger orders, sometimes they will give her a discount for that. I would rather do it this way then have to get a lecture from Aunt Agatha again."
"She is right, Jack." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Her Aunt Agatha is a force to be reckoned with, especially when it comes to providing an education to children. Best not to argue with her. She gives thousands of dollars away each year to education."
"Fine." Jack said with a tone in his voice. "I still don't like it. Your family shouldn't have to provide everything that we need."
Aunt Elizabeth set the spoon down that she was holding. She took a deep breath, then walked over to Jack and motioned for him to stand. She turned him to look her in the eye. She put her hands on his shoulders. She waited a second to make sure that she had Jack's full attention. She actually had the attention of everyone in the room, but her focus was on Jack.
"Jackson Thornton, I am only going to say this once." Aunt Elizabeth said in a stern voice.
"I am listening." Jack said.
"Good." Aunt Elizabeth said. "My father and brother have done very well in business. My sister-in-law and her sister both come from money. They want to be able to do this. Agatha and Grace have both said that they have more money then either of them will ever spend. As much as they love Beth and her sisters, they both know that Viola and Julie care more about status than actually helping. That is why what Viola and Julie will inherit is limited. They also know that Beth will continue to use the money to do good for other people. That is what they want. They may not always show it, but they are committed to helping others. They also don't always want to be known for what they do. DON'T … WORRY … ABOUT … THE … MONEY. It isn't like you are using it to buy another car you don't need. It is to help children who have so much less. Am I clear?"
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said.
"Good." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Then I don't ever want to hear you say you feel bad about Beth using money that she has access to help other people. MONEY … IS … NOT … EVIL. It can do a lot of good, when used right. It is people that can be evil in their intentions when money becomes more important than people and what happens to them. Heck, you don't need money to be evil and you know that very well."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said.
Aunt Elizabeth gave Jack a hug and then he sat down. She went back to the kitchen satisfied that she got through to Jack.
"Very well said, dear." Wynn said.
"Jack." Charlotte said. "They are right. I am sorry I gave you the impression growing up that money was evil. I never meant for that. Just because your father and I wanted to be able to provide for you boys ourselves. But that doesn't mean that if things would have been really bad, we would have turned down a helping hand from others. I am sorry that my independent streak made you think that I hate people who have money.
Just because I had a few bad experiences when I was growing up and in my first few years teaching, doesn't mean that you should believe that. Lizzie here has the best of intentions. She wants to help the children and make sure that they have what they need. Her mother and aunt have been more than generous in helping out. Where would we have been without all those supplies that they sent? They did it not seeking recognition, but in order to help those that have less than them in a time of need."
"You are all right." Jack said. "I am still getting used to this, having access to money. It is just going to take me some time to get used to being able to get what we want and need when we want or need it. I am used to going without for so long."
"And for that I am sorry." Charlotte said.
"It is okay, Ma." Jack said. "I know that you did the best that you could."
"Are we good now?" Wynn asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "I know that I should be more grateful. It is just hard to know that I will never be able to provide for Elizabeth like she deserves."
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "You give me things that no one else can give me. You have loved me for me, not what I can give you. You never once asked what I could do for you as far as money or influence to further your career. You will never know how much that means to me."
Standing up and placing a hand on her stomach, motioned for Jack to stand again. Elizabeth looked Jack in the eyes.
"You have given me the greatest gift in the world." Elizabeth said. "Because you love me for me, you have made me a mother. There was a time I thought that would never happen. So thank you."
Jack gave Elizabeth a dimpled grin. He took a step toward her, covering her hand with his on her stomach. He then leaned forward and gave her a light kiss.
"I should thank you." Jack said. "You have opened my heart to joy that I never knew and now you have made a father. I am so happy we found each other."
Elizabeth grinned at Jack. She then turned to her uncle.
"Thank you Uncle Wynn." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for giving me Jack."
"You are welcome." Wynn said. "Of the four Mounties that I was considering, I just knew that Jack was the right one."
"So who are these other Mounties?" Jack asked. "Should I be concerned?"
"Nope." Wynn said. "As far as who they are, that is not important."
Jack laughed. He didn't think that it was going to be that easy to get the information from him, but he knew that he had to try.
"So can we sit down and talk about today?" Jack asked. "It has been driving Elizabeth crazy today wondering what happened."
"Yes." Wynn said. "We can sit and talk. There is a lot to talk about."
Jack saw the look between Wynn and Dee. Jack took a deep breath and let it out a little too harshly.
"I take it that things didn't go well this morning." Jack said.
"Yes and no." Wynn said.
Jack took Elizabeth's hand in his and turned to her.
"No matter what." Jack said. "We are in this together. I know that you want to be close to your family, but I am not going to let them pull us apart."
"I want that as well." Elizabeth said.
