Chapter 10
God's Blessing
Hon? Yes Bella. We need to discuss what we are going to do if they don't extend my contract. Well, now that we have another horse and the buggy we can put everything on the train and travel by horse and buggy and camp out until we get to your teaching job. You got this all figured out don't you hon? Well, I have had a lot of time to think about it. Or if you want to take the train then everything goes on the train, horses too. Well, it would be summer so I think camping sounds a little romantic, she whispers. He kissed her and said, that's what I was thinking! Who knows, maybe we might get a little Thornton on the way by the end of the summer.
The last day of school was approaching in 3 days. The last day of school was going to be a field day. She sent a note home a note to all the parents that they could bring finger foods and spend the day with their child or children. The children would be giving a presentation of some of the things that they had learned that year. Friday came. The mother's all brought something. Each child had stood up and said something. It seemed the field trips were their favorite learning experience. Elizabeth handed out the 2 graduation diplomas, Charlie Spencer and Neida Fuller. Elizabeth congratulated them on a job well done. Neida was going to teachers college. Charlie was joining his father on the farm. Everyone clapped. After the ceremony, everyone went outside to the table for the little celebration. Lydia had baked a cake for the graduates. It was a great day. She said goodbye to all her students and they went home. Jack came in and helped her clean the schoolhouse and got it ready for Sunday.
It was the beginning of June. Elizabeth went to get up but grabbed her head and fell back on the bed. Jack turned around just as she fell. He ran over to her and said as he bent down in front of her, Bella? What is wrong? Jack? The room is spinning and please don't talk so loud, my head is killing me. Ok, Bella, I'm taking you to the doctor. He gets her dressed. When he stood her up she made a mad dash out the back door. He says, that's it, you are going to the doctor. Jack, it's probably just a summer cold, she said. No Bella this could be something else. I'm worried. He walks her to the sofa. He goes and gets the buggy and Lady hooked up. He brought it to the front and got Elizabeth in the buggy. She said, Jack, I truly think it's just a cold. We'll find out for sure.
They pull up to the infirmary and he helps her down. He hooked the weight onto Lady's bridal. He took her inside. He sets her down on the chair and waits for the doctor to come in. Elizabeth runs out the back door and vomits. Jack holds her hair back out of her face. The doctor says, how long has she been doing this? Since this morning when she got up. She's dizzy and has a severe headache, Jack says. Ok, bring her back when she's done, the doctor says.
Jack leads her back to the exam room. He helps her up on the table. Hello, I'm Dr. Randel. Hello, we are Jack and Elizabeth Thornton from Pine Springs. She's the school teacher. Oh, I didn't know they had a married teacher. Well, she wasn't. We just got married in April.
Dr. Randel asked a few questions. Mrs. Thornton, have you eaten this morning? She lay there with her arm over her eyes and said, no. I woke up this way. Have you been around anyone who's been sick? No, she said. When was your last cycle? She raised her arm and looked at him and thought, a few days before our wedding.
The doctor took his stethoscope out and listened to her heart, took all her vitals, and wrote them down on her chart. He feels her stomach and says she can sit up now. Jack helps her to sit. He continued to write in her chart and then said, congratulations Mr. And Mrs. Thornton you're going to have a baby. The best I can tell is the middle of January. Both of them look at him as if he had 2 heads. A baby, they both said. Yes. You need to drink as much water as you can and eat a few crackers before you get out of bed in the morning. That will help with nausea and the water will help with the dizziness. The headaches are just because you're pregnant. A lot of women have them to begin with. Jack asks, how…far…along…is…she? Two and a half months. The morning sickness should end soon. Usually, after they start 2nd trimester. The doctor walked out leaving them in the exam room. Jack stands and says, Bella, we're having a baby! She's crying. He asks, Bella? Aren't you happy about it? She just shakes her head yes. They hug and cry happy tears together.
They stopped at the restaurant and got some lunch. They went into the mercantile to get some peppermint tea and saltine crackers.
The ride home was quiet but happily quiet! When they get home she goes inside and he takes care of the horse and buggy. He brushed her down and turned her out. As he was brushing her, he noticed that she was putting on a little weight. He ran his hand over her belly and said, what do you have in there Lady? He pats her and she trots over to Sargent.
He walks in and she's making some tea. He points her to the kitchen chair and asks her to sit. Hon, I can fix us some tea. I'm not an invalid you know. I do know that but I'm going to pamper you for the next 7.5 months. You're doing the hard work growing our child so the least I can do is make your day a little easier! Ok but don't go overboard with it, ok?
He just changes the subject and pours their tea and sits down next to her. He asked, how soon do we get to tell it? I see what you have done there. Don't think I didn't catch it but let's wait until I reach the second trimester. That's just two weeks away. We can write our letters but don't mail them yet. That sounds perfect to me Sweetheart! I can't wait until he/she gets here Bella! I know hon, me either.
He bends over and kisses her. Bella, I didn't think I could be any happier but I'm telling you I'm ecstatic right now! It sure was a shock hon. I never even thought about being pregnant.
Oh by the way I think Lady is pregnant, he says. Ooh, hon that's wonderful! We'll be pregnant together! When will her baby be due? If I'm right, she has 10 months to go. I'd say sometime in March. They carry them for 11 months. Oh hon, this one will have their horse when he or she is old enough! That's right but I'm not sure. I'll keep an eye on her.
The next month was the start of her second trimester. They sent letters to everyone including her parents. She received a letter from the school board stating that they had extended her contract. So they would be staying in Pine Springs.
Aunt Elizabeth volunteered to come take her class in January when school started back after the Christmas break. They would stay with Phillip and Lydia for the remainder of the school year. Uncle Wynn would be stationed in Lecombe until Elizabeth could return after she had the baby.
Elizabeth and Jack prepared for the coming of the baby. Jack would make his rounds every day and would be home every evening to help with dinner. He would take time to do his reports every evening and then spend the rest of the evening curled up on the sofa.
Some nights he would carry her to bed. Some nights they would make love. Some nights they would just hold one another. The school would be starting back next Monday. She couldn't wait. She missed her students dearly.
She is now 5 months pregnant the children are excited to be back in school. She's happy to be back at school.
The first thing they want to know is when their first science field trip is. Ok everyone please take your seats and I'll tell you. They do as she asks. Ok, so our first trip is actually in about 2 weeks. We are going to study Botany. Does anyone know what Botany is? It's the study of leaves. So we will be going out and collecting green leaves only.
Mountie Jack will be joining us this time because we will be going into the woods. He knows all the leaves and what they are used for. So I want you to pay attention and take notes on the leaves you choose. If he says don't touch that one then we will not touch it. Is that understood? Yes Mrs. Thornton the class said. Ok, class dismissed.
Andy don't forget your lunch pail. Andy stopped and came up to her and asked, why do you tell me every day not to forget my lunch pail? She stoops down to his level and says, do you remember the first few days last year when you forgot and had to run back in and get it? Yes ma'am he says. Well, that's why I remind you. Well, this year I'm older so I won't be forgetting it. Well, that's good to know so now I won't be reminding you. Thanks for telling me.
Field trip day was here. Elizabeth got up early. She looks over and sees he's still asleep. His hair was disheveled, sticking out everywhere on the top of his head. She didn't want to wake him up so she thought twice before she'd fix it. She put her robe on and went to make coffee.
She thanked God that she didn't have any morning sickness. She could have whatever she wanted. She thought that if only all her pregnancies could be like this she wouldn't care how many times she got pregnant.
She went about making breakfast because she knew he wouldn't stay asleep very long after she got up. She was in the mood for biscuits and gravy. She put the sausage on to cook while she made the biscuits. She got them made and in the oven when Jack came out of the bedroom rubbing his eyes and heading to the outhouse. He said, morning Bella. Morning hon. Breakfast in about 10 minutes. He said ok and out the back door, he went.
She sat at the table and poured the juice. He came back in and sat down to the coffee she had sat there when he went outside. He took a sip, stretched his head towards her and she kissed him good morning. He said something smells good. Craving biscuits and gravy are we? That's 3 times we've had it this week. She says, you know me so well! He asked her, how are you feeling after she sat down to join him for breakfast? I'm good. I was thinking a while ago that I hope all my pregnancies go as well as this one. I've had no more morning sickness since a couple of days after my 2nd trimester. So really I can say that I only had it for 2 weeks. That's good Bella!
I noticed last night that you have quite the baby bump going on there. She stood and spread her skirt tight. I guess I do. Maybe that's why my shirt keeps sliding up. Bella, isn't there a seamless here in the community? Yes, Mrs. Ethridge. How about we go to town tomorrow and get some fabric and you can ask her to make you a few new dresses, shirts and skirts? You still have 4 more months to go before the baby is here. I would like that hon! Ok, it's a date!
Oh, hon don't forget you're coming to school for the field trip today. I know I haven't forgotten. So you want to go with me to school when I go? We will be going out just shortly after attendance. Sure! Every minute I get to spend with you is a blessing! I want to check Lady before we go though.
After breakfast, while she made their lunch he went out and whistled. Lady and Sargent came trotting over. Jack checked thoroughly. He said you are pregnant girl! He pats them both and they take off.
Jack and Elizabeth walked over to the school hand and hand. They walked up the steps and she unlocked the doors. They walk up to the front. Jack takes a seat in the front seat. She sets her basket on her desk and goes to the chalkboard and rights.
1. No running off. We stay in our group.
2. Listen to Constable Thornton.
3. If Constable Thornton says, Don't touch this then we don't touch.
4. Everyone will collect 3 different leaves. Take notes as to what he tells you about each leaf.
5. When you have your 3 leaves, please step to the back of the group.
6. If a leaf has been chosen then you will be allowed to choose another until you have all 3.
7. There will be no squabble over who gets what leaf.
8. Youngest to oldest is the order of choosing.
9. Have fun and enjoy.
The children all come into the school with a paper bag with their names on it. They are all excited and chatty. At precisely 8:00 she called class to order. Everyone took their seats. She takes attendance and all 21 students were there. She says, children, I want you to pay attention to the chalkboard. She points to each rule and explains each of them. I know we won't have any trouble with number 7 but I have to explain it anyway. Now does everyone understand the rules? Everyone says yes ma'am.
Ok, I need you to each take your tablet and a pencil along with your bag and line up at the door. She walks to the front of the line and Jack follows from the back of the line. She leads them out to the tree line behind the school. She nods to Jack to take over. He nods and comes to the front.
Ok everyone do we have any questions before we get started, he asks. James raised his hand and asked, did you learn about leaves in the academy? Most of it yes but my father was a Mountie too so he and my mother who was a teacher also, Jack says. Anyone else? They all shook their heads no. Ok. Let's line up youngest to oldest, he asks. After the line was done they started into the woods.
The first leaf that was chosen was from a sapling, this is a Thuja. They grow to be 3-61 meters (10-200 feet). They are in the cypress family.
Next was one, which is called the Rocky Mountain Juniper. It's a small tree reaching 5-15 meters. Next, that's a Dawn Redwood. It grows to at least 61 meters (200 feet). A lot of wow's were heard.
The first child was finished and went to the back. Next, don't touch that! It's poisonous. It's called the common yew. The whole plant is poisonous.
Next, that is called a ginkgo, it can be used as medicine and is a source of food. This went on until every child had their 3 leave. They all stepped out of the woods.
Elizabeth asked, ok, did everyone get the names of their leaves? Did you write your notes on each leaf? For those who haven't Constable Thornton will be here all day so you'll be able to ask him questions about them.
Now let's go have lunch and then we'll get started on your reports. After lunch, Jack and Elizabeth walked around the classroom answering questions and giving more information on the leaves. Elizabeth had 4 botany books that the students were sharing. They each took turns looking up their leaves, finding out if they could be eaten or not.
At the end of the day, she told her class that the children could take the botany books home but they had to share them with their neighbor's students the students that walked out with them had to bring them back on Monday.
Their reports were due next Friday. Whoever wants to take the books home please come up and sign them out but first please thank Constable Thornton for being here today and for all his help!
Everyone clapped and said thank you Constable Thornton! Ok, class dismissed. Tommy Yeager, Alicia Middlebrook, James Carpenter, and Sarah Delaney all signed out the 4 books. They all promised to bring them back on Monday. After the children left Jack helped her clean the classrooms for church on Sunday.