Chapter 30
Getting To Know Jarrick
Elizabeth and her mother walked back in the house. She walks over and picks up Jarrick and brings him over to the table and sits next to her mother. She says, mother, this is Jarrick Alexander Thornton, Jr., your grandson! Jarrick, this is my mother and your grandmother, Nonny! Jarrick looks at her and says, Non and points at her. Nonny reaches over and touches his leg and says, yes baby, I'm your Nonny. Non, Non, Non!
Jack gets up and comes over and kisses Elizabeth's temple and says, I love you Bella! I love you too, Hon! She turns to her father who was sitting and just watching. Jarrick this is my father and your grandfather, oh father what does Cecilia call you? She calls me grandfather. Oh, okay, she says. That's a mouth full Jarrick! They laughed. Jarrick just looks at him but says nothing.
He turns and yells, gan, gan! Charlotte says, I'm right here baby! He wiggles to be put down. He slid to the floor and crawled over to her and said, up, up. She picked him up and blew a raspberry on his cheek, he squealed and said, no, no bewy! He stands in her arms and tries to blow one on her cheek but nothing comes out but slobbers. Everyone laughs at his antics. Charlotte stands and says, it's time for diaper change. I'll be right back Lizzy! Ok Ma, she replied.
Viola asks, is it always so lively like this all the time? Yes day in and day out. There is never a dull moment around here! Jarrick has brought so much more joy to us than we could have ever imagine! We were happy before he came but there is so much more love since he was born. When mom and dad are here, it's so funny, they fight over who gets to hold him! Wynn clears his throat and says, mom doesn't like to share that much so I have to get him somehow! She laughs and says, whatever you say dad!
William asked, when do you and Beth leave out? We leave next Sunday. There are some things that I have to attend to at the office before we leave. Being Deputy Commissioner has its perks. I can come and go as I please!
Elizabeth and Charlotte get up to start dinner. They decided to make a beef pot pie out of the leftovers. Elizabeth puts her apron on and starts making the pie crusts. It will take three pies so she makes enough pie dough for all three pies.
Charlotte gets started on cutting up the leftover potatoes and carrots. She chops the beef roast and puts it in the bowl with the vegetables. She asks, how much broth do you want me to put in there, Lizzy? Non until I put them in the pies.
She got the first pie crust done and added the mixture, then added about a cup of broth with a spoon of flour, stirring until mixed well. Then she poured it over the meat and vegetables and placed the second pie crust on top and crimped the edges. Making three slits in the top and placed it on the counter. She did the same with each pie. They put them in the oven for about thirty minutes.
She cleaned up her mess while Charlotte washed up the bowls and platter. She put on a pot of coffee and asked, anyone want tea? Viola, Lionel and Priscilla all wanted tea but everyone else wanted coffee. Elizabeth took her apron off and hung it by the stove. She put the cream and sugar on the table.
I can't believe he hasn't fell out from exhaustion yet? He's missed his afternoon nap. Jack kisses her temple as he pulls her close and replies, maybe he'll sleep good tonight. Not that he doesn't sleep good anyway but I hope his little legs don't give him problems from being on them so much.
Lionel speaks up and says, Cecilia cried the first couple of nights when she started walking. Viola called the doctor and he said that it is normal because they start using muscles that they hadn't used before. He suggested a nice warm bath before bed to help relax her leg muscles. It must have worked because she didn't cry anymore. Jack replies, good to know, thanks! We'll give him a bath tonight to get ahead of it.
After dinner her mother asked, Beth, where did you learn to cook like this? When I left Coal Valley, I went to mom and dad's. I got my next post letter and found out it was here. Mom said that I would have to learn to cook because there wasn't a cafe close enough to eat at every meal. So she taught me in two months. So she taught me this recipe but actually it was chicken pot pie but I figured it would work for any meat. I've made rabbit pot pie too. I think that's Jack's favorite! It is! Any thing made with rabbit I love! Actually the first meal she ever cooked for me was rabbit stew and biscuits! Boy did I make a pig of myself that night! She makes the best apple pie too! It's better than Abigail's!
Abigail was amazed at her cooking skills. Mom you done a fantastic job at teaching her. I don't think there's anything she can't cook or wouldn't try. It was my pleasure but don't think she didn't make mistakes. They all laughed. That's for sure! I think more went in the trash those first two weeks than we actually ate! Poor dad came home every night not knowing what was for dinner or how burnt it was going to be but he never complained though. He ate it right on, regardless!
The next couple of days went by. Elizabeth was working and Jack and Wynn went into the office. Jack showed him what he had implemented or changed. Everyone was working well with the new schedule. It was coming up on his weekend to work. Wynn agreed with the changes and said, keep up the good work!
Lionel and Viola had to get back so they took the train out on Thursday. Tom and Julie had left on Monday because both had to get back to work. They promised that they would let them know as soon as they had set the date.
Charlotte had offered her bed to William and Priscilla so they could spend more time with the family. She would sleep on the sofa. Charlotte and Priscilla kept Jarrick while Elizabeth was at school.
By Friday evening Jarrick was walking everywhere. Another milestone come and gone. Jack hadn't missed it! Jarrick had got up off the floor all by himself and walked to the sofa where him and Elizabeth were sitting. He put his little arms up and said baf mama. She picked him up and asked, you ready for your bath little man? He shook his head yes. Jack and Elizabeth gave him his bath and she would nurse him. Jack would come in and finish putting him to bed after, he would rock and hum to him until he fell asleep.
Elizabeth and Jack hosted the dinner on Saturday for mom and dad's farewell dinner. Phillip and Lydia came for that. Elizabeth had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and biscuits. She has made three apple pies just because Jack asked for it. The conversation flowed nicely around the makeshift table that was still up. Tomorrow it would come down and a smaller one would be put up. It would only be Jack, Elizabeth, Charlotte, William and Priscilla. Jarrick had his high chair.
After dinner and pie with coffee Jack said, Bella, that has to be the best fried chicken I've ever ate! I thought Ma's was the best but I'm sorry Ma. Lizzy what did you do differently? I put a pinch of cinnamon in my seasonings. Mom winks at her and she nods. Jack caught the wink. Mom was that a secret ingredient? Yes it is. I always put just a pinch in with my other seasonings. It just brings out the flavor. Well Bella, you outdone yourself tonight!
The following week William was ready to head back to Hamilton but Priscilla wasn't ready. Elizabeth was standing in the kitchen early Saturday morning drinking coffee.
Her mother came out and sat down. Elizabeth fixed her a cup of tea and sat with her. Beth, I wanted to ask you something but I won't be offended if you say no. Mother just ask. Would it be alright if I stayed awhile longer? I want to spend more time with you all. Sure mother I would love that but what is father going to say? It's not up to him. I told him that I wasn't going to let him stand between me and our girls any longer. He was skeptical at first but he has realized I meant what I said. Elizabeth hugged her and said she was welcome to stay as long as she wanted.
William left that Sunday after church and lunch, he wasn't happy that he was traveling back by himself but was happy that his wife would get to spend time with their daughter and her family.
Priscilla had stayed for two months. Jarrick had gotten to know his Nonny really well. She took him outside to play once it warmed up and walks with him around the field. He had finally gotten the hang of saying Nonny not just Non. She was loving this!
Jack had took everyone on picnics down by the stream. Priscilla pulled up her dress tail and tucked it in her waistband, took off her shoes and stockings and waded in the stream with Jarrick!
It was now the first of May and time for her to leave to go home. Jack had taken pictures of them with her and gave them to her. She cried when he gave them to her and said she would cherish them forever! She put the one of her and Jarrick down at the stream in her purse and packed the rest. She boarded the train with a promise to return for Thanksgiving or Christmas. She kissed Jarrick once more and was gone.
There were a few shed tears from Elizabeth. She would miss her mother now that she had her back. Jack side hugs and asks, how would you like to go visit her this summer? Ma will be at Aunt Shirley's? Oooh Hon, could we? Yes, we can make it a surprise for her! But hon, it will have to be before or after Abigail and Bill's wedding. Ok how about before? Perfect hon! I love you so much! Love you more, Bella! No way, hon!
So the same day that Charlotte boarded the train to Manitoba, they boarded the next train for Hamilton. It was just a day and a half ride so they would get to spend the whole 2 weeks there visiting. Elizabeth had sent a telegram to her father to let them know they were coming but not to tell mother. He was at the train station waiting on them. They arrived just before lunch.
They pulled up in front of the house and Wilson was there to take their trunk up to her old room. They walked in and she couldn't resist, she yelled, mother, mother where are you? Priscilla didn't say a word. She waited until Elizabeth found her. She was in the sitting room with a cup of tea. She jumped up and rushed to her, wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tight.
Jack and Jarrick came through the door and asked, is that a way a lady is supposed to enter the house and laughed. Ooh hon, I used to do it every time I came home from school! It was just mine and mother's times together! She reminded me of it when they came to Pine Springs! I just couldn't resist! I forgive you this time. He bent over and kissed Priscilla on the cheek and said, hello mother, hope you liked your surprise! Oh I do! How long can you stay? We're here for two whole weeks! Mother please don't plan any parties. We just want to spend time with you and father. Is Viola around? No Beth, her, Lionel and Cecilia are on their way to London to spend the summer with his family.
Jack are you working while you are here, William asked? No sir, I'm on vacation also! Good maybe we can get together and spend some time together while these ladies do something together! I'd like that sir. Please, enough with the sir stuff. Call me father. Thank you, father.
The next few days were spent shopping and spoiling their grandson. William had bought and set up a train set in the library just for Jarrick to watch. Jarrick would sit on Nonno's lap watching it go around and around the track. Nonno would let him push the button that made the whistle blow! Jack took plenty of pictures. Nonny had suggested to call him Nonno instead of grandfather because it was easier to say. So it was Nonny and Nonno from then on.
In the early afternoon William took Jack to the country club to meet his friends. Yes they were much older but Jack was enjoying spending time with his father in law. The snooty, snobby man was gone and a friendly man was left.
On the weekend Julie and Tom would come for the weekend. They had decided on a Christmas wedding, December twenty third. Jack put it on his list for Christmas off. He would be best man and Elizabeth would be matron of honor. Jarrick would be almost two so he was ring barer.
Priscilla had sent for the tailor to come and bring two tuxedo's, one for Tom and one for Jack. They found a tuxedo that had fit perfectly. There were no alterations needed. Saturday afternoon Priscilla and William forced the two couples to go out and enjoy themselves with dinner and dancing. Elizabeth had agreed to leave their son with his grandparents.
The couple's dressed in their finest dresses that were purchased on the shopping trip during the week. Tom and Jack was asked to wear their new tuxedos. As bad as they didn't like them, they agreed to do it for the women they loved. Priscilla had made reservations at the finest restaurant in town.
While the two couples were getting ready with baths, Nonny and Nonno had taken Jarrick to the park, played on the slide, swung on the swing. Nonno chased him for a few minutes then Jarrick chased him as fast as his little legs would go. A man was watching the antics going on between the two laughing and having a grand old time. Priscilla had not seen this side of her husband but wished that he had taken time like this with their girls, maybe it was just because of Jarrick being a boy. The man was snapping pictures right and left. They never noticed the man taking the pictures. The man knew the couple and what must be a grandson.
After awhile they took Jarrick to the ice cream parlor. Nonno was carrying his grandson, Jarrick squealed, Nonno, Nonno, sawbarwy peeze! Okay, son strawberry it is! Nonny told the clerk, we'll have two bowls of vanilla and one mini strawberry cone, please! Coming right up she said. They sat at the table eating their ice cream. Priscilla ready with the napkin to wipe his little face to save his outfit from getting messed up. Every time she wiped his face he would say, tank ou. She would always reply, you are so very welcome!
They walked back home but let Jarrick walk holding their hand until Jarrick got tired. He stops and asks, Nonno up, as he raised his arms up? Nonno was glad to pick him up and carry him. Jarrick laid his head down on Nonno's shoulder and went to sleep.
Priscilla and William finished their walk home hand in hand. She looked up at him and said, I truly enjoyed myself today! She didn't reveal her thoughts at the park but just that she had enjoyed watching them play!
They walked into the house as Jack and Tom were coming down the stairs. Jack said, looks like someone got wore out! Oh we had a wonderful time, thank you son for this, father said! You are most welcome father! Here I'll take him up and put him in his crib. Did he use the potty before he went to sleep, Mother? Yes at the ice cream parlor. Ok he'll be good to go. He took him and walked back upstairs and laid him down in his crib. He never moved. Jack kissed his forehead and said, we love you so very much little man! Jarrick just took a deep breath and let it out.
Elizabeth came out of the bathroom finishing with putting her earring in. She looked over at Jack but he was just staring at her as if he had never seen her before and said, Bella, I've seen you in many beautiful dresses but this has got to be my favorite after your wedding dress! She was wearing a goldfish yellow semi-straight dress but a fitting bodice. The neckline was squared off. She looks at him and replies, you clean up really well also hon, they kiss one another! She looks over at their son and asks, did they wear him out? Father said they did!