Chapter 16

Ma

On their ride home from the train station Jack asks, Ma, how long do you plan on staying? Son are you trying to get rid of me already? No ma'am. Just was wondering how long we get to visit!

We want you to get to know your grandson, that's all. Well I have to get a room. Ma, we have an extra bedroom now so you can stay at the house with us! I had only planned to stay a couple weeks but if you all can put up with me longer, I'd like to stay longer. Is that okay Lizzy? Ma you can stay as long as you would like.

I don't go back to teaching until next term if my contract is renewed that is. Who's subbing for you? Mom is, well technically she's my Aunt but we call her mom now and that's a story for another day.

They pull up to the house. Jack helped the ladies out. He unlocks the door and takes the trunk in and puts it in the spare bedroom. Charlotte takes her bag to the bedroom and starts putting her things away. After she is done she comes back out while Jack is making coffee. He asked, are you ready for some coffee Ma? You know how I love my coffee son, thank you. Where's that grandson of mine? Bella has him in the bedroom feeding him. It takes him a long time to nurse. He eats a lot. She'll be out in about 30 minutes.

Have a seat Ma. The coffee is almost ready. He puts some muffins on a plate and sets it on the table. So, have you heard from your brother? No, not since the wedding, why? Well it seems he and Julie have been seeing each other and her parents aren't to happy about it. They don't like us to well.

They have practically shunned Elizabeth. They didn't come for our wedding. They didn't come when Jarrick was born. They sent a card of congratulations but that's it. We haven't heard anything else from them. It has upset her severely.

Her Aunt and Uncle are more like her parents. Elizabeth asked if we could call them mom and dad. They were honored. So she doesn't talk about her parents very much. So if she says mom or dad she's talking about her Aunt and Uncle. If she says mother or father she's talking about the Thatchers. Ok got it.

The poor girl has really been through it. Yes she has plus the rapist we caught just added to it. I remember you writing about it. I hope me being here won't cause her more problems? No Ma, she loves family around. It makes her feel loved and wanted. Is it okay if I stay a month or so? Sure, but what about the farm. That's one of the reasons I came to visit. I wanted to talk to you about it.

He sets her coffee in front of her. She drank it black so there was no need for cream and sugar to be brought out. He gets him a cup and sits down at the table. So do you want to talk in here or take a walk? Here is fine.

I don't want any secrets from Lizzy. She my daughter now and she has a say also. So I would rather wait until she gets back out here. Ma this sounds serious. Is everything okay at home? Yes son everything is fine. I've got a decision to make and I want both of your opinions. Okay as long as you're okay. She puts her hand on his and pats it and says, I'm perfectly fine son. Healthy as a horse.

A few minutes later Elizabeth comes out of the bedroom with a very satisfied baby boy. She asks, Charlotte would you like to hold him while I go to the outhouse. My bladder is about to explode. Charlotte takes her grandson. Elizabeth makes a beeline to the outhouse. Jack chuckled and said, that happens a lot.

Elizabeth comes back in a few minutes later and asks, what do we want for lunch? Jack asks, how about roast beef sandwiches, I'll slice the bread. She says, that sounds good to me how about you mom? Sound good? Sure, Charlotte says.

She snuggles Jarrick a little closer to her neck. Looks like we've lost him again hon! Jack used to snuggle just like this! He tried to get as close as he could to my neck! Elizabeth chuckles and says, he still likes to do that! Jack says, hey what can I say, it smells good there among other things and laughs! She swats his arm and says, that's enough out of you hon!

They all have a good laugh then Charlotte got quiet and wipes a lone tear before it fell. Ma, what is it? Oh that just made me think of your father. He was a neck man too. You are so much like him. Your looks, your smile, your laughter, even your personality.

We should have named you Thomas Jackson Thornton, Jr. That's where Jack came from. We called you Jarrick for the longest until you turned about 2. Then you started mimicking him and he just started calling you Jack. It stuck and we've called you that ever since.

Wow Ma how come you never told me that before? I guess I never thought about it until now. Your father would be so proud of the man you have become and he definitely would have loved this little man!

After lunch everyone decided to take a nap. Charlotte gave Jarrick back to Elizabeth and went to lay down. Jack and Elizabeth laid down to. They put Jarrick between them and fell asleep.

A couple hours later Jack found his mom outside on the porch with a cup of coffee. He walked over, kissed her head and said, a penny for your thoughts. You may have them for free my dear!

He takes a seat in the chair next to her and asks, what's up Ma? Just thinking is all. About what, he prompted? Home, the past, the future, my future. Ma, you're being very vague. That's not like you. You have always been very blunt and to the point. Again I'll ask, what's going on?

Son, I'm lonely. I have no one. You and Tom have your own lives now. Yes I hear from you at least once a month but Tom, I'm lucky if I hear from him once every 6 or 7 months. The farm is getting to be to much for these old bones. I've already sold the cattle and all but 2 horses. Which 2 did you keep? I kept The General, your father's, and mine, Daisy, the two milk cows.

The neighbors come milk them and bring me milk when I need it. All I take care of is the chickens. I keep what eggs I want and leave the rest in a basket for the neighbors when they come to milk.

Ma what do you want to do? Son I want to be near my grandson and watch him grow up and any more that you and Lizzy decide to have. Ma you know you are welcome here. But I have to ask Ma, are you going to go with us everywhere we have to move to? That was my plan if it's alright with you and Lizzy?

So my question to you son is what would you think of me selling the farm and moving here? I know I'd have to get a place in town because I doubt there is anything around here. Ma I'll talk to Elizabeth and maybe you could stay with us and watch Jarrick while she's at school. I would love that son and I could always go into town to give you and your family some private time. Sounds good Ma. I'll let you know. It's about time for Jarrick to wake up if he isn't already. Stay and enjoy yourself. I'll be back.

Jack walked into their bedroom and Elizabeth was sitting in the rocking chair that mom and dad had got her after Jarrick was born nursing him.

He sat on the side of the bed and watched for a moment before he said, Bella, we need to discuss Ma for a moment. He told her everything that his Ma has said. I was wondering what you thought about her moving in with us? She said she would go to town once in a while to give us some privacy as a family.

Bella I've never heard Ma talk like that before. She must be pretty lonely to want to sell the farm. Dad bought her that farm and built that house.

Hon, I can understand her loneliness. I was lonely for those 5 months without you. I can't imagine being without you for that many years. If she wants to sell her place then she is more than welcome to move in with us. Maybe she can watch Jarrick once I go back to work. But hon what's she going to do when we are transferred? I mean she's more than welcome to move with us but that has to be her decision. I asked the same question and she said she wanted to move with us. She wants to watch this little one grow up and all the rest that God decides to give us. That is wonderful hon! You know how much family means to me? I do and I told her that too. So I can give her the good news? You may hon!

That afternoon Elizabeth was in the kitchen making dinner. She had asked Jack what he thought he wanted for dinner, he had asked, what do we have? She told him, we have a roast or chicken. How about roasted chicken with vegetables, he said. Biscuits or bread, she asked? Biscuits please, he replied.

Charlotte was sitting at the table while Elizabeth prepared dinner. Jack put his arm around Elizabeth's waist and kissed her temple. She nods towards his Ma. Jack sits down next to his Ma and clears his throat and says, Ma, we have talked about what you and I talked about out on the porch. We both agree that we want you to live with us until you want to leave but are hoping you don't. We both agree that we would love for you to keep Jarrick when she goes back to school. Do you still want to do that? Oooh son, nothing would make me happier.

You go and sell the farm whenever you're ready. I think I'll go at the end of April. I should be back before school starts in September. Will that give you enough time to sell it? I already have a buyer. They are just waiting for my return. Most of the furniture will stay but my bed and the rocker your father made before you were born. I won't give those up.

Ma, did you keep the covered wagon? Yes I did. Ok. When you are ready to come back I'll come and drive you back. It's about 350 miles. It should only take about 8 days or so. It will be like old time Ma! We can camp out! That sounds nice, son! Just let me know when you're ready. I'll take the train out and we'll drive the wagon back. Okay, I look forward to it! So how long will you be gone hon? A day and a half by train, two days packing, 8 days back by wagon, so two weeks tops.

The next month was spent getting prepared for Charlotte's departure and her spending a lot of time with Jarrick. Jack had been approved for two weeks extended leave to help his Ma make the move.

Jarrick will be 3 months old by the time they get back. Jack decided to extend the wall out to make the bedroom bigger for Charlotte, he wanted her to be able to have her things around her. They would take the bed out and store it at the Delaney's.

Charlotte was getting excited for her future. She wouldn't be lonely anymore. She would be with family. Life was definitely looking up!

Mom and dad had agreed that they would come and stay with Elizabeth while he was gone. It would give them time with Jarrick and for Elizabeth a chance to catch up on how the children were doing at school. With the extra bedroom and full size bed they had room. Not that he didn't think she wouldn't be alright on her own for two weeks, he just didn't want her to have to be alone with her thoughts.

It was time for Charlotte to head home. Him and Elizabeth had decided that it would be better for him to travel back with his Ma. It would give them time to catch up one on one. He could help her pack and load the wagon.

Next stop Aberdeen, the conductor said. Jack stood and got their bags ready. She had sent a telegram to her neighbor to pick them up at the station.

The train came to a stop. Jack picked up their bags and stepped down the train steps, held out his hand to help her down. Jonathan Weaver stepped up and shook his hand and welcomed him home. Jack said hello and thanked him. Jack helped his Ma up in the wagon. He climbed in the back with their bags.

At the farm Jack took a deep breath and looked around. It had been a few years since he had been home. It was different but wasn't. He could see his father everywhere even though he had been dead since he was 10 years old.

He thanked Mr. Weaver and went inside. He looked around. Everything was just how he remembered. The same pictures on the wall. The furniture in the same place. He handed his Ma her bags and took his to his old room. He set it down on his old bed.

She still had it made up with his same quilt. On the wall was all his awards in a shadow box frame with glass over it. All his toys were still in his toy box that his father had made him for Christmas when he was 5 years old. His old ball cap was still hanging on the same hook. Nothing had been moved.

Ma came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist and said, I couldn't bring myself to get rid of anything. Your trunk is still in the corner. I want you to go through everything and pack what you want to keep.

I'll put all of Tom's in his trunk and ship it to him before we leave. Yes ma'am, I want to keep a lot of it for Jarrick. The medals Elizabeth will want them. I think the ball cap has seen better days. Can I take my quilt and give it to Jarrick when he's older? Yes son. Everything in this room is yours to do what you want with it. I'll wash it before you pack it though. I haven't washed it all winter.

Ma, do you wash and remake my bed? Yes, I never knew when you would come back for a visit. Ma? I'm sorry I haven't been back as much as I should have. It's ok son. Mountie life is not your own. I knew when you graduated from the academy that you wouldn't be able to come home very often. I excepted that. I prayed for you and your brother daily. Thanks Ma, that means a lot.