Chapter 102
From the Journal of Elaine Hartley Jan. 30, 1939
How could he! I thought I could trust Hugh. I thought that he was the only one who didn't think it was ridiculous for a girl to want to make a living as a mechanic. I heard him and his pals, Charlie Baker and Evan Dole, laughing at me for not realizing that he was just humoring me so he could date me. They had no idea that I was listening to them from behind the corner of the hallway.
Hugh was too shocked to say a word as I rushed around the corner and told him what I thought of him. I was yelling loudly enough that I probably told the whole school as well. How could I have been such a dope as to fall for him? I might have gone right on being his girlfriend until we graduated next year.
From the Journal of Honey Sutton Jan. 30, 1939
Mother Bailey wants Grace to succeed her as president of the Silverdome Mining Company! I can't believe that I am writing that sentence. There was a time when she didn't even want her to learn to drive. Grace couldn't have appeared more relaxed and upbeat as she broke the news. I wasn't fooled for a second. A stranger might have missed the look of a hunted animal that flickered in and out of her eyes behind the smile, but not a friend. Behind the insistence that life couldn't be more hunky-dory, I could have sworn there was panic.
I congratulated her anyway and agreed that she was right not to decide immediately whether or not to accept her mother's offer. At the least, she should decide what to do about the Alawanda Lumber Company first now that she and Van weren't going to be running it together. I admitted that I hadn't thought of her as president of the Silverdome Mining Company, but on reflection, she isn't a bad choice. She's already done the job and she knows the company better than anyone who would come in from outside.
Grace thanked me for the vote of confidence and then changed the subject. She became even more chipper when she told me how wonderful things are going to be when she has her baby and that she can hardly wait for the day. The hunted animal look flickered in and out of her eyes even more rapidly. I tried to ask the inescapable question gently. "Is something bothering you, Grace?"
"No," she answered far too quickly. "Why do you think so?"
"You don't have to hide anything from me Grace. Is it Mother Bailey's offer? The Alawanda Lumber Company? Something else?"
Grace looked stunned. "All of the above, especially, the something else. Since I buried Van and started to settle back into the New Bedford routine, it's starting to sink in that I'm going to be raising a child … on my own. I don't know if I'm ready. I have some idea of how to run a mining company. I've done it before. I've never been a parent. The responsibility is huge and it's all on my shoulders. I'm terrified."
I wanted to hug her and laugh at the same time. Instead of doing either I deadpanned, "You're ready."
It was nice to see Grace break down with laughter for a change instead of tears. I assured her that even knowing that I had a husband around to help, I had similar worries about my fitness to be a mother when I was expecting Hub. "Even when I started to feel halfway competent at raising children, there was always a sliver of doubt in the back of my mind that I was doing a decent job."
Grace's eyes widened 'til they were the size of Voyageur dollars. "You?"
I nodded. "You will too. Good parents keep doing the best they can anyway, and it's usually enough. You will be a good parent."
Grace Mainwaring to Sally Henry Jan. 30, 1939
God, bless Honey. It means a lot to have someone who has always been so wonderful with her children tell me that I'll do just fine as a mother. Thank you for your encouragement as well…
Max had some good news. The Ontario Municipal Board finally approved New Bedford's annexation petition for the land extending from the town line to just beyond the new highway. The Ontario Legislature should ratify the decision at the beginning of its next session in March. If this depression ever ends and New Bedford has a chance to expand, it will be in that direction.
From the Journal of Honey Sutton Jan. 30, 1939 cont.
Max ran out the door as soon as supper was finished. I hope that tonight's meeting of the New Bedford Reception Committee goes better than the last one. I can still hardly believe that the king and queen will be stopping in New Bedford in only four months on their visit to Canada. The occasion seems to have brought out the starchy side in many of the committee's members. Maybe tonight they will be able to agree on whether or not they will allow Grace to greet their majesties with them.
Next week: Making peace. Approaching motherhood. Grace pays a visit.