“Dreams, ideas, and visions all have to do with the mind, Brenda. It’s the heart, however, which realizes them.”
Brenda looked at Henry quizzically for a moment, then her eyes brightened.
“The heart must always follow the idea, push it, be committed to it, desire it with fervour and passion. It is the heart, the inner vision that keeps one focused and motivated until one’s dream or goal is accomplished. That is what makes all the difference in a person’s life and being successful in achieving their dreams and goals. Action and passion are the key!”
It was now Brenda’s turn to just nod. After a long moment, she asked, “But, what if your project or venture fails? No matter how hard you try or as you say, how much heart you put into it, it just may not be in the cards to succeed.”
“I think I answered that question, earlier. I don’t believe in failure.”
Brenda looked puzzled, but remained silent.
“We learn from everything we do, Brenda. If something doesn’t work it doesn’t mean we have failed, it just means we have to try something different, perhaps another approach, a minor adjustment to what we are doing. If what we have done isn’t quite working, then I am thankful that I know, so I can shift gears and get going again. Look at the great inventor, Edison, when he invented the light bulb. He had many setbacks before he achieved his goal, but he learned from each setback and then opened another door.
“So often, Brenda, we are at the door to success, so close and we give up. I carry around a little poem in my wallet that I have had for years and years. I came across it when I was a guidance counselor, it’s entitled, ‘Don’t Quit.’ I gave it out to all my students and I follow its lesson to this very day: Stick to your dream or goal until it’s done.”
Brenda shook her head slightly, raised her eyebrows and smiled broadly. “Well, Mr. Pederson. It’s clear that you have followed that creed your entire life. You’re the epitome of success.”
Instinctively, Henry humbly averted his eyes at the compliment and cast a glance around his busy café. Brenda was clearly impressed by Henry, yet, a feeling of smugness tugged at his stomach. Or was it a twinge of guilt and hypocrisy. He had all the answers and knowledge of how to succeed in the world. His gallery, café, wealth, and all the property he possessed was evidence of that. But was he really successful?
Sure, he’d used his skills to bring beauty to the world around him. Sure, he’d used his business to serve others and help those in need. Yes, his accomplishments were many. However, deep within, Henry also recognized that his success indirectly kept him in bondage to worldly distractions. Instead of gaining freedom, inner peace and happiness that he thought would come with wealth; he felt an uneasiness, a void that could only be temporarily filled by accomplishing and accumulating more. Over the years, his skills and aptitudes gained him recognition and status which he had come to enjoy and depend on, but he had also bought into the false belief that the more he had, the greater was his worth in the eyes of others.
Henry recognized that his striving and desire for more outweighed his wisdom. He knew better, and he had been taught better. Henry clearly saw in Father Engelmann, what it was that he lacked. Father was free of all attachments. He knew his purpose in life and his place in the scheme of things. He had a single-minded devotion to only one Master and one Master alone and that was his Lord. His Lord was at the centre of his life, whereas for Henry his worldly success was at the centre of his. He knew he could not serve two masters.
Somehow over the years, especially after Julean’s death, he had become duped into the illusion of believing more in his independence and success and less on his dependence on his Lord and placing Him in the driver’s seat. The pursuit of abilities and honours and riches had kept him from coming totally to his Redeemer.
Brenda was staring at him quizzically, again. She was probably wondering if he’d returned to his earlier reverie about his girlfriend.
Henry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The thoughts he was entertaining were unsettling. The Lord was asking too much. For too long he had felt the comfort and security of wealth. For several years now he had been struggling with this issue. He knew where the treasures of his heart really lay. His integrity – the need to be forthright and honest – weighed on him. He didn’t want to leave Brenda with a false impression of where he was really at in his life.
“You know, Brenda, I don’t want to mislead you. I may be a success in the eyes of the world, but true success is when one’s main goal and ambition in life is to love and serve his fellow man. Father Engelmann is the only person who I know that has achieved that goal. I don’t want this to end as a sermon or a spiritual dissertation, but there is a scriptural passage that Father Engelmann talked about several weeks ago in one of his sermons that keeps coming up in my mind. It’s the one about a rich man who asked Jesus what he needed to do to gain the kingdom of Heaven. ‘Sell everything you own, give it to the poor, and come follow me,’ was His answer.
“Now, if we take that literally, how many of us could do that? How strong and deep is our attachment to the world? Could I really place my trust completely in Him and not in my wealth and possessions? Where would the treasure of my heart really be?”
Henry paused. “A little further in that same scripture the Lord goes on to say that it is truly easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Henry knew his thoughts surprised Brenda. She and everyone he knew thought he was on top of the world with his success and, yet, he still struggled in a way he knew many people had never given much thought to.
“We work and strive so hard to be a success in the world and lose sight of the fact that nothing is really ours. We are simply stewards of God’s blessings upon us. At the end of the day, of what value is wealth, possessions, talents, and gifts if they are not used for others? That is the kind of life that has lasting value and one that will be truly rewarded. To fully recognize that and be totally free of our attachment to things and the ways of the world – that is to be successful.”
Henry winked at Brenda and smiled. “I’m still working on it.”
Brenda and Henry fell into a reflective silence. The morning sun streamed through the south windows and flooded the patio just outside their window. It was a beautiful day and customers were taking advantage of outdoor eating, a luxury that prairie folk have for a very limited time during the summer. If it wasn’t the wind making outdoor dining a nuisance, it was the wasps or the coolness in the air. Today was perfect to be outside, however, and customers were coming early to beat the noon-hour rush to the patio.
“So, one final area I want to be clear on. This is a family business?”
“That is correct. My wife was a graduate nurse, but she never really pursued it after we married. She wanted to stay home and raise the children. She did however help out with the gallery when it first opened, but shortly after, she contracted meningitis and passed away. ”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” said Brenda.
“Yes, it happened suddenly. I miss her very much. I still haven’t gotten used to it. We have four children. My oldest son, Jeremy, looks after the café along with my oldest daughter Allison, who manages the gallery. The two pretty much help me operate the business. My other daughter, Lauren, helps out in the boutique shops upstairs and is also a waitress when she isn’t in school. And my youngest son, Justin, who came into the family much later in our marriage, helps out with odd jobs in the kitchen and gallery when he isn’t in school. So, it is as you say Brenda, a family-run business.”
“Well, I guess that just about does it. I have more than enough material. It has certainly been a pleasure talking to you Mr. Pederson.”
“Think nothing of it, Brenda. And please, call me Henry; after all, that’s the guy who owns this place.”
“Well, this has just been great, Henr
y. If I have any more questions as I write up this interview, I will call you. In any case, we will get it into print and out in a month or so. Thank you, again, for your time, I appreciate it very much.”
“You’re welcome, Brenda. And, as a special treat, I would like to offer you our house specialty ‘Henry’s Oh-so-creamy Cheesecake.’ It is, without question, the best cheesecake you will ever have.”
Brenda’s eyes opened wide in anticipation. “I can hardly wait to taste it.”
Henry signalled a tall, handsome young man in his twenties who had just finished seating some customers.
“Jeremy, I would like you to meet Brenda Oakley, the reporter from the Sunday Sun…”
“Hi, nice to meet you, Brenda.” Jeremy extended his hand and gave her a warm smile. Brenda could see the family resemblance.
“Yes, it’s a pleasure meeting you, too. Your dad tells me you run this place.”
“It’s a joint affair, actually. Most days Dad is in the trenches right along next to us,” and turning to his dad, he continued, “Tamara phoned in sick at the last minute which is why I’m seating people until Zack gets in. I want to check how the kitchen is doing, I think with the weather being so nice we’re going to get slammed today. Oh, and I’m expecting Camilla and Joshua any minute; tell her to go into the gallery…”
“Actually, Jeremy, here they come now,” announced Henry, who was seated facing the front door to the café.
Brenda turned to see a beautiful, blond haired woman and a small boy enter the busy room. The woman took a look around, spotted Jeremy and Henry, and with a smile that was brighter than the hot June-day sun, gave a small wave.
“Oh my,” said Brenda under her breath and then more audibly, “Isn’t she just as lovely as an angel…”
“You’ll have to excuse me, Brenda,” Jeremy said, “it was nice meeting you.”
“Yes, that goes for me too, Jeremy.”
As his son was leaving the table, Henry remembered why he had called him over in the first place.
“And Jeremy, send over a slice of our house special dessert for Brenda.”
“You got it, Dad!”
Jeremy made his way to the door to meet his wife. The young boy freed himself from his mother’s hand and ran to Henry yelling, “Hi Grandpa!”
“Hi Joshua, how’s my boy?”
Henry stood just in time to scoop up the two year old, then turned to Brenda. “Well, I better start helping out, Brenda, but… if I can just add one more thought for the record before I leave…”
“I’m all ears, Henry.”
First turning to Jeremy who was just giving his wife a peck on the cheek and then back to Brenda, Henry said, “Given everything I’ve said over the course of this interview, this is the most important: Never take life for granted. Never. Never in a million years would I have expected that blond haired, blue-eyed young lady to enter into our lives and become… my daughter.
“Never!”
Chapter Two
And you saw her kissing the owner of the bookstore?”
J.J. cast a long convicting look at his mother and then turned his gaze back to his father’s lawyer.
“Yes. Yes, she was. She betrayed my father—”
“Objection!”
“Sustained. Please ask your witness just to answer the questions,” said Judge Gerian.
“Yes, your Honour.”
Jenny stared at her son in disbelief, hardly believing her ears. His remark after seeing John kiss her cheek that day still stung. Over the years she had tried to explain, but he wouldn’t listen to her side or to reason. He accused her of being unfaithful and claimed she was totally to blame for breaking up the marriage and the home. He was completely supportive of his father and totally overlooked his father’s input into the demise of his parents’ marriage.
She should have known this would eventually happen. Almost from the moment J.J. was born, James set out to take him away from her. He had made it his mission to make J.J. a clone of himself, only better and smarter. The moment J.J. was able to walk, James took him to the office to prepare him for his eventual role as president. When J.J. was at home, James continuously took the opportunities of raising and bonding with her son away from Jenny. She and her son hardly had any time together or time to get to know each other.
It was no mystery how over time, J.J. acquired all the habits and idiosyncrasies of his father. J.J. walked like his father, stood with the same tilt to his back, and even folded his arms across his chest when talking to others. But most important, J.J. thought just like his father, as well. And now, James was reaping the reward of his training. He had succeeded in turning his son against his mother.
Even though Jenny was there in body, she no longer heard the questions the lawyer asked her son. It was all a blur…
“Mrs. Hamilton, please take the stand…Mrs. Hamilton…”
Jenny’s lawyer, Mr. Neels nudged her … “Are you okay?
Jenny was in a daze. Her lawyer quizzed her over and over how to respond to reveal her side of the story. How estranged and lonely her marriage was. How she was warned even before they got married that troubles were impending. She had seen all the signs how deeply James was immersed in his company’s interests. Even her father had cautioned her in that relationship. But she hadn’t listened to her dad, or her instincts, or all the other obvious signs of James’ neuroses. She chose to get married, thinking and hoping it would all change or improve somehow. She soon realized however, that James was married to the corporation and not to her, and that his obsessions were too deeply rooted to go away.
In parts and pieces she heard her lawyer’s questions, the objections by James’ lawyers and the judge ruling “sustained” over and over. Mr. Neels was asking questions in such a way to give the answers. Clearly he was leading and coaxing her but Jenny couldn’t respond. It was against her nature to condemn others and to do so against J.J.’s father was unthinkable. She couldn’t bring herself to condemn James in the presence of her son or discuss any of her feelings toward her marriage. Mr. Neels shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. He wasn’t getting anywhere and wasn’t making any case for her defence try as he might.
Even though Jenny disagreed to bring up the fact that James was cheating on her, her lawyer had no other choice but to try and force his uncooperative client to speak up for herself. He knew what he was about to say would be objected to but he simply wanted to get it out there that James Hamilton was an unfaithful husband and …!
“Mrs. Hamilton, tell the court about Mr. Hamilton’s relationship with female staff, in particular…”
“Objection, leading the witness.”
“Sustained. Mr. Neels, please rephrase the question.”
Jenny stared straight ahead, reluctant to express her belief that James was having an affair with another executive, a very attractive lady whom Jenny had met at one of the social affairs that the company held several times during the year. Her name was Susan Evans. After J.J. was born James never took her to the staff parties any more. Jenny always suspected her husband took his office manager, Susan. But what bothered Jenny even more deeply was that J.J. had bonded more to Susan than to her. It was Susan who tutored J.J. at the office all the time as he grew up. It pained Jenny each time her son raved about the new things he had learned from Susan at the office.
Unable to get any kind of reply from Jenny, her lawyer raised his hands in frustration and sat down.
Having made the insinuation that James was cheating on her, James’ lawyer quickly tried defuse that issue. “Mrs. Hamilton, suspecting that your husband was seeing another woman is hearsay. Do you have any witnesses to corroborate this?” asked Mr. Roberts, one of the several lawyers representing James.
Jenny simply shook her head negatively. She could have said that J.J. more than likely saw them kissing and being together, but she would ne
ver have her son get caught in between.
“Do you have any photos or proof of any kind by an outside agency you may have hired?”
Jenny looked at James and then back to the lawyer and stared blankly at him.
“Your lawyer suggested that you were suspicious and had good reason to believe that your husband may be seeing someone else.” And then moving closer to Jenny and leaning towards her, he continued, “Mrs. Hamilton, a woman’s intuition has to be substantiated with fact. Hard evidence. This is a court of law and what we say has to be substantiated.”
Mr. Roberts stared intently at Jenny waiting for some response then pivoted on his heel and returned to the table. “I have no further questions of Mrs. Hamilton, Your Honour.”
Jenny, completely absorbed in the deplorable situation she found herself in, just sat in the witness stand. Her mind was swirling… how is this all possible? Perhaps if she had been firmer, more demanding, right from the start…? But that would have gone against her nature. And then when J.J. was born it was too late to leave. She decided to stay in an almost intolerable relationship and environment. She had hoped her presence in the home would give J.J. some sense of a normal upbringing, but she never had a chance. And now James had won the ultimate victory, his coup d’état. He had finally found a way to get rid of her and the weapon he used to do so was…her own son.
The afternoon session proved to be even more disconcerting for Jenny as the questions turned to money matters.
“Is that your signature on the Inter-Spousal Agreement?”
“Yes,” answered Jenny cautiously.
“Were the contents of this document fully explained to you?”
Jenny hesitated to answer. Mr. Hamilton Sr. had explained it to her and so did the lawyer the next day at James’ office. She clearly knew by signing the agreement she would relinquish all rights to the company’s assets.
“Yes, it was explained, but surely I am entitled to James’ share or his personal savings, am I not?”
The Angelic Occurrence Page 4