The Angelic Occurrence

by Henry K. Ripplinger

  A silence fell between them…

  “Well what in heavens name is it?”

  “I can’t get over how you know me, Matti. My friend Tammy was the same way, too; she always knew when I was keeping something from her. Oh Matti, I am so happy we are friends. And yes, there is another reason why I’m moving back there.

  “Do you recall that Sunday evening when my Mom was over for dinner while I was still pregnant with J.J.?”

  “No one can forget that evening. Seemed like an explosion happened at the dinner table. Charles and me just about jumped out of our skin.”

  “Did you know what it was all about?”

  “Yes, Jenny, the conversation was so loud I was afraid the entire neighbourhood from miles around would be waking up.”

  “Then you know it had to do with a previous baby girl I had?”

  “Yes, Jenny, and it seems to me that it occurred under undesirable circumstances. Oh, Jenny, I be feeling so sorry for you. And that man of yours, not givin’ you one ounce of understandin’. Why he went on and on like a roaring lion. Charles had to hold me back in the kitchen lest I smack a frying pan over that inconsiderate beast.”

  “Well, it’s true. I was raped when we were in Regina for those two months, but I only found out that I was pregnant after we had moved to Ottawa. At first I thought it was all so awful, Matti, but I decided to deliver the baby and give it up for adoption. Even though I never knew the father, I learned to love the infant growing in my womb and there was no way I would ever have an abortion. Anyway, Matti, for years I wanted to know what happened to my little wildflower and I spoke yesterday with the adoption father and he has agreed to let Camilla, my daughter, know that she was adopted and to contact me. But here is the best news…”

  “Oh, Jen, I don’t want to say this but I be betting that your daughter is in Regina and that’s why you be leaving!”

  Jenny couldn’t believe Matti’s perception. It was a good thing she was sitting down!

  “Matti! I can’t believe how you just see into situations. Goose bumps are forming on my skin. But that’s exactly right. Camilla lives in Regina and, not only that… well, there is more to tell, but I will share it with you some other time. I have to meet with the real-estate office and close the house purchase I made. And…and,” Jenny added, her voice overflowing with excitement, “I have so many arrangements to make for moving and giving notice to my landlord and… and I have to call the school board and let them know what is happening! I hope they let me resign with such short notice like this. I will stay until they get a replacement but there are so many teachers looking for work in the city I don’t think they will have trouble finding someone. Oh, Matti, I am so excited… I have to pee!”

  “I feel the same and wouldn’t you know it Charles be in the toilet just this minute. Happen all the time. I have to re-regulate my cycles so they don’t coincide with that man’s.”

  Jenny chuckled. “So if everything works out, Matti, I hope to leave by the end of the month. I am going to drive and enjoy the scenery. I hope the weather isn’t too cold as I love it when the roof of the car is down and my hair is blowing in the wind.”

  “You best wear your seat belt so that delicate little body of yours don’t fly off in the wind.”

  “Oh, Matti, I will miss you dearly! I love our lunches every week and our outings, but I am so excited to move there. I just know everything will all work out so well. And I will call you as soon as I am settled there.”

  “I just can’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks, Jen. The only good thing is that Charles be out of the washroom as I can’t hold on for another minute. I love you, Jen, and I wish you all the happiness in the world. That child of yours is going to be in for one big surprise to find out that her mother be an angel!”

  “Oh, Matti, I love you and will miss you so much, too!”

  A few days later, Jenny decided she would fly to Victoria to meet Mr. Breckhart in person. That way she would learn all about Camilla, see pictures of everyone, put faces to all the names. She had also decided to leave it up to Camilla to contact her once she learned of her adoption.

  Jenny also wondered about Henry and his wife. She knew she may very well run into Henry; Regina was a small city, after all. She even wondered if it would be beyond the realm of possibility to become friends with Henry after all these years? Jenny imagined his wife would be a wonderful woman…

  Would she be interfering in their lives and marriage?

  Perhaps it would be best for her to talk to Camilla in private. Jenny didn’t want to have happen to Henry and his wife what had happened with her and James and the bookstore dealer.

  At the end of the week, Jenny called Stan to ask if she could come to visit him. After several rings, Jenny was startled by a woman’s voice.

  “Oh, hello. Is Stan Breckhart in, please?”’

  After a long pause, the woman answered, “He’s not here at the moment.” There was another long pause. “This is his daughter, Camilla. Can I be of some help?”

  Jenny’s heart almost stopped. She was talking to her daughter!

  “Are you there Ms…?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry. Do you know when he might be home? I’ve been in contact with him lately about a very important matter and it’s quite urgent that I speak with him as soon as possible.” Jenny realized she was saying too much, but her mind was reeling at the sound of Camilla’s voice on the other end of the phone.

  Again, Camilla didn’t answer right away. Jenny realized she was gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles were turning white. Finally, Camilla softly spoke.

  “Actually, I’m sorry to tell you, my father passed away suddenly several days ago.”

  The blood drained from Jenny’s face as her legs gave out beneath her. She slid to floor, as the enormity of the news hit home.

  “Hello?” Camilla inquired, “Are you still there?”

  “Yes. I’m here. I’m sorry. I’m just so shocked by your news. I am so sorry for your loss… I… I didn’t really know your father… I had just called Mr. Breckhart less than a week ago about a certain matter. But… it is no longer important under the circumstances.” Jenny didn’t want to hang up, nor did she know how to handle this unexpected situation! She longed to hear more of her daughter’s voice. She wanted to scream into the phone, It’s your mother! You’re talking to your real mother!

  “When will the funeral be? Or, has it taken place?”

  “It’s tomorrow morning at 10:00 o’clock. The funeral services will be held… just give me a minute while I find the address of the church…”

  Jenny knew she couldn’t attend, but just to hear Camilla’s voice was such a joy… anything to prolong it.

  “Yes, it’s at the corner of Blanshard and View Streets, St. Andrews Cathedral, if you want to attend. I know Dad would so appreciate having all his friends there. Who did you say is calling?”

  Jenny paused for a moment, then feeling it safe enough to give out her identity, she said. “It’s Mrs. Hamilton…” Jenny didn’t want to say her first name, but now she wished she had. Mrs. Hamilton sounded so formal and the name “Jenny” wouldn’t mean anything to her daughter…

  “Well, Mrs. Hamilton, it was a pleasure to talk to you. Perhaps we will meet at the funeral.”

  “I’m afraid that will be impossible. I’m calling from Ottawa and it would be difficult to get a flight now on such short notice.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” said Camilla. “Please keep Dad in your prayers, then. Perhaps we will meet some day?”

  “Yes, I certainly hope we will, Camilla.” Tears tumbled from her eyes as she spoke her daughter’s name.

  “Good-bye, Mrs. Hamilton.”

  Jenny struggled for enough control to answer, “Good-bye, Camilla.”

  Camilla! Camilla! Camilla! Camilla! The name ricocheted through Jenny’s m
ind. A rush swept over her. A long-suppressed bond resurfaced and filled Jenny with a joy she had lost since giving birth to her daughter. Mr. Breckhart’s death was furthest from her thoughts as the melody and soft tone of Camilla’s voice sang through her mind. She relived every moment of their conversation, trying to put a face to the words.

  What did Camilla look like? What colour was her hair, her eyes? How tall was she? Jenny just knew she would be able to recognize her daughter in an instant.

  Jenny sat down, her mind swirling and going over the conversation much like she did after talking to Stanley last week. Did Stan tell Camilla that she was adopted? Probably not. If he had he would have given her name to Camilla and she would have reacted differently when they just spoke.

  What should I do now?

  How is she going to break this all to Camilla? Should she work through the agency? What if Camilla doesn’t want to have anything to do with her?

  Should she re-think going to Regina?

  Something about that woman’s voice tugged at Camilla’s heart. It was so soothing and somehow familiar, as if she had known her all her life. Camilla searched her memory.

  I’ve never heard Dad or Mom ever mention that name, yet there is just something…

  She listened to the dial tone for a brief moment longer and then hung up the phone. As she did so, her eyes rested on the telephone pad beside the phone.

  Her father had drawn a circle around the last two words and retraced several times, making it difficult to tell if her name had an ‘s’ in it or not.

  “Camilla… mother, or is it, Camilla’s mother. What on earth does this mean?” Camilla muttered. Hamilton was the name of the lady she’d just spoken to. Was it connected to that woman’s name, or was it something separate?

  Camilla tore the page off the note pad and stared at it for the longest moment, then slipped the note into her purse.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Brrrrr, it sure be getting cold out here, Thomas. ‘Spect winter be just around the corner. I don’t think Miss Jenny will be able to drive her convertible with the top down on her way to Regina.”

  “When did she leave, Matti?”

  “Just over two weeks ago around the first week of October. She said at the time the forecast looked good and no snow in Saskatchewan so far. I pray to the Lord to hold off on them pretty snowflakes until December. So far so good.”

  “That’s for sure, Matti. I’m glad we were able to move Mr. Hamilton’s furniture back into the main house before the snow fell. By the way, how is he doing? Last time I heard, he had some serious medical condition.”

  “From what I be hearing, he was concerned that it may be the same condition that his father died of.”

  “Prostate cancer?”

  “Yep, that be it alright, Thomas. I overheard Mr. Hamilton and his son talking that he should get it checked into real quick. I think that’s why he wants the estate cleaned up just in case he needs to come back here to recuperate and rest after the operation.”

  “Yes, if it is malignant it is best to catch it at an early stage if possible.”

  “He be talking of freezing himself if it gets worse. He don’t want to end up six feet under like his daddy, that for sure. I never heard of such a thin’, freezing your body and then bringing you back when the doctors have found a cure. Good Lord, he be rich enough to live forever!”

  “I’ve read about that, Matti. At the moment one dies, they freeze the body and when a cure is discovered, it’s as you said - the doctors bring the body back to life, if they can thaw the person out quick enough.”

  “But if you’re dead, how can they bring you back? Lazarus, be the only man who I know was. He be dead for four days when Jesus came along and said, ‘Brother, you wake up and be comin’ out now, hear me.’ And sure enough, he walked out of the cave he was buried in. But one thin’ I know for sure, the good Lord is not going to bring Mr. Hamilton back! No way, Thomas. When he gone, good riddance!”

  Thomas chuckled. “Well, they say it can be done…”

  “In my humble opinion, Thomas, such a thing be preposterous! And another thin’, that man don’t need freezing, he be cold enough already. I ‘spect not even the devil’s house can thaw him out. I think that man be wasting his money.”

  “Now, Matti, we have to think kindly of Mr. Hamilton.”

  “I just keep slipping back to my old way of thinking every time his name pops into my head. What on earth a man want to freeze himself for anyway? When your time is up, it’s time to go home. Maybe that be the problem - he knows which home he be heading to and it ain’t the one up there!” Matti pointed to the heavens.

  Thomas chuckled again and shook his head slightly, “People who live for the world are afraid of death, Matti. And further, when you strive all your life to make wealth and possessions your God, you don’t want to leave it. He’s a poor man, really; he lacks a close relationship with Jesus”

  “The good Lord is not the only one he has a poor relationship with. How he could divorce that sweet wife of his is beyond my understanding, even more so than this freezing nonsense.”

  “Yes, it was sad to see Miss Jenny leave the estate.”

  “Well, he sent me over to clean it and make sure it be spotless. I just hate to clean that modern furniture after dusting Miss Jenny’s antiques for all those years. Why, it was such a pleasure dusting that nice, rich warm furniture. Each piece had so much character, I be expecting them to speak to me. Makes me feel colder by the minute to go in and be cleaning that modern furniture of Mr. Hamilton’s. It’s like the winter has come on the inside before it’s actually arrived!”

  “Everyone has different tastes, Matti. That’s what makes the world go around.”

  “See, there you go again, just accepting things the way they be, just like Miss Jenny, and not making a big fuss over it. I know we be talking about this many times before, brother Thomas, that Miss Jenny’s way is best for all concerned, including herself. How she be loving that man when he be so cold and cunning and cruel is beyond my understanding and acceptance of another of God’s creatures. Where I would be yelling and screaming and using my rolling pin, she showed kindness. I be upset and she be calm. I be filled with hate, and she be filled with patience and forgiveness. I know full well I allow that man’s shortcomings to control how I feels, but Thomas, try as I might, I can’t accept the terrible things he did and said to that poor sweet thing. And now he found a way to divorce her and drive her away. Even turned that boy of hers against her. Good Lord, my blood just boils thinking on it all! What am I missin’, brother Thomas?”

  “Well Matti, the secret to Miss Jenny’s life is that she allows her heart to lead rather than her mind. She chooses to accept Mr. Hamilton as a person, not his behaviour or obnoxious actions, but the person that the good Lord made. She understands his true self and that it is covered over by things in that man’s life that have brought him to be the way he is to this point in his life.”

  “But to most, and especially to me, he be sooo unacceptable.”

  “According to your judgments of him, that may be so. But if you stay stuck on your rulings, Matti, the only way you will like Mr. Hamilton is when he reforms and changes to be the way you want him to be and then you will like him.”

  “Yes, Thomas, isn’t that fair? If I be treating him kindly then I ‘spect him to do the same. If not, it’s just too upsetting to continue, or too discouraging to keep trying.”

  “There is an old saying Matti, if you want to change someone then you must first choose to change yourself. You have to become aware of your automatic judgments and choose to react to him in a different way. Right now you are allowing yourself to be controlled by what he says or does that you find intolerable.

  “You see, Matti, we are the way we are at any given moment by things that have happened in our past. We may not understand why Mr. Hamilton is the way he
is, and it’s really not necessary that we do even though it might help to be more accepting of him; but to do that is to simply make another judgment.”

  “You be talking in circles, Thomas, surely if I could understand what makes that man be the way he is, it might help me to accept him more. Isn’t that the truth? Come down to my level of communicating, brother. Something ain’t right.”

  “There is another old Indian proverb that says ‘if we were to walk in another man’s moccasins for a day, we could understand and accept him.”

  “That’s what I be saying, Thomas. But you seem to say we can accept others regardless that we know what makes them other tick or not.”

  “Yes, Matti, that is Miss Jenny’s secret. Let me give you an example of what I witnessed the other day.

  “I was in the grocery store picking up some things for the missus and a three year old child was clearly out of control. Why he was running around, up and down the aisles, throwing things off the shelves onto the floor and being very mischievous. Usually I am a pretty accepting person, Matti, but seeing the mother standing there doing nothing while the owner’s property was being destroyed and the patrons were having to witness that… well, it tested my patience.

  “Just as thoughts of annoyance and criticism entered my mind, which would have generated ill will and anger towards the mother for not disciplining her child, the cashier came over to me as if reading my mind and whispered, ‘Her husband had a heart attack and died this morning,’ and then she made her way over to the child and enticed him to help pick up the boxes and cans.

  “Immediately, Matti, there was a shift in my thinking about the situation, especially the mother. I understood and accepted her actions because I was more aware of what brought her to this point—”

  “See there, now I follow you, Thomas. That makes sense and just reinforces what I be saying.”