“You haven’t changed much. A little thinner and leaner, I suppose.”
“Food and cooking is a little different there, and we do fast for a day or two most weeks.”
“Well, come in and sit down with Henry in the living room, dinner is just about ready. Hope you like Chicken Parmesan and rice?”
“From the many times I ate here in grade school, I liked everything you made, Mrs. Pederson.”
“Henry, I made some punch and put it into the fridge to cool. Please get some for you and Gary.”
“Sure, Mom.”
“It’s sure good to see you, Gary,” Henry said as he handed the drink to Gary and sat down. “So how long can you stay?”
“About two weeks. The Sunday after next, John McBryne and I are flying back to India. And Mom would like some help to paint the outside of the house. So, the time will go pretty quickly.”
“How is John doing, by the way? I was sure surprised when I heard that he ended up working with you.”
“He’s doing great. I’ve never seen anyone so on fire for Jesus. He’s great with the kids on the street, too. They all love it when he picks them up and tosses them even higher and catches them.”
“Yeah, he sure is tall, close to seven feet, I would say. So, do you still like doing what you’re doing? Does the poverty get you down?”
“There’s unbelievable poverty there, Hank. So many families living on the street with just a piece of plastic supported by four sticks. I sometimes see families of four or five huddled together to keep warm.”
“Supper’s ready, boys,” Mary said from the kitchen. “Bring your glasses and you can continue your conversation at the table.”
After grace and they each helped themselves to the delicious dinner, the three continued their conversation. Most of the discussion centred around Gary’s life not only in India, but other places that he and Jane had served as missionaries.
The one thing Gary had mentioned in his talk at the church that morning, he brought up again. “You know, Hank, we need people to travel around and talk about the needs of people not only in our own cities and towns, but also of the third world. For most of us, we get so caught up in our work and daily affairs that we never or rarely think about how others are living and what we can do for them. So many of us have more than we need and keep striving for more. Awareness of the problems and the needs of others is so important.”
“You mentioned that this morning and I agree with you. We get so caught up in our own world that we rarely give it much thought. I remember a few years ago when Mother Theresa toured the United States and spoke at Thomas Aquinas College. Even though I was watching TV and not present there, which I would have loved to be, I could feel her holiness and knew that a saintly person was speaking.”
“She is very holy, Hank, yet very demanding. She constantly encourages us to love until it hurts. Jesus loved until he gave Himself on the cross for us and she expects us to do the same.”
“What she was getting at in her address to the College that day was not so much for an appeal for donations or for giving to the Third World, but rather to point out that the poverty in North America that was prevalent, was spiritual poverty. All too many of us live in man’s world and not in God’s. We are so focused on accumulating wealth and possessions that materialism has become our God. I still remember her encouraging the world to turn back to Jesus, to be the light that He was, to share the truth that He professed, and to exhibit the joy that comes with living for Jesus.”
“She’s big on family, Hank. Loving starts in the home and spreads out from there. I recall you telling me once how your dad started to say the rosary by being influenced by Bishop Sheen on TV. See? There’s an example of what Mother Theresa believes. Not only that the family that prays together stays together but that it will spread beyond the home and reach others. This is what she professes constantly, that we must all be the light of Jesus to save the world.”
“It all makes sense, if we are spiritually dead it reflects in the way we live and is usually for ourselves and personal gain. If we are spiritually alive and filled with the light of Jesus it will only follow that we will give of our resources and time to others.”
“That’s it exactly, Hank. If we all started to develop a closer relationship to Jesus, wow, the ripple affect would be mind boggling. Mother Theresa is such an example of faith. She places her trust in God completely. Often we are running low on food or medical supplies or just about anything. She just shoos us away when we come and fret about it. All she says is we are doing God’s work and through His divine providence all our needs will be met just like He meets the needs of the flowers and birds in the sky.
“And sure enough Hank, the very next day and at times within the hour whatever we needed comes to the door without us even asking for it. Miracle after miracle like this happens. It’s mind boggling and yet so faith building.”
“Which just shows how important we are to each other by the way we choose to live.” Mary finally chimed in. Both Henry and Gary turned to her almost as if they had forgotten that she was at the table.
After Mary’s famous lemon meringue pie for desert and some tea, Henry decided to walk Gary home. It sort of reminded both of them walking home after school or going to a movie. As the men walked in silence, Henry was wondering in what direction his friend’s life was going.
“So Gary, are you still thinking about going into the priesthood?”
“Yeah, I might. I love what I am doing now. When I first saw people laying in the gutter covered with filth and worms they seemed so repulsive. The sight and smell more than once made me throw up and yet, with prayer and developing a closer relationship with Jesus you receive the grace to love and accept anyone in any condition. Now when I see a person dying my heart just goes out to them and I want to love them in their dying moments. To make them aware of the love of Jesus and die in peace.”
“That’s really something, Gary. You have been given a special gift. I don’t know if I could do that. It takes a special kind of person to be able to look beyond someone’s physical state.”
“That may be, but as you draw close to Jesus, you would be amazed at what you can do. When I get back I am going to be sent to work with lepers. It’s such a horrible condition, Hank, to see entire parts of them eaten away…… But, enough of this talk of death and illness… what about you, how are you doing?”
Henry remained silent as the men turned into Gary’s yard and sat on the front steps.”
“I’m doing okay. I still miss Julean a lot. Things aren’t the same when a mother and a wife die. I try my best but it’s just not the same.”
“I understand what you mean. Now that Jane has entered the Sisters of Charity Order I sure miss her too. We were like two peas in a pod for the longest time. So, has anyone else come into your life?”
“Yeah, actually a lady that came into the café and gallery while Julean was still alive has become a close friend of mine. I think she wants a closer relationship, but I’m just not ready and…” Henry’s words trailed off.
As if sensing Henry’s thoughts, Gary asked a question that surprised him.
“Whatever happened to Jenny, Hank? She left for Ottawa, I think it was, and for the longest time I prayed that you two would get together again. Whatever happened there?”
“Funny you should ask, I was just thinking about her as I spoke of Ivania, the lady I was just telling you about. It’s the strangest thing, even though Jenny left way back in grade nine and even though I never received a letter from her or heard from her again, I could never shake her from my mind or my heart. It’s like I have loved and been married to both Julean and Jenny all my life until now. Julean sensed it right from the start and amazingly accepted it.”
Gary didn’t answer right away. “That’s really something, Hank. There must be a reason for this. Do you think Jenny is still around or married?�
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“I haven’t got a clue Gary. Lately however, I must say that I sense her presence more like I used to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, this might sound a little far out, but when Jenny and I went together we believed very strongly in our guardian angels and that they would always keep us together and protect us. And whenever we were apart and looked at the first star of east at night we believed that the angel guarding that star sent out our love to each other. And I must say that lately when I look at that star I am beginning to feel that love again like I used to.”
“Wow, that is far out, Hank. Maybe that’s a sign you will meet up with her again. I only remember her from a couple of times when we walked to and from Balfour. She sure reminded me of Grace Kelly.”
“Yeah, she was pretty alright, and yeah, maybe this star thing is some sort of sign, but yet, I do feel attracted to Ivania. I guess I’ll just go along and see what happens”
“When I’m confused about something, I always turn it over to God and pray about it. I just leave it up to Him and trust that it will all turn out for the good.”
“Amen, Gary. That’s what Father Engelmann would say. Well, we have a big week coming up; Eddy’s getting married at the nine o’clock mass, Father Engelmann’s surprise at the 12 o’clock mass, and then the party afterwards. Are you going to come to Eddy’s wedding?”
“No, I don’t really know Eddy but it sounds like he and his bride are coming to Father Engelmann’s party as well in the hall, right?”
“Yup, that’s right.”
With that, Henry slapped his knees and got up followed by Gary. The two men stared at one another as a soft sheen grew in both their eyes. Recalling their usual farewell greeting from long ago they each raised a hand and slapped them together into the star studded sky.
As soon as Henry and Gary left, Mary felt compelled to go to the bedroom closet and get Jenny’s letter. She returned to the kitchen, set the letter on the table and made herself a cup of tea. Mary knew she had to do something. The compulsion to give it to Henry was growing stronger by the day.
She stared at the letter before her as she held the cup of tea in both hands, supported by her elbows resting on the kitchen table. The scene in her mind’s eye of herself sitting there was the same as the day she had received the letter. She had sat in the same chair at that very same table gazing at this very letter when it was delivered to her. How hard she had struggled with the decision whether she should give the letter to her son then and here she was 24 years later still struggling with the same decision.
Unbelievable!
She blew over the cup’s surface cooling the liquid and trying to cool the thoughts simmering through her mind. The warmth of the tea cup felt good as she hugged it in her hands, but it failed to soothe her spirit.
Almost imperceptibly she shook her head. Why didn’t she think of this before? The burden of carrying the secret and of her deed was becoming too much for her to bear alone. The thought came into her mind to see Father Engelmann about this matter. She had thought to talk to him and Bill over the years, but felt they couldn’t really do anything since the decision was made and she didn’t want to put an unnecessary burden on them. But increasingly she felt the decision was wrong and needed to be corrected. Just looking at the letter before her, the aura of light it yielded and its warmth as if it were alive…it was almost as if it were pleading with her to do the right thing.
Yes, as soon as Father’s anniversary is over she would see him and confess all.
If anyone can help me, David will.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Hi Jen! I be here in Regina! The room is big and spacious and most elegant. It’s like a small house, Jenny. There be a living room, a powder room, a huge bedroom and a toilet room almost half the size of the bedroom I had on the estate. I’m only here for three days, by the time I find my way around here, why, it be time to go home!”
Jenny was laughing so hard she hardly heard all of what Matti was saying.
“That’s wonderful Matti, you need to be treated like this.”
“Honestly, Jen, now this be the gospel truth, I feels like Queen Elizabeth herself. They tell me that this be the place they hang out when they come to the Regina. And same goes for prime ministers and other dignitaries. Spect people get me confused when I walk in the lobby and think I’m Ella Fitzgerald. Wouldn’t that be something, Jen, someone asking for my autograph? Whooeeey!”
Jenny had to get a Kleenex and dry her eyes. She hadn’t had such a good belly laugh in a long time.
“I’m so happy for you, Matti, how was your flight?”
“It be smooth as silk. This be my third time up in the air. Second time I thought the plane would break apart it was so bumpy, but today, no ma’am, the ride was perfect. When we land I be looking for Eddy and Coreena and they be nowhere to be found. Then I see a man dressed in a black suit and bow tie holding a sign with my name on it:
MATILDA
Now I wonder about this…is he looking for me? He must have had the same thought cause as soon as he seen me he come right over and ask, “Good afternoon, ma’am, would you be Matilda Belafonte?”
“That be me, I told him and then he explained that Eddy and Coreena were detained at the church and he came to get me and escort me to the hotel. Jenny, he took the suitcase out of my hand and led me to his car. Whooeeey, it be twice as big as an ordinary car, even longer than Mr. Hamilton’s! The chauffeur open the door and I get in as dainty like I can with the body the good Lord gave me and sat down. Jen, I swear I never seen such a big interior in all my days. Why six more Matilda’s would have easily fit in that vehicle!
“Now, here’s the thing. I expect to enjoy this ride for at least an hour as is normal in Ottawa but in six or seven minutes my ride in this fine car be over. I didn’t even get a chance to stretch my legs out. I wanted to tell him to go back cause I forgot something just to prolong this most enjoyable trip.
“I wondered if this be how Mr. Hamilton feels? He must ride in something like this all the time. I sure hope he don’t take his vehicle for granted. Well, Jen, I done run out of steam. I be sitting for a spell just to catch my breath!”
“I’m sure you need to, Matti. This has been such a nice trip for you so far and the best is yet to come.”
“I want to see my sister so bad I have to pee. This will only be the second time in twenty years I have seen my sister. Last time Eddy paid for her trip to come and see me was four years ago at Christmas. Do you remember when Eddy paid for her trip that time too?”
“Yes, I do remember meeting Coreena, such a lovely lady.”
“Besides Coreena and you being my friend that’s all the family I have. Most of my relatives along with Mom and Dad where killed when a hurricane struck the island.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that, Matti. It must have been so lonely for you at times.”
“I was until you came to the estate and after that it seemed as if family moved in. Why you made me feel so at home even though it should have been the other way around. Well now, enough about me, how you be doing Jen? I can’t wait to come and see you and your new home!”
“Matti, you won’t believe this, but between the work that we did last fall before winter came and this spring, both the front and backyards are almost done. It looks beautiful and the entire neighbourhood just raves about how nice it looks. The carpenters are just about finished building the gazebo in the backyard and guess what!?”
“I can’t be guessing what comes into your pretty life, Jenny. Please tell me.”
“Do you recall earlier this spring I asked you if you thought James would send me the Angel of Thanksgiving?” Jenny didn’t wait for Matti’s answer, “well, he did! I sent him a short letter requesting it towards the end of May and low and behold in mid July a mover called to inform me that they had a delivery to make. It was the
Angel of Thanksgiving! It was well packed in a wooden crate and two days later I received a short note from James. It was only one sentence long but I treasure it. It said:
Marjorie,
I sent the statue you asked to be returned. Hope it arrives in one piece.
James.
“Wasn’t that thoughtful of him, Matti? To actually take the time to write a note and express concern that it came safely.”
“It must have broke the poor man’s arm to write all those kindly words,” Matti said, with a tone of sarcasm.
Jenny ignored it, however and went on excitedly, “Before the statue came while the wildflowers looked beautiful enough on their own, it was if they were as excited as I was when the statue was placed just behind them. The very next day, they turned their faces and leaned towards the angel. That very same morning I placed a handful of white and yellow daisies, bright poppies, and white foxglove in the angel’s basket to thank James for relinquishing it without too much ado. I can’t wait for you to see the statue and the yard and flowers, Matti.”
“I be here for just three days. Later today, Eddy is having a small dinner party for all of us here at the hotel. There be me, Eddy and Coreena, Eddy’s mom, some relatives and his high school friends. Tomorrow is the wedding and then right after the last church service is a party for the priest in the hall which we all be going to, too. And on Monday, we be having a lunch at Henry’s café and then later in the afternoon I be flying back to Ottawa. So the only time I can come is Sunday afternoon. I will attend the anniversary party for a spell and then sneak away to your place. I have the address and everything. I should be there around three. Does that work for you, Jen?”
“Yes, that will be fine and I will prepare a special Jamaican dinner for us.”
“I can’t wait to taste it, Jen, and I look so forward to seeing you and your beautiful home and garden.”
“Can’t wait to see you either, Matti.”
“Hey, Hank, how ya doing, man?’
The Angelic Occurrence Page 29