But perhaps his biggest enjoyment was seeing the many professional people there who had helped Father Engelmann in some way or other over the years. One of those was Johnny Balfour, the young lawyer who so skilfully handled the sale of his store. His hair was no longer black and slick, but grey mixed with pure white hair.
“And so, Father, what investments did you make with the money you got from the sale of your store? At that time $75,000 was a lot of money. With the brokers we had represent you, you could easily have turned that into well over a million over the years and perhaps more.”
“Well, Mr. Balfour, I made two investments; I gave Henry $10,000 to go to university and the rest I invested in the poor. Every year the Lord pays me a huge dividend. I know I will never leave this earth broke.”
They all laughed. To look around and see all of the people who so loved and revered him, one couldn’t deny that Father Engelmann was truly the wealthiest man of all of them there.
As Henry watched Johnny Balfour and Father Engelmann discuss the immigrant families in the east end, Henry couldn’t help but think about the contrast between how each lived their lives. Johnny spent much of his time striving for money, power, status, prestige and acceptance from man. Father, on the other hand, was free of all attachments. He gave away all of his money and strove daily for humility and acceptance from God. His only goal was to serve his Master and his fellow man. Two different value systems. Two totally different commitments to life.
Henry knew only too well that he had been struggling with that issue for years and was still no further ahead. It was at times like this when he was around Father Engelmann and bathed in his love and acceptance that he reassessed his own direction in life.
The clock is ticking down on your life mission so don’t delay another day.
“That was a wonderful service, Hen-dry, it touched me so much. I think my mascara ran.”
Henry looked at his attractive date and raised his hand to her left eye and wiped away a little black run.
“It’s okay, Ivania, I teared up a bit myself.” He put his arm around her and pulled her in. He liked this side of Ivania as opposed to her cool, intellectual business stature.
Just then, Henry felt a sharp slap on his shoulder, jostling him off balance and snapping him out of thoughts. He turned to see the grinning face of Eddy Zeigler and his radiant bride, Coreena.
“Hey, Hank, ol’ buddy, gimme five.”
Henry stepped back enough to slap Eddy’s hand and then embraced his friend in a tight hug.
“Eddy, it’s so good to see you and I couldn’t be happier for you and Coreena.” Henry turned to Ivania and then introduced her to Eddy and his wife.
“I’m pleased to meet you and congratulations! I understand you got married this morning.”
“Yeah, me and the little one tied the knot,” quipped Eddy as he turned to Coreena, his nose brushing her well-endowed bosoms.
“It’s so nice to meet you too, Ivania. I sure enjoyed the surprise for Father at the twelve o’clock mass. It’s so nice for him to be so loved by his parishioners.”
“Yes, I was just saying to Hen-dry, it’s not often something brings me to tears, but this morning’s mass was very touching.”
“So, when are the two of you tying the knot?” Eddy quipped again, but with a more serious tone. Henry kinda looked at Ivania and was going to reply when Eddy pushed the matter even further.
“You can take your honeymoon in Jamaica, I’ll show you how to sail, you can eat free at Coreena’s restaurant, best food on the island, and I know just the most romantic spot.”
Henry was turning red, not sure how to reply and as usual Ivania knew just what to say both to Eddy and to Henry.
“That sounds wonderful, Eddy. As soon as Henry and I get over the memories of the previous loves in our lives we will surely take you up on your exciting offer!”
Father Engelmann came over and hugged Henry and Ivania, then did the same to Eddy and his wife.
“That was some surprise, Henry! I thought for sure my heart would jump out of my chest. And to keep it secret from me for over a month is wonderful. Not too much slips by me, maybe it is time to retire.”
“I don’t want to hear that, Father, we need you as long as you will put up with us.”
“And you Eddy, how wonderful it is for you to come not only to be married in the church, but to come to this party.”
“As soon as ma wrote and told me of the anniversary party, I thought I would have to pay my respects to the man who sold me smokes stunting my growth!”
Father poked at Eddy, “Do you still smoke Black Cat?”
“Na, I don’t think they make them anymore, I switched to Export A a few years back and I’m still on them.”
“I’m trying to get him to quit,” chimed in Coreena.
“She just might be able to. She’s a pretty persuasive gal.” Eddy looked up at his beautiful bride and winked.
“Hey, Jeremy, come-on over. I want you to meet someone.”
Jeremy and Camilla made their way through the crowd and stood next to Father. “Eddy and Coreena, I would like you to meet my son, Jeremy and his wife, Camilla.” And then turning back to the newly wed couple said, “Father just married them this morning at the nine o’clock mass.”
“That’s great, congratulations!” Jeremy and Camilla almost said in unison.
Eddy gazed perhaps a little longer than he should have at Camilla. A memory of long ago twigged at his memory. It was like seeing a ghost in his past. Camilla felt his stare and grew uncomfortable. Eddy reached for his cigarettes.
“Oh, Eddy, I don’t think it be best to smoke in here, it’s already getting stuffy,” said Coreena.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Then turning back to Camilla, Eddy continued, “Sorry for staring, Camilla, it’s just that you seem to remind me of someone long ago…”
Camilla looked at Henry and back to Eddy. “Yes, I seem to do that to a lot of people. I must have a double or twin out there!”
“So, what is it like working for your Pop?” Eddy asked Jeremy.
As Jeremy proceeded to tell Eddy, Camilla was no longer listening to her husband as she felt the stare of another man just ten feet away.
She turned to him abruptly catching him off guard. A strange eerie feeling swept through her. She felt it surge throughout her body. Neither she, nor he, could turn away as if locked into each other’s gaze. It was not the kind of look that Camilla frequently felt of men wanting to flirt with her. This stare carried something powerful; something that touched her to the core of her being.
“Honey, Coreena asked you a question…”
“Oh…oh, I’m sorry, my mind drifted for a second, I’m so sorry, Coreena. What was that you asked?”
“Oh, don’t you worry none about that, Camilla, my mind be driftin’ all the time. What I asked if you be a stay at home Mom or do you do some outside work…?”
“I think you be staring at the same lady I was, Peter…good Lord, you look as if you be seeing a ghost or someting.”
“Yes, Matilda, that young lady next to Father looks so familiar—”
“I was just thinking the same thing…I wonder what that lady’s name be? I just have to know.”
Matti turned to a nearby parishioner and asked, “Excuse me, but do you know who that blonde girl be standing with Father Engelmann?”
“Yes, that’s Henry’s daughter-in-law, Camilla and beside her is of course, her husband, Jeremy and you must know Henry. Everybody knows him…”
“Did you say her name is, Camilla?” interjected Peter, the blood draining from his face.
“Yes, Camilla Pederson…”
“My sweet Lord, my Mistress be in for one huge surprise when I tells her who I did see…my, my, my…she be as pretty as an angel!”
“Why don’t you go over and talk to
Henry, and ask if she is the one, Peter?” said his wife Angie.
“Yes, I am certain she is the one I keep dreaming about and her name…”
“Did you say you be dreaming of that heavenly thing?”
Peter stared at Matti for a long moment and nodded, his eyes reddening.
Just then, the loudspeaker came on, “Attention everybody, we have some announcements to make, some speeches to give and gifts to present to Father Engelmann. Would Father please come up to the stage? And I can’t seem to see where Wilma is…if you could come up at this time as well.”
Matilda checked her watch, “Oh, good Lord, it’s past 3 o’clock, I best be going. I have a friend I just have to see. It was so nice meeting you Peter and you Angie.”
“It was a pleasure meeting and chatting with you, too, Matilda.”
“I must say I am glad to know you be a preacher man. Just from the short time I talk with you last night and today, I feel you have a good heart.”
“Why thank you, Matilda.”
Matilda shook both of their hands and worked her way to the door looking for a telephone to call a taxi to take her to Jenny’s new home.
Henry leaned towards Ivania who was listening to the master of ceremonies on stage and whispered, “I need to go to the washroom, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Ivania, nodded and turned back to the stage. Father was just climbing the steps…
As Henry made his way through the crowd someone grabbed his arm.
“Hi Hank, I’m Pete, I met you this morning at the wedding ceremony.”
“Yeah, sure, Eddy’s best man.”
Henry extended his hand and the two men shook hands for the second time that day.
Pete turned to his wife, Angie, “Would you excuse us, I need to talk to Hank about something?”
“Yes, you go right ahead.”
“I was just heading to the washroom, let’s head back there, I think it will be a little quieter too.”
When they got to the back of the hall, Henry turned to Pete and said, “I think I know what you want to talk to me about. Eddy was telling me that you have some dreams of that night when Jenny and me met up with you guys coming home from a show.”
“Yeah, that’s right, Hank. But first I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for what me and the guys did that night. I am so ashamed of myself and believe me, I know feeling guilty can’t make up for what I did, but I have suffered almost everyday since then. So first, before we even begin to talk, I need to ask for your forgiveness.”
Wearing his heart on his shirt sleeve, as usual and the sincerity in which Peter asked for pardon touched Henry. His eyes watered up as he nodded his head. Henry extended his hand and the men for the third time shook hands.
“You know, Hank, I couldn’t keep my eyes off your daughter-in-law. I’d swear she is the girl in my dreams. I don’t recall everything that happened that night. We were all pretty well inebriated, but I keep having the feeling that I fathered a child with Jenny that night. It didn’t seem like I had time, yet the feeling I have is so overwhelming that it must have happened. Anyway, Camilla looks just like the girl that Jenny in my dreams gives birth to. She is younger in my dreams, but it is the same girl, I swear.”
“I came to the same conclusion, Pete. When Jenny moved away two weeks after school started that summer or rather fall, I wrote a ton of letters to her, but never heard from her again. I too always felt that Jenny got pregnant that night. In fact, I had a stomach ache almost every morning until the spring of the following year when one morning I ran to the washroom at school and threw up. After that it went away. And when I do my calculations from the night that we came across you guys to that spring was around nine months. The weird thing is, Camilla was born that same spring, May 24, 1957. So, you can see why I have the same feeling about Camilla.”
“My God, Hank, then she is the one! She’s Jenny’s daughter! Did you confront her about it?”
“That’s the thing, Pete. She is not Jenny’s daughter. I met her real parents when Camilla married my son, Jeremy. Even though I know that, I still can’t get over how much she looks like Jenny; the blue eyes, oval face, blonde hair and even her personality is exactly like Jenny’s.”
“What do her parents look like?” Pete wanted to know.
“Here’s where this whole thing gets very weird. Camilla’s parents don’t look at all like her. It looks like she came from a different family! I shake my head every time I look at her and imagine her parents. It seems impossible, but what can you say? Camilla claims that Stan and Valerie Breckhart are her parents.”
“But Hank, there must be some mistake, she has to be.”
Henry just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, “I’m afraid not, Pete.”
“Well, would you know where I could find Jenny? I so much want to apologize to her as well for that night. Please Hank, if you know, tell me.”
Once again Henry shook his head from side to side, “Honest, Peter, I don’t have a clue where she is.”
Pete turned towards the crowd with searching eyes. Henry followed his gaze and wouldn’t you know it almost at the same time the men’s stare fell on Camilla she in turn was staring back at them.
Chapter Thirty-One
As the taxi slowed looking for the correct address, Matilda knew immediately which was Jenny’s house. Oh my good Lord, would Thomas love to see this!”
Matilda wasn’t a gardener, but over the years Thomas had named the flowers he planted and the reason for their location so many times that she could name almost any flower. What Matilda saw before her was the skill and vision of a landscape artist that knew what flowers to place where and when and in order according to the size they grew. Not one flower was hidden from view by another. The design was masterful and Matilda knew in her heart the angel that touched the yard with her magic wand was Jenny. Jenny’s love of nature was written all over the yard. She had learned from Thomas, the best there was, and she learned the trade so well that she may very well have surpassed her master.
“That’s the house there, ma’am. The one with the beautiful flowers,” said the taxi driver.
“I spect it was as soon as I saw it half a block away. Now ain’t that something!”
“It sure is, ma’am.”
Matti paid the cab driver and stepped onto the sidewalk. The curved paving stone walkway lined with dusty millers and chamomile leading to the elegant bungalow was very inviting. The house was so elegant and quaint it reminded Matti of a fairyland home. She loved the steep roof and the way it curved when it came down to the eaves. The separate stone walled entrance was rustic with its curved top entrance door. And the stone chimney on the end of the house partially hidden by towering fir trees must have such a beautiful fireplace inside. Matti could hardly wait to see the interior and how Jenny’s beautiful antiques were situated and arranged. She could only imagine it would all be so beautiful. Goosebumps raced up and down her spine just thinking of it.
But the landscaping was what took her breath away! The combination of herbs, plants and flowers sent up clouds of scent filling the air with an intoxicating aroma. Matti’s senses could hardly take it all in!
She loved how the two huge pyramidal cedars stood like sentinels on either side of the front entrance and how the front of the house was hugged with globe cedars and different species of juniper that grew at different heights and yielded different shades of green. And there was more! Wrapping around the house and lining the sides were more junipers along with elders, dogwoods, lilacs and spirea for colour and variety.
It was the perennials against the backdrop of greens in front of the house that overtook Matti. A dazzling mixture of irises with their sword-shaped leaves and showy flowers intermingled with the peonies and hydrangeas. Beautiful clusters of white, pink and blue flowers, danced beside the large showy red and yellow peonies, each tryi
ng to outdo the other for attention.
And if that wasn’t all enough, further interspersed were tiger lilies and spikes. Matti marvelled at all the different colours, heights, and complimentary arrangements!
“Why it be like a musical scale keeping the eye singing and dancing endlessly along.” Matti blurted with amazement. The floral landscape exhibited the skills of a highly trained professional, yet Matti knew that her Jenny did this out of sheer instinct and her love of gardening.
Jenny came to the front entrance and saw Matti standing there in awe. She ran out to her friend and hugged her, “Oh Matti it’s so good to see you! I couldn’t wait for you to get here.”
“And I couldn’t wait either Jenny. Oh my, your home is so beautiful and the landscaping be taking my breath away! If Thomas was standing here, Jen, he would marvel at this incredible display of God’s creation as if they be singing songs of praise. Why he would say, ‘Miss Jenny, the trees, cedars, and flowers all grow and meld together like a magnificent orchestra, each species complementing and enhancing the other yielding a spectacular performance of visual and auditory beauty.’”
“Why Matti, that’s beautiful what you just said.”
“I hear brother Thomas say that many times when he look at the beauty of God’s creation at the estate. The good Lord, help me to remember them beautiful words for this very occasion, Jen.”
“Oh Matti, you’re wonderful. Come, let’s go inside.”
Jen took Matti by the hand and led her inside. The interior was even more beautiful than Matti had imagined. Words failed to come to her mind to describe the exquisiteness of it all. Matti just shook her head, tears filling her eyes.
“This be the closest to heaven I been in a long while, Jenny. It’s just all so beautiful and elegant.”
“Can I get you something to drink, Matti? And I can hardly wait to hear how your sister’s wedding went and …”
“Oh, Jen, the wedding went fine, but you best sit down as I have some wonderful news to tell you.”
The Angelic Occurrence Page 31