The Angelic Occurrence

by Henry K. Ripplinger

Jenny couldn’t wait to sit, her eyes pleading with Matti to tell her the news and hoped it would be about Henry and her daughter, Camilla.

  “Jen, the moment I see this blonde haired, blue eyed young lady, I knows right then it be your Camilla. At first I thought it be you at the party. She be the spittin’ image of you, Jen. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was mesmerized and couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Her smile, her twinkling eyes and expression be the same as yours. It be like she was raised by you all her life!”

  Tears filled Jenny’s eyes, emotion sweeping through her at lightening speed. She couldn’t speak and hoped Matti would continue.

  “And that man of hers is such a handsome tall young man. The two could pass for just stepping out of the movies, if you know what I mean. And the way they looked at each other every now and then, why I could tell how much they loved each other. She be one happy woman, Jen. I could tell that for sure.”

  Matti reached over to Jen, and took her hand. “I’d find a way to break the news to her, Jen. She be your daughter no doubt about it. You could be enjoying such a fine relationship with that pretty young thing and her man.”

  Jenny nodded in agreement and then she dared to ask, “Did you see Henry, Matti?”

  “Yes, I did. He be one handsome man, too, Jen. His shinny head showing through some grey hair and his beard turning a bit white. He look distinguished that for sure.”

  “And, and…did you see his wife?’ Jenny wanted to know and yet held her breath…

  “Yes, she be standing beside her man, Jen. The two of them make a fine couple, too. She look to be younger than him, but she be an attractive lady. The two of them stood next to Camilla and her husband.”

  “Did you talk to him and his wife?” Jenny wanted to know.

  “No, I just met him at the wedding ceremony in the morning. Just shook his hand as he went down the line. I wanted to talk to him at the party after church today, but it was too crowded and people coming up to him all the time.”

  “Oh Matti, this makes it all so difficult. How can I come into their family knowing of the past relationship I had with Henry?”

  “I know you still love the man, Jen, and that make it difficult, that for sure. But like you said before, perhaps talk all of this over with the social worker. I’m sure she be helping you some.”

  Jenny took out a tissue from her sweater pocket and wiped her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure Miss Blake will help me figure something out. Come, Matti, let me show you the backyard and then I’ll start dinner and we can chat some more.”

  Jenny took Matti’s hand and led her to the back patio doors.

  The two ladies had no sooner stepped onto the elevated cedar deck than Matti started to ooh and aah once more.

  “This be like stepping into paradise. I can’t believe it could be any more beautiful.”

  “The gazebo at the back is almost finished. I had the carpenters build it in the far corner so the sunshine coming through the high fir trees later in the day falls on the gazebo.”

  “It’s doing exactly that right now. The sun is resting on the swing just like it did at the estate. I can just see you sitting there, Jen, as radiant and pretty as ever. And I like the high fence covered with the different flowering vines. The morning glory and rose are my favourites, too. Oh, Jen it’s all so beautiful.”

  Matti and Jenny stepped off the deck in unison onto the paving stone path leading all the way back to the gazebo. As they strolled along, Matti could see that the same love and attention to detail was exhibited in the backyard as was in the front.

  Soft rolling mounds of earth filled the yard on the west side of the walk. Different sized rocks were strategically placed and then interspersed with herbs, perennials of different heights, and roses to form an ever-changing tapestry of fragrance, colour and texture.

  On the east side, Jenny saved a small area of lawn halfway to the gazebo for a pair of iron chairs with matching round table where she could sit and view her organic festival and perhaps visit with a friend. Surrounding that island of green was a woodland of shrubbery, lilac and other flowering trees, which accentuated the area with a cozy feeling of privacy.

  But even here the eye had to wander down to the base of the trees to the profusion of foreground flowers. Candytuft, golden alyssum, heather, thyme, coral-bells, crested iris and violas sang for attention as they bordered the lawn.

  “Oh, Jenny, it be like strolling through a sea of dazzling colour, with wave after dizzying wave of intoxicating natural fragrance. I soon gets drunk!”

  The girls laughed. Jen wrapped her arm around Matti and continued their walk.

  When they reached the backyard Matti stopped and held her breath. It was the meadow of wildflowers surrounding the Angel of Thanksgiving that touched Matti’s heart. It was even more beautiful than on the estate. Matti could clearly see how the freedom, disorderly and ever-changing tapestry of these woodland delights sang a constant song of peace to Jenny’s spirit.

  “Jen, I be so happy for you. And I have to say, it was good of Mr. Hamilton to send you the Angel of Thanksgiving. Just look at it. The angel almost seems to be smiling, it so happy to be here!”

  After a lovely candlelight dinner in the living room and telling Jenny once again about the day, Jenny out of curiosity asked. “So what were Eddy’s friends like, Matti?”

  “They all be fine gentleman as far as I could make out, Jen. Seems to me they be friends for as long as they can remember. The one I spoke to the most was Pete. He be a preacher man living in Calgary. He’s a fine man and has a good wife that stands beside him. You know, come to think of it, he be as interested as I was to know who the blonde-haired blued-eyed girl was. When someone told us that was Henry’s daughter-in-law, Pete looked real surprised almost as if he be knowing who she was. And come to think of it, Jen, his wife suggested he talk to Henry about Camilla and then he said something real strange…”

  “What did he say, Matti?”

  “He say that he dreams of her all the time…it’s just the way he say though, his eyes were filling with tears and seemed to be troubled over it. I wanted to talk to him about it but then the speeches started and I wanted to get here and so I said goodbye and left. He be connected to that girl somehow, Jen, I just know it.”

  Pete, the name triggered a far off memory. She was sure that was the boy who took her to the park. She had so many nightmares of that evening. Flashbacks of that night momentarily ricocheted through her mind, “Let’s take her to the park, John. Move over, Bud. Come-on Pete help me get her into the car…no, no, please…”

  “You be okay, Jen? You look as if you be seeing a ghost or something.”

  Jenny shook her head. She didn’t want to change Matti’s opinion of Eddy’s friends and she wasn’t a hundred percent sure it was really them.”

  “I’m fine, Matti. What did you say the names of Eddy’s friends were beside, Pete?”

  “There be Bud and John. Now that John be one tall man. It’s like looking up an oak tree. Tall and thin. They all seem like fine men as I said before. I spent most of the time talking with Peter. I enjoyed the company of him and his wife very much.”

  Those were the names of the very boys that took her to the park that night, Jen was positive. Perhaps, it was Peter who fathered Camilla…maybe his heart is searching for his little girl as well.

  An eerier feeling crept down her spine.

  “So, what’s up for tomorrow, Matti?”

  “Well, Eddy be taking us all out to dinner at Henry’s café. I think I told you about that. Only thing my plane be flying to Ottawa at 3:30 and the lunch be at 1:30 which doesn’t give me much time. So, I plan to go over earlier and take it all in. The airport is not that big and so if I be there 30 minutes before it take off I’m sure they won’t be leaving without me if they know what’s good for them.”

  Jenny chuckled. “Yes, if you get there befo
re 3:00 I’m sure you’ll still get on, but I wouldn’t leave it much later.”

  “Well, Jen, I sure be happy for you with your beautiful home, yard and all. And you say you making friends and fitting into the community some?”

  “Yes, it’s been all so hectic, but yes, I am fitting in and making new friends. I must slow down on the volunteer work I’m doing though and get rested. I’m feeling exhausted.”

  “Yes, you be taking it easy, you sure done a heap of work in the last few months.”

  After a delicious dessert of white cheesecake covered with fresh strawberries, Jenny drove Matti back to the hotel. Jenny got out of the car along with Matti and made her way over to her beloved friend.

  “Oh, Matti, it was so nice to see you, I wish we lived closer.”

  “Yes, that be my thoughts too, Jen. Now you figure a way to get back to that daughter of yours as soon as you can.’

  Jenny nodded, tears already filling her eyes. She stepped forward and the two girls embraced for the longest time.

  “I love you, Jen and I be so happy for you and all the good things coming your way. May the sweet Jesus fill your heart with peace and love.”

  “I love you too, Matti and phone me as soon as you get home.”

  “I be doing that very thing first thing tomorrow night.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Bless me Father for I have sinned. Although I have been to confession many times over the years, there is one deed that I have never confessed. It’s been a sin that was planted in my heart in August of 1962 and has grown to the point that I can no longer hide its tentacles. The good Lord has planted in our hearts the need to bring to light things that need healing…I now realize that it is the only way I shall find peace.

  “Father, I know you know who this is. It is me Mary.”

  “Yes, Mary, please share with me and the Lord what troubles you so deeply? I feel your sorrow and my heart reaches out to you…”

  “So many times, David, I have wanted to share this with you or Bill, but the situation seemed so hopeless and needless. What could either of you do? It would just cause more trouble and turmoil and worry and to what end? The heartbreak for all concerned would have been too great and so I kept it to myself. But now the guilt of my deed surfaces daily and in my sleep. I can no longer carry this secret any longer…Oh Father…”

  Mary began to cry.

  Slowly, as Mary’s weeping subsided and Father sensed her composure restoring he gently went on. “Share with me the burden you have carried alone for so long, Mary. What is it that lies so deep and heavy in your heart?”

  “Father, just before Henry married Julean in 1962, a special delivery letter came to our doorstep for Henry. It was from Jenny. After all those years, David, the letter Henry had ached for since his teenage girlfriend left Regina in 1956 came.” Mary’s voice caught…

  “But…but, David, Henry was to marry Julean in less than 2 weeks. I was so torn. I didn’t know what to do…Oh David…” was all Mary could say as once more she broke down.

  Father Engelmann wanted to go out and console his dearest friend, but there were others waiting to go to confession. Mary’s confession stabbed at his heart too. He knew all through high school of Henry’s heartbreak and how he longed for a letter from Jenny. It would have been like receiving a gift from God Himself. Father could still see in his mind’s eye the sadness in the boy’s eyes for days, months and years. And the box of letters they had sent and how Henry longed for an answer to his multitude of letters. The most incredible and unfortunate thing of all this was that Henry never got over it. His heart continued to long for his loved one not only at the time but over the years into his married life, and even until today!

  Father shook his head in the darkness of the booth. So often in this confessional he had heard this same or similar matter come up time and again. He recalled that day when Julean wanted to know Jenny’s address and how adamant she was to find Henry’s former sweetheart and her willingness to even share Henry with his first love. And how Henry as well not only in the confessional, but over the years struggled with his feelings for Jenny. And now, Mary! It’s incredible that she too was involved with this struggle, he thought. I feel her guilt and upset so deeply.

  Mary broke into Father’s thoughts, “I thought for sure when he and Julean married that his heart had mended, but it didn’t, David. Even she knew, that with all her love, it could not appease the ache that Henry held so dear and steadfastly in his heart for his Jenny.”

  “Yes, I see your dilemma, Mary. Jenny did respond, but at a time that would have caused a great upheaval…the decision was so great …”

  “Yes, but what made the decision even greater was that Jenny had not written it at that time or even a few weeks or a month or two prior to sending it…it was a letter she had sent back in 1956, just before Christmas! I could not believe the date the envelope was stamped! How could a letter after all those years suddenly be mailed? How did I know that Jenny still felt the same about Henry six years after she had written this letter? It was all so mysterious how it just arrived at our doorstep out of the blue like that. And the timing couldn’t have been worse…my only consolation was a pact I made with Jenny’s mother to destroy the letter.”

  “What do you mean a pact…and with Jenny’s mother!?”

  “Yes, that very same day the letter was delivered by a postman to our door, I received a call that same afternoon from Mrs Sarsky!”

  “Incredibly, she too had received a letter for Jenny from Henry that same day. She too was struggling whether she should give Jenny the letter as she was getting married as well. When I told Mrs. Sarsky it was all too late now that Henry was getting married in ten days, Mrs. Sarsky felt relieved and we both decided to make a pact not to reveal the letters to our children.

  “Oh, Father, how that decision has haunted me. Although we had agreed to destroy the letters I could not do it. I still have the letter in my hope chest in the closet.”

  Mary paused… “The letter seems to beckon me to give it to Henry. It emits such a strange warm light, David, as if it has life…I don’t know what to do. Jenny is married and probably has a family, and now Henry is once again moving on with his life with, Ivania…can you see the dilemma I face, David?”

  “Das ist unglaublich…unbelievable…” muttered Father. He was speechless. He was amazed over this entire matter and how it has involved so many lives. And the light Mary speaks of surrounding the letter…what could that possible be? Is it supernatural and of what origin?

  Life with its entanglements and twists and turns.

  Ach, miene leiber Gott!

  “Mary, I can understand your dilemma. I have noticed Henry, for the first time, coming out of his despair now that Ivania has come into his life. It would complicate things and perhaps throw his life into a spin of regret of what could have been. Yet, it has always been my philosophy to be open and truthful in our relationships. It is as you said, Mary, the heart and soul yearn for truth and light. Yes, our Maker has built this into us. That’s why we have these feelings and a conscience that tells us to do the right thing. I know how difficult this will be, but Henry is a compassionate, sensible young man and will understand the reasons for your decision. This has gone on for far too long, trust in the Lord and don’t lean upon your understanding. Remember, God turns all things into good for those that trust Him.”

  Mary felt a warm peace as she left the confessional.

  When she got home, Mary went directly to her bedroom and opened up the chest which was still on the dresser from the other day. She knew what she had to do. Mary retrieved the letter from the chest and laid it on the dresser. She picked up the picture of St. Therese on her dresser and turned it over. On the back was the Novena she said to St Therese so many times before, but this time the prayer would be different.

  Mary looked up and saw her reflection in the mi
rror and began to recite the prayer. She still had it memorized so the words came back to her effortlessly…

  “St. Therese, the little flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favour, I thee implore, and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more.”

  Dear St. Therese, help me in my prayer request to correct the wrong. Help me to tell Henry the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God and that Henry receive this truth with understanding and is forgiving of me.”

  Mary had just begun to say the five Our Father’s as part of the Novena when she could barely believe the transformation in the mirror before her. The look of guilt and shame she saw in her eyes for so many years dissolved before her. Her eyes cleared and whitened as a redemptive peace emanated from deep within. The lilac fragrance emanating from the letter sweetened the air and soothed Mary as she returned to the kitchen and placed the letter on the table.

  After making a cup of tea she sat down as if to relive the day the letter had arrived. This is where the decision was made to the day and now this is where the decision to end this matter once and for all will also be made.

  Mary sipped her tea and thought about the contents of the letter. She recalled the events leading up to her knowledge of weighted object inside. Shortly after Bill died, Henry came for a visit and found her in the bedroom putting Bill’s death certificate inside the treasure chest. The chest was open and she had removed Jenny’s letter at that time and placed it on the dresser. It made her so nervous when he picked it up and held the letter in his hand. Mary knew he felt Jenny’s love by the expression on his face. But she snatched it away before he was certain and that is when the object flew inside and a tiny part of it pierced the end of the envelope as if to go to Henry. She saw the metal catch the bedroom light and Henry did too, but Mary shooed him off to the kitchen.

  That would have been the time to give it to him and this entire matter would be over with. But no matter, soon it will be.