Henry turned into his walkway and sat on the front steps. He looked three doors down at Jenny’s old place. It was now all only a memory, yet the ache for her lingered just below the surface. He turned back and thought of Julean and the evening. She’s a real nice girl, quiet but very sincere. He liked that she’d got after Travis for kidding with Hilda; Henry hadn’t liked it either.
The feel of her hand in his stayed with him. He wondered how he’d feel about her next weekend when they went out again. It seemed like a long time to wait.
Maybe I’ll phone her tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mary had noticed a distinct change in Henry since he’d met Julean. They had gone out every weekend for over month now, and he seemed so much happier, more alive. Inwardly, Mary breathed a sigh of relief—hopefully her son’s heart had begun to heal.
It was Monday morning, and she was about to do the weekly wash before going in to work at the store when she noticed Henry had forgotten to bring down his clothes. She hurried upstairs to collect his laundry. As she passed his desk, she noticed the bottom drawer was partly open again. She thought of his plans to go to Ottawa after he graduated. Was he still planning to go now even though Julean was in his life?
Her motherly curiosity got the better of her. She set Henry’s laundry on his bed then turned back to the desk. The drawer was open enough for her to see two envelopes, both bulging with money. He must have been saving for a long time.
“Oh, Henry,” Mary whispered as her heart sank. She hoped he was doing the right thing. What if he went all that way and couldn’t find Jenny? Or if he did, what if she had another boyfriend or simply wasn’t interested in Henry any longer? All his savings would be for naught. Well, she supposed he needed to know what had happened to the girl he had loved so much. It would at least allow him to get on with his life. Perhaps it would be worth it for just that reason.
Mary sat down on the chair and opened the drawer further. Flipping through the envelopes, she counted considerably more money than had been there the first time she’d looked. She pulled out the plan from the first envelope and unfolded it. Two items had been crossed out, several other items had check marks beside them and three others had been added to the end:
Check the Ottawa phone book for a possible listing for Sarsky. (Number unlisted.)
Ask Mr. Sarsky’s secretary for a home
address. (Cannot give out this information.)
Phone all the high schools when you get to Ottawa. (Include the Catholic high schools.)
Henry had written a telephone number across the bottom of the page below the list and “$378” below that. It was the number for tca and the amount of his round-trip airfare. Mary marvelled at her son’s determination. He must have been saving since Grade 9 and even though he hadn’t heard from Jenny, he was still bent on finding her.
What a special love these two young people have…almost heaven made. She had heard it said before that first love could sometimes last forever.
She replaced Henry’s plan in the envelope, put it back in the drawer and closed it, leaving it exactly as she’d found it, then collected Henry’s clothes from the bed. On her way through the kitchen, she looked up at the crucifix hanging just above the door.
“Don’t forget my boy. He needs Your help more than ever.
Henry came home for lunch rather than eat in the cafeteria at Balfour. He knew his mom was helping Mr. Engelmann at the store today. He was determined to get Jenny’s phone number. For the last three weeks he’d been phoning all the Catholic schools and only had five more public schools to phone. The Ottawa telephone directory he’d looked up at the library had listed private schools too, but he didn’t think Jenny would opt to go to one of them. Anyway, there were five remaining public high schools left on his list. He’d learned to be direct and ask for Jenny to come to the phone. The initial approach he’d taken was to ask if a Jenny Sarsky went to that school and the usual answer was that they didn’t give out that information. He had to wait a couple of weeks before phoning back and trying the more direct approach.
Henry looked at his list:
Elmwood High School
Fern Hill High School
March High School
Springview High School
Turnbull High School
Henry assumed that the Sarskys would probably be living in a ritzier part of the city but since he didn’t know the different areas of Ottawa which might have helped him rule out this or that school, he’d decided to try them all.
Henry went to the fridge and took out some ham and cheese slices. He got bread out of the bread box and made a sandwich even though he wasn’t very hungry. He hoped and prayed he’d find out where Jenny lived or at least what high school she attended today. He went to the fridge again and took out a bottle of milk, set it on the kitchen table, got a glass from the cupboard and sat down.
He just had to know where he was at with Jenny. Julean was becoming a bigger and bigger part of his life, and yet he’d been planning for all these years to find his first love. In only a few more months he’d have been able to realize a goal he had planned for over two years. Now uncertainty had set in. It would be so unfair to Julean to lead her on and then end the relationship. If only he knew what Jenny was doing. Did she have another boyfriend? Was she still interested in him?
Did she still love him like he did her?
Henry was so torn he didn’t know which way to turn. He ate part of his sandwich and downed the glass of milk, got up and went to the phone on the kitchen wall. He turned back to the kitchen table, grabbed the list, then dialed the first number. He was glad he didn’t have to go through an operator and could phone direct.
“Elmwood High School, how may I help you?”
“Hello, may I speak to Jenny Sarsky, please?”
“I’m sorry, we do not have a student by that name.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Henry dialed the second and third numbers and the responses were basically the same, except the last one added that if this was an emergency they could call the central office and locate the student for him.
Henry declined, though it was an emergency. His heart was breaking and he no longer knew for sure how to mend it.
He was getting weary; perhaps Jenny had gone to a private high school. It would be even more difficult to get her number.
Henry dialed the next number.
“Good afternoon, Springview High.”
“May I speak to Jenny Sarsky, please.
“I’m sorry, she’s in class. Who is calling, please?”
Henry didn’t know what to say. He’d fully been expecting to hear the same negative reply. Should he say it was an emergency? That it was her dad calling? Surely they would know it wasn’t.
“It’s—it’s a friend who’s coming to town and wants to see her.”
“You’ll have to call their home, sir.”
“May I please have their home number?”
“I’m sorry, we don’t give out that information,” the secretary said, asking again, “Who is calling please.”
Henry thought for a second. Maybe he should leave his name and Jenny could phone him. As he was about to respond, he heard the secretary talking to someone. “It’s another call for Jenny Sarsky—the third one this week.”
“Here, let me have it.”
A male voice came to the phone. “This is Vice-Principal Broadman, who’s calling, please?”
“Henry—Henry Pederson.”
“Are you a student from another school?”
Henry didn’t have time to think. “Yes, yes I am.”
“What is the nature of your call, young man?”
“I want to speak to Jenny Sarsky or get her phone number,” Henry answered again before he could think it through.
It was all ha
ppening so fast.
“Now see here, young man! We are not in the business of calling students out of class, relaying messages or providing a dating service. Do you understand?”
“But, all—”
“My advice to you is to do what any normal high school student would do. Call her at home. Don’t phone here again.”
Henry heard the phone click and then dial tone. He hung up, sweat rolling down his back and armpits.
“Wow! At least I know what school Jenny’s at,” he muttered under his breath.
But who else had been calling Jenny at school?
He took in a deep breath, trying to dissipate the lingering tension. If worst came to worst and he couldn’t get Jenny’s home number, he’d take a taxi and go directly to the school and wait as long as needed until he saw her. He knew he’d recognize her. He’d never, ever forget her.
But school will be out by then! Henry suddenly realized it would be summer holidays when he got there. His mind went into overdrive.
Geez, I’ve just got to think of a way to get her number!
Chapter Twenty-Six
It’s so good the principal decided to let you finish Grade 12, Tammy.”
“I’m glad too. But, Jenny, everyone’s gawking at me.”
“Let them stare, Tammy. If it will make you feel any better, I’ll wear my nightgown to school and strap a pillow around my waist underneath it.”
Tammy laughed, “Jenny, sometimes you’re just too much.”
“Well, you’re over halfway there. Soon we’ll know what’s hidden inside that tummy.”
“I think it’s a boy, I’m already so big and he’s kicking all the time.”
“Don’t be too sure; Camilla kicked all the time too—and sooner than yours even.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter, as long it’s healthy and…oh, I just wish Robbie would’ve accepted my decision. I know this all must be so awful for him. He still hasn’t spoken to me after I told him I was going to keep the baby. I miss not seeing him and I miss his support. I was sure tempted to phone him last night.”
Jenny took Tammy’s hand. “I know how hard this is on you, but I think you might just have to leave him alone and let him work this out for himself. If he’s more concerned about what others think than accepting his responsibility and supporting you, perhaps it’s best you know it now than find out down the road.”
“Yeah, I know. But I really miss seeing him and having him around.”
“I know what you mean. I’d have loved to have had Henry near me when I was pregnant too but…” Jenny’s voice trailed off.
“So how are you and James doing?”
“Okay, I guess. Sometimes he does things that concern me. Guess it’s a good thing I’m prepared to accept him and look for the good in things. Sometimes I have to look pretty hard in James’ case,” she chuckled ruefully.
“Why don’t you go out with other boys, Jenny? I mean, I don’t think there’s a guy at Springview who wouldn’t want to take you out.”
“Really, Tammy, I think you’re over-exaggerating.”
“No, I’m not. It’s obvious the way the boys ogle you.”
“Well, for one thing, most of the boys who phone or talk to me seem immature compared to James and they just don’t appeal to me…at least, not yet anyway.”
“What is it that attracts you to James, Jen? He’s handsome, for sure, and always looks like he’s stepped right out of a magazine ad for Italian clothing.”
“Yes, he certainly dresses well.” Jenny was silent for a long moment before answering Tammy’s question. “Initially, I guess, it was because he reminded me of someone…”
“I know, Henry Pederson, right?”
Jenny looked at her perceptive friend. “Yes, I loved the way James got so excited about his plans to improve his father’s company. Henry was like that too. He wanted to improve the store he worked at.” After a bit of thought Jenny added, “But it was different with Henry, somehow. His goals seemed different and more for the store owner he worked for and not himself.”
Jenny opened the door for Tammy as they stepped out of the school.
“Speak of the devil, look who’s here,” Tammy said.
Jenny couldn’t believe it, there was James leaning against a brand new shiny black bmw 507 holding a bouquet of flowers.
Jenny’s soft, fair, luminous skin turned beet red. “I wish he wouldn’t be so ostentatious.”
“He’s a pretty flashy guy, Jen.”
A lot of students were already checking out James’ car and now, as Jenny made her way down the steps with Tammy, attention turned to her as well.
As the girls drew near, he stepped forward and gave Jenny the flowers then kissed her on the cheek.
Jenny lowered her voice, “They’re lovely, James, but I wish you would give me these in private.”
“Well, I just want all the guys to know that you’re my girl and they don’t stand a chance.”
“Really, James…!”
“Just kidding, Marj. I mean Jen.”
James turned to Tammy and took in her rapidly expanding figure. “Hey Tammy, I see the addition is coming along nicely. So when’s the due date again?”
“The doctor thinks the end of March to the first two weeks of April.”
“So where’s Robert?”
Tammy glanced at Jenny, then turned back to James.
“I haven’t seen him in a while; I think he’s thinking all this over.”
“Well, bringing a kid into the world is a big responsibility—I can see how he would be scared about the whole thing.”
Just as Jenny was going to compliment James on his insight, James added. “But then he’s got to think about himself and his future, doesn’t he? He was interested in getting a basketball scholarship, right? I can see why he might want to cut out.”
“Well, he should’ve thought about that before…” Jenny started, then faltered, “And what about Tammy and her future? Robert is just as much a part of this as—”
James could see Jenny was getting upset and he cut her off. “Yeah, I know, Jenny. Sheesh, I was just kidding, all right? So, can I give you a ride home?”
“I have my car, remember? Would you like to tow it behind yours?”
“Now don’t get cute. I thought I’d drive you home and bring you back in the morning. You can drive your car home tomorrow.”
Jenny didn’t want to start a habit of having him pick her up every day. Probably James just wants to let everybody know I belong to him. Oh that’s too mean, Jenny, don’t think that.
“Thanks anyway, James, but I’ll take my car. Besides, I have to drive Tammy home. Thank you again for the flowers; they’re lovely.”
James leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek again. “So I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow. There’s a new Italian restaurant I want to take you to. Take care, Tammy. I’m sure everything will turn out okay for you and Robert. Say, do you want me to talk to him?”
“Oh no, James, please don’t. But thanks anyway.”
James nodded to the girls, strode around to the driver’s side door, jumped in and fired up the engine. He looked at Jenny once more then sped off, screeching the back tires, much to Jenny’s chagrin.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
By late November, the whiteness of sparkling snow had replaced the raw sienna colours of the grass and leaves of fall; blizzards and sharp, cold winds and sun dogs replaced the golden harvest moon, warm fall evenings and hot sunny days. The smell of harvest and the sight of combines and trucks on the outskirts of the city were but a memory. Short shirtsleeves, skirts and running shoes gave way to parkas, snow pants, felt boots, toques and heavy scarves. Winter had arrived full force and was firmly settled in.
Two weeks before Christmas, Mrs. Schmidt’s son once again offered to help Henry put up the
Christmas decorations and the huge Santa Claus display. After a few minor electrical repairs to several strings of Christmas lights, Mr. Engelmann’s store was lit up, much to the joy and sadness of his customers. Everyone knew it was the last Christmas the store would be open and preferred not to talk about it. It would be a reality soon enough; better just to enjoy the moment.
“Thanks a lot for putting up the lights and Santa display again, Ron,” Henry said. “We couldn’t do it without you.”
“No problem, Hank. I’ll sure miss this store and that Santa display. It was my dad’s favourite decoration for years when he was alive. Oh well, life must go on.”
“Merry Christmas, Ron, and thanks again.”
“No problem, Hank.” Ron hopped in his van and sped off.
As he watched Ron drive down the icy winter avenue, Henry shook his head and muttered, “Boy, what a great attitude that Ron has.”
Mr. Engelmann had accumulated an incredible amount of inventory over the years and now was faced with the formidable task of somehow getting rid of it. Putting it on sale was one way, perhaps, but a thought occurred to Henry of another method that might be more exciting. After work one day before the end of November, Henry shared his idea with Mr. Engelmann.
“I think I’ve got a way to get rid of your inventory and also give a gift to our customers for their support and loyalty over the years. I think it’ll be exciting and in keeping with the spirit of the Christmas and the holiday season.”
“Yes, yes, what is it?”
“Over the last two years we’ve made a list of nearly 700 people who have come into our store. What would happen if we sent each of them a letter with this,” and he handed Mr. Engelmann a sheet of paper, “written on the back of the envelope:
Have A Merry Christmas In January!
This letter must be opened in front of Mr. Engelmann in his store any day during the month of January to receive the special gift indicated inside. Remember, no peeking! We want to see your smile when you receive your gift!
Another Angel of Love Page 24