“Go on, Henry.”
“Inside the envelope there will be a letter explaining that you’re closing the store at the end of next June, as well as a note of appreciation for their support over the years. On another slip of paper we’ll list the prize or gift they’ve received. One may be for a can of corn, say, and another for a pound of salami, a tube of toothpaste, a gift certificate for five dollars and so on. People are curious and will have fun bringing in their unopened envelopes, excited to see what they’ve received. January is usually a pretty slow month. This should bring a lot more people into the store.”
“Yes, yes,” said Mr. Engelmann, nodding.
“This will give us an opportunity to say goodbye, and I’m sure when they receive their gift most people will buy more items, both to make their trip worthwhile and to reciprocate for your generosity!”
“Uh-huh,” said Mr. Engelmann, “but then are we not manipulating these people to buy more?”
“I knew you would think that. But let’s look at it in the same way you always ask me to consider what you say at times.” Henry smiled, and so did Mr. Engelmann, waiting to see what Henry would say next.
“Okay, fair enough, Henry, go on then.”
“First, don’t you think it’s nice to give a gift to your customers?”
“Yes.”
“Are you asking them to buy groceries, which they need anyway?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Well, then what’s your concern?”
“My concern is that they are buying more because we gave them a gift. Isn’t that manipulation?”
“How?” Henry countered. “It’s their choice if they want to buy more or not. They will have to anyway, whether it’s the day they come in or not, and what’s wrong if they want to reciprocate to help you out? What’s wrong with that?”
“Well, it’s just the way we’re giving away a gift with the intention that they will buy more.”
“But whose intention? Certainly not yours, is it?”
“No.”
“Well then, what’s the problem?”
They looked at each other, trying to read each other’s thoughts and think of something to justify or defend each viewpoint.
“Remember, the choice is theirs,” Henry repeated. “They can receive the gift, say thank you and walk out without buying anything at all. And if it makes you feel better, you can stop them from buying other things, but I’m sure they will think you’re kind of strange for doing so and that maybe you’ve gone bonkers since Anna died. Oops!” Henry brought a hand to his mouth, smirking, “did I say the wrong thing? I’m sorry…just teasing.”
But Mr. Engelmann only smiled and waved his hand.
“But it’s true, isn’t it? People would think it very strange if you tell them not to buy groceries because you gave them a gift from the heart.” After a short pause, Henry added, “And when you think about it, isn’t a sale the same thing, in a way? We reduce the price of items to sell more, but at the same time to bring more customers into the store. Are we not trying to get customers to buy more then? Is that manipulation, too?”
Mr. Engelmann stared at Henry for the longest time. He arched his eyebrows as if he had not expected such a response.
“Henry, you are too smart for me. You young people know how to run a business much different from the way I know. It’s time I got out and left it up to you. Ach mein lieber Gott,” Mr. Engelmann muttered, “a man no longer knows right from wrong.”
After sifting through what Henry had said for a few silent moments, Mr. Engelmann finally responded, “I cannot find fault with what you propose to do. Go ahead, and if the Lord tells me different, I will let you know soon enough. But isn’t this a lot of work, Henry?”
“You have a lot of stock to get rid of.”
“Yes, yes, that is true. But this is a lot of work.”
“Oh, a little, but not really. Mom, Mrs. Schmidt and I can write the names out in an evening, and we’ll make up a farewell letter and perhaps twelve separate slips of paper with a different prize on each. Then it’s just a matter of printing fifty or so of each, putting them in the envelopes and sending them off.”
Mr. Engelmann stared, shaking his head. “Mein lieber Gott!” he said again. “Just like that, Henry! My, my, how your mind thinks. I wish Anna were here so I could tell her. She so enjoyed hearing your ideas.”
Henry could tell the wheels were turning as Mr. Engelmann thought about it more thoroughly. To Mr. Engelmann, black was black and white was white; there was no sneaking into the grey area. If there was any question that something might be trespassed upon his beliefs, argument and reason were useless. His principles couldn’t be compromised. There was no such thing as a white lie or venial sin. Everything to Mr. Engelmann was mortal. And in the end, whatever he did must serve both others and his Lord.
“Yes, yes,” Mr. Engelmann suddenly returned, interrupting Henry’s thoughts, “it could be fun, and January is usually slow. It would bring in more customers and it is a nice gesture, and it would help to reduce our inventory.”
“That’s right,” Henry quickly agreed, feeling somewhat relieved that Mr. Engelmann was beginning to think more positively about the idea.
“Well, go ahead then, Henry. Let’s see what happens.”
“Great! Oh, and by the way, I’ve invited Julean to come to supper next Sunday. I’m anxious for you to meet her.”
“That’s wonderful, Henry, I’ve been looking forward to meeting her as well. From what you say, she seems like such a nice girl.”
“She’s looking forward to meeting you too, I talk so much about you, she says she knows you better than her own father.”
Mr. Engelmann smiled. “Oh you will soon forget about me and have better things to talk about.”
“Never, Mr. Engelmann, I’ll never forget our talks and the time I spent working here. I can’t wait for Christmas holidays so I can work full-time.”
Mr. Engelmann approached Henry and clapped his shoulder. He smiled and shook his head. Although Mr. Engelmann didn’t say anything, his love for his employee shone in his eyes.
“Well, tell me, everything is going fine at school?”
“Yeah, couldn’t be better. If I could just sort this girlfriend thing out…” Henry trailed off. He knew his mentor understood what he meant.
Mr. Engelmann studied Henry for a thoughtful moment. “You still miss Jenny? And you’re concerned over your growing fondness for Julean?”
“Yeah, you’re right on both accounts, Mr. Engelmann. I really like Julean but I still ache for Jenny. I can’t understand it after all these years.”
“Yes, you have mentioned that to me several times. Perhaps it has something to do with lack of proper closure in your relationship? Not knowing what happened to her and not hearing from her. That can be very unsettling.”
“That’s part of it for sure. I really like Julean…but there’s just something special about Jenny and I. I can’t explain it. I still remember the morning we met here in the store. It was as if a spell came over me…my eyes seemed to burn in the most pleasurable way; it felt as though something like a, a sweet honey were caught in them. Oh, I don’t even know if that makes sense.”
“Well, Henry, I think it does. It is through the eyes that love and attraction first come to us when we meet another.”
“That’s right!” Henry blurted, “It was like seeing an angel when I first saw her. I am so attracted to Julean, too, Mr. Engelmann, but somehow it’s not the same. I just can’t explain it.”
David looked at his protégé. He loved Henry deeply and when his adopted son hurt, he hurt. He wanted so much to help him. But he had to agree there was something special between Henry and Jenny.
He recalled that morning only too well himself. It had been incredible to see them locked into each other’s vision and a sort of
aura around them began to glow as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Something out of the ordinary had happened that he couldn’t explain. Electricity had filled the air. The hair on his arms had stood up. The customer he was serving at the time had felt it too. They had both turned and studied the young couple to see what was happening, and out of fear, curiosity or whatever, he had broken the spell. He remembered calling out to them….
I was relieved to see everything settle down, and here now my son is still feeling the effects of that morning.
Mr. Engelmann could see Henry was waiting for him to say something. Perhaps it was best to keep his observations of that time to himself. Henry is confused enough and this would only add to his bewilderment.
Just then a customer came into the store stamping his feet on the rubber mat, trying to remove the snow that clung to his shoes.
“’Morning, David.”
“Good morning, John. Is the missus feeling better?” Mr. Engelmann asked as he returned to his usual place behind the counter.
“I’m afraid not, we had an ambulance take her to the hospital last night.”
“I’ll get back to work, Mr. Engelmann, thanks for listening.” Henry said, heading for the storeroom so Mr. Engelmann could talk with the man.
David reached out for Henry’s hand across the counter.
“We will talk some more later, in the meantime, let us pray for the good Lord’s guidance and clarity.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Henry, would you please bring up one of the folding chairs from the basement and set it at the table?”
“Sure, Mom.”
“Is there anything I can help you with, Mrs. Pederson?” Julean asked.
“No, that’s fine, thank you, dear. You can visit in the living room with Bill if you’d like. David Engelmann will be along any minute and I know how much he’s looking forward to meeting you.”
Just then the doorbell rang.
Henry came up from the basement, opened the chair and set it down. “That’s Mr. Engelmann now!” he said excitedly, dashing to the door.
Julean stood in the living room doorway and watched as Henry and David hugged hello.
Henry turned to Julean and then back. “Mr. Engelmann this is Julean.”
“Yes, yes, so I finally meet the angel who has flown into Henry’s life!”
Julean smiled as she extended her hand. He ignored it and stepped forward to hug her instead, taking Julean a bit by surprise.
“Henry, you said she was pretty but you are such a beautiful young woman. It is so good to finally meet you!”
Julean blushed. “I was looking forward to meeting you as well; Henry talks of you so often.”
“Yes, yes, but that is because he doesn’t know of anything better to talk about.” Turning to Henry he added, “Henry, the Lord has surely blessed you. What a beautiful young woman he has brought into your life!”
“Well, I hate to rush, but dinner’s ready. If you all don’t mind, please come and sit for dinner.”
“Mind? Never, Mary. It always tests my patience when I come over and have to wait a second longer for your meals. Even Bill, as good a conversationalist as he is, can’t distract my roaring appetite.”
“Well then,” Now it was Mary’s turn to blush, “please come in and sit yourselves down. Julean, you can sit beside Henry over there.”
Everyone took a seat. Most of the food had already been set on the table.
“Could you please say grace, David?”
“Yes, of course. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Thank you, Father for bringing us together for this fine meal Mary has prepared. We thank you for this food and ask You to bless it and all seated at the table. We thank you for bringing a new guest to the Pederson home, Julean, and we ask You to bless this conversation.”
Mary got up to get the vegetables and returned to the table.
“Well, it’s a little crowded, but we’ll all make do.”
“It brings us all closer together, Mary; kitchens should be even smaller.”
“That’s a nice thought, actually, David,” said Mary. “I never thought of it that way.”
“Mr. Engelmann sees the good in everything,” added Henry, for Julean’s sake.
“That’s a good way to be,” Julean smiled at Henry.
“Have you had any response to all the ‘don’t peek’ envelopes with prizes we mailed out two weeks ago?” Mary asked.
“Yes, yes. How that boy of yours keeps coming up with ideas for the business, I will never know. It’s also giving such joy to many of the customers. ‘David,’ they ask, ‘What kind of a game is this? What kind of a prize is inside?’ They can hardly wait for January to come along! It’s a secret, I tell them. I laughed at Mrs. Harold, she said her husband was so curious to know what was inside he tried to steam the envelope open to take a peek and see what the prize was. ‘He’s like a little kid, David!’ she said. We both laughed.”
Mr. Engelmann looked at Henry, “I’m glad you convinced me to do this Henry; it’s a wonderful idea and I like what Mrs. Miller said yesterday, ‘What an exciting way to warm up a cold January, Mr. Engelmann.’ ”
Henry smiled and nodded. He reached for some bread, trying to deflect the attention on him.
David understood. “Enough about me and the store. So, Julean, I understand you go to a different school than Henry?”
She nodded and waited until she’d finished chewing to answer. “Yes, I go to Central Collegiate. It’s not too far from Balfour. Actually, Hank and I often meet halfway between the schools at lunchtime.”
Mary and Bill looked up at the word Hank. His nickname was seldom used in the house. It was almost as if two different people were at the dinner table.
“Please pass the mashed potatoes, Mary. They are delicious with the roast beef gravy.”
“I’ll second that,” said Bill. “Please pass them down, Henry, after David has helped himself.”
“Henry mentioned that you have a sister?”
“Yes, Joyce is a year older than me. She’s in her first year in the College of Education at the university in Saskatoon.”
Mr. Engelmann turned to Henry, “That is what you were going to do, Henry, but Mary tells me you have changed your mind?”
“Yeah, I decided to go into business administration. I like the store so much and you’ve always told me I’d be a successful businessman. But I must admit, teaching still tugs at me as well. I’ve learned so much from you over the years about human nature, life and values that I could pass on to students.” Henry shrugged, “I’m still stewing about it.”
“Well, the Lord will direct you to the right choice, I’m sure.”
“And what about you, Julean, have you any plans after Grade 12?” asked Mary.
“Yes, I’m going into nursing, following my dad’s footsteps in the medical field. Dad’s a doctor. He has a general practice in the Medical and Dental building downtown. I’m planning on working in his office this summer after graduation.”
“That’s such a fine, caring profession,” commented Mr. Engelmann.
“So, were you born and raised in Regina, Julean?” Mary continued, taking this opportunity to find out as much about the girl in Henry’s life as possible.
“No. I was born on a farm community in southern Alberta. We moved to Regina when I was six.”
“We come from the farm too, near a small town called Kendal. Actually, come to think of it, Henry was six as well when we moved to Regina.”
“Yes, Mrs. Pederson, Hank told me that. Quite a coincidence.”
“Yeah, it was destiny that we should meet,” chimed in Henry.
“What’s the name of the town you come from?” asked Bill.
“Well, actually the community we’re from is a Mormon colony. Cardston is the name of the town.”
>
Everyone stopped eating and looked at Julean. Henry hadn’t told them Julean was Mormon. To be honest, he hadn’t given it much thought until now. Jenny wasn’t Catholic either; even though she and her parents had gone to church at St. Mary’s, they’d attended mainly to get to know people in the neighbourhood. Perhaps his parents hadn’t realized that. And Henry had just sort of assumed Jenny would naturally become a Catholic when they got married since her family wasn’t committed to any one denomination.
But Julean not being Catholic, and Mormon to boot—how would that affect their relationship? Henry looked at Mr. Engelmann for an answer. Mr. Engelmann gave Henry a furtive glance and then turned to Julean.
“I don’t recall any Mormon churches in Austria, but it seems to me there were some missionaries at the time. Regardless, tell me a little about your faith.”
“Well, we’re Christians. We believe in Jesus Christ, and pray daily. Family is very important, just as I see it is to you as well. And I’m hoping to go to midnight mass with Henry on Christmas Eve so then I’ll be able to see more how our church compares with yours.”
Bill interjected, “Aren’t Mormons the ones where husbands have several wives?”
“Yes, that’s what most people think of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That’s unfortunate, as that practice is very strictly not allowed anymore.”
“But it was permitted at one time,” Bill continued to probe.
“Yes. When the founder first began the church as prophet, he did have many wives, but by 1890 it was strictly banned. There’s a colony in British Columbia that still practises it. Actually, the reason my parents moved away from Cardston to the city was to get away from that perception. I must admit, my great-grandfather had three wives. My great-grandmother passed away two years ago.”
“How do you feel about wives or women sharing their husband with each other?” asked Henry with sudden interest.
“Like I said, Hank, the church strictly forbids it today, however, I did have many conversations with Great-Grandma about it. She said in many ways it worked out fine; the women shared responsibilities, always had someone to talk to, helped each other raising the children, but she did say there were some pretty hectic squabbles at times, too, as you can imagine.”
Another Angel of Love Page 25