To occupy himself, Henry looked around the office at the framed degrees on the wall and the family pictures on a cabinet beside a tall bookshelf. He studied the titles of the books occupying the bookshelf. Most seemed to be about school administration and the role of the principal.
When Henry’s gaze returned to Mr. Mitchell, he swivelled his chair to the side then turned it until his back was to Henry. As he did, Henry noticed what he thought were tears in Mr. Mitchell’s eyes. The principal stayed in that position for nearly a half-hour. Henry was no longer interested in the objects in the room but rather in what Mr. Mitchell had read that triggered such an emotional response.
Finally, Mr. Mitchell rose from his chair, his back still to Henry. He walked to the windows overlooking the schoolyard, seeming to compose himself. He swiped a knuckle across his face, then turned and sat on the edge of his desk.
He held up the speech. “This is very good, Henry. It’s a bit longer than we would want it, but I wouldn’t edit any of it either. That’s the finest valedictory speech I’ve ever read in my entire career. I’m certain you won’t have any trouble holding everyone’s attention. And the visual demonstration you included at the end really made me stop and think about my life and the way I live it. Very impressive!”
Henry gazed at Mr. Mitchell. Not exactly the reaction he had expected, but certainly the reaction he’d hoped for.
“That Mr. Engelmann has been quite an influential man in your life, hasn’t he? All I can say is, you’ve been one fortunate young man to learn all this and at such a young age.”
“But that’s the whole point, Mr. Mitchell. We should all be learning these things while we’re young so as we grow up, we’ll know how to live successfully and be happy.”
Mr. Mitchell just stared and shook his head. After a long pause he handed the speech back.
“Well done, Henry. I’m very proud of you. Well done.”
Henry was so pleased that Mr. Mitchell liked his speech that he couldn’t wait to tell his parents and Mr. Engelmann. But more than that he felt a strong urge to share it with Julean.
When he got home and received his mom’s permission to borrow his dad’s car to see her, he phoned her and said that he was on his way over. Julean said she’d wait for him outside since it was such a nice day even though the last of the snow still hid in corners here and there.
Henry could hardly wait to see Julean to share his news, yet he was feeling something else he couldn’t explain…at least not until after he saw her. Then he understood.
When he arrived at Julean’s place, she was sitting on the concrete steps at the front of her house, reading. Henry grabbed his speech from the front seat, got out of the car and made his way up the long walk. The sun was going down in the west but at that very angle it shone directly into Julean’s face. It immediately reminded Henry of the first day he’d met Jenny. She too had been sitting on the front steps of her house, reading, and the brilliant sun had turned her blond hair into glistening gold.
An angel, Henry had thought then and an angel Henry saw before him now. The late afternoon sun had picked out the auburn highlights in Julean’s dark brown hair and she glistened before him full of fire and warmth, igniting the simmering love Henry had held back in his heart. Instantly, his love for Julean was released and went out to her.
It was the sign that Mr. Engelmann had asked for in his prayer.
As he approached her, he shaded her from the sun’s bright glare and she relaxed her gentle features. As he gazed into Julean’s eyes, searching for that same sensation that had zinged through him when he met Jenny, something new touched him in a different way. And it should be different, he suddenly realized. Julean would never be another Jenny nor would he want her to be. Julean was special and so lovely; the attraction between them at that moment melted Henry’s heart. A peace washed over him and he knew that Julean was meant for him.
An angel, he thought once more and then softly he whispered to himself, “Yes, my dear sweet Julean is as Mr. Engelmann prayed she would be…another angel of love.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Henry could hardly wait to pick Julean up on Saturday to celebrate their belated sixth-month anniversary. Although it should have been celebrated on the thirtieth of April, Henry had delayed it by two weeks for a few good reasons.
First, he was only able to get license plates for his new car two days ago. Secondly, he had decided to give Julean his class ring and had to wait over a week to have it sized to fit her finger. He had picked it up yesterday. And finally, the café he wanted to take his sweetheart to only had an open reservation for today.
Anyway, everything had come together perfectly and he was very excited to show Julean his 1946 Chevy as he pulled up in front of her house.
Julean dashed out of the house and rushed to meet him. “Hank, I love your new car! It looks in such excellent condition and I love the blue colour.”
“Yeah, it belonged to an elderly couple and they had it sitting in the garage for the past two years hoping they could drive again.”
Julean slid into the car as Henry hurried around and got into the driver’s seat.
“Look at all the dials and it even has a radio!” Julean switched it on and Nat King Cole’s voice filled the air. “Oh, Hank, this is perfect.”
After a moment, she slid close to Henry and put her head on his shoulder as he drove downtown to their favourite restaurant.
L’Habitant was a small, quaint restaurant. You’d never know it was attached to the back of a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet or that the owner used the same kitchen to service both places. The restaurant was only open during the evenings, sat only twenty-four people in total, and was run by a highly efficient French waiter who treated everyone as if they were a Rockefeller. The restaurant’s ambience consisted of flickering candles and soft background music.
Henry had made the reservation over a month ago.
Now he reached across the table and held Julean’s soft, warm hand, the candlelight sparkling in her eyes.
“I could hardly wait for tonight, Hank; I’m so happy to be with you.”
“The day couldn’t go fast enough for me, either. Our sixth anniversary—the time sure has gone quickly in that sense.”
“Yes, happy anniversary, Hank.” Julean gazed lovingly into Henry’s eyes, sending him to cloud nine. Neither of them noticed the waiter standing at their table with the meal they had ordered until he cleared his throat.
“Oh my, that looks delicious.”
“You can say that again,” echoed Henry.
“I will be back momentarily to check that everything is to your satisfaction, monsieur, mademoiselle.”
“I’m sure it will be, Claude.”
As Julean cut into her steak she asked, “So are you all ready for your speech? The parts I read are so good. Your classmates are going to love it.”
“Thanks, Julean. I must admit I’m little nervous about it all, especially the part that gets a little religious.”
“Oh Hank, you’ll do just fine! You’re such a good speaker and besides, you believe so strongly in what you’re going to say.”
“Yeah, Mr. Engelmann sure instilled a lot of lessons in me that I know will be helpful to others too. And you remember my friend Gary I told you about that goes to Notre Dame?”
Julean looked up at him and nodded as she kept chewing.
“Even though Mr. Engelmann has been such a huge part of my life, I have to say it was Gary’s boldness in talking about Jesus in his life that gave me the courage to include God’s influence in my own in my speech.”
“It’s good to have friends like that, Hank. And I’ve seen too how God uses others as instruments to help us grow.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly it, Julean. Mr. Engelmann says that’s God’s divine providence at work.”
“Oh, what does that mean?
”
“I’ll explain that to you later. I better start eating before it gets too cold.”
“Well anyway, Hank, you’ll do great. I have such confidence in you. And I’d like to meet your friend Gary someday.”
Henry swallowed, then said, “He and his friend Jane are coming to Regina at the end of June for a week or so before they leave for Edmonton for missionary training. They’re talking about going to India.”
“Wow, that’s unbelievable. Remember to let me know when they’re here. They sound really interesting.”
“Yeah, they’re great people. Maybe we can go out for an evening when they come next month.”
“That would be great.”
They ate in silence for a few moments. Henry was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to talk to Julean about stuff he normally would be embarrassed to mention.
“I’m going downtown on Monday to buy a new suit. I want to get all decked out for the occasion.”
“You’ll be so handsome! I wish I went to your school; I’d love to be there and hear you give your speech.”
“Yeah, it would be great if you were there.”
“Is this steak ever good,” she commented after another mouthful.
“Pardon me, mademoiselle, is everything to your liking?” The waiter gazed at Julean.
“Oh, yes! I was just telling Hank how wonderful the steak is.”
Turning to Henry, he simply raised an eyebrow, conveying without words the question he’d asked of Julean.
“Yeah, it’s all great, just perfect.”
Claude nodded again with a smile to each of them and left.
“Did you hear back from the university if you were accepted into nursing?” Henry asked as he resumed eating.
“Yes, I did and I am officially enrolled as of last Wednesday! My parents are very happy and Dad is looking forward to having me work at his office this summer.”
“Yeah, I’m still not sure where I’m going to work. Mr. Mahoney, a man Mr. Engelmann and I know from the city, called and said he has a job waiting for me at City Hall. I’m not sure if I want to work inside during the summer, though. I’d sooner work outside. I applied for a job with the Department of National Defense. They have a lot of outside work like landscaping, painting wartime housing and that sort of thing.”
“Sounds great. You’ll probably get a dark tan while I’ll be pale as a ghost.”
“No, Julean—I love your skin, your eyes, in fact, everything about you!”
Julean smiled, the dim light only partly concealing the pink flush of her cheeks. “Thank you, Hank.”
After the succulent filet mignon dinner, the waiter schmoozed them into a slice of cherry-topped cheesecake. When they told him they were celebrating their sixth-month anniversary, he made a fuss and insisted that the cheesecake was on the house. It was a treat just to watch him perform. He treated each patron as if they were the only ones in there and in return was rewarded with very generous tips.
After dinner, they drove to Wascana Park. As soon as they entered the grounds, the memory of that awful night with Jenny, when Eddy Zeigler’s friends had grabbed her and brought her here, surfaced in his mind.
Henry struggled to suppress those anxious moments. Please, guardian angel, remove that awful night from my heart.
Julean turned to him as if sensing something troubled him.
He shifted in his seat and shook his head to clear his thoughts, gazing out at the placid lake through the trees.
Julean relaxed, though her eyes remained unsettled.
As he pulled into the parking area he was surprised at the number of spaces available. For some reason or other, there were at least five good spots facing the lake, the moon reflecting on its surface. Henry parked the car then snuggled Julean next to him. Slowly, his mind returned to his new love.
They sat there for the longest time, absorbed in their thoughts as they gazed out at the moonlit water. How Julean had stolen and healed his heart he would never know. For the first time in years, he felt happy and at peace. He knew without a doubt that Julean was his.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the ring.
“Would you go steady with me?” Henry whispered into her ear.
“Yes,” she whispered back, thrilled, “I would love to.”
Henry slipped his ring on her finger. Julean looked down at the half-inch red ruby mounted on a gold band. It was a little big for her delicate finger, but she beamed.
“Oh, Hank, this is so beautiful.” She thrust her arms around his neck, bringing her face close to his, and looked him in the eyes for a long moment. And then with a voice soft as a feather, she whispered, “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Julean.”
She closed her eyes as his warm lips touched hers.
Jenny was lying in bed reading a book when all of a sudden she felt a cold chill. Thoughts of Henry immediately came to her mind. Now that she thought of it, she’d been noticing a lessening of the spiritual connection she felt with Henry. She’d had difficulty summoning it when she gazed at the star of the east.
Jenny got up, turned off the lights and went to the window, guided by the light of the full moon shining through the pane. Thousands of stars adorned the sky, but her attention was for the brightest of them all, the east star. Jenny was so attuned to the love she felt from Henry held in the star’s shimmering rays, she could tell its endearing warmth was waning. The love was still there, but she sensed a loss of his embrace; the feel of his arms around her seemed to have slipped away.
Although Jenny had been sure Henry had moved on and found another, she’d always held hope in her heart that she was still his only love…until now. Had their spiritual connection weakened somehow? Perhaps the angel guarding the star of the east was telling her Henry had not only found someone else but had opened his heart to her.
As tears slid down Jenny’s cheeks, she thought of their anniversary poem, but this time there was a difference…
The star of the east we both can see,
its warm rays so bright no more caressing me.
If another love has come your way,
please never forget our special day
Perhaps in the future if it’s meant to be
your love will return and envelop me.
I wish you happiness though from afar
to fill your heart through this, our star.
The moonlight caught a new sadness in Jenny’s blurry eyes as she softly whispered, “Even though we may grow apart, you are forever in my heart.”
On the following Monday after school, Henry met his parents downtown at Goldman’s Clothing Store. Henry was excited to get his first suit. Mr. Goldman was chatting with Bill and Mary when Henry came in.
“Ah, and here’s our clever young valedictorian now!” Mr. Goldman walked over and met Henry, hand extended. “Congratulations, it’s quite an honour to have bestowed on you. Your parents are very proud.”
“Thanks, Mr. Goldman.”
“And a special occasion requires a special suit.” Mr. Goldman studied Henry for a brief moment and then said. “A size 38 will fit you nicely at the shoulders—brown would look nice—but for this occasion and with your ruddy complexion, a dark navy is meant for you.”
He walked over to a suit rack and thumbed through it, pushing suits aside. “Ah, here we are.”
As Mr. Goldman walked back to Henry, he slipped the jacket off the hanger, tucked the trousers under his arm and held the jacket open for Henry to try on.
“I do like the colour, Mr. Goldman,” Henry said as he looked at himself in the full-length mirror.
“The colour does suit you,” Mary concurred. “It makes you look older and—”
“Like a lawyer… a millionaire!” Mr. Goldman interjected.
They all laughed. Henry welco
med the interruption. He was feeling self-conscious with everyone staring at him.
“Here, take the trousers and go into the change booth and put them on. I’ll make sure everything fits you just right.”
Henry returned a few minutes later with the pant legs turned up. Mr. Goldman adjusted their length and marked them with white chalk. He also made a mark on each side of the jacket and on the sleeves.
After they decided on the suit, Mary and Henry picked out a white shirt and a navy tie with fine red stripes. And then the traditional bargaining began. A back and forth haggling in an attempt to get Mr. Goldman to come down on his price until everyone was satisfied.
Henry’s dad started the dickering. “So, how much is the suit, Saul?”
Mr. Goldman checked the sales tag sewn to the left sleeve. “It’s only $64.95, Bill and I’ll only charge you three dollars for the alterations instead of the usual six.”
“We don’t have to pay for the alterations do we?”
“The suit is very well priced—it’s 100% wool and—“
“Morton’s Menswear down the street has a 25%-off sale right now and advertises free alterations,” interjected Bill and quickly added as he looked at Mary, “Maybe we should have a look at Morton’s suits before we decide.”
“I see where your son gets his cleverness from. I’m sure Sarah can do the alterations for you. Okay, no charge for the alterations.” Saul looked as though he had just given the store away.
“And will you match the sale Morton’s is having—take at least ten dollars off?” Bill continued to bargain.
Mr. Goldman looked at Henry. “That suit was made for your son, look how good it makes him look….”
Bill backed up and turned, threatening to leave. “At least ten dollars, Saul.”
Still looking at Henry, Saul raised an eyebrow. “My, my your father is shrewd.” Turning back to Bill, he said, “Okay, Bill, I will give your son a graduation gift.”
Another Angel of Love Page 30