Jenny returned to the couch. “So what did you decide Tammy? Are you going to be married at Thanksgiving?”
“No, I’m halfway through my last year of nursing. And it’s just too complicated to move now. It took me over an hour to convince him to wait until Christmas. I’ll be finished then and there will be more time to move and everything.”
“It looks like your wish on the shooting star has come completely true, Tammy. You and Robbie are getting married!”
“See? I told you to make a wish too.” Tammy looked pointedly at James and then back at Jenny as she recalled the wish Jenny held in her heart.
“Well, Chloe, time for bed! You’ll have the whole day tomorrow to play with the dollhouse.”
“No, mommy, please let me stay up a little longer, please.”
“Well, we should be going, Tammy, it’s a long drive home and then James has to drive all the way to his place.”
“It was so nice of you both to drop by! And thank you, James, for setting that up.”
“You’re welcome, Tammy. Do you want me to carry it into Chloe’s room?”
“That’s okay, Chloe will probably want to play with it out here tomorrow. How are classes coming along?”
“Actually, I dropped out. Dad isn’t doing too well and I know most, if not all, the stuff they’re teaching already.”
“But you were so close to getting your degree!”
“A degree doesn’t mean much in our business, it’s just something to hang on the wall and collect dust.”
“Maybe for you, but I can’t wait to get mine. Have you started your practicum yet, Jenny?”
Jenny nodded. “Yes, two weeks ago we were assigned our high school. I just love working in the library. The students can be a challenge at times, though.”
James grunted again. “The boys all want to take her out. Probably half of the male staff does too.”
“James, that’s ridiculous.”
But it wasn’t ridiculous; James’ perception was dead on. Jenny had to be very firm with the students and graciously decline all the approaches made by several of the teachers, even though her large diamond engagement ring flashed very visibly.
“Come and give Auntie Jen and Uncle James a big hug and kiss.”
Chloe ran into Jenny’s waiting arms and squeezed her tight, smothering her in kisses. She gave a quick peck to James.
It was late when James dropped Jenny off at home. Her mom had gone to bed and the house was big and quiet. It seemed empty without her dad and Jenny missed him very much. Often he would still be up when she got home and they would sit and chat. She relished those visits and talks, especially when she was confused about something, like now.
She looked at the huge engagement ring on her finger. The sparkle that had made her so happy the night James had given it to her had long since faded, just like their relationship.
What would her father think of their engagement? He liked James but had strongly encouraged her to go out with other boys. I know Dad was trying to tell me that James might not be the best choice. But there was no one else but him and…Henry.
I so wish Daddy had met Henry in Regina, perhaps things could’ve been different somehow. He only saw Henry through Mom’s eyes and her concerns.
Jenny saw the same concerns about her relationship with James that her father had seen, but over the months and years she had begun to accept them. In part due to her accepting nature and in part because she assumed it was just James’ character, simply part of him and therefore their relationship.
Jenny had learned to live with it.
And, now that she thought about it, James’ traits and idiosyncrasies actually didn’t seem so unsettling anymore; they only spent a few hours a week together anyway. And that’s what was bothering her now. James spent so much time at his father’s business. He kept promising it was only for a little while until he corrected some of the problems his father had overlooked, or until he’d helped with the next merger.
The way things were right now, Jenny felt as though she had to make an appointment to see her fiancé.
Still, she loved the way he’d helped set up the dollhouse for Chloe tonight and the way he’d talked to the little girl. Underneath all that business stuff and all the rest of it, James was a loving man. I just wish I saw it more often.
Shaking her head to rid herself of these thoughts, Jenny decided that she felt lonely because James was so preoccupied with work and that was the only reason her mind still swung back to Henry. Soon, James would have the business in order. And things would be different after they were married, she was sure. They’d have more time together. They’d raise children and go on vacations to exotic places around the world.
Jenny made her way to the kitchen, guided by the luminosity of the clock on the range. The dim light complimented her mood so she didn’t turn on the lights. The radiance of the full moon further added to the light in the kitchen. She went to the patio doors, slid open the door and stepped outside.
It was a beautiful fall night. The air was warm and filled with the scent of the herbs and flowers that were still in bloom. The heavens were adorned with millions of twinkling stars. She looked to the east but her star no longer stood out. It was there, snuggled in amongst the rest of them, but its shimmering rays no longer embraced her like they used to.
She wondered about her first love. Had Henry gone to college and if so, what had he taken? It would be business or art, for sure. But he was so kind and considerate he might have chosen education and taught art like she suggested he might.
What could have possibly happened to that last letter she had sent to him? The one with the pewter angel inside? Surely it couldn’t have just disappeared. But why else wouldn’t he have answered?
Jenny, she said sternly to herself, enough of this foolhardy talk and thinking! You’re just getting yourself upset and living in the past. It’s all just a memory. For God’s sake, it’s James you’re going to marry, not Henry!
But the thoughts would not leave her. She knew he had met someone else, she felt it now all the time and their star told her it was true.
It had all started again that day her mom had woken from that awful nightmare, shouting for someone to stop the wedding. It was so real to her mother, the memory of the fright in her eyes still sent shivers up Jenny’s spine. And later that morning as she wrote in her diary, she’d had the strong premonition that something was happening to Henry. She’d felt a detaching of their love. It was like a receding tide pulling away from the shore of her heart. Each night she prayed for the tide to return, but the dawning of a new morning never brought the waves to the shore.
Jenny gazed into the celestial heavens in search of the star of the east once more, but it was nowhere to be found. She whispered the words anyway, knowing it would be received by their star: “Even though we are far apart, you are forever in my heart.”
And just as Jenny turned to go back into the house, a shooting star blazed brightly across the heavens and Jenny sent out her long-held wish.
She felt its warmth settle in her heart and her sparkling, tear- filled eyes were soothed with wonder…and hope.
Coming Soon
The Angelic Letters Series
Book Three
Angel of Thanksgiving
1963-1982
Discover just how powerful love can be.
Your heart will never be the same again.
henry k. ripplinger
The following is a preview of Chapter One
Chapter One
The newlyweds had just settled into their third year of university in Saskatoon when Julean suspected something she could no longer keep to herself.
She lay in bed one night, Henry’s breathing having long since grown deep and rhythmic. Julean turned over and under the light of the moon shining thr
ough their bedroom window she could just make out the back of his shoulders. She ran her fingers up and down his back. He moaned and groaned a bit, but kept sleeping. She pushed a little harder.
“Come on, honey, go to sleep.” Henry lifted the blankets over his shoulder and rolled slightly away from his playful wife.
She moved closer and, knowing how ticklish her husband was, slowly moved her hand to his side and dug in with her fingers.
The blankets flew as Henry jumped in the air and rolled over at the same time. “What’s with you?”
“What’s with you, you mean? You never turn down my advances.”
Henry opened one eye. There was just enough light to see his wife’s face in front of his. Her eyes and white teeth glistened in the light. “Well, I could be persuaded with a little more encouragement, I guess.”
“Since when do you need persuasion?”
Henry grabbed Julean and drew her in, hard. “I guess I’m persuaded enough.” He moved to kiss her.
She quickly brought her hands up and pushed him away.
“What’s going on? First you want me and now you chuck me away?”
“Honey, I’ve got something to tell you! I haven’t had my period for over two months and I think I may be—”
“Are you pregnant?” Henry sat up and looked at her. He couldn’t read her expression in the darkness. He felt more than saw her nod.
“I’m pretty sure. I made an appointment to see the doctor on Friday for confirmation.”
“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful! I can’t believe it! We’ve only been married a couple of months.”
“It only takes once, you know.”
“Well, I guess we have done it a couple of times,” Henry chuckled as he settled back down into the bed. He looked into his wife’s eyes and murmured, “I love you, Momma.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
Henry drew Julean in gently and caressed her. Within moments their lips found each other in the moonlit room. They made love, falling asleep in each other’s arms.
Around three in the morning, Julean felt Henry’s fingers run up and down her back. She turned over to face him.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Oh, Mommy, you’re just toooo irresistible.”
With each passing day Henry and Julean got more excited about their baby. They had called home and told each of their parents. Henry’s mom and dad welcomed the news with joy, but Julean’s had reservations. Would this affect their daughter’s education? Julean assured them that she would definitely complete her degree but also told them she wouldn’t be able to work in her father’s office next summer.
Henry and Julean loved their basement suite apartment. It was only four blocks south of the university and they walked back and forth to classes every day. They even came home for lunch. Some days they skipped lunch altogether and made love. That often happened when Julean slipped Henry a note just before they separated for their respective morning classes. The notes were always filled with much love and seductive luring. It seemed a little out of character for Julean, but Henry loved it and some days couldn’t get back to their apartment fast enough.
What they liked about their suite was that it was only four steps below ground level and so didn’t even seem to be in a basement. The windows were large and let a lot of light into the small kitchen and spacious living room. The landlady had fixed it up real nice with frilly curtains, and every room was painted a pale yellow so it seemed like the sun was shining all the time. It had two bedrooms; one of which was for them, of course, and the other Henry and Julean used as their study room. There was just enough space for two desks and a bookshelf.
The landlords welcomed the news too. They had four children of their own, the youngest was a boy, four years old, who often came down to visit them. Sammy and Julean hit it off immediately. But then Henry had already known that Julean was going to be a wonderful mother.
Helen, the landlady, said it would be okay if Henry and Julean wanted to repaint the second bedroom of the basement suite and turn it into a nursery. She also, quite kindly, offered to lower the rent a bit the following year when they returned to complete their last year of university.
Ever since Julean had told Henry they were expecting, Henry had felt a sort of roiling anxiety in the pit of his stomach. It was a familiar feeling; he’d felt the same way a long time ago. At first he couldn’t recall when until one day, while walking to university with Julean, he remembered it was the same feeling he’d had in Grade 9 when he’d had the ridiculous notion that Jenny might be pregnant. The feeling had stayed with him for days and then months, just like now. Henry knew Julean sensed his nervousness by the way she looked at him at times.
It sort of came to a head one night. Julean lay on the bed in her nightgown, reading a book. Henry had finished studying for a midterm exam and came to the edge of the bed to sit beside her. He placed a hand over Julean’s growing belly.
“I can’t wait for our little one to be born, Julean.”
She put down her book and looked at Henry lovingly.
“I can’t wait, either. I wonder what it is? I have a feeling it’s a girl.”
Henry put his head to her stomach and listened for the heartbeat. “I still can’t hear anything. Well, it’s only three months old, right?
Julean nodded. “Yes, I think I became pregnant while we were on our honeymoon and November is just about over.”
Henry did some quick calculations. “So we should expect our first addition in June sometime.”
Henry lay back on his side with his head resting on Julean’s belly and stared dreamily at his lovely wife. His anxiety ebbed away as it usually did in moments like this.
Julean reached out and touched Henry’s face and gently stroked his cheek. Her eyes misted as she spoke in a very soft but deliberate voice. “Hank…?”
“Hmm?” Henry’s eyes were closed, reveling in the warmth and tenderness of his wife’s touch.
“Do you love me? I mean really, really love me?”
Henry opened an eye and took Julean in to see if she was serious, then quickly sat up and met her gaze head on. When he read Julean’s earnestness, his brow wrinkled, his jaw dropped and his eyes focused even more intently on his dear, sweet wife.
He was stunned, momentarily speechless. “Of course I do, Julean, what a silly question.” Henry shook his head in disbelief, “Why would you ask such a thing…are you serious?”
Julean felt somewhat embarrassed, and yes, it was foolish. It’s just that her instincts played upon her feelings every now and then…and there was something, a part of Henry that she couldn’t explain. She’d felt it occasionally when they were dating; that his heart was divided. Divided between her and…?
Oh, I’m being ridiculous. Julean’s concern softened into a warm smile. “I’m sorry, Hank, it’s just that I love you so much. I never want to lose you.”
Henry came to Julean’s side and put his arm around her. “Julean, I love you with all my heart. Please don’t let any other thought ever enter that pretty mind of yours.” And placing his hand upon her rounding tummy, he added. “And I love our baby too. I can hardly wait until he or she is born!”
Around the first week of December sitting in class listening to a lecture on classroom discipline, the nervousness that Henry had been feeling of late suddenly skyrocketed, sending him into a panic. He shuffled in his chair as his stomach churned and then a rush unlike anything he’d ever experienced before swept from the pit of his stomach to the top of his head. His heart began to palpitate uncontrollably. He thought he was having a heart attack. He could feel the heat overtake his face and the sweat running down his armpits. He could no longer sit still as the threat of some sort of impending doom overtook him. He was embarrassed to get up and leave, but he had no choice, the fear gripping him was overwhelming
He hurried outs
ide, his heart still pounding wildly; nausea threatening. How much longer could his heart beat this fast without giving out? he wondered. He walked slower, trying to control his racing heart. Finally, he inched his way to a bench and collapsed on the seat. He took in deep breaths of cool air hoping to calm down. His heart continued to gallop. He wished Julean was there so he could tell her how much he loved her just in case he didn’t make it. He was supposed to meet her at the Faculty of Agriculture building. It was halfway between their respective colleges.
Henry checked his watch. They were supposed to meet in another thirty-five minutes. Would he last that long?
Please dear Jesus, don’t let me die.
Suddenly the palpitations stopped and relief swept over him. Even though it was cold and there was snow all around him, he felt like a furnace inside. The perspiration covering his face gave testimony to the internal combustion he felt. Slowly Henry regained control and his worry subsided somewhat. What on earth had just happened? Was his heart starting to give out?
Another fifteen minutes until he met Julean. He decided to make his way to their meeting place. Although his heart rate was now under control, his anxiety wasn’t. He could still feel the steady churning of his stomach.
Henry was relieved to see Julean waiting for him at the corner. Her warm, welcoming smile relaxed him and the anxiety fell away from him in a rush. As they walked home, Henry shared with her what had happened.
“I don’t think it’s your heart, Hank, maybe it has to do with the pressure of university and the added responsibility of being a father and all.” Julean was going to add another possible explanation but decided not to—it had to do more with her feminine intuition that Hank was clinging to something in his past, something that could come between them. Oh it’s too foolish to discuss, Julean said to herself. And he’s already feeling the pressure.
Another Angel of Love Page 54