Annie shook her head. Her eyes brimmed over and she wiped away her tears with her fingers. “Those poor souls! They must have suffered unbelievably. What a horrible tragedy!”
Jim sighed and took Annie’s hands in his. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I should have spared you. There is some good news, though. The government will give homesteaders timber to rebuild and a loan to purchase the necessities they need for a year. I guess they’re worried that too many families will give up on settling in the North. We can build you a new house.”
“Is it possible? I was sure we’d never own our own home again!” Annie couldn’t believe it. She decided to push her luck even further. “If we rebuild, I would like to live closer to the new town. Surely we can find a suitable place when so many are leaving.”
“Well, we’ve got until the end of October to sort everything out. You and the boys will have a good time at Alfie’s, and I’ll get you a new house before I have to ship out.” He forced a smile. “We may be homeless for now, but we are far more fortunate than many others.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
A few days before the family was to leave for Toronto, Bobby asked to be allowed to go look for Mike one last time.
“I’ve heard stories of animals that survived the fire. Some horses and cows found their way to the river and waited it out. Mike’s smart enough to do that! I even heard that one woman found a couple of ducks and wild rabbits had followed her down the road as she ran to escape the flames. I need to look for Mike before we leave.”
“All right son, but I’ll go with you. I’ll find someone to watch Hal and Henry.”
After walking about a half-mile, Annie recognized the Methodist minister standing in front of a burnt-out farm house. There was a small, roughly built coffin beside him. The man glanced up and noticed Annie and Bobby. He called out and waved them over.
“I was asked to give the old grandmother a proper burial since the Catholic priest is still in Gold Creek. The problem is that this family also had a large dog - and the remains in this box are so unrecognizable, I’m not sure if they are the old woman or the dog!”
Annie and Bobby took part in the brief and solemn ceremony. The man bowed his head for several minutes in prayer then looked up and smiled at Annie.
“Well, if it was the grandmother,” he said, “she had a decent funeral service. And if it was the dog, he had a damned good one!”
Annie glanced down to hide her smile, but not before she saw Bobby cover his with his hand.
When they finally reached their property, Bobby spent an hour roaming and calling for the dog. Annie could see how upset he was, and she coaxed him to walk with her to the junction to see Jim. As they arrived at the station, she saw the troops working around their temporary headquarters. They soon spotted Jim.
Bobby ran to his father. “I’ve looked and looked for Mike but can’t find h-him anywhere.” His voice faltered. “He … he must have died in the fire.”
Jim put his arm around his son’s shoulders to comfort him. “I miss Mike too. He was my best pal when you were still back in Shields. We have to count our blessings, though, because you and your brothers and your mother survived.”
Bobby told his father about the strange funeral service that the Methodist minister had had them witness.
“I don’t know what’s funnier,” Jim said with a laugh, “a grand funeral service for a dog or the minister swearing!”
When Annie and Bobby got back to town, they found Jack and Georgie in their tent. She sent the older boys to get Hal and the baby from the neighbour in the next tent. While they were gone, she and Georgie walked to a large supply tent to sort through donated clothing. Annie found an assortment for the children, even new underwear donated by stores in the south.
That night, while Hal and Henry were asleep in the tent in a nest of blankets, and the older boys were playing outside, Annie folded and sorted clothing. She heard Jim talking to Bobby before he came in. She looked up when he entered, a broad smile plastered on his face.
“I have my three-day leave and the tickets for us to travel to Toronto.”
“Thank God,” said Annie with a sigh. “I’ll be glad to escape this devastation.”
“I ran into Pierre today. He said they’re leaving for good and going back to Quebec. Marie wants to be near her family. With the loss of Louis, I can hardly blame them.”
“I understand, too, but I’ll miss them,” said Annie. “They were such good neighbours.”
“Well, you’ll be happy living with Alfie for a while. I have other news, though. There’s an acre of land on the limits of Bear Falls. I think it’ll be perfect for us.”
“How did you ever find such a piece of land so quickly?”
“The owners are anxious to return to Ottawa, where they lived before. We can buy the property for a pittance and although the house has burned to the ground, the concrete basement survived the fire!”
Annie frowned. “But you have to return to Camp Borden - how can we possibly rebuild any time soon?”
“I’ve got it all figured out. I should be able to apply for a leave of absence. The troop ship doesn’t leave until October. The commander is a local man and these are extraordinary circumstances. I’ll arrange for some carpenters to help me with the construction while you and the boys stay with Alfie.”
Annie was reminded that Jim would soon leave for Europe and she would be on her own again. She was frightened for herself and for him. She read the casualty lists in the newspaper regularly. Many men, she knew, never returned home.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The family approached the station platform at Jackpine Junction. Before boarding, they had to walk past the special government train car. They could see through the open door that it was luxurious, with expensive wood panelling and rich upholstered furniture. Annie was shocked at the arrogance of these privileged government men. Imagine flaunting ostentatious accommodation in the face of such loss and devastation, while the survivors lived in army-issue tents.
Jim shook his head in disgust. “The Lands and Forests minister said he couldn’t understand how there could have been such a huge loss of life when there were so many lakes and rivers in the North to escape to. What a pompous ass!”
Annie shushed him because the windows and doors were open in the government car, but Jim grumbled, “I don’t care if they hear me.”
They boarded the train with many other families who were leaving New Ontario. The whole family had to share one bench, and the children were unusually quiet. Annie knew they were sad, but she didn’t have the energy to comfort them.
As the train chugged south, she stared out the window. Some areas were still smouldering. Framed buildings that had been homes and barns were now reduced to rubble. They passed mile after mile of devastation before she finally spied green forests again.
After almost eight hours on the train, they finally arrived at Union Station. At least this ride had been quicker than their first ride north. Carrying only fire survivors, it had not made the usual stops. Stepping onto the platform, Annie easily spotted her tall brother in the crowds. There was an attractive young woman beside him.
Alfie looked relieved as he gave Annie a tight hug and shook Jim’s hand.
“God, I’m so grateful that you and the children survived! What a dreadful experience! We were so worried.” He took his companion’s hand in his, and beamed. “Annie, Jim, meet my beautiful wife, Catherine.”
Catherine hugged Annie and warmly shook Jim’s hand. “I’m sorry that you suffered such a horrid experience in that fire, but I’m so pleased that you will stay with us for a while.”
Annie welcomed Catherine into the family, and introduced the children to their new aunt.
“What lovely children you have.” Gesturing to her stomach she added, “You’ve likely noticed that Alfie and I are expecting our first child. I’m eager to have my own babies. May I hold Henry?” Annie passed the baby to her. “He’s just two months
old, isn’t he? What a poppet. Ah, and Georgie does look like your brother George. He’s a fortunate boy.”
Jim slung their small bag over a shoulder and picked up Hal. They walked a short distance and climbed aboard a city streetcar. Alfie paid for their tickets before Jim could object, and they found enough seats for everyone at the back. After a brief ride, they disembarked and followed Alfie and Catherine down a city block, stopping at a handsome two-storey red-brick house. Annie admired the heavy, oak front door and the decorative stained-glass panel above it. They followed Alfie up the entrance stairs and he fumbled with some keys. He unlocked the door, entered, and flicked a switch, illuminating the inside of the home.
Inside the large foyer was an ornate hardwood staircase leading up to the second floor. To Annie’s left, frosted-glass doors opened to a formal parlour, and to the right was a dining room furnished with heavy walnut furniture. There was an ornate crystal chandelier hanging over the table. My brother must have married into a bit of wealth to have such a lovely home, Annie mused. She was torn between envy and happiness for her brother’s good fortune.
Catherine took Annie’s hand and led her up the stairs. There were three doors on the second floor and they entered the first. It was a spacious bedroom with a double bed on one side, a mattress on the floor by another wall, and two canvas cots leaning against a tall mahogany wardrobe. On the double bed, Catherine had placed new nightshirts for each of the boys and a lovely nightgown with lace at the collar and wrists for Annie. Catherine apologized that the family had to share a bedroom but suggested that Henry could perhaps sleep in the master bedroom as she already had a crib set up there.
She then showed Annie the third bedroom that she and Alfie had converted into a bathroom. There was a huge claw-footed ceramic tub and, beside it, a large hot water tank. Annie was speechless.
One arm around Annie, Catherine reached up to a shelf and brought down a small package. “Rumour has it that you have a particular fondness for lilac soap.”
Annie’s eyes stung with tears as she thanked her host, and she joked, “My brother shouldn’t tell all of my secrets.”
After dinner, Annie bathed Henry. It had been a week since they all had a proper wash. She lay the sleepy baby down in the crib in Alfie and Catherine’s bedroom. Then she bathed a squirming Hal, put him in his new night shirt and tucked him into the improvised mattress bed on the floor. To her surprise, Hal had fallen into a deep sleep within minutes. Georgie, Jack and Bobby each had their turns for much-needed baths. Georgie would share the mattress with Hal, and Bobby and Jack would each have their own cot. In less than an hour, all five children were sound asleep.
Annie scrubbed the tub clean and had a luxurious soak herself, day-dreaming about having her own bathroom in their new house.
That night, while lying in the double bed beside Jim, Annie listened to the children breathing softly in a sleep more contented than they’d enjoyed in months. Hal was nestled against Georgie, and noisily sucking his thumb. She had nursed Henry before she went to bed, and he had dropped off again in a satisfied slumber in Catherine’s crib. With luck, she thought, he’ll sleep through the night.
“I’m so tired, but I don’t want to fall asleep,” she said, feeling tears well up. “This time with you is a gift. I wish you didn’t have to go so soon.”
Jim stroked Annie’s cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. “I’ll come back to you. I promise. Remember, they keep saying that this war will be a short one. When I return, I’ll find you a massive hot water tank and buy you a bar of lilac soap for every day of the year!”
Annie laughed and said, “I don’t need things, Jim. Just come back to us.”
Jim wrapped his arms around her but he soon fell into a deep, exhausted sleep. Annie remained awake, thinking how she felt whole when she was with him. The bedroom window was open to catch the cooler night air, and Catherine’s crisp, white lace curtains fluttered in the breeze. Annie could hear the sounds of automobiles and of horseshoes striking pavement on the still-busy street below. City lights filtered into the bedroom, and she could just make out the forms of her sleeping, exhausted children.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The next day at breakfast, Catherine leaned over and lightly touched the rough khaki of Jim’s military jacket.
“Why don’t you and Annie take the day for yourselves and I’ll watch the boys. There’s a lovely public park a short walk away, and I could pack a picnic lunch for the children.”
Jim smiled. “That’s a grand idea. Annie and I do have to shop for winter clothing for the bairns before I take the train back north tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Catherine,” Annie added. “I’ll make up a bottle of goat’s milk for the baby to tide him over until we get back.”
Catherine insisted on taking Annie up to her own bedroom after breakfast. She skilfully arranged Annie’s hair in a complicated bun, and lent her an attractive summer outfit in mauve. She even applied a little colour to Annie’s lips and cheeks.
“You look absolutely beautiful. Who would believe that you’re in your thirties, and the mother of five boys? I hope after the baby’s born I can get my figure back as quickly as you did.”
Annie blushed and kissed Catherine’s cheek. “I’ve always wanted a sister and now I have a lovely one!”
As Annie came down the stairs, Jim stared at her with his mouth agape, and Alfie gave her an admiring whistle. Annie felt her face grow warm. Taking Jim’s offered hand, she felt like a young woman once again, being courted by a gentleman.
While strolling downtown, Annie noticed that they received admiring glances from other pedestrians. She thought Jim looked very handsome in his uniform. Tucking her arm through his, she rested her head affectionately on his shoulder.
“It’s unbelievable how normal life is here. People continue to work, laugh and shop when there’s so much devastation and chaos to the north? It’s hard to believe this is the same province, even the same country.”
Jim looked at her. “It will be good for you and the boys to be here with Alfie and Catherine. You can forget about the North for a while, and the boys will get over their nightmares.”
“What a blessing that they all had such a long, uninterrupted rest last night. I think it’ll take some time before every night is like that.”
“I must say, though, your brother landed on his feet when he married Catherine. There has to be some wealth in her family. That’s quite the house.”
“I was thinking the same,” Annie laughed. “Catherine is a lovely woman inside and out. I’m so happy for Alfie. She’ll soon discover how good a father he will be, too. Our boys adore him.”
They walked to the Eaton’s store to use their clothing vouchers; they needed to buy the boys new winter coats. Annie and Jim were in different areas in the store when Annie went to a counter to buy the clothing she had chosen. As she handed the clerk the coupons, he looked her up and down critically.
“Look sister, these vouchers are for those poor folks from the fire up north. I don’t know where you got these but you won’t pull a fast one on me.”
Annie fumed with indignation. She knew her face must be bright red with her anger, but she didn’t care. Furious, she pulled up her sleeves to reveal her burned arms.
“Where do you think I got these burns, for heaven’s sake? We’ve lost everything. Everything! I have five boys to clothe for the winter and I certainly don’t need to be harassed by someone who was hundreds of miles away from that fire!”
Shock registered on the clerk’s face and he apologized quickly. What Annie really wanted to do was walk away, but she needed those coats. Looking down at her arms, she saw what an awful mess they looked at this stage of healing. She quickly pulled down her sleeves.
Picking up her purchases and walking away with her head in the air, she found Jim, and handed him some of the parcels to carry. She told him about her encounter with the clerk. He turned as if prepared to confront the offensive man, but
she tugged him back.
“I took care of it. I’ve learned to choose my battles but I decided to fight that one. It’s done.” She smiled and changed the subject. “I have a grand idea. Let’s get our portraits done on the photography floor, so we will each have a recent photo when you’re overseas. You know, my greatest loss in the fire was our photos, and especially the ones of you and Maggie.”
Jim shook his head sadly. “I never thought of Maggie’s photos. But Ma and your mother have some pictures of her back home. We can get copies made in England and have them mailed to us.” He thought for a moment. “Yes, let’s get those photos taken.”
Annie’s spirits were lifted and minutes later, her smile was captured in the photographer’s flash. They arranged to have the photos sent to Bear Falls.
They decided to have lunch at a corner restaurant that turned out to be frequented by soldiers, returned from France and Belgium. They saw men in uniform, on crutches, some with missing limbs, others bandaged or with burn scars.
“There is little difference between the casualties of the war and the fire up north. It’s almost as if we left a battlefield ourselves!”
“Aye,” said Jim, “I think we did. But that fire was an act of nature, not man.”
Some of the other soldiers came over and asked when Jim would be shipped overseas. He explained that he’d be going over in a couple of months. He also told them about the fire, and how fortunate his wife and five children had been to survive.
When the men heard their story, they decided to pass a hat around in a collection for Annie and the children. Annie was again overwhelmed at how kind strangers could be in times of crisis.
Their day together ended too soon, and as they approached Alfie and Catherine’s home, Annie stopped. Before they entered the house, she leaned into Jim’s arms and kissed him.
“This day has been such a blessing. I enjoyed having you all to myself. I’ll have to thank Catherine.”
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