Vein of Love

by Pat Mestern

  “And who is your father?”

  “It definitely isn’t your uncle. All indicators put me squarely in Ollie Olsen’s corner. Harry is not connected to any of us through a bloodline. George is definitely not in my gene pool, but his grandmother’s sister did raise me. Everything Nibi said is true. I managed to access old medical records. Mother … Jennie, nursed me back to health. She saved my life. I had rheumatic fever. Had Nibi not given me up when she did, had your Uncle Tomas and Harry not brought me to Mom … Jennie, I would have died and ended up as a pile of bones out in the middle of the bush somewhere.”

  “Then there’s nothing stopping us from letting the sparks fly as they might?”

  “There is nothing stopping us now, Ramona. I’ve put the property in St. Marys up for sale. I’ll be out of my apartment and in residence one mile from you by the end of September. We can take our time; get to know each other better …”

  “I… I … Oh my stars!

  “Shush. Don’t say anything now. Do I have permission to give you a kiss?”

  Ramona raised her head. “Permission granted.” What followed was the gentlest, sweetest kiss Ramona had ever had.

  Until the ferry docked at South Bay Mouth on Manitoulin Island Don and Ramona stood by the railing. Holding hands, they shared details of their lives before Harry Forest’s funeral, before they met. Each felt it important there were no secrets, no information withheld. Both were surprised at the number of things they had in common. Neither said it aloud but both felt that Harry Forest definitely had something to do with them finding each other.

  After disembarking, Don stopped at a shop and bought a bouquet of flowers for Nibi. Along the highway they stopped to gather wildflowers to add to the bouquet to make it a little less formal and more attuned to what Nibi would like. When they stopped at the residence to say hello they were told that Nibi was asleep. They left the bouquet and asked if staff could tell Nibi they would be back in the morning and looked forward to seeing her. Don left the information as to where they were staying.

  The next three days were spent visiting Nibi and exploring Manitoulin Island. Ramona hadn’t brought her stone-gathering tools so a stop was made at a hardware store before any forays were made.

  “You can blame your uncle and father for your love of rock hounding but that doesn’t explain my sudden interest in attacking boulders and rock faces. I even bought a book about geology,” Don said.

  Ramona laughed “John never understood my attraction for collecting stones and bits of unusual rock formations. He said that it had to be bred into one’s blood. His blood was firmly embedded in Toronto, nowhere near any interesting rock faces. He was more interested in architecture.”

  “And that explains his occupation of drawing up plans for the restoration of heritage buildings.”

  “Yes. That’s why he loved Castello dei Sogni so much,” Ramona said. “Don, perhaps you inherited your father’s love for the north and your new interest in rocks. He was a prospector. He knew his rocks and minerals.”

  “That’s what Mother said. I’m finding it easier to call Nibi Mother now.”

  “You’re lucky, Don. Count your blessings. You had two mothers that loved you.”

  When Jonas arrived at the inn he settled into his room, showered, then went to join Don and Ramona for dinner. He’d had his hair cut and his beard trimmed. His six-foot-tall, muscular body attired in his usual garb, jeans, a plaid shirt, and leather vest attracted attention when he entered the restaurant. Ramona smiled. Jonas was the epitome of what her dad called a true Nor-man.

  “If I had half that man’s physique and a quarter of his survival smarts, I’d be a happy man,” Don said, as he waved to Jonas.

  “You’re just as clever and handsome as Jonas,” Ramona said. He’s adapted to his physical surroundings. He’s learned how to navigate through ours. There’s a different lifestyle in the northern reaches to what we’re used to in southern Ontario. You could easily adapt to the northern way of life, given a bit of time.”

  “It’s interesting that Harry managed to interweave both lifestyles. He was amazing for a man of his stature.” Don stood and shook Jonas’s hand. “Thanks for coming.” Ramona stood and received a gentle hug.

  “I got your letter on the 18th and made arrangements to be flown out yesterday,” Jonas said. “I hopped a ride with a friend who was heading to Sudbury today. I wouldn’t miss Nibi’s birthday party. And I’m glad to see both of you again. I didn’t realize how lonely it can be in the bush until after I met you two folks. You made me realize family is important.”

  “Ah.” Ramona gave Jonas a big hug. Her head didn’t come up to his broad shoulders. Her blonde hair was in direct contrast to his dark hair and beard. “Sit. Let’s eat.”

  After dinner, the three walked along the shore of Clear Lake waiting for the sun to set over the water. Shortly after the spectacular display Ramona excused herself and went back to the Inn saying she had a lot of work left to do on Nibi’s gift. Don asked if she wanted someone to accompany her.

  “No. I’ll be fine. The mosquitoes will have a good feed though. You two stay and chat. I’m sure you’ve things to discuss.”

  Both watched until she was within sight of the inn then they sat at one of the picnic tables. The moon was now making an appearance, reflecting beautifully on the still waters of the lake. Jonas slapped his arm. “There’s one thing Ramona was right about, the mosquitoes. They’ll drive us crazy!”

  “We won’t be long,” Don said. “If you recall I asked about what was taken from Charlotte’s grave in ’78.”

  “Yep, I do and I remember. We opened the coffin and gathered all the bones and bits of clothing, a pair of slippers, and a wedding ring. Harry wouldn’t leave until we found that darn ring.”

  “What did it look like?”

  “It was just a plain gold band.”

  “Not an engagement ring? No stones?”

  “No.”

  “Do you know what happened to the wedding ring?”

  “Harry wiped the ring, kissed it, and put it in the wooden box we’d brought with us to hold Charlotte’s remains. Oh yeah, we also took the metal plate off the coffin. Harry put that in his pocket. Then we reburied the empty coffin well, what remained of it after forty some years.”

  Don put a finger to his pursed lips, a habit he had when thinking. What on earth was the significance of the engagement ring and note in Harry’s safe deposit box? There are so many unanswered questions about Sir Harry Forest! “Jonas, did he say anything about why he chose the wedding ring to put on Charlotte’s finger?”

  Jonas sat forward. Looking closely at a disturbance on the lake he wondered why he hadn’t packed fishing rods. He smiled thinking about the type of “fishing” Don was up to.

  “Well, did he?”

  Jonas looked at Don and said, “On the way to Toronto I asked Harry about the ring. He said that he had purchased both an engagement ring and a wedding band. He felt that handing the wedding ring to Mrs. Carmello to put on Charlotte’s finger held much more significance than giving her the engagement ring. He said that the wedding ring meant they were joined together forever. That made sense to me, however strange the circumstances in the way she received it.”

  “What an unusual man,” Don said. “Unfortunately, few people really understood him.”

  Jonas laughed. “Harry told me that someday the engagement ring would be important to someone. He never did say what happened to it.”

  Don smiled. “How well did you know Harry?”

  “As well as he wanted me to. He was a very private person. He never spoke much about himself. He’d help where and when he could if an occasion arose. But no one ever knew it was him, or his money. He bought the lake property from Tomas and made sure that Nibi had enough money to live on. By purchasing the property he ensured that Ollie’s burial site wouldn’t be disturbed. Ollie was buried at the lake. That burial was a bit of a clandestine venture. At that time, one was supposed to have
a proper cemetery burial. I don’t know what will happen to the camp or me now that Harry’s died.”

  Don smiled. All would be revealed soon. “I knew that Ollie hadn’t been buried in the cemetery in Algoma Mills. I checked the records. I figured that his wishes were that his remains become part of the land at the lake he loved. I think we’d better head back to the Inn. We’ve donated enough blood to the suckers!”

  Espanola

  The Afternoon of September 2nd, 2004

  Nibi’s birthday celebration turned into a party for many people. Over the years she had touched the lives of a lot of people, many younger than herself. Along with the other residents of the facility, nurses, doctors, and administration staff from the adjoining hospital dropped in to wish her well. Everyone had a story to tell. Some of her exploits in the wilderness were legendary.

  Nibi sat in a comfortable chair, her frail figure dressed in a beautiful beaded-buckskin dress. Before the party, while Ramona gently brushed and braided her hair, at her request, Nibi said that she’d made the dress years before and kept it as a reminder of her heritage. She said that she never thought that she’d wear it on her 100th birthday. Ramona had assured her it was most appropriate for the occasion. After Happy Birthday had been sung, the candles blown out, and the cake cut, Nibi sat and accepted congratulations with a nod, smile, and a few words for each person that approached her.

  Don, Ramona, and Jonas waited until the party was nearly over before giving their gifts. Jonas gently put a handmade necklace over her head. He explained that he had carefully carved each bead then strung them on a long, thin band of tanned hide. “Each bead tells the story of an event in your life,” he said, before gently kissing Nibi on the left cheek.

  Don gave Nibi an unwrapped, lidded shoe box. She opened it and began to cry as she lifted a small, scruffy-looking stuffed bear. Its body was rabbit fur; its eyes made from horn buttons. “I made this for you, my son. You wouldn’t go to sleep without it beside you. I wrapped it in the blanket with you before you were carried to the plane by Harry. I wanted you to have something my hands had made for you. All these years … all these years …”

  “I never knew where it came from but it was always on a shelf near my bed or on my dresser. “While packing boxes to move from my apartment, I finally realized the connection between the bear and you.”

  Ramona handed Nibi a scrapbook. On its pages she had pasted every picture she could find in the family collection that had been taken on various trips to Algoma. There were quite a few where Ollie, Nibi, or both were caught on film, fishing, cleaning hides, cooking over an open fire. There were pictures of cabins, rock faces, lakes, wildlife.

  “During the days I have left, I will never forget these acts of kindness,” Nibi said.

  “If you could, would you have lived anywhere else?” Don asked.

  “No,” Nibi said. “I’ve known no other life. It is in this northern land that my bones will lie beside those of Ollie, my first baby, and my ancestors. Promise me, my son, and you too, Jonas, because you know the place where Ollie was buried. Promise that when I take the path and cross the bridge of souls I will be laid to rest in the forest by the lake and the man I loved so much.”

  Don bent and kissed his mother on her weathered, wrinkled, dusky cheek. “I promise,” he said, with tears in his eyes.

  “Jonas?”

  Jonas bent and kissed her other cheek. “You have my word.”

  Ramona took Nibi’s hands and held them gently. “I promise that the loons will salute you every day.”

  Lake Lauzon

  The Evening of September 3, 2004

  Ramona, Don, and Jonas sat on the dock anticipating a beautiful sunset. Ramona sat between the two men savouring every moment, her thoughts on summer nights long ago when she and her father enjoyed the same stunning views from the same place. Earlier in the day, Don had driven her and Jonas from Espanola to the cabin on Lake Lauzon where they’d all spend the night. She and Don would head south in the morning. Jonas would hitch a ride in one of the planes heading to Matinenda Lake. While Don and Jonas enjoyed a beer, Ramona sipped a glass of Dubonnet. Drinking liquor was something Ramona rarely did, but she saw the occasion as a reason for a celebration.

  Nibi’s party had been both a celebration and a revelation. Don seemed more comfortable around his mother. He hugged her with great affection several times, gently so as not to damage her elderly, fragile bones. For her age, Nibi seemed to be in remarkable health. Her doctor, on the other hand, had taken all three aside and told them in confidence that she had health issues not seen by the eye. Her heart was weak. Her bones were brittle. She had confided in him that she had the will to live to see the end of a story that began a long time ago. The doctor felt her story ended with the reunification of her and her son. He suggested that Don keep in close touch, call, and talk to her frequently if he was not going to be in the area.

  Ramona’s thoughts were interrupted by Don asking if she’d like her glass topped up.

  “No, thank you,” she said. “Before this party gets out of hand, perhaps we should get down to the reason the three of us are here tonight? You wanted to tell us something about Harry’s will?”

  “Yep. It’s rather important we have a little chat,” Don said. “You both know that I’m only the executor, not the lawyer. All must be signed, sealed, and delivered in great detail at a formal meeting. But I thought you should have a heads-up about Harry’s wishes. They will affect both of you and me also.”

  Ramona laughed. “It sounds like Harry got up to his usual tricks in his will.”

  “He did,” Don said. “The man was amazing for his creativity.”

  “Well, don’t keep us in suspense any longer,” Jonas said.

  Don got comfortable in his Muskoka chair and crossed his long legs at his ankles. “To begin with, Harry has asked that all of Nibi’s expenses be paid, regardless of where she chooses to live. He also asked that we respect her wishes regardless of what she wants done with her remains after her death.”

  “That is understandable,” Jonas said. “Harry was already taking responsibility for her expenses. I figure that he was probably feeling somewhat responsible for separating you from your dad, Don. It must have been difficult to see her standing on the dock when the plane left knowing that she’d probably never see her son again.”

  “I can’t imagine her pain,” Ramona said.

  Don gave Jonas a gentle tap on his shoulder. “Now it’s time to reveal your fate, my boy. Prepare thyself.”

  “Go ahead. Nothing will surprise me now.” Jonas smiled at Ramona. “I have all I need, a cousin by blood.”

  “Ramona, you’d better pay close attention to what I’m going to say. You might see a lot more of this wayward cousin.”

  “Oh, this should be interesting,” Ramona said. “Go ahead. Surprise us.”

  “Harry has requested that his land, his property along the river including the bone burial ground not be sold. He wants it to return to a natural forested area. He wants us to put together a nonprofit organization to oversee the area.”

  “What about his house and the log cabin?” Ramona asked.

  “He requested that the house be allowed to deteriorate, that its stone and wood return to the land. We are to clear the house of its … treasures. Items that we don’t want are to be donated to a charitable cause. He ultimately wants people to be able to spread the ashes of their loved ones on the property. The bones he picked over the years are buried in an area that was an Indian burial ground. That is to remain and be acknowledged. Jonas, he showed you the burial area some years ago, didn’t he?”

  “He did. I know exactly where it is located on the property. What about the cabin? What does he want done with it?”

  “That’s where you come into the “southern” picture, Jonas. He requested that the cabin be your abode when you are in the area. He wrote that you’d feel comfortable in the cabin during your visits. All of Charlotte’s memorabilia is to go to you
, Ramona.”

  “And what’s to happen with the land on Matinenda Lake? That’s been my home for years,” Jonas said. “I can’t imagine not being able to live there.”

  “Harry has requested that the land be put in our names, all three of us. It cannot be sold for development until all of us agree, or the last of us dies. We have to figure out a way that after we are no longer in possession of it, the land be allowed to return to its natural state.”

  “I assume that will take a bit of work, and imagination,” Jonas said.

  Don laughed. “I would think so. Ramona, you are not left out of the equation.”

  “I don’t expect anything,” Ramona said. “I had his friendship and loyalty. It was enough.”

  “Harry’s monetary wealth is going to be substantial,” Don said. “I’m not talking thousands of dollars but a seven-figure amount.”

  “But he lived like a pauper,” Ramona said.

  “Obviously, his choice,” Jonas said.

  “When all transactions are completed, everything signed, and the lawyer satisfied, the estate monies will be divided as follows …”

  “Such professional language,” Ramona said.

  Don laughed. “I just slipped into my bank voice. Are you ready for the big reveal?”

  “Hand me another beer and don’t keep us in suspense any longer,” Jonas said.

  Don handed Jonas a cold beer and opened another for himself. “One-quarter of the money will be assigned to the not-for-profit organization. One quarter will be divided between Jonas and me. One quarter will be given to you, Ramona. And again, I’m not referring to just a few thousand dollars for each.”

  “Oh my Lord, what a position to put all of us in!” Ramona exclaimed.

  “I think that we three are the only people that he trusted to be astute about his wishes regarding his estate. He wasn’t chummy with too many people.”

  “He kept his love close to his heart,” Ramona said. “I do have a question. What happens to the other one quarter? Do we really want to know?”