by Pat Mestern
“Lorraine is to be given monies to help her establish music schools for the underprivileged, wherever she deems it necessary. She is being rewarded for simply being a part of your life Ramona.”
“That is admirable and brings tears to my eyes,” Ramona said.
“You may want to cry when you hear what the last of the money is destined for,” Don said.
“It has to have something to do with at least one of Harry’s special projects?”
“I’d say so. The money is to be used to save and restore old cemeteries. The three of us are to manage that initiative.”
Jonas laughed. “Harry’s made sure life will never be dull for us. What an unusual project!”
“And all this started nearly one hundred years ago,” Ramona said. “It’s unbelievable that a vein of love could last for so long.”
“And it’s still alive,” Don said, reaching for Ramona’s hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze. “There is still love to go around.”
Chapter 16
September 10: Home
The trip home from Algoma had been enlightening for both Don and Ramona as during the drive they once again reminisced in great detail. Each seemed to want the other to know every small detail about their past lives, both the good and the bad. By the time Don pulled into the drive at Castello dei Signo they both also knew what they wanted the future to hold. Neither said it aloud but each thought that Harry Forest definitely had something to do with their getting together.
Lorraine was standing at the front door as Don turned into the drive. She had Major’s leash in one hand, newspapers in the other. Mooch acted like a live scarf wrapped around her shoulders.
Don took one look at the trio and laughed. “I hear Major’s been a bad boy.”
“It took two days for him to get back to Harry Forest’s old place. He must have run all the way,” Lorraine said. “The neighbour called my landlord and left a message for me that he was lying by the front door of Harry’s old house. So, I picked him up and we stayed here, at Ramona’s place. I rescued Mooch from his prison because I figured that with me and Mooch around Major wouldn’t bother to try to escape again. He did actually settle down.”
“Lorraine, you are a real gem,” Ramona said. “Thank you. What’s been going on since we left?”
“Your phone’s been ringing off the hook about the … decorations in the churchyard. I’ve not said anything but ‘My goodness, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll have Ramona call you. She’s away for a while.’”
Don took Major’s leash. “Have either of you given thought to what our next move is going to be?”
“All depends on what’s been published in the papers,” Ramona said. “Are the write-ups pro or against the flags?”
“For the most part, they are leaning toward the action being a positive one—a call for review, one fellow wrote. Regional radio stations and CTV covered the story and interviewed local folks. Most think there should be meetings, a review of the history of the burial ground, and a designation of historic significance. Some have mentioned that there are rules in place regards cemeteries. Several have written letters to the church officials. Of course, there’s been no comment from the officials.”
Ramona gently lifted Mooch off Lorraine’s shoulder. “I think it’s time to bring the box of bones to light. Say I call a few media contacts. We meet them at a neutral location and show them the bones.”
“We can hand out copies of the backstory. That’s what it’s called, isn’t it? You have proof of the origins of the bones because you were there, helping Harry,” Don said. “That would make for excellent content.”
“And, I have a number of the artifacts and personal items that Harry collected. Those should definitely get media attention! I think we have a dominant edge on this story. We just might stand a chance of saving the burial ground.”
“I’d say so,” Don said.
“And, thanks to Harry, we now have the money to pay a lawyer or two if necessary. No doubt this will be the first of many battles we’ll fight to preserve old cemeteries,” Ramona said.
“Is there something I don’t know about cemeteries, Harry Forest, and battles?” Lorraine asked.
“There’s a lot of information that will eventually be divulged,” Don said, thinking it was time to change the subject. Until Harry’s will was probated it was best all information be kept between Ramona, Jonas, and himself.
Ramona picked up on Don’s reservations about divulging any information regards the will.
“Do I smell something good to eat?”
“How be we scunner and scheme over coffee and cake? I baked a chocolate cake, just for Don.”
“Scunner. Now that’s a word I haven’t heard in years. My… mother, my Jennie mother, used it all the time.”
“Don, you are indeed blessed. There are two women who loved and love you in their own way. You have a perfect right to refer to both women as your mother and mothers,” Ramona said.
“Actually, I sincerely hope I have three women in my life, two who love and one who loved me,” Don said quietly. Before Lorraine could pick up on his words, Don said, “Let’s attack that cake.”
September 12
Evening at “The Rock”
Don and Ramona sat comfortably on the stone enjoying the antics of a chipmunk that thought they’d brought a treat. Ramona smiled as she glanced toward the Carmello property knowing that now it was in good hands. The apple trees had been trimmed. Don had moved in, embraced the property’s history and character, assessed the condition of the buildings and grounds, then began the process of restoring, renovating, and rejuvenating. The roofs on both homes had been newly shingled.
Of more importance he loved the one person still living who had called his new acquisition home. She in turn had indicated she felt the same way about him. Don was about to find out for sure if a lasting relationship was in the future.
Before venturing to the rock, Don spent a half hour privately chatting with Lorraine in a local coffee shop. She had, among other things, graciously agreed to babysit the dog and cat while Don took Ramona out for an evening of, in Don’s word, “wooing.”
The evening went as Don had carefully planned. First, they enjoyed dinner at a local inn, known for its Italian food and excellent selection of wines. Then he’d parked in the school lot, took Ramona by the arm, and led her to the rock.
“It was good of Lorraine to stay at the house to babysit the pooch and Mooch,” Ramona said. “She’s a very special person. I love her to bits.”
“How old is she?” Don asked.
“She’s old enough to fall in love. You know, the first time Jonas comes south I’m going to get he and Lorraine together in a nice casual way, maybe a picnic at the log cabin. They think along the same lines; well let’s just say outside the lines. They are both free-spirited and not-boxable, Lorraine’s explanation of her way of thinking and living. I think we’re sisters-in-thought and action. She’s game for anything. She’s never said she wouldn’t participate to any of my insane suggestions.”
Don laughed. He wondered just how non-boxable Ramona actually was. There was only one way to find out. He gathered up his courage, slid off the rock, and went down on one knee in front of her.
“What are you doing?”
“I am proposing to you.”
“Proposing! Oh my!”
“My dearest Ramona, would you give me the honour and pleasure of marrying me, of being my wife?”
Ramona looked at Don then at her surroundings. Tonight the setting sun would soon colour the sky with multihues of blues, purples, golds, yellows, and red. If someone painted a picture of such a sunset no one would believe it to be true. She then glanced toward her ancestral home, the place that held so many memories and where so many more could be made. She turned to look at Don again, at the questioning look on his face.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Donald Chambers. The pleasure is all mine.”
Don reached
into a pocket and took out a small box, opened it, and placed it in Ramona’s hand. “I bought this for you. But, before I put this ring on your finger, I have something to show you,” He quickly reached into a second pocket and took out another small box. “This is an engagement ring that Harry meant to give Charlotte at Christmas in 1932. Given how close she was to dying, he chose to give her the wedding ring instead. This ring was in his safe deposit box in Algoma Mills.”
Ramona looked from one ring to the other then at Don, tears in her eyes. “What do you wish me to do? Which ring do you want me to wear?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. You and Harry had a special bond through your Aunt Charlotte.”
“In the most unusual way,” Ramona whispered.
“I think you should read a note that was in the safe deposit box before you choose.” Don took both ring boxes from Ramona and handed her the small piece of paper and a flashlight.
Ramona opened the note and read its contents slowly. She finally said, “I would be saluting the special love that Harry and Charlotte had by choosing his ring. But, I would be showing my love for you by wearing your ring.” With tears in her eyes, Ramona said. “Harry’s words are prophetic but, I wish to wear the ring you picked for me. I choose your ring, Don.”
Don put the small box with Harry’s ring back into his pocket. He removed the ring he’d bought from its box, took Ramona’s left hand, kissed it, and placed the diamond on her finger.
Ramona bent and kissed Donald gently on the lips. “Thank you, Sir Donald.”
“Would you do me the honour of marrying me on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend?”
“It would be my pleasure as long as the ceremony can be performed in the presence of Nibi, and Lorraine can be my bridesmaid.”
“And Jonas my best man,” Don said. “Let’s play matchmakers in Espanola.”
“Can I be bold enough to tell you that after we’re married, I definitely want to live over there, in my childhood home?”
“It would be my pleasure to carry you over the threshold of our home,” Don said. “What about Castello dei Sogni?”
“I have a few things in mind that might be suitable for the Castello. We can think about heritage, music, meeting place, a special home for someone …” Ramona said. “Come sit with me. Put your arm around me and let’s watch the sunset. It is going to be one we will never forget. Have I told you that I love you and that I truly will forever?”
Don wrapped Ramona in his arms. “Have I told you that from the first moment I saw you at Harry’s burial, I loved you?”
“You have now,” Ramona said as she leaned forward to kiss Don on each cheek. “I seal my love for you with kisses. Ngwis gdaaw, my love for you is as strong and lasting as this rock I’m sitting on. My rock, your rock, our rock.”
Faintly in the distance Don thought he heard a loon calling. No, it couldn’t be. This was southern Ontario. Loons hadn’t been seen in the area for years. The nearest lake was five miles away.
“Did you hear the call of a loon?” he asked Ramona.
“I did,” Ramona said. “It’s just Harry Forest up to his unusual tricks again.”
More By Pat Mestern
Pat Mestern
Pat Mestern has always called the Upper Grand River Valley in southern Ontario home. The combination of its beautiful natural heritage and multi-cultural diversity - the Scots, Irish, English, German, Mennonite and Amish settled this vibrant area - plays a major role in forming the characterizations and settings for her works of historical fiction that are set in Canada. Traveling and writing provide her with endless ideas for scenarios, time periods and characters for those works of fiction that are set “away”. She credits her upbringing, surrounded by books, music, good conversation and encouragement from family for her love of history, and the ability to write.
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