Another Angel of Love Page 10

  When she didn’t say anything else, Henry stood and put his arms around her. She fell into his chest, sobbing.

  “You’ve been hurt so much, Mom; I understand. I only felt a little of what you do. I love you, Mom.”

  After a few minutes, her sobbing subsided. Henry patted her on the back. “Are you okay, Mom?” When she nodded, sniffing, he added, “I’d better be going. Mr. Engelmann will wonder what’s happened to me. I’m usually there by eight-thirty and it’s almost ten now. I don’t think I’ll be home for lunch today. I’ll just grab some salami and a bun or something at the store.”

  Mary didn’t look at him. “Yes, you better get going.” She turned and sank her hands into the dishwater again.

  “’Bye, Mom, see you later.”

  As Henry biked towards the store he mulled the conversation over. Was his mom as ready to forgive his dad as he was? He wished she could let go like he had done at the cemetery. Henry had thought he’d forgiven his dad after he talked with Mr. Engelmann about it when his dad had first left, but realized after the funeral that he hadn’t really. He felt at peace now, like a huge weight had been taken off his shoulders. He felt so free.

  When Henry arrived at the store, Mr. Engelmann was on the phone taking an order. He already had a stack of orders for Henry to deliver, and the store had to be restocked. After being closed all day Saturday, today was going to be busy. In a way Henry was glad—it would help Mr. Engelmann keep his mind off his loss.

  On Thursday morning before Henry arrived, Doug, the Coca-Cola rep, stopped in on his weekly call to follow up with Mr. Engelmann about any repairs he needed done to the coolers. A week earlier he’d mentioned to Mr. Engelmann that the service man had suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side. He wouldn’t be coming back to work for a long time, and if he even did, he probably wouldn’t be able to do that job anymore. The company was looking for a replacement but in the meantime they had to hire an outside repair service if the equipment needed attention.

  “So, Doug, have you found a replacement service man yet?”

  “No. One of the Coke executives wants to hire his brother-in-law, but that would go against company policy.”

  David wasn’t sure why but he felt compelled to find out more.

  “What are the qualifications for the job, do you know?”

  “Well, whoever we hire needs to know something about machinery and be handy, for one thing—although Coca-Cola will send the right candidate on a three-week training program. Why do you ask?”

  Suddenly David knew what had prompted him to pursue the matter. “Henry’s dad!” he exclaimed.

  “What about Henry’s dad?” Doug asked, bewildered.

  “Henry’s dad is the man for the job.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Well,” Mr. Engelmann said, pausing to think of a persuasive response, “Bill Pederson is a kind, personable and dependable man. You know how hard-working and smart Henry is. Well, who do you think he learned it from?” Mr. Engelmann paused only long enough for Doug to come up with the obvious answer. “He looks after all the machinery at the plant where he works. When something breaks down, Bill usually gets the equipment working before the company has to call in an outside repair service. After awhile the company had so much confidence in Bill’s know-how they asked him to do all the repairs.” David looked squarely into Doug’s eyes and summed up his pitch. “He’s a good man, Doug.”

  “I see,” the cola rep said, and David knew he’d sold him. “Well, why don’t you ask him to put in an application? I’ll drop one off here on Monday if you think he’d be interested.”

  “I’m going to their home for dinner on Sunday and I’ll ask Bill then. I’ll get back to you Monday morning, one way or another.”

  “All right, thanks. See you, David.”

  David had to coach his heart rate to a slower pace after Doug left. Bill would be perfect for that job. He knew Bill didn’t like working in the plant or the conditions there, especially during the winter. From what Henry had shared with him, perhaps one of the reasons Bill had left with that other woman had something to do with his job. David was looking forward to his visit Sunday evening with Bill and Mary more than ever. He would pray and call Father Connelly to say a mass that it all work out for the best.

  He could hardly wait for Henry to come in. They had been very busy lately and seemed to be getting even busier. Customer loyalty was at its peak. So strong was their customer base, they’d even heard that if some of the children of their regular shoppers went elsewhere, they would get a scolding from their mothers! The store even gained a modicum of fame as a tourist attraction. When friends of their customers came to visit, they were brought in and told of the friendship and service they received from the grocery that remembered everyone’s birthday!

  “Not like those big stores that are starting to pop up,” they would say and beam proudly.

  Still, David was concerned what would happen when Henry went back to school in the fall. He was going into Grade 12 and needed time for his schoolwork and student council business. Mrs. Schmidt was good but not as quick or efficient as Henry. And David found that he didn’t have the energy to carry the store himself—he missed Anna dearly.

  Maybe it’s time to sell. The bigger stores would take over eventually, he knew. Safeway was only three blocks away and they were already underselling him. They bought in much bigger quantities than he could. If it wasn’t for the fact that he provided such good service, he would have lost a lot of business to them.

  But, what would he do without the store? It was his whole life. But now that Anna was gone, things weren’t the same anyway. Maybe…just maybe, he should sell.

  Chapter Seven

  An hour after her search began the phone book was still missing. She plunked herself onto a chair in the kitchen and quizzed herself about where she possibly could have left it. Had she thrown it out with the old newspapers and magazines last week? But the weight would have given it away. Well, if she couldn’t find it, she’d just have to phone information to get the number for Simpsons-Sears.

  As she sipped her coffee and flipped through the catalogue looking for shirts for Henry, it occurred to her that the phone book might be in his room. She had checked everywhere else.

  Coffee in hand, Mary went down the hall to Henry’s bedroom. And there it was, sitting on Henry’s desk. Who would Henry be phoning? She sat at his desk and scanned the rows of names. Then she noticed a pencil wedged between the pages at the back of the book. Mary opened it to that spot and saw a light pencil mark under the words Trans-Canada Airlines and a circle around the airline’s phone number.

  She knew she hadn’t made those markings—the only time she’d needed flight information was when Bill was coming home from Vancouver. Peter had given her all the information she needed. Those had to be Henry’s marks…but why?

  Then an idea came to her, and the more she thought about it, the heavier her heart grew. Henry still missed Jenny. He was going to try to find her. Could he really be planning to do that? He’d never mentioned a word or even hinted, and yet…

  The bottom drawer of Henry’s desk was slightly ajar and Mary’s motherly instincts told her to open it. Inside was an envelope that looked like it contained a lot of money. Reluctantly she reached down for it and set it atop the desk. Worry for her son outweighed the guilt she felt for snooping through his things.

  Mary opened the envelope. There were easily several hundred dollars in it, along with a folded sheet of paper, a letter? Maybe he’d already found Jenny and was planning to meet her somewhere. She took the page out and slowly opened it.

  July 1960: find and visit Jenny right after Grade 12 graduation.

  Get a map of Ottawa.

  When I arrive, call Mr. Sarsky at his office and make an appointment to see him.

  Mackurcher and Co., 1854 Lyon St
., Ottawa.

  Save up money for an airplane ticket. Cost?

  Call the ymca to see if rooms are available. Save up money for a hotel room.

  Save up money to spend while there and to take Jenny out.

  Make a reservation and buy the plane ticket. Also make hotel reservations for July 2-6. Be there for our anniversary.

  Save money to buy Jenny a ring.

  Mary could barely read the last item. She reached for the tissue in her apron pocket and dabbed at her eyes.

  She hadn’t known Henry still felt so strongly about Jenny. How had he been able to keep it from her? Perhaps he knew it would bother her to know how he still felt. He wanted to carry the burden alone.

  Mary wept. She felt helpless. What could she possibly do? Suddenly she realized she couldn’t let Henry know she had discovered his secret. Their trust would be at risk.

  She marvelled at his determination, though. He must have phoned tca to see how much the flight would cost. That was why he had the phone book. Mary glanced at his plan again impressed by what he’d already considered and astonished once more that he’d kept it from her. All this time she thought he’d had forgotten about the girl. That he’d moved on. Mary shook her head and wiped her eyes again.

  As she folded Henry’s note, a teardrop fell onto the bottom corner of the page. She dabbed at it with the tissue, but it didn’t go away. It would disappear once it dried, she thought. Mary carefully tucked Henry’s plan back in its envelope the way she had found it.

  As she reached down to put it back in the drawer, she saw several pamphlets about things to see in Ottawa along with a map of the city. Mary couldn’t believe Henry’s initiative. He must have visited the Chamber of Commerce or some tourist company to get that information.

  She slid the drawer almost closed the way it had been. She knew Henry’s keen attention to detail and didn’t want him to suspect she’d been there. And so, rather than taking the phone book back with her to the kitchen, she quickly looked up the number for Simpsons-Sears, wrote it down and placed the phone book on Henry’s desk as she’d found it.

  In the kitchen she poured herself a fresh cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table. It explained so much. This was why Henry wasn’t going out with other girls. They phoned him all the time, and he always came up with one excuse or another. Perhaps he felt he was too busy, too. Working for Mr. Engelmann, keeping his studies up and being the class rep took a lot of time, but he still needed to go out. And what if Jenny was no longer interested by the time he finished Grade 12? He would have wasted so much of his life when he could have been enjoying his high school years.

  Mary’s heart churned with anger at Jenny’s parents, who were responsible for cutting off all communication between Henry and their daughter. Oh, she understood they were doing what they considered to be best for Jenny but she wondered if there was another reason.

  As she sipped her coffee she realized that the only thing she could do was pray that it would turn out for the best.

  Mary looked up at the crucifix hanging above the doorway. “Dear Jesus, I never realized how deeply my son still misses Jenny. How he’s made a plan to help him cope, to give him hope and strength to appear strong. Keep him from further hurt. Protect him and…please help him fulfill his heart’s desire. It is in Your hands, now.”

  Chapter Eight

  David Engelmann knocked on the door just before five on Sunday. He had been looking forward to this visit all day. As Henry opened the door and welcomed him inside, Mr. Engelmann revelled in the heavenly aroma of pot roast, onions, carrots and potatoes. Also mingling in the air were the scent of baked bread and the unmistakable baked cinnamon smell of apple pie.

  “You’re in for a real treat tonight, Mr. Engelmann.”

  While the meal finished cooking, they all retired to the living room. They talked about the weather, Henry’s schooling and Mary’s desire to get a job once Henry finished school.

  When Mary excused herself to tend to dinner, David decided to bring up the job with Coca-Cola. “Speaking of jobs, I have something that might be of interest to you, Bill.”

  “What’s that, David?”

  Mr. Engelmann looked at Henry and said, “Well, you know Doug, our Coca-Cola rep?”

  “Yeah, sure,” Henry replied, “he got our sign for us.”

  “Yes, yes,” said Mr. Engelmann. “Well, he told me their service man has had a stroke and is paralyzed. He can’t work there anymore.” Mr. Engelmann looked at Bill. “They’re looking for a new man for the job. I mentioned to Doug that you might be interested in the position. I think they pay well. They also have a company van and good benefits.” He paused, allowing what he had said to register. “I told Doug I would mention it to you.”

  After a brief pause, Henry’s dad asked, “What sort of things does the service man do?”

  “He repairs fridges and compressors when they break down.”

  “I know I can fix the machines at the plant, but fridges are different.”

  “Doug said Coca-Cola would pay for three weeks of training for the right person. And, come to think of it, I remember the last service man telling me the company also has an ongoing training course during the winter when things slow down a bit.”

  Bill was quiet as he pondered the prospect.

  Henry had to bite his tongue to keep from shouting at his dad to “go for it!” He figured it was best to stay out of it.

  “Where do you apply for this position?” Bill asked, casting a glance David’s way.

  “Doug said he would drop off an application form at the store on Monday if you expressed an interest.”

  Henry’s dad shifted in his chair. Things were moving a little too quickly. “Let me think on it for a bit.”

  “It’s up to you, Bill. But I have to let Doug know one way or the other in a day or so.”

  The men jumped to their feet when Mary announced dinner was ready, the smells wafting through the house having whetted their appetites. Later, as Mary served Mr. Engelmann a steaming piece of apple pie, Henry noticed him undo the buttons of his vest.

  “That was the best meal I have had in a long time, Mary,” Mr. Engelmann said. “Anna was also a good cook, but the last few years she could not stand long and made small meals that took only a little time. If you don’t mind, could I take a piece of that apple pie home with me? I’ll have it with my bedtime cup of tea.”

  “Absolutely!” said Mary, clearly pleased that Mr. Engelmann had enjoyed himself.

  After dinner, they headed into the living room to relax, digest and wash everything down with a cup of tea. No one said anything for a few moments.

  Then Bill spoke. “You know, David, that job at Coca-Cola sounds interesting. Maybe I should apply or at least talk to this Doug fellow.”

  “Yes, yes. Well, I will phone Doug in the morning and let him know you are interested. I’ll send the application home with Henry after work tomorrow night.”

  “Sounds good. Thank you for your trouble.”

  “No, no—no trouble at all. Glad I can be of some service.”

  They chatted a little while longer and Mary suggested they play cards, but Mr. Engelmann declined, saying he needed to head home and wanted to work off his dinner with a walk.

  “Thank you so much, Mary and Bill, for having me over tonight. I appreciate it very—”

  “You’re most welcome and please come over again next Sunday,” Mary said. “We’d love to have you. We appreciate all that you’ve done for Henry.”

  “Well!” said Mr. Engelmann, clearly delighted, “next Sunday would be fine, just as long as I don’t become a nuisance!”

  “I’m sure that will never happen. Oh, just a minute, your pie!” Mary rushed into the kitchen and returned a moment later with a wedge of apple pie in a brown bag. “Here, make sure you have it tonight, while it’s real fres
h.”

  “I promise—in an hour or two, I will be ready.”

  Mary hugged Mr. Engelmann, then he extended a hand to Bill and then Henry, wishing them all a good evening.

  He took the stairs slowly and headed down the walk. Mary, Bill and Henry watched him trudge along.

  “He seems so tired,” said Bill. “I’m worried he won’t be able to look after that busy store much longer.”

  “Yeah,” Henry said, “And I’m worried about how he’ll manage once I go back to school. He really misses Anna.”

  “Maybe I can help,” said Mary. “Do you think he’d like me to work at the store?”

  “Are you sure you want to?” Bill asked. “You really don’t have to work, you know. We can afford for you to stay home.”

  “Oh, I know that, but I need to think of something to do, especially when Henry goes back to school. Besides, I think it would be interesting to work at the store. How do you feel about that, Henry?”

  “I think it would be great! You’d be a big help to Mr. Engelmann and I wouldn’t have to worry so much about him. I don’t like to see him alone. I’ll mention it to him tomorrow and see what he says.”

  Mr. Engelmann called Doug at eight o’clock the following morning and asked him to drop off the application form on his way by. About half an hour later, Doug walked in.

  “’Morning, David,” he said, as he approached the counter. “Here’s that application form. But remember I told you that one of the executives was trying to get his brother-in-law the job?”

  “Didn’t you say that was against company policy?”

  “That’s true, but you know how it is. Things don’t always go the way they should, you know.”

  “Well. As long as Bill gets fair treatment and an equal chance at the job, that’s all I ask. He’s a good man. Your company will be proud to have him.”

  Doug chuckled. “If he’s anything like his son, we’d be lucky to have him. I’ll do my best. Can’t promise anything, though.”