Maureen's Journey Home

by Ian Macdonald

  The union leader for the area had been consulted and shown the company’s proposal in terms of hourly wage rates and benefit packages. Initially he had tried to squeeze more blood out of the stone, but while Frank was perhaps more inclined to bend a little Rachelle wasn’t. The union boss, Rory McCain, was not a happy camper and he had tried to dig his heels in.

  “Look, I know what you people in Toronto think of us Easterners, but I assure you we ain’t as thick as you guys seem to think” said Rory at the meeting.

  “We know that, Rory” said Frank, “we are well aware of that and we are negotiating in good faith here.”

  “Bullshit” replied Rory, “I know for a fact that our members in Toronto earn more an hour than what is on the table here. You wouldn’t dare offer them this deal – so why try it here? Because you think we’re dumb as shit right?

  It was then that Paul spoke up.

  “There’s a lady in the room Rory, watch your manners. If I were to offer you a job in Toronto for fifty percent more than you make now would you accept it? That would be a great offer would it not?”

  “Yes it would.”

  “Well, would you take it or not.”

  “I’d have to think about it first, the housing costs are far higher and so is the cost of living, I’d be bringing home less at the end of the day once the bills were paid.”

  “Oh really! Then maybe that’s why Braxton pays a little higher down there in Toronto because it costs more to live there.”

  “Yer’s a crafty bastard so yer’s are Paul Machin” said Rory. Yer as bad as this pit bull with lipstick when it comes right down to it - and you are one of us so you say.”

  “Well as I said Rory, you might want to tone down your language. I am quite sure that Miss Braithwaite has heard far worse, but that is no excuse. Yes, she is a tough negotiator, Rory. She has to be in order to deal with skilled people like you. You would skin her alive given half the chance and we both know it. However, she didn’t get where she was by simply being a pretty face, with or without lipstick. Rachelle, pass me one of your business cards would you please?”

  Rachelle duly opened her purse and produced one and handed it to Paul.

  “Here you are Rory; you may keep that for future reference – now read what it says out loud for the benefit of your team.”

  “It says Rachelle Braithwaite BSc. MBA executive assistant.”

  “Yes that’s right Rory and you were sufficiently respected in Toronto that Tony sent her up here to deal directly with you. He knew you were a tough negotiator who would do everything you could for your members. He could hardly send a novice to face someone of your talents. Yes she is a woman – but a very smart and skilled woman, hence her position at Braxton. The deal that she has proposed is a fair one and we both know it. Both of you have arrived at it through plain speaking. That’s what we do up here right? So let’s not change that now. If I were to go to the “Lobster Pot” tonight with this deal and then tell them that you refused it – what do you think their reaction would be, Rory?”

  “All right Paul, I think I can sell this to the members as it stands – but you are still a crafty bastard.”

  “You on the other hand are as pure as driven snow, Rory, isn’t that right?”

  “Of course I am, Paul, we understand each other so well.”

  With that the meeting adjourned and the deal was now a given. It was a very good and fair deal and Rory’s ego had been massaged expertly and his face saved in front of his team. He knew what would have happened had he refused this deal and he knew that Paul knew it too. He had tried to play Rachelle, but she wasn’t moving her position and when Paul said his piece he knew he had to settle. He would have been strung up if he hadn’t and he knew it.

  The next few weeks would be spent setting up the new plant and training the new workers. They would go to college first and then be trained on the line once they were established. Things were now moving along nicely and the local people were delighted. This plant was going to revitalize their community and they were all in favour of that.

  ***

  Pete Bradshaw was in his office in Richvale one morning finishing up on a report he had to submit when his telephone rang. It was Tony Braxton on the other end of the line and he asked Pete to come over to his office the following morning. He did not go into the details, but he told Pete he had a proposition for him. It was still tentative as yet, but he wanted his opinion on it. After he put the phone down he drove over to the Man Cave to have a word with Paul and to thank him for all he had done for him and for not walking away when he so easily could have. As a result he was now the foreman of the Richvale plant and Tony now had something else lined up for him. That day he had laughed and joked along with Paul and Andre not knowing what he was about to be offered. He had indeed come a long way from his days on the street dragging his dead leg behind him in a drunken stupor. Pete Bradshaw was now a completely changed man and a man who had been through the mill and survived. Tony had seen his transformation right before his eyes and in truth he had been largely responsible for it. Now he was going to begin the next step on his journey with Braxton Industries and unknown to him right now, be reunited with Paul Machin. Paul would in fact be his new boss, but Pete would be more than happy about that – it was Paul who had rescued him and helped him get back on his feet.

  “Good morning Pete, I asked you over here this morning to run something by you. Braxton is opening up a new facility out East and right now we are in the process of tooling up the plant and getting all the machinery all set up. We are also in the process of training the shop floor workers and the assembly staff. Frank Brown and Rachelle Braithwaite have been up there and spoken to the union boss and hired all the right people to run the place. However, we need a general foreman to oversee the floor operations – would you be interested in moving out east to take that job on. Before you answer that – you will report directly to the plant manager – Paul Machin. Can I interest you in taking on that responsibility, Pete? I know that you and Paul get along well, but it is a big decision and does mean a move out East.”

  “Yes it is a big decision, Sir, but it’s an offer I deeply appreciate, I do. It is also a huge responsibility too and I don’t want to screw it up – not after you have done for me.”

  “Take you time to think it over Pete. I have mentioned the possibility to Paul and he would be delighted to have you with him. That said, this is your decision, Pete, and no pressure will be applied one way or the other. I have every confidence in your abilities on the floor as does your current boss. We believe you are ready for this challenge. It is your call Pete, think it over for a few days, talk to Paul if you want, and then let me know your decision.”

  Two days later he happily accepted that position.

  ***

  Maureen, while all of this had been going on, had all kinds of ideas going through her head. If they went ahead with the Women’s Shelter, what kind of services would she set in place? What professionals would she be able to recruit to help out etc.? Would she be able to offer classes, how much fund raising would she need to do to be able to run the place? All of this was running through her mind. At the same time she was gazing down at her ring as it sparkled in the sunlight. This now brought up another topic – her wedding. She and Paul had not yet set a date and hadn’t really had a meaningful discussion on the subject. She knew that they had to really sit down and discuss this – but so far they hadn’t. With this upcoming move to Nova Scotia where would the wedding now take place, here in Markton or out there in Murdoch’s Cove? If it were held out there who would attend – then again who from out East would attend a Markton wedding. She certainly had a lot to think about and that was before the minor details of dresses, bridesmaids, catering, invitations, favors and everything else connected to a wedding. Paul, like most men would be clueless on such matters. She would involve him of course – but she knew he would simply nod and grunt in the right places and not have a clue as to what
was happening. He’d order his tux or whatever and rely on his best man to get him there complete with ring – and even that could be iffy. As she was thinking about all of this she realized that she was being a little harsh perhaps and a smile crept across her face. None of that mattered. As long as Paul showed up she would be happy, the rest was simply decoration. The only thing that mattered to Maureen was becoming Mrs. Paul Machin. She had waited a long time to find the right man and she had been dragged through Hell and back again before she found him. Unicorns were certainly rare alright – but she now had hers all neatly gift wrapped. The finer details just didn’t matter at all. Right this minute her thoughts were all about going to Murdoch’s Cove and to setting up the new Women’s Shelter in nearby Liverpool. All her childhood memories were coming back to her now. She suddenly realized that not all of those memories related to the antics of her and Helen. There were other memories of a more adult nature. As a young girl her parents had tried to shield her from the fishermen’s drunken brawls, their wives fighting one another in the pub’s and calling each other rather unsavory names and other such behaviour. It wasn’t always sweetness and light she now recalled. Her parents had certainly tried their best to shield her – but it was an almost impossible task. On top of that it was simply just life – and you cannot escape that, you just have to accept it. One may not fully understand it as a naïve young girl – but now as a mature woman, Maureen knew only too well what tragedies were out there. Being rescued by Paul in that forest had now brought her into contact with people she would otherwise never have met, Tony Braxton and Rachel Malcolm to name but two. In meeting them, she had now been given an opportunity to really help people and make a difference in their lives. She had already sampled that here in Markton where the women had far more than those out on the East Coast had. As a young widow with an ailing mother she knew how difficult live could be and many of the women out there were far worse off. With a good man beside her now she felt as if she could move mountains – and she was hell bent on trying to do just that. She had seen first-hand how Rachel had helped so many traumatized women at the Shelter and she would now try to do the same in Nova Scotia – putting into practice all that she had learned from Rachel and Debbie. In addition, Paul would be there at the end of the day to take her mind off the troubles of the world. A smile now crossed her face as she contemplated just how he might do that. She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks as she lit up like a Christmas tree just thinking about it. He had quite a way about him did Paul, when he put his mind to it. When it came to unwinding Maureen and getting her totally relaxed he most certainly did have that magic touch. What that might lead to once she was relaxed – well that really put a smile on her face now – and also forced her back to reality. Right now you have other duties to perform, Maureen, and stop all of this daydreaming, she scolded herself.

  Chapter Twenty

  ***

  Paul and Andre were sitting in Paul’s office a few days later discussing the changeover arrangements. When Paul moved out East Andre would be taking over his duties. It would be a very easy transition in this case as Andre knew exactly how things were run in the Man Cave. Gwen would be assuming Maureen’s duties in much the same fashion. Then the subject of weddings came up.

  “So if you guys are moving out East are you going to get married before you go or are you getting married out there, asked Andre?”

  “To be honest, Andre, we haven’t discussed anything yet.”

  “Well don’t you think it’s time that you did?”

  “Yes I guess it is really.”

  “Well if you are looking for a best man I guess I could fit you in,”

  “Without being too pushy you mean.”

  “Exactly, you know me, I’m kind of shy that way and I wouldn’t want to be seen as intrusive.”

  “God forbid, Andre, that you could never be.”

  “However, now that you have made that magnanimous and selfless offer I will take you up on it. Did you have a date in mind too, or will you allow Maureen and I the privilege of choosing that?”

  “Oh I think you could manage that much, Paul. Choosing the date is just about all you’d be doing. Maureen would be doing everything else I would imagine. I’ll even take you to the formal rentals place to get you fixed up with a tux.”

  “Well that’s big of you, Andre – so we are having a formal do are we – you have decided that have you?”

  “Damn right, this is your big day and one to remember forever, a sports jacket and trousers just ain’t gonna cut it – not for this wedding.”

  “That seems to settle that then doesn’t it - formal it is. I assume Gwen will be giving similar advice to Maureen?”

  “Oh I doubt it, she won’t need any advice in that area, she has way too much class. She’ll know what she wants, women always do, they’ve had it planned for years. You won’t have a say in it. Well you will be allowed to put your two cents in here and there. If it coincides with their wishes all well and good, if it doesn’t, they’ll just smile at you, give you a kiss and do what the hell they like anyway. You my friend will just go along with it – that’s what grooms do – husbands too come to think of it.”

  “Now there’s a ringing endorsement for marriage if ever I heard one. Who could possibly shy away from it after those words of wisdom?”

  “Hey! I’m just telling it like it is”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

  Both men laughed at that, but they also knew that a serious discussion on the subject was needed – and very soon too.

  That night after dinner Paul raised the issue with Maureen and they both sat down on the sofa to discuss it.

  “Well, Honey, where do we want to get married, that’s the first question – here or out East?”

  “I think here would be better, Paul. Andre, Gwen and Rachel couldn’t leave to travel out East for that length of time, and probably Tony couldn’t either. Cathy would go, but it wouldn’t be the same for her without Tony.”

  “Good point, Maureen. Martin and Violet could probably make it here and so too could Helen and Hamish. Outside of them I don’t have too many other people on my list, do you?”

  “No not really, one or two cousins but that’s about it.”

  “Well then I guess we’ll have the wedding here. Andre has already appointed himself as my Best Man so that about covers it for me. You on the other hand probably have a few more things to deal with – like dresses, bridesmaids and all those other girlie type things that are involved in weddings.”

  “Now just hold up a minute here mister – it’s your wedding too you know. You have one or two things to look after yourself don’t forget. The church, the transportation, the flowers – minor details like that – not to mentions anything else I might come up with. I’ll take care of the table favours, bridesmaid’s gifts, place settings and the seating chart. Oh and don’t forget your speech and the toasts.”

  “Hey wait a minute here, where do you imagine we are holding this spectacular – the convention center?” I was more inclined to hold it in a phone booth, well maybe a pretty large one.”

  “Paul Machin, behave yourself, this is all normal arrangements for weddings. We don’t have to hold it under the Skydome with fifty thousand of our closest friends – but the corner café is out too- right?”

  “Well if you feel that strongly about it I guess I’ll just have to bite the bullet and go along with it then eh!”

  “Good we are on the same page at last.”

  Paul was just sitting there grinning from ear to ear. Maureen could be quite feisty when aroused and he had certainly got her going that time.

  “What are you grinning like a Cheshire cat for, you’ll have plenty to do for this wedding? If you think that you and Andre can disappear to the pub or say you have Man Cave business to attend to each night – think again.”

  Paul’s grin widened into a real beam now, Maureen was on a real tear now.

  “Okay, Hon
, I’ve got the message, Andre and I will take the pledge until it’s over.”

  “Don’t you get smart with me Paul Machin or you’ll regret it – a girl can develop a lot of headaches at times like these – if you get my drift.”

  “Oh Yeah, I get your drift, I’ll be a good boy.”

  “Good I’m glad we cleared that up.”

  Paul just sat there remembering Andre’s words of wisdom – “just say yes to everything, it’s what husbands do.” Well the smart ones anyway thought Paul to himself; he knew which side his bread was buttered on. If he didn’t before he sure did now.

  ***

  Maureen went to work the following morning like a dog with two tails- she was going to get married. She already knew that she was – but somehow this made it feel more definite. They had actually discussed it - whereas before she had just been given the ring and marriage seemed so far away. Well now it was on the front burner and not the back and she had arrangements to make. Item one was getting a dress – Gwen was going to be her Maid of Honor – at least that was what Maureen imagined without even thinking about it. As she was driving to the Women’s Shelter all kinds of things were going through her mind. It then suddenly hit her – Helen, what about Helen her best friend? “Oh my God, what was I thinking?” How can I not have her as head bridesmaid? She then scolded herself mentally for the oversight – Gwen could still be a bridesmaid of course, but Helen just had to be the head bridesmaid.

  When she arrived at the Shelter she met Rachel walking in also and naturally her bubbly enthusiasm couldn’t be contained and she told her the good news. Gwen was the next one to find out and then Debbie Curtis. By break time the whole Shelter was buzzing with the news. One of the women than asked Gwen when she and Andre were going to tie the knot and Gwen just shrugged and said “Soon I hope”. Later that day Cathy Braxton dropped by and Rachel told her the news.

  “Oh that’s wonderful news, Rachel, is Gwen getting married also or just Maureen? I mean those two have been inseparable - so a double wedding wouldn’t be out of line would it?”