The Widow's Choice

by Gilbert, Morris

  “Yes, of course I do, but I have my boys to keep me busy.”

  “Would you and the boys like to go to one of the Civil War battlefields sometime? There’s one not too far away. I think they’d enjoy it and it would be educational.”

  “Yes. Why, I think that would be very nice.”

  “Let’s plan on that some weekend, then.” He reached out his hands and took both of hers. “It was a wonderful evening. Thank you so much for going.”

  ****

  In mid-March they finally found a Saturday when they could all be free to make the trip to the Civil War battlefield. Oscar had invited Alona and the boys to have dinner at his house after they got home. “We could go to a restaurant,” he said, “but I’d like for you to see my house. My brother will be there, and the housekeeper will take care of everything.”

  Alona agreed, for she had been curious to see his house.

  The battlefield was great fun for the boys and interesting for Alona. The boys were full of questions, and Alona found that Oscar knew an awful lot about the Civil War and could answer most of their questions.

  When they returned to Jonesboro, they stopped at the foundry and Oscar gave them a quick tour, again answering the boys’ many questions. Zac was fascinated by the place, but Tim didn’t like it much. It was noisy and dirty, and Oscar said as they left, “It’s not the place for a lady, Alona, but I’m proud of it.”

  “I know you must be, Oscar. Everyone says it was nothing less than your determination and strength that kept it going when other businesses were failing. You have a right to be proud of it.”

  “Do you think so? Well, I must admit I am.” He tried to see the building through her eyes. “It’s not lovely, but it’s provided work for a lot of people who needed it, and of course, it’s done some good things for me too. Now, let’s go to the house. I’m starved.”

  * * *

  Oscar’s home was on the edge of town, in a very nice neighborhood where all of the houses had huge lots. Oscar’s two-story colonial-style house had huge pillars out front, with gables on all four sides of the structure. Although the grass was dormant, she could tell the lawn had been carefully tended. There were flower beds everywhere with splotches of color from winter jasmine, pansies, violas, and other winter flowers.

  “I’ll show you about the grounds some other time, but it’s getting dark now. Come on, boys. I’ll bet you’re hungry.”

  Oscar opened the front door, and a tall, gaunt woman dressed in a severe gray dress stood in the spacious foyer watching them. “This is Mrs. Darrow, my housekeeper,” he told the Jennings family. “Mrs. Darrow, this is Mrs. Jennings, and these are her boys. This is Timothy, Zachary, and Carl.”

  “You are very welcome. Dinner is ready whenever you’d like, Mr. Moran.”

  “We’ll be ready as soon as we get washed up. Is Jason here?”

  “No, sir.”

  Oscar frowned. “I told him I was bringing company for dinner, but he’s generally late. Well, come along, boys. I’ll show you where you can get washed up. Mrs. Darrow, you can show Mrs. Jennings where she can refresh herself.”

  “Certainly, sir. If you’ll come this way, Mrs. Jennings.”

  Alona followed the tall woman into a spacious bedroom on the main floor. “This is one of the guest rooms,” Mrs. Darrow said, “and there’s an adjoining bath. Will you require anything else?”

  “No, thank you. This is a lovely house.”

  “Yes, Mr. Moran is very proud of it. He spared no expense. Of course Mrs. Moran did most of the decorating.”

  “Were you with them when she was alive?”

  “Yes. I’ve been here for sixteen years.” Mrs. Darrow’s face was rigid, and there was a hardness about her. “The dining room is down the hall,” the woman said and left.

  Not a very pleasant woman, Alona thought, but she’s been with the family a long time. I suppose Oscar feels he has to keep her.

  * * *

  Alona was overwhelmed with the elegant dining room, and it was obvious that the boys were also. The flowered light green wallpaper on the walls contrasted with the heavy green floor-length velvet draperies covering the windows. Two crystal chandeliers hung over the dark mahogany table with ten chairs surrounding it, and a large mahogany cabinet containing crystal, china, and silver stood to one side. Paintings of horses and landscapes hung on the walls in ornately carved frames opposite a beautiful white marble fireplace on which stood a gold mantel clock, a crystal vase with fresh flowers, and old tin-type photographs of the family.

  None of them had ever seen such an ornate dining room or been served such a meal. They started off with a beef-based barley soup served with crackers, and then a green salad with vinegar-and-oil dressing with herbs. The main course was roast beef with carrots, onions, and potatoes; freshly baked bread and butter; milk for the boys; and coffee for the adults.

  Mrs. Darrow served the meal efficiently, doing what was necessary but exuding no warmth. Alona felt the woman’s eyes on her and wondered why she had incurred her enmity.

  If Oscar noticed that his housekeeper was less than warm toward the visitors, he didn’t show it. He and the boys carried on a lively conversation about the battlefield as they ate. “Someday you boys need to go to Gettysburg,” he remarked. “It’s the best preserved of all the battlefields of the Civil War.”

  “Would you take us there someday, Mr. Moran?” Carl asked.

  “Well, we’ll have to see. It’s in Pennsylvania. A long trip from here, but worth it.”

  The meal was half over when Jason finally got home. His face was flushed, and it was obvious that he had been drinking. Alona glanced at Oscar and noted the stern disapproval on his face.

  “You’re late, Jason” was Oscar’s only greeting.

  “I know. I’m sorry.” Jason sat down, nodded to Alona, and said hello to the boys. He ate his dinner silently, adding nothing to the conversation, and the tension was almost palpable.

  After their dessert, a rich, creamy custard that seemed to melt in their mouths, Oscar invited the family into the parlor so he could show them some slides he had taken on a trip to Europe. The room was just as beautiful as the rest of the rooms Alona had already seen. It had white walls accented with gold lilies. Alona wondered if Jason had painted the lilies. Four floor-length windows were on two of the walls, hung with gold and red draperies. There were two large sofas covered in red damask, and two armchairs with gold-colored fabric flanked the massive black marble fireplace. A piano stood against one of the interior walls, and the floors were covered with beautiful carpets of black and red, outlined with gold.

  Oscar had already set up the slide projector and turned off the lights. Jason had joined the group in the parlor, but he remained silent as Oscar described what they were seeing on the screen.

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get back to Europe again,” Oscar commented sadly. “This European war is out of hand.”

  “I heard the president speak on the radio last week,” Alona said. “He said we’re going to starting sending arms to France and England.”

  “Yes. It’s called the Lend-Lease Act. It allows President Roosevelt to lend all kinds of war supplies to the Allies without the U.S. actually becoming involved in the war.”

  Jason finally spoke up. “Eventually we’ll be involved in this war.”

  “Don’t talk like that, Jason,” Oscar said. “We’ve got to stay out of it.”

  “I don’t see how we can do that. Hitler’s determined to rule the world.”

  “It’s a European war,” Oscar retorted. “We’ll supply the Allies with arms and let them do the fighting.”

  Jason said no more, but Alona stored his words away and resolved to ask him later why he felt that way.

  “Jason, why don’t you take the boys into the pool room,” Oscar said.

  “Good idea,” Jason said as he stood up. Alona thought he looked relieved.

  “Jason can show you boys how to play while I show your mothe
r the rest of the house.”

  “This way, guys. You can learn from the master.”

  As soon as they were gone, Oscar shook his head. “Jason’s been drinking.”

  “Yes. I could tell.”

  “I wish he wouldn’t do that, especially when you and your family are here. It sets a bad example for the boys.”

  “Does he do this often?”

  “No. I will admit it’s rare. He gets to thinking about that crash and just can’t handle it.” Oscar stood up. “I guess all I can do is pray for him. Come along. Let me show you the rest of the house.”

  They walked down the hall into the library. The walls were lined with shelves of books, hundreds of them, with colorful leather bindings. An overstuffed couch was in front of the fireplace, two easy chairs with ottomans were between large windows, and a massive oak desk anchored the far wall.

  From there they proceeded to the pool room, where Jason was showing Carl how to make a bridge out of his hand and get ready to make a shot. Carl missed the ball he was aiming at but struck three others, which made him just as happy.

  Alona followed Oscar upstairs, where there were five bedrooms, all beautifully decorated with thick carpets on the floors, ornately carved beds with matching armoires, and a small sitting area. Each room also had its own fireplace. Oscar showed Alona the kitchen, and she was relieved that Mrs. Dawson was not there. A butcher block island stood in the middle of the massive space, and gleaming pots and pans hung above the stove. The cabinets were full of china, crystal, silver, and other items befitting the wealthy.

  Oscar told Alona that Jason had a suite of his own in the basement and then he led Alona out the back door, down the path, and to the greenhouse. He snapped on the light and told her about the special heating system he’d had installed, and Alona admired the many varieties of beautiful flowers.

  “My wife was fond of flowers,” he told Alona. “I know very little about them. I hire a gardener to come in now and keep it up.”

  “They’re gorgeous.”

  “And so are you, Alona.” He put his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers. She did not resist, although it did not feel comfortable to her.

  He stepped back awkwardly and his face was flushed. “I’m sorry. I haven’t had much practice.”

  “Neither have I, Oscar.”

  “I hope I didn’t offend you.”

  “Of course not.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to offend you in any way.”

  “Well, it is getting late.”

  “Yes. If you want to go gather up the boys, I’ll drive the car around and give you a ride home.”

  “All right. I’ll see if I can pull the boys away from the game. But you know how boys are when they’re having a good time.”

  “No hurry. I’ll have the car out front whenever you’re ready.”

  “Mom, I’m the best at pool,” Zac said when she stuck her head in the room. “I beat Carl and Tim both.”

  “You didn’t beat me!” Carl argued.

  “Yes I did!”

  “I’m not sure that pool’s such a good idea for you boys.” She looked over at Jason for support.

  He understood what she wanted. “You want to stay away from pool halls,” he told the boys. “As a matter of fact, I started going wrong in a pool hall. Took my first drink there. I wish I’d never gone inside one of them.”

  The boys were silent for a moment and then they went back to their bragging and arguing.

  “I’m no model, Alona,” Jason said quietly.

  “You could be, Jason.”

  “I made a mess of my life.”

  She reached over and touched his arm. “I think you know from listening to our pastor that Jesus specializes in messes.”

  He laughed. “That’s a funny way to put it, but you’re right. Don’t give up on me.”

  “I never will.”

  He seemed to be struggling with something and said, “You like Oscar pretty well, don’t you?”

  “He’s been very kind to me and the boys.”

  “I guess I’d be dead if it weren’t for him. He’s kind of a man’s man, you know. Never had much need for women.”

  “But he was married.”

  “Yes, but it was sort of a marriage of convenience.”

  “A marriage of convenience! What do you mean?”

  “Well, his business was struggling and Helen Grimshaw had money.”

  “He married her for money?”

  “And for her children. As you know, she had two girls. Oscar thought they’d have other children. He’s always wanted boys.”

  “That’s why he’s interested in me—for my boys.”

  “Any man would be interested in you, Alona.”

  “I’ve got to get the boys out to the car. Oscar’s waiting. I’ll see you at church tomorrow morning, Jason.”

  He stood quietly, a tall figure, physically strong but with a weakness he could not control. “I think I’m a token sinner they keep around to remind themselves what can happen if they’re not careful.” He sighed. “Good night, Alona.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Alona Gets an Offer

  Jason did not show up at church the next morning, which bothered Alona, especially after his remark the previous evening about being the “token sinner.” She had thought a great deal about both Jason and Oscar, and her mind was not at rest about either of them. Jason’s troubles were deep and spiritual in nature, and perhaps emotional as well. The plane crash had snapped something in his character, making him an emotional cripple. He had given up on life after that, and now he seemed merely to exist. The fact that he was absent for the first time from choir concerned Alona, for she knew he was prone to deep bouts of depression and would inevitably turn to the bottle to blot out whatever demons were gnawing at him.

  After the service, she met her boys in their usual gathering place in the hallway, and they asked her if they could go home with the Sandifer family. Hazel had invited the boys to have lunch with them and then spend the afternoon playing with Mike and Roger. Alona agreed to let them go and then headed out the door, her raincoat pulled tight around her neck.

  Rain was coming down in a steady drizzle, but as soon as she stepped outside, she saw Oscar’s big Oldsmobile parked out front. He got out and came right over with an umbrella. “Come on. You don’t need to walk home in this terrible weather.”

  “Well, that’s thoughtful of you, Oscar.” She stayed under the protection of his umbrella, waited until he opened the car door, and then slipped in.

  When he got in he shivered. “This kind of weather is horrible. I’d rather it be snowing and below freezing. For some reason this rain makes me cold right to my bones.”

  “Me too. I’m sure it’ll clear up in the next day or so.”

  As Oscar started the car and pulled away, Alona cast a quick glance at his profile. He had strong features, rather blunt and forceful. His hat was pulled low on his forehead, and as he always did, he was giving his whole attention to the road ahead of him.

  “That was a good sermon this morning, wasn’t it?” Oscar asked.

  “It really was. The pastor is so good at helping me see the Bible from a different perspective. I especially liked the things he had to say about James one, verse nineteen.”

  “About being quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to get angry? That’s probably the one thing I need to work on most. I’m not good at controlling my temper.”

  “It’s hard sometimes.”

  After a brief silence, Oscar asked, “How is practice going for the cantata?”

  “It’s going as well as can be expected, I guess. The piece was really written for a much larger choir with more voices than we’ve got.”

  “I’ve heard Paul Root has drafted everybody who doesn’t actually croak like a frog.”

  Alona laughed. “Yes, he has. But he’s a good choir director, and he’s going to get a good performance out of us.”

  “How’s
Jason doing in choir?” Oscar asked.

  Alona hesitated. “He’s been doing very well, but I was concerned when he didn’t come to church this morning.”

  “He’s been acting a bit strangely at work. It’s happened a few times before. He starts getting quieter and quieter, and then the first thing you know he drops off the edge somehow.” There was sadness in his voice, and he shook his head. “I think sometimes I’ve not helped Jason very much. Maybe I should have left him where he was.”

  “You couldn’t do that, Oscar. He was in terrible shape, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes, he was, but I don’t know whether that changed much. Oh, he doesn’t drink as much now. Only when these spells come on him, but inside he’s still the same.”

  “What was he like growing up?”

  “Always laughing. Pretty much the opposite of me. I was always struggling, working as hard as I could. Jason worked too, but he made a game out of it. He used to sing all the time. His friends all called him Songbird, but he didn’t seem to care.”

  “He told me the happiest part of his life was when he was in the navy before the crash.”

  “Yes, it was. I tried to talk him out of going into the service. I thought it was something only fellows that couldn’t do anything else might do. But he fooled me. I talked to the officer in charge of his squadron once. He told me Jason was the best soldier he had ever trained, and he said Jason could have a great career in the navy. When he’d come home on leave, I never saw anybody so happy. Then he crashed that plane. He was lucky to survive. He just walked right out of the wreck. But that was the end of the good times for Jason.”

  “It’s such a shame. He has such potential.”

  “Potential everywhere you look.”

  Oscar stopped the car in front of Alona’s house. The rain had started coming down harder, and he said, “Wait a minute until it lets up.”

  The two sat there quietly, Alona thinking about Jason.

  “I want to tell you, Alona, how much I admire you.”