by Janine McCaw
“Oh, I’se the b’y that builds the boat, And I’se the b’y that sails her’.
I’se and b’y that catches the fish, And takes ‘em home to Lizer.
Hip yer partner, sally Tibbo’! Hip yer partner, Sally Brown!
Fogo. Twillingate, Mor’-tons’ Harbour, all around the circle.”
Olivia could see Frenchie on his boat, swabbing the deck. He was wearing a light grey suit. Olivia had never seen him dressed up before. She believed that might even have been a new Easter toque that sat upon his head. Grey, to match his suit.
“What on earth are you singing Frenchie?” she asked.
“Ah, good Easter morn’ to you Liv. Nice to see you. It’s a Newfie folk song I’m singin’.”
“A what?”
“A Newfie folk song,” he repeated. He read the blank look on her face. “A traditional song from de est coast de Newfoundland. We call dem Newfies.”
“Ah,” Olivia said. “A sea shanty?”
“Ach, yes. Dat is it. A liddle bit of de pirate song. For us pirates. It’s traditional I tink. I dunt know who wrote it. I tried to find out once, cuz I was tinkin maybe ‘e could write a song about de ouest coast, but nobody knew. But I sing it anyways cuz I like it.”
“You seem in a particularly good mood today. And all dressed up. You’re looking quite handsome, I must say.”
“Aye lass, I am. I’ve been invited for Easter dinner at da widow Wolfe’s. I tink she kinda fancies me.”
“Oh, I see,” Liv said. “And do you fancy her?”
“Livvy I’m old, I’m losin’ me teeth and me hair. I pretty much fancy anytin’ dat fancies me.”
“Frenchie!” Olivia said in mock disgust.
“I’m sorry Livvie darlin’. I was only kiddin’. She’s pretty fine, she is, the widow Wolfe.”
“Dat’s …I mean, that’s better. You’ve got me talking like you Frenchie!”
“Dat’ll happen to you when you’ve been here a few more years, ‘tis sad to say.”
Olivia laughed.
“Did you get it?” she asked.
“Shhh!” Frenchie said, laying his finger upon his lips. “Der’s ears everywhere. Dis is almost contraband you know. But yes. ‘Ere are de packages you asked me to bring you. Tuck ‘dem in yer bag der. If anyone asks, I ne’er saw dem befer. Riskin’ me life fer ye pretty ladies, I am.”
“Your secret is safe with me Frenchie,” she said. “Thank you. And good luck tonight. Be careful of that dirty mop. You wouldn’t want to get your suit dirty before this afternoon.”
Frenchie did a little jig around the pail.
“I’ll keep dat in mind. Ya dunt know the words to dat squid jiggin’ song do ya? Ya know, in case I need to sing to her during the appetizers like? Suppose not. Okay den, Weez ‘avin de calamari. Da widow Wolfe, she calls it calamari, but I knows dat it’s squid.”
Frenchie waved good-bye to her.
“Have a nice day. Oh, and yer fadder says hello! I ran into him when I was in Seattle. Never forget a face, do I.”
Olivia smiled.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come to church with me Frenchie?”
“Tanks for the invitation, but we dunt want to get de widow jealous now, do we? Especially not before de turkey dinner.”
“Frenchie, does the widow Wolfe have a first name?”
“Uh, yes…but…okay I can’t remember. But dunt go tellin’ ‘er dat. Okay, dat wud be bad.”
“It is so bad!” Olivia laughed. “What do you call her?”
“I call her “luvvy.” Seems to work.”
“Frenchie, that’s so sweet. Tell you what, I will find out her real name and let you know, okay? To repay this favour.”
“Oh, dat wuld be magnifique, Liv.”
Olivia waved goodbye and started walking towards the church. It was the first Easter service in the new building, so it was quite an occasion in itself.
McMichael was coming out of his home with his girls and Mrs. Schwindt in tow. He noticed Olivia, and waited for her, letting the three go ahead. The girls had received new jumping ropes and were anxious to try them out. Even Christina had one, although he supposed it would be the last year she would want one. She was growing up too quickly, he thought. Next year he would buy her a lady’s hat. She would like that. He had given Mrs. Schwindt a new hat for Easter, black of course, with a small veil as she had insisted.
“Wouldn’t you rather have one of those colourful new straw ones?” he had asked her.
“No. I want a black one with a veil. Jesus died. I am wearing it for his funeral.”
He reminded her that Easter was a time of celebration, that the time for mourning was over.
“That’s okay, I will wear the veil up then,” she said.
“You still want the black one?” he tried again.
“Yes, someone will die sometime and I will be glad I have it,” she replied.
He glanced again at Olivia. He thought she looked quite lovely, her hair tied up under her hat. He could see the slender nape of her neck above her coat collar. She was quite a striking woman, he thought. He felt his heart speed up.
“Frank working?” he asked, as she caught up to him.
“You know he is,” she said matter of factly.
“True enough. May I escort you off to church then? I assume that’s where you’re headed.”
“That would be nice, thank you. There was something I wanted to ask you, if this isn’t an inappropriate moment.”
“Well, ask me and I’ll decide.”
“Do you have any jobs going right now? Anything a woman could do? I thought I saw a sign in the general store the other day.”
“I’m sorry Olivia, that job is taken now.”
He saw her face fall.
“It required some heavy lifting anyway, not really suitable for you, I don’t think. Still, if anything comes up, I’ll be glad to let you know.”
“Well, actually it’s not for me.”
“Frank’s not planning on leaving the mine, is he?”
“No, I was asking for Lucy.”
She thought she saw McMichael wince, just a little.
“Ah Olivia. That’s a tough one. I don’t know if I can employ Lucy.”
“She thinks you think she’s crazy.”
He coughed.
“Well, that’s probably a good sign then. It’s not that I think she’s crazy Olivia, I just don’t know if she’s well enough yet to consider employing. I visited her in the hospital a few times, as I’m sure you’re aware. She wasn’t at all stable in her mind.”
“She’s been out of the hospital for quite some time now.”
“I know, but she’s delicate. She went through quite an ordeal.”
“Lucy Bentall is not delicate, as you well know,” Olivia protested. “Forgive me Mr. McMichael, but people do learn to move on after a loss, even such a tragic one. Consider your own circumstances.”
McMichael stopped in his tracks. That was bold for her to say to him. Their relationship was one of acquaintance at best, and he was her husband’s employer. He was not used to this kind of personal attack.
“I beg your pardon, Mrs. Fitzpatrick?”
“Again, I’m sorry sir. But you had to learn to move on with your life, when your wife died, and you did. Look at the girls, they’re happily skipping up the street. Not that they don’t miss their mother, of course they do, but they have learned to cope. Lucy will learn to move on to. She’s already coping.”
“Are you suggesting I get Lucy a skipping rope?”
This infuriated Olivia.
“Don’t patronize me, Mr. McMichael. I really don’t appreciate it. If you didn’t believe Lucy needed help, you wouldn’t have done all the things you did for her in the hospital. Well, now she’s out and she needs a different kind of help.”
McMichael never had women, or men for that matter, speak to him in this manner. He found it fascinating that she had the courage confront him. He felt himself drawn to her, a
nd didn’t want to push her too far.
“Give it some time then Olivia, shall we? Let’s see how she does over the summer.”
“She needs a job now sir.”
“I’m not the only employer around here Olivia.”
“You might as well be.”
“Are you arguing with me?”
Olivia laughed. She actually laughed at him, and he found it exciting.
“I prefer to think of it as negotiating.”
“Well, enough negotiating for today then, all right? But if you ever want a job, please do come see me. I can always find a job for a woman with some…tenacity.”
They had reached the church and the girls and Mrs. Schwindt were waiting outside.
“Would you care to sit with us Olivia?”
“Thanks for the invitation Mr. McMichael, but I’m waiting for Lucy. I see her coming now.”
“Fine then. Have a wonderful day. Give my regards to your husband,” he paused for a moment. “You know, perhaps you two ladies could volunteer for the war effort, form some sort of ladies league. It would certainly keep you busy and it would be good for the town as well.”
“I think Lucy’s looking for more than just something to keep her busy. She needs something to keep her spirits up. And she needs an income.”
“I was thinking more for you, Olivia. Still, you never know what will come of it. Food for thought, no?” he asked.
Chapter Fifteen
The aroma of the turkey filled the house as Olivia pulled the bird from the oven later that afternoon.
“Can I help?” Frank offered.
“Yes,” Olivia said, “you can help by getting away from that lemon pie, and setting the table.”
“Caught in the act, hmm?” Frank said.
“Yes, and get moving please, our guests will be here any minute.”
“Guests? What guests? You said guests, plural.”
“Yes, Lucy will be here shortly. Set the table for four please.”
“Liv,” he laughed, taking her in his arms, “what have you done? Who else is coming for dinner?”
“That nice Sergeant Wolanski.”
“You invited the policeman over for dinner?”
“Yes. His name is Rudy.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because that’s what his mother called him.”
He playfully spanked her.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I know his name is Rudy. Why did you invite “Rudy” over for dinner? What are you up to? A little matchmaking?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh Liv, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Couldn’t you have left it alone?”
“No. I’m just giving her a little encouragement, that’s all. When we were talking, she never said she wouldn’t marry again.”
“You asked her that?”
“Not in so many words, but we were talking and lets just say she never said she would, but she never said she wouldn’t. Don’t you think he’ll like Lucy? I think he’ll like Lucy.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll like Lucy. I don’t think that will be the problem.”
“So then, what is the problem? You said you met him once and that he was nice, right?”
“Yes but anyone who doesn’t throw me in jail when he should have is probably nice to me.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Oh well,” Olivia laughed. “It’s too late now! Could you get the door please?”
Frank went to the door and let Lucy in.
“Can I take your coat, Lucy?” he asked.
“Only if you swear you won’t laugh.”
Olivia and Frank looked puzzled. Lucy took off her coat. She was wearing one of the floral dresses from the general store.
“Lucy! You’ve got a new dress! You look great,” Frank complimented.
Olivia howled in laughter.
“He just doesn’t get it,” Olivia laughed. “He’s a lovely man, but he never will.”
“What?” Frank asked. “I was giving the lady a compliment.”
“Thanks anyway Frank. I appreciate it. Liv is laughing because this dress, well, it’s not quite me. It was the strangest thing. After church, McMichael asked what I was doing for Easter dinner, and I said I was coming here for my birthday and he marched me down to the store and insisted I have a new dress for my birthday. So I tried to say thanks, but they weren’t quite my style, but he glared at me, (you know the way he does that), and what can I say? Here I am.”
“I told you he likes you,” Olivia smiled.
“Liv, that’s not it. Trust me. You should have seen the dresses he had made for his wife. Beautiful silk blouses. Skirts of the finest brocade. She lived like a bloody queen. And that’s saying something, coming from an Irish lass. Still, they say it’s the gift that counts and it will help get me through the spring.”
“Thanks so much for coming,” Frank welcomed.
“No, thank you. I think Margaret was glad to get rid of me. I think she has invited a special man over for dinner. She was busy making stuffed snails, and fussing about. I don’t know where she got them. Frenchie must have smuggled them in for her.”
“He probably did,” Olivia agreed, a secret smile crossing her lips. Margaret! The widow Wolfe. It all made sense.
“You know, you two ladies should open your own store and keep all the ladies in the height of fashion,” Frank laughed.
“That’s not a bad idea Frank,” Olivia said.
“I was kidding Liv. That’s all I need for my chances at that new manager’s position, you opening a store and giving competition to McMichael’s place.”
“Well,” she said, “I was talking to him earlier…”
“You were what?” Frank asked incredulously.
“At church,” she continued. “He thought maybe the women could get together and do something for the war effort.”
“Oh Liv,” he said, his voice calming. “That would be fantastic. You were telling me you wanted something worthwhile to do. See, I do listen to you.”
“And make you look good in front of the boss, because you married a wife who knows how to play up to him.”
“Ah, I married a smart gal, it’s true,” he said, kissing her.
“Frenchie brought me up a copy of the Vancouver newspaper,” Lucy offered, “and I read that the men going off to war need some winter items like gloves and hats sent over to them.”
“Well that shouldn’t be too hard to organize,” Olivia said.
“But there’s also a need for good used clothing for war torn families. Maybe we can ask for donations of any good clothing item, new or used, for the war effort.”
“Something for the families that are left behind here in Canada,” Olivia said. “You know, a lot of women’s groups are sending things overseas to the servicemen, but I bet you’re right Lucy, there are probably many families here in Canada who have lost their bread earner to the war. With little or no income coming in it must be very hard for them.”
“It’s like what happened to a lot of us here when the landslide happened. Luckily there were people here that cared. Not everyone is so fortunate.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Frank, will you get that?” Olivia asked.
Frank glanced warily at his wife.
“Lucy, I hope you don’t mind, but Rudy Wolanski is joining us for dinner. He didn’t have anyone to spend the holiday with, so I invited him along.”
“It’s kind of like an orphan Easter you’re having here,” laughed Lucy.
“You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Maybe you should make it an annual event.”
Luckily it never dawned on Lucy that Olivia was trying to do a little matchmaking. Lucy was in an incredibly talkative mood, having found her voice once again, and enjoyed having a new audience. To say that she had captured the ear of the sergeant would have been an understatement. Rudy, like most men at the Beach, was falling under her spell.
“
We have a little something for you Lucy,” Olivia said, “for your birthday. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to wrap it up properly.”
She handed Lucy the two bags she had received from Frenchie.
Inside the first bag was a red Aryan sweater, similar to the one Lucy had been wearing the day Olivia met her.
“Thank you,” Lucy gasped. “It’s beautiful! I haven’t had anything this lovely to wear since everything was destroyed.”
“Well, Olivia wanted to get you something special,” Frank said, “so she called on our friendly neighbourhood smuggler, who was only too happy to help.”
“Frenchie!” Lucy laughed.
“Wait, there’s one more,” Frank said, handing her the second package.
“Now, I know you said you’d wear beige, but I hope you’ll like this just as well,” Olivia said.
Lucy grinned ear to ear and opened the bag. Inside was a long, matching red Tartan skirt, similar to the one she had previously owned.
“We don’t mean to offend you or anything, because we don’t know what clan your family belongs to, we just wanted one to match the sweater,” Olivia admitted.
“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” Lucy said, tears forming in her eyes. “I’m Irish, not Scottish anyway. I just wear them because I love them. I love the colours.”
She gave Olivia and Frank a big hug.
“I really can’t believe it. Thank you both so much. You have no idea what your thoughtfulness means to me,” Lucy said.
Not to be out done, Rudy reached into his pocked and pulled out a tiny, wrapped box. He held it out for Lucy.
“What’s this?” Lucy asked, taking the tiny box into her hand.
“Well, I hope you don’t think it too forward of me,” Rudy said, “but I knew it was your birthday. Olivia had told me it was a bit of a celebration, so I just wanted to pick you up a little something.”
“That’s very nice, you shouldn’t have,” Lucy said, opening the gift.
Inside the tiny box was a little tiny paper origami bird. The type that Akiko had taught her to make only a year or so ago. The kind she had made for her children in the past. A wave of emotion came over her. She bolted out the front door, the tiny bird clenched in her hand.
“What did I do?” Rudy asked.
