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Wind At My Back: The Wrap Up

by Tracy M.

Grace Bailey slowly opened the envelope that had just been delivered by courier. She already knew its contents, but felt that the slower she opened it the longer she had to not face reality. Her divorce papers were neatly organized inside, with Van’s signature already appearing at the bottom of the final page. Grace knew he was not going to contest their divorce, but seeing it all signed and delivered gripped her heart. She shoved the papers back in the envelope. Her signature would wait until she felt ready. Her brother Bob had been the only Bailey that had ever divorced and now she would be too.

The front door opened and slammed shut. “Grace, are you home?”  She slid the envelope out of sight as she heard Toppy call her name.

“I’m in the parlour, Toppy!” Toppy came into the room, excited and out of breath.

“I have wonderful news! Lucinda Fairchild has been asked to do a book tour!”  Toppy had just published a book under that pseudonym.

“Not only will I go to Toronto, but I will travel to Boston and New York City! Do you think if I ask Doris to accompany me she would go? It might be just the thing to get us back on track.” Toppy finally notices that Grace isn’t sharing her enthusiasm. “What’s wrong, will you miss me that much?”

Grace quickly tries to change her disposition. “Nothing is wrong Toppy (hiccup).Everything is fine with me (hiccup), really”. I am so happy for you! How wonderful that your book is such a success!”

Toppy knows better and senses there is more.   “Grace, we know each other too well…what is it?”

Grace reluctantly hands Toppy the envelope. “I didn’t want to spoil your happiness, but Van has signed the divorce papers and they were just delivered (hiccup)”.

Toppy certainly knows how Grace is feeling and gives her a tender hug. The two women have been supportive of each other and have always turned to the other in good and bad times. “Maybe it is time that we both have excitement in our lives. You should come with me on the tour!” Toppy looks at Grace with hopeful eyes “Think of the fun we would have….oh please say you will come!”

Grace stops to think. Why not? She has always longed to travel. It is the perfect time to get away. There is only one obstacle…her mother. May Bailey would certainly disapprove. Grace lights up “Oh Toppy, I think it is a wonderful idea! How soon do we leave? (Hiccup)”.

Across town the Sutton family is sitting down to supper. Max has not told the family that he has been promoted to be the principal at the New Bedford School. Honey seemed so excited to want to return to school and be something better for her family. With the raise he will be getting, he can afford for her to do that. When she finishes with her degree, perhaps they can be in a situation to finally buy the home they have longed for.

“I have an announcement” says Max. “Mrs. Whitney is retiring and I have been offered her job”.

The family has known all along that Max would be a perfect fit as principal. Honey seems shocked that he didn’t tell her beforehand.  Max didn’t want her to know he had also wanted to further his education and he has accepted the job so she can begin her studies.

“Max that is wonderful” replies Honey. “Things are finally falling into place for us. I feel more confident about going back to school with the extra money you will be earning. Plus, I can still run the salon part time”. Honey looks at Hub and Fat. “You boys will help with Violet and Zak, won’t you?”

Hub and Fat glance at each other. Both have other ideas on their minds. “Sure” says Hub, “we will do what can”. Honey seems satisfied with this answer but has another lingering issue. Mother Bailey was sure to have her own opinion of a grown woman returning to school and neglecting her family.

Things were starting to change for the Bailey and Sutton families. Hub decided to keep his plans to himself for awhile. His mother and Max had enough to think about. Hub had felt called to the ministry for awhile. He liked helping people. He was eager to determine right from wrong. His mother wanted him to experience more of life before making such a big commitment. His grandmother was so against him becoming a Catholic priest that she threatened to write him out of her will. She had been grooming him to take over the family business and run the Silver Dome Mine. Hub has had lengthy conversations with Father Fitzroy. He also has feelings for Laura Bridgeman. He knew he could not have both. Hub was keenly aware of his grandmother’s opinion of the Catholic Church.  Maybe there was a way to answer his call and receive the support of his family. Grandmother Bailey may just have to compromise one more time. It was time for Hub to move on. The older brother reigns needed to be passed on to Fat.

Henry Bailey (aka Fat) always looked up to his older brother Hub. Fat was stuck in the middle, between his forthright older brother and his innocent younger sister, Violet. Rounding out the siblings was his even younger half brother Zak. Hub was almost grown. Did he leave enough of an impression on Fat to assume the role of caretaker to the others? Fat still had his adventurous lifestyle which sometimes landed him in trouble. Fat also knew that his Grandmother was sometimes difficult, but had softened over the years. Having two boys in her home had meant lots of concessions on her part. Fat wanted to show he could be responsible. Grandmother Bailey had to notice that he was growing up.

As matriarch of the Bailey family, May has been through a lot with her all of her relatives. Her son Bob divorced Toppy. Now it looks like her daughter, Grace would be divorcing Van. When her son Jack was killed by a swarm of bees, she had taken in Jack’s children. She had hoped to keep them with her, but was forced to return them to their mother when she remarried. When her dear friend Leo McGinty passed away, she took in his granddaughter Maisey and was raising her as her own. As owner of the Silver Dome Mine she was an astute business woman who almost always got her way. May Bailey was not aware that that was about to change.

Maisey McGinty was very intrigued by Juanita Bascombe, the nurse who was called in to care for Mrs. Bailey. She always thought she would run her grandfather’s shop with her father when she grew up. Juanita praised her on how she was able to help with Mrs. Bailey and Maisey had a strong desire to go to nursing school. Juanita encouraged her not to stop there. “Become a Doctor.” she had said. Maisey’s mind was made up. She would go to medical school.

“I wonder what Mrs. Bailey will think of that?” Maisey’s strong will questioned the reaction she would get.

Alden and Callie Cramp were resting comfortably in the lobby of The New Bedford Hotel. As proprietors, they have seen it all. Nothing happens in New Bedford without Callie Cramp having her nose in it. As editor of the local newspaper, Alden is keenly aware of what is happening in the community. Not much happens in New Bedford without a Bailey being involved and Callie knows to keep her eyes and ears open at all times. She also has the good fortune of covering the switchboard at times, and she can imagine plenty of gossip when she takes calls. The switchboard rings and Callie goes to answers it.

“Callie, please put me through to Mother Bailey?” requests Toppy. Moments later, the same request comes through, only this time it is from Honey.

“Something is up, thinks Callie. Why does everyone need to speak to May Bailey?”

When May gets two phone calls so close together, she becomes suspicious. Maisey had also told her earlier that she needed to discus something with her.   “Good grief” replies May. “I wonder what is going on?” She has asked them all to gather for supper the next day and she will get to the bottom of it.

“What are you all doing here?” asks Toppy as she and Grace arrive at May’s house the same time Honey and Max show up with their family.

“We need to speak to Mrs. Bailey” replies Max. “She told us to come on over for supper”.

“We need to talk with her too” adds Grace. She senses there might be a lot going on this evening and immediately starts to hic-up.

“Come in, come in” Maisey addresses her family friends. “I think we are in for an interesting evening”.

The group files into the living room where Mrs. Bailey is seated. Everyone is nervous, not knowing how May Bailey is going to react to their news. “Let’s get it out. You all seem too nervous to eat. Toppy, you go first” insists May.

“Well, my book has become quite successful, Mother Bailey” replies Toppy.

“That’s it? All of this because your book is successful? Grace, please control your hiccupping!” states Mother Bailey.

“Not exactly” says Toppy. She nervously looks around. “I have been asked to do a book tour. I’ll be going to Toronto, Boston and New York City. I have asked Grace to go with me.” Grace hic ups.

“That is preposterous!  The two of you can’t go gallivanting about on your own unaccompanied.  Think of the Bailey reputation. I won’t hear of it.” May Bailey was used to giving her opinion on every matter.

“Mother, we are not exactly teenagers” cries Grace. “We are perfectly capable of managing ourselves. We plan on inviting Doris to go with us. It will be a great experience for us all. Toppy and I don’t need your permission, only your good wishes” (hic up).

“I’m glad you two broke the ice” interrupts Honey. “We have news too. Max has been promoted to principal and I am returning to school”. Max and Honey look nervously around at everyone. There are several moments of silence.

“Good heavens” expresses May. “A woman in your situation needs to be available to care for her children! Why on earth do you need to go to school?”

“That’s the point Mrs. Bailey. I want to care for my children. I want to become a nurse so I can provide more for them. I was inspired by the wonderful nurses at the sanitarium.” Honey is adamant and is not going to let Mrs. Bailey make her feel guilty.

“That suits me just fine”.  Maisey decides it is her turn to reveal her plans. “I am also going to be a nurse, maybe even a doctor! Juanita says I have what it takes and I am going for it.”

“A woman doctor? Maisey that is utter nonsense! Has this family gone mad?” May fans herself, as if she might faint.

The family is quiet. No one wants to continue the conversation, but Hub and Fat need to speak their minds. “Grandmother” declares Fat,

“I can help Max and Mom care for Violet and Zak. I am older and more responsible. Besides…once Hub leaves….”

“Fat!!! Be quiet! ” Hub can feel all eyes turn to him.

“Hub, are you going somewhere?” asked Honey.

“No, I don’t know, maybe” Hub sighed. “I just wanted to bring it up myself”, glaring at Fat.

“What is this about, Hubert?”  Grandmother Bailey always addressed people by their given name.

Hub nervously looks around at all the staring faces. “I have made a decision about a career in the church.” Hub takes a glimpse at his grandmother, and then his mother.  Grandmother Bailey is pursing her lips. “But I have feelings for Laura too. I have spoken to the Pastor at the Methodist Church in North Bridge.  I can take classes at Ryerson University. The Methodists are strong in missions, which I feel called to. And later, once I finish my schooling, I can pursue other interests.”

There is total silence. Hub is waiting for anyone to say anything.

“Hub I am so proud of you! I think you have made a wonderful decision!” Honey tries to show her support even though she may still be skeptical.

Grandmother Bailey takes a few minutes to let it sink in. “Hubert, I am pleased with your choice.  It is logical and I can tell you have thought it out. “

“Thank you, Mother, Grandmother. I have thought it out and am happy to have your blessings.”

“As for the rest of you, we will continue this discussion over supper. Please join me in the dining room” requests Mrs. Bailey.

The family goes into the dining room and takes their seats. There is silence as the food is being passed. Everyone begins eating and several minutes go by before anyone speaks.

Max is the first one to break the silence. “So, it looks like we will have several students in the family, not to mention some world travelers.”

May Bailey is silent. Everyone is waiting for her to speak.

“Well I guess The Silver Dome Mine will have to wait for Henry to grow up and take over.  I have been preparing the wrong Bailey to run the family business. Henry, perhaps you and your sister can run it in years to come.”

Henry is obviously excited that his grandmother thinks that he will one day be able to handle such an important job. “Of course, Grandmother, I will make you proud.”

“I have no doubt, Henry.”  May looks around the table. She has decided at this moment to give the family wings. She can now sit back and watch her influence in their lives.  “As for the rest of you, go with Bailey Blessings. Never forget who you are or where you came from. New Bedford will always be your home no matter where life takes you.”

The group is stunned. May Bailey never gives in and no one can believe what they are hearing. “Oh don’t look so shocked!” continues May. “I know I tend to be overprotective with each of you, but it is time for me to trust that you can all  manage without my opinions. It is time for me to trust that I have guided you correctly. Just remember……..I will be watching and keeping track of you all. Now, who is ready for dessert?”

They whole family glances at one another with big smiles. It is time. They will each move on knowing they will carry their family and New Bedford with them where ever life takes them.    

Find all of the entries to the fiction writing contest here.