Find all of the entries to the fiction writing contest here.
Wind at My Back: Untitled
by Paula S.M.
"Grace, are you sure you have to go?" Toppy Bailey stood with her former sister-in-law, Grace Mainwairing, who was just about to step onto the train that would take her to Toronto. The priest at the local Catholic church had suggested she go away for awhile to sort through her thoughts and feelings about her mysterious husband. Her mother would have another stroke if she knew Grace had been talking to a priest, but she had done it anyway. She needed someone who would listen and knew that Hub had spent a lot of time talking to him, so Grace had spoken to the Father Fitzroy who thought going away would do her some good.
"Yes," she replied quietly, "but I'll write as soon as I can." With that, she smiled, waved and stepped onto the Toronto bound train. Grace was frightened, her heart pounded and legs shook as she found a seat. Soon the train was moving - racing forward into the unknown. Unsure as she was, she couldn't help but smile for her new adventure.
She had heard that a new Toronto radio station was looking for announcers. Though there wasn't very much work to be had in New Bedford, she was going away simply to think things through. Leaving home and the only people she had ever really known was difficult, but it was something she had to do for herself.
Several days later, she found a job. This new job was with a smaller radio station than the one she had read about, but it was something to do none the less. Grace worked with one other woman, Jane Lynch. Jane was a tall woman with brown curly hair and beautiful blue eyes which always seemed bright. She was talkative and welcoming and as the days crept by, the two became friends.
Meanwhile, back in New Bedford, Honey Sutton was busy working through her correspondence courses. Max, Hub and Fat were trying to help more with the housework. Their days were moving by quickly and calmly with quite a sense of normalcy.
One particularly chilly autumn day, Hub was setting the table for supper and keeping an eye on Violet and Zack. His mother and Fat were at the library studying and Max was at school grading papers. Violet was reading a story to Zack, who was more interested in trying to unwind one of his mother's spools of thread. Hub couldn't help but smile at the pair of them; they were so intensely focused on what they were doing.
"Hub, I don't feel very - " Violet tried to stand as she spoke, but couldn't finish her sentence. The little girl, who had seemed perfectly fine until then, was now in a limp heap on the floor. Hub dropped the plate in his hands and ran to his sister. He didn't know what to do, but thought that Juanita Bascaum might be able to help.
The cold November air bit into his face and hands but it didn't matter. Zach was with Mrs. Cramp who had understood that there was an emergency. Talking to her would have otherwise been difficult, his feelings were still hurt, but that hadn't mattered either. Violet needed help and he was willing to do just about anything to get it for her.
"Grandmother," Hub called upon entering the house, "something awful has happened! Where are you? Violet - "
"Hubert? Hubert Bailey calm down! What is -" then May saw her granddaughter and understood. Juanita immediately took Violet from Hub and put her to bed in Grace's old bedroom. The little girl was now awake and very afraid because she didn't know where she was.
Juanita managed to calm the child enough to explain to her what had happened. Violet fell asleep before she could finish. Dr. Barlow, Honey and Max were sent for and then Hub went home to be with Zack.
After what seemed like hours, Dr. Barlow returned to the concerned family after examining Violet. He said that she seemed fine, but that something was obviously wrong. The poor man was very embarrassed and worried.
"How am I supposed to take care my baby if we don't know what's wrong?" Honey was beside herself with fear. Max, who didn't know what else to do, held his shaking wife.
"I'll speak with a physician friend of mine in Toronto, it will be fine." Despite his comforting words, Dr. Barlow was just as frightened as everyone present. He told them to keep the little girl where she was and that he would be back soon.
Dr. Barlow did discuss the matter with his friend and several other physicians. Several of them came to look at Violet Bailey but none could find anything wrong with her nor could they put a name to this mysterious and sudden illness. Mother and grandmother sat up with her. She asked for something to drink occasionally and cried but could not explain what was hurting. The only thing anybody really did know was that a fever was her constant companion through those long, dark, autumn days.
Max asked Hub to sit up one night with his sister. Honey desperately needed rest. Juanita, who would have done it but had a bad cold, insisted that May think of her own health. Hubert didn't have any objections, so he spent his Saturday night in the rocker beside his little sister.
That same night, Father Fitzroy came to pray over the little girl. He had heard she was very ill. The sight of the concerned pair of them kneeling and praying as they did was beautiful. The priest blessed the little girl after praying with Hub and then left the room.
Poor Hubert felt so alone in that moment. "God," he began, "I know You have a plan but right now it doesn't feel that way. Strengthen, heal and love her. Please, please don't take her away from us! She's so young and has a life to live... Oh, if You'll heal her, I'll know You want me to become a priest." That last sentence had come out of nowhere but he meant it all the same.
Two days later, the fever broke and soon after, she woke up asking for something to eat. Violet was on the mend.
Dr. Barlow couldn't explain this mysterious recovery. May said it was God's mercy, and Hub agreed. He now knew that the Lord was indeed calling him to the priesthood. This new realization brought such joy, he absolutely wanted to be a priest.
Several weeks later, a letter came from Grace. She said that she was doing well and that she was learning, with the help of her new friend Jane, to work through some of the hurt involving Van. Jane, apparently, had been through a similar situation, so the two had a lot in common. The last words of her letter were, "There certainly is some reason to it all, I just wish I had the words to explain what I'm feeling."
Hub smiled when he heard that and whispered, "Oh Aunt Grace, I know what you mean." He had not yet told anyone of his decision to become a priest. Even though he had honestly forgiven Mrs. Cramp for betraying his trust, the fear of the same thing happening again remained.
After much thought and prayer, Hubert decided to approach his mother about the matter. So, one quiet Saturday afternoon, he found his mother in the back of Toppy's dress shop. She was altering a dress for one of the ladies of the town and smiled when she saw Hub.
"Mom," he began, "there's something I want to talk to you about."
"Oh? Well, I'm always happy to listen to you."
Twenty minutes later, he had explained everything to his mother. Honey listened quietly and carefully to her son's words, when he was finished speaking, she looked up and smiled through the tears. "Hub, is this what you really want?"
"Yes, oh, you don't know how much!"
"Well then, if you'll just get through school until the spring, I'll give you my blessing to enter the seminary."
Tears came to his eyes as he hugged his mother. She seemed to understand how important this was. With her support, he knew he could now tell his grandmother of his decision.
Monday afternoon, a letter came for Toppy from Grace. She said that Jane had introduced her to a man named Joseph. Grace said that he was very handsome, very kind, and seemingly very honest. Toppy smiled in spite of herself because she had the impression that Grace was very taken with this man. However, she was going to keep her distance and give it time. That was understandable, considering everything that had happened with Van.
Hubert went on about his everyday duties. The knowledge that his mother would support him in entering the seminary soon made him smile. Now, there was a renewed and fresh desire to succeed. Talking to grandmother Bailey about his decision was hard to think about. It would have to be dealt with, he knew.
So, one December Sunday, he went to grandmother's house and decided that this was the day. Quietly, he approached her, she seemed glad to see him. After several minutes of discussion about school and life, he began the story that led to his decision.
How he shook as he sat before her! He could not remember any of what he had planned to say. So, he painted a simple story. In those quiet minutes, Hubert explained why he wanted to live the life of a priest.
When the story was finished, May just smiled and said that she loved him very much. She said nothing about her feelings for the Catholic religion. Though it was difficult for her to accept his decision, she dearly loved Hubert and could understand that he was simply trying to follow his heart.
Meanwhile, in Toronto, Grace was having a similar experience. Joseph had just asked her to have lunch with him. She wanted to join him, but was reminded of Van. He promised it would just be a simple lunch. Finally, poor Grace consented. Her hands shook as she reached for her gloves. Stepping forward in her life was necessary but so difficult.
Joseph was true to his word, they shared a simple lunch. Nothing extraordinary, but Grace felt very much at home with him and so it was a special experience. Grace was having trouble accepting this new situation, though. So, she decided to come home to New Bedford but to keep in touch with Jane and her new friend, Joseph Cline.
So, home Grace came. What a joyous reunion they had! Toppy and Honey cooked and cleaned for days beforehand. Max and the older boys had school and work, of course, but it was hard to think of that with the promise of Grace coming home.
The day Grace was to arrive, Hub walked Laura home from school. He hadn't really discussed his decision with Laura yet. So, he took her hand and just said, "Laura, I've made up my mind about the seminary."
Laura didn't have to ask what that decision was because she already knew. All she could do was smile and say, "Thank you for telling me. I want to know what's going on after you do, though. Please say you'll write."
"Of course I will," he said with a smile.
"Thank you."
The pair walked on in silence until they came to her home. Hubert kissed the dainty little hand in his and whispered, "You're wonderful, Laura. Thank you for your kindness and patience." Walking away was a bit of a challenge, but he did it because it was necessary.
Grace arrived later that evening and they had a wonderful family meal. She told them all about Joseph and Jane. Toronto was exciting, she said. Honey told Grace all about Violet's illness. Poor Grace nearly cried and said she wished she could have been home to help. Hub told his Aunt about his decision to enter the seminary. She seemed very pleased.
Hub looked around the table at his smiling family. He smiled just to see them sitting together. They had weathered many storms together, and would surely weather many more. What a group they were!
Soon enough, they would all go home and go on about their daily lives. Toppy would make and alter dresses. Grace would write to Joseph and Jane and see where life led. Honey would study, Max would teach, Hub and Fat would learn, Violet and Zack would remain at home. May would continue to heal and figure out the mine situation. They would all keep on keeping on, accept the struggles placed before them, and smile through. For now, though, they were all safely and happily together and that was all that mattered.
Find all of the entries to the fiction writing contest here.
