Part 5: Caves

The Avonlea beach, early the following morning. The sun is just rising over the horizon, throwing pink and gold hues over the water through misty fog. Monty and Flora are walking along the beach together arm in arm.

As they head toward the cave they like to steal away to, Monty brushes Flora’s slightly damp, pale gold hair behind her ear to whisper in it, “Thank you for agreeing to meet me so early in the morning. I thought this might be the only way to have some time alone.” They duck inside the cave where they can enjoy privacy and keep dry from the moist air. Only the rhythmic beating of the waves against the rocks on the beach outside can be heard inside the cave. The dimly lit quarters seem romantic to young lovers.

“Of course, I can sacrifice a measly hour of sleep to see you,” Flora murmurs and smiles at Monty as she runs her hands through his chestnut brown hair and gazes into his brown eyes. Monty looks into her cornflower blue eyes lovingly and glances at the beach. No one is around so he gives her passionate kiss on the lips.

“So, have you thought about when we should speak to our families?’ Flora asks nervously. “About us, I mean?”

Monty kisses her hand and sighs, “Yes, but I haven’t decided when or how. I’m not sure how to approach it.”

Flora laughs anxiously, “Well, it can’t be that bad. Even though my family and yours were never on the best terms, Alecia and I are friends now. I would hope that your parents like me well enough.”

Monty rushes to assure his love. “Oh, I think they do like you well enough now… but it’s still going to be a shock. They don’t know that we have been corresponding while I’ve been at seminary. They don’t think that we’ve gotten serious. And your parents: won’t they be upset to learn that we’re engaged and you’re only sixteen?”

“Well, Mother was married at eighteen; I don’t see why they would be upset about it. We don’t plan to marry until you’ve finished seminary anyway. I’ll be eighteen by then. And you’re going to be a minister. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled about that.”

Monty frowns, “I wish my parents were both thrilled about the idea of me becoming a minister. Mother is happy about it but Father isn’t. He had hoped I would become a man of science like he is. I suppose he would rather have Lucky for a son, than me.”

“Oh darling, don’t say that. I’m sure that isn’t true-“

“Shh!” Monty suddenly hisses. He presses his hand over Flora’s mouth, “Do you hear something?” The faint sound of male voices in the distance disturbs Monty.

Flora gently pulls Monty’s hand away and whispers. “Yes, who would be down here at this hour?” She is less distressed and merely curious. She is annoyed seeing that Monty is so frightened of their secret location being compromised. They peek around a corner and see Jasper, Andrew and Lucky loaded down with equipment. Flora whispers, “What are they doing?”

“I have no idea… let’s go though!” Monty pulls Flora quickly toward the cave’s entrance and in the process she drops her purse on the ground.

The noise startles Jasper, Andrew and Lucky. Jasper peers ahead and recognizes his son in the shadows.

“Monty?! Is that you, son? Jasper calls out. As the shadows fail to obscure their faces, he is surprised to see Flora with his son. “Miss Lester?”

Monty realizes he must give up their flight. “Yes, it’s me, Father. What are you doing with all this equipment?” He hopes to deflect the conversation away from what he is doing there with Flora.

Jasper is startled by the question, “Oh… we were just helping Lucky record his observations on evidence of cave formation for his application for graduate study at Dalhousie… what are you doing here?” Jasper looks at Flora suspiciously enough to make her somewhat uncomfortable.

Monty comes up with a response quickly, “Um, I was just taking a walk and it was starting to shower a little. I ran into Miss Lester on the beach and I was afraid that her nice dress here would get wet and she might catch a chill… so I told her that we should go here for cover until it passed.” Monty pokes his head out the cave opening to view the beach and puts out his hand to test for raindrops. “And it has! So I guess you can be on your way now, Miss Lester.” He gestures toward the cave opening for her to leave.

Flora looks at Monty with some surprise and hurt feelings that he felt the need to lie about their relationship and pushed her away. She feels a little lump in her throat as she turns and leaves the cave without a word. Andrew and Lucky exchange knowing glances not seen by Monty and Jasper. Jasper himself looks unconvinced by Monty’s explanation but is preoccupied by his desire to get to work.

“So why do all three of you need to be here for simple recording of how the caves formed?” Monty is perturbed by the idea that his father has accompanied Lucky and Andrew for something so mundane.

Lucky looks at his accomplices who nod, “Well, if you must know, Monty. We are actually looking for something more. Andrew has mentioned that there could be fossils in these caves.”

Andrew admits, “It’s very unlikely…”

Jasper wags his finger. “Now, now if scientists always had that attitude most of the major discoveries that have been made would never have been found. A scientist must always be searching.”

Lucky pipes up, “Well, anyway, Andrew was saying that he heard from a colleague that a geologist was studying in these caves sixty five years ago and was reported to have found fossils of a dinosaur. Of course, you know those who study dinosaurs are paleontologists but this geologist just stumbled on the fossils while recording cave development.”

“Here, on Prince Edward Island?! I’ve never heard that any dinosaur bones were found on PE Island!” Monty exclaims, suddenly as caught up in the excitement as the others.

“No, it generally isn’t thought that there were, son.” Jasper nods and says seriously, “Unfortunately the geologist in question died in the midst of his work. He had sent word to the university that he found fossils he believed were dinosaur bones. But before he made it back with the fossils, he died.”

“Oh that’s awful,” Monty says disappointed. “So didn’t anyone come back to find them?”

“No, they were all too afraid.” Andrew says, “They all thought he had been cursed by the Mi’kmaq Indian guide that led him to the part of the cave where he found the fossils. They were lodged way back in a remote part of these caves. The guide didn’t realize when he helped him find the spot that he would be digging in the cave, removing parts of the cave wall to extract the fossils. And when he relayed that to his tribe they became very angry. The tribe felt the geologist was desecrating sacred Indian land by digging in this cave where the tribe had ceremonies.”

Monty’s feelings about the geologist have changed now since he feels native grounds should be respected. “Oh, well why would people think the geologist had been cursed by the Mi’kmaq? Just because he happened to die? What happened to him anyway?”

“He died in the cave,” Andrew says quietly. “They found his body… a rock had fallen on him.”

“But don’t worry about us, we’re being very careful,” Lucky assures Monty. Andrew and Jasper nod.

“Yes, we’re taking all the precautions, son.”

“That’s good.” Monty says slowly, trying to process all the information. “So, it was in this cave? This is a sacred spot for Mi’kmaq Indians?”

“Not here in the mouth of the cave but apparently further in the cave was a sacred place, although they don’t live here anymore. All the Mi’kmaq in this area have been gone for years. So we aren’t intruding on anyone’s land by being here now.”

“I don’t know,” Monty murmurs uncomfortably. “I don’t feel right about interfering in land that belonged to them and was used for sacred ceremonies. It would be like digging up an old church in Europe.”

“Well, archaeologists do that now to find things that were buried underneath or that predate the church. How else will future generations know all the history of that site? A church could never have been the first thing that existed there.”

Monty nods, “I suppose. It still makes me uncomfortable since we don’t have their permission. The Mi’kmaq didn’t leave here by choice, you know.”

Andrew, Lucky and Jasper are quiet. Jasper speaks first, “Yes son, we know. That’s unfortunate but we can’t undo that now. We still owe it to all people in the future to find scientific evidence of an extinct species. Think of how many people of all backgrounds will benefit from learning about them if we can produce a real sign of their existence, right here?”

Monty frowns, “I guess that’s true. And it would be exciting to find dinosaur bones on PE Island…”

“So, would you like to be part of our paleontology expedition, then, son?” Jasper asks with hopes raised that he can spend some quality time with Monty.

Even though Monty knows his father, friend and cousin have no intention of doing so he is still uncomfortable with the possibility of desecrating a Mi’kmaq site. “No, you three go ahead. I promised Rev. MacDonald that I would help out today with some matters at the church. You know how worried he is about the church. I’m sure he’ll be needing my help throughout the summer, too. I’ll see you later at home, Father. I’ll see you all soon. Good luck with your work.”

“Oh well, all right then.” Jasper replies impatiently.

Monty turns to walk back onto the beach. He sees his father talking closely with Lucky and sighs.

Cecily and Percy’s house a few days later. Cecily is confined to the house and is stretched out on the living room couch. Percy is out for the afternoon so Cecily has suggested that she, Felicity and Izzy meet to plan the church fund raiser.

Felicity enters the hallway, shutting the door behind her. “Cecily dear!” she calls out

“Yes!” Cecily waves her hand above the back of the couch so that Felicity can see it in the hallway. “I’m right here in the living room, dear.”

“Oh, there you are!” Felicity rushes over to the couch with a smile and a hug for her sister. She sits down on the chair next to her, a little out of breath. She takes off her hat and sets her purse down. “Is Izzy on her way then?”

“Yes, she was trying to get everybody set up at her house. Felix insisted she leave the children with him while she’s here. He thought we wouldn’t get much done with the little ones running around.”

Felicity laughs, “He’s quite right about that! Oh my, it took me awhile to get everyone settled at our place, too. I was afraid I would be late so I raced over here. I guess I can catch my breath now. How are you feeling dear?”

Cecily sighs, “Fine I suppose, just uncomfortable. I’m tired of waiting! I just want to have this baby already!”

Felicity laughs, “I know how you feel. It’s hard to be patient. But you’re so close. It will be here before you know it!”

Cecily frowns and adjusts her body to find a comfortable position, “I hope so.” The front door closes and Izzy runs into the living room.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! It took forever to get Lily to stop crying when I was on my way out the door. Oh, it just broke my heart! I’ll need a good distraction to put that out of my mind!”

“Oh, I’m sure she’s long forgotten her tears,” Felicity tries to assure Izzy. “I bet Felix has got her playing some game that she’s having such fun.” Izzy nods numbly, still a little shaken by her first experience leaving her daughter with her husband alone. Her emotions are pulled in two directions. On the one hand she hopes Lillian has stopped fussing and is being good for Felix. On the other hand she doesn’t like to think that her toddler daughter is fine without her.

“Right,” Cecily agrees. “So we’ve got our hands full thinking of what to do for a church fundraiser. Any ideas?”

Izzy shakes her head no. “I’m sorry I haven’t come up with anything yet. I was hoping with three heads together we’d come up with something.”

Felicity is smiling excitedly and anxiously waiting to share her and Gus’ idea. “Well, Gus came up with a wonderful idea, I think. Tell me what you think, girls. He suggested we put on a fiddling concert, sort of smaller version of the competition they had in Charlottetown this spring.”

Cecily and Izzy’s eyes light up. Cecily exclaims, “Oh-that would be fun! It would certainly be more exciting than the old musicales.” The three women laugh at the memory of boring, stiff music performances put on by the church women their parents’ and grandparents’ age.

Izzy agrees, “Yes, that would draw a crowd. And people of all ages, I bet.”

“Oh good, I’m glad you both like the idea. I thought I’d bring it up to Monty and Rev. MacDonald on Sunday. I thought Monty could canvas the young people. And we should probably open it up to the surrounding areas, Markdale and Carmody, in order to have a good turn-out.”

“True, there are not that many fiddlers in Avonlea anymore,” Cecily says with a nod.

Felicity sighs and says, “There aren’t nearly as many people who fiddle as there were when Gus learned to play. That’s true in most places now. That’s why they had the big fiddling contest in Boston; to try to bring some attention back to it.”

“If it’s going to be a contest, we’ll need some type of prize then.” Izzy proposes, “That would get the young people interested. What should the prize be?”

The three are silent for a moment, thinking. “Mm, I don’t know,” Felicity admits.

“Maybe Monty or Rev. MacDonald would have a suggestion,” Cecily offers.

Izzy nods, “Yes, maybe we’d better leave that until later then. I’m sure we can come up with something if we think about it for awhile.”

“Well, that settles it then. If Rev MacDonald is agreeable, I’ll speak to Aunt Olivia about running an advertisement in the Chronicle about it.”

“Oh yes, good idea.” Izzy exclaims, rubbing her hands together with exhilaration. “I’ll see if I can get Felix to help with the food. He could prepare some delectable treats to add to the refreshment table.”

“Absolutely!” Felicity affirms her sister-in-law. “My mouth still waters thinking of Cecily’s delicious wedding cake!” She adds with a wink.

“Me, too.” Cecily concurs with a dreamy look in her eye, “I can’t believe we’ve been married almost three years now. Percy and I were reminiscing the other night about it.”

“It really flies by. Gus and I have been married for fourteen years. That makes me feel very old! I remember thinking that Mother and Father were ancient at that age. But I couldn’t be happier, especially now that we have Marie helping out around the Home. We actually have time to spend together now.”

“Oh I know what you mean, Felicity!” Izzy nods vigorously. “When we only had Sammy it wasn’t nearly so difficult but with two it seems I’m always chasing after somebody. It’s thoroughly exhausting! I don’t know how you do it with so many at the Home.”

“Well, I admit that I was completely worn to a fiddle string when we first had Zeke and all the home children, too. It was during the war, so Gus wasn’t back from doing his telegraphy work in Halifax yet then. I was still recovering from labor, trying to nurse a stubborn boy who did not want to and still trying to teach and take care of the older children! Sometimes, I’m not quite sure how I did it. Mother helped out a lot, of course, but she was still helping Father with the farm, too. Aunt Hetty was still teaching. We were so grateful when you came to help at the Home, Izzy, after your Sammy and our Ellie were born. Gus was back from Halifax. It was so much better then.”

Cecily has been listening with growing fear as her sister and sister-in-law describe the realities of being a mother. For several years Cecily had not even been sure she would have children since she had no prospects of marriage throughout much of her young adulthood. Things swiftly changed when Percy came into the picture.

“Cecily, dear, are you all right?” Izzy asks with alarm. “You’re looking a little green around the gills.” She takes her friend’s hand to comfort her.

“Oh dear! Have we been frightening you with tales of mothering doom and gloom?” Felicity realizes that may be the cause of her sister’s pale visage.

“Oh no, no. I’m all right.” Cecily takes a deep breath and tries to calm her nerves. “It’s just that for so long I hadn’t really planned to have children… Percy didn’t really either… after so long not being married… and now I’m worried that maybe Percy and I don’t know what we’re in for.

“You will be fine.” Izzy consoles her long time friend. “You’re going to be such a wonderful mother, isn’t she Felicity?”

“Yes, you will.” Felicity takes Cecily’s other hand as she sits on the edge of the sofa, opposite Izzy. “You’ve always been such a good friend and thoughtful sibling. Look at all you’ve done for Daniel teaching him to run the farm.”

Izzy adds, “You’ve gotten through so much in your life. You overcame consumption and think of all the struggles you went through to become a veterinarian. Felicity and I both know how difficult it is to be a woman in medicine and you went further than both of us in that capacity.”

“Yes, but raising children is very different than those things,” Cecily remarks nervously.

Felicity nods, “It is, but the strength you’ve gained from what you’ve been through will carry you well into motherhood. I’m very confident that you will excel as a mother.” She smiles and pats her sister gently on the hand.

Cecily sighs, “I hope so. I want to give this little one all the opportunities in the world.” She smiles thinking of holding her baby in her arms for the first time and watching him or her grow up over the years.

“You will,” Felicity assures her sister. “This is one very lucky little boy or girl to have you and Percy as parents. How is Percy doing with the idea of becoming a father?”

“Oh, he’s excited but nervous, too… Felicity… has Mother said anything about… what’s been happening at the School Board meetings? Percy hasn’t told me and I’m getting worried.”

Felicity and Izzy look at each other over Cecily’s head lying down on pillows. They want to protect her from what they’ve heard through gossip around town. Felicity clears her throat, “Well, she just started on the Board, you know. I think she’s still getting her feet wet catching up with all the procedures and so forth.”

Cecily frowns, getting the feeling that people are keeping bad news from her. “What about you, Izzy? Do you hear anything from your father and Muriel about the school? As superintendant he must know what’s going on?”

“Oh, not particularly,” Izzy falters trying to come up with a believable variation of the truth. “We’ve been so busy I haven’t had much time to talk to Father lately. But I’m sure if anything was wrong, I’d know about it.”

Cecily sighs with determination and tries to sit up more. “I’m worried because he’s been called to so many meetings with the School Board and he hasn’t told me what they’ve been discussing-“

Felicity interrupts her sister to reassure her. “Oh, I’m sure it’s just curriculum matters he doesn’t want to bore you with, dear.”

“Yes, I would do the same with Felix. Can you imagine trying to talk to him about something like that? He’d fall asleep in front of me.” Izzy laughs hoping to steer the subject in a different direction.

“But Percy and I usually discuss everything. It isn’t like him to keep things from me. Is that what it’s like when you are married for awhile?”

“Sometimes… he’s probably just tired, Cecily.” Felicity goes on, “Teaching is exhausting and at the end of the day, especially a day of meetings, the last thing you want to do is talk more about it.”

Cecily’s eyes relax a bit. “Yes, that’s true I suppose. Maybe he is just tired. The other thing that concerns me is my practice. I don’t know when I’ll be able to open again after the baby comes. It could be quite some time. I could lose all my business to other veterinarians in Carmody and Markdale.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Izzy rushes to assuage Cecily’s fear. “You’ve built up a very loyal patronage here in Avonlea. When you’re ready to open up again, they’ll come back.”

“Definitely, now we should get going and let you get your rest.” Felicity declares as she looks at her watch. “I know Izzy is anxious to get home to Lily and Sammy and I need to give Gus and Marie a break at the Home.”

“Yes, we’ll come by again soon,” Izzy promises. “It’s been lovely to spend some time together, even if we have to squeeze it in between so many other demands.”

“Thank you both for coming. It’s starting to feel like I’m trapped in a cave here. I’ve been getting a little stir crazy now at the end,” Cecily says with a faint laugh, fatigue in her voice.

After giving Cecily a hug, Felicity and Izzy head toward the door together. Once outside they exchange worried glances and step away from the front door.

“Has your mother told you that the School Board is talking of letting Percy go?” Felicity asks Izzy in a whisper as they walk toward their respective homes. They don’t want any of the Avonlea townspeople to hear their conversation.

“Yes,” Izzy whispers back, glancing around to make sure no one hears. “I didn’t want to let on that I’d heard that in front of Cecily. I’ve been hoping the whole ordeal would blow over but it doesn’t seem to have.”

Felicity nods. “I’ve hoped just the same. I hate to think of what might happen if he is fired, with this baby nearly here. Not just because I think Percy is a very good teacher but if he has to look for another job he and Cecily will have to leave Avonlea.”