37. Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Five
1941
W ith America’s entry into the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December, there was a rush of men to join the armed forces. All of the sudden, every able-bodied male was leaving for boot camp and shipping off to Europe or the Pacific. One day Lavender Bay was full of hale and hearty young men, and the next day it wasn’t. Or that’s what it seemed to Lenore. Laura’s husband, Edwin, had already left, leaving her on her own with their two young daughters, Edna and Edith. Laura was in such a state over the affair that she moved back to live with their parents, with the intention of staying until her husband returned from the war. Lenore was over there as much as possible to offer handholding, comfort, and help with the girls .
An unexpected snowstorm had prevented Harriet from traveling home to spend the holiday with her family, and had also left Mrs. Mandelson stranded, unable to get to her sister’s house in Ohio.
After Christmas dinner at the house on Pearl Street, Lenore and Hilda and the tenants all gathered in the parlor to exchange gifts. Lenore had been busy crocheting all year. There were afghans for Hilda and Mrs. Mandelson, and scarves and mittens for Harriet and Alistair. They were all pleased with their gifts.
A smiling Harriet handed Lenore a gift wrapped in Christmas paper. “We all chipped in and got you a little present.”
Lenore looked around at them. Even Mrs. Mandelson was smiling. “You didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t expecting anything.”
“That’s the problem,” Hilda quipped.
She carefully unwrapped the gift, sliding her nail beneath the taped parts. She’d save the wrapping paper for next year. Inside the package was a wooden board, and Lenore had no idea what it was or what she was expected to use it for. But she flipped it over and let out a squeal of delight. It had a fine sheen and had been engraved with large black script. Mrs. Hadley’s Boarding House.
“This is wonderful. I absolutely love it,” she said. She looked at each of them again. “I shall treasure this for as long as I live. ”
“If you’d like, I could hang it for you tomorrow,” Alistair said.
“That would be great. Outside next to the front door?” You couldn’t temper her smile; it was one of the most thoughtful gifts she’d ever received. She stood and carefully set it on the table next to her.
“Now,” she said. “I think it’s time for Christmas pudding.”
1942
One good thing the war had done was end the Depression. Factories boomed, getting ready for increased production for anything military related. And although food was rationed once again for the war effort, people were practiced at making do with what they had, and they survived.
March was blustery that year. It seemed as if it would never stop raining. The rain poured down on the roof, and Lenore placed metal buckets around the attic floor beneath the leaks.
One evening, the occupants of the boarding house were gathered around the dining room table, enjoying a game of Monopoly. Lenore thought it was great fun. Hilda didn’t play, but she sat with them and joined in the conversation. Harriet regaled them with tales of her class, and Johnny entertained them with his own idea of how he’d fight the Nazis. Lenore gave silent thanks that Johnny was a long way from turning eighteen .
Harriet turned to Alistair, seated next to her, and said, “You’re awfully quiet tonight.”
He looked at Harriet and smiled, his expression filled with tenderness. He picked up the dice, as it was his turn, and rolled them around in his hand. He looked around the table at everyone.
“Come on, Alistair, roll the dice,” Johnny said.
“In good time, Johnny,” he said, still palming the dice and rolling them around in his hand. His gaze bounced around again to everyone. Lenore thought he was acting strange. He cleared his throat. “I guess now is as good a time as any.”
“Good time for what?” Mrs. Mandelson asked.
Harriet looked at him, expectant, her smile bright.
“I want to do my part for my country. I’ve joined the Army. I leave next month.”
Harriet’s expression crumpled. “No, Alistair!”
There was a slight lift of Mrs. Mandelson’s eyebrows.
“Oh, Alistair,” Lenore said, leaning back in her chair. Men like him weren’t built for war. He was a teacher of English, a lover of poetry, and now to go off to the battlefield . . . the idea made her queasy.
Harriet covered her face with her hands and lowered her head.
Alistair spoke in low tones as if Harriet were the only person in the room. “I must do this. It’s important.”
She didn’t say anything, but she did nod .
“Harriet, would you like to make the tea?” Hilda suggested kindly.
“I would, thank you.” Harriet slipped out of the room.
Getting up just as quick, Alistair said, “I’ll help.”
“Well, it’s the right thing to do,” Mrs. Mandelson declared.
“I agree,” Hilda said. “But it’s hard to see them go off.”
A heavy pall descended on the table, and Lenore looked at the abandoned board game, the pair of dice sitting in front of Alistair’s empty seat.
“Can I have cake?” Johnny asked, looking every bit like a mini John.
“Yes, of course.” Lenore smiled at him.
“Can I take Alistair’s turn?” he asked.
Hilda leaned forward. “Go ahead, he won’t mind.”
Johnny picked up the dice and tossed them across the board. Then he stood from his chair, leaned over the table, and moved Alistair’s piece around the board. “Ha, go to jail!” and he moved the piece to the corner.
The boy rolled for Harriet next, but after a few turns lost interest and sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest and swinging his legs.
Hilda smiled and winked at him.
“Hilda, did I show you my muscles?” he said, stretching out his arm and showing her his bicep. Johnny did this all day long when he was home. Hilda humored him. They all did .
Hilda widened her eyes in mock surprise. “Oh my, I guess you’re big and strong all right. But if you want to keep that muscle, you’ll have to keep eating your vegetables.”
Johnny hated vegetables and was quite vocal about it. Every night at dinner was a challenge.
Muttering under his breath, he played with the little dog token from the game. Hilda laughed.
“How long does it take to make tea and slice cake?” Mrs. Mandelson asked, glancing in the general direction of the kitchen.
“Let me see if they need any help.” Lenore pushed back her chair and stood.
As she neared the kitchen, she halted in her tracks when she caught a moment transpiring between Alistair and Harriet. As Harriet cried, her shoulders shaking, Alistair held her face tenderly in his hands, speaking softly to her. Not wanting to invade their privacy, Lenore pivoted quietly and reentered the dining room.
“It’ll be a few more minutes.” She cast a knowing glance at Hilda, who gave a slight nod.
Mrs. Mandelson leaned back and folded her hands in her lap.
They sat idly, making conversation. The topic swung from the weather to rations and back to the weather .
Alistair and Harriet entered the room, with Harriet’s arm looped through his, both of them beaming. There wasn’t a teacup or a slice of cake in sight.
“We have an announcement to make,” Alistair said. He looked down at Harriet next to him, who gave him an encouraging nod. “Harriet and I are getting married before I ship off.”
Immediately, Lenore jumped up and clapped her hands. Hilda, all smiles, got up as fast as she could with her arthritis. Even Mrs. Mandelson smiled.
“That is the best news I’ve heard in a long time!” Lenore said, hugging them.
“Definitely, I’m so happy for you both,” Hilda agreed.
Alistair looked at Harriet. “We’ll have to make arrangements quickly.”
Harriet was so overcome with joy that she could only nod.
“We can have the reception here!” Lenore said. The thought of planning such a happy event lifted all weariness and sadness from her.
“I’ll make the wedding cake,” said Hilda, just as excited as Lenore. Harriet was like a daughter to her.
“You’re too wonderful,” Harriet gushed. Beside her, Alistair beamed.
“It’s not every day you have a wedding,” Lenore said. Her mind swirled with ideas. She had all her fine china, crystal, and silver out there, and it would be perfect for the affair. The everyday ware just wouldn’t do.
As they talked about the wedding and everyone got caught up in the joyful air that had filled the house, Johnny sat at the table, waiting for the game to resume. He rolled his eyes and put in his own two cents’ worth: “Weddings. Yuck.”
And they all laughed.