The leaves of gold and crimson sway in the wind as the gently cascade to the dew covered ground below. A season of change whispers her descent in the colors of Thanksgiving. Laughter echoes through the cool breeze of girls giggling as they share a humorous story with each other. Their hearts are big school starts again with a promise of the coming year.
The boys hang their heads peering over the sidewalk as they hide behind their shuffled bangs while contemplating the joke with each other of the newest observation of awkwardness. The girls stop their laughing and hold their breath as they pass the boys on the sidewalk, but slowly turn their heads to the left for a sidelong glance to see if their favorite boy is watching. The laughter immediately begins as soon as they are within a safe range to comment and the clothes and unanimous scuff marks of the boys.
The corps is alive with the business of the new season. Corps Cadets, Junior Soldiers, and youth fellowship is on the schedule for the evening. Everyone is excited for the special events planned for the fall and winter such as the Young Adult Retreat in a nearby state in October, and the territorial Future Officers Fellowship week-end in January.
The bulletins have not reached the corps yet of the Promotion to Glory of the much loved Major who is the father of Ellen, Anne, and their younger sister Maggie. Mrs. Dashing is a Captain because she married Major Dashing as a young lieutenant. The handsome Captain Dashing as he was known then had recently lost his wife and was the father to a teen who would become their half-brother, John. Major and Captain Dashing were an attractive and well-respect couple in their younger days. They are faithful officers and were continually promoted through the years in response to their hard work and efforts. They are now stationed at the Citadel which is the premier corps of the territory.
But all that will change now. Captain John Dashing, the step-son of Mrs. Dashing, received moving orders at the time of his father’s death. He currently is stationed at the Dry Creek corps. His wife, Fannie, is not well liked on the whole but is of true “red-yellow-and-blue” blood of the Army being ninth generation Salvationist whose great-grandmother was one of the lassies with George Scott Railton witnessing along the Missouri river in St. Louis so many years ago. Many accepted Fannie’s authority because of birth-right and the ever faithful good-ole-boy-system, but obviously is not due to intelligence, experience, or kindness.
Captains John and Fannie arrive briskly into the new appointment. Their unrequested help in the name of helping is more of ulterior selfish motives of claiming property and to make sure that nothing is taken that Fannie wants than truly caring for the Dashing family in their time of loss.
It is quite a “jump” in the appointment ladder to be assigned to his late father’s corps. It is quite likely something that would probably never have been achieved through his own efforts. However the corps council is unanimous in its desire to keep the legacy of compassionate pastoral care and leadership of Major Dashing, requested that the son having never met him or his wife before be appointed to the corps to continue the work of his much admired father.
Upon entering the quarters, Fannie remarks “I’m going to change the furniture because it doesn’t suit my style. The walls are too drab and chocolate leather furniture is quite the thing now.” Fannie is self-centered and arrogant. She mentions nothing of comfort to the grieving family.
As Fannie intently inspects each room with the quarter’s furniture inventory list, Captain John stands to the side of the well-coordinated great room agonizing over the recent Lotus Notes on his Blackberry.
Mrs. Dashing asks her step-son and daughter-in-law ever the welcoming hostess even in her time of grief, “Would like some Starbucks brewed coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts that have recently been left over from a canteen distribution at a local fire?” Both look her in dismay. Fannie responds “I prefer Dunkin Donuts” to which a stern glance from Fannie provokes, John to agree as well.
Fannie then informs Mrs. Dashing that her brother will be arriving next week and that she needs to prepare the best room (other than the master bedroom where she and John are staying) in the house for him. Fannie suggests that Ellen’s room is the most beautiful room in the house because of the French door windows to the porch. Anne is standing nearby and gasps at Fannie’s rudeness, but Ellen smiles kindly and leaves to prepare her room for the uninvited guest. Ellen enjoys being a hostess and meeting new people. This isn’t really an inconvenience to her only an opportunity to make new friends.
The reputation of Ted Farris is well known throughout the division. Ted is a kind and spiritual person who is often helping out with divisional and territorial events. He is an excellent brass musician but although of a professional level is not conceited or arrogant of his national talent unlike most of his peers. Ted desires to be an officer but the timing hasn’t been quite right. Fannie constantly reminds everyone that the Ferris family has great hopes that he will be a professional musician of world re-known in the London Philharmonic and not be limited to just the staff and territorial bands of the Army.
Anne remarks privately to Ellen in her bedroom, “I just can’t stand Fannie! Why did John ever marry her? Why did anyone ever marry her and give them a chance to reproduce her in any way?”
“Anne, I agree Fannie is not the easiest person to get along with but she is our family now” replies Ellen, “we have to make the best of it. We do have six weeks to be and live with them before we move to mom’s new appointment.”
“I wish they didn’t have to be here and we could stay” retorts Anne as she looks over her pictures of corps friends and special divisional events outlining the mirror on her dresser “no one here will like them”. Ellen places her arm around Anne’s shoulders as they look into the mirror together, “God has many wonderful moments in store for us whether we are living in this place or not. There are so many more friends and loved ones yet for us to meet.”
“Why does she have to become friends with my friends though?” as Anne angrily slumps over in total defeat with a huge sigh on the nearby bed.
“Dinner is ready!” calls Mrs. Dashing. Both girls saunter downstairs for a special meal of roast beef, potatoes, corn and biscuits. The former Gourmet Chef, Don, at the Adult Rehabilitation Center downtown has been giving Mrs. Dashing cooking lessons which have benefited the entire family. Mrs. Dashing is quite proud of her accomplishment but when she explains to Fannie of her recent learning experience, Fannie snubs her nose and states “I would pay to go to a local institute to take classes.” Anne defiantly jumps in, “Don is a famous chef and he is a wonderful person too unlike some at this table!” Mrs. Dashing squints her eyes and with a tone of authority, “Anne!” Anne insincerely apologizes to the group and while turning her head to the side, rolls her eyes and drops her jaw as if she is gagging. Maggie starts laughing but quickly sees the stern look of her mother and stops.
Green and blue plastic tubs line the two car garage. Ellen has carefully made labels for everyone that includes specific types of books, office, keep-sakes, clothing, and other knick-knacks. In their next home pans and dishes, linens, curtains, towels will all be waiting for them with furniture chosen by the previous officer. Memories are what fill the boxes. Fannie has made is clear that anything that belongs to the home is to stay in the quarters including decorations, paintings, and other mementos. Even personal gifts from soldiers given to Mrs. Dashing over the years in different appointments are skeptically eyed and questioned by Fannie. It has been a very difficult week.
Ellen, Maggie (with the help of Ellen) and Mrs. Dashing have nearly completed packing their personal items but Anne refuses to do anything. In fact, everything that could possibly be out and on its own exists in the open disaster of her room.
Taking a moment’s break while sipping on a cold Coke, Ellen glances out at the falling leaves from her room. She sees an old battered Blue Dodge Caravan pull up and slightly run over the curb. The driver gets out, readjusts his shades, brushes off his black uniform pants and pats his hair in an attempt to put everything back into place. As he walks, a nearby branch wrestles his ankle and down he goes. He laughs to himself with a warm, friendly smile. Gets up, shakes his head with a smile, brushes himself off again and jauntily heads towards the front door. She is amused and hurries down the stairs to meet the stranger.
Maggie runs, “I’ll get it! I’ll get it!” expecting her best friend who lives around the corner. Her first words are “Who are you? What are you doing here?” He responds, “Hi! My name is Ted and I’m Fannie’s brother. I’ve come for a visit to meet you!”
“You’re all dirty and you have a couple of leaves stuck to you too! But come on in I’ll let you meet my sister. Everyone else is at the corps for evening programs. She’s promised to take care of me and my best friend. But we don’t need a babysitter just in case you were wondering” then yelling at the top of her lungs directly at him, “Ellen! There’s somebody here for you!”
“Maggie, I’m behind you. I’m so sorry are your ears ok? Hi! I’m Ellen Dashing, Fannie’s sister-in-law. I’m glad you are here!” as she smiles warmly to him, “Would you like a Coke while we wait for everyone else to get back? You can sit in the living room if you would like to, there are some old War Crys, Southern Spirits, Central Connection, Caring, Good News, Priority, The Officer, New Frontier, Salvationists and other books in there if you like to read. I’m making cookies in the kitchen for youth activities tomorrow night” invites Ellen.
“If you don’t mind, I think that I will just sit in the kitchen with you. Can I help you?” asks Ted “If not, maybe I can get to know a little more about your family. If you remember, I wasn’t able to make it to John and Fannie’s wedding and didn’t have a chance to meet you or your family because I was on a summer service corps team in Mexico.”
“Oh yeah, me too . . . I was on a territorial summer service corps team myself and really enjoyed the experience. Would you like to set the temp to 350 on the oven for me?” She begins to spoon the chocolate chip batter onto the pan.
Ted and Ellen talk for over three hours about the corps, friends in common, interests and other things. They have enjoyed each other’s company and time passes quickly. They hardly notice as the rest of the family enters the house.
“Oh you’re here! Why didn’t you tell me? I would have had Ellen drive you to the corps to spend time with me rather than have Ellen flirt with you so much!” smugly states Fannie. Ellen and Ted both blush, but Ted responds, “I am actually the one who has been flirting, Ellen is great company and fun to be around” while narrowing a look at Fannie that her teasing crossed a line but smiling to everyone else in the room, “We’ve had a great time talking and I’ve helped make good batch of cookies!”
“You’re room is upstairs, the one with all the windows and French doors to the porch” announces Fannie while raising her chin in triumph to Ellen but Ted replies “Actually, I’ve decided to take the green room at the end of the hallway. It’s a guest room and perfect for me. It even has wi-fi!” Mrs. Dashing and Anne share a secret smile between them while Mrs. Dashing states, “I’m happy that you enjoy the room, if there is anything else that I can do for you, please let me know. My home is your home.” But Fannie rudely includes ”yes, it is My home now too.”
The weeks pass by and Mrs. Dashing, Maggie, and Anne enjoy Ted’s friendship. Ellen and Ted spend a lot of time together and get along well. Ellen plays a tenor horn and although not quite at the level of musicianship of Ted, plays duets with him and sings while he plays the piano too. They have many things in common and seem quite content in each other’s company sharing stories, ideas, and anything else that appeals to them. Everyone seems happy except Fannie.
One day Fannie pulls Mrs. Dashing into the Home League room at the corps, “Well, I see that the six weeks are closing in. Have you heard any news in regards to moving orders from the Commissioner? It’s about time you moved on to another place.” Mrs. Dashing replies, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. We still have two more weeks and Ted and Ellen seem to be getting along so well. Perhaps Ellen will decide to stay in the area and continue her schooling. Ted would be such good company for her.”
Angrily Fannie begins, “There is no way Ellen can stay here. You know the rule: for one year there is no contact with the old appointment. She can’t stay! If she chooses to stay, I won’t let her have any contact with the corps because she’ll destroy everything we are trying to accomplish! You are already interfering with things that need to happen here!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you felt that way. I’ll contact the Commissioner and we won’t be in your way much longer” bitterly replies Mrs. Dashing as her eyes start to fill with tears. She has been a good corps officer and has loved the soldiers and friends of the corps with all her heart and they have loved her too. Some lifelong friends have been made during their tenure at the Citadel.
Mrs. Dashing calls the Commissioner that afternoon. Wisely believing she needs to be near family while grieving the loss of her husband, provides moving orders to Devon Outpost to direct a small corps under the leadership of the area commanders, Major John and Sue Middleton who also happen to be her cousins. Brigadier Martha Jennings, Major Middleton’s mother-in-law and also a spunky retired officer, lives with them too.
The next morning, Ted brings down his suitcases to the foyer and heads to load them into the mini-van haphazardly parked in the driveway. “Where are you going?” Ellen asks from the top of the stairs, “It’s so early. Why are you leaving?”
“I’ve just got a text that I have to head to Grand Rapids, Michigan to help plan a national youth convention. Evidently I missed the email and they need me there immediately for the planning conference.”
“We’re you going to let everyone know you were leaving? Everyone is still asleep. We’ll all miss you very much. It won’t be the same here without you. Maggie enjoys your company so much and Anne really likes the way you play the piano just as she does. Can’t you stay just a little longer?”
“I was hoping that you would be up because I wanted to talk with you before I leave”, as Ellen joins him outside the house. He pauses a moment and then begins “A couple of years ago while going to college I was a corps helper in at the Blue Ridge corps. There was a corps sergeant major that kind-of took me under his wing and became my friend. He had a daughter who would often help me with the activities. You know how commitments are. It is important to keep them. Well, I made this promise that I was rather young when I made it and really had very little experience in life, I didn’t have any idea that I would ever meet someone like you . . .”
Fannie screams, “Ted! What are you still doing here? You need to leave now! You have responsibilities and don’t need to waste your time here while letting everyone else down! Move away Ellen, you’re bothering him. He needs to go!
Ted sadly climbs into the van and pulls out of the driveway. What Ellen can’t see are the tears that are blinding him as he leaves.
Mrs. Dashing hearing Fannie yelling rushes outside and witnesses the scene. She puts a motherly arm around Ellen as they slowly walk back inside the house. All their things are neatly packed in boxes and ready to be loaded in the red and white Uhaul to head to Devon. A phase of life has ended and new one is just about to begin.
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