The Salvationist - Chapter Thirty Two

Turning down the stereo, Emma contemplates how she will apologize to Ms. Bates. It has been two weeks since she saw her at the picnic. Congress was a lot of fun, but now it is time to mend some fences.

She finds a empty parking space in Ms. Bates apartment complex next to the building with a large “B” on it. She walks along the path traced with green foliage to an apartment “2” on the door and knocks.

The curtain in the front living room window moves, but it seems like forever before there is any answer. After a few minutes, Jane finally answers the door. “Hi Emma. How are you? What are you doing here?”

“I came by to bring you some cookies and I brought some flowers for Ms. Bates as well” softly states Emma feeling uneasy.

“That was very nice of you. Ms. Bates isn’t feeling so well today” explains Jane rubbing her forehead just above her eyebrow.

“Do you mind if I come in anyway? Just for a few minutes . . .” asks Emma knowing that her presence is probably what is making Ms. Bates not feel well.

Jane looks sympathetically at her and lets her in the door. Emma turns as the door on one of the bedrooms down the hallway shuts quietly.

“I can make you some coffee or tea if you would like. We can share the cookies that you brought with you” offers Jane heading towards the tiny kitchen.

“Thanks! Do you have any sweet tea by chance?” asks Emma “If not, hot tea is fine.”

“Actually I just made some this morning” replies Jane from the kitchen also pouring a class for herself.

“It was such fun at congress this year, don’t you think?” asks Emma.

“I think that I’ve had the best time in years! It was so good seeing everyone from around the territory too and catching up” states Jane loudly in the direction of the hallway when she notices Ms. Bates door slightly opening up.

Jane nods to Emma towards the door, “I had such a good time seeing Ellen, Anne, Ted and Captain Brandon. It was so good to catch up with them and see the pictures of the baby. Anne sent some pictures to my phone as well this morning. Do you want to see them?”

“What a cutie! She looks like Anne with a touch of Brandon in her eyes” exclaims Jane loud enough to be heard in the hallway.

The door flies open, “Can I see too? Captain Brandon was such a good and kind officer. I miss him so much. He always came to the house and spent time visiting with mother and me. It was such a beautiful wedding ceremony. I am so happy for Anne and Brandon” Emma smiles at her and gives her the phone instructing her how to change to the next photo.

“The baby is so precious. I need to make a package of goodies and send it to her right away. I wonder what size she wears. Let’s see, she would be about two months old. I should probably get 6-9 month old clothing because babies grow so quickly and if the outfit is too large she can grow into it and wear it for a longer time” gushes Ms. Bates excited to see the photos of two people she deeply cares about.

“Captain Brandon and Anne wanted me to give this to you” Emma hands a card full of baby photos to Ms. Bates. A couple of tears fall down her cheeks as she opens the envelope. “How thoughtful of them to remember me” pleased murmurs Ms. Bates.

“I want to apologize to you. I’m so sorry that I was very rude to you the other day. It was very wrong and immature of me to be so thoughtless. You are a wonderful person and I enjoy having you in my life. Everyone knows how kind you are and I was being unkind” starts Emma not allowing Ms. Bates to get a word in while she apologizes.

“It doesn’t matter. I know that I can talk . . .” begins Ms. Bates.

“No, I should have kept my mouth shut. I was mad about something else and unfortunately and stupidly took it out on you” sincerely apologizes Emma “I hope you still consider me a friend after all of my nonsense.”

Ms. Bates looks to the floor. She has been quite miserable dwelling over Emma’s comments from the picnic. However, she likes Emma and especially has missed her visits in spite of the uncharacteristic rudeness a couple of weeks ago. “We are still friends. You never stopped being my friend”.

Emma stands up and gives her a hug which Ms. Bates returns. Jane sighs relieved that Ms. Bates depression should now be easing some that a bridge has finally been made between the two. It has been a very long couple of weeks and Jane is glad they are over.

There is another knock at the door. Ms. Bates turns to Jane “Is it him again? He was just here yesterday and he stayed so late too.”

Jane blushes as Grant comes in the doorway not seeing Emma sit on the sofa “Hi beautiful!” looking at Jane and then Ms. Bates “It is good to see all of you again! How are my favorite ladies?”

He gives Ms. Bates a hug and then swiftly heads toward Jane before he sees out of the edge of his eye someone sitting very comfortably on the couch. He slowly turns with his mouth still open. “I didn’t see you sitting there. Have you been there the whole time?”

“Yes, the whole time” giggling states Emma aware that he now looks more uncomfortable than she did when she first arrived.

“I brought the new issue of the War Cry for you, Ms. Bates” replies Grant “The Northern News has photos of the Easter concert with the Netherfield band too. Jane and I are in a picture together on the front page.”

Both Jane and Grant laugh knowing the reason for his excitement and relief. Emma is a little puzzled but not overly concerned about missing the obviously inside joke between the two of them.

“Well, I have to be going. I’ll see everyone later at the corps tomorrow for April and Elton’s rehearsal” replies Emma.

“I’m so happy for them. I really didn’t think that April would be the one that Elton would be marrying. To be honest, I thought he was thinking of marrying you, Emma. Both of you always seemed to be around each other so much” replies Ms. Bates “Elton is a good man and I am sure that he will make a great husband for April. I hope she is good to him too. A marriage really takes two people who want to be together. It can’t be happy or good if only one of the spouses is participating and remains caring. Marriage can be a very lonely place for some if they are not with the right person who loves them. I hope they will have many years of love and happiness together. I wasn’t married for very long, but it seems that way to me.”

“I’m sure they will be very happy together. Elton and April seem to be very compatible with each other. April is so much easier to be around now that she isn’t jealous of another female in the room” states Emma looking at Jane.

Jane agrees but nods rather than adding to Emma’s comment any further. Grant looks over to Jane. He smiles remembering some of April’s misguided antics and his own wrong assumptions.

Emma grabs her purse resting against the couch beside her, “Well, I have to go. I’m doing some shopping with Harriet today to find a dress for the wedding. I’ll see all of you tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the cookies Ms. Bates. You’ll have to come over on Sunday if you are available for dinner.”

“That sounds lovely. Would it be all right if mother and Jane came too?” asks Ms. Bates.

“Of course it is. Jane is that all right with you?” asks Emma then looking at Grant relaxing in the recliner “You are welcome to come as well”.

“Dinner sounds great. I’ll see you on Sunday” replies Jane.

“I guess I’ll see you then too” replies Grant glad that he will see and spend time with Jane for another day with his friends.

As Emma heads towards the door, Ms. Bates gives Emma another hug of forgiveness. “Emma, you are very special to me.”

“You are too” replies Emma hugging her back. Emma promises to herself that she will do her best not to ever hurt Ms. Bates feelings again.

While starting her car, Emma begins to wonder about a comment Ms. Bates made about Grant coming over the night before. “Perhaps he was just dropping off something” she considers and decides not to give it another thought.

The Salvationist - Chapter Thirty One

“This is always my favorite part of congress!” exclaims Emma as the music takes over the auditorium.

“Look there is our Ellen and Anne in the timbrels!” shouts Jennings with a “whoop, whoop, whoop!”

As part of the prelude marching into a stringent drumbeat, the training school timbrelists perform an upbeat, creative and modern routine to “Assignment” as everyone awaits for the appointment meeting on Sunday afternoon. They are synchronized and fascinating to watch. It is obvious they have spent many hours in rehearsals and make a sincere attempt to look sharp and together. Their red tunics add a particular splash to what they are doing.

Alice Hammer along with several people in the audience takes their Army flags out of the Bible and wave in time to the music as well as clap along too. There is loud chatting throughout the auditorium that challenges to be louder than the music as the program is about to begin.

People cheerfully shake hands in the aisle. Good friends hug and greet seeing each other for the first time in a year because of living in opposite ends of the territory. Liz and Robert Ferris followed by Lila and David squeezing into the row in front of the Crestwood Corps. Everyone is delighted to see all of them again. Liz shares about her new outfit she got at the mall earlier that week. Robert makes a joke about his credit cards but Liz responds that she is “worth it”. Lila tells and shows them pictures of her honeymoon which took place a month ago. David smiles and is friendly but doesn’t say a whole lot but instead as the conversation continues quietly memorizes his congress program.

Some others flip through their glossy program of pictures of the cadets, special events, and information about workshops as well. They garnish every picture and make guesses on where they think each newly commissioned officer will be appointed.

Mrs. Dashing, Jennings and Alice Hammer pour over the baby pictures that Brandon has shared on his digital keychain of Anne and his tiny precious treasure. Mrs. Dashing is a very proud grandma and shares the pictures with the newly acquainted friends in the row behind her from the corps in Mansfield Park.

Next the session flags enter one by one carried by cadets or session flag bearer if the person is present for congress. As Jennings’ session flag of “The Peacemakers” enters, she stands up and hollers with her other five session mates as Ted carries her flag down the long aisle to the platform. He warmly smiles over at Jennings as he passes. A few flags later carried by first year cadets, Mrs. Dashing cheers along with the “Undaunted” session. Sitting between Jennings and Mrs. Dashing, Brandon cheers along with many of his session mates scattered throughout the auditorium as the spotlight shines on “Ambassadors” flag enters the doorway.

Everyone claps along with the “Ambassadors” march as the flags follow one by one in the parade to the platform. One of the new lieutenants trips up the stairs. Stands up on all fours, waves his hand across his forehead and up into the air with a flourish, sticks his chest out with his nose to the air and continues walking across the platform to his seat. Alice Hammer looks to Jennings “He’s an interesting one, don’t you think?”

“Ummm . . . yes. I wonder where he will be stationed. I’m so sorry that Elton and April are moving to Bath Temple. I will certainly miss them” Jennings confidentially continues “I hear Colonel Debourgh is quite a formidable woman, I don’t know anything about her husband though. I understand that she has a daughter by the name of Anne but I don’t know much about her either. My friend, Mrs. Bennett, knows of them a little when I talked to her the other day but you never know what is true or not with her so I wouldn’t want to repeat too much.”

“I understand Crestwood is supposed to get an assistant. I wonder if we will be getting a single or a couple? That Cadet Fitzwilliam fellow looks all right, maybe we’ll get him” guesses Alice Hammer.

“We’ll see. It always seems to be a surprise and rather random to me how cadets are appointed to different places” remarks Jennings from years of guesses and observations.

The auditorium feels as if it has come alive in expectation and hope for the commissioning of the cadets. It is a highlight of the entire year in the Army world of the Northern Territory.

“Welcome! Will you stand and sing with me “Joy in The Salvation Army” greets the Chief Secretary with much enthusiasm “Joy, Joy, Joy, there is Joy in The Salvation Army . . . “

Harriet sings with all of her might next to Jennings who seems to remember all the words without having to look at them on any of the big screens. A few minutes into the second verse, Harriet points “Look! There we are!” as a picture of their aisle is projected on one of the large screen to everyone in the auditorium scanning the audience. Both Harriet and Jennings jump up and down and wave watching themselves twenty feet tall in front of them.

As the Commissioner takes the podium she prays a blessing for the cadets and their future ministry in the appointments where they will serve across the territory. Mrs. Dashing prays along privately for both of her girls, Brandon and Ted who will soon be going on their summer assignment.

Five cadets take the stage for a dramatic responsive Scripture reading from Acts about going into the world and bringing others to Jesus. Ellen, Anne and Ted are part of this group as first year cadets. They emphasize a particular phrase and word by acting it out and in unison or with solo voices bring the Scripture to life.

The training school principal takes his place at the glass podium and offers a few statistics about all the cadets in the school in regards to family size, children, education, previous careers, age differences, and their callings. He explains where the different cadets are from, who traveled the farthest and the closest to come to the school, and highlights special events that have happened that year including the country fair to raise money for world services, future officers fellowship week-end, and the cadets festival.

One of the top academic cadets being commissioned this year, Cadet Charlotte Lucas, shares her personal testimony of her calling and where she sees God leading her in the future. She is sincere and her words are compelling.

The Creative Arts team performs a dance to a modern Christian song that has recently been frequently heard on the radio. It is beautiful and moving as they are able to portray the lyrics of the song in a deep and meaningful response.

A member of last years service corps, Ben Wick, takes the platform and shares about his summer experience in Peru last year. Harriet yells “Yeoww!” when Crestwood is mentioned and then again when “Peru” is announced. Jennings whistles too for support in solidarity and some special effects. The entire service corps delegation joins him on the stage in their matching blue jackets with the shield near the left shoulder.

“I think that is Fanny Price going to Mexico for the summer. I need to check my program. We went to Sunbeam camp together as children” explains Jane to Grant who is looking at the program for the names of each member and what corps they are from around the territory “We took our Commissioner’s Sunbeam test together. She was always my best friend at camp every summer.” The five service corps teams will be leaving the week after congress for a summer of ministry around the world in different places.

“Captain Wentworth is leading the team to Peru. He has been stationed at the training school for years. He was my favorite teacher because he was so enlightening and interesting to listen to. If Anne and Ellen weren’t already taken, I would take the time and introduce them. I think either of them would be a very good match for him” states April then looking down the row adds “Emma, I think is too bossy”. Emma hears her name and raises an eyebrow, smirks, and tries to ignore April and her comments.

The Territorial Business Administrator announces the entire balance of funds that have been raised across the territory for world services. A huge check has been printed about ten feet long and three feet tall with the total amount written in letters two feet tall so even someone in the balcony can read the final total. Two cadets hold each end of the gigantic check as it is highlighted in the program.

This is followed by a special piece by the territorial band of professional and semi-professional musicians who are music education teachers, music students, and working in the secular music arena. It is exciting and moving while providing a perfect response to the day of sending out into ministry.

As the screen focuses on a few of the members while they play, “Wow! I haven’t seen Darcy in ages. He didn’t come to the concert last Easter. He looks great though” exclaims Grant to Jane sitting next to him “He’s a nice guy even if he is quiet and keeps to himself most of the time. He’s one of the most spiritual guys I know. He’s very trustworthy and he is always there for his friends.”

“I see Caroline Bingley too. She looks as confident as ever” frankly states Jane impressed with her musicianship but not with Caroline’s prideful attitude about it which actually overshadows her ability to play in most minds in the auditorium. Grant smiles at her impressed with her insight and places his arm around her.

“Isn’t that Wickham in the band too? I always thought he would be a good match for Caroline. They use to hang out a lot together at territorial youth camp” suggests April to Harriet letting her know the personal history in her opinion of the band members “However he always seem to be dating a lot of different women - maybe too much for Caroline’s taste.”

“Isn’t that Knightly in the band?” asks Harriet “It certainly looks like him. I didn’t know he played in the territorial band” as the camera focuses on him Harriet adds “He looks really handsome on the big screen in his red tunic!”

“Yes, he’s been in the band for a long time now. I know for at least the last five years” answers April “I would often see him at territorial events as a cadet. I have always thought he was a wonderful player. But of course, I think my Elton plays well too” reassuringly patting him on the arm as he listens to the music next to her.

“Do you know Willoughby and Sophie Grey? They were playing in the praise team yesterday. She has such a lovely voice and he plays the guitar so well. The praise team often played at the school for special events last year. There was some big mayhem last year at the FOF week-end right after he asked Sophie to marry him with some girl” and then April suddenly connects the dots, remembers who was involved and their connection to Crestwood. She nervously adds “But I don’t remember all the details. It was such a long time ago, it doesn’t really matter anyway.”

After the band finishes Cadet Fitzwilliam, the session speaker, nervously takes his place at the podium with the etched crest. He shares a few jokes which have the entire audience laughing along with him because of being able to relate to the situations of his humorous stories. He is eloquent. His message is clear and hits the heart of the matter.

The new “Messengers” lieutenants and now the second year “Crusader” cadets stand together to sing their session song “He talks and walks with me” written by one of the fellow cadets. As the camera scans the cadets as they sing, it is obvious that one cadet in particular is exaggeratedly mouthing “watermelon” so everyone is able to read his lips. For every pause in the music, his lips still continue to move while the others listen to the bridge in the music. Harriet, Liz, and Lila giggle quite loudly at the goofy cadet’s movements as he sways in his own version of keeping time.

“Who is that?” asks Emma to Harriet who has her program tucked away in the seat next to her. Emma opens it up and looks for a matching picture. “It’s somebody named “William Collins”. I wonder where they will be sending him . . .”

After the new lieutenant closes his thoughts, the Commissioner takes center stage for the appointment service to begin. At his side is the Personal Secretary with a handful of envelopes which contain the future destiny of the nervous cadets and their anxious children waiting off stage. This will be a new home, a new school, new friends, new life which they are not prepared for in advance of that moment. They literally could go anywhere in the territory in exactly two weeks to begin a new life with people they have never met nor know. It is a very anxious moment on many levels, but the new lieutenants are excited because they feel that they are walking in faith and living within the parameters of God’s will for them.

The cadets stand and walk off the platform to the music of the territorial band. The names are announced one by one. Each lieutenant or couple is called out to join the commissioner on the platform. The cadet salutes with one finger signifying going to heaven with Jesus.

“Lieutenant William Collins” announces the personal secretary standing next to the commissioner. A tall lanky disheveled man parades across the platform in his own personal style. He raises his hand to heaven and clicks his heels at the same time. The commission remarks, “That was an interesting and original entrance lieutenant.” Lieutenant Collins immediately responds “I added my own ‘souls for Jesus’ – get it soles . .” pointing to his heels of his black polished leather tie shoes. The commissioner smiles, not entirely amused. “I’ll have to think more about that one.”

“Lieutenant Collins, I challenge you to discover all that you can and to reach out to anyone you see in need. You are currently being appointed to the Crestwood Corps as the assistant officer.”

There are loud gasps from the two rows of current and former Crestwood members. No one says anything for a moment until Jennings states “Well, I guess will be looking for him a wife too!” All the women give each other short glances back and forth starting to giggle and laugh. Alice turns to Jennings and jokingly states, “Maybe Jennings, he’s the one for you” to which Jennings rolls her eyes in response. “He might be just a little too much for me” honestly states Jennings which makes for an explosion of laughter from everyone relieving a little bit of the tension at concern of this new appointment.

Names of the new lieutenants continue to be announced followed by the statement of their appointments. Lieutenant Mark Fitzwilliam and Lieutenant Charlotte Lucas seem like bright spots in the new session.

The meeting ends with a flare and sending out inspiring all those who are in attendance. It has been a great and memorable day.

The Salvationist - Chapter Thirty

“I got that one!” yells Harriet floating in the air grabbing the red Frisbee in one hand before landing on her side in the grass and bracing herself with the other.

“That was fantastic Harriet!” encourages Knightly clapping in support of Harriet’s gymnastic efforts.

She bends her knees near the ground and throws it up into the air. Knightly runs all over the place trying to focus on where it might possibly land. He catches it behind his back and flicks the Frisbee with his wrist returning it back to her.

As the Frisbee glides through the air, Grant runs and jumps intercepting the pass.

“Grant, what are you doing?” mockingly perturbed asks Harriet with her hands on her hips. Grant smiles and then picks up his leg and throws it under his thigh back to Harriet. He then jugs off towards the picnic table where Jane is pouring lemonade for everyone pleased with his interception.

As the net sways in the gentle breeze, Jennings, Mrs. Dashing, Alice Hammer and Ms Bates are playing a game of badminton under the shade of a cluster of oak trees. Alice reaches high above her and slams with all her effort the shuttle to the ground right in front of her on her own side.

“Alice, I’m not sure that is how we play the game” remarks Jennings to her own teammate “Generally aiming for the other side is a good idea”.

It is now Mrs. Dashing’s turn to serve. She serves the shuttle which is easily returned by Jennings. Ms. Bates runs up to the net and strikes back near where Alice is standing with her hand across her forehead over her eyes looking out over the lake dreamily watching the horizon. She suddenly notices the shuttle coming right at her and instead of lifting her racket to return the shuttle uses her other hand again for about the fifth time in the game.

Jennings shakes her competitive head “I don’t think hands are considered an alternative racket in this game, but maybe I need to check on that.”

Mrs. Dashing jogs up to Ms. Bates. She places the palm of her hand in the air. Ms. Bates looks at her and shyly looks down again, then looks up at Mrs. Dashing waiting for her hand to be slapped and sighs. Finally Ms. Bates lifts her hand and in one powerful move swats it instead. Mrs. Dashing is a little stunned at Ms. Bates’ strength and enthusiasm.

Again, Mrs. Dashing gets the point as Alice uses her racket to hit the shuttle while trying to catch it like a baseball glove with her other hand. Jennings lifts her lip and her eyebrows in a contorted face. “Well Alice, looking at the positive side - if we were playing baseball, as a shortstop you would have made an out!”

Seeing that they have gained yet another point, this time Ms. Bates comes walking up to Mrs. Dashing. Painfully aware that her palm still hurts, ingenuously Mrs. Dashing quickly makes a swift change to two thumbs up sign to greet her. Ms. Bates returns the sign hunching her shoulders with a huge toothy smile.

Jennings braces her feet side to side, squats, and grips her racket with both fists. She intently glares at Mrs. Dashing as she prepares to serve the last shuttle. Jennings turns momentary to Alice, clicks her cheeks and nods her head in an effort to prepare her for the upcoming competitive moment. Alice raises her eyebrows, and smiles anxiously with a little fear wanting to please Jennings but not sure that it is ever going to happen in this game.

Raising her racket to serve, Mrs. Dashing serves with her own flare and kicks up a heel behind her.

“Ooo, oooo, oooo” yells Alice running towards the shuttle “I think that I’ve got it!” She raises her racket and swings. But unfortunately Alice’s aim is a little lacking at times. Alice accidently hits Jennings on the back of the head with her racket while the shuttle gently bounces on the top of Alice’s own head and falls carefully to the ground.

“We won! We won!” shouts Ms. Bates as she runs to give Mrs. Dashing a huge hug and swats her again on the palm of Mrs. Dashing’s hand.

A few yards away near the lake “How’s the fishing?” asks Elton as he observes Mr. Woodhouse baiting his hook and Mr. Weston watching his line and bobber for any impending bites. Mr. Weston is wearing his favorite sage green hat with hooks, feathers, lures, patches, and other memorabilia from some of his favorite fishing spots.

“Would you like to join us?” asks Mr. Weston “My line keeps getting caught in all algae but I’m sure it will be better in just a little bit. I’ve got an extra rod if you want to blind cast out into the lake”.

“Sounds good to me” as Elton grabs the pole resting next to the empty lawn chair beside Mr. Woodhouse who has found that the lovely spring outdoors makes for a restful place to take a nap.

Elton baits his hook and casts his line into the lake. As they peacefully enjoy the sunshine and cool weather, Mr. Weston shares many stories of his fishing as a young boy. They enjoy the afternoon chatting together on the wooden dock.

After serving the lemonade to everyone, Jane finds a comfortable spot on her canary blanket that she brought with her from home. She takes out her latest paperback that she borrowed from the library and rests against the bark of the oak tree trunk.

“May I join you?” Ann with a couple of paper back booklets in her hand, “I brought picture suduku and this seems like you’ve found a good spot under the shade”.

“Sure. I’ve got a lot of room on my blanket to share with a friend” replies Jane smiling at her.

Occasionally as Jane reads, she pauses and looks up to observe what is happening with everyone else and then contently goes back to reading her book. Ann sits next to her and is quite content for the afternoon enjoying the breezy weather and quiet friendship.

Sitting at an empty picnic table a little away from the others, Grant and Emma play a game of UNO. “What do you think of Jane?” asks Grant as he draws from the pile and finds a blue five on top of the blue two which is the start of the game.

“What do you mean, ‘what do I think’?” asks Emma not sure where that random question came from since the last thing they were talking about was potato salad. She lays down a green five.

“Well, what do you think of her and this Dixon guy?” curiously asks Grant “Do you think there is anything in it?” He stares at his hand and draws from the pile.

“If there is, she certainly doesn’t talk about him much but then again Jane doesn’t talk much about whom she likes one way or another” remarks Emma having known Jane since they were children. She finds a green eight in her hand and chooses it.

Laying down a green six, “I know. But do you think Jane would fit with him? You’ve seen his picture” replies Grant feeling a little jealous even at the mention of Dixon’s name.

“I don’t know if it is Dixon or not, but I think there is somebody Jane likes” then Emma adds wanting to observe Grant’s response “For awhile, I thought it was you but you guys don’t seem to be getting along that well lately so obviously that was a mistake.” She sees the stack and lays down a red Draw Two. After Grant draws again, she then puts a red six on the stack.

Grant looks down and picks some loose splinters of wood from the picnic table as he quietly states, “Yeah, as if that would ever happen” and then continues rather gruffly “I think Jane is way too picky. I think she probably has someone perfect in mind that will never exist and is waiting for him to show up” He lays down a skip and then a red seven.

“You’re probably right” agrees Emma “I’ve never met Dixon. How perfect is he?” She looks at the pile and adds a green seven.

Subconsciously Grant smirks, “Just ask him. He believes it.” Grant then chooses a green two from his hand.

“Does he seem Jane’s type?” asks Emma wanting to know more information about the possibility of Dixon being Jane’s secret admirer laying a red two down.

Grant tightens his lips and takes in a deep breath, “He and I are not exactly friends. He’s very conceited and seems to always manage to come in first no matter what it is” with a hint of jealously “He doesn’t deserve Jane” as he lays a Skip and a red seven on the top of the stack.

“Do you think Dixon is her secret admirer?” curiously asks Emma starting to add her own version of potential matching making in her mind. She places a red Draw Two and goes again, she lays down a red number 5.

“I don’t know about that” states Grant not wanting to reveal anything at this time as he matches the number 5 with a green card on the stack.

“She could be secretly meeting with him and no one would ever know” replies Emma placing a draw four wild card on the stack “Blue is the next color”.

“Honestly, I think if that were happening Ms. Bates would know it and helplessly be telling everyone else because she can’t keep a secret and she certainly keeps an eye on Jane” returns Grant realizing that some of his previous assumptions may be a little far fetched in light of knowing Ms. Bates. He picks his four cards and is disappointed in the size of his hand.

“Ms Bates does talk a lot. She’s like a broken record player that repeats the same line over and over again” replies Emma glancing over to where the older women are relaxing on a large blanket in the sun. Ms. Bates is chatting away to the group confirming Emma’s statement. Emma takes her second to last card and lays down a Draw Two in blue and states “UNO!”

Grant picks up two more cards. “I hope Jane chooses who she wants soon, I’m tired of all the games”.

Placing down her last card “I win!”.

As Grant stares at the wild card on top of the deck, “I guess you do too!”

“Hey everybody! I brought a game we can all play together. Is anyone interested?” April lays a box on the picnic table with a Hallmark paper table cloth with a popular cartoon character from the movies a couple of years ago.

Ms. Bates looks over “I love scrabble! It was my favorite game as a child. I knew all the words. I was in the spelling bee in every grade. I never won but I was close. The closest I came was third place in fourth grade. I had to spell “insidiously”. Unfortunately, I forgot the second “I” and made it an “e” instead. Third place is still a good spot in a spelling bee, don’t you thin? I just love Scrabble. I buy crosswords all the time just so I can spell and you know, I learn new definitions of words that way too. An you know, Reader’s Digest is also a good resource for learning new vocabulary as well”.

Not wanting to interrupt her, April looks blankly as Ms. Bates continues with her explanation of her enjoyment of Scrabble “Yes, I see your point. Would you like to play? You may be a very difficult one to beat.”

“Oh yes, I would. I would love to play. It has been such a long time. I usually have to do crosswords by myself, but this is much better” shares Ms. Bates finding a place at the picnic table.

“Emma and Grant, would you like to join us? I see your UNO game is over now” asks April not too enthused with the idea of having them join but also knowing that having more people makes the game more challenging.

“Yes, we’ll be over in a minute” states Grant as he walks with Emma over to the other picnic table.

“What about Harriet and you?” asks April as Knightly is digging in the cooler for a cold soda for Harriet and him. Knightly has been playing tennis over at the courts with Harriet for part of the afternoon. Becoming better acquainted, Knightly has come to know more about Harriet and understands why Emma is such good friends with her.

“Would you like to play Scrabble with us? There are six of us. That should be a good game” states April with a tone of authority.

Having finished another chapter, Jane walks over to get another glass of lemonade and a couple of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

“Do you want to play?” asks April turning behind her towards the serving table.

“No, thank you. However, I might watch though” as she takes the place next to Harriet and makes herself comfortable.

“What are you doing?” asks Elton “I don’t want to play but I’ll be on April’s team. Better yet, I’ll be the referee and judge” as he finds a place next to April “She’s one of the best players I know. She might even challenge you, Ms. Bates” he says with a friendly and warm smile.

Each person collects their letters and takes a turn. Harriet begins.

Harriet adds ap writes Lap down from “M”






M


A


P






“This game is a bit like a map, don’t you think? There are plenty of spaces and clues. Sometimes you can tell what people are thinking by the words they choose” remarks Harriet.






“I’m not sure what this would say about me though” replies Knightly.






Knightly adds fflux writes afflux across from the a






M


AFFLUX


P


Harriet asks “What does afflux mean? Is that a word?”






April looks at her for a second and with an air of authority explains “It means to flow from one area to another.”






Emma then takes her turn.






Emma adds dion writes Dixon down at the x






D


I


AFFLUX


O


N






“Names are not allowed!” replies April.






“Go ahead and let her use it. Remember, you agreed that I can be the referee. The game might go faster that way” Elton shares his opinion while breaking the rules “Go ahead Grant, it is your turn now.”






Surprised by Emma’s nerve, Grant quickly looks at Emma who is ignoring him. He then looks over to Jane sitting next to April. Jane blushes. He carefully chooses the next letters and catches Jane’s eyes as he lays each piece down on the board.






Grant adds Kown writes Known across at the n






D


I


X


O


KNOWN










“I don’t know about you, but I thought that the food was delicious today. I think that we had everything but donuts today at the picnic” states April.






April adds onut writes Donut across at the d






DONUT


I


X


O


N






Ms. Bates rubs her hand against her chin as she carefully contemplates the line of blocks in front of her.






Ms. Bates adds quie writes Quiet down above the t






            Q


            U


             I


            E


DONU T

Ms Bates “I got a ‘q’ word! I got ten points just with the letter Q! I’m so surprised! Q is such a difficult letter to find a word that it goes with. I don’t think that I have ever been able to find many times that I am able to use it. To use a word with ‘q’ you usually have to have a ‘u’. I used a ‘you’ and ‘u’ in the same sentence, they sound the same but do not have the same meaning. How often can you say that you use ‘u’ and ‘you’ – so funny” Ms. Bates states as she giggles to herself.

‘I suppose quiet can be spelled by most but can be difficult for others to understand” states Emma under her breath. But because no one else is speaking, it is heard loud and clear. Knightly looks up at her a little shocked at Emma’s remark but then gives her a slightly stern look as Grant nuzzles into her.

“It’s my turn again!” remarks Harriet trying to lighten the tension at the moment. She draws a block.

Harriet adds eedle writes needle down from the n






KNOWN


   E


   E


   D


   L


   E










“I love to knit but I don’t have much time lately. I made a blanket though for Alice for Christmas which she seemed to like” shares Harriet.






Knightly smiles, “that was thoughtful of you. Alice probably appreciated it very much.”






“Yes, actually I think she did. At least she used it a lot when we watched “Hallelujah!” reruns on BBC America together on Saturday evenings.






Jumping into the conversation April offers “We’ve started a knitting club at the corps recently which seems to be going very well. A lot more ladies knit as a hobby than I ever thought. Our current project is to make blankets for the cradle roll”.






Glancing over his letters, Knightly picks up two blocks.






Knightly adds nd writes end from the e of needle






N


END


E


D


L


E






As he lays down the last block, he looks over to Emma who is flirting with Grant in between each turn.






Emma smiles at Grant as if they are sharing a secret before laying down three letters from her pile.






Emma adds ove writes love from the l of needle






N


END


E


D


LOVE


E






“Love is something that should last forever. But a secret love is always interesting” states Emma looking over at Jane and then back at Grant for his approval.






Grant is not really that amused by Emma’s antics today as he watches Jane squirm and appear sad as the game continues. It dawns on him that Emma is rather snobby at times while Jane is constant in her kindness.






Grant adds hrt writes hurt from u of quiet






  Q


HURT


   I


  E


  T






Jane catches Grant’s eyes for a moment and understands the silent message.






April sees the body language between Grant and Jane. “I think that I’m going to add – let’s see what I have here . . .”






April adds ver writes ever down from e of love






LOVE


        V


        E


        R






“True love is ever faithful, isn’t it?” states April and then looking down at her engagement ring “I’m looking forward to our wedding in just a few weeks!” patting Elton on the knee.






“I think that it is my turn again” states Ms. Bates as she picks up three letters and places them on the board.






Ms. Bates adds alk writes talk down from t of hurt

“Oh look! I’ve just added “talk”. Talking is a great way to communicate with others. I love talking. I wonder how long it took for Adam to talk to Eve. I wonder what made him talk to her. Have you ever wondered what he said? God talked first. I wonder what language He spoke. I wonder how He came up with the idea of talking. I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t talk to each other, would we just have to think to each other? I wonder if that would be an easy thing to do. I have so many thoughts that I wonder how anyone would know which one I meant to send. But I do think that thinking would be easier than talking but then again maybe talking is easier than thinking” rambles Ms. Bates as she gets lost in the chasm of her own thoughts.

“I think talking is way over rated. I think if a few of us had time to think before we talked it would be a better thing” states Emma looking directly at Ms. Bates. She is trying to capture Grant’s attention by being humorous after noticing that his attention is switching over to Jane while at the same time Knightly seems to be having a good time with Harriet.

Knightly clears his throat to capture Emma’s attention and then stares her down. Emma shrugs her shoulders and looks away from him, ignoring his spontaneous non-verbal admonishment.

Harriet examines her letters and sighs. “Look, four is a four letter word! It is the only number with the same amount of letters in its name!”

Harriet adds our writes four down from f of afflux






AFFLUX


  O


  U


  R






As if on cue, Knightly finds a few letters and smiles to himself.






Knightly adds ind writes kind down from K to known






KNOWN


I


N


D






He looks at Emma as if it is a reminder.

Emma glances over her letters for a moment. “I think some of us in this group, might have this. What do you think Jane?” looking over at Jane rather snidely because she notices that Grant now appears to be watching and interested in Jane rather than her. Being attentive, Knightly catches her look and is not impressed with Emma’s nonsense at the park.

Emma adds secet writes secret across from ever

  E


  V


SECRET


  R






Drawing from the pile, Grant reviews his hand. As he lays he piece down, he looks directly at Jane.






Grant adds are writes care down from secret






SECRET


     A


     R


     E






After finishing, he looks up at Jane who smiles at him.






“Let’s see it is my turn again!” as April quickly lays down her letters “This is what I’m waiting for to pass until my wedding in only a few more days!”






April adds ime writes time down from secret






SECRET


              I


             M


             E






Ms. Bates draws again from the pile, “I can use all my letters!”






Ms Bates adds chatte writes chatter across from care






                C


                A


CHATTER


                E

“I think that I’ve won!” exclaims Ms. Bates.

“Yes, at least you have but we have to still put up with your chatter” instantly remarks Emma.

Knightly fumes while he stares at Emma totally disgusted with her unkind behavior towards Ms Bates and Jane that day.

As the group separates and gathers their belongings together, Knightly catches up with Emma walking to the car by herself.

“Emma, I need to talk with you” states Knightly touching her elbow obviously not very happy at the moment.

“Emma, you and I have been friends for a very long time. You were very rude today to your friends who care about you. I don’t understand your behavior towards them today” begins Knightly in a disapproving tone.

Emma looks at him but shrugs her shoulders “They didn’t care. I’m not sure they even noticed what I said.”

“I can assure you they did. What would it hurt for you to be kind to them? They’ve done nothing to you except to admire you and you return their warmth towards you with acidic remarks” reprimands Knightly.

“I was only joking. I didn’t mean it, well not exactly” justifies Emma “You know, Ms. Bates does talk too much. You can’t deny that.”

“You have so many other things available to you. There is no need to make sure that any one else feels like they have less than you do. I really don’t understand you thoughtlessness and inconsiderateness of others today.” Knightly firmly reminds Emma of her behavior.

“Oh please, they won’t even remember tomorrow. You’re really making something out of nothing” replies Emma not liking that Knightly is not happy with her.

“You need to grow up and get yourself together” firmly states Knightly “I’m very disappointed and you have hurt your friends too.”

“Are you coming over for dinner tonight?” asks Emma.

“No, I don’t think so. I’ve been invited over to Alice’s place for supper tonight. I’m going to be very busy the next month or so” remarks Knightly not feeling very hospitable towards Emma at the moment.

“Oh, ok . . . I guess that I’ll call you later then” replies Emma while Knightly is already turning and walking away from her back towards Jennings and Mrs. Dashing. He doesn’t reply.

As Emma climbs into her car, she notices Jane and Grant walking together seeming very happy in their conversation as he carries some things for Jane to her car.

After backing up and then as Emma exits the parking lot, she notices that Ms. Bates is walking with her shoulders hunched and seems rather sad. Jennings walking next to her takes a brownie out of her aluminum foil container and hands it to her with a smile. Ms. Bates thanks her and Jennings gives her a side hug around the shoulders.

It reminds Emma that today is probably the first time she has ever seen Ms. Bates so happy and fun in several years. She really didn’t intentionally mean to hurt her feelings. It was more of a reaction to other things. Knightly was hanging out with Harriet a little too much today for comfort. Even Grant seemed to be sending all of his attention towards Jane. She felt like a bit of a fool for listening to his nonsense about Dixon. All the while, Elton is sitting there chumming up with April reminding her of the last mistake she made.

Emma knows that this isn’t typically like her. Tears gently start to fall as she passes through the parking lot driveway and pulls out onto the street.