Godfrey: Trouble From Toronto, Page 2

  Isaac glared at Godfrey as though Robert's intrusion on the matter was his fault. He returned his attention to Robert. “I don't need a vet.”

  “Hey, Isaac, don't be like Leo now,” Robert joked.

  Antonia nodded, hoping to steer the conversation away from the horse. “Leo would never call a vet.”

  “He's hard on his animals,” Godfrey agreed.

  “Say, where is Leo?” asked Claude. Claude had always liked Leo.

  Probably because both had the emotional depth of a teaspoon, thought Antoinette.

  “He's at home...I think,” Godfrey answered.

  “You know Leo doesn't come to these things, Claude,” said Antonia. She moved closer to her husband, but Isaac didn't wrap his arm around her as she'd hoped.

  Claude sniffed. “He's a hermit.”

  Diana stifled a laugh. “Leo is so not a hermit! He's at one of our houses every night practically for dinner! If there's food, he's there!”

  “That's our Leo,” Antonia agreed.

  “Well, he's got to get out more,” said Claude. “It's no good for a man to stay locked up inside all day like he does.”

  “He doesn't stay locked up inside,” said Isaac defensively. “He's out and about all day. He's in the fields or in the barn or he'll go to town – but he just doesn't like dances.”

  “Well, at the rate he's going, he'll never find a wife,” said Marie with an air of indignation.

  “Oh, goodness, Marie,” Antonia chided, “he's only thirty something. Guys haven't got the same deadline as us gals.”

  “Can we just stop talking about Leo already?” Diana muttered.

  “Hey, who wants to dance?” asked Antoinette with her usual enthusiasm.

  “Oh, I do!”

  “Me too.”

  “Henri.”

  “Isaac.”

  The women latched on to their men and dragged them – unwillingly – toward the dance floor.

  Henri looked at Godfrey and Isaac. “At least Leo doesn't have to put up with this...”

  * * *

  The dance lasted several hours – a little more than Godfrey would have liked – and by midnight, Antoinette was falling asleep on his shoulder.

  “Let's get you home,” he said with a laugh. They were sat around the table with Antonia and Isaac and Henri and Diana. Claude Rajotte and Marie Poirier had left an hour earlier. Robert Benoit and wife Denise were dancing to the band's last song of the night. And Guy and Eddie had just left in Guy's truck with a group of girls from Kitscoty.

  “She's half-asleep!” Antonia giggled. “Poor thing.”

  Diana gazed fondly at her friend. “She doesn't get out much.”

  “Hey – I do too get out,” Antoinette protested sleepily.

  “Yeah and with Godfrey!” Antonia added, giggling some more. “Such a gentleman, he probably has you home by nine.”

  “Ain't nothing wrong with having a girl home by nine,” said Henri, folding his arms across his chest and looking as though he dared someone to disagree.

  Antonia smiled cheekily. “And just how's a couple supposed to get properly acquainted if he's got her home by nine?”

  “Just what are you saying exactly, Antonia?” Diana asked with a laugh.

  Antonia gave a sly smile, but said nothing.

  Isaac shook his head as though the conversation annoyed him. “Just give it a rest. And Godfrey, take her home before she conks out on the table.”

  Godfrey nodded. “I will in about five minutes.”

  “What's everyone doing tomorrow – apart from going to Mass of course,” asked Antonia, knocking back the rest of her wine.

  The group was slow to respond – none of them really in the mood to think past the evening.

  “I've got some fence to repair,” Henri offered. “You know those Ukies who live at the crossroads near my place? The Shewchuck's.”

  Godfrey nodded and Henri continued.

  “Yeah, well, their oldest boy took out a good twenty feet of my fence the other day when he ran his truck into it.”

  Antonia looked shocked. “He didn't do it on purpose did he?”

  Henri shook his head and looked at her with an annoyed expression on his face. “Of course not. Why the hell would he have done it on purpose?”

  “Henri!” Diana snapped. “Don't talk to her like that.”

  “I'm not talking to her – I'm just...” he sighed and looked out at the dwindling crowd on the dance floor. “I'm just saying the kid didn't do it on purpose.”

  Diana looked at him, her eyes unflinching. “Well there's a better way to say it.”

  “Sure there is. There's a better way to say everything. But – oh for crying out loud Diana.”

  “I think we'd best get going,” Antonia interjected, smiling sweetly as she always did whenever she wanted to iron out a tense situation. “We've got a busy day tomorrow...Mass and chores and all...”

  Diana nodded. “Are you all coming to ours for lunch afterwards?”

  “I'd love to,” said Antonia slowly, glancing at her husband. She wasn't sure whether he'd be up for it. “Isaac? Are we going to Henri and Diana's after Mass tomorrow?”

  “Maybe,” was his answer.

  Diana decided not to press the matter. “Right then. And Godfrey – you'll come too?”

  “Of course.”

  “Alright. It'll be a full house then. And if you see Leo, invite him as well.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Get that poor girl home already, Godfrey!” said Antonia with a laugh.“Look at her – poor thing's practically snoring.”

  “I'm not snoring, Antonia!” Antoinette snapped, removing her head from Godfrey's shoulder.

  “Well, you're half asleep at any rate.”

  “We were just leaving,” said Antoinette uncharacteristically grumpy as she pushed her chair back and rose to her feet.

  “Right then...Isaac - are we leaving?” asked Antonia, massaging her husband's arm. He was impossible to read. Though, right now, if she had to guess, she'd say he was more tired than angry.

  He nodded slowly and got up out of his chair as the rest of their group did the same.

  “See you all tomorrow,” said Godfrey, wrapping a supportive arm around Antoinette. “Henri – I'll meet you guys back at the house.”

  “Sure thing, Godfrey. You can spend the night in the guest room if you'd like.”

  He yawned. “I might just take you up on that.”

  “Yes, do stay the night, Godfrey,” said Diana. “You're in no state to be riding home at this hour.”

  “I suppose you're right.”

  “Of course she's right,” said Antonia, patting her friend on the top of her head. “She's a smart girl, our Dee. And that's why I've been bugging her to join the Catholic Women's League already!” She turned to Diana. “Our next meeting's on Wednesday – you really should come.”

  Diana sighed. “I told you Antonia, I'll think about it.”

  “What's there to think about? Join already!” She kissed her friend on the cheek. “So, we'll see you on Wednesday night?”

  Diana ignored her and the three couples parted ways as they headed out into the night, wishing each other a good night and promising to see each other at Mass the following day.

  * * *

  Sunday morning. All our at Mass. Father McGrane stands at the altar giving a sermon.

  “And remember everyone that God watches you. God watches you to ensure you are worthy of his graces – that you are worthy of his love – and for those of you who prove your worth – you shall be rewarded in the after life. Most important – and perhaps the thing with which many Christians struggle – is the idea that we do good deeds not for reward, but for our own salvation. So many of us want recognition for the good deeds we do, for the kind acts we perform. But this is not why we do these things.” Father McGrane paused for effect. “Matthew chapter six verse one reads, 'be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do,
you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.'” He paused once more. “When you perform good deeds, you are doing them out of the goodness of your heart, out of appreciation for all that God has given you. You are not performing good deeds for reward or recognition, but as service and thanks to the Lord.” He paused a third time and waited for an older gentleman in the front row to finishing coughing before continuing. “When you leave today, be mindful of others. Be conscientious and dignified and spread warmth and compassion. Do not let yourself fall victim to greed and ungratefulness. Rather, be one with your fellow man and share the blessings that God has bestowed upon you.”

  Godfrey pressed Antoinette's hand more tightly so that she looked at him.

  “Bored?”

  She knew him too well.

  “Just a bit.”

  She smiled. “It's almost over.”

  Father McGrane continued. “Psalm thirty-two, verse eight reads: 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should be go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.'” He paused for effect. “God watches over us. God watches over you. He also watches you. When there's a ball game on, Little Jimmy wants to play his best because dad is watching. Well, this is the same – only – unlike a ball game – God watches us all the time. He's always watching. And so we need to always be at our best. Doing out best. Behaving our best. Treating each other with love and dignity and respect and compassion.” He paused a second time. “Turn your prayer books to page fifty-four please and join me in Holy, Holy, Holy...”

  * * *

  “I thought Father McGrane gave an excellent sermon today,” Antonia gushed as they exited the church a quarter of an hour, the taste of the Holy wafer still fresh on each of their tongues.

  “Kept me awake at least,” said Henri, yawning into the back of his hand.

  Diana laughed. “Oh, Henri, you'd fall asleep in the middle of a thunder storm.”

  “Is everyone coming to ours for lunch?” asked Diana.

  “I don't know...” said Antonia slowly, glancing at Isaac. He'd hardly said a word all morning.

  “I cooked an entire ham this morning, Isaac Leduc, so you darn well better be coming,” said Diana, her tone admonishing.

  “All the more for the rest of us if he doesn't come,” Henri joked, winking at Godfrey.

  Isaac sighed. It was a tired and heavy sigh. “I suppose I'll come...”

  Antonia smiled, pleased that her husband seemed to be making an effort.

  Diana clapped her hands together. “Yay!” She turned to Godfrey. “And you're coming too?”

  “I wouldn't miss it,” Godfrey answered.

  “And Leo – I suppose you haven't had a chance to invite him since you stayed at ours last night.”

  Godfrey shook his head. “Yeah. No. I didn't get a chance to invite him.”

  “Well, all the more for the rest of us then,” said Henri, grinning as he stepped in between Godfrey and his wife and placed an arm around each of them. “Shall we get going?”

  Antonia smiled, happy she wouldn't have to spend the rest of the day alone with Isaac – his mood having improved little since yesterday. “Let's.”

  GODFREY

  Monday morning. Tenth Street Cafe.

  It wasn’t long before news that Godfrey and Antoinette were an item had spread across town. Little by little, with a conversation here and a chin wag there, it was just one more blossoming Spring relationship that the residents of Wainwright so loved to talk about.

  “Morning, Godfrey.”

  “How are ya, Hector.”

  “Not as good as you by the sounds of it,” said the sixty year old cafe owner with a wink as Godfrey slid onto one of the comfortable stools that lined the counter.

  Godfrey knew what he was referring to but decided to drag it out a bit - it was more fun that way. “How do you mean?”

  Hector looked surprised - and a head or two belonging to the other patrons lining the bar - newspapers unfolded in front of them and steaming mugs of coffee beside them - turned to look at him.

  “Well I...I thought I heard...word through the grapevine is that you’ve got yourself a lady friend,” he said, smiling as he wiped away a coffee ring from the counter top.

  “I'm not sure what you mean, Hec.”

  The portly, greying man nodded, smiling now he knew Godfrey was trying to play him. “I guess I must have heard wrong.” He turned and took a pot from the burner to refill another patron’s mug.

  Godfrey grinned. “Yes, it’s true.” He glanced around at the other patrons who, despite their pretending to read their newspapers, were engaged in some serious eavesdropping. These patrons - a mixture of middle aged and elderly - farmers and druggists - some with missing teeth and others wearing spectacles - returned his smile and resumed their reading.

  Hector set a mug in front of Godfrey. “Well, I’m happy for you. Are you going to bring her by sometime? Introduce us?” he asked, pouring coffee into Godfrey’s mug.

  Godfrey watched the scalding liquid fill the mug, the heat rising in curls of smoke towards him. “Sure thing.”

  Hector smiled. “Good – because I’d like to meet the girl who's finally captured Godfrey Leduc's heart.”

  Godfrey sighed, nodding. “She’s definitely got my heart, Hec.”

  The old man returned the coffee pot to the burner and washed something in the sink before drying his hands on his apron and returning to the counter. “She’s Henri’s little sister, ain’t she?”

  Godfrey nodded. “That’s right.”

  “And that’s...that’s alright...Henri’s okay with it? With you seeing his baby sister?”

  Godfrey grinned. “We had a chat.”

  “That’s the way to do it,” said Henri, turning to face another gawking patron. “Right Eldon? In the absence of a girl’s father, a boy wanting to court a girl ought to talk to her older brother. Ain't that right?”

  The man named Elmer didn't seem to like being caught eavesdropping. “I suppose...” He looked away quickly and busied himself with his napkin.

  “Course, things are different nowadays aren’t they,” Henri continued, returning his attention to Godfrey. “You young folks are too impatient for chivalry.”

  An old woman at the opposite end of the counter hummed her approval. “Hmm, hmm. Isn’t that the truth. Why, even before my Byron and I started walking out together, he went and spoke to my father. Asked him if it was alright that he take me out dancing and what not.”

  “Well, see, now that's the way it should be I think,” said Hector approvingly.

  “But,” said the old woman emphatically, “it’s not like the old days anymore. It's like you said, Hec. Young people these days haven't the patience. They haven't the patience for tradition.”

  Before Godfrey could reply, the door jingled and he turned his head to see who it was entering the cafe. He needn’t have bothered though for he could have recognized the young man – with his Hollywood smile and fancy dress – a mile away. Eddie Ryerson.

  What surprised Godfrey was that Hector called out: “About time you showed up, son!”

  Eddie grinned as he strode towards the counter. “Mornin' pops.”

  He flashed Godfrey a smile as he slid onto a stool.

  Hector plucked the coffee pot from the burner and held it out. “Coffee?”

  “Like you need to ask, dad.”

  The old man chuckled. “Hey now, I don't know. You move to Toronto – maybe you've acquired some new tastes. Coffee might not be for you anymore. Do they even drink coffee down there?”

  Eddie looked unimpressed. “They drink coffee all across this country, dad.”

  “Well, all I know is this here coffee's made for farmers,” said Hector. “And you might not have much farmer left in ya after four years in the big city. This here'll put the hair back on your chest - ain't that right, Godfrey.”

  Godfrey conjured a smile. “I suppose.” He glanced at Eddie. Eddie's gaze was suddenly cool and scrutinizing – it reminded him
of the way Mr. Peverley used to look at him - with contempt.

  “Godfrey's about your age.” Hector took the creamer and slid it across the counter to his son. “And he's a farmer. Came out here with not a penny to his name. And now look at him!”

  Godfrey felt his ears redden.

  “A real, red-blooded Albertan farmer,” Hector exclaimed, slapping a palm on the counter top.

  Eddie ignored them and stirred a spoonful of sugar into his coffee. Godfrey was glad the old man was ribbing him. After the pass he made at Antoinette last night – right in front of him – this was the least he deserved.

  “This one here though,” Hector continued, glancing at Godfrey and motioning towards his son, “farming wasn't enough. Wasn't noble enough I suppose. Decided to sell his section and seek his fortune down East.”

  Eddie looked at his father. “You won't be so critical when I come home for good - with a fortune to my name.”

  Hector shook his head. “Son – only way to make a living in this world is to work for it. Anything other than that and you're either foolin' yourself or you're taking advantage of somebody.”

  Eddie smirked. “Just wait and see. Give me a few more years and you'll see.”

  “With arrogance like that, who needs confidence?”

  Godfrey looked at Hector, surprised by the sudden verbal swipe.

  “I can't expect you to understand, pops. Toronto ain't the prairies.”

  Hector looked at his son, his face unsmiling. “No, son, it isn't. Out here people work for a living. We take care of ourselves. Meanwhile, them bastards down east – pardon my French - take us for all we're worth.”

  “Here, here, Hec',” exclaimed one of the toothless farmers seated at the opposite end of the counter. “Ontario takes the steak and doesn't even throw back the bone.”

  Eddie shook his head in obvious frustration. “There's a reason they say we're simple-minded out there, you know? It's because of that kind of talk. Ontario – Toronto – they aren't doing anything to bleed us dry.”

  “Don't go saying 'us' now son,” Hector interrupted, “'cause you ain't one of us anymore.”

  Godfrey couldn't believe what he was hearing. Nor, judging by the expression on his face, could Eddie.

  “Pops...”

  “Son,” the elder Ryerson continued, “there's some things I just don't believe in. And that's making money off the backs of others - ”