Chapter 13
The old wagon roads had long ago been paved over but the thick snow had hidden the asphalt from view. Large chestnut, oak, maple and pine trees whistled with the breeze. Pete whistled brightly as the winter scenery drifted by them. Faith snapped several photos of the snow covered farms and town squares of Morgan’s Hallow and Appleton. They stopped in front of the Church of St. Teresa in Kirk.
Faith got out of the sleigh and took photos of the large crèche. Father Daniel O’ Marley stepped outside He waved at Faith and the others, “What brings all you here to Kirk?” He asked in a hardy voice.
“We’re picking Lisa Webster up she is going to be staying the holidays with us at the family farm.” Laura replied.
“Well Lisa has been a blessing to our church. She has really blossomed since last spring. How are your mother and aunt doing?”
“They are trying to outlive us all.” Faith laughed.
“They are real saints. If you need to get warm the church is open just stay away from the communion wine.” The Priest laughed.
“You and Father Andrew are never going to let us forget that little prank.” Julie giggled.
“Child, that prank is the one that everyone talks about.” He said with a twinkle.
“We really need to get to Lisa’s but next time we will come and visit you.” Pete said.
The road to Lisa’s small house was lined by English walnut trees. The street was an eclectic mixture of arts and craft cottages, Dutch colonial and Victorian style homes. They waved at Lisa’s neighbors who came up and chatted with them.
Lisa greeted them from the porch of her small arts and crafts cottage. “Hi everyone. I’m packed and ready to go.”
“You were thinking about all of us?” Tiffany asked.
“Yeah, I was setting here feeling lonely when started thinking about the tryout camp last spring and the fun you and I had with the Halloween benefit. I thought to myself, I should call them and see if everyone made home safe and sound.”
“We all made it.” Julie beamed.
“Well that’s an answer to prayer.” Lisa replied with a broad smile.
“So are you ready to spend some time in the country?” Tiffany asked.
“I sure am. I’m not lonely here with all my neighbors checking up on me, and my work at the church, the school and the program keeps me busy. One good thing about the last tryout camp was the conversations I had with Sister Anna. I renewed my faith and it has been growing ever since.”
“Sister Anna is an angel. She never scolds but you get lots if sage advice and love.” Laura said.
“Well I see that Hank gave you a nice Christmas gift.” Lisa laughed.
“I have a feeling that I and my family were the only ones in the dark.” Laura nodded.
They packed up Lisa’s luggage and a few gifts she had gotten for the girls up at the inn. The sleigh brought back childhood memories of the Midwest where she had grown up. Her Parents were gone and her sister Cathy lived in Washington State with her family. Lisa would have been a distraction for her sister. Lisa’s sister never accepted that she and Sasha had been soulmates. She didn’t even come to Sasha’s funeral to comfort Lisa.
Lisa looked at the snow-covered farms and towns and she smiled.
“How come so happy?” Faith asked.
“Well I needed to set school, the program and the other clutter in my life on the back burner for a while. Now I will be recharged by February.” Lisa replied.
“Well the farm is the right place for recharging.” Faith agreed.
“It already has. My work since last spring as become less of a burden thinks to me finally sharing the load with others.” Lisa said.
“Well, I’m glad to help the program.” Laura said hugging her.
“How can I help?” Faith asked.
“Well we need mentors. All you have to do is pass a background check.” Lisa replied, “But enough of the program for now. This country side is so beautiful.”
“Just wait until you see the Fairy’s Meadow. You will experience magic.” Julie said.
“I need some magic. I wish I had the courage to reach out to my sister Cathy.”
“You’re estranged from each other?” Tiffany asked.
“She never accepted that I was gay even though Sasha and I were celibate. Sasha and I never even slept in the same bedroom.”
“That is so sad.” Laura replied, “Julie and I have always been close.”
“Well we were pretty close as girls but as teens we drifted apart. Oh well time has way of working things out.”
“You’re a lot like Tasha and Marsha. They are strong Catholics too.” Julie said.
“They gave up their companions for their faith.” Lisa agreed.
“Lisa, you’re not struggling alone any longer. You have friends ready to help.” Tiffany told her.
Tiffany took her hand and smiled, “I am and am going to always be your friend.”
Lisa kissed Tiffany’s cheek, “I know.”
They arrived at the farm just as the sun was setting. Greg and Ric help to unload Lisa’s things. Alex and Hank unhitched the team and led it into the barn.
The snow crunched under Lisa’s boots as they walked toward the back door. Jessie opened it with a smile, “Welcome to the West and Vane homestead.” She said.
Lisa noticed the apron, “Looks like I arrived just in time for supper.”
“We were keeping it warm until everyone was home.” Mary said.
“It looks we will have a few clear days.” Lisa said.
“Good, we need them. But the temps won’t be above freezing for a while.” Peg said removing a potpie from the oven.
Amy came into the kitchen, “Mom, aunt Jennie is calling from the Inn. Hi Coach, how was your trip?”
“It was beautiful.” Lisa replied.
“Well go find a place at that the table. Supper is ready.” Mary said cheerfully.
Lisa had just sat down when Jessie entered, “Lisa do you know a Cathy Elder?” She asked.
“That’s my sister, why?” Lisa asked.
“She is staying at the inn for Christmas with her family; she called your place but didn’t get an answer. She is looking forward to seeing you.” Jessie explained.
“Well I’ll be. We haven’t spoken since Sasha died.” Lisa said, “and not much before then.”
“This place is magic.” Jessie said, “Some mystical forces have always over shadowed this place.”
“It’s time for you two to become a family again.” Laura replied.
“Too long in coming if you want my two cents.” Peg said.
“Peg, you never stop at two cents.” Jessie laughed.
The supper table was full of good food and good conversation. More importantly, it was full of love and hope.
They all gathered in the parlor and Lisa looked around the room. She felt warm and safe among her friends. The room was aglow with joyful laughter.
“Well Pete kept looking for his baseball bat and when he found it was painted hot pink.” Laura laughed.
“So was his baseball! All tied together with a nice pink ribbon.” Tiffany snickered.
“I gave those three the evil eye for a month.” Meg laughed. “They knew that hot pink was my favorite color”
Lisa laughed, “God how did you three ever make it to adulthood without someone killing you. Father O’ Marley told me about the communion wine.”
“Well putting green persimmon juice in it wasn’t right and he has never let us live it down.” Julie said.
“Yeah one should never pull a prank on God.” Laura replied.
Tiffany nodded, “God will forget if you ask forgiveness but Father Andrew and Father O’ Marley won’t.”
Jessie walked over to the piano, “How about a few Christmas carols before bed?” She asked.
“Good idea, How about Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer?” Amy replied.
Jessie started playing and they all started singing. Lisa felt as if a huge burden has been removed. She relaxed and enjoy the evening. Since last spring, she had again finally felt a part of the community that had been her home for the last thirty years. These were the people she with whom she could be open.
She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder, looked up, and saw Amy, “You ok Coach?” She asked.
“I’m fine, Amy. I’m just drinking all this in. This is a beautifully decorated home.”
Laura nodded, “It takes a lot of work but it is well worth it.”
Gabby looked at Lisa, “The farm is a part of us and it is our legacy.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what my legacy would be. I look at Amy and the girls that have been a part of the program, those still on it and I see it living out in front of me.”
“Lisa, are you worried about seeing your sister after all these years?” Laura asked.
“A little bit, but I am also looking forward to it. It’s hard to know why she wants us to become close again.”
“It’s the not knowing that is troubling you.” Jessie explained.
“This is all out of the blue.” Lisa replied.
Tiffany laughed, “More like out of the Fairy’s Meadow. Nothing happens on this mountain by chance.”
Julie nodded, “Queen Shea is behind this unexpected surprise.”
Laura looked at Jessie, “When did Lisa’s sister check in to the inn?”
“Gina said this afternoon. The phone lines have been iffy for the last several days.” Jessie replied.
Laura nodded, “They are here too.”
Lisa smiled at the banter. Still in the back of her mind, she was starting to wonder if Tiffany had been right. Perhaps a bit of fairy magic was at work.
Since she had met The Three Cavaliers, she had learned that there was much more to life than the physical world in which she and her degrees in Math told her. The truth was it had been Amy’s strong faith combined with the Cavaliers faith in magic that had opened her mind.
She could believe that fairy magic was behind her sister’s sudden reappearance in her life.
Laura smiled and hugged her. Lisa returned the hug and took a sip of her spiced cider. “Jess, do you know winter wonder land?” she asked.
Jessie started playing, “Sleigh bells ring are you listening….”
Lisa started singing with a hearty voice. Alex shook his head. He felt right at home. Since he had met Jessie his world had had been complete. He had taught Amy many photography tricks and she had put them to good use.
Hank looked at him, “These ladies sing beautifully.”
“While my voice sounds like I’m a wallaby in heat. Mate we are strangers in a not so strange land. Everyone here accepts us like they’ve known us for ages.”
Hank laughed, “Yah, they do.”
Peg looked at them, “Will you two stop jabbering and start singing. We’re missing the bass singers.” She chuckled.
Hank’s laughter filled the parlor followed by his voice, which was a rich baritone. Mary took a sip of her coffee and smiled as she rejoined the others I song.
They sing until late into the night.
The sun was bright the next morning and it flooded Lisa’s room with winter joy. She was looking forward to seeing her sister. Gina Sabor’s husband David would be bringing them over on the sleigh so that Cathy could meet more of Lisa’s neighbors. Lisa rolled the biscuit dough while she waited for the others to wake up. She founded an old jelly jar and started cutting them out. She started humming Amazing Grace.
She heard someone behind her and saw Peg, “Good morning Mrs. Vane, I hope you don’t mine me using the kitchen.”
“Landsakes Child, why would I mind? It may be mine and Mary’s kingdom but anyone can use it. You make biscuits like I do. There is nothing like an old glass jelly jar to cut them with.”
I noticed all the homemade preserves and jellies, is that from you and Mrs. West?”
“No that is all Laura’s doing. Now let me make one thing clear, you call Mary or me by our first names. We don’t put on airs in these parts.” Peg chuckled.
“Well she seems to have lots of spare time.” Lisa replied.
“Laura doesn’t spend all her time writing.” Peggy said proudly.
“She was a big help last spring. Just seeing a real renaissance woman like her made a big impression. She is a writer and homemaker. Teenage girls are under tons of pressure to fit into the mold that the media has created for them. I want to teach them to make their own molds.” Lisa said.
“Well you have done a good job of that but what have you done about yourself?” Mary asked as she came in.
“I am slowly learning more about myself. For the last couple years, I have defined myself by the program I created. All of that time the real me had gotten lost. Yesterday and last night I found her again.”
“It is hard to not let your work take over. Tiffy has learn that the hard way too.” Peg told her.
“Well, Laura takes her job in stride. She is plum tuckered out by that last tour.” Mary said.
“It took something out of her alright. She is recharging though.” Peggy agreed.
Mary had seen her daughter’s eyes and knew that something was missing. She needed to set down with her daughter and find out what it was.
Laura came in wiping her eyes, “Good morning. What can I help with?” She asked.
“You can help me get some of your honey we’re out.” Mary said.
“Well I have plenty down in the root cellar.” Laura said grabbing hers and her Mom’s coats.
The snow crunched under their feet as they walked. Mary looked at Laura, “Baby, what has got you so in a twitter?”
“Ma, that last tour has left me bitter at a lot of folks I don’t even know. I hate that and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Landsakes, Laurie that is very simple, forgive them. I know it isn’t easy but you have too. I see it in your eyes and I’m betting others do too.”
“It is so hard ma, they’ve hurt me so bad, called me things that no one has.”
“Laurie, you can do it. I know you girl; you don’t have any hate in you.”
“I don’t mom and that is what hurts the most. I’ve lost some of my belief in magic and sometimes I feel so empty inside. I know what I have to do. However it’s the doing that is hard.”
“You’ve got lots of help with that. All you need to do is just say the words I forgive you. That is the key that will unlock the cage holding that bitterness in.”
Laura hugged her mom, “I love you mom.”
They reached the root cellar and went down inside. Preserves, jellies, jam and honey lined the walls. Laura got down on her knees, “Blessed Virgin, please help me to forgive those that have hurt me. I forgive them for the pain and hate they have shown me. Now I leave it and my bitterness behind me.”
Laura felt a huge weight fall from her spirit. She stood up and hugged her mom.
Mary smiled, “now let’s get the honey and the some jams.”
When they returned all the other women were up and busy working. Tiffany and Julie saw the difference in Laura face. All the magic had returned to her. Tiffany gave her a big hug.
“We have breakfast to cook.” Laura said.
“And the men have chores to do where are they?” Sue laughed.
Lisa looked at Laura, “My sister called from the Inn, they will be here around 12.”
“It’s a good thing I started that turkey last night.” Mary laughed.
Laura smile and reached for her apron.
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