Gripping the shovel more firmly, Isaac continued, the steady noise produced by the rushing waters of the Battle River some twenty yards distant urging him on. When he needed a break he would stop and lean on his shovel and listen to the carefree singing of the jays in the bushes. He wouldn't break for long though – the site of the unfinished hole nagging at him until he resumed digging. It only had to be a foot or two deep and a foot or two wide – just large enough to hold Rouge's bridle and a lock from his mane. Above the spot he planned to build a small cairn using the rocks he'd gained through his digging.
I’m sorry, Rouge. I’m sorry it had to end this way.
The task took him nearly two hours and when he was done he sat down beside the cairn he’d built, satisfied and feeling more relaxed than he had in days.
Goodbye, old boy.
ANTONIA
Wednesday evening. Catholic Women's League meeting. Antonia's house.
“Well, ladies, this is it. Time to vote. Marie can't be here tonight unfortunately...” She had to hide her smile as she said this as she didn't want to offend those women who would surely be voting for Marie...mainly Elizabeth and Thérèse and Christine... “But everyone else is here, and as our quilt sale is in July, we need to get a move on. Therefore, without further ado, Thérèse, would you pass around the ballots please? Elizabeth, you can collect them once everyone's had the chance to vote.” She glanced at Huguette. Thank goodness she'd be treasurer and not Marie.
“So we're just putting a check mark beside the name?” asked Elise.
Antonia nodded. “Just a check mark in the little box beside each name – special thanks to Thérèse for taking the time to make up the ballots.”
Thérèse smiled as she continued to work her way around the circle, passing out the small slips of paper.
“This punch is quite remarkable, Antonia,” Paulette observed aloud. She held up her glass as she admired the peach coloured liquid inside. “What's all in it? It's not got alcohol in it?”
Antonia laughed and waved a hand. “Gosh no...” Though the stress of preventing Marie from being elected treasurer made her wish it did.
“I wish prohibition was still in effect,” said Elizabeth.
“Really?” asked Thérèse, stopping to hand her a ballot.
Elizabeth looked surprised. “Well, yes...don't you?”
Thérèse shook her head. “No. I think adults should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to consume alcohol.”
“Even adults like Joe Campbell?” Elizabeth demanded.
“Joe Campbell's an exception. But you can't forbid families from having wine with dinner because of a few alcoholics.”
“A few alcoholics!?”
“Ladies!” said Antonia, smiling sweetly in an attempts to soothe the sudden tension. She didn’t want anyone screwing up their votes. “I know we've got other things to discuss tonight – and alcohol was not on the agenda – if we wish to add that item to the agenda for next meeting then we can – but we really do need to elect a treasurer - ”
As with the week before, Antonia was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door.
“That had better not be Henri again...” said Antonia irritably, setting down her clipboard and rising from her chair. “Ladies, mark your ballots. Just a little tick mark and then fold them in half and Elizabeth will collect them. Thank you, Elizabeth, by the way.”
Elizabeth threw her a smile as she padded across the floor and into the hallway. The fading sunlight filtering in through the window beside the front door cast a bright glow across the floor. She pulled the door open.
“Marie! How...wonderful to see you...”
“I'm not too late am I? To vote? Oh, I do want to cast my ballot with the other ladies!” she exclaimed enthusiastically.
Antonia shook her head, utterly at a loss for words. “No...no...you're not too late to vote...” How the heck had she finished organizing the library so quickly!? “Come in...”
The young woman smiled. “Thank you.”
“Of course...” Antonia stood there dumbfounded. This shouldn't be happening. With Marie at church helping to organize the library, there were eleven ladies – twelve including herself – and six of those were going to vote for Huguette. With Marie suddenly at the meeting, they were surely headed for another tie.
“Thank you, once again, for hosting the meeting, Antonia. I can’t imagine where we’d be without you.”
Antonia couldn’t help but smile – for real this time. “Well, thank you, Marie.” Perfect. How was she to hate such a polite, young woman?
“Marie? Is that you?”
“Evening, Elizabeth!”
Antonia sighed and shut the door.
“We though you weren’t going to make it!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise this is!”
“And a timely one to boot,” said Therese, taking her seat as the other ladies filled out their ballots.
Marie smiled. “Yes, I nearly didn’t make it – have you a ballot for me?”
“But of course,” said Therese, glancing at Antonia. “Antonia – she’s not too late to vote is she?”
Antonia looked at all the ladies seated around her living room. “No...she’s not...”
* * *
As she’d suspected, Marie won. By one vote.
“Everything alright, sweetheart?” asked Isaac as he fixed himself a cup of tea by the stove.
Antonia nodded, but avoided his eyes. “Yes...everything’s fine.”
Isaac knew his wife was upset or annoyed about something – but he knew she didn’t want him to press the matter. Not now at least.
“I had a nice little memorial for Rouge yesterday...not sure if I told you.”
Now Antonia looked at her husband. His calm, blue eyes. She quickly forgot her own troubles as she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, I’m so happy, Isaac. I mean, I’m sad, but...you needed closure.”
Isaac pulled his wife closer towards him and took a deep breath. “Yeah...I did.”
Antoinette looked lovingly at him and touched the tip of his nose with her index finger. “And now you do. Come, Isaac, let’s go to bed.”
Isaac looked at her, his head cocked to one side. “But it’s only half past eight.”
Antonia smiled as she steered him out of the kitchen. “I know.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Adrien Leduc makes his home in Victoria. He is a graduate of Carleton University (B.A. ‘10) and is passionate about Canadian history. An avid reader and writer, Adrien hopes to write and publish many more books in his lifetime. Be sure to check out other works by Adrien, available through all major book retailers. Follow Adrien on Twitter: @auleduc
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