Chapter VI
Ann and the children had moved to the City years before, but now driving into the farm yard she quickly remembered the love and safety she always felt here.
Time was frozen every time she entered the yard. This was always the home she felt safest in. All the knocks and bruises of the day would heal and give Ann the strength to rise again the following day to all the challenges. Florence was not home so Ann let herself in and checked the fridge for something cold to drink. While waiting she looked at the entrance hall displaying all the family photos. Looking at pictures of her Dad always brought up so much emotion. After a long decline in health, Monroe had passed away three years ago. When he first started showing signs of memory loss including not remembering Florence’s name they took him to the Doctor. He was becoming very disorientated at home and was continually hiding things. He could read but found it very difficult to understand what he had read. After several tests and exams, the Doctor did confirm that Munroe appeared to be suffering from the early stages of Progressive Dementia. Eventually Munroe had difficulty controlling his emotions and did suffer personality changes. Some relief was found when he was placed on medication. At first Florence would not hear of placing him in a care facility, but eventually had no choice. She was unable to care for Munroe alone at home. Each day Florence was at Munroe’s bedside always grateful and satisfied for those moments when he did remember her voice, her face and her touch. Monroe passed away peacefully six years after he received his diagnoses. During his battle Ann kept looking at the family history, but never did find any evidence in past generations.
She remembered very little of Munroe’s father. He had passed away when she was very young. She did remember, with great joy Munro’s mother. Although her name was Ann, you never heard anyone refer to her as that; her personality dictated that she be identified as Pepper. Everyone in Pont call her Pepper. Florence adored Pepper.
Monroe and his brother, Earl, followed in their father’s footsteps, when each married a woman and partner, vibrant,vivacious and always chasing life with curiosity with a never-ending source of adventure.
Since Monroe's passing Florence had busied herself more than ever and continued with her weekend markets. The local marketers adored Florence. She would arrive, with her truck filled with egg twisted bead, crusty baguettes, Dutch sugar bread, whole grain loafs, cinnamon buns, pecan buns, cake donuts (still warm from the fryer) preserves of gooseberry, strawberry, peach and a favourite of the locals marmalade with ginger. There was fudge, bon bon’s, home-made chocolate fudge syrup for ice cream. She had also once again begun to knit, something that she had not done since 1935 and had already taken orders from the local merchants.
Florence was truly a pioneer and accepted, without thought or reservation, the title of entrepreneur. If anything frightened her she certainly never let anyone know. She had operated several cook kitchens in the mountains, opened a couple of coffee shops, where the truckers would fill the parking lot on Sunday waiting for her Flapper Pie and coffee, always with one or more of her grandchild in tow. She had also opened a gift shop in a major downtown Hotel and a flower shop along the river banks, which after a much photographed visit from the Governor General; she was quick to publicize her popularity to all relatives and friends. Florence also new failure, yet she bandaged her wounds, took the lessons from each and looked towards her next venture.
Ann knew where to look when she examined her life and the successes she had achieved. Only the silent strength that Munroe and Florence surrounded her with, after Johnston’s death, allowed her the time to find a new strength and beginnings. Of course they never looked at it other than how lucky they were to have all that time with their grandchildren.
Florence pulled into the farm yard and when she saw Ann's car started to worry.
"Hi Mom."
"Is anything wrong?"
"Nothing mom, I have wonderful news."
They sat down and Ann told Florence of the opportunity that had been given to her by both Red Nixman and Brian O’Riley, confirming that she would be starting work for the O’Riley Corporation the following week.
Of course Florence was delighted for all Ann’s success, but deep down inside she always hoped that Ann would find, while climbing the next ladder to success, more time with her family. Ann was now able to provide a very comfortable home. The children were growing up so quickly Florence worried that they would all be gone before Ann realized it.
She had been introduced to numerous gentlemen over the years but nothing that Florence could remember as serious; as well, some that Florence felt very grateful were only casual acquaintances and then others like MacDonald Logan that she was very sorry to see end.
To Florence, MacDonald Logan represented all Ann needed in her life. He was successful; he was divorced and would give Ann every wish and dream she could possibly want.
They had met through Raymond and Sally Houston, mutual friends of the Nixman’s. The Houston’s had travelled from the west coast to attend the Annual Nixman Charity. Ann and Sally, without reservation, became good friends very quickly; so well that the children called Raymond and Sally Uncle and Aunt, for the many years to come. Sally introduced and brought Ann into a life style of the very wealthy and it became habit that each summer Ann would take the children for holidays to the coast.
Along with three other couples, MacDonald Logan had been invited for cocktails at the Houston estate. After listening to all the bouquets from the Nixman’s regarding Ann, Sally, not aware of the existing blue-print set out by Florence, duplicated her efforts and made it her goal to introduce Ann to every eligible bachelor along the coast. Sally was determined to get Ann into a life style of good standing.
They had gone to the hairdresser that afternoon and shopped at the west-end for an appropriate outfit for the evening. Ann had to admit that she did feel very beautiful but was not expecting much more than a pleasant evening. The children, all in their teens, were busy playing out on the beach with neighbours, when Ann came out onto the deck dressed in her Halston cocktail dress. They stopped and looked at their mother and all raced to tell her how beautiful she looked. Her hair had been cut and highlighted, done in a style that complimented Ann’s youthful features. Sally was very happy that Ann, who had been so sceptical all afternoon about treating herself, now could not stop stealing looks in the mirror. Raymond was also quick to compliment Ann.
MacDonald Logan entered the room that evening saw Ann and quickly had Sally introduce them. For the remainder of the evening he did not leave her side. Sally watched with great amusement.
The summer carried on with MacDonald and Ann constantly together. He enjoyed the children and impressed them with daily boat rides, fishing trips to the Islands and continual trips to the ice cream parlours.
Their relationship grew in leaps and bounds, continuing after Ann had returned home, with MacDonald flying in each week and staying for a few days.
After a few months Ann did come home with a 3 carat diamond on her hand. Florence and the children were very happy for her. Everyone at Nixman was happy for Ann. They had expected Ann to announce that she would be moving to the west coast and were surprised after six months; the long distance engagement was carrying on. MacDonald arriving each week in his private plane, or Ann travelled to the coast for extended weekends. After arriving home from the coast one weekend, it came as a great disappointment to Florence when Ann told her and the children that she and MacDonald had realized that their lives were heading in different directions and that it was best for them to remain friends. She had decided that she did not want to live on the coast and that he, of course, with his headquarters on the west coast was not interested in moving. Not much more was discussed about MacDonald Logan. Years after, Florence would comment that Ann ended the engagement for reasons that would dictate her life, a fear of being left behind, of being abandoned.
Regardless of Ann’s hesitation, Sally never stopped arranging cocktail parties for Ann during her annual four weeks visits.
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After only three weeks at O’Riley Ann was exhausted. She was excited, but exhausted, arriving home every night, long after supper. She knew that supper would be kept warm for her. The children were now of the age that they were able to take care of themselves after school. Ann knew if an emergency arrived that the neighbour would be right there. The children knew that once they got home the house was to be cleaned and supper made. While she ate her dinner she listened to the children’s stories of the day trying to help them solve their problems; sometimes even being able to help them somewhat with their homework, although she knew that Leigh was the master in that area.
She had gone to bed early that night and was awoken by the phone. Looking at the clock it was 2:30 in the morning.
“Hello.”
“Ann, its Audry. Dad asked me to call you and let you know that Lexy had a baby girl.”
“Isn’t that great. How is Lexy, has she picked a name for the baby?”
“She’s wonderful. No she has not picked a name, she is sleeping now or I would put her on the phone. She was so anxious for you to hear the news.”
“How long is she going to be in the hospital?”
“They say by the weekend she and the baby will be ready to go home.”
“Audry, is everything ready at the house for Lexy and the baby?”
“Dale was here all last week and he pushed the contractors to finish off the guest house. The nursery looks wonderful. Lexy and I can move right in.”
“Is Lexy finished up at the Center?”
“Yes, Dr. Cross signed Lexy’s discharge papers last week.”
“Is Rita still there?”
“Yes but she is leaving tomorrow.”
“What happened, she was to stay with you and Lexy until your Mom and Dad get back from California.”
“I know, but she and Lexy are fighting all the time. She has said some pretty mean things to her, and of course you know Lexy, she can’t wait to reciprocate. The Doctors actually asked her to leave Lexy’s room when Lexy was in labour.”
“I can’t say that I blame them.”
“Ann, Lexy asked me to see if you could come out?”
“Of course Audry. Give me a day to make arrangements here and I will talk to Ron Slate about having the plan take me out. Once I have made arrangements I will call you Audry.”
“Thank you Ann.”
The next morning Ann had arranged that Florence come into the City and stay at the House for the next week. Of course Florence agreed and asked Ann to tell the children that they would be at the markets this weekend.
Ann then called Ron who had already made the necessary arrangements. With Michael in California with Red and Elizabeth he had arranged a rental car for Ann at the airport.
“Ron have you heard how Elizabeth’s treatments are going?”
“Red was going to call you Ann. Elizabeth was in surgery yesterday. She had a mastectomy. The entire test had come back and the cancer was more advanced that what they had detected here. The Doctors also had to remove her lymph nodes. Red told me that she is starting radiation and chemotherapy next week.”
Ann sat in silence thinking of this kind, caring and loving woman who has dedicated her life to others now having to face this horrible battle.
“Ann, Red has asked that Audry and Lexy not be told. Red has told Audry only that they are still running tests.”
“I won’t say anything more Ron.”
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