Chapter Sixty Six

Henry held Jenny’s hand, as he slowly drove to the airport. The traffic was light; hardly any other motorists out at six a.m. on a Saturday morning.

“Are you nervous, Jen?’

“Yes, I am feeling all kinds of emotions, Henry. I don’t want to leave and yet, I feel obligated to go. It was so nice to have friends and support when I was in the hospital and especially Father Engelmann’s visits were always so uplifting. I know James could use someone with him who has been through what he is going through.”

“Yeah, not only that, you’re so supportive to begin with. He’s a very fortunate man, Jen. There are not many women who would be doing what you are,” offered Henry.

“It feels right, somehow Henry. Like God has a plan for all this and as Father David encourages us to do, I am going to trust in Him to turn the many obstacles and difficulties I see into good.”

Henry quickly added, “And all things are possible through God! Trust in Him with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding.”

“That is such a beautiful Scripture and offers such hope. The things which are impossible for us are possible with God.” Jenny squeezed Henry’s hand tenderly…

A silence fell in the SUV as Henry came to a stop sign. Since no cars were in sight, Henry bowed his head and said a prayer that reflected what they were just discussing. “Yes, Jesus, help us to trust in You. Help me to accept Jenny‘s leaving to help her family who is in need. Give me the strength to let her go freely and be such a beacon of light for them all to see. And through Jenny’s graciousness, compassion, and love, let it draw the entire family to come together and also to You. Help us all to realize that with You at the centre, families grow and flourish. We pray for a safe trip for Jenny and that the Holy Spirit and her guardian angel guide her heart to accomplish Your will whatever it may be.“

Henry turned to Jenny, smiled and drove on.

“Oh, Henry that was so beautiful, I love you so much. I will call you every day and let you know how things are going.”

“It sure was a lot of fun yesterday at the farm. I hadn’t ridden a horse in over two years and my aches and pains testify to that.”

Jenny chuckled, “Yes, my bum and back were quite sore when I tried to get out of bed this morning. The last time I rode a horse was before I came to Regina from Vancouver. It was in seventh grade when the class was taken on a tour to a local riding club. I recall how much I enjoyed riding and bugged Mom and Dad to get me a horse.”

“I was born on the farm and there were plenty of horses, mainly work horses, but there was a small quarter horse that all of the kids were allowed to ride. When you’re at my place next time I will show some pictures of me sitting on Sandy, wearing a six shooter, cowboy hat and a black mask.”

“I bet you were the Lone Ranger?”

“That’s right, except my horse was a sandy colour and not white.”

“I’m sure you were the hero and saved the day, regardless of the horse’s colour.” Jenny squeezed Henry’s hand and leaned into him as he came to a stop. “I will miss you dearly, Henry.”

Henry leaned forward, trying to read the overhead signs as he entered the airport. “I guess we will take this road…it leads to the passenger and luggage drop off.”

Henry made another turn and pulled up in front of the entrance to the airport.

Before getting out, Henry turned to Jenny, put his arm around his sweetheart and drew her in as close as he could. They kissed and would have gone on longer if the guy in front didn’t honk his horn for Henry to back up a bit. He was sandwiched between two cars; Henry’s and the one ahead of him.

Henry quickly backed up, stopped and got Jenny’s two suitcases from the trunk. Jenny was out of the car and waiting for him. Henry handed the small case to Jen and pulled out the handle of the larger one and led Jenny into the airport. The Air Canada check-in was just off to the right.

“I think my car will be okay in the drop off area for five minutes or so. Come, I’ll help you get checked in.”

There were four people ahead of them in line. Good thing they had come early, as many more people were coming in the few minutes they were standing there.

“Next, please,” shouted the lady at the desk.

Henry carried the suitcase over to the counter and placed the case on the weigh scale. Jenny decided to take the small one on board with her. She had several magazines inside which she wanted to read during her flight.

Just as Jenny and Henry turned to make their way upstairs to the departure area, Jenny noticed a very striking, attractive lady staring at her and then at Henry. The lady’s gaze was bold and penetrating. Jenny found it hard to divert her gaze from her.

“Henry, there is a lady over there that seems to be staring at us. I don’t think I know her, but perhaps you might…she is beautiful.”

Henry turned and blushed, “That’s Ivania!”

“You know her, Henry…?”

Henry’s face flushed revealing a tinge of red especially on his neck. He could feel the heat…and now even more so as Ivania began to make her way over to them…

“Oh, God…” muttered Henry

When she got within speaking distance, Ivania blurted out, “Hendry, I didn’t see you at first; I was so taken by the beautiful blonde lady standing beside you. I couldn’t believe that was you next to her!”

Ivania stood directly in front of Jenny with a bold stature and looked her over. It was obvious Jenny was unsettled and her cheeks grew a tinge of pink as well. For a moment neither could speak…it was an awkward moment for Henry to have a former girlfriend face the girl who had captivated his heart over Ivania’s.

Finally, Ivania spoke while looking directly into Jenny’s sparkling blue eyes, “Now I don’t feel so bad, Hendry. I was upset for days, no…months that you left me for some teenage sweetheart who you hadn’t seen for years. I thought you to be crazy for living in such a dream world when you had such beautiful, real girl at your disposal…but now, I can see why and I apologize for questioning your judgment at the time. There is no need for you to introduce me to this lovely creature, I know this must be the Jennifer of your dreams…your first and it seems your only love.”

Ivania stuck out her hand and Jenny immediately responded and the two ladies shook hands.

“Very nice to meet you. Ivania, I must admit, Henry hasn’t told me about you.”

“There was no need for him to, there was never another in his life. Oh, I tried to seduce him. I used all my feminine wiles, but when a man has a love in his heart for someone as deep and strong as Henry does for you, not even Cleopatra would be able to lure such a man away for the woman in his heart and dreams.”

Henry chuckled nervously. He turned to Ivania and rather than shake hands, he approached her and gave her a warm hug.”

“I bet you were in Toronto on another insurance seminar?”

“No, this time it was to finalize a promotion. I will be overseeing all of Western Canada and not just Saskatchewan as I used to. The sales have improved so much over the last two years they want to see if we can accomplish the same in the other provinces.”

“They have the right person at the helm, that’s for sure. I wish you all the best of success, Ivania.”

“So are both of you off somewhere, a honeymoon perhaps?”

“I wish we were,” said Henry and added, “Jenny is off to Ottawa. Her ex-husband is quite ill and Jenny wants to give him her support. She also has a son and grandson she wishes to visit with.”

“That is so kind of you, Jenny. Are you staying long?”

“I’m not sure, it all depends on the circumstances that develop.”

Ivania turned to Henry and said, “I don’t mean to alarm you Hendry but a similar situation happened with a friend of mine. It was the ex-wife that had cancer and the husband who was considering marriage to another woman went to visit his ex-wife who was ill. Low and behold if they didn’t fall in love again and he never came back. I am still consoling my friend…”

Ivania noticed the alarmed look on Henry’s face, “But such a thing could never happen between you two. If I can’t lure you away, I’m sure Jennifer won’t be lured away that easily either…but if she is…” Ivania winked, “I am still here for you, Hendry.”

They all laughed nervously except for Ivania…she was dead serious.

“Well we better check in upstairs, Jenny, I hope I don’t get a parking ticket. It was great seeing you again, Ivania. I’m not in the shop or café as much anymore, but I will keep an eye out for you and maybe we can have coffee.”

“Yes, I would love that, perhaps while Jenny is in Ottawa I can prepare a nice home cooked meal for you…I’m not all business you know.”

“Oh, I don’t know if that is such a good idea, Henry.” Jenny chimed in with a nervous tone in her voice.

“Believe me, Jenny, you have no need to worry. Somehow you have wrapped an iron shield around his heart which no woman is able to penetrate.”

“I hope that’s the case.” Jenny said, with a smile.

Henry was blushing more and more by the minute. He took Jenny’s hand and led her off to the check in area upstairs. “See you, Ivania.”

“Yes, bye, and it was so nice meeting you, Jenny.”

They had spent so much time chatting downstairs that there was only a few minutes left before boarding time was over.

“You better hurry, Ma’am, if you’re on the Ottawa flight. The doors close in two minutes.”

“Oh, Henry, I love you so much.”Jenny dropped her suitcase and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Henry pulled her in hard against his body and a surge of love passed through them both. Henry wanted all of her. He ached to hold her, to kiss her forever, to make love to her and never stop. His mind, heart and soul screamed out for his Jenny and now, she was going away once more…

“Jenny I don’t know if I can take this. I don’t want to live without you anymore. Please make this a temporary visit and come back soon.”

“Ma’am, the plane is closing its doors. You‘ll miss your flight if you don’t go now.”

Jenny picked up her case… “I love you, Henry I will call you tonight…”

“I love you, too, Jenny… I love you, too.”

Henry wasn’t sure if Jenny heard his last words as she was running down the hall towards the plane.

Henry went to the window and watched as the plane began to back out. With each foot it travelled away, his heart sank deeper and deeper …”Oh Jenny, please come back to me…”

The plane turned and made its way to the take off runway. Henry’s heart beat faster and faster. He didn’t want to watch and yet he couldn’t move. He recalled the day Jenny left Mr. Engelmann’s grocery store and made her way to the corner to cross Victoria Ave. He had sent out a prayer to surround his sweetheart with his love and keep her safe as she crossed the busy Avenue. And it did. She was almost killed by a racing car but her guardian angel saved her.

Henry prayed again as the plane picked up speed as it raced down the tarmac. “Oh guardian angel, keep my Jenny safe while she goes on this mission. Guide and protect her and shield her from all harm. And …please bring her back to me.”

The front of the aircraft lifted and then the back tires. Higher and higher it ascended. The clouds were low and the plane quickly disappeared into the sky. And Henry’s heart sank.

Father Engelmann’s words immediately surfaced as they always did to give him comfort…

Life on earth is bright and sunny even though some days may be cloudy and stormy. Right behind the heavy dark clouds, the sun still shines. It’s there waiting for us, bursting with life and renewed hope.