Conquer

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The night was crisp as Lillian drove to the rectory. A perfect October evening as far as she was concerned. She enjoyed living in a place where you could walk everywhere or just have a short drive to get from point A to point B. Father Green’s small Maroon Volvo sat in the driveway, so he was home. Lillian thought that she should find out more about what Father had in mind before she got the other side of the Parish School issue.

The doorbell had a sing-song tone that was very pleasant. Father Green answered very promptly. He looked puzzled as she smiled at him.

“Lillian,” Father Green said, “I wasn’t expecting you. but please come in.”

Lillian entered and Father Green took her jacket and hung it on the coat tree by the front door.

“Yes, Father. I am sorry I didn’t call first, but I was hoping to talk to you before I attended the General Meeting at the Town Hall. I was going to see if they discussed the Parish School you proposed,” Lillian explained.

Father Green smiled, “Tea? I would love the company and to let you know about what I had in mind.”

“Tea would be lovely,” Lillian answered, “Thank you so much.”

“The living room is right in here,” he indicated an entrance right off the hall.
Lillian was treated to a very old fashioned looking sitting room. Two armchairs flanked a small, oak looking coffee table. A fire merrily ate up the logs that lay in the bottom. Lillian sat at the chair on the right end of the coffee table. The fire made the room so cozy and warm. Pictures adorned the fireplace mantel. Lillian assumed it was the Father’s family. She heard the distant whistle of the kettle. The peace of the room soaked into her and Lillian relaxed. The whole place seemed to exude an air of coziness. Lillian usually hated silence, but the peace of the Rectory calmed her in a way she had only known before meeting Andrew.

Father Green entered with a silver tray and lovey tea set. Tiny pink flowers danced across a white tea pot two cups and a plate of shortbread cookies. Father Green settled the tray on the coffee table in front of Lillian. Gladly she took a cookie. When Father poured two cups she indicated that it would be two sugars for her. Smiling, he poured his tea, took two cookies and sat on the chair opposite.

“Now, Lillian, what would you like to know?” he asked.

Lillian sipped her tea and laid the cup on the tray. “Well Father, a Parish School is such an interesting idea. How did you come up with it?”

Father Green looked pensive, “The day the Archbishop decided to go with the Government and take religious study from our two schools, I was incensed, I don’t mind saying. The parents want their children baptized, confirmed and married here but rarely attend themselves. I felt that the only exposure these kids got to their religion was through school. Most of the sacraments had been handled through school at this point, but we would not even be allowed to do that.”

“At the run-a-thon I did hear one of the boys saying that his parents were trying to organize his Confirmation,” Lilian said.

Father Green grinned, “Yes. I do try to handle that for them. Everything can be done at the Church, but I feel a Parish School would make the instruction much easier. Are you Catholic Lillian?”

Lillian nodded, “I haven’t been to Church in a while, but I remember my own Confirmation Instruction from when I was in High School. Having a formal setting for instruction might be easier.”

“There are so many kids that are interested in knowing about their religion,’ he said sadly, ‘It is a shame that the parents won’t, at least bring their kids to Church even if they don’t attend themselves.”

They sat and looked at the fire for a while. “What do you think of Mayor Fleming’s idea for the Eustace Estate?” Lillian asked.

“An event venue would be good for the town, I can’t argue with that,” Father Green said, “But I have offered the Parish Hall for any events that the Town Council wants to host. I just think that the children’s religious knowledge takes precedence.”

The thought that had been running around in Lillian’s mind came out in a tumble of words, “How would you feel Father, about sharing the Estate with the Council?”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Father Green answered, “but, I think that Dawn wants it all for herself. Ever since she was a teenager, she was very ambitious. Getting a jump on having acts for concerts and the like would be a great coup for her.”

“That is for certain,” Lillian said, “I would like to find a way that both the Church and the Council can use the Estate. That way, everyone benefits; the kids and the Council.”

“What-”

They jumped as the ringing of the phone ripped the silence of the Rectory open.

Father grabbed the receiver of the phone that sat on the table next to his chair.

“Father Green,” he said, “What? At the motel you said?! I’ve got someone here. We’ll both be over momentarily.’

Hastily he hung up and stood. The look on his face spoke of panic and deep sorrow.
“Lillian, something terrible has happened. A fire has broken out at the Grand Rock Motel. Apparently, the Fire Department was called, but a group has gathered and are using buckets to help John.”

“Let’s go!” Lillian gasped running for her jacket.

The ride didn’t take very long, but Lillian and Father Green were both breathing hard with impatience. When they arrived the crowd was gathered outside. The Fire Trucks had appeared, and were trying to fight the flames which spilled from the office of the motel. It looked like the fire was contained there. Lillian did breath a sigh of relief when she saw this and John standing back being comforted by the people who had gathered to help. John’s usually jolly countenance was ashen at the moment. His father’s hotel. Lillian ran to him.

“Lillian,” he said in a surprised tone, “I’m not sure what happened. I just got here and was ready to open.”

Lillian took him into her arms. “We’ll all help with whatever you need John,” was all she said.

They watched for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, one of the firefighters came over to John.

“We have it contained. It’s just to put out the rest of the flames. When that’s done we can go in. Go home John. We’ve got this. We’ll call you,” he said gently.

John nodded and turned to Lilian. “I’m too shaken to drive. May I trouble you for a tride home Lillian,” he asked forlornly.

“I was with Father Green. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

It wasn’t, of course. Lillian, Father Green and John plled into Father Green’s car. The drive to John’s place was quiet. Lillian and the Father left John to his thoughts. John speak soon, though.

“It looks like it was only in the office, so it might be alright. Right?” he said desperately.

“It’ll be okay, John,” Father GReen said reassuringly, “Whatever you need, just let us help you. You are not alone.’

“I know. I called the Fire Department, but Frank and Joan Simmons were already running to me with buckets and a rain barrel. Oh my God! All Dad’s work,” John put his hands in over his face and began to sob. Father hit the exhilarator and they sped up.

At John’s house they led John inside and got some tea ready as he slumped into a chair. Lillian had seen the crowd that had lent a hand. This town. These people. Her head whirled. She knelt by John’s side and took his hand. It was the most she had touched a man in ages. John’s brown eyes stared straight ahead. He squeezed her hand so hard.

“I need. I need. I don’t know what I need,” he said.

“You need us John and we’re here. Whatever happens next, we’re here,” Lillian said.

Then the phone started. Was John alright? Had he been hurt?. Everyone called. Lillian answered some questions. Father Green answered some, and John took calls as well. The support was overwhelming and comforting, but John needed to know about his business. Finally the call from the Fire Department came.

John listened for a while then, “Thanks Chief,’ he said and hung up.

“It looks like an electrical fire. I got an inspection last month and everything checked out. I will have to call my insurance agency.”

“You insured. That’s good John,” Father Green said.

“Yes Father,” John answered. There wasn’t much left to say. Lilian’s cell phone rang making them all jump. It was Linda.

“Are you okay? I just got home and Ted next door told me about the fire,” Linda asked.

“I was at Father Green’s and went with him to help. John’s fine. He had just arrived to open the motel. He needs to work out the insurance stuff, I think. “

“Tell him to call if he needs anything,” Linda answered.

“Will do,” Lillian answered and hung up.

“Linda said for you to call if you need anything,” Lillian told John.

He nodded. “You know there’s not much to do here now. You two better go. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“You sure Son,” Father Green asked,

John smiled and nodded. “I’ll be okay Father. I need to sit here and think.”

Father Green and Lillian were both worried, but they got their coats and left.

Lillian kissed John lightly on the cheek as they left. She did the same thing to Father Green when he dropped her off at Linda's. “Don’t worry about your car. I’ll bring it in the morning. It will be fine in the Rectory driveway.”

She smiled and got out. As she walked to Linda’s door she wanted to scream.

She had her hand on the door then she took it away. Lillian started walking. John’s ashen face and the forlorn faces of the other towns people paraged through her head as she walked. The cold hardly entered her consciousness. Lillian looked at the houses and businesses along the streets as she walked. She remembered living in a large place but enjoying the small town togetherness that was her Parish. Everyone had worked together back then too. Her gut wrenched as she remembered everyone standing there ready to support John no matter what.

Lillian hadn’t noticed how far she had walked until the sound of rushing waves exploded in her ears. The imposing bulk of the Grand Rock loomed into her site. It was granite. Immovable, stark it would be there long after they were gone, a steadfast testimony to the hard working, wonderful people of Grand Rock. They were a family. They were a community. They supported each other. Shock, love and determination whirled in Lillian’s head. She had fell in love with Grand Rock and these people without even knowing.

All of a sudden a harsh voice entered her head, Andrew’s voice.

You can’t do anything right.

No one will care if you disappear.

No one cares what you think, you little idiot.

Emotions churned. Lillian finally collapsed on the cold sand, and a wordless scream ripped from her throat and filled the night. She wasn’t sure how long she lay there. Lillian pushed herself up and stood up straight. She turned and looked at the town’s lights from the beach.

“It all matters,” she told the sand and waves, “I matter and these people matter. This won’t destroy them. I swear it.”

She took her phone from her pocket. “Linda,” she said into the receiver, “I’m fine. I’m at the beach. Can you come and get me? I have an idea.”