Second Chances Chapter 23 La Vie en Rose
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A Second Chance - Chapter 53 free porn video
WEDNESDAY, June 15, 2016
Helen woke early in her hotel, basking in the afterglow of the
wonderful night she had spent with Steve. It would be another hour
before the breakfast buffet would open, so she just lay there, hugging
her new husband. Steve, a policeman, was super fit, but apparently she
had worn him out the night before. Helen could feel the energy from
the Falls, less than a mile away from her hotel room, feeding her
soul. She hadn't felt that on other mornings, but then other mornings
she hadn't viewed the Falls in their natural beauty.
A half hour later Steve woke in the arms of his wife, who he
considered the most beautiful woman on earth. Eventually they got out
of bed and did their morning chores before dressing and heading down
to breakfast. They each ate a large breakfast, remembering how they
had missed lunch and dinner the day before. They headed out to their
spot overlooking the Falls and sat down.
Helen again started the hand motions that erased all modern elements
from her view, and this time Steve saw things disappearing. Soon they
were alone with nothing but the Falls visible, surrounded by a lush
primeval forest. They watched in a trance for hours, until Steve
noticed someone approaching from several miles away, along the banks
of the river. Soon Helen noticed her as well. It was an older woman: a
native in traditional buckskin dress, walking towards them. She fit
into the natural wonderment of the view perfectly, and finally walked
up to them. As she got close, her eyes widened, and she looked around.
It was clear that she now saw the Falls the way the young married
couple did.
"How do you do that?" she asked in wonder. "You are seeing the Falls
in the way that Manitou created it. It is so beautiful. So powerful."
Helen smiled. "I don't know how or why? I just learned how to erase
the city yesterday, and felt a connection. I think it is God: your
Manitou, that is doing it."
"It is a wonder. I feel it too. I am blessed." Just then the city
popped back into view. The woman was wearing a normal dress, not
buckskins, although she was clearly native. "Aww, it is gone."
"But we had it for a while. One needs to cherish what they have, not
mourn what is gone," Helen said.
"You are wise," the woman said. "I am Lisa Powers, from Brantford way.
I am honored to meet you. You are clearly blessed by Manitou."
"We are Steve and Helen Winslow," Helen said. "We are here from
Ingersoll, not far from Brantford."
"Actually, I am from the reservation at Oshwegan," Lisa said. "I say
Brantford because more people know that city. I go to Ingersoll often.
There is a little bakery there next to the library that I adore."
"I know that place," Helen said. "The family that run it are in my
congregation. I am the youth minister of a Presbyterian church just
down the road from there."
"That bakery makes the most wonderful things," Lisa said. "And they
are good people too. I went about a month ago, and this really
beautiful blonde woman was at the counter serving another woman. I was
next in line when this other woman came in and tried to cut in front
of me. When the girl at the counter said she would wait on me next,
that woman went ballistic, calling me a dirty squaw, and insisting
that she go next, saying she 'knew people'. The girl just ignored
her."
"That sounds like Maria. Her husband owns the place," Helen said.
"Well, Maria finally kicked the other woman out, and apologized for
her racist rant. She had no need to apologize. There aren't as many
people like that woman now, compared to when I was young, but they
still are to be found. Anyway the food I got was wonderful, and she
gave me a discount. I went back the next week with three friends, and
now we phone in an order from the reserve each week, and take turns
picking it up. We usually spend about $100. And she still gives us the
discount."
"Maria and Geoff are good people," Steve said. He looked at his watch.
"It's just after lunch. Have you eaten?"
"No," Lisa said. "I was just walking down the river towards a place to
eat when I met you. Thank Manitou."
"Please eat with us," Steve said.
"I'd be honored," Lisa said.
"No, it is us who are honored," Helen said. "We have been enjoying
this wonder of nature, and realize that once all this belonged to your
ancestors. We are privileged to be able to share it with you."
Over lunch in the hotel, the Winslow's learned that Lisa ran a small
weekly newspaper in Oshwegan with her three sons. She was to call one
of her boys to pick her up that afternoon when her newspaper came off
the presses in nearby St. Catharines. She agreed to accept a ride back
with the Winslow's, who decided to check out of the hotel early and
head back home. A detour to Oshwegan was only a few miles out of the
way.
As they started the trip to the reserve, Lisa asked Helen if she would
give a little talk to the people of the reserve. The local Anglican
Church had been without a minister for over three months, and some
people in the community were feeling abandoned by the church.
"Well, I am not Anglican, so I can't preach in their building," Helen
said. "But I could say a few words: perhaps an outdoor service."
"That would be wonderful. There is a beautiful spot along the river,"
Lisa said. She then made about six calls on her cellphone, asking
people to come. It was near four p.m. when Lisa directed Steve to the
spot she had chosen. To Helen's surprise, the six calls had resulted
in over 1000 people now standing on the banks of the mighty Grand
River, the largest one in the area, not counting the Niagara.
Helen had spent most of the trip thinking about what she would say,
and had a good idea for a topic. The Grand also seemed to be feeding
her in a similar, but less intense way to how the Falls had. She had
no fears of speaking to a crowd, due to her preaching, but was a bit
unsure how it would be received.
The event started with a smudging ceremony, where an elder took a
smoldering rope of sweet grass, and used an eagle feather to direct
the smoke towards all the people, including the Winslows. This was
followed by four men, two beating drums, and two singing in the
traditional language. The singers shook rattles made of deer bones and
antlers.
Then Helen spoke for over a half hour, and quickly felt a connection
with these people. She told them about the Falls, and how she had seen
them the way the original occupants of the area had. She praised the
history of these people: the Iroquois Six Nations who had moved to
Canada after the rebellion in the United States had left them
unwelcome there. She spoke of Joseph Brant, the Indian leader who had
founded the Six Nations reserve, and the city of Brantford. She
mentioned the Grand River, and its natural beauty that provided their
people with a transportation route for those who wanted to maintain a
link with their past through canoeing and fishing. And she mentioned
Manitou, the god to these people, and a source of comfort for them.
When she finished, there was a gentle restrained applause that was
long, although not loud, showing the people had appreciated the
sermon. There was another traditional song, and four young girls
performed a dance in elaborate pow wow costumes.
Finally there was a period of nearly two hours when most of those
present greeted Helen, shaking her hand and thanking her for her
sermon. Apparently the Anglican ministers of the past ignored the
history and the culture of the First Nations people, and tried to fit
the people into their own world-view. To have a pastor who seemed to
understand them, and Manitou, was a treat and a delight. Several
hundred people asked her to come back and become their minister.
Finally only Lisa was left, with three young men who she introduced as
her sons. Helen had noticed that one had been taking photos as she
spoke.
"That went well," Lisa said. "There is a small dinner at the community
hall, and we all would like you to attend. Can you come?"
Lisa hesitated. She had been hoping to make it to the Wednesday dinner
at her own church, but she now felt a bond with these people. "I would
love to come," she said. "We can head back to Ingersoll afterwards."
"I would be honored if you would stay the night at my house. Colin is
the only son remaining at home, so there is ample room. Don't worry.
We won't kidnap you, though many of the people here would like us to
keep you."
"I would love to be able to come back," Helen said. "I feel a
connection with all of you. I preach in Ingersoll on Sunday mornings.
Perhaps in the afternoon, or another day: Saturday?"
"Saturday's would be fine," Lisa said. "Manitou doesn't require us to
meet on any one day. It is the way of the Anglicans that forced us to
meet on Sunday. If you could come for an hour or so each Saturday
morning, we would be so pleased. We could meet outdoors when the
weather allows it. The outdoor service today was so perfect, and much
more the way of our people. And we could use the hall when it is poor
weather."
They soon arrived at the hall, which had over 200 people sitting to a
traditional Six Nations feast with fish and venison, root vegetables,
pemmican, and succotash. Lisa stood before the meal and announced that
Helen would return on Saturday for a morning service, and loud cheers
and applause resulted. Helen then thanked the band for its
hospitality, and said she would return every week as long as she was
wanted.
----- - - ------- ----
Earlier that morning Gary went to the Ford dealership in Ingersoll to
get a part for an old school bus the Army was refurbishing. Gary
wanted it to be able to fix the old thing up so that they could pick
up people for services, as well as other uses by other community
groups. They had already gutted the old, uncomfortable school bench
seats, and two Army members with upholstery experience were building
more comfortable seats like luxury buses had.
In the dealership Gary stood for over five minutes at the parts
counter, with no one coming to his assistance. Finally he walked into
the shop, where he saw three mechanics working on cars.
The nearest was under the hood of a pickup, and Gary asked, "Where's
Hank?" The mechanic, who looked extremely harried, just pointed to a
pair of legs sticking out from under a sedan.
"Hank?" Gary asked the feet, and soon the feet rolled out to show the
parts and service manager, with a wrench in his hand.
"Oh, Gary," Hank said. "Sorry for this, but we are just slammed today.
One mechanic just up and quit yesterday, and another one was fired for
stealing tools from the other mechanics. It wasn't a good time to let
him go, but if we didn't the other three guys would have walked. You
don't steal a man's tools. Besides, I think he was on drugs. His work
certainly wasn't to our standards."
"Ouch," Gary said. "I just needed to get a couple parts for a bus we
are working on. Can you spare the time?"
"I'll have to. I only need another hour on this car, getting the
muffler fixed," Hank said. "The big problem is over there. He pointed
out the door where a semi cab was sitting. Wouthers Trucking want that
back tonight, and I have no diesel mechanic. I was hoping that we
could land the company as a regular client: they have over 20 trucks.
But with Perry skipping out on us without notice we are going to lose
that account."
"Maybe not," Gary said, making a call back to the shed, and speaking
briefly. "I might have a mechanic for you. There are a couple guys I
know that are working on the bus. One is a diesel mechanic, one just
does cars. They don't have papers that they can show you, but both are
licensed, or were. They'll be glad to help you out, even though it
means my bus will only get weekend work."
"If they are good, there will be a lot of overtime here until we catch
up. Your weekend work might only be on Sundays."
"If it works for you that will be fine. I know that Boots is great on
trucks. I think he said he has Mack training."
"That unit is a Mack. Most of the trucks at Wouthers are. When can
they get here?"
"In about 2 minutes," Gary said. He could see the truck from the shed
pulling in.
The men were interviewed within minutes. Stone slid under the sedan
Hank had been working on, and immediately convinced the boss that he
knew what was wrong and how to fix it.
Boots went out to the Mack, and brought it into the service bay. He
can drive a semi at least, a hopeful Hank decided. Then the man popped
the hood and listened to the idling engine. He turned the ignition off
and went to Hank outlining the four or five things that needed to be
done on the engine.
"Can you fix it by five?" Hank asked.
"More like six, maybe seven at the latest," Boots said.
"Let me make a call," Hank said, and dialed up the trucking company.
The owner agreed to a seven p.m. pickup time. The trailer for the semi
was being loaded today, and the cab was needed for delivery in the
early morning to meet a scheduled delivery in Winnipeg.
"Get to work," Hank told Boots. "If you can get that unit to Winnipeg
and back, then you are hired."
"When I'm finished tonight, this truck will be good for another
million miles," Boots bragged.
Gary got his parts: free. After he left, Hank was happy to finally get
to the paperwork that had been piling up on his desk. An hour later
Stone brought the keys to the sedan in, and immediately picked up the
next order form, without asking. Hank smiled. The man knew his stuff,
and the sedan muffler had been so quiet that Hank hadn't even heard
the car leave the shop.
------ - ------ --
Across town Benji Wilson was at the house that his boss, Hans
Vanereynd had just bought. Apparently the stairs to the second floor
were toast. He got to the location, and found two men standing with a
pile of lumber around them, along with some tools.
"Are you the lads that are going to help me?" Benji asked.
"Yes sir," the older man said. He looked about 35. "I'm Stuart
Huckergale, though everyone calls me Stu. The young lad is Jason
Yellowstone, but we call him Snickers."
"After the candy bar?" Benji said. The 25-year-old nodded. It's the
only addiction I have left. He pulled a bar out of his pocket.
The stairs were a mess. The men had to brace them up just to be able
to use them. Getting good stairs would take all day, Benji reckoned.
Once they got upstairs, he took a quick look around the apartment, and
then called his boss to report in. Hans wanted an idea how much work
was needed up there. Benji suggested it would be a full week with a
crew. And Hans didn't have a spare crew.
At the end of the day, eight o'clock that is, Benji was able to report
to Hans that the stairs were in, unpainted, but safe enough to allow
the building inspector to remove the condemnation order on the unit.
He got off the phone and addressed the tired men who had worked
through the day with him.
"Well boys, I have good news," Benji said. "The boss is happy. And
that is always a good thing. And you are good workers. Stuart, you
know your stuff, even if stairs aren't your thing. The boss wants to
offer you a job as a full carpenter. You will need to get your papers
renewed eventually, but we have lots of work before that. And
Snickers? We'd like to offer you a job as a helper. It will be minimum
wage, and you will work as hard as you did today. But after a year,
you will be able to enter the Apprenticeship, and eventually you could
be earning $35 an hour, which is what we are offering Stu. Are you
interested?"
------- -- -- --
In the early afternoon Gary was organizing his Army for the evening
dinner. The chef was already working on preparing the food with this
several helpers. Gary headed up to the lobby to check on it, and saw
an eerily familiar face. It was a young girl of about 16, holding a
boy of four in her arms. Suddenly the image clicked, and Gary turned
towards those praying. Even from the back he could recognize the woman
praying next to a tall man. It was Heather, his ex-wife. So the girl
must be, "Cassie?"
The girl looked up, and stared. "Yes, do I know you?" Just then her
parents came back from the painting, and the mother took the baby,
telling Cassie she should go and pray. The woman looked at the man who
had been talking to her daughter, and suddenly a light bulb went off
for her as well, "Gary?"
"Yes Heather," Gary said, reddening. "I am so sorry for all I put you
through."
"Yes, I should think so," the woman said. "This is my husband Ernest:
my common-law husband. This is Gary, my first husband."
"Cassie has become as beautiful as you are," Gary said, glancing at
his daughter as she prayed.
"She holds a lot of rancor towards you," Heather said. "As do I. If I
hadn't just prayed at that painting I'd probably be wanting to claw
your eyes out."
"I deserve it," Gary said sadly. "I ruined my life. Our lives. I was
saved though, by an Angel, and she helped me get a job here. I am the
maintenance person for this church."
"We heard about that painting," Heather said. "I never expected to see
you here though."
"Ask about the papers," Ernest said in an aside to his wife.
"Oh. We had divorce papers put together a few years back, once I
regained enough confidence in men to want to make Ernest my legal
husband. But we need your signature to make them official. We have
searched for you on the streets for a few years. Will you sign?"
"I don't really want to," Gary said. "Being married to you was the
best part of my life. But you have moved on, and I guess I have too. I
wasn't hiding from you. I was living rough for a few years. I will
sign your papers. Actually, there is a church dinner here tonight. If
you four were to come and bring the papers, I will gladly sign."
------ - --- --
In school that day, Rachael noticed at lunch the cafeteria staff had
bowed to pressure, and were serving peas as the vegetable with the
mystery meat. The hairnetted ladies also got some payback: whenever a
student opted not to take a helping of the vegetable, they sang, "All
we are saying, is give peas a chance." Rachael smiled, and told Carly
that this would help keep her speech alive for another day. There
would be no singing on Thursday though: the advance-menu chalkboard
announced that the menu for that day was Sloppy Joes, which did not
include a vegetable. In fact, it was one of the favorite menu items,
with many students who brought lunches opting to get the messy
burgers. Only pizza days were more popular.
Friday the voting for Top Girl was to be held early in the morning, so
lunch then would not be a factor. Mr. Churchill told the girls that
their video, along with that of the boys, would be shown at the
assembly that morning. The girls (and boys) were asked to be on stage,
so that they could ask any questions of the students. Rachael planned
on asking Grandpa if she could bring his medal to class, so the
students would have a chance to touch it and see it up close.
She also contacted the Legion, and said that they were ready for a
showing of the video there anytime after Friday. The boys also agreed
that their video could also be shown. Their show was only 22 minutes.
With the long version of credits that the girls knew the Legion
members would want to see, For Valor was 38 minutes long.
The president of the Legion said she would talk to the members, and
find out what day they would show the videos.
------ -- --- ----- -
Mikki and Carly came to the church dinner that night. They had both
gotten babysitting jobs this weekend from their work at the nursery on
Sunday, and hoped to make contact with more parents by helping
entertain kids while their parents enjoyed a relaxing dinner.
Rachael saw Ali Weller and her children at a table with Gary. Luke and
his sister Annette were both eating quickly to be able to go off and
play, but Ali barely got a bite in, since her baby was crying.
"She's been fussy all day," Ali said, nearly in tears as Rachael
approached with her arms out to take the infant. The moment the little
girl was nestled into Rachael's shoulder, she stopped crying, and
gently sobbed for a few minutes. Ali got out a bottle, and Rachael sat
down to feed the child, allowing Ali to finally eat her dinner.
Gary had half finished his plate of the gourmet meal the Chef was
providing when he saw a family arrive, and he got up and went to their
table. There were several copies of documents to be signed, and when
that was finished, he shook hands with the man, and hugged the woman
and her daughter, although the daughter returned the hug only
tentatively.
"I wonder what that is all about," Ali said.
"No idea," Rachael said. "Those people are new to me, although the
girl looks like she might be in my high school next year. Or maybe she
has finished. I don't remember her from middle school, although I
didn't hang with the older students when I was in the junior years."
Gary led the family to the serving line, and then returned towards his
table. But part way there, he veered off to where Bobby and Luke were
playing some game on the floor. Gary took a knee in front of Luke.
"Luke. You are the oldest male in your family, so I have something
important to ask of you," Gary said. "I want to marry your mother, and
I am asking your permission."
Both Bobby and Luke's eyes got large. "Would that mean you would be my
father?" Luke asked timidly.
"Yes it would, if you will have me," Gary said.
"Yes, yes, yes," Luke nearly shouted, and ran and leapt on the man,
nearly knocking him over. He turned to Bobby and excitedly said, "I'm
going to have a Dad, Bobby. A real Dad."
Bobby hugged him and congratulated his younger friend. First Bobby had
gotten a father in Geoff, and now it seemed Luke's luck had changed
and he had a father too.
"Run over and get your sister, Luke," Gary said. "I want you two there
when I ask your mom. Don't tell her why. Let's make it a surprise."
Bobby and Luke went over to where Annette was coloring. "Come on
Annette, you need to come with me," Luke said.
"I'm busy," the little girl retorted, with her tongue stuck out as she
concentrated on coloring within the lines.
"Gary wants you," Luke said.
"Gary? Okay," Annette said, handing her crayon to one of the other
girls and getting to her feet.
The brother and sister then came over to their mother, who with
Rachael, was totally perplexed by what they had seen. First Gary
kneeled in front of Luke, and everyone in the hall heard the cry of
'Yes, Yes, Yes." Rachael suggested that Gary might have offered hockey
camp to the boy, while Ali was completely confused. That was something
Gary would normally have spoken to her first about.
When the kids were there, Gary got down on his knee. The hall suddenly
became completely quiet as people started to guess what was happening.
"Alison Marion Weller," Gary said seriously. "I have just discovered
that I am to become freed of my other marriage. I haven't had a chance
to get you a proper ring yet, but would you do me the honor of
becoming my wife?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Ali said, not realizing she was mimicking her son's
words. She also flung herself at Gary, who was ready this time and
caught her in a fierce hug. Suddenly there applause throughout the
hall, along with some cheering. Gary was beloved by the entire
congregation, and Ali was liked by many who knew her and the stress
she had been under after her husband had divorced her while she was
pregnant with his baby.
Rachael was still holding the baby with one arm, as it sucked on its
bottle, but used her other hand to pick up a fork and clink it several
times on a glass. Others picked up on the sound, and soon the whole
church was clinking glasses. Ali and Gary didn't need any more
prodding: they immediately kissed long and deeply.
Annette was more than a little confused, until her older brother said
that this meant that Gary was going to be their father. She squealed
in delight and immediately jumped in to hug Gary. He had spent a lot
of time at their house over the past few weeks, and she loved the man,
who often read stories to her and her bother in the big chair in the
living room.
After the kiss was over, including a little kiss for Annette, Gary
noticed that three people had approached. It was the Harpers: Ernest
and Heather, and daughter Cassie.
"I think it is only appropriate that we are the first to congratulate
you," Ernest said. "May you have a long and stable marriage."
"And the same to you," Gary said. "This is my first wife, Heather, and
the much better man she found to raise my beautiful daughter, Cassie.
His name is Ernest Hudden and I am sure that they will marry soon."
Then Cassie stepped up, and said, "Congratulations ... Dad. I hope you
find love with your new family." Gary choked up at getting the title
of Dad. He knew he could only be the second Dad to the girl, but it
was more than he dreamed was possible after the way he had treated
them while he was sick and alcoholic.
"Is he your Dad too?" young Luke asked. "Does that make you our
sister?"
The teen tousled the boy's hair and said, "I guess it does. I have one
little brother now. It will be nice to have a bigger one like you. And
your little sister is so cute." Annette blushed.
Rachael handed Annette the baby, who surprisingly didn't start to
fuss. "She has the touch too," Ali told Gary. "We will have to make
her our number one babysitter."
"I would like that," Cassie said. "But we are family, so no money
changes hands. I will do it through love."
"You are such a fine woman," Gary said proudly. "I wish ... what had
happened hadn't ... but your new father and mother should be proud at
the way they raised you."
---- - --- - -- --
That night Rachael prayed
Dear Lord
Thank you for so much today. You brought Gary together with his old
family, and got him a new one. I think they are all going to be a big
extended family. And Gary told me before the dinner that four of the
army got jobs today. With Mike, that makes five in total. Not that
there will be a lack in the Hobo Army. Eight more homeless people came
in and prayed to the painting today, and have joined.
Amen
Libbie
- 14.09.2022
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