Thirty-Two

Hearing Jennie’s quick steps going up the stairway with Ella’s plodding ones just after, J.K. Stark peered out the parlor window. He could see Victor Hornback placing his hat on his head, then shifting his weight from one foot to another, not moving from the porch. J.K. opened the door and ventured out.

“Mr. Hornback, is anything amiss of which I should be aware?”

“Mr. Stark, good to see you again. I don’t quite know what to make of what just occurred.”

Victor shook his head and placed his right knuckles on his belt, his elbow akimbo.

“Mr. Hornback, Miss Jennie’s aunt may be able to inform us both in a short while. Meanwhile, if you will excuse me, I need to sit. Please join me.”

Victor reassumed his position on the porch swing, Grandfather Stark across from him in the wicker chair. The latter crossed one leg over the other, his hands clasping his knee.

The junior man cleared his throat.

“I assure you, Mr. Stark, that I did nothing to upset Miss Stark. I was, in fact, stating the facts of which I am aware that would enable me to ask her to marry me. But…” he beseeched the older gentleman, “I have not asked you or her father for her hand. I am not sure which of you to inquire. However, I believe Miss Stark holds you in high esteem. Therefore, I believe you are in a position to give your blessing. If,” he added, “you are so inclined.”

J.K.’s lips remained in the thin line with corners upturned position they usually were.

“I would need to talk to Miss Jennie first, Mr. Hornback. As for whom to ask for permission, that is a question which need not arise until we ascertain Jennie’s sentiments.”

Evening was approaching and the tree frogs made their presence known. In the distance, a bull-frog bellowed from a pond across the pasture. The two men sat in silence for several minutes before J.K.’s curiosity prompted him to speak.

“Mr. Hornback, perhaps you can fill me in a bit about your courtship of our Jennie.”

“Well, sir, we have not been in each other’s company for any specific purpose other than friendship. We have known each other for eight years, though, through school and church. I will confess I was not considering a romance, and certainly not marriage, until the day I saw Miss Jennie at the Baccalaureate services.”

“Go on.”

“I had a vision. As the services progressed, I could see how I have grown very fond of Miss Stark. When I consider the trajectory of my life, she would be my first and only choice for a desirable mate. Of course, a proper courtship should ensue, and until today, I have had no occasion to be able to commence it. And, unfortunately, I will have only eight weeks before I must begin my position in Chicago. In light of our long friendship, I thought the time sufficient for an engagement if not immediate marriage.”

“I see.” J.K. Stark gazed out over the pastures and remembered how he had known his wife many years before his marriage, but only thought of marrying her a few months before they tied the knot.

Upstairs, Jennie sprawled across her bed, face up. When Ella entered her room, she propped herself up by the elbows.

“Jennie, the object of your affection no doubt was left wondering why you bolted. As am I.”

“Oh, Aunt Ella, clouds of confusion hover over me. I should be rejoicing that Mr. Hornback is considering me as a wife he would spirit off to Chicago.” Jennie drew her breath sharply, then exhaled slowly.

“What is the impediment, then?”

Jennie arose and began pacing.

“It is true I have been thinking of Mr. Hornback in a romantic way for some time. But if I were to be thoroughly honest, considering him in such a light has been in a conscious effort to forget another.”

“Would that other person be Albert Heinz?”

Jennie turned, hands on hips, to face her aunt.

“What gave you that impression?”

A secret Jennie thought she had kept to herself somehow surfaced.

“You know, all those postcards he sent to you… Well, of course, I could openly read what was said.”

“Auntie!”

“Worry not. Your grandfather never paid attention, and of course, your grandmother cannot read much. Certainly not the chicken scratch Albert dashed off.”

“But we never divulged anything of a romantic sort in such a manner.”

“It is the easy and familiar manner in which he addressed you, Jennie, which betrayed the idea something more hid beneath.”

“Well, it does not matter. He married someone else and is long gone off to China.”

Jennie turned her face away from her aunt. She did not wish to allow her to see the tears which threatened.

“I suspect there is much more to this tale, Jennie. But you should go back downstairs and explain your sudden departure, or at least give a good try.”

“I suppose…”

Jennie strode over to the wall next to her mirror. There, she grabbed a postcard pinned to the wall. Aunt Ella could see a photograph of a brook with trees on either side. It never occurred to her to unpin it and

Postcard Jennie Saved
Other side shows it
was from Albert Heinz
Thumbtack hole on top
shows Jennie probably
pinned it up

read the note on the other side. Jennie placed the postcard in a dresser drawer, making a production of hiding it deep within. She arched an eyebrow when she shot a look over her shoulder to her aunt as though to say, “Do not dare to read it.”

J.K. arose upon hearing the front door opening. He nodded toward Victor Hornback.

“I bid you a good evening, young man. There are matters calling for my attention elsewhere.”

As the elderly man opened the front door, Jennie met him. J.K. paused and cupped her chin with his right hand.

“Do not believe you must make a hasty decision, Miss Jennie. Take the time you need to consider all of your options. Know that you will always have a home here, and we will love you no matter what direction you choose to go.”

Jennie lightly stroked her grandfather’s hand and then kissed it before exiting to the porch.

“Mr. Hornback… Victor,” she began as the gentleman removed his hat, “please, sit. I believe the swing has become your constant companion today. If it is agreeable, I would like to sit beside you.”

The lines of worry smoothed on Victor’s forehead, and a grin appeared.

“Of course! Delighted!” He indicated a place on one end and once she was seated he resumed his familiar spot. The pair turned slightly toward each other, their knees almost touching.

“Victor, in light of our long-standing acquaintance and—I hope I do not overstate—our friendship, I wish to clarify the situation in which we find ourselves.”

Victor nodded. He did not wish to interrupt.

“First, I will admit I am flattered you are considering me as someone who could remain in your life wherever it is you might wander.” Jennie placed her left hand on his right and immediately felt an excitement she did not expect deep within her. She withdrew her hand and clasped both hands on her lap. She needed a clear head to proceed.

“I believe I should sit over here where I can better see you,” she declared as she shifted to the wicker chair. Truthfully, she moved because the close proximity on the swing provided distractions, and she wished to not give in to her emotions.

“Vic, as you know, I have accepted a position to teach. I have wished to become a teacher possessing the finest qualities and with the best recommendations. I was delighted I could furthermore live here, at my most dear homestead with my grandparents.”

“Jennie, I believe I fully understand. Please know we can visit here once or twice a year. We will merely be a train ride away. My mother and siblings remain on our family farm, and I shall be checking on them as well.”

“Victor, you are making this difficult…”

Jennie turned her head toward the fields, but unlike her grandfather moments earlier, she did not see pastureland and animals. Instead, visions of Albert Heinz floated before her.

“Miss Jennie, I wish only your happiness, and I hope to simplify your life immeasurably. And not increase any doubt you might have.”

Jennie took a deep breath and returned her gaze to the young man before her.

“Victor, I once before was in a similar position where I had to choose between entering married life devoted to husband and future children, and one where I could fulfill my lifelong dream of teaching. That was the most difficult decision of my life. I would be untruthful if I said I never regretted my choice. Many are the occasions when I wonder how my life might have been.”

Victor’s eyes seemed to darken. His face was a contradictory teller of his emotions as his scowl was accompanied by a forced smile.

“I suppose this would be Al Heinz you are talking about.”

Jennie again turned away. Her sigh was her response.

“Jennie, let bygones be bygones. He long ago married and left for China. There is no point in considering what might have been.” Victor paused, then continued. “Miss Stark,” he said without a conscious realization his address of her had slipped to a more formal one, “I am here, in the flesh, no apparition of a foolish regret, but one who adores you. I am vastly sorry I did not act upon my feelings toward you until the last couple of weeks. I just did not realize before that you were more to me than a long-time friend. Such is my error of which I beg you to forgive.”

Jennie regarded the earnest gentleman before her. She thought about how Victor was part of her daydreams more than the fading memory of Albert. This was why the situation confused her. Why was she feeling reluctant?

“Mr. Hornback, your calling me ‘Miss Stark’ again shows a deserved caution, one with which I agree. I would like to propose a denouement of sorts. No, it seems more like an intermission before a final determination. But…,” Jennie’s eyes widened, “are you, or we, putting the proverbial cart before the horse?”

“What do you mean?”

“I feel were it not for you needing to leave in a few weeks, no discussion of marriage would proceed without a proper courtship. Our long-term friendship aside, I think being in each other’s company every few days or so would have commenced. We could build a good foundation for what would be the rest of our lives.”

“Ah, but…,” Vic stroked his chin, “we do not have such a luxury. My departure looms, and it is my sincere hope we will have our resolution before then.”

Jennie hopped over to the rocking chair where, with arms crossed over her chest, she began rocking in earnest.

“Victor, I will not be returning to Columbia, in the event that is where you will be before going off to Chicago.”

“I see… well, I plan to check on the family farm a couple of times before I leave and can stop by here then. And in the meantime, we can write each other. But, are you certain you will not be in Columbia? There is so much we could do there. Like, visit the theater, walk in the park, enjoy an ice cream.”

“Quite sure, Victor. Here is where I shall be.”

Jennie’s private thoughts gathered into a test of sorts. If the relationship was meant to progress, it could withstand a little distance from time to time. Maybe a December wedding could be lovely. Or, to give her future employer better notice, June the following year would be just about right. If Victor’s intentions were serious enough to withstand a long separation, then she might consider them.

In the meantime, Jennie could inquire about teaching positions in Illinois and discover if further coursework would be required for her to teach there. She could, indeed, have everything she desired, especially if he kept true to his word that they would return every year to see their loved ones in Missouri.

Of course, she had once before thought that a certain gentleman would have taken the time and effort to pursue her in whatever manner was available to him. Instead, he turned to someone who immediately acquiesced. A pang of anger and regret again arose. Why had Albert not waited for her? Was the prospect of being in a foreign country without a spouse so daunting he would turn to his second choice? Was the idea of waiting two long years while Jennie completed her studies too demanding?

“Miss Stark, I see that faraway look in your eyes, and suspect your thoughts have flown to places I do not inhabit.”