A Million Tears (48 page)

‘I haven’t talked to Gunhild about any wedding yet, so don’t try and be clever young man,’ said Meg. ‘Furthermore, I’m sure they don’t have any firm plans just yet, and won’t have any for a few years, at least. Gunhild is very sensible and knows David has to finish at Harvard and will need at least a year or even longer to get himself established in business. In the meantime they enjoy each other’s company, write to each other and leave the future to take care of itself.’

They lapsed into silence as the buggy turned into the drive.

‘How’s Thunderbolt?’ asked Sion jumping down for the buggy.

‘Just fine, son,’ said Evan. ‘Marie’s brother Juan is now working full time here looking after the grounds and horses. Here he comes.’ Evan nodded towards the short, stocky figure. ‘Juan, I’d like you to meet my son Sion and his friend Bill.’ They shook hands.

‘I’ll take care of the horses,’ said Juan, taking the reigns and leading them towards the stable.

‘I’ll come with you and see Thunderbolt. Want to come?’ Sion asked Bill and together they followed the buggy towards the stable.

That evening they were in the study having a pre-dinner drink, a ritual Evan and Meg rarely missed, when Evan asked: ‘What’s happened about that restaurant business you wrote about?’

‘I know, I know. But there was a principle at stake. Why should Joseph and his family be punished the way they were when they’d done nothing wrong?’ Sion’s voice rose as he began to get angry.

‘Simmer down,’ said Evan. ‘We’re not questioning your motives or your ideals. I think your principles are sound and if more people felt like you do, then there would be hope for the working man in this country. And, I want to add, there are plenty who do feel as you do. All we’re saying is that you should take it easy for now. Okay, do what you can, but don’t get so involved that the only recourse for the Dean is to expel you. All right? If we’re asking too much then say so now and we can argue about it.’

Sion looked sheepishly from his father to his mother. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just I get so mad when I see what goes on and read about what happens with the unions in the coal fields and steel works and hear stories like the one about Joseph.’

‘I know, and so do I,’ said Evan. ‘I hope you always feel like that but remember; patience and hard work is far more effective than all the anger and harsh words in the world. And it’s even more effective when you’re in a position to do something about it.’

‘I’ll be a citizen of the United states of America in a month’s time. Some members of the party are rushing it through for me. The present incumbent is unwell and wishes to retire by the end of the year. I’m being nominated as a candidate,’ Evan paused. ‘Though whether or not I even get the nomination remains to be seen. And as for winning . . .’ Evan shook his head

‘Good grief !’ was all Sion could manage.

34

Christmas passed in a whirl of laughter, fun and parties. David was always with Gunhild, while Sion and Bill met two sisters who were pretty in an insipid way and free with their favours.

All too soon it was time to return to the university and, in a freshly falling snow storm they left St Louis for Columbus. As soon as they arrived Bill wrote a thank you letter to Meg and Evan.

‘You don’t need to do that,’ said Sion, looking over Bill’s shoulder as he wrote.

Sure I do, Bill wrote on a piece of scrap paper. If I didn’t then I wouldn’t get invited back. And boy, that Carol was surely something.

Sion laughed. ‘So was Beryl. And don’t worry about not being invited back. Like Mam said, they really do hope to see you next holiday. Can you think of a reason why they won’t?’

Bill shook his head vigorously and Sion clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Right then. That takes care of that. How about us going down to Joseph’s and wishing them all a Happy New Year? Perhaps have a beer? Even something to eat?’

Bill shook his head and wrote: Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I feel I can’t eat for a month. I had so much at your parents’ place.

‘Me too. Sheer gluttony made me suggest having a meal. Boy, am I glad you came home with me. Only your hard-working nature kept me on the straight and narrow path which leads to a degree.’

Bill signalled: Your laziness is an example to me of what might happen if I stop trying. He grinned.

The next evening they did go into town. When they arrived at Joseph’s and saw the shuttered windows and barred door they thought the place was closed for the day, which was unusual as Joseph boasted he never closed.

‘Still, everybody’s entitled to a day off. And he had said he was going to stay open for Christmas day. We can come back tomorrow.’

Sion turned away but after a few paces realised Bill was not following and turned back. Bill was standing in the doorway reading a paper pinned to the door.

It was a Sheriff ’s notice closing the restaurant as an undesirable influence in the area and that the closure would be enforced pending an appeal to the courts.

‘They can’t do this,’ said Sion in anguish. He put out his hand to tear the notice down but was stopped in time by Bill grabbing his wrist.

‘Who ordered this? Why?’

Bill shrugged and made their special, rude signal denoting the Dean.

Sion nodded. ‘This is all my fault,’ he said bitterly. ‘If I hadn’t interfered this wouldn’t have happened. What can Joseph do? Where could they have gone? Do you realise, Bill, that while we were enjoying our holiday Joseph and his family were being evicted? I wonder when it happened? Before or after Christmas? Not that it matters. It’s happened, and that’s that. Oh Christ, what have I done?’ Sion rubbed his eyes wearily. ‘What should we do?’

Bill put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and slowly they walked away. Sion was desolate. They walked with heads bowed, their thoughts in a turmoil.

‘Sorry,’ Sion mumbled when he bumped into somebody and looked up into Joseph’s furious face

‘I suppose you’ve been to the restaurant? That’s a stupid question, of course you have,’ he paused. ‘I am trying very hard to control myself. If you hadn’t interfered then I and my family would still have a roof over our heads. Still have a place to call home, instead of being thrown out like animals, with no rights. And what about you two? You’ll go back to your warm cosy rooms and plan the next act you can do for us little people. Well, let me tell you something, both of you. We don’t want help, certainly not from the likes of you. We knew we shouldn’t have let you in. Now look what you’ve done. Now go away. If I ever see you again then I might do something stupid which I’ll regret.’ Joseph was shaking with anger and both boys looked at him with fear.

‘But Joseph . . . please . . .’ Sion began.

‘Shut up and go.’ Abruptly Joseph turned on his heels and walked away.

Sion and Bill looked at each other in dismay. ‘Is he right? Is that all it meant to us? Was it just a game?’ Sion voiced his doubts. They discussed what had happened.

Finally Sion burst out, saying, ‘No, it’s not like that. It’s not. I really do believe in what we tried to do. Damn the Dean. We’ll never get the men to protest this. Well I’m not stopping now. Bill, listen,’ he grabbed his friend’s arm in excitement. ‘I’ve got quite a lot of the money I inherited from my Uncle James. I could use it to hire the best lawyer available to fight the case in court on Joseph’s behalf.’

Bill suddenly smiled but a second later the smile died. He shook his head and signalled beneath the dim light of a street gas lamp: No good. The court will take place here. I read it on the warrant. The best lawyer in the world couldn’t win here.

Sion nodded. ‘You’re right. Tell you what though, we could get the court’s location changed. I remember reading somewhere that if it was deemed that a fair trial could not take place in a particular court then the court’s location could be changed.’

Bill nodded: And afterwards? What then? Where do they live? Here? In peace? Bill shook his head.

‘God, Bill, I must do something! This is all my fault,’ Sion shivered. ‘We’d better go back, it’s freezing. We must think of something to help them.’

They trundled back to the university the few inches of snow crunching underfoot. Neither spoke while Sion made a cup of coffee but finally, handing the cup to Bill, he said: ‘Did you see Joseph’s face? His hate? . . . It was terrible. Well, I’ve made up my mind. Tomorrow I’ll see the Dean, ask for an explanation and tell him I intend hiring the best lawyer to fight the case.’

Bill shook his head and picked up his slate and chalk: Don’t do that. It will achieve nothing. Get you expelled. Better idea. Write your father.

Bill, showing his vexation with Sion, waved him to silence and wrote: Now I know your father I’m sure he’ll help. He has the contacts and knowledge to know what to do. Look Sion we’ve already messed it up for Joseph and his family. It makes sense to call for help.

They argued back and forth. Bill disregarded his slate for paper and a pencil so that he could write faster and for longer without having to keep rubbing out what he had just written.

Finally, Sion saw the sense of Bill’s suggestion and although it was late they composed a letter to Evan. Sion posted it the following morning.

They spent a miserable week waiting for a reply though they knew it would take up to ten days before Evan could send a letter back. The reply when it arrived was a surprise to them both.

They were in their room working when there was a knock on the door. It opened and Evan said, ‘May I come in?’ He grinned at their open mouthed astonishment. ‘Well, don’t look so surprised. Is that a kettle I see over by the fire?’

‘Dad,’ Sion jumped to his feet to shake his father’s hand. ‘What on earth are you doing here?’

‘I came to sort out this mess,’ Evan said heavily. ‘I can’t say I’m happy to be here. I’m upset and angry that because of you an innocent family has been so badly treated. I do appreciate what you were trying to achieve. I’m sure at the time Joseph did too but now it’s all gone wrong. Whichever way you look at it, you’re to blame. Don’t look so glum. I haven’t come here to admonish you but to give you some advice and to do something for Joseph and his family.’ Evan broke off to accept a cup of coffee from Bill.

‘Thanks. Your idea to go to a lawyer and fight it in court was a good one but it wouldn’t have got you anywhere. And what about you two? How would the Dean have treated you if you did something like that? You told me, Bill, that if you were to cause a nuisance

– because of your throat – he’d expel you. This would be all the reason he needs and I’m sure he’d also get rid of Sion quickly enough.’

They both looked glumly at Evan.

‘But Dad, how can anybody do such a thing to an innocent family? How can they throw them out of their home, into the snow, for Christ’s sake? Why didn’t the law protect them?’

‘Sion, I’m sure the men responsible believe that they did the right thing. I’ve no doubt that the Dean and anybody else involved are God-fearing, law-abiding citizens who feel threatened by those they see as anarchists. They see their whole way of life threatened by people who, in their opinion, want everything for nothing and who are not prepared to do a proper day’s work.’

‘That’s rubbish, Dad . . .’ Sion began.

‘I know it’s rubbish. But these men have the wealth and influence to enforce their beliefs. They let the law do their bidding and still feel righteous at the end of the day. I feel like you do. You know where we come from, Sion, and I don’t ever want you to forget it. But to fight these people you need to be up there with them, with the power they have. One day it’ll happen, but it’ll be a long while yet.’ Evan drained the cup. ‘That’s enough of a lecture for now. We’ll talk some more over dinner tomorrow evening in the hotel. In the meantime I want to go and see Joseph.’

‘But we don’t know where to look for him,’ Sion pointed out.

‘Don’t worry, I’ve got Sonny with me. He’s waiting at the hotel. We’ll find him all right. See you tomorrow, and cheer up boys, things’ll work out.’ Evan buttoned up his overcoat, put on his hat and left.

Evan sipped his whisky before replying. ‘Well, we found them. Joseph was not forthcoming at first. But after a while we persuaded him that what we were proposing was for the best.’

‘What I’ve done, Sion, is persuade Joseph to open a restaurant in St Louis in partnership with a wealthy businessman. It’ll be a fifty-fifty share of bottom line profits but ownership will be fifty one percent mine. Never mind the details now. If it works out it’ll be a good deal for me and for Joseph. All that matters now is whether his cooking is any good.’