Pewter Angels (28 page)

H
i, Mr. Engelmann,” said
Henry, a little more cheerfully than of late.

“Yes, hello, Henry! It’s good to see you. It was busy today, and the shelves need restocking. How was school?”

“I’ll tell you about it in a minute.” Henry brought some canned goods out from the storage room. As he stacked cans of Campbell’s soup, he said, “You know, you’ll be glad to hear that Eddy Zeigler and I are getting along a little better.” Mr. Engelmann looked up from writing an invoice. “What’s that, Henry?”

“Well, a few weeks ago, Eddy and I had a fight in the gym and afterwards the Phys. Ed. teacher called me to his office.”

Henry looked up to see if Mr. Engelmann was listening.

“And did you get a scolding?”

“Well that’s the thing, I thought I would, but instead Mr. Neader asked me to be the team captain for the junior basketball team.”

“That is wonderful news, Henry!” But after a little study of his young employee he asked, “And is there is anything else you wish to tell me?”

“I knew you would ask that,” Henry smiled. “Yeah, the coach said I could be team captain on the condition that I help Eddy Ziegler make the team.”

Mr. Engelmann stared at Henry for a long moment and his eyes brightened. “That is a very wise teacher, Henry.”

“I knew you’d say that too, Mr. Engelmann,” Henry smiled from ear to ear. “You know, the teacher was right about Eddy. He does have talent; it just hasn’t been worked at properly. Mr. Neader had Eddy and me practising together during Phys. Ed. and it’s amazing how quickly Eddy caught on. And later when we had a scrimmage with the rest of the class, I threw him the basketball and set him up for a basket.”

“I can only imagine that made young Eddy a happy player?”

“Yeah—I could tell he appreciated it even though he tried hard not to show it. And, you know, that’s the first time in all these weeks I actually felt a bit better about Eddy and those other guys.”

“That is so good to hear. You are freeing yourself from the bondage of anger. The Lord is helping you to forgive. You will see some good come out of all this, Henry.”

“I sure hope so. It still really bothers me that those guys scared Jenny so badly.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. That fight I had with Eddy was over something he’d said. He told me his buddies had messed around with Jenny at the park. And then when he saw how upset that made me, he changed his tune and said he was just kidding.”

“Well, but didn’t Jenny say she was all right afterward? They didn’t hurt her, did they?”

“Yeah, only the thing is, when I got to Jenny in the park that night, she’d fainted and was just coming around. But a girl would know, wouldn’t she?”

Mr. Engelmann thought it over. “Yes, Henry, I think Jenny would have known. If she said nothing happened, then it probably didn’t.”

“Well, I sure hope not. I don’t know why, but the whole thing just bothers me.”

Mr. Engelmann smiled. “You love her and you’re concerned for her. It’s only natural you would feel this way.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Anyway, I’m trying to bury the hatchet with Eddy but I’m going to make darn sure I know where I buried it.”

Mr. Engelmann looked up and shook his head. “Keep trying, Henry, and ask the good Lord for his help.”

“I am, Mr. Engelmann,” Henry said. “Actually, just as I was leaving my locker today, Eddy was coming down the hall. He looked at me funny when I said ‘hi’ to him.”

“He may be suspicious of your motives, Henry. He may even test you a bit. Keep being nice to him. Soon he will see you are sincere and you will make a good friend out of him.”

Henry rolled his eyes.
Him, Eddy Ziegler’s friend? That’d be the day.
“It’s strictly for the team’s sake, Mr. Engelmann.”

Business had picked up
exponentially since Henry painted the store, landscaped the front and kept the shelves stocked. In fact, Saturdays were so busy Mr. Engelmann had had to hire another two boys to help with deliveries, though they weren’t as quick as Henry and Gary had been. Henry had really missed his best friend since he’d left for Notre Dame. Gary had been a fast and steady delivery partner, and Henry missed going to the movies with him after work on Saturdays.

To make up for Gary’s absence, Henry had organized the deliveries so each boy had an efficient route. He’d also learned that when the boys were paid per delivery instead of an hourly wage, the deliveries were completed faster.

“You’re a natural businessman, Henry,” Mr. Engelmann often said.

The following Monday morning
, Mr. Mahoney came to the store to pick up another payment towards the back taxes.

“Good morning, Mr. Engelmann.”

“And good morning to you, Mr. Mahoney.”

“Your store looks very nice—I noticed the new sign outside.

You can see it from almost two blocks away! I trust business is good?”

“Very good,” replied Mr. Engelmann. “The young man I hired a few months ago has been a big help.”

“I can see that. You tell him if he ever wants a job at the city we’ll have one for him.”

“Oh, I hope not,” Mr. Engelmann smiled, eyes twinkling, “I need him for as long as he can stay with me.”

Mr. Mahoney glanced around. “I imagine the boy’s in school?”

“Yes, yes. Henry’s a very bright boy with a good heart. I believe he has been heaven sent to us. He comes in every day after school and all day Saturdays. I know he is busy with schoolwork, yet he loves this business and is very devoted and loyal.”

“I can see you are very fond of him.”

“Like my own son.”

Mr. Engelmann took out the cheque payment and handed it to the tax man. Mr. Mahoney smiled and looked at the cheque.

“Another ten payments and you’ll be completely caught up, including this year’s taxes.”

“I know that only too well. It’s a blessing to see out debts cleared up.”

“Yes, I’m sure. See you next month, Mr. Engelmann. I wish you a pleasant day.”

“And to you, too.”

But that day, four-thirty
came and went with no Henry. Henry had always been on time, and at quarter to five, Mr. Engelmann began to worry. As he peered out the window, he saw the teen on the other side of the street waiting for a break in the traffic. But even when he had a chance to cross, Henry only stood there as if waiting for someone or deep in thought. Mr. Engelmann watched Henry for another five minutes and was about to go outside and ask if anything was wrong when the boy finally dashed across the street.

“Hi, Mr. Engelmann, sorry I’m late.”

“Yes, yes, tell me what is going on. I saw you just waiting there and was beginning to get very worried about you. How long were you standing there?”

“Oh, I’m okay,” Henry assured his boss. “I was standing there for about a half-hour.”

“What on earth for?”

“Well, when I got to the corner around four o’clock, two ladies were waiting to cross the street but became so frustrated with the traffic and afraid to cross, they walked down to Safeway to get their groceries. Just think, Mr. Engelmann. They walked nearly three extra blocks so they wouldn’t have to cross the street! They usually come to our store—but not when the traffic is busy.”

Mr. Engelmann raised an eyebrow, the signal, Henry knew by now, for him to continue, which he did in a rush.

“We’re losing sales because older people are afraid to cross the street. The main reason our sales are up is because of the deliveries. But when deliveries can’t be made, some of our customers, as loyal as they try to be, just won’t cross Victoria Avenue.”

“You’re very smart to notice that. It’s come up several times over the years, but there is nothing we can do about it.”

“Maybe there is!” Henry exclaimed. “While I waited to cross the street, I counted at least six people who wanted to cross but couldn’t because there was no break in the traffic. And remember what almost happened to Jenny.”

Henry swallowed, throat tight. Her name on his lips was still painful. A moment later he continued, “Mr. Engelmann, this is a very busy corner and the city should do something about it. There was a crosswalk at our high school, but because of the large number of students crossing the street, the city, at the request of the school board, agreed to install traffic lights instead. In fact, students and parents signed a petition to help the school administration force the city to do it quickly. It really got results.”

“And so,” Mr. Engelmann said, “you want to start a petition now, do you?”

“Yeah! Don’t you see? When we make our deliveries and when customers come into the store, we can ask them to sign a petition to put traffic lights at the corner,” Henry was nearly shouting with excitement. “If it works, our business will increase tenfold!”

Mr. Engelmann stared at Henry in disbelief. “My goodness, Henry, how your brain works—it’s incredible. In all the years I have known of this problem, I never once thought about a solution.” He beamed and shook his head. “Yes, yes, a petition just might work.
Gott in Himmel, it just might work.
”

“But there’s more, Mr. Engelmann.” “How could there possibly be more?”

“Well, Mrs. Tearhorst was one of the ladies who wanted to cross the street while I was out there.”

“And?”

“Well, do you remember about three weeks ago when she was in the store, how proud she was of her nephew who was elected to city council?”

“Sure.”

“Well, next time Mrs. Tearhorst comes in, why don’t you show her the petition and ask her to give it to her nephew? Maybe he can help get the city to install at least a crosswalk at the corner.

Mrs. Tearhorst knows how busy Victoria Avenue is. And maybe, Mr. Engelmann—”

“There’s more?” Mr. Engelmann interrupted, his smile broad.

“Yeah! Maybe tell her how nice it would be to have traffic lights—cars sometimes don’t stop for a crosswalk—and that would really ensure the safety of the people in the neighbourhood. If she and her nephew can get the city to do it, we could name the traffic lights after her: the Tearhorst Traffic Lights. Just think of it!” He and Mr. Engelmann laughed and laughed.

Mr. Engelmann gazed proudly at his young assistant, his laughter turning into one of his benevolent smiles. He loved Henry very much.

When Mrs. Tearhorst
came into the store later that week, Mr. Engelmann explained about the busy road and asked if she would help. As Henry had anticipated, the idea of Tearhorst Traffic Lights delighted Mrs. Tearhorst and she immediately took on the installation of a traffic signal at the corner as her mission. Mr. Engelmann later told Henry he thought Mrs. Tearhorst’s nephew was in for some heavy-duty persuasion. She was further impressed by the fact that they’d collected sixty seven signatures on their petition in just a few short days. She’d be pretty popular in the neighbourhood if she pulled it off.

Sure enough, within two weeks, Mr. Engelmann noticed a man at the corner, almost exactly where Henry had stood that day after school. The man kept a tally of some sort for almost the entire day. The next day he was back again, doing the same thing. While he was there, a senior crossing the street almost got hit by a speeding car.

In another two weeks, a city crew was out drilling holes for a set of traffic lights. Neither Mr. Engelmann nor Henry could believe their eyes. They jumped around the front of the store, unable to contain their excitement. At the end of the month, the lights were activated and Mr. Engelmann decided to have a “traffic light party.” At the back of the store, Henry hung the huge sign he’d made:

Engelmann’s Grocery & Confectionary

thanks Agnes and Jim Tearhorst

for their contribution to neighbourhood safety:

THE TEARHORST TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Mrs. Tearhorst beamed when she saw the sign and received the bouquet of flowers people in the neighbourhood had chipped in to buy her. She was so overwhelmed, she cried. Twenty three people attended the party at the store—including, of course, Mrs. Tearhorst’s nephew, who welcomed the publicity. Mr. Engelmann gave away free cheese, salami and soda pop. The party lasted for over an hour. Mrs. Tearhorst and her nephew were the last to go, shaking everyone’s hands as they left and eagerly acknowledging their thanks.

The next week, just as Henry had predicted, the store was even busier than usual. Mr. Engelmann could hardly wait for Henry to get there after school—what with looking after Anna and trying to keep up with the business, he was run off his feet. But he wasn’t too busy to notice that Henry hardly mentioned Jenny anymore. It seemed Mr. Sarsky had been right; it had been only a summer romance.

“Hello, Mr. Engelmann,” Henry called out as he rushed into the store.

“How come you are so early today?”

“It’s the traffic lights. I don’t have to wait so long anymore!” Henry looked around the store, glad it was empty for the moment. “I have some news to tell you.”

“Yes, what is it, Henry?”

“Jenny’s house sold. The sign was up when I came home after school. The real estate man was just leaving and I asked him if he knew what the Sarskys’ new address was, but he said he didn’t know and that they weren’t allowed to give out that information anyway.”