1934: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Jack

Jack stepped off the train and met his mother’s eyes.  “It’s good to be home,” he said, a smile spreading across his face.  As he brought her into his embrace, he felt her shiver from the cold.  “Jack,” she breathed.  Her tears landed on the red serge on his shoulder.

Six long months he had been away at cadet training.  The RCMP Depot had become his second home, but stepping onto Hope Valley soil reminded him of where his heart would always be. 

As the embrace ended, he slung his arm around her shoulders, and they began to walk across the platform toward the waiting car.  “Let me treat you to lunch,” he said.  “I’ve been craving something from the café for so long."

“Today’s special is your favorite,” she grinned. “I won’t say that it wasn’t planned.”

His mouth watered as he imagined that first bite of pot roast.  “Let’s hurry,” he said.  He opened the car door for her and walked around to the driver’s side.  He paused and looked around to take it all in.  It really was good to be home.

***

The bell chimed as he opened the door to the café.  He ushered his mother in before him, and was not surprised to see the small restaurant crowded with folks.  He was met with, “Hi, Jack!” and “Welcome back!” greetings.  He shook hands and muttered his thanks as they found their table.

He liked the attention.  Was this what it felt like to be a hero?  He tried to keep a solemn expression on his face, so they would take him seriously.  A smile kept threatening to appear.  Serious, he thought to himself.

As he settled into his chair, the waitress appeared.  “Welcome to the café.  May I get you something to drink?”

As she spoke, Jack noticed that she must be new; he had never seen her before.  In fact, yes, he would have definitely noticed if he had seen her before.  She was a doll.

“Coffee for me, please,” Elizabeth chimed in, her mother’s eyes not missing the expression on her son’s face. Oh, boy, she thought.

“Make that two coffees,” Jack said, putting on his best hero-at-your-service grin.  The waitress blushed. “I’m Jane.”

Their gaze lingered just a little too long for propriety, and Elizabeth cleared her throat. Jane startled and assured them their coffees would be right up, rushing back to the kitchen a little too quickly.

Jack breathed a sigh.  When he looked back at his mother, he noticed a look that he hadn’t seen in a good long while.  Her stern expression and crossed arms let him know that he had better straighten up now that he was back under his mother’s watchful eye.  I’m in trouble, he thought.

As Jane brought the coffee cups and set them down on the table for two, he looked at the young waitress and thought, Big trouble.