By Ivan Ashley
(Third of Three Excerpts)
The following comes from Red Island Clay (2010, Big Bridge Music, 214 pages), a novel about love and life in rural Canada spanning the second half of the 20th century. Published with the author's permission, this excerpt is set in 1950 when protagonist Tom Lowden is 11 years old. For more information: Big Bridge Music, P.O. Box 55, Elmsdale, PEI, Canada, C0B 1K0.
In the afternoon Tom spent a lot of time by himself, as he had a lot of thinking to do. He finally decided on an important plan for his future and would tell his mom all about it. He ran into the house, where he knew his mom was alone.
Mrs Lowden was a seamstress and could do most anything with a needle and thread. On this afternoon, she was in the large bedroom above the kitchen working away at her sewing machine when she heard Tom call. After she had answered him, he was soon by her side on the upper level.
Tom said, “Mom, can you keep a secret, a big, big secret?”
His mom replied, “Of course, Dear. You know that your mother would never tell anything that you told me in confidence.”
Tom quickly blurted out, “I'm going to marry Ann Browning.”
His mom had to turn her head quickly, as his news struck her funny and she didn't want to appear to be laughing at her young son who was so serious.
In a moment or two, when she had regained her composure, she turned to him, straight-faced, and asked, “And when is this going to take place, Dear?”
Tom replied, “When I'm about 17, and she's 17. I'll get a good-paying job and build a new house down beside the lane, and we'll get married in Crossfield church. Buck will be my best man. Ann and I will have six kids, three boys and three girls. And Mom, you'll make her wedding dress, won't you?”
Tom's mother answered, “Well, yes, I suppose I will, Dear. Have you mentioned this to Ann yet?”
Tom replied, “No, but I will someday when we're both older.”
Mary Lowden put her arms around her son and hugged him, saying, “You are a great guy, Tom. Your mother loves you very much and wishes you all the best,” thinking to herself that it was only a passing fantasy and that soon her son would be interested in someone else.
As he was leaving the room, Tom turned to his mom and said, “Thanks, Mama, you're a pretty good gal yourself.”
On the following afternoon with the events of the previous days fully in mind, Tom called to see his friend Buck. From there they biked down the road to Johnson's Store for some ice cream. Tom was hoping that he would see Ann as they wheeled past her house, but there was no sign of a single soul out and about.
At the store, Blanche Johnson placed the large orange pineapple flavoured scoops into single cones, and as she handed them their treats, they knew that she was more than generous with the helpings. After paying her with their nickels and pennies, the boys were soon on their way. The day was hot and so they had to lick quickly before their tasty heaps of goodness melted away.
Much to Tom's disappointment there was still no sign of anyone at the Brownings' as he and Buck pedaled home.
The next few days passed quickly and soon it was time to go back to school.
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