Elsa's Greatest Gift: Book I

By Rose Irwin

Follow a family in a very remote part of southern
British Columbia left alone by civilization until the
world and progress forced them into the 20th century.
The first of three books following the Magwin family
and how the war and the coming of TB and all the
other things that the human race brings on themselves
affected this small town. A very cut off part of Canada
had no choice but to open up to the world. How they
had to adapt or die. the Kootenays remains to
this day a slightly changed place except when
they had no choice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477147375

Rose Irwin

Rose Irwin was born in Toronto and moved to BC in 1986 and has lived there ever since. She was amazed at how they were able to remain the way they are and felt there was a story in the lives here.

Book preview

Elsa’s Greatest Gift

Book I

Rose Irwin

Copyright © 2012 by Rose Irwin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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For Doris, Katleen, Joan, Sandra and Kay.

Strong women I always admired.

PART ONE

Dad, I think Mum’s sick, Kyle called as he loped across the field where he, his five brothers, and his father had been repairing fences. He tossed the thermos of water he’d been sent back to the house for (being the youngest had just as many disadvantages as advantages) on the flat deck of the old One Ton.

Roger MaGwin was stooped over uncoiling a roll of new wire. He looked up quickly at his young son who had dropped to the ground to retie his bootlace.

Whaddya mean sick? Roger looked up quickly.

She’s lyin’ on her bed. Says she’s just tired, but she wants ya’ ta come. He finished tying his boot and looked up to meet his father’s eyes. She’s kinda white, he added upon seeing the expression on his face and felt it might be important.

Roger dropped the wire and straightened up. He stared off across the field toward the house. The five older boys immediately knew the seriousness of the situation and were gathered close by, waiting for whatever was to follow. Roger had never been anything close to an alarmist, and his reaction was enough to warrant their attention.

After a long silence, Roger, still staring off into the distance, finally spoke to his eldest boy. Travis, take the International and fetch that drunkard of a doctor. He took his gloves off, walked over to the truck, and picked up the water thermos. Unscrewing the cap, he looked up and added, And tell him Roger MaGwin says he better be sober, or I’ll twist that fat neck of his until his head comes off. He took a long draw on the thermos and set it back down and watched Travis quickly jog across the field. The rest a you boys come down and finish cleanin’ out the barn. Instinct told him they should be within shouting distance.

Good thing there’s no school today, eh? Kyle asked, not really knowing what else to say.

Guess that depends on how ya look at it, Roger answered as he headed off to go see to his wife.

Elsa MaGwin had been lying down close to twenty minutes when Kyle had banged in the screen door on the side porch. She heard him turn on the tap to fill the thermos. The sound of the top of the cookie jar being removed made her smile. Kyle was still young enough to appreciate being alone in the kitchen. He turned off the tap, and Elsa called to him, knowing he’d head right back out without wondering why he was alone in the kitchen.

He crept quietly around the corner, carrying the now-full thermos, and Elsa turned her head to see him in the doorway. The sight of his mother lying down in the middle of the day took him aback slightly. You okay, Mum? he asked, his mouth full of cookie.

Just a little tired. She made her voice sound light. You going back out?

Kyle nodded. He hadn’t resumed chewing yet.

Send your dad back. Elsa smiled at him.

He tiptoed back through the kitchen and banged back out through the screen door.

In the stillness of the house, Elsa touched her very swollen abdomen and felt it tighten as another pain began its ascent. They’re still small and short, but she knew that wouldn’t last, so she lay down and rested. Later she would need all her strength.

When she first suspected she was carrying again, she was elated and frustrated at the same time. Six strong, healthy boys was something to be proud of for any woman—perhaps even envied. Well, Elsa was proud and loved them all individually and properly for who they were and not what genetics had naturally bestowed. Yet when it was announced to her the last two times she’d had another healthy boy, she felt a flash of disappointment. In her mind she was long overdue, and it was owed to her—she wanted a girl.

Roger had six boys to help him, and she still had no one. It wasn’t the work really; it’s just that it seemed to her it was a woman’s and a mother’s right to know the love of both a son and a daughter. What would it be like to watch a baby girl grow into a fine young lady?

Elsa knew she wasn’t what one would call worldly or sophisticated, but she did consider herself wise in the ways of people and nature. She knew she could offer a little girl a very proper upbringing—things little boys would have very little interest in learning.

Once, about a month after Kyle had been born, Roger and Elsa had gone to Nelson one afternoon, leaving the older boys to care for him. They went into the big department store. Roger needed some things out of hardware, and Elsa took the time to browse. She headed over to look for some material to make Kyle some things. Five babies and things started to get pretty worn. On the way, she paused beside a circular rack of girls’ fancy dresses. The sizes ranged from six months to six years. She reached out and touched one, then took it out of the rack and looked at it. Running her hand over the soft pink material and picking at the delicate lace, she was oblivious to her surroundings. She replaced it and began moving in a circle around the rack, looking at some more.

Roger spotted her from across the store. He carried a small paper bag in his hand as he made his way over to her. On his way, he spotted some chairs against the wall near her and decided to slip into one unnoticed. Might as well let this run its course, he thought to himself.

Tears slowly slid down her cheeks as she held a tiny yellow dress out in front of her and touched the pretty collar, embroidered in red with little ducks and bunnies.

Deep down, Roger felt the nagging presence of guilt at not being able to give Elsa what she so badly wanted. He knew that it was crazy that he should feel this way about something he had no control over, but he’d also read somewhere that they’d discovered it was the man that determined the gender of a child. Anyway, he now felt he had something in common with his sister (whom he’d never gotten along with) in that she was never able to produce a son. Probably the reason she avoided Elsa like the plague.

Elsa hung the dress back in the rack, and Roger decided to make his presence known. He went over and lightly touched her arm. She looked at him in surprise for a moment then headed for the door at the front of the store.

She was waiting for him in the truck when Roger got in. Wanna stop for a cup’a tea before we head back? Sometimes she liked to do that and have someone wait on her for a change.

I can make tea at home for free. It’s gettin’ late, she answered hotly. Her cheeks flared at being caught in the throes of emotion. Thankful for the dark, she silently chastised herself for not being more careful. Roger simply started the truck and eased it out of the parking spot.

They travelled in silence for a while before Roger finally spoke. Elsa, he began, feeling uncomfortable at catching her and for the conversation they were going to have to have. You know we’re gonna hafta be more careful now? I mean, after what the doctor said and you not being so young a woman anymore and all—

I’m not so old I’ve forgotten when I was born! she informed him tightly.

I know, Elsa. I’m just saying you gotta pay attention to the days now. That part I can’t do. His own cheeks were now burning. He did love her immensely and wasn’t about to risk losing her over any foolishness. He needed her more than anything she could ever give him.

Elsa didn’t reply. She knew he was right though, and she knew the words he was speaking were hard for him. She also knew he loved her, which was more than a lot of women could say. More than anything, she knew his resolve, and if he suspected for one second that she was considering trying again, he wouldn’t come within ten feet of her again until they were laying her to rest.

As they turned up the lane to the house, after mostly silence all the way home, Roger was determined to get some kind of commitment out of her. I’m not tryin’ ta hurt you, Elsa. You have six boys. That’s more than any man could expect. He pulled into the yard and turned off the key. Elsa opened the door to get out, but Roger’s massive hand closed around her slim forearm. She turned, and her eyes seemed to bore holes in him. Finally, she sighed and patted his hand with her other one and said the words he’d been struggling with all the way home. I love you too, Roger, and I promise I won’t do anything foolish on purpose.

He released her arm as she leaned over and kissed him on his weatherworn cheek. He slipped his other arm around her shoulders and just held her for a minute. Her tiny frame seemed to disappear next to him.

She pulled away, got out, and closed the door. As she walked away, Roger sat and watched her go up the walk to the door. From the back, she still looked like a young girl. It still amazed him that six babies, now fully grown boys, came through such a tiny thing.

The last one though had been difficult for Elsa and frightening for Roger. He didn’t remember much except something about the baby coming backward and we may lose her this time.

After that, the doctor provided Elsa with charts and assorted things, showing her how to use them so as not to conceive again. She made small of his gesture though. How does a man, even if he is a doctor, know about such things? The doctor left feeling slightly inept and thinking defensively that if ignorance is bliss, then Elsa MaGwin must be the happiest person in the world, even though in his heart of hearts he knew that wasn’t so.

Ten years later, her cycle hadn’t come around for two months. Knowing she was still too young to be going through the change, she reached the obvious conclusion.

When all things were considered, it was, in her mind, still possible for her to have another baby—agewise anyhow. Roger, though, is going to hit the roof after that damned doctor filled his head with fear, she thought to herself. After all, who knew Elsa MaGwin best besides herself? She knew she could easily do it. She felt she was stronger and healthier than she was the last time. Already, she had it justified in her own mind.

Telling Roger could wait awhile. Not long though, she’d surely start to show in the next month or so. But for now, she allowed herself the happiness and the hope.

Hope. The sweet delicate feeling hope brings. It’s really not too late. She could still achieve what so far has cruelly eluded her. The thought and the hope of it made her laugh aloud. So that was exactly what she’d do: hope and pray every day. She wouldn’t jinx things this time either. No talking about it or looking at clothes and things. She felt light and happy as she went through her days. The only clouds that would gather would be when Roger would comment on her good mood. Knowing it couldn’t be put off much longer, she chose a day when they’d come in for the noon meal, and all were feeling good about themselves. The hay had been good this year, Roger had eight more calves to busy himself with, and the weather was holding well for the orchard (where they had been picking the last couple of hours). It seemed to Elsa that perhaps even God himself was on her side.

After everyone finished eating, Roger always took tea with his wife while the boys tended to business of their own or took a short nap before going back to work in the afternoon.

Elsa had the tea all ready. She set it on the table with sugar, cream, and something she’d baked earlier and then sat down herself. As she poured, her hand shook slightly—so many emotions to feel at once. Elation, dread, fear, and hope all mixed up together.

Roger picked up his cup and took a sip. He looked at her over his cup; his sable-brown eyes stared expectantly, making her more nervous. Suddenly it occurred to her that maybe this wasn’t going to be the surprise she thought it would be.

Roger did already suspect. He’d watched her get pregnant six times, and one would have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not to notice it a seventh time.

Roger, she began. He knew right then and there for she only had to speak his name and he knew which course the conversation would take. A part of him was secretly enjoying watching her squirm. I hafta tell you something. His eyes never moved as he took another sip. After uncomfortable hesitation, she rushed headlong into it, like someone who decided it would be easier to just dive into the cold water than to drag it out a little at a time.

I’m carryin’ again, she announced on the deep breath she’d been holding and looked down into the cooling tea in her cup. Silence filled the room like air in a balloon. More and more until it seemed it would burst.

Roger just stared at his wife hanging her head as if in shame, and he felt numb. A little part of him wanted to believe she was going to tell him something else: anything else. But here it was sitting out in front of him, and he couldn’t touch it, hit it, smack it, or more importantly, make it go away.

Elsa raised her head and met his eyes, which hadn’t moved a fraction though he continued to sip his tea until it was gone. Then he simply replaced the cup in the saucer, stood up, replaced his suspenders on his shoulders, and walked to the door. Roger. She tried to call him back without incident, but the only response was from the screen door springing back to its close.

She jumped up and looked out the window to see him walk directly through the yard and back up into the orchards. The confused boys followed dutifully. Only Kyle turned and looked back at his mother standing in the window. She gave him a short wave before he turned and hurried to catch up with his brothers.

Later that night, they both lay in the same bed but a million miles from each other. I know how you’re feelin’, she said, startling him in the darkness. But it’s different this time. I know it. What happened with Kyle happens once in a lifetime. You’ve got to believe me, Roger, she pleaded softly.

You can’t give me any guarantees, Elsa, he answered quietly.

No, I can’t. I’m just so happy… and I don’t want to walk around the next few months lookin’ at your gloom-and-doom face. She tried to take the upper hand.

I can look how I want. It wasn’t you watchin’ last time, he told her flatly.

This is it, Roger. I promise. It’s my last chance. That unwelcome guilt crept into Roger’s side of the bed. After this one, I promise I’ll be careful and pay attention to the days. No more babies. Only, please accept this? I need you to feel like I do, she pushed.

What if there’s no more days to pay attention to, Elsa? He refused to budge.

She tried another angle. Oh, you stubborn man! Elsa said angrily. You let that old drunken doctor scare you. You’ve called him that yerself. How can you take anything he says so seriously?

The man’s still a doctor, he defended his judgment.

Roger, please. He heard tears in her voice. I need this baby. It’s not just wantin’ a girl. I’d like one with your dark eyes and hair. Even if it is another boy, I’d like one that looked like his father.

For some reason, all the boys had clear blue eyes and golden hair like their mother, not that any of that ever bothered Roger. He was a man of more depth than that, and he knew this wasn’t some clever new game of Elsa’s. All through her pregnancy with Kyle, she’d tell him, This one will be dark. I’m sure of it.

Roger sighed. What choice did he have? Wishing wasn’t going to change the facts. Elsa was carrying again, and the thought that she’d done it on purpose wasn’t even an issue here. Playing tricks on each other just wasn’t something they did.

After this one, Elsa, I’m gonna see to it that you mark those charts myself, or I’ll move a cot into the barn. He seized the moment of defeat to get a commitment out of her.

I will, Roger. You have my word. That was good enough for him.

With her back to him still, she pressed her body against his front. He held her until they both fell asleep.

Now, finally, the day was here. She’d wakened at her usual time and gone about her early chores. The damp mist of dawn was chased away early by the morning sun, bringing with it the indication of an unusually warm day for early April. April 13 to be exact. That meant nothing; Elsa considered herself too sensible for superstition.

She was preparing