Ditta Sylvester, Contributor

When Michael came home that Christmas, he thought he would be in for a wonderful holiday. There was more food than he could remember seeing in the house for some time. His father, though still sad sometimes, appeared to be beginning to accept and settle into his life as a widower. They were having dinner together on New Year's Eve when Michael said,

"You going anywhere later Dad?"

"No. Why?"

"I am planning to go out with Venice."

Harry looked up. He said nothing but he was remembering a rumour he had heard not so long ago. Michael had just gone back to university and he could not visit home as he was trying to make up for the time he had lost during the period of his mother's death and burial. Workmen from outside the community had come to build a new road through Gunnings. The head contractor was a young man who had instantly taken an interest in Sarah. (Harry himself had always preferred the more humble Sarah but Ellen had liked the vivacious Venice.)

Venice had either been bored with Michael's being away or jealous of the attention Sarah was getting, the rumour had it. She set out to break the relationship between Sarah and her new found love. There had been a fight in which Venice had come out the winner. The rumour had subsided when the job was completed and the workmen had left.

"Well Dad?" Michael interrupted his father's musings.

"Are you still good friends with Venice?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Well ... while you were away there was some talk about her and a boyfriend of Sarah's"

"Oh that? Ven told me all about it. That was foolish talk, Dad. The man was trying to get my girl but she turned him down."

"Venice told you that?"

"Yes and I happen to believe her."

"Don't get testy, son! I am not accusing Venice of anything. But why the fight?"

"Because Sarah was angry with Venice for being more attractive to the fellow than she was. You know she has always been jealous of my girl."

"That is because she likes you Michael. That is quite natural in a young girl."

Michael grinned.

"I have nothing against Sarah," he said. "She is okay. But Ven will always be my girl."

"You are a big boy now Michael. Just be careful. Remember, 'take time to know her'," Harry said quoting the song.

"But I know Ven all my life."

"Right. But be careful. You are not ready for a serious relationship. Your education is the most important thing right now."

"I know that Dad and so does Ven. Don't worry."

As he watched him leave later that evening, Harry thought of his late wife in her final days on Earth. She had been so sad that she would not have been able to see Michael graduate and marry Venice. She had asked him to take care of the boy and to mould him into becoming as good a husband as hers was. He had promised her that he would.

Michael and Venice were having a wonderful time that night. But things changed a bit when she proposed to him. Michael found the urgency of her request somewhat overwhelming. He laughed and said,

"You are my girl Ven and we will get married one day. But not now. I have to graduate first."

But Venice had insisted. They didn't need a big wedding. Just the two of them. He could get married secretly and go back to university. She would stay with her parents until he was ready to tell his father about it. When he asked the reason for the urgency, Venice got angry and told him that he would be sorry if he refused to do as she asked. Their journey back home was strained and they parted coldly.

The New Year did not start off happily for Harry and his son. About 10 o'clock on New Year's Day, they woke to find the police on their door step. The officers had come to arrest Michael and the charge was rape. Harry posted the bail so the boy was back home before the day ended. Later that evening Harry said bitterly to his son,

"I am just glad that your mother is not here to see this!"

"So you believe her Dad?" Michael responded heatedly. "You really believe I would do such a thing!"

"But why? Why would Venice want to tell such a terrible lie? You two have always been good friends."

See part three of this story in next Sunday's Gleaner