Finding My Own Way (20 page)

“He's going to be fine,” Marjory assured me. “The doctors said it was a mild heart attack, a warning that he must ease up on his work load.” I heard her sigh. “Maybe he'll listen to them. He certainly never listened to me.”

“Is he able to have visitors?” I asked. “I'll be going back to Toronto with Irene, and I wanted to say goodbye.”

“Well, come this afternoon then,” Marjory urged. “I think you'd be good for him, dear. Some young company, for a change.”

“I'm not going to tell Mr. Thomas the essay he published got me fired,” I informed Irene, who had offered to take me to the hospital and was waiting for me to get ready. I pulled a brush through my hair and hunted for an elastic band to hold it up off my neck.

“He'll hear it soon enough,” said Irene, standing behind me and checking her own face in the mirror.

“He agreed with the stand I took, anyway,” I said. “That's why he printed it.”

At the hospital, the newspaperman was looking pale, but more rested than I'd seen him in a long time. “I'll be out of here before you know it,” he insisted, struggling on his elbows to force himself up higher in the bed. “The doctor made me promise to take it easy.”

Marjory tucked another pillow behind her husband's back and folded the sheet under his arms. Mr. Thomas took her hand, putting an end to any further fluffing or patting. “I'm glad you were able to come, Libby,” he said. “And I'm just sick about the fire.”

“The main thing is no one was hurt,” I found I was able to say.

“True enough,” agreed William Thomas. “So, what
are your plans now, my dear?”

“I'm going back to Toronto with Irene,” I told him. “I've got to finish high school, and then I hope I can study journalism. Russian history interests me too.”

I gave him a sheepish smile. “I guess I sort of got caught up in looking for Anastasia. But I really think Alex planned to write the Countess' story. Maybe I could be the one to finish it.”

I shot a glance at my aunt where she sat just inside the door. “And I think Irene and I still have a lot we can learn from each other,” I said. “After all, we are the only family either of us has.”

“Oh, don't say that!” cried Marjory Thomas, coming around to my side of the bed, her eyes luminous and her arms ready to enfold me in a hug. “William and I want you to think of us as family!”

“Indeed we do,” her husband echoed, blowing his nose. “And don't forget the
Pinkney Mirror
, either. I think it's very likely that essay of yours woke up a lot of people around here. They'll be wanting to hear more from you.”

“I know for a fact that it did,” agreed Marjory. “I overheard a couple of the nurses discussing it at lunchtime today. Of course, I tuned right in when they mentioned the story in the
Mirror
.

“One of them was saying she bet most men had never thought that when they whistled at or ogled a woman, it might make her uncomfortable. And the other nurse complained that some men behave as if women were just objects, that their feelings don't count anyway. So, people are definitely talking!”

“Well, there you are, then,” declared William Thomas triumphantly. “Forget about looking anywhere else next summer. There's a job for you on the
Pinkney Mirror
, Libby. And every summer from now on.”

I was speechless with gratitude.

“You can stay with us when you come back.” Marjory continued the enthusiasm. “William and I have already talked this over. We have a big place, plenty of room. If your dog will agree to share a home with my three cats, we'd love to have him come too.”

“Oh, he'll come,” I said happily. “Ernie's very adaptable.”

William Thomas cleared his throat. “I'm not getting any younger, you know,” he informed us, trying to look serious. “I might even be able to use a junior editor one day.”

I bent over him in the hospital bed, unable to restrain myself any longer. “Oh, I just knew if I badgered you long enough you'd have to hire me!” I exclaimed. I pressed my cheek to his. This was the man I would have chosen as my father all along.

“I'll be ready to start as soon as school's out next June.” Less than a year from now! I thought. I could hardly wait to tell Michael.

Peggy Dymond Leavey
was born in Toronto, Ontario. Her father was in the Canadian military and, as a result of his frequent postings, she received her education in nine different schools between Winnipeg and Fort Chambly, Quebec. The mother of three grown children, Peggy now lives in the Trenton area of Ontario with her husband and their Labrador retriever, Belle. She works part-time as a public librarian.

Her first novel for children,
Help Wanted: Wednesdays Only
, was published in 1994 by Napoleon, and the second,
A Circle in Time
, in 1997. Her third book,
Sky Lake Summer
(1999), was nominated for the Silver Birch Award and the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award.

Twelve-year-old Jane expects a peaceful summer at her the family cottage but is instead presented with a mystery in the form of an old letter desperately asking for help. She enlists the help of the handsome but troubled Jess in solving the puzzle. This novel was nominated for the Silver Birch Award.

ISBN 0-929141-64-4
       
paperback
       
$7.95 in Canada, $6.95 U.S
.

Twelve-year-old Wren thinks the mirror she found in an abandoned movie studio will make a good souvenir. Enthralled by the thought of the movie stars who might have gazed into it, she is determined to have it. Even after she sees the reflection of a strange man standing behind her. A man who isn't there.

ISBN 0-929141-55-5
       
paperback
       
$6.95 in Canada, $5.95 U.S
.

Mark knew that Grandpa Luigi had Alzheimer's, but he hadn't counted on it turning his life upside-down. When his mother suggests that they move in with Grandpa to care for him, Mark reluctantly agrees. He doesn't know how strange Grandpa's behaviour has become or that the kids at school have a name for him: Crazy Luigi.

ISBN 0-929141-23-7
       
paperback
       
$6.95 in Canada, $5.95 U.S
.