Sisterhood Of Lake Alice (4 page)

Slowly Warren released her. Then he turned away from her as he opened his car door. He took her to the porch, where they had spent so many hours together. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away as the tears rolled down his face. Emily stood watching him walk out of her life as her heart was breaking for both of them.

*

Emily was combing her hair in the mirror wondering how to wear it for her graduation when there was a knock on her bedroom door. As she opened it, Isabel rushed into her room and planted herself on Emily’s bed.

“I can’t believe it …” Isabel muttered and began sobbing into her hands. Emily put down her brush and went over to sit with Isabel on the bed. She put her arm around her caretaker, her helpmate, the only living creature that had ever listened to anything she had ever said.

“What’s wrong?” Emily asked. “What has happened?”

“I can’t believe …” Isabel moaned and sobbed again. Emily held her, stroking her hair.

“My parents … my father … he’s dead.” Saying it out loud caused Isabel to burst into a fresh round of tears. Emily stared in disbelief, tears welling into her own eyes.

“My mom, she’s in a coma. There was an accident. I have to go see to her.”

“Oh, God, Isabel …” Emily was crying too. “That’s awful.”

“I’m returning to Norway in the morning.” Isabel turned to take Emily’s hands. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever be back.”

It was now Emily’s turn to bring comfort and support to Isabel. Within a day, all the arrangements were made for her flight to Norway. Dr. Larson drove Isabel and Emily to the airport in Minneapolis for Isabel’s long journey home. Emily clung to Isabel and found it unbearable to watch as she boarded the airplane. On the way home, Emily cried uncontrollably.

Dr. Larson frowned as he told her that Isabel was simply an employee. He also informed her that he had given Isabel a large sum of money and told her it was not necessary for her to return. After all, Emily was now a grown woman and would be leaving for college in the fall. It was time that Emily stop being such a pampered child and grow up. She needed to know that much would be expected of her as the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Larson.

For the next week, Emily spent all of her time alone in her princess palace, as they had named her bedroom. She had never felt so abandoned in her life. Isabel was truly the only person in her life who loved and understood her completely. The day Isabel left was a turning point in the life of Emily Catherine Larson. From that day on, she began to take control of her destiny with a determination that surprised her.

A few weeks later, Emily received a letter from Isabel, saying how much she missed Emily. She also said that it was the right decision to stay in Oslo, as Emily would be starting college in September. Her final paragraph in the letter read:

In my life, I am sure that I will meet many people. Some of them, I will quickly forget. Some will leave lasting impressions on me. You, my dear Emily, have left your fingerprints on my soul. I will never be the same because of you. Remember that I love you. I will think of you always. Learn to love and value the wonderful woman that God has made you to be. I will pray each day for your happiness.

Love always,

Isabel

*

The arguments that Dr. Larson called “debates” started shortly after Isabel left. Emily came home from school one day to find a large envelope from Sarah Lawrence College sitting on her bed. The college was located in New York State and had an excellent reputation as being one of the top women’s colleges in the United States. The school offered a unique array of classes that prepared rich, young women on such courses as literature and fine arts; however, there were also classes on fashion, interior decorating, social graces, and fundraising and communication skills. The quaint New England campus had charming English Tudor-styled buildings.

Emily’s mother had always dreamed of Emily attending this college. She was thrilled that all the arrangements had been made and that her Emily would be a “Sarah Lady.” There had been no discussion about enrolling Emily in any other school. As Emily read the material enclosed, which included a shopping list of both appropriate clothing as well as school supplies, she began to cry. Once again, her life decisions were taken away from her with no regard for what she wanted to do.

Emily stared out her window at the graceful weeping willow as the tears rolled down her face. She was just like the tree—always swaying and bending to someone else’s demands on who she was going to become. Tonight, she was going to stand up for herself for the first time. She knew that she did not have Isabel to support her. It was now up to her to make her thoughts and dreams known to her parents.

After the usual quiet dinner, Emily reached for the two large envelopes that she had set on the china cabinet. The one from Sarah Lawrence College had a large red X drawn across it. As her parents looked at her in surprise, Emily cleared her throat and began to speak. “I am aware that you took it upon yourselves to enroll me in a college that I have no desire to attend. Seeing that I am now close to becoming an adult, I assumed that I would at least have the courtesy of a discussion before you made commitments regarding my future. If you had been thoughtful enough to ask me where I wanted to attend college, I could have saved you a great deal of time and money. I do not intend to become a ‘Sarah Lady.’ I want more out of life than becoming a socially acceptable woman. I want to make a difference and to use my God-given talents. With that in mind, I have applied and been accepted at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Here is the packet of information that you can both look over. If there are any further questions, I will be in my room.” With her knees shaking, she stood up straight and proud, leaving her two shocked parents staring at the envelopes on the dining table.

She waited for them to come to her room to discuss the situation. Instead, after about an hour, she heard the car pull out of the garage. They had left her again. Emily felt alone and angry that night.

*

There were many debates, threats of not paying for college, arguments, and long periods of silence over the matter. Joyce explained that UW-Madison had a reputation for radical viewpoints. She did not think it was a place for a refined lady such as her daughter. Emily’s father, who had graduated from UW-Madison, had less to say. He did tell her that the campus was huge, with miles of walking between classes. He told her he feared that she would simply become a number because of the thousands of students who attended the school.

It was not until the evening of graduation that Dr. Larson announced to their friends at the country club that Emily was going to attend UW-Madison. He boasted about her wanting to follow in his footsteps, as their friends looked on in shock. Emily sat there quietly as she watched her mother go from embarrassment to anger. Joyce had been talking about her Emily going to Sarah Lawrence College since she was a toddler. She often made snide remarks about those uncivilized public colleges. Once again, Emily had failed her. Well, at least with Emily away at school, Joyce could travel and visit her friends in Europe, leaving dreary Fergus Falls behind.

Chapter Two
 

Grace O’Malley

T
he O’Malleys had been married for one year when they moved into a little rented house across the street from and owned by Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Paul O’Malley had been hired as the custodian. He took loving care of the church, school, convent, and rectory buildings and grounds. His wife, Anna, was hired to cook and clean for the ten Franciscan Sisters who lived in the convent and ran the school. Anna had just given birth to a beautiful, curly-haired baby boy named Dennis Michael. The nuns allowed Anna to bring Dennis with her to the convent, where they loved to hold him while she cooked. He spent hours being rocked and sung to by all the nuns.

Within a short time, Anna announced that another O’Malley was on the way. The nuns were thrilled, knowing that there would be another baby for them to love. They assured Anna that she could continue to bring her children with her to the convent each day. The nuns gave prayers of thanksgiving. They immediately began to knit baby blankets, sweaters, hats, and booties. They were all convinced that God would bring them a little girl this time.

In the midst of a terrible snowstorm in December, Anna went into labor and realized that they would never make it to the hospital in time for the delivery. Paul ran across the street to fetch the nuns. On Sunday morning, a beautiful baby girl was ushered into the world by Sister Vincent and Sister Margaret Mary. She was born with a full head of bright, curly red hair and big blue eyes. As soon as everyone knew that baby and mother were fine, they gathered around the bed and said a prayer for the miracle of birth.

Paul asked Sister Vincent to name their tiny newborn daughter. Sister Vincent smiled, looking down at Anna and her healthy new daughter and said, “This child should be named Grace Marie because she has been born on Sunday morning just before Mass was to begin and during the time when the rosary was being prayed in church.” With tears in her eyes, she hugged Paul and said, “You and Anna will never know all the joy that you have given to us. As nuns, we have given up the option of motherhood; yet through your wonderful family, we are given the chance to hold your children and love them in a very special way. You are all such a blessing to us.”

So on that morning, little Grace Marie O’Malley entered the world, surrounded by love, blessings, and prayers of thanksgiving.

*

Grace was followed by two more sisters, Hope and Joy, and twin brothers, Luke and John. The O’Malley household was a busy swirl of activity filled with happy people. As soon as they were old enough, all of the children were given chores to do at home, church, and school. The nuns had a special place in their hearts for everyone in the family. They continued to knit sweaters, hats, mittens, and scarves each year for all the O’Malleys. Sister Ruth Ann taught all the children to play the piano. The nuns enjoyed tutoring each of the children as they went through school. Gifts the nuns received of food and money from families in the parish were often passed on to the O’Malleys.

Dennis became a skilled pianist by second grade. By the time he was in third grade, he was an altar boy, writing prayers and poems. The nuns adored him and often used his behavior as an example to others. Denny knew at a very early age that he was destined to become a priest.

Grace became the family’s social butterfly. She loved to sing, dance, and entertain anyone she could capture. Her high-spirited, generous manner and contagious giggle made Grace easy to instantly like. Grace loved being the center of attention. She was fearless when it came to reciting verses or speaking before a crowd. She was often restless and the first to volunteer for anything that would get her away from her desk.

A globe was her favorite toy. She would sit and dream about all the adventures that were ahead of her. There was never a doubt in her mind that all of her dreams would come true. When she was in fifth grade, Grace wrote a play about a little girl who sneaks onto a ship and goes around the world meeting children her own age. Sister Francis was so impressed with it that she helped to produce the play, called
Grace around
the World
, for the parents at the annual end-of-the-school-year party. All the classes selected a country. They learned about the country’s customs and history. Grace smiled as her words became real that night.

The nuns adored Grace; however, they often found that she needed more discipline than the other children did. Grace became the topic of many of the nuns’ conversations. They would laugh about her bold and brave love of life. Sister Margaret Mary had taken a special interest in her. She secretly prayed that someday Grace would become a nun. Sister Vincent also prayed for Grace; her prayer was that Grace would always keep her delightful love for adventures and that she would always be happy and fulfilled and bring joy to others.

*

On a steamy, hot day in July 1953, the normal life that the O’Malleys had known abruptly changed. It was just before noon, and Anna was packing a picnic lunch for their family afternoon outing to Pebble Lake. Suddenly Dennis came running into the kitchen. He had a panicked look on his face as he said, “There is something really wrong with Hope. She told me not to say something, but Mom, I am scared. She looks like she is very sick, and now her whole body is shaking. I know she doesn’t want to ruin the day at the lake. Please just go look at her, and I will finish getting our things together.”

Anna found Hope lying on the floor in the living room in the midst of a seizure. Denny immediately ran across the street to fetch his father at church. After he found him, he ran to the convent and asked Sister Margaret Mary to come home with him. Denny started to pray as he ran back to the house with Sister Margaret Mary right behind him.

Within minutes, Paul, Anna, and Hope were driving to Lake Regional Hospital. Anna held Hope tightly in her arms as she watched her daughter becoming weaker by the moment. It was after midnight when Paul and Anna returned home to find all the children and Sister Margaret Mary kneeling in their living room, praying the rosary. Paul cried as he told them the doctors advised them that Hope had spinal polio, a terrible disease that everyone feared. Although the doctors felt she was going to be okay, Hope was going to stay in the hospital for a few more days.

Within the next week, one by one, each of the O’Malley children came down with spinal polio. They were terrified as to who would be the next polio victim. Paul and Anna decided that it was best for one of them to be at the hospital while the other stayed at home with the children, who were now starting to recover. They felt completely helpless as they watched their children suffer with high fevers, constant muscle cramping, and extreme pain in all of their muscles and joints.