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 Chapter 10

   The storm lasted another 2 days and after waiting a day for the seas to
subside, we made the trek to the main island.  When we reached the RCMP
building, I sensed that Jennifer was a bit apprehensive.  "Jennifer,
whatever happens, I'll be here for you.  Let's go and see what Ron has for
us."

   Ron was waiting for us and took us into the same room as we'd met with
him the last time.  He told us that in the bunch of papers that I'd
salvaged, he found the name of a lawyer that apparently had done work for
Jennifer's dad.  He contacted the lawyer and managed to get some
information.  My `spidy sense' perked up as I noted the lack of contact
with a family member.

   "Jennifer, what I have to tell you is a bit shocking." Ron said. 
Jennifer's eyes were wide in surprise but she told Ron to continue.

   "I spoke to a Mr.  Dufor, a lawyer back where you lived, and told him
what had happened - that your parents had died but that you had survived
and were here with us and in good shape.  I asked him about relatives and
he said he couldn't immediately answer that question, but he would call me
back with what information he could get.

   "It was late the next day before I got the return call.  It seems that
when your parents fell in love there was a big ruckus." Ron looked directly
at Jennifer as he continued.  "You knew your parents were of different
racial and cultural backgrounds, didn't you?" Jennifer nodded.  "Well your
mother's family had arranged a marriage for her and were furious that she
wasn't going to go ahead with that marriage.  On your father's side, his
family belong to a very strict religious sect and when your parents
married, the church sent them a letter telling them that as far as the
church was concerned, they were dead.  Apparently they also sent letters to
every member of the church forbidding any member to contact your parents."
I could see Jennifer was very upset and pulled her over to hug her.  I
could feel her trembling.

   Ron paused in thought for a moment then continued, looking straight at
Jennifer.  "Jennifer, I'm sorry to tell you this but your parents
apparently had intimate relations prior to the marriage.  When I looked in
the box of papers and found birth certificates for all three of you as well
as your parents' marriage certificate.  It seems you were born just over
seven months after the wedding.  That, together with the different
backgrounds of your parents apparently cause the ruckus with the church."

   Jennifer was in shock and couldn't speak.  Finally she managed to
compose herself.  "Mom always told me I was born when they'd been married
just over a year and a half."

   Ron continued.  "Mr.  Dufor said your father repeated part of a
conversation that your father had with the minister.  The minister told him
that, and I quote, he was to leave the church and to take that bastard
child with him.  The long and the short of this is that it seems no one is
willing to acknowledge you and take you in." Ron paused for a moment to let
those last words sink in.

   "What do I do now?" Jennifer wailed.

   I hugged her tighter.  "Jennifer, I told you earlier that I'd be here
for you no matter what." Jennifer stopped crying and looked at me with a
look of adoration.

   Ron started talking again, still looking at Jennifer.  "I had the same
thoughts as you earlier.  I spoke to Edith, the lady from Social Services
and she'd like to speak to both of you again.  Just a minute while I get
her on the phone."

   Ron used the speakerphone to contact Edith and once she was ready, Ron
continued.  "Edith, as we discussed, I gave all of the details to both
Wally and Jennifer As I expected, Jennifer's reaction was much the same as
mine - what do I do now.  I might be speaking out of turn but from what
I've witnessed and heard here this morning, I believe you could do worse
than to continue to allow Wally to - I guess foster is the best word -
foster Jennifer."

   There was no response from Edith causing Ron to ask if she was still
there.

   "Yes Ron, I'm still here.  I was just running through the options in my
head and I have to agree, your suggestion is probably the best.  Jennifer,
how old are you?"

   "I'll be fifteen in 2 weeks." Jennifer told her.

   There was another lengthy pause then Edith started talking again.

   "Okay, here's what I'm proposing.  Once I've laid out my plan, I need
each of you to individually tell me you're okay with my plan.  Jennifer,
I'm going to put you in Wally's custody until you are sixteen.  Once you
are sixteen, I'll put together the documents which will legally grant you
adult status.  Ron, on my behalf, I'm going to ask you to make a home visit
so that I can confirm the housing situation is acceptable.  This isn't
something that needs to be done today but let's say within the next three
weeks.  Now, is everyone comfortable with this?  Jennifer, let's start with
you.  Will you be comfortable with these arrangements?"

   "Oh, yes, thank you ma'am.  I feel really safe at Wally's and he's
looking after me really well."

   Before Edith could move on, Ron jumped in.  "If what Elizabeth in the
General Store told me about a clothing bill Jennifer ran up, I'd say that
last statement is true."

   Edith laughed then continued.  "Okay then, Wally.  Are you comfortable?
Can you afford to continue paying big clothing bills?"

   I laughed at the last question.  "Well, it might be a stretch but I
think I can manage.  Seriously, though.  Jennifer had almost no clothing,
just what she had on when I found her and a little bit I managed to salvage
from the half sunken sailboat.  While I don't make a big deal of it, money
is not an issue for me and Ron can confirm that."

   Edith continued.  "Okay, Ron, that just leaves you.  Any reservations on
this and can you do the home visit for me in the timeframe I've asked?"

   "Edith, I wouldn't have suggested this is I had any reservations.  As
Wally said, he certainly has sufficient funds to look after Jennifer and
I'm sure I can make the trip out to visit them soon.  If something comes up
that I can't get there within the three week timeframe I'll let you know."

   Edith came back on.  "Okay folks we have what started out as a sad story
but now looks as if it might have a happy ending.  Wally, I'll send Ron
some papers that you need to sign.  He can get them signed when he's over
visiting you.  Jennifer I'll send you the papers to make you an adult once
you're sixteen.  You'll have to sign them in front of a person who is a
Commissioner of Oaths.  That person has been given the power to certify
that you've signed the document yourself.  Wally, Ron will arrange that for
you, but you must not be present to ensure that there is no perception of
undue pressure being exerted on Jennifer.

   "There's one other thing to deal with.  Jennifer, what grade did you
finish at school?" Edith said.

   Jennifer looked a bit surprised then answered "Grade 10."

   "Okay then," Edith continued, "I'll dig up some information as to how
you can get registered for our `Distance Learning' program.  When I was
growing up we called it Correspondences School but everything seems to need
a new name.  I'll get the info to Ron and he can bring it out with him when
he comes to visit." Ron smiled and agreed.

   "Anyone have any other issues?  Ron looked at each of us and we both
shook our heads.  "Nope, nothing right now Edith and I'm speaking for all
three of us.  "Okay, then I think that's it.  Ron thanks again for your
assistance.  Wally, thanks for agreeing to foster Jennifer." We both
acknowledged her thanks and after saying goodbye, the call ended.

   "Well, Jennifer, it looks like you've got a new, temporary father." Ron
said.  "I don't need to ask if you're happy with that, your face says it
all.  Guess, that's all for today.  I'll get a message to you when I plan
to come over to see you."

   I held up my hand in the universal `stop' signal.  "Ron, before we go, I
need to say something.  You've been out to my cabin before and you know
it's just one room.  Jennifer has been sleeping in the bed behind the
curtain and I've been sleeping on the floor.  Now that this has been
settled, I'll plan to build an addition on so Jennifer can have a private
room.  I can't do much until after the storm season, but as soon as I can,
I will."

   Ron smiled.  "I knew how you'd do things.  Don't worry, I'll just come
out, give you the stuff on schooling, get Edith's paperwork signed, have
coffee with you two then come back and let Edith know I've been out.  Edith
just needs to make sure all her paperwork is in order - you know how it is
with bureaucrats."

   We all laughed and Jennifer and I headed home after making a stop at the
General Store to pay her `clothing bill' as well as pick up a few other
items.  As I was dealing with Elizabeth, she glanced around to see if
Jennifer was watching then handed me a small box wrapped in brown paper. 
"Don't open this when Jennifer is looking." Elizabeth said.  I must have
looked really confused.  "Just do as I asked.  You'll understand when you
open the package."

   I took the package and went to find Jennifer who was browsing through
things in the store.  Jennifer assured me she was just looking around as I
paid the bill and wasn't looking for anything else.  "You've already bought
me a whole bunch of stuff.  I really don't need anything else." Then she
pulled me down to whisper in my ear "I have you and that's all I need right
now."

   Wow, how to inflate a man's ego!  Waving goodbye to Elizabeth we headed
back to the boat and back home.