Conflict in New Haven

Horst Weber had been in contact with a Moravian Seminary where he’d inquired about a place for his son Waldo to prepare for the ministry. He’d had contact with the Seminary for many years now and had sent them many articles he’d researched which they’d gratefully received and included in their magazine distributed to the faithful. He’d even been requested to write up curricula for courses offered and enjoyed the challenge. He considered the letter open on his desk. It was acceptance of Waldo’s application for entry into a study program with the Seminary with a view to preparing to become a minister. But included in the letter was a repeat request for Horst to join the Seminary as a teacher. This was the third time he’d received that request over the years and had immediately written back to say he was happy ministering to the people of New Haven.

But he needed to give this request serious thought this time considering at his age he needed to get away from his practice of helping with the harvests and construction in different parts of his parish which he was in the habit of helping with too. His body was not strong enough for that anymore. Besides that, there was an influence creeping into the village that was impacting on his work for the past month. Some parts of the village no longer welcomed his visits and while they received him courteously still there was tension, he could feel while he attempted to encourage them. Attendance at church had dropped back, particularly among young adults and his daughter refused to mingle with the young adults on the customary Sunday picnic afternoons, preferring to return home and stay in her room to read.

It was all to do with that errand he’d sent Ella on to deliver an ultimation to Simon Robinson several weeks back. Simon had been shocked when confronted with an angry Ella as she delivered her ultimation. Get rid of Helena immediately and marry her so she could take over duties in the home or their relationship was at an end. She gave him one day to think it over and he could communicate with her which option he chose.

Simon was too shocked to give her any response while she waited for some word from him so suddenly embarrassed at what she’d done to one she loved so dearly and now thinking in her mind how unreasonable this sounded she turned and fled for home. Martin had watched the encounter from a distance away and didn’t know what had been said so he came over to his son to see what the angry words had been about. Simon stammered out the demands and Martin felt his blood pressure rise. It was bad enough his beloved wife was slowly dying but to have Simon’s prospective future wife throwing demands at the Robinsons really playing with the family emotions at this time of their need and support was more than he could tolerate. Helena was a good girl and did her work well and knew her boundaries. If Ella had anger fits like this, he’d not welcome her into his home in future.

He immediately sped to the Pastors house and unloaded his anger on him at this uncalled-for intervention in the Robinson home when they were negotiating such a stressful period with his wife’s impending death and not to expect his family at church in future. Then Martin, in his anger, did the rounds of his friends that evening sharing what had happened. Soon it was the talk of the town. Some felt the pastor had been unreasonable and out of place and some thought Martin should just leave the matter alone. Perhaps the pastor had been wrong in this case, but they still determined him to be a positive influence and help in the village. So, the next week as the fallout from Martin’s anger and support from his close friends the congregation halved, and the afternoon picnic divided into two camps among young adults. The Novac children were welcomed into fellowship with the Robinson supporters and those young women who’d been held back by the pastor’s frowns in the past bought their interest in the Novac boys back into obvious play supported by their parents who now viewed these young men without their father’s evil influence as acceptable suitors.

Horst sighed. He’d meant well and worked hard for the village but perhaps it was time for him to move on.  He quickly responded to the call for his services positively and began preparations for their family departure to take up work at the Seminary. He made his announcement the next Sunday to those attending and as the family packed their clothes into suitcases and loaded them onto buggies to take them to the train station at Gladesville for passage to the seminary the sheriff and some members of the community were there to wish them well on their journey. None of the family looked back as they left New Haven.

Simon had mixed feelings about the severance of his long-term relationship with Ella, but her anger expressed had been a wake-up call and he knew that if that was part of her makeup it would not make for the happy home he’d experienced growing up with a loving father and mother. Some of the young women of the village saw their chance after the departure of Ella but Simon was now cautious about women.

Grace Robinson lingered on through a pain ridden year and Helena tended her every need so that a close bond developed between the two women. Occasionally Jana Novac came to stay with her daughter now her abusive husband was no longer and was accepted as part of the extended family too. Grace observed Helena and resolved to have a talk with her son Simon. He’d been withdrawn since Ella departed with her family long ago but went about his business happily and accepted Helena as part of their family. But Grace wanted more and saw it was time for Simon to settle down and make a family of his own. She felt Helena would make him an excellent wife and be a support to the rest of the family as well as having a loving and giving spirit to her and was always appreciative of being rescued from the Novac ranch that had so many bad memories for her. But she loved and appreciated her mother and brothers who’d facilitated her transfer to the Robinson home.

As Grace realized she had only days to live now she asked to see Simon and requested Helena leave them to have a private talk. Grace urged Simon to consider Helena as someone to share his life with and listed her good qualities in detail for her son to consider. Simon sat on the side of the bed holding Grace’s hand while she spoke. They sat in silence for a while then Simon spoke.

“I’ve always liked Helena Novac mom even though the villagers looked down on the family because of Filip. I like her brothers too as they are decent men who just want to live a happy life and are fiercely protective of Jana and Helena. I thought I liked Ella better and I don’t know what entered her, so she became aggressive over Helena. I thought it over and maybe she was jealous because Helena is prettier than Ella, but she shouldn’t have been like that as a pastor’s daughter. I think I’d be happy in marriage to Helena now you mention it. Have you talked with dad about it?”

“I’ll talk with him tonight Simon as I have plans for your father too.”

Simon laughed.

“Mom, I didn’t know you were such a schemer!”

“How do you think I landed your father then son? Go find him I want to talk with him as I feel I’m finally slipping away.”

That evening Grace passed away and the village people had a service asking the sheriff to officiate and they buried Grace in the community cemetery with a celebration of her life afterward. Helena approached Martin, reaching up to kiss him on both cheeks and expressing her sympathies with tears in her eyes.

“When do you want me to move back to the Novic ranch now that Grace is dead Martin? I’ll need to speak to my brothers who are here this evening to pay their respects.”

Martin was shocked.

“Helena, I want you to stay, and I think Simon has something to say to you let me call him now.”

Martin called Simon’s name, and he sped to see what his father wanted.

“We talked together just after Grace died Simon and we both agreed we have something to say to Helena apart from thanking her for taking care of Grace and us through a very difficult time in our life. Why don’t you go first son.”

Simon turned to face Helena nervously.

“Helena, would you consider marrying me? I’ve watched you over the years and always admired the way you carried yourself with pride despite your abusive upbringing and the time you’ve spent in our house showing loving care to mom and all of us makes you my obvious choice of someone to share my life with as a family.”

Martin interjected before she had a chance to reply.

“I’m begging you to give Simon a positive response to this marriage proposal Helena.”

Helena stood with her mouth open in shock. This was the last thing she’d expected to happen. They knew of her dysfunctional background and still wanted her in the family permanently. It was overwhelming her, and she began to sob. The two men looked at each other in alarm and Martin cast about looking for a handkerchief which she accepted quickly wiping her eyes. She stared at them for a while and father and son stood restlessly waiting for her response. Finally, Helena nodded her head.

“I can’t believe you’d ask a Novac woman that Simon are you sure about this. Would you like time to think about this?”

“No Helena I’d like to hear you say yes tonight if you’ll accept me.”

Helena shook her head in amazement. Of course, she wanted to marry this man and would spend her life showering love on him for making this possible. She’d have an entirely new life and hopefully be able to deal with the monster memories she had to deal with each night in sleep remembering her abusive father who made them anathema in the community. Finally, she threw her arms around Simon and kissed him and then hugged her future father-in-law.

“Thank you, Simon. I’ll make every day of your life a joy and look forward to my new life with you. Thank you for accepting me, Martin.

The sheriff married Simon and Helena the next week in the chapel.

A year later Martin remembered the promise he’d made to his wife on her death bed. He made the long journey out to the Novac ranch and sought out Adam who they told him was far out on the ranch mending fences. Martin requested Jana to ask Adam to call in at the workshop the next time he was in Fair Haven. He recalled Adam was now keeping company with the daughter of one of the rancher’s daughters he’d met at town picnics on a Sunday afternoon in New Haven so this could lead to another marriage in the Novac family and therefore an appropriate time to follow through on Grace’s request.

The following day Adam arrived at the Robinson workshop wondering what Martin wanted to see him about. Was there a problem with his sister? Martin got straight to the point. He noted his pleasure at Adams pursuit of the rancher’s daughter and hoped everything worked out as Adam hoped. It was an ideal match for two ranch families coming together. After a pause he continued. He disclosed Grace’s last wishes for her family and part had been fulfilled in the marriage between Simon and Helena. Now it was time to disclose Grace’s second wish. She’d been hoping that Jana would take her place as wife to Martin and now Adam had plans for a wife of his own Martin wondered if Adam would approve of him asking his mother Jana to be his wife in fulfillment of Grace’s wishes.

Adam was incredulous.

“Your wife Grace actually expressed that to you Martin?”

“Yes, she did Adam, and I feel drawn to your mother now Grace has made me aware of her.”

Adam whistled in astonishment.

“That’s the last thing I expected to be discussing with you today. I’m amazed and honored you would agree to your son marrying my sister when the Novac reputation was trashed around town and now you want to approach another Novac in marriage? What an honor you’ve conferred on our family. But of course, my mother would have to agree so how will you approach her.”

 “I’d like to ask her to marry me with you boys present Adam is that a good idea?”

“Can you get to the ranch early tomorrow as we have a lot to do to prepare for the coming winter season.”

Next day Martin was at the ranch at the appointed time and ushered into the lounge area and sat. Jana, totally oblivious to the reason for Martin’s visit, got up to prepare some cookies and drink for their surprise visitor but Adam told her to sit, and she complied, looking inquiringly in her son’s direction.  Adam nodded to Martin to speak. He looked at the brothers’ faces, and perceived Adam had already told them the reason for the visit and the only one who didn’t know was their mother. The boys nodded in obvious support of Martin’s mission. Martin cleared his throat to gain courage.

“Jana I’d like to thank you for sparing your daughter to come help us as Grace was facing her long battle with cancer and for your equal support to Helena as you both supported Grace in her final year. Grace has urged me to come here and share this with you, and it is my own decision as well as I know you to be an exceptional woman who is a loyal with many talents. I’ve come to request you to consider to be my wife Jana and hope you can find it in your heart to say yes.”

Jana spun around to see the reaction of her boys who were all young adults now and running the ranch better than Filip could ever have done in his best years. She was so proud of them and wanted to see their reaction. They were all smiling and nodding with their approval. They wanted this.  She’d never thought of Martin in a romantic way but admired him as a stable pillar of New Haven society. She didn’t love him but perhaps she could learn to love him in time, and it would be such a happy experience to live with a man who respected women and saw to their every need. She looked at her eldest son.

“Adam?”

“It’s entirely your decision mom but the three of us would support such a marriage. You’d have Helena in proximity too.”

“But who will look after you boys?”

“We have plans for that mom so don’t be concerned about that.”

Jana turned to look at Martin. He was beginning to grey but still had that handsome rugged face and solid body. She sat in silence for a few minutes and then sighed as she decided.

“I’ll be happy to accept your proposal Martin and look forward to our marriage. You’ll find me easy to live with and extremely loyal and appreciative.”

Adam Jakub and Lukas came over and hugged their mother and went to shake hands with Martin.

“Congratulations we think you both made an excellent decision to merge families, and we will be fierce supporters of the Robinson family.”

A month later the sheriff officiated at another marriage but this time it was Martin and Jana commencing life together. The village hosted yet another event to celebrate their marriage.

This was the beginning of a new life for the Novac family as they basked in their acceptance into the New Haven community at last without any reservations. The past reputation of the Novac family had now been replaced with respect by all and there was no further reserve in approving marriage proposals to each of the Novac brothers.

Conclusion.

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