Chapter Four


"Finish your porridge, Caleb. It's almost time for you to get ready for church." Angela looked at her son, but she was seeing Colin's black hair and her own blue eyes staring back at her. She wondered what Colin was doing right now. Did he ever think of her? Did he wonder what she was doing? He had written them once since their arrival in Port Charles nearly three weeks ago, and she had written him twice. Caleb had also written his father, but had not yet received a response.

"Why aren't we going to the church in Port Charles today?" Caleb asked. "Because Aunt Rosalind and Uncle Charles want to take us to a special place - a place they go to once a month when it is open for the public to attend Sunday Mass. It's called "Our Saviour's Monastery" and it's just a few miles from here in the Woods." Angela saw the confused look on her son's face. "What's a monastery?" "Do the priests live there?" "Yes, my dear. Actually, the priests who live there are called "monks" and they tend to a small farm on the edge of the Woods to earn their living, raising some cows and chickens, too. They have been here since the first Catholic missionaries settled in this part of the country. I think this should be a wonderful experience for you!" Caleb finished his porridge and went up to his room to get dressed, all the while thinking to himself that his secret brother, Michael, should come along, too. This "monastery" sounded pretty interesting.

"Wow - look at the huge Crucifix!" Caleb exclaimed as he stepped out of the carriage in front of the monastery. "I've never seen one so big!" Aunt Rosalind laughed, smiling fondly at her nephew. "My dear, I knew you'd be surprised at that! And do you know that the monks fashioned that entire crucifix from two very special trees they found here in the Woods many years ago!" She gently took Caleb's left hand and his mother took his right, with Uncle Charles walking just ahead to open the large double doors to the chapel. Caleb and his mother were taken aback by the beauty of the inside as the huge doors silently closed behind them.

There were hundreds of lit candles everywhere! The chapel held only about 100 people, and many of the pews were already filled. Stained glass windows lined both side walls, and a huge, floor-to-ceiling clear glass window was right behind the altar, so as you prayed and watched the priest during Mass, your attention was also on the majesty of the Woods just outside. Little Caleb knelt and made the Sign of the Cross. "God bless Mama and Father and Aunt Rosalind and Uncle Charles" he prayed silently. "And God bless Michael, too. He is my truest friend, my only brother, even though no one but you and I know about him, Lord. But I can talk to him about anything. About how lonely I am, and how sad I am that Mama and Father always fight when they are together…and why I'm glad we're not home right now. I like it here, with Uncle Charles and Aunt Rosalind. They don't fight with each other. They love each other. Please, God, make Father and Mama love each other again. When we get home after next month, please let things go back to the way they used to be. I'll be good, I promise! I'll be good…and Michael will, too! We won't do anything to make Mama and Father angry…"

After Mass, they all walked back outside where they met with Father Michael Murphy, a kindly old priest who was visiting the monks from Ireland. He had said the Mass and was now visiting with the people who had attended. Several monks were there, too, in their long brown robes, with simple rope belts wrapped around their waists.

"Your sermon was very inspiring, Father!" Charles exclaimed. "I'm Charles Barrington! We live just on the edge of the Woods. The monks know us well." "Yes, we always love coming here every month, and this month we've brought my sister and nephew who are visiting from Transylvania," Rosalind added. "Transylvania, eh?" Father Murphy responded. "I've spent some time in Transylvania…in fact, I studied there for a bit before I entered the seminary; it was a long time ago, though! It is a very different country - one with many mysteries and many secrets. I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance!" Father Murphy gave them all a smile, and turned, just a bit too quickly, to meet the next group of people following behind them.

"Come, Caleb, it's time to go now." Angela reached for Caleb's hand as they walked back to their carriage. "I want to go and visit the farm and talk to Father Murphy some more!" Caleb said. "Well, not today, I'm afraid. Father is busy right now and the cook is making us a wonderful Sunday dinner! You wouldn't want to be late for it, now, would you?" Angela pulled little Caleb along, as he turned his head to look back at Father Murphy. "I'll be back," he thought to himself, "I'll be back…"

Monday morning dawned bright and sunny, with big, puffy white clouds dotting the bright, blue sky. Breakfast was finished, and Uncle Charles had just left for his office in town. Aunt Rosalind was sitting with Mama in the parlor, talking and laughing as they both worked methodically on a huge, colorful quilt. Caleb was bored. Suddenly, he knew what he wanted to do, but a small voice in his head told him he had better do it quietly, so as not to disturb his aunt or his mother. So, he carefully walked past the parlor to the front door, silently opening it and closing it behind him. It would be a fine day for a long walk, he thought to himself. "But you didn't stop to tell Mama and Aunt Rosalind where you're going!" Michael warned. "I know they wouldn't let me go if I told them, Michael! Of course I can't say anything to them. Besides, I'm not afraid of the Woods. You'll be there to protect me, won't you?" "Yes," Michael answered, "I'm always here to protect you, Caleb. You know that." Caleb smiled, very satisfied with himself. "Let's see, I think the monastery is this way!" he said. He started walking, following the well-worn carriage path through the Woods, all the way to the monastery.

Hours later, Caleb was hot and tired and thirsty. Where was the monastery? Suddenly, he heard a sound and looked to his left. There, nearby, was an old man with gray hair sitting on a tree stump with his back facing Caleb. Caleb was startled and scared, but he walked toward the man despite his fear. The man turned around, and lo and behold, it was Father Murphy! "Well, my boy, what brings you out here in the middle of the woods? I'm here saying my breviary…my prayers for the early afternoon, but why are you here?" "I've come very far, sir, to see you in hopes that you'd show me the farm I've heard the monks tend to…and to show me more of the chapel, too! I met you yesterday - my name is Caleb Morley. Pleased to meet you again!" Caleb said as he smiled and held out his small hand to the priest.

Father Murphy shook Caleb's hand and smiled back. "So, you came alone, did you? Does your mother know where you are?" "Not exactly, sir" Caleb said softly. "She and my aunt were kind of busy when I left this morning." "Ah, yes, you're the one visiting his aunt and uncle from Transylvania! Of course! I can detect the accent in your English, which, by the way, is excellent!" "Thank you, Father. We speak English at home all the time. My father says that we should only know some of the old, Transylvanian words to continue knowledge of our heritage, but that for business, English is the preferred language. So, English is all I have ever been taught." Caleb said proudly. "You are very well educated, that I can tell, my boy!" "Come along with me now! You must be hungry and you certainly look hot!" "Yes, sir, I am!" Caleb said, excitedly. "Can we tour the farm and the chapel after we eat?" "Of course. And I'll have one of the monks ride his horse over to your aunt and uncle's to let your aunt and mother know you're safe with us!" Father Murphy added, as he took Caleb's hand and led him to the monastery.

Several hours later, the monk who had ridden back to the Barrington estate, returned with the news that the two ladies were very pleased to know that Caleb was safe - they had been out of their minds with worry about him! Currently, they were on their way to take him back home. Caleb and Father Murphy were now sitting comfortably in the back of the chapel, waiting for Angela and Rosalind to come for Caleb.

"Living a monastic life is a special devotion to God, my son," Father Murphy explained. "It is a very difficult life, but a very rewarding one. Some of the monks have come here after living a secular life - one perhaps like your own uncle or father are living. But, due to unfortunate circumstances, they have lost their loved ones to sickness, for instance, and they feel the desire to serve God in the most complete way possible. So they come here to atone for their sins and lead a quiet life of devotion and prayer to the Lord." "My father doesn't believe in God. At least I don't think he does," Caleb said matter-of-factly. He never goes to church and doesn't pray. Mama always prays for him, though and so do I. Will my father go to Hell if he doesn't believe in God?" Father Murphy looked rather startled at the boy's question, when suddenly the chapel doors burst open with Angela and Rosalind running in.

"My goodness, Father, we are so sorry to have Caleb trouble you like this! Caleb, you should be ashamed of yourself! You had no right to strike out on your own today - how could you do this? Aunt Rosalind and I were very worried!" Angela cried. "I'm sorry, Mama! I just wanted to see Father Murphy again and visit, so I came." "He was a joy to visit with, my dear!" Father Murphy added. "Really, it was a delight to have him here. But I have already explained to him that he should not leave home like that without telling his mother first. The Woods are dangerous for adults as well as for little boys, isn't that right, Caleb?" "Yes, Father, I know" Caleb said quietly. "Very well, then. It's time you returned home with your mother and aunt." And with that, they all left the chapel.

"Will you come to visit me soon, Father?" Caleb asked hopefully. "Well, yes, of course, that is if it's all right with your aunt and your mother." "Why, we'd love to have you for dinner sometime, Father!" Rosalind exclaimed. Perhaps you can come next weekend - would Saturday around 4 p.m. be good for you?"

"Saturday would be fine! I appreciate the offer! The monks are very kind and generous to me, but I must say that their meals are quite simple and sparse. A good, old-fashioned, home-cooked dinner shall be quite a treat for me!" Father Murphy said, laughing.

The friendship with Father Murphy grew over the next month, so that by the end of August, shortly before Angela and Caleb were due to return to Transylvania, Caleb was quite fond of the old priest, who had become a surrogate grandfather to him, and the feelings were mutual. The two had formed a special bond, and the priest understood just how lonely little Caleb was, and how much he longed for his parents' reconciliation. Caleb had never told him about Michael, however. He would never mention Michael to anyone. Not now at least. "So, Caleb, will you write to me once you return to your home in Transylvania?" Father Murphy asked as he slowly rose from the dinner table. They had just finished their last Saturday evening meal together; the dinners had become a tradition for the past month or so, and everyone was sorry to see them end. "I certainly will, Father!" Caleb answered. "And you're going back to Ireland, soon, too, aren't you?" "Yes, my son, as a matter of fact, the ship sails in about two weeks, so I will be leaving shortly myself!" Mr. and Mrs. Barrington, Mrs. Morley, I cannot tell you how much I've enjoyed visiting with all of you these past weeks. You have all been more than hospitable to me and I will always think of these times as treasured memories!"

"It has truly been our pleasure, Father!" Charles answered. "Yes, indeed, we've learned so much about Ireland these past weeks, and you've given us some excellent guidance answering our questions about the the Faith!" Rosalind added. "Well, I've learned even more about Translyvania, and I dare say that it is my job to answer the questions about our Faith, my dear. I do my best and let the Lord do the rest!"

He turned to Angela and looked at her with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "My child, may I have a few words with you in private before I leave?" "Why, of course, Father!" Angela answered. "Rosalind - Charles - may Father and I step into the parlor a minute?" "Absolutely, my dear sister!" Rosalind exclaimed. "Caleb, come with Uncle Charles and me into the kitchen - I'll bet there's some fresh cookies in there we can all munch on while Father Murphy talks to your Mama!"

Father Murphy closed the door to the parlor and stood near Angela. "Do remember what I've told you, now. Keep a tight hold on your devotion to the Blessed Mother, and know that she will intercede for you to provide the strength you need when you return home to your husband. And as for Caleb, I must share with you something I witnessed last Saturday when I went up to his room to tell him dinner was ready." "What is it, Father?" "Well, I suppose I approached his room rather quietly - he evidently didn't hear me - and the door was not completely closed, though I'm sure he thought it was. As I went to knock on the door, I heard him talking to someone, so I hesitated for a few seconds and listened. He was talking to someone named 'Michael', only when I did knock and enter his room, there was no one there." "How strange!" Angela said, her eyes wide as she gazed at the priest. Father Murphy continued. "I surmise that he has an imaginary friend, which isn't so bad - lots of children have imaginary friends, but many times it's when they're lonely or troubled. And that's just it - from the time I've spent with your son this past month, I would have to say that he is very lonely and is internalizing his frustration with your marital problems. Forgive me for being so bold, but I do think that you and your husband should give serious consideration to enrolling Caleb in a school upon your return to Transylvania. He really needs the camaraderie of children his age. He tells me he has been tutored at home since he was 4 years old. "Yes, that's correct," Angela said. "His father doesn't think our schools in town quite measure up to his standards, and he was always tutored as a young boy, until the age of 12, I believe. But I will speak with my husband about this and perhaps we will take your advice. I know it is given out of your care and concern for Caleb. Thank you, Father." " I will keep you all, including your husband, in my prayers," Father Murphy answered.

As the two walked out of the parlor, Rosalind, Charles and Caleb were also returning from the kitchen. "Why Caleb, I do believe you have cookie crumbs on your mouth!" Angela laughed. Caleb quickly licked his lips. "Here, Father, I brought you some cookies!" "Thank you, Caleb! How thoughtful! I'm sure I'll enjoy them later tonight just before bedtime! And now, I must say goodnight and goodbye." They all hugged Father Murphy goodbye, and Caleb started to cry. "Goodbye, Father! I'll miss you!" "And I'll miss you, Caleb! But remember, we'll be pen pals from now on, and you can tell everyone that you have a special friend in Ireland!" And with that, Father Murphy rode off on his horse, never knowing just how much of an affect he had made on this little boy.

Two days later, Caleb looked up at his Aunt Rosalind, her light brown hair shining in the sunlight, her pale blue eyes, filled with tears. "Goodbye, my darling! I shall miss you so much it hurts!" she said as she grabbed him and held him close. "Goodbye Aunt Rosalind! Please say you'll come to visit us soon!" "I'll try, my dear; both Uncle Charles and I will try! You know he wanted to come to the Pier today to say goodbye but he had to be at the office for a very important meeting." "I know, he said goodbye to me last night…It's all right," but Caleb was obviously disappointed. His mother hugged her sister goodbye, and the look on her face said all that was in her heart. "I'll not say goodbye, just that I'll miss you terribly until we meet again, Rosalind!" "I know, Angela. God's speed!" Rosalind could no longer hold back her tears as she watched Caleb and Angela board the ship.

The trip home was quite sad and uneventful. Caleb missed his aunt, uncle and his new friend, Father Murphy. He was afraid of seeing his father again; so was his mother.

End of Chapter Four
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