Aunt Elizabeth clasped her hands in her lap and shook her head. “I don’t know who it was,” she replied, her voice low and frightened. “All I know is, I was told that if I continue to try to save the bats, I’ll be just as endangered as they are!”
3
Fly-by-night
“But who would want to threaten you like that?” George asked, putting a hand on her aunt’s shoulder.
Aunt Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t know. We’ve had controversies in Fairport before, but we’ve always worked them out.” She paused for a moment and rubbed her temple with a shaky hand. “I don’t like this.”
“Did you recognize the voice?” Nancy asked.
Aunt Elizabeth shook her head. “It was muffled. I think the caller tried to disguise it.”
That was usually the case, Nancy thought.
Aunt Elizabeth rose. “Well, I do know one thing,” she said. “I won’t be bullied. Whoever called is going to have a fight on their hands.”
“And you know we’re behind you one hundred percent,” George said, as the others agreed.
They had settled back to continue their conversation when the doorbell rang.
“If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” Aunt Elizabeth grumbled as she went to the door.
When she returned it was with another woman, whom she introduced as Margaret Connor, Sarah’s mother.
Mrs. Connor sat down on the edge of a chair across from Aunt Elizabeth. She twisted a handkerchief nervously.
“Margaret, won’t you have some tea?” Aunt Elizabeth asked.
Mrs. Connor shook her head. “No, but thank you, Elizabeth.” She straightened her shoulders and said, “I’ve come to ask you a favor.”
Aunt Elizabeth leaned forward on the sofa. “You know I’ll do whatever I can. We’ve been friends for a very long time.”
Mrs. Connor cleared her throat. “I saw Sarah when she returned from your celebration. She was very upset.”
“I know,” Aunt Elizabeth said sympathetically. “She has strong feelings about the road widening.”
“I don’t know what to think, to be honest with you.” Mrs. Connor wrung her handkerchief and said softly, “She hasn’t been right since Tommy died. She worshipped her older brother. His death was an enormous loss.”
Aunt Elizabeth leaned over and patted Mrs. Connor’s hand. “I know, Margaret, it was a great loss to you as well. To everyone in Fairport.”
“She’s struggled to make sense of it,” Mrs. Connor said with great anguish. “But the only way she can deal with it is to try to keep what happened to Tommy from happening to anyone else.”
Aunt Elizabeth spoke gently. “I can see why widening the road is so important to her. It’s become a kind of mission, hasn’t it?”
Mrs. Connor nodded. “I’ve always said that Sarah is all heart. She takes things so hard. I’m very worried about her.”
“Of course you are,” Aunt Elizabeth said comfortingly. “What mother wouldn’t be?”
Mrs. Connor looked at her friend with pleading eyes. “Isn’t there any way you can change your mind?”
All eyes were on Aunt Elizabeth.
She sighed. “Margaret, if I could, I would. You know I’d do whatever I could to keep Sarah from being so unhappy.”
“Then stop this silly crusade for those wretched bats!” Mrs. Connor exclaimed.
Aunt Elizabeth shook her head. “I can’t, Margaret. It’s an important issue. The bats are a part of the ecosystem here. What’s more, they have a right to live undisturbed.”
“But what about people!” Mrs. Connor said forcefully. “Don’t they have a right to travel on that road safely?”
“They do,” Aunt Elizabeth said, “but not at the expense of the life of another creature.” She picked up her teacup and then put it down again. “I’m hoping we’ll be able to reach a compromise.”
“What would it be?” Mrs. Connor asked anxiously.
“I don’t know,” Aunt Elizabeth admitted, “but until then, I have to take a position. And my position is against the road widening.”
“That’s your final word?” Mrs. Connor asked.
“Yes. I’m sorry, but it is,” Aunt Elizabeth responded firmly.
Mrs. Connor rose to leave. “Then that’s that, I suppose.”
Aunt Elizabeth stood up. “Margaret, you know how much I love you and Sarah. Trust me, it will all work out. Until then, it’s going to be difficult. But let’s not lose our friendship in the process.”
Mrs. Connor turned to Aunt Elizabeth. “Of course, you’re right,” she admitted, and threw her arms around her friend. She and Aunt Elizabeth hugged.
“Please tell Sarah what I’ve told you and reassure her that I’m willing to compromise,” Aunt Elizabeth said.
