(Note: this short story by Ellie, aged 14, won first place at her school’s regional competition.)
Thy Will Be Done
By Ellie Johnstone
Stephanie Lavalle was awakened early to the sound of cars beneath her window. Why are there cars below our window, she wondered, out in the country? Suddenly she was thrust out of sleep and became fully awake. She sighed, remembering everything that had happened in the past year.
They had lived on beautiful acreage that backed onto a lake. Stephanie lived with her two loving parents in a large house. From there, a ten-minute drive took her to a little private school where Stephanie had many friends, made good grades and was popular and well-liked. Life had been nearly perfect.
Dad had been a risk-taker, loving to do things such as skydiving, scuba diving and paragliding. They had joked that being crazy was his life, but it had unfortunately also been his death.
She still remembered that day clearly. He had taken his sports car out for a spin on the ice, but the ice was too thin on the far side of the lake and the car had gone through the ice. He drowned before the ambulance even arrived.
Without Dad’s income, they had to sell the acreage and move into an apartment in downtown Winnipeg. It was a nice apartment, but it wasn’t the same. But losing her home in no way compared to losing her father. She felt like part of her heart had been taken out of her. Sometimes she even wondered if God still cared about her. Raising her head from her pillow, she decided to start the first day in their new apartment with an early breakfast. She got out of bed and walked sleepily down the short hallway towards the temporary dinner table, which was just a folding table and chairs. Suddenly she stubbed her toe on one of the many boxes yet to be unpacked.
“Oww!” she yelled, louder than she intended.
Curious, she bent down to open the box. She soon realized it was full of Mom’s treasured books. They were mostly vintage stories with creative plotlines and fascinating characters. Most of the books were out of print, so Mom had made it a hobby to collect them. Stephanie pulled out a book that stood out from the rest. Unlike the published books, this one was a worn journal, every page covered in writing. She picked it up and turned it over.
“That is one of your ancestor’s old diaries,” Mom’s voice made Stephanie jump.
“Oh! Your awake!” she exclaimed.
Mom smiled sadly, “It’s hard to stay asleep with you yelling like that.”
“Sorry,” Stephanie sighed, “But you said something about this being some ancestor’s diary. Can you tell me more?” She motioned to the book.
Mom answered, “Octavie Eulalie Riel Lavalle, sister of Louis David Riel, kept a diary most of her life, but this one was during the Red River Rebellion. You should read it. You would find it interesting.”
And so, after breakfast and after her mother left for her new job, Stephanie opened the journal to the first entry.
March 4, 1870
We just got the news. It’s so horrible that anyone would do that, especially my own brother. Poor mama won’t stop crying. I just can’t believe that my own brother would kill anyone. I’m glad I finished school last year, but poor Sarah still has to go to school and face her classmates. If our neighbors didn’t hate us before, they will certainly hate us now.
March 5, 1870
Louis managed to sneak out of Fort Garry. He won’t tell us how he did it, but at least we were able to see him. It was a good time until one of the little ones brought up the murder. He left soon after that. He seems somewhat sorry for what he did, but it’s hard to tell. I do wish Papa were still alive though. He would’ve stopped Louis in time. But it’s too late now. Once the government catches him, he will probably be hanged. It breaks my heart to think such things. Does God even care what happens to him? To us?
Stephanie had heard of Louis Riel, the famous rebel in Manitoba’s early history. But now she knew her ties were far more personal. She flipped forward a few pages, eager to see more.
August 24, 1870
He’s gone! Colonel Wolseley and a bunch of soldiers from Ontario came to make peace with the Métis in Fort Garry, but they didn’t find anyone there. Louis must have escaped into America or something, but he’s gone! I hope this means he is safe. I do wish people wouldn’t be so critical of him and understand what he is trying to do. His heart is in the right place, but he’s going about it all wrong. Well, I guess now that I’ve put it that way, I guess I can’t blame people for condemning him some. But they shouldn’t be angry at us. It’s not our fault he killed someone. I can’t go anywhere without people glaring at me or calling me names.
Stephanie set the journal down. She could imagine the turmoil and stress that Louis Riel must have left behind for his family. Poor Octavie! She was starting to identify with her now. She flipped to the last page.
September 15 1870
All is well. Louis has sent two letters since his disappearance. He is married now! It’s strange to think of that. I have learned many things through this whole “Red River Rebellion” though. I have learned that God is always in control. I can trust him.
Well, this is the last page of my diary. I will conclude with where my heart stands now: Thy will be done.
Stephanie looked up from the diary, tears streaming down her face. She thought about the past year. It had been very painful. Dear God, she prayed, I’m handing over all this pain to you. Thy will be done. Thank you.