Whisper

26

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Sheila took my arm and led me to the stage. She gave me a quick kiss on the lips and went back to the table, applauding and cheering with the rest of the people.

I was a little afraid of what was going to happen.

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John put his arm around my shoulder.

"Youse looks a little nervous, der, Will boy."

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I nodded.

"Just a little."

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"No worries, me son," he assured me.

"Dis won't hurt dat much."

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The crowd laughed and clapped.

Now I really was nervous.

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"Now, Will 'ere, 'e bes a mainlander. Not dats not all bad, but we's can't lit that goes on for no more."

Mayor Maynard began talking in a deep Newfoundland accent.

As he spoke, several other men pulled a kids swimming pool on the stage. It was filled with water.

I honestly didn't know what to expect.

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The Mayor laughed, "don't bes too afraid dere Willy bye, but I wud be jest a little if'in I was you."

He slapped me on the back, smiling evil like.

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The men returned, this time with a long black coat, a hat, a pair of rubber boots and an oar for a boat.

Was this some kind of Satanic ritual. I had heard of villages like this.

I felt like I was in a Stephen King novel.

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I looked toward the table.

Sheila did not look evil or satanic.

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"Willy bye, you looks a little worried. Fear thee not, my friend."

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As he spoke the men passed the rubber boots to me and as soon as I put them on, they helped me put on the coat and hat.

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"Now me son, you is dressed like a Newf. Youse gots on your sou'wester hat and yer oilskins. A Newfie fisherman to be exact. Oh one more ting."

He passed me a pipe and the oar.

"Now me son, step into the icy waters of the North Atlantic."

He pointed to the swimming pool.

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I stepped in. The water was really cold.

Those in the hall applauded.

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"Now me son, you repeat after me."

He went on to recite the 'Ode to Newfoundland'. I repeated every word.

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"When Sunrays crown thy pine clad hills,

And Summer spreads her hand,

When silvern voices tune thy rills,

We love thee smiling land,

We love thee, we love thee

We love thee, smiling land.

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When spreads thy cloak of shimm'ring white,

At Winter's stern command,

Thro' shortened day and starlit night,

We love thee, frozen land,

We love thee, we love thee,

We love thee, frozen land.

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When blinding storm gusts fret thy shore,

And wild waves lash thy strand,

thro' sprindrift swirl and tempest roar,

we love thee, wind-swept land,

We love thee, we love thee,

We love thee, wind-swept land.

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As loved our fathers, so we love,

Where once they stood we stand,

Their payer we raise to heav'n above,

God guard thee, Newfoundland,

God guard thee, God guard thee,

God guard thee, Newfoundland.''

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When I finished, everyone stood and applauded.

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Mayor Maynard slapped me on the back again.

"Well me son, we be getting' there."

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A man passed the Mayor a glass of liquor.

He held it high for all to see.

"Newfie Screech, named for the sound that the wind makes as it filled the sails of our forefathers, when they venture from afar to the shores of Newfoundland. Drink now me son and be filled with our history."

He passed me the glass, which held probably 4 ounces of Newfie Screech.

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The crowd was clapping and yelling, "Drink, drink, drink."

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So I did. It felt like fire going down, but in all honesty, wasn't that bad.

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Now everyone was on their feet applauding.

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Mayor Maynard held up his hands.

"Now me son, da next ting you have to do is respect our Newfie provincial treasure. For many years, she has fed us and kept us prosperous."

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Another man came on the stage with a huge cod fish.

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"Now Will me son. Kiss the missus of Newfoundland."

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What the hell.

I kissed the big cod on the lips and yelled out loud. Now everyone was cheering.

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"Now me son, comes from the cold waters of the North Atlantic and be honoured as a true Newfoundlander."

He held my hand as I stepped out of the swimming pool, raising it high above our heads as he did so.

"Now, me son. You is one of us," he said proudly, giving me a hug.

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He then gave me a framed plaque proclaiming me as an honorary Newfie.

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Everyone came to shake my hands and hug me, the last being Sheila, who led me to the dance floor. She kissed me gently on the lips, a smile from ear to ear.

"Welcome home, Will," she said as the music started.

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That night I learned to dance the Newfie Jig.