The First Ladies Club Box Set

by J B Hawker

  A tiny beach in a snug little cove was just below the road, accessible via another rough trail.

  Merrill had noticed this prime picnic spot a few days earlier.

  Some large rocks provided shelter from the sea breeze and radiated the sun’s warmth.

  Spreading her quilt on the dry sand, she plopped down to enjoy her lunch. The little hike had tired her more than she expected, so, after eating, she stretched out on the blanket to let the sounds of the surf, the warm sunshine and the soft breezes purge all thoughts of the night of the storm from her mind.

  “Pastor Merrill! Pastor Merrill!”

  Manny Lum calling to her from the highway above roused Merrill from sleep and she stood.

  “What’s wrong, Manny?” she shouted up to him

  “You had an important phone call. Better get up here.”

  Bundling everything into her backpack, Merrill climbed up the sandy track as quickly as possible.

  The urgency in Manny’s voice frightened her.

  Slogging up to the road through the loose sand was torturously slow, giving it a nightmare quality.

  Finally, at the top, she reached for Manny’s hand and let him pull her up beside him.

  “What is it, Manny? Who called? What did they want? Why did they call you?”

  “Calm down, now. I didn’t mean to scare you. The call came to the church number and got forwarded to me. We set that up for while we were without a pastor and haven’t gotten around to changing it over to ring in the apartment.”

  “I see,” she said, catching her breath. “But, who called? What was the message?”

  “The call came from Africa, from the embassy in Nigeria, about your brother and his wife,” Manny said.

  “Nigeria? That’s where my brother-in-law serves as a missionary. You mean it’s about Robert and Jeanie? What’s happened?”

  Manny struggled to find the right words, gave up and said, “They’re gone. Their church was burned by a mob of Islamic extremists. Your brother-in-law and his wife were both killed. I’m so sorry.”

  Merrill felt waves of heat and cold run over her body. She swayed, slightly.

  Manny reached out to steady her and she clutched his arm, gratefully.

  “And Ryan? What about Ryan? What about their son?” she asked, fearing the answer.

  “I’m sorry. There was no mention of a child.”

  “He wouldn’t like to be called a child. Ryan’s sixteen,” she paused, her mind spinning.

  “Do you have the contact number of the person who called? I need to find out about my nephew. And, um, make arrangements.”

  Manny nodded and led his shattered pastor to the car for the ride to the church.

  Chapter 8

  When they arrived back at the church, Merrill thanked Manny and rushed into her apartment clutching the slip of paper with the embassy’s contact information.

  Snatching up her phone, she held it in her hand for a moment before punching in the numbers, reluctant to hear further devastating news.

  As the phone rang, she straightened her spine and pulled her shoulders back, bracing for a full account of the tragedy.

  She gave the receptionist her name and the reason for the call and waited while she was transferred.

  “Yes, this is Dr. Merrill Bishop. I am Rev. Robert Bishop’s sister-in-law. I understand you called me,” she said to the man at the embassy.

  Even now, she hoped Manny had gotten the message mixed up and all was well with Robert’s family.

  “That’s right, Dr. Bishop. I’m sorry to be the bearer of such sad news, but your brother-in-law and his wife were killed last night by one of the marauding gangs of extremists who’ve been harassing Christians in the region. You have my deepest sympathy,” the embassy representative said.

  “I see,” she said, swallowing her disappointment. “Can you tell me what’s happened to my nephew, Ryan? He’s their son. Was he also…”

  “No, no. Your nephew is well. He was away on a school trip. The school has been notified and he’s on his way here, now.”

  “Thank God,” Merrill groaned, feeling her knees go weak.

  “Exactly. Mrs., er, Dr. Bishop, what arrangements did you wish to make for your nephew and the remains of his parents?”

  “I’m not sure…” she began.

  “As the next of kin and Ryan’s legal guardian, according to documents your brother-in-law left, these details will be up to you. We understand this is a shock for you. We can provide local burial of your brother-in-law and his wife, if you prefer. With his home destroyed and his parents deceased, we assume you will want your nephew to join you in the States as soon as possible.”

  “Oh. Yes, of course. Can I call you back after I’ve checked into airline schedules?”

  “We will be happy to take care of the flight, as soon as you let us know which airport you would like the boy to fly into.”

  “Well, then, send him to Portland International in Portland, Oregon, and his parents, too. Just let me know when they will arrive, and I’ll meet the plane.”

  “Excellent. You should hear from us sometime tomorrow morning, your time. And, once again, let me offer my sincerest condolences on your loss.”

  Overwhelmed, Merrill slumped onto a kitchen stool, her mind foggy with incoherent thoughts.

  Taking a deep breath, she began to pray for her nephew and for her own adaptability to her new responsibilities.

  She knew Robert and Jeanie were with the Savior and no longer needed her prayers.

  The next morning, after receiving information on the flight from Nigeria and arranging with a Portland funeral home to accept the bodies, Merrill set to work clearing packing boxes and other items out of the small room off the kitchen she’d been using for storage.

  She hoped she could make it comfortable for Ryan, although it would probably be some time before he cared much about his surroundings.

  Everyone grieves and heals on their own timetable and Merrill was determined to respect Ryan’s emotional needs after such a great loss.

  When the room was emptied and vacuumed, she washed the windows and walls, leaving a pleasant, clean scent.

  That done, she left the curtains sloshing around in the washing machine, grabbed her purse and hopped into her car for a drive to the local second-hand furniture store. Ryan would need a bed.

  Entering the store, she was surprised to bump into someone she knew.

  “Hello, Merrill. How are you?” Eskaletha Evans asked.

  “Hi, Eskaletha. I’m sort of frazzled, to be honest. I’ve had some upsetting news,” Merrill surprised herself by sobbing as she spoke.

  “What is it?”

  “My brother-in-law…my late husband’s brother…and his wife, they are missionaries in Nigeria; they were…they were murdered a couple of days ago. I just found out yesterday.”

  “Oh, my dear, how horrible! Come next door with me. You need a cup of coffee.”

  Taking Merrill by the arm, Eskaletha guided her unresisting friend into a small café next to the second-hand store and ushered her into a red vinyl booth.

  “Now, tell me all about it,” Eskaletha urged gently.

  The grief and shock Merrill had been holding at bay came pouring out at Eskaletha’s kind words and sympathetic look.

  “So, I came to find my nephew a bed. He needs someplace to sleep when he arrives tomorrow. There’s nothing I can do to ease his pain, but I can at least give him a comfortable place to live while he recovers,” Merrill added, after blowing her nose and wiping her tears.

  “Do you have the rest of the bedroom furniture? Dresser, nightstand, lamp, bookshelves?

  “Oh dear, I hadn’t thought that far. He’ll need a desk to do his homework, too. Homework! I’ve got to get him registered for school,” Merrill said. “It’s been years since my daughters moved out. I’ve forgotten what raising a teenager is like.”

  “How old is Ryan?” Eskaletha asked. “What year in school?”

  “He’s a
lmost seventeen. I suppose he must be a junior.”

  “Judy’s girls go to the local high school. She will be happy to help you find your way around there, I’m sure. Don’t worry, Merrill. I know you are new in town, but you already have friends and you are not going to have to go through this alone.”

  Eskaletha patted Merrill’s hand, then held it and began to pray for the Lord to comfort and guide her new sister through this difficult time.

  The two ladies rose to leave and Merrill impulsively gave Eskaletha a hug.

  “Thank you, so much. I think I can carry on, now. You’ve been such a help,” Merrill said.

  “You will still be coming on Friday, won’t you? The rest of the ladies are eager to get to know you, and you need all the support you can get, right now,” Eskaletha said.

  “Yes. I’ll be there, unless Ryan needs me to stay with him. But I’ll call, in that case. I’d better get on with my shopping. Thanks again, Letha. See you Friday.”

  The women parted, Eskaletha walking toward her car and Merrill returning to the furniture store feeling much more hopeful.

  *

  “Hi, Judy, have you finished working on your recycled desk project, yet?” Elizabeth asked when Judy answered her call. “Gwennie said you were turning an old desk into a pair of nightstands for your girls.”

  “Hi, Liz,” Judy spoke into the phone. “They’re finished, all right. Do you want to come over and take a look? If you like how they turned out, you can have them. My girls don’t want them.”

  “Really? Why not?”

  “Oh, they’ve gone off ‘shabby chic’ and are into mid-century modern. Where am I going to find discarded Eames chairs?”

  “Say, if your girls don’t want the nightstands, I may know someone who can use them.”

  “Who?”

  “Merrill Bishop learned this week that her nephew will be coming to live with her soon and she’s trying to furnish a bedroom for him,” Elizabeth replied.

  “How old is the nephew? Why is he moving in?” Judy asked.

  “He’s a teenager and was recently orphaned. He’s been living in Nigeria with his missionary parents, but they were killed. Merrill’s his legal guardian.”

  “Oh, that’s awful! Of course, he can have the nightstands. I think they will fit in your station wagon. Shall we take them to Merrill today?”

  “Let me call to be sure she still needs them, first, and then I’ll come over. I’ll call you back if she doesn’t want them,” Elizabeth said, then hung up.

  *

  “Ryan, are you sure you don’t mind staying alone for a few hours this evening? I can still call and cancel.”

  Merrill was standing in the doorway of Ryan’s room as she spoke to her nephew who was sitting on his new bed.

  “No, you go, Aunt Merrill, I’ll be fine,” Ryan replied.

  The bedroom had turned out pretty well, considering it was such a rushed job. It felt cozy to Merrill and Ryan seemed comfortable.

  Elizabeth and Judy donated a pair of charming celery green bedside tables. Merrill had swapped one of them with a bookcase from her bedroom.

  A brand-new mattress on the second-hand captain’s bed filled most of the room, but Merrill was glad she’d opted for a full-size bed as soon as she saw how tall her nephew had grown.

  Under the room’s window, a dorm-style desk, created by topping a pair of sawhorses with a hollow core door, provided workspace.

  Until she could get to the office supply store for a desk chair, she’d borrowed seating from her kitchen.

  “Well, then, if you’re sure… I think my ride will be here shortly. My car keys are on the kitchen counter but be sure to leave me a note if you need to go anywhere. And call me, first. My cell phone number is next to the keys. Is the phone we got for you charged? There are snacks in the fridge.”

  “Relax, Auntie Merri, I’ll be fine, really.”

  Hearing Ryan call her by his childhood nickname for her, Merrill felt tears welling up.

  She walked over to the bed and put her arm across his shoulder.

  “You’re right. You will be fine. We’ll be fine together,” she said, hugging him.

  Just then, she heard a rap on the door.

  “That’s my ride. I won’t be late. Call me if you need anything. See you later,” Merrill said, squeezing his shoulder again, before turning to go.

  “Have fun, Aunt Merri. And thanks,” Ryan called after her.

  When she was gone, he fell back onto the bed with his arm across his eyes. Tears began slowly trickling down the side of his face.

  *

  Merrill was sitting on Eskaletha’s black leather sectional sofa beside Peggy Burt, as the laughing women completed a round of the game, Dixit.

  “Where did you say you got this game, Gwennie?” Peggy asked.

  “One of the college kids in our young adults group brought it to their game night. It’s a popular game for that age, I guess. I’m the group sponsor, so I got to play, too. The silly illustrations on these cards have references to video games and movies they’ve seen, so young people have the upper hand when guessing the cards, but I figured you would all be just as oblivious as I am,” Gwennie replied.

  “You were right about that!” Peggy said.

  “This has been such fun. Thank you all for inviting me tonight,” Merrill said, getting up to refill her glass of lemonade.

  “We’re all glad you felt like coming. How is your nephew doing?” Elizabeth asked.

  “About as well as could be expected, I suppose,” Merrill replied.

  “I’ve asked my girls to look out for him on Monday. The first day at a new school can be hard. Would it be okay for me to bring them over this weekend to meet Ryan? It might help if he has someone at school he recognizes,” Judy suggested.

  “That is thoughtful of you, Judy. We have the memorial service for his folks in Portland tomorrow, but you could drop by Sunday afternoon, if that’s good for you,” Merrill said.

  “Why Portland?” Judy asked.

  “Ryan’s mother’s family has a mausoleum, so Ryan thought it would be good to inter his parents’ ashes there. His dad’s side of the family is scattered, both geographically and literally, in some cases. They weren’t big on cemetery plots or tombstones. I spread my late husband’s ashes in our church rose garden, according to his wishes.”

  Eskaletha decided this sad topic had gone on long enough and interrupted by offering to serve the desserts.

  “I’ll help you, dear,” Olivette piped up.

  “What shall we play, next? Anyone for Pictionary? My little girl, Talitha Joy loves it, but it would be fun to play with grown-ups for a change,” Naidenne Davidson said.

  “Oh, let’s just sit and talk. I’m played out,” Gwennie said.

  “Okay. How are you settling into your new pastorate, Merrill? Naidenne asked.

  “How is she supposed to settle in with all the death hanging over her head?” Judy blurted out. “Oops! I didn’t mean to say it like that, sorry.”

  “You mean my unhappy discovery in the bell tower?” Merrill asked. “That was not the nicest surprise I’ve ever had, I’ll admit.”

  “And in that storm, too! Weren’t you scared?” Judy asked.

  “Not so much frightened as alarmed. I didn’t believe my eyes, at first. It’s hard to imagine how unhappy the poor woman must have been on her climb up the tower stairs. You would think every step she took would have been an opportunity to change her mind.”

  “Why do you suppose she chose your church for her final act?” Peggy asked. “Had she been a member?”

  “I heard one of our ladies say she thought the poor thing was probably one of women who had her heart broken by your last pastor,” Gwennie reported.

  “Ladies!” Eskaletha called out from the dining area. “Dessert is served. Elizabeth will you say the blessing?”

  Chapter 9

  “I came in a little late this evening, so I didn’t hear all the details, Merrill. How did your ne
phew lose his parents?” Peggy leaned over and asked, when the ladies were seated around the table finishing up their cheesecake and coffee.

  “They were missionaries in Nigeria and their church was one of those destroyed by the Islamic extremists. When they tried to protect the church building, they were both killed.”

  “How awful! I know the church is to be persecuted in the last days, but I never thought I would live to see it happening,” Peggy replied.

  “And it’s not just in Africa and the Middle East, either,” Judy asserted from across the table. “It is going on right here at home, too.”

  “We aren’t exactly having our church buildings burned down or being beheaded for our faith,” Elizabeth said.

  “Not, yet, maybe,” Judy said. “Just last week my girls were told they couldn’t wear shirts with Bible verses on them to school because it might offend an atheist or someone of another faith.”

  “But, that’s crazy!” Gwennie said.

  “This morning, Tyrone was saying all Christians of every denomination and theology need to focus on what we all have in common and join together to fight the anti-Christian campaign in this country,” Eskaletha said. “I think he’s right. Together we stand, divided we fall.”

  Olivette had seen Merrill go pale at the mention of beheadings.

  “How does it feel to be raising a teenager, again, Merrill? You said you have grown children, isn’t that right?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “Yes, I do. I have two daughters. Rebecca is a nurse in San Francisco. Candace and her family live in Colorado. Her husband’s a chaplain in the Air Force,” Merrill replied.

  “You’ve been widowed for a few years. Do you ever think about remarrying?” Gwennie asked.

  “Oh, I think about it, all right!” Merrill said, with a rueful laugh. “I’m afraid thinking is all I will ever do, though. Dating is awfully tricky for women in the pastorate.”

  “What do you mean?” Gwennie asked.

  “When a congregation calls a woman pastor, they don’t always like to think of her as a, well, a sexual person. Seeing her dating doesn’t seem to sit well with some of them. It is going to be difficult enough to gain the trust and respect of my new flock without adding any extra wrinkles, so I don’t foresee romance in my future.”