She closed the subject there but spent numerous hours thinking about it. She needed to speak to Hannah; she was probably the easier target. But opportunity didn't come easily.
Saturday came so quickly for Hannah. This week there was another charity event which she attended. Energy levels were low when they were done but she was looking forward to spending time with the young people who met regularly. They were going to the movies – at least it was a relaxing activity – and Luke had offered to fetch her. She was ecstatic that Meredith was in the car. Already the pair seemed to be quite comfortable with where their relationship was heading and it seemed to be heading towards a possible engagement, Hannah thought happily.
She had been praying for the two of them for they were very dear to her but she knew that although, she felt they were meant for each other it didn't mean that God did. She would have to let His plan prevail. Wasn't it better to let God be the matchmaker? After all, He did create each person's spouse long before they even existed. But how did one know who was that spouse? It was a mystery to her.
Although it was a pleasant day, most of the young people hadn't pitched; they ended up with just seven of them. The seven who really loved Jesus. Afterwards they went for burgers. It was a fun dinner, very informal and lots of laughter. Hannah realised she missed being in a youth group. At home, her church had a small group of youngsters but they were like family and Hannah had felt comfortable. Now too, she realised, she was comfortable, even though in the beginning, she was sceptical they would accept her.
She had grown up or rather matured, she told herself. Never before had she been away from her family; this was the first time in her life. Scared though she had been at first, she had adjusted quite well. God had truly been with her even though she didn't think He cared. And this group of young people made her realise that she was doing rather well on her own.
Talk around the tables was general until Meredith announced that her family was adopting.
“Who are they adopting?” James asked surprised.
“It's a young female who was rescued from a brothel,” Meredith said with feeling. “She is sixteen now, but has been there since she was nine.” Meredith continued to tell them how the teenager had been cunningly lured into the sex trade and could not escape the violent environment.
That sparked off indignant comments about the absolute evil surrounding children. Hannah was too distressed to comment. She didn't know much about human trafficking or the sex trade business but she did know that an innocent child had lost her childhood and will never regain it, all because of some people's selfish desires.
It hurt to think that there hadn't been anyone to protect the young child and she wanted to cry but she held it back while the others tore apart people they knew nothing about.
Around nine pm, the group dispersed. Luke dropped Hannah off before Meredith. As soon as she got into her cottage, she locked the door behind her and wept for the child who had been wronged. When her tears were spent, she prayed that God would help her to help children in this predicament. How that would come about, she didn't care for she decided she could not stand by and do nothing.
Her sleep was induced with images of crying children. And only prayer for peace helped to soothe her sleep.
Sunday morning, she was exhausted and pre-occupied with what she heard the night before. When Emily knocked on her door, she opened it distractedly.
“Oh!?” Emily said questioningly, taking in Hannah's disturbed countenance. “I wasn't sure you were coming to church today.” Hannah was usually waiting out front.
“Sorry, Mrs Garrick,” Hannah apologised tiredly.
“Are you alright?” Emily questioned concernedly.
“Let's talk in the car,” Hannah said with hope. And on the way to church, she recounted the topic spoken about, among her friends.
“I feel so useless,” Hannah sighed.
It was Derrick who counselled with her. “Hannah, life is filled with evil people and they aren't going anywhere any time soon, especially since we are living in the end times. God knows evil exists in this world but He cannot take our free will away.”
“But why would people do such things to children?” Anguish racked Hannah's voice.
“That is a question that plagues us too but God loves everyone unconditionally and His heart breaks when we hurt each other. But the burden is not for us to bear; it is for God and He can handle it. He wants us to continue praying for both the victim the victimiser and know that God loves them equally. Otherwise our faith in Him is rendered useless. Let God redeem them, Hannah.”
Derrick spoke with such tenderness that Hannah became placid. She understood that she was not trusting God when she felt useless because God was the only one who could mobilise those who are part of His plan. Still, she wanted to be a part of the redeeming plan but she didn't say anything to the Garricks. Besides, they had parked the car a long while ago.
“Why don't you sit with us?” Emily offered kindly.
Hannah hesitated before answering, “Sorry, Mrs Garrick, I promised to meet up with Meredith.”
“That's okay! We can meet up after service.” Emily looked long at Hannah before asking, “Are you okay? About the whole matter?”
Hannah nodded. “I understand what Mr Garrick was saying.”
Unconvinced, though she was, Emily didn't pursue the subject. Instead, she gave Hannah a brief hug before releasing her. She made a resolution though, to get Jonathan to chat with Hannah. Emily was quite aware that Hannah held Jonathan's advice in high esteem. And throughout the service she became more convinced that was what she should do.
So as soon as service was over, Emily sought out Hannah who was chatting with Meredith. Both women smiled warmly when they saw Emily.
“Mrs Garrick!” Hannah acknowledged pleasantly. “This is Meredith!” she introduced.
“Hello, Meredith!” Emily greeted lovingly.
Meredith returned the greeting before bidding them farewell, knowing that Emily was there for a reason. Hannah, too, suspected that Emily was there for a specific reason. That suspicion was confirmed, when Emily got right to the point.
“I couldn't concentrate on the service today,” Emily began. Hannah looked at her wide-eyed but didn't interrupt. “I don't believe that you were fully convinced about what Derrick said to you in the car.” Hannah looked guilty. “Don't be ashamed, Hannah!” Emily soothed. “Our revelation doesn't always come immediately. So I was thinking that you should speak to Jonathan about your anguish,” Emily finished strongly.
Hannah cringed. Although, she knew he would be the right person to speak to – she believed and acknowledged his word – she just could not bring herself to approach him.
“I guess I should when I get a chance,” she stated.
“Why don't you go speak to him now?” Emily suggested pointing to where he was.
Jonathan was busy chatting to some older men whom Hannah knew were the church board members. Off course, they wouldn't mind interruption but Hannah was not bold enough to do that or face Jonathan.
“Oh, no, I am sure that I could do that in the week,” Hannah said turning away.
“I see that he is coming this way,” Emily said joyfully.
Hannah's heart started beating faster. “Gosh, look at the time,” she stated not looking at Emily. “I have to go to the academy.” Not waiting for Emily to reply, she hurried off towards the exit.
Emily shook her head. She was now more than ever convinced that Hannah was avoiding Jonathan. She would have to confront Hannah soon.
Chapter 7
Soon came that afternoon when Hannah got home from the academy. So as not to be labelled a liar, Hannah spent the afternoon tutoring there.
It was five in the afternoon and Emily was in the kitchen. Derrick was out visiting so Emily took the opportunity to make pies for freezing.
“Hi, Hannah!” Emily called out of the half opened door of the kitchen. “Come and have a drink with me.”
“You look like you could do with a nice apple pie and cocoa,” Emily decided for her.
Hannah had no option but to comply. Smiling sweetly, she entered the kitchen and sat at the table while Emily dished up some apple pie for both of them then set about to make the cocoa. It was a painstaking wait for Hannah who wanted to know what Emily was really up to.
Emily, however, was determined to make Hannah wait it seemed as she took her time to make the cocoa and chatted about menial things. Finally, Emily sat down at the table with Hannah.
“So how has your music tutoring been going?” she began.
“Very few and far between since I don't have much time to tutor now,” Hannah said politely even though she wanted to get to the point.
“I guess we have to give up some thing if our schedules are too busy. I hope though that you would be able to get back into it once the production is over.” Emily took her time to sip cocoa, not expecting an answer.
Unable to touch anything at the moment, Hannah just looked on as Emily enjoyed a sip of cocoa.
“Did you give the subject we spoke about this morning, any more thought?” Emily asked kindly, after a while.
“Actually, I did think about it but not as much as before. I understand that these things require a lot of prayer,” Hannah said evasively.
“You really should speak to Jonathan,” Emily reiterated.
Hannah nodded without verbal commitment to do so. Emily stared at Hannah who squirmed inwardly at the scrutiny she was undergoing.
Suddenly Emily burst out with, “Why do you always avoid Jonathan?” wearing an uncomprehending expression.
Taken aback, it took Hannah a few seconds before she could answer. “I don't avoid him,” Hannah tried to deny fruitlessly.
“Like this morning? He was coming our way and you rushed off. I've noticed that you're not comfortable around him.” Emily was sympathetic rather than judgemental.
Hannah felt ashamed. Nervously, she confessed, “He is an intimidating figure. Don't you feel that he is?”
Emily gave a short laugh. “I guess he can be. Probably doesn't want to end up like his father who died when Jonathan was twelve. His father was a minister who died from burnout,” Emily explained. “From all his siblings, he was the most affected.”
“Wait, pastor Chandler has family?” Hannah voiced with genuine surprise.
Emily looked at her puzzled. “Everyone has to have family. How did you think we come about?”
“I know it sounds silly but it's like he just was,” Hannah said lamely. Emily gave her a blank look. “Sometimes I think that he just existed,” Hannah explained. “Like he's always been there – human but not like the rest of. For me he comes across tough and unbeatable. It's as if he will just come flying in to rescue the needy or if there is a crisis he will sort it all out with no mess or fuss,” Hannah described hopelessly her eyes pleading with Emily to understand what she was getting at.
“You mean like Superman?” Emily asked incredulously.
“Yeah, I guess so. He just seems so... not of this world.”
Emily looked ahead thoughtfully. “I guess I never saw him like that but come to think of it, even as a little boy, he was always attempting to be a hero. He would never accept defeat.”
Hannah stared at Emily as she processed the statement just made.
“Oh, my gosh, you're his mother,” Hannah covered her face with both hands, momentarily, as the revelation hit her.
“Yes,” Emily said uncertainly.
“I am so sorry, Mrs Garrick for saying all those things about your son,” Hannah apologised profusely, her face red.
“Nonsense! I think it is refreshing to hear someone speak so honestly. Very few people do that these days.” Emily laughed. “Anyway, I don't think Jonathan would mind being called Superman. Or anyone else for that matter.” She laughed heartily.
“Please don't tell him or anyone else I said that,” Hannah pleaded.
Emily simply nodded without committing not to. Naively, Hannah accepted that she would not.
“So if you are his mother, then he is the son who stayed in the cottage?” Hannah asked dreading the answer.
“True,” Emily acknowledged.
Hannah groaned inwardly. Would she never be rid of the connection that seemed to be between them?
“When did you and Mr Garrick marry?” Hannah asked to avoid thinking about it and to not ask questions about Jonathan's divorce which she was pretty sure was a closed subject and had nothing to do with her at all.
“Eight years ago,” Emily stated.
“And where are your other children?”
“My oldest, Paul, is in Dubai for a few years. He's an IT Specialist. Ruth, my youngest, is living in the UK with her husband. They've been married for a year now. She writes for a travel magazine.”
“Does Mr Garrick have children?”
“Yes, he does,” Emily nodded. “Two daughters, both married and living abroad. Ashleigh and her husband work at the TBN studios and live there. Grace lives in Canada. She's a doctor.”
Hannah didn't want to ask about Derrick's first wife and was surprised when Emily volunteered that his wife divorced him when the children were very young. He hardly got to see them because they lived in a different province. He had not been a believer back then but came to know the Lord when he was in the midst of trials and tribulation.
“What a testimony!” Hannah exclaimed. Just then the subject of their conversation walked in.
“Is that apple pie I smell?” he asked cheerily greeting the ladies as he came in.
It was a cue for Hannah to leave which she gladly did in a hurry. She didn't want to spend any more time talking about their families, especially hers. Not just yet, anyway.
Hannah reflected on the information Emily had given her about her family. Why Hannah thought that Jonathan was an only child or with no parents around him, she could not fathom. She just did. And that was remiss. Off course he was human even if he came across as invincible.
She sighed with regret for having voiced her thoughts to Emily. But it was too late now. However, she trusted the older woman not to repeat it.
Emily, however, was amused at Hannah's perception of Jonathan. She had never heard her son being described in such a way, especially by a woman. Many women had complimented him on his looks, physique, manners, even doting on him, dreaming of becoming the next Mrs Chandler. It was the first time someone had not seen him as husband material.
Emily sighed! Hannah would make the perfect wife for him but she was not going to match make. His first wife had been her matchmaking and what a disaster that turned out to be. No she was not going to interfere in her son's life especially where marriage was concerned. He was happy to let God sort that out and she should be too. God knew who should be the woman to stand with Jonathan in his ministry, if there was to be a wife, and interfering would only get her into trouble.
“What are you puzzling about?” Derrick asked watching his wife struggle with something.
“Oh, nothing to puzzle about, actually. I was just thinking about Hannah and what a wonderful person she is. Do you know that she thinks of Jonathan as a kind of superman?” Emily laughed at Derrick's look of pure surprise then proceeded to tell him about the conversation the two women had earlier.
“I have never heard anyone describe Jonathan like that,” Derrick laughed. “I can only imagine how high his ego will soar when we tell him.”
Emily agreed but they didn't get a chance to tell him until Wednesday. They invited him for supper which he readily excepted.
Hannah was in the cottage when Jonathan arrived for supper. He was surprised that Emily didn't ask Hannah to join them. But it wasn't for him to say anything. After all he had not wanted her there the last time he had come for supper. Of her free will, Emily disclosed
Hannah's reasons for not joining them..
“Hannah didn't want to join us. She is working on the production,” Emily said as an afterthought. No one commented on the statement. She was glad because she had readily accepted Hannah's declination, earlier. They went ahead with supper.
“How's your day been?” Derrick asked casually.
“Better than it's been in a while,” Jonathan confessed.
“How's the production going?” Emily asked also casually.
“Very well from what I can see,” Jonathan said levelly.
“I guess Hannah's doing a great job,” Derrick said proudly.
Jonathan looked at the man with a wondering look. When did he also become an Hannah fan? “Yes, I would have to admit that she is. I guess looks can be deceiving.” He smiled at the memory of her doing her job to the best of her ability.
“It sure is,” Derrick agreed readily.
“I must admit I didn't have any doubt in her from the beginning,” Emily said proudly. “She certainly has proven herself. Makes you wonder why God sent her here.”
Emily was looking at Derrick intensely and Jonathan wondered what they were up to. He had a feeling they were wanting to say something but didn't know how.
“I guess the support of the group also helps,” Jonathan added, shrugging.
The two older people nodded. “But you have to admit she isn't like anyone we are used to.” It was Emily who brought the topic back to Hannah.
“I guess not,” Jonathan said dismissively. He had always thought she was different but he was not prepared to discuss his thoughts with anyone, especially his mother. He remembered how hard she had taken his divorce.
“She comes from a small town but she certainly doesn't have small ideas,” Emily continued thoughtfully. “She only has good things to say of everyone she comes in contact with.”
Wondering where the conversation was going, Jonathan just nodded. However, he was wide eyed when Emily poured out, “Do you know she thinks of you as Superman?”
He wondered if he heard correctly but Emily continued to relate to him the conversation she and Hannah had the Sunday before. At the end of it, Jonathan's ego was definitely boosted.
No Engagement Ring Page 6