by T. K. Chapin
“Can I get you some food? Are you hungry?”
“Not really.”
Coming closer to Olivia, Kora cupped her daughter’s face in her hand. “Remember, dear, you’re eating for two now, plus eating helps make sure the pain pills don’t upset your stomach.”
More pain surged through Olivia. This time, it was emotional. She still hadn’t called Bruce and broken the news to him about the pregnancy. She honestly didn’t want to tell him. She knew it’d only bring out his anger and cause Bruce to assume she wanted to be with him, which wasn’t the truth. She didn’t want to be with Bruce, even if she was having his baby. She held a measure of worry that Bruce might want to work things out when he finds out she’s pregnant, or even worse, that he still doesn’t want her. She couldn’t win emotionally with either outcome.
Her mother soon left her bedroom and she sank beneath the safety of the covers. Her chest heaving and her heart hurting, Olivia desperately wanted all the pain and anxiety to just go away. If only she could slip out of her broken shell of a body and go be someone else for a moment, live someone else’s life . . . maybe then, at least for a moment, things wouldn’t be so bad.
Rachel showed at Olivia’s parents’ at eight o’clock that evening. She didn’t come through the bedroom door, but instead to the bedroom window with a quick series of knocks. Olivia jolted and then got out of her bed. Going over to the window, she motioned at her to enter, and Rachel pulled the window up and open.
“What on earth?” Olivia laughed. “The front door works perfectly fine, Rach!”
Rachel didn’t laugh but looked Olivia over from head to toe. “You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
Shaking her head, she climbed in through the window and immediately wrapped her arms around Olivia and held her close for a moment.
“I’m so sorry this happened. Tell me everything.”
Olivia explained everything from the moment Bruce’s mistress came for a visit all the way to the inn, but she left out the pregnancy at that moment. It wasn’t quite real enough to Olivia to share yet.
“Wow.”
“Can we change the subject? I’m still wondering why you didn’t come in through the front door.”
Rachel let out a chuckle, loosening the tension in the air. “I wanted it to be like the old days. You remember how many times you sneaked out? Or I sneaked in when you were grounded? There for a while, I’m pretty sure we used the window more than the door.”
Olivia recalled her younger days when she was still living at home and under the strict rule of her parents. They grounded her constantly for poor grades, bad attitudes, and any and every other little thing they didn’t approve of that she was doing in her life. She felt like she was being constantly punished for her lack of belief in their religion, their God. She never could get them to admit it to her.
“Man . . .” Olivia said with the memories funneling through her thoughts. “We were quite the rebels in those days.”
“Speaking of the old days.” Rachel pulled her purse off from around her neck and walked over to the bed. Setting it down, she unzipped one of the pockets and retrieved a painted glass pipe. Immediately, Olivia shook her head and pointed to the purse.
“Absolutely not! Get that out of here!”
A blush crawled into Rachel’s cheeks, reddening them. “Wow. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you weren’t into it anymore.”
Recognizing she had hurt her cousin’s feelings by the reaction, Olivia felt a piercing sting in her heart. She gentled and reached out, lightly touching her casted hand and exposed fingertips on Rachel’s arm. “I’m sorry. I just . . . I just can’t go backward. Also . . .” Olivia sat down on the bed and her chin dipped for a moment. Lifting her gaze toward Rachel, with tears glistening in her eyes, she shook her head, resigning herself to the fact that this is really happening. “I’m pregnant.”
Rachel covered her mouth as her eyes widened. “No way!”
“Yes, way.”
“Do your parents know?”
“Yes.”
“How are you going to take care of a kid?”
“My dad’s friend Gus needs a receptionist at the car lot, so after I heal up, I’m going to work there. Also, I’m enrolling into Carrington College for their dental assisting program.”
Rachel was quiet for a long moment as she sat down beside Olivia on the bed. Her tone was somber. “Sounds like you’re going places in life.”
“I have to keep moving forward or I’ll slip, I know it. You have a job and your own place, Rachel. You’re doing well too.”
Her cousin’s lips curved into a wry smile. “Sure, assistant manager at Zumiez is something to strive for in life.”
“That store is awesome. You’re doing a lot better in life than I am. I’m getting divorced, I’m pregnant, and I have two broken hands I can’t use!”
They laughed lightly, then Rachel leaned her head against Olivia’s shoulder. “I’m glad I have you not only as a cousin, but as a best friend. And, best of all, you’re back in my life.”
“I’m glad too, Rach. You’ve been like the sister I never had, and I’ve missed you like crazy for all these years. I’m so sorry for that. Now that Bruce is out of the picture, I’ll make sure that never happens again!”
Chapter 6
CHARLIE AND SERENAH INVITED TYLER to Church On The Lake for morning services that Sunday, and he obliged. After breakfast, and after Charlie and Serenah had already left the inn, Tyler headed to his room on the lower level to get ready. As he walked into the room, he looked toward the window facing the lake, spotting a bird just outside the glass. It sat perched on a branch and looked as if it was peering in through the window, right at him.
He walked over and sat down on the small padded bench beneath the window and peered out at the bird. It had a soft blue hue on its topside with a white underbelly. The bird tilted its head, looking as if it was flashing a confused look at Tyler. He laughed lightly and sent up a quick thanks to God. Thank You for the morning visitor.
Tyler was beginning to see the beauty in the small things again in his visit to the inn and away from the city. Yesterday, when he was fishing off the dock, an eagle flew overhead and caught his attention. Last night, while he sipped on a cup of hot cocoa and sang worship songs with Charlie and Serenah at the fire pit by the shore, he was overwhelmed by the sense of connection with a fellow brother and sister in Christ. Without work or a television to distract him, Tyler was seeing more and being distracted less. He felt like he was starting to see God’s hand in everything and in all things.
While staring out at the bird, it began to sing and he listened. Tyler thought about his home above the bowling alley back in Spokane, the constant sound of crashing pins. He knew right then that he had outgrown that place and it was time to start building a house, building a future. Maybe Diamond Lake is a good place to build, he thought as he stood up from the bench and went over to the dresser.
Pulling out a pair of slacks, he laid them out on the bed, then grabbed a pair of socks and his belt. Finally, he went over to the closet and took from it a long-sleeved white button-up shirt. Laying it on the bed with the other items, he went into the bathroom and took a shower.
As the hot water crashed over his head and shoulders, he closed his eyes. Flashes of Olivia’s sea-blue eyes invaded his otherwise peaceful thoughts. That pebble of discomfort grew a little more. C’mon, God. I don’t need to worry about her or think about her anymore. There’s so much I can focus on here. Help me to focus more on the glory that is Yours.
He shut the shower off and wrapped a towel around his waist. Wiping the mirror with a hand, he saw his reflection come into view. Salt seasoned his otherwise black hair on the sides of his scalp, making him feel old. Before the gray showed, he’d considered himself young, youthful, and full of life ahead. Once the gray started showing up a few months back, he became far more aware of how quickly time was fading, and his desire to have a family became stronger.
He shaved, gelled his hair, and then got dressed. On his way out to the car in the driveway, he saw pine cones and pine needles lying below the towering pines and he thought of Chet. His old friend had refused to work a real job after his stint at Wendy’s. Trading in a time-clock for pine needles, he began basket weaving, of all things, specializing specifically in pine-needle baskets. He figured out a way to not only sell the baskets but to market them. Maybe I will go see him, Tyler thought as he got into his car.
Finding his way to a seat near the front right side of the sanctuary, Tyler set his Bible down and began to greet the people near him. As he turned around to see who else he could greet, he saw Chet sitting three rows back from him. Tyler’s eyes widened upon seeing him in attendance at church. Chet had had a hard heart toward Jesus, the Gospel, and anything to do with God for as long as Tyler had known him, and the fact that he was in attendance on Sunday morning was more than surprising. It was unfathomable. Moving out from the row of seats, Tyler made his way over to his old friend.
Chet lifted his gaze as Tyler closed in. He smiled and rose, moving out from the end of the row to shake Tyler’s hand.
“I haven’t seen you in ages, old man.”
Chet laughed. “It’s been a while, kid. What brings you out to Diamond Lake?”
“I’m staying at the inn.”
“These people are good folks. I know the pastor and his wife well. I haven’t had a chance to stay at the inn, but I attended a Bible study there back a while ago.”
“A Bible study?” Tyler couldn’t hide his surprise any longer.
Chet lifted a hand and nodded. “I know, it’s weird to hear about me in a Bible study, and probably to even see me in a place like this on Sunday. I’m a changed man, and God gets all the credit.”
“I tried talking to you about Jesus about a million times. What happened?” Tyler became more excited by the moment, realizing Chet was truly saved.
“Yes, you did, and those were seeds that took some time to grow, but they did, and there was a reaping. You see, kid, I met Jesus face-to-face right after I had a short trip to Hell and back.”
“Hell? What?” Tyler shrank back. He would never discount someone’s experience but knew to tread carefully whenever someone had an experiential trip to Heaven or Hell, for their stories were outside of the God-breathed, inspired Word of God.
“Not literal hell, but I got lost . . .” He paused, unable to continue for a moment as tears welled in his eyes. “I lost Margret last year, then I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My whole world came crumbling down around me, and those words you spoke to me so long ago came back. You read me a verse you had memorized. I still remember it to this day. Psalm 23:4, ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ I looked it up in my Bible Margret forced us to keep on our bookcase, and I read it over and over again and wept the whole time. It struck a need so deep down in my soul I couldn’t push it away. I was walking in a dark place and felt utterly hopeless as the walls of Hell were all around me. Then, I found Jesus. I came to the church the next morning. It was on a Tuesday at seven o’clock, and that’s when I met Charlie. He sat with me and spoke with me and cared for me. He wasn’t like the pastors I had been acquainted with in the past.”
Tyler was awed by the story and moved with overwhelming joy to hear all that God had done with Chet. Here he had thought Chet was upset with him about a disagreement years ago, but he wasn’t. He was busy working on his relationship with the Lord after losing his wife and being diagnosed with cancer. He searched for words, but only one could come out of Tyler’s mouth. “Wow.”
“Yes, wow. Sadly, I wasn’t ready for Jesus when you spoke to me back in the day, but I found my way there.” The music struck up on the stage up in the front of the church, and people started taking seats. Chet peered over Tyler’s shoulder, then back at Tyler. “Come by the cabin after church and we’ll catch up. I’ll make you a sandwich.”
They shook hands again. “I’ll be there.”
Walking back to the row he had his Bible sitting in, Tyler glanced behind him at Chet once more. He caught a glimpse of him hugging another brother in Christ. He really found You, Lord. That’s amazing. Tyler joined in the singing, letting his voice carry as joy and peace flooded over his heart. The fact that Chet had found Jesus gave him hope for Olivia and many nonbelievers he had met in his life. His friend had been hard-hearted for years and that shell was cracked open by a combination of life’s difficulties and God’s power, grace, and mercy.
Following the service, Tyler mingled with the congregation over coffee and donuts. Chet didn’t stay long but left shortly after service. Sitting at a table with Charlie and Serenah, along with a few of their friends, everyone fell into light conversations. Some were speaking about the sermon that Charlie had delivered about being a servant, while others talked about their children and life’s latest happenings around Newport. Then one of the guys at the table, Dylan, turned to Tyler.
“That wound on your knuckles looks fresh. Mind if I ask what happened?”
“I don’t mind.” Explaining how God led him to the scene of the accident, Olivia, and her visit to the inn, Tyler ended his spiel with a sigh.
“You seem rather disappointed with the situation.”
Tyler nodded. “I am. Pray for her. She doesn’t believe in Jesus.”
“Let’s pray right now.” Dylan scooted his chair closer to Tyler and bowed his head as he rested a hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Dear Lord, we come to You today lifting Olivia up to You. We ask You to soften her heart, Lord, to draw her close to You. God, You are the sustainer of life and it’s only through You we can have peace. I also want to ask a special prayer over my brother in Christ, Tyler. May Your wisdom and truth be ever-present on his heart and in his mind. Amen.”
Lifting his gaze to Dylan, Tyler nodded. “Thanks, man.”
“You’re welcome.”
Excusing himself from the table a short time later, Tyler said his goodbyes and drove over to the far western side of the lake where Chet’s cabin was located. Nothing but a dirt road, open acreage, and a small bundle of trees were on the property. The cabin was isolated from the rest of the lake’s community and Chet loved it that way. As he drove down the bumpy road, he couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that it hadn’t changed a bit. As he came around the bend in the dirt road that came alongside the patch of trees, he recalled Chet being offered a large sum of money if he’d sell some of his land, but of course, he’d refused. He said that it was handed down to him in the family and he wouldn’t let it go easily.
Parking beside the same beat-up Chevrolet pickup truck that Chet had been driving for years, Tyler got out of his car and surveyed the property. A stump used as a chopping block for wood sat beneath a small tin shelter where stacked and chopped wood was piled up for the approaching winter months. Trees dotted the property, a small cluster to the right side of the cabin. Not much farther down the dirt road, Tyler could see Chet’s old barn, most likely still full of Chet’s stuff. Then the lake, which brought the property into its rightful beauty, was positioned perfectly behind the cabin, only a short walk to the shore line. There on the shore was a fire pit with burned up logs and a camping chair.
As Tyler headed to the front door of the cabin, he peered at the cabin itself, a gorgeous one-level wood cabin with an old chimney and a wraparound porch older than he was. As he came closer, he saw the same old rocking chairs they had on the porch the last time he visited. Sadness invaded Tyler as his gaze landed upon the one that belonged to Margret, Chet’s late wife.
Tyler went up the steps onto the porch and knocked on the frame of the green-painted screen door.
Chet opened the door with a wide grin and then pushed open the screen. It creaked on its hinges.
“The coffee is on and sandwiches made. You still like turkey and bacon, right?”
“You betcha.” Tyler walked in
and noticed a shoe box on the coffee table on his way into the kitchen with Chet. Oscillating fans were in both the living room and kitchen, doing their best to keep the air moving and the sweat off. Finding his prepared sandwich on a plate at the kitchen table, Tyler took a seat.
“This looks great. Thanks for making it.”
Chet sat down in a chair at the table. “You’re welcome.”
“So, tell me what you do with your time now. Still weaving, I take it?”
“Yep. I also do some work at the church. There for a while, when I was in better health, I let the youth come out once a month. Usually the last Friday of the month, I’d have them all over to roast marshmallows. We’d sit around the fire and tell stories, then I would teach them out of the Bible. We had a good time. I figure it’s something, and that’s a whole lot better than nothing. You know, I don’t regret much in my life, Tyler, but I do regret not finding the Lord sooner. I don’t think my life would’ve been easier if I found Jesus earlier, but I know I could’ve had Him with me and done a whole lot more for Him.”
Moved with compassion and also guilt over his own lack of involvement with his church, Crosspoint, in Spokane, Tyler nodded as he finished a bite of sandwich. “That reminds me of the sermon today. It was a gut check for me. I feel dumb for how little I thought about serving before today. I’m so focused on my work and what I have going on that I was blinded to it.”
“You still have a lot of years ahead of you, kid. A full life to serve Jesus.”
His words reminded Tyler of the cancer he had briefly mentioned at the church. “Tell me more about the cancer, if you’re willing.”
The smile that followed on Chet’s lips confused Tyler. Then he spoke and it all started to make sense. “Doctors gave me two months and that was about nine months ago. I reckon I won’t be here much longer, and then I’ll hopefully be joining Margret in Heaven.”