Prescription For Love

by Boeshaar, Andrea

  Ravyn felt so proud of him.

  “Your father is living his dream of serving God in this way,” Mark had said during a phone conversation several nights ago. “Your mom has been his perfect helpmeet to him.”

  Ravyn couldn’t help the wry grin that tugged at her mouth as she recalled the discussion. She knew Mark was rubbing in the helpmeet part. But she had to admit her cynicism had waned over the summer. She’d seen the power of God in both Shelley’s and Carla’s lives and realized how complacent, even neglectful, she’d become in her walk with Christ.

  In essence, Ravyn had evidenced the power of God in her own life, too.

  “This is gonna be good.” Marky squirmed in his chair. It seemed he couldn’t sit still.

  “You’ve seen this play a dozen times.” Shelley shook her head at him in dismay. “Why are you so excited?”

  Marky’s brown eyes widened with exasperation. “I told you. It’s a surprise.”

  “Oh, good grief.” Shelley leaned into Ravyn. “I keep wondering if we should be worried.”

  “If my dad and your son are in cahoots, I think we should be very worried.”

  “I hear ya.”

  They shared a smile and Ravyn guessed her father had told Marky he’d mention his name and thank him publicly for all his hard work this summer. That would explain Marky’s insistence on arriving early and claiming front row seats.

  The din in the theater began to grow with the number of people. Within a half hour, Ravyn guessed nearly three quarters of the theater had filled. Then, precisely at seven o’clock, the lights in the house dimmed and Al Woods took the stage.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentleman.” He spoke into the microphone and the audience quieted.

  “Thank you for coming tonight. I trust you won’t be disappointed with our production.” He smiled and Ravyn thought he looked dapper in his dark suit. She marveled at how carefree he appeared while facing a couple hundred pairs of eyes. “Since this is our closing night, I’d like to take a few minutes to thank some very special people. My wife, Zann, for one. Paintress extraordinaire. She created our backdrops and selected the costumes. She also keeps me in line.” With a chuckle he turned sideways and extended his arm. “Come on out here, Zann. Take a bow.”

  Ravyn applauded with the others as her mother waltzed onto the stage, waved to the audience, and then disappeared behind the thick red velveteen curtain.

  “After the show, you’ll meet our talented cast. At that time, I’ll also tell you about our ministry—”

  “Anyone sitting here?”

  Her attention diverted for the moment, Ravyn gave the gentleman taking the seat beside her an annoyed look. “Um, no,” she said in a hushed voice. She wondered why the guy didn’t move down one, since there was plenty of room.

  She glanced at him again and all at once she noticed his smile, caught the spark of amusement in his gaze, and smelled his zesty cologne.

  “Mark!” She couldn’t believe her eyes. She kept her tone low since her father was still speaking, but a mix of happiness and disbelief began pumping through her veins. “What are you doing here?”

  He placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick kiss. “I wanted to see your dad’s play,” he whispered. “Well, actually, I wanted to see you.”

  His words made her want to melt. “When did you get back?”

  “A couple of hours ago, but I’ve been planning to surprise you for about a week. I had a church cancel on me—but I’ll tell you about that later.”

  Ravyn nodded at the same time Shelley nudged her.

  “Your dad just called Marky up onstage.”

  Ravyn grinned and watched as the boy sprang from his seat and made his way up onstage like a pro. When he reached Ravyn’s father, he stared into the audience with an awed grin.

  “So now, Marky, tell us what happened a few days ago.” Dad removed the mike from its stand and held it close to Marky’s lips.

  “I got saved.” His voice shook with mild trepidation.

  “Tell our guests here tonight what that word saved means.”

  “Um. . .” Marky seemed stumped. “It means, like saved, like firemen save people and stuff.”

  “Rescued?”

  “Yeah.” The kid perked up.

  “Well, who rescued you and from what were you rescued?”

  Ravyn grinned at her father’s dramatics.

  “Jesus saved me, and I was saved from dying and spending the rest of my whole dead life away from God.”

  “Dead life? Hmm.” Dad folded his arms and cupped his chin, looking thoughtful. “Do you mean eternal life?”

  “Yeah, cuz when you die in this life you got another life and you either spend it with God or away from God.” Marky used his hands to illustrate the two options. “God is like the sunshine, but the place that’s away from God is all dark and nasty.”

  “Dark and nasty?” Dad shuddered. “Not for me. But, pray tell, how did you get rescued? How can anyone get rescued?”

  “Well, it’s like this.” Marky took the microphone and Ravyn laughed at his sudden boldness. “Everybody’s headed for that dark, nasty place because we’ve all done bad things in our lives. But if you’re sorry about doing bad things, then you can get saved by Jesus.”

  “How?” Dad prompted.

  “By asking Him, because Jesus is God’s Son and He’s got the power.”

  “A real live Superhero, eh?”

  “Yeah, because God can do anything.”

  “That’s right. So how do you feel now that you’ve been saved?”

  “Good.”

  Ravyn had to laugh at the elementary reply.

  “What would you tell others who are doing their own soul-searching?”

  “I’d tell ’em to get saved and hurry up. And when it happens, you know it! It’s like you can feel yourself get saved on the inside and then, when you open your eyes, everything seems different. Better.”

  Out of the mouths of babes, Ravyn thought as unexpected tears clouded her vision.

  “Wow, that’s terrific,” Mark whispered near her ear. “He accepted Christ.”

  “It’s a miracle.” She smiled at him before glancing at Shelley, who had plump tears dribbling down her narrow face. Reaching under her seat, Ravyn took hold of one of the many tissue boxes strategically placed throughout the theater for times such as these.

  She passed the tissues to Shelley. “Marky turned to Christ. He’ll be all right now.”

  “But he’s still a little boy who needs his mother,” Ravyn reminded her. “Don’t go writing yourself off as useless like you’ve done in the past. Marky needs you.”

  “Maybe so, but he’s a Christian now and as long as chooses to walk with the Lord, he’ll never end up in my footsteps.”

  Dad’s voice boomed through the theater. “Well, Marky, that’s quite a testimony. Folks,” he addressed his audience once more, “this young man has been an enormous help to our summer staff and he’s now been adopted into the family of God. Let’s give him a big hand.”

  Ravyn applauded and even stood to give Marky a bear hug when he returned to his seat. “I’m very proud of you, my brother.”

  His pride and chagrin formed two rosy spots on his sun-tanned cheeks.

  “Way to go, Marky.” Mark extended his hand and the child gave his palm a smack.

  “Are you surprised, Mom?”

  “Am I ever! But I’m happy more than surprised.” Shelley’s voice was thick with unshed emotion. “Getting saved is the most important decision you’ll ever make.”

  “And you, too.” He took his mom’s hand and sandwiched it between his two smaller ones. “Mom, if you watch this play tonight you can get saved, too. God doesn’t care about all the bad things you’ve done. He forgives and you can start over.”

  Overcome with emotion, Ravyn swiped a few tissues from the box still in Shelley’s lap. Marky loved his mother so much. The fact had been evident from the first day Ravyn met him. She listened now,
wondering if Shelley would explain that she had been saved by grace years ago, but that she’d unfortunately become what the Bible calls in the book of Jeremiah “faithless” and backslidden. Shelley needed God’s healing, but as far as Ravyn knew she’d asked Jesus to save her long ago.

  Didn’t she? Ravyn dabbed her eyes and wiped her nose. Well, that was up to God to judge. Not her. At the present, however, Shelley seemed to have little regard for herself. Instead, she appeared proud and happy with her son for his decision.

  “I’ll take you out for ice cream after the show, okay? We’ll celebrate.”

  “Okay. Right after the cast party.” The joy on Marky’s face didn’t fade until the lights in the house went down and the curtain opened.

  Dry-eyed at last, Ravyn settled in beside Mark. The warmth of his presence and the weight of his arm around her shoulders lent her an assured, secure feeling. She wished this moment would last forever. Everything in the world seemed so indescribably perfect.

  ❧

  The September night air had a nip to it. Ravyn scooted closer to Mark where they glided back and forth on a freestanding wooden swing that had been built on the edge of the park. From their vantage point, they could see the lights from downtown Dubuque sparkling off the Mississippi River.

  “Are you cold?” Mark pulled her in tighter, right next to him.

  “Not anymore.”

  He smiled. “Your folks have done a great job with Marky, and Shelley seems to be coming along, too.”

  “She hasn’t missed a day of work all summer.”

  “I’m impressed. I know you’ve been keeping me updated on their situations when we’ve talked on the phone. But to actually see their progress is incredible—and it’s all because of your willingness to be used by God.”

  “No, it’s not. God worked in spite of me.” Ravyn straightened and looked up into Mark’s face. “I’ve witnessed the power of God like never before. What’s more, I’ve come to respect my parents’ ministry in a way I never thought possible. They hear the Lord’s voice and obey Him. It sounds so simplistic, I realize, but to listen for God’s still small voice above the din of life with all its trials and temptations isn’t easy.”

  “How well I know that.” He bobbed his head as if to emphasize the point.

  “I’m ashamed of myself for putting them down for the work they do.”

  “Hmm. Do you feel that way about overseas missionaries, too?”

  Ravyn opened her mouth to reply, but Mark cut her off.

  “Before you answer, let me say that I don’t know how far across the ocean I’ll get at the rate I’m going. I’m only at 27 percent support. After practically knocking myself out at that Bible school program in Wisconsin, the church decided not to sponsor me.”

  “How disappointing.”

  “To say the least. Then the next church canceled my visit altogether.”

  “Well, we both know life’s full of setbacks and letdowns, Mark. Why should the ministry be any different that way?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I just thought it would be. Maybe I’ve been rather arrogant to think God would hand me my support on a golden platter—just like my aunt and uncle paid my way through med school.”

  “I think you’re being too hard on yourself.” She leaned her head against Mark’s shoulder again. His long-sleeved chambray shirt felt soft against her face and the side of her arm. “Your aunt and uncle might have paid the school bill, but you worked your backside off and you know it. You earned your MD.”

  “I worked hard, that’s for sure.” He kissed her temple. “But I made some phone calls in the last couple of days anyway, and I’m praying about whether to accept a job in an urgent care clinic here in Dubuque. If it’s what God wants, I don’t mind throwing some of my own money into the support pot.”

  “Really?” Ravyn turned on the swing to face him. “You’re thinking of staying?”

  “For now.”

  “I can’t pretend. I’m elated.”

  “I kind of figured you might be.” A half smile tugged at the corner of Mark’s mouth. “But please understand that this in no way means I’m giving up my plans for the mission field. I view this as a temporary setback.”

  “I see it as a blessing. If you were to accept the urgent care position it’ll buy us some time.”

  Mark regarded her askance, wearing a look of mischief. “And what kind of time are you seeking to purchase, madam?” he asked, feigning a French accent.

  Ravyn laughed. “You are so crazy.”

  “That is because I am crazy about you.”

  He pulled her close to him again, but instead of a kiss, Ravyn felt a buzz when Mark’s cell phone vibrated in his shirt pocket.

  Startled, she jolted backward. Mark caught her arm before she could topple off the swing.

  With one arm around Ravyn, he pulled out his phone. “You’ve got to stay away from those lattes, girl.”

  Ravyn caught her breath. “Excuse me. I thought I was being electrocuted by Pepé LePew.”

  Mark chuckled and answered his phone.

  Grinning over the near mishap, Ravyn leaned back in the swing and stared up at the star-studded sky. Her smile faded, however, when she heard the sudden alarm in Mark’s voice.

  He sat forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “Did you call the paramedics?”

  Ravyn moved to the edge of the swing and stared at Mark, wondering what sort of terrible thing had happened.

  “Okay, tell them to transport him to Victory Medical Center. I’ll meet you there. Did you try to rouse him? Is he breathing? Okay, okay—don’t panic. Wait for the paramedics to arrive.”

  Ravyn’s heart sank as she guessed the situation. Mark’s uncle had likely suffered another heart attack.

  Mark stayed on the line with his great-aunt, trying to calm her, until she announced the emergency medical personnel had arrived. When he finished the call, he confirmed Ravyn’s suspicions.

  “From what my aunt described, things sound rather grim.” Mark’s voice sounded tight with emotion as he stood. “I need to get over to the hospital.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  He helped Ravyn off the swing.

  “You sure? I have time to drive you home first.”

  “Nope, I’m positive.”

  Ravyn slipped her hand into his as they strode to Mark’s car. There was no place on earth she’d rather be right now than by his side.

  Twenty

  With a cloud of disbelief fogging his mind, Mark stared at his great-uncle’s casket. Had it really only been three days ago that Uncle Chet was pronounced dead at the hospital? Everything between then and now seemed a blur of calling friends and family members, meeting with the pastor and funeral director, and picking up relatives at the airport. But now reality struck: Uncle Chet was dead.

  A tug on his arm reminded Mark of his aunt Edy. She clung to him as though her legs might not support her if she let go. He told himself to be strong. Aunt Edy needed him. Besides, as a physician, Mark had always been aware that death was a very real part of life. However, the fact hit him on a personal level, and it hit him hard.

  The pastor read from the scriptures beneath gloomy skies, which seemed a fitting backdrop for this moment. Unable to concentrate, Mark stared across the gaping reddish brown earth and spotted Ravyn. Wearing somber garb, she stood alongside her family with Shelley and her son. Mark would have liked to feel Ravyn’s presence beside him today. But his immediate family had arrived from New Hampshire and they pressed in around him.

  Ravyn. He didn’t know how he would have managed without her these past couple of days. She had been a big help in consoling his aunt. Mark only hoped Ravyn understood that his neglect of her hadn’t been intentional.

  As if he’d spoken the illogical thought aloud, she glanced up and met his gaze. He saw only empathy in her expressive dark eyes. If he hadn’t realized it before, he did now; he loved Ravyn.

  She gave him a little smile before lowering her
gaze. Mark, too, bowed his head as the pastor began to read the Twenty-third Psalm.

  “ ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. . . .’ ”

  The graveside service ended and Mark lost sight of Ravyn, although he knew he’d catch up with her at some point. He focused on his duties at hand and helped Aunt Edy across the small country cemetery. They reached the parking lot, and he helped her into the car before walking around and climbing in behind the wheel.

  “I invited the Woodses over to the small gathering at the house.” Aunt Edy smoothed down the skirt of her black dress before she snapped her seat belt into place. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”

  Mark started the car’s engine. “Of course I don’t.”

  “About time the two families meet each other.”

  “I agree.” He sent his great-aunt a small smile and pulled out of the parking slip.

  Silence spanned the next several minutes.

  “Chet was very proud of you. He left a provision for you in his will. It’s in the form of a life insurance policy and its sum will take care of any funds you’re lacking in church support.”

  “Let’s talk about this later, all right?”

  “Yes.” Aunt Edy’s voice sounded strained. “I just thought you should know about the money. Chet wanted very much to help you realize your goals to serve the Lord on the mission field and that policy will help you get there.”

  “And what about you?” Mark braked for a stoplight and turned to his great-aunt. Her fawn-colored hair curled out from beneath the round black hat she wore. “I need to know you’ll be well provided for.”

  “Oh, yes, I’ll be fine.” She held her hanky to her nose. “Chet made sure of it.”

  Mark’s heart broke as she began to weep. He reached over and touched her shoulder and felt it shake beneath his palm. He felt like sobbing himself. It was hard to believe Uncle Chet wouldn’t be at home when they arrived.