by Lori Wick
The Camping Trip
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1
“Mom, you’re not even trying,” Chad Farrell said in mild disgust, throwing himself down in the nearest chair.
“What exactly did you want me to do, Chad?” Hilary Farrell asked her 13-year-old son.
“My coach is a Christian.”
“So you’ve said, but you also mentioned the fact that he’s nearing 60.”
“No,” Chad replied with some frustration. “That’s the assistant coach. The head coach, Coach Maxwell, is only in his forties.”
“Forties or not, honey, don’t get your hopes up. I’ve told you before, Chad, men my age are not looking for a woman whose car won’t start most mornings and whose house still has a mortgage. Not to mention the fact that you and your sister are always telling me I can’t cook.”
The humor did not work as it usually did. Hilary put the laundry basket down, sat on the bed, and looked closely at her son. He was so much like his father it almost hurt to study him.
“I want to understand what’s going on, Chad, so why don’t you tell me what this is really about?” Hilary’s voice was soft and coaxing, and it surprised her to see tears fill her son’s eyes.
“The baseball camp-out is only three weeks away.” His whisper was tortured. “I’m the only one on the team who doesn’t have a dad to go with him.”
Hilary nodded and hoped he couldn’t tell how tormented she was inside. They were both on the verge of sobbing, and for a moment she weighed the need for such a release. Praying swiftly, she decided against it at this time and then used some levelheaded logic to rescue them both.
“Will you allow me to look at this rationally?”
Chad nodded, and Hilary continued in a kind tone.
“If I were to meet a man this very moment and think he was the one, three weeks is hardly enough time to get married and get him on that camp-out with you.”
Hilary waited for Chad to nod again. “I do want to marry again if God has someone for me. And I do want him to be a man who will love you and Lisa and want to do special things with you. But for now, I think we’d better leave this with my assuring you that I will try harder, or at least be praying more often about a mate.
“Why don’t I phone your Uncle Jack tonight,” she concluded. “Maybe he’s free that weekend.”
It was not exactly what Chad had wanted to hear, but Hilary could see he was beginning to accept the situation. Uncle Jack was a lot of fun, but as a pilot for a major airline, his weekends were rarely free.
Chad gave a final nod, hauled himself out of the chair, picked up the laundry basket, and preceded his mother out of the bedroom. The simple gesture was so like what his father would have done that Hilary felt on shaky ground all over again.
“What’s wrong?” 16-year-old Lisa wanted to know as soon as her mother entered the kitchen. “Has Chad been on a father kick again?”
“Mind your own business, Lisa!” Chad grumbled to his sister.
“All right,” Hilary cut in. “Let’s not start something right now. There is laundry to be done and grass to be mowed. That leaves no time for arguing.”
Chad started the washing machine, and Lisa went to the garage for the lawn mower. Hilary stood at the kitchen window but didn’t focus on anything in particular.
It’s been four years, Lord, her heart prayed. Help us to wait on You. Help us to trust. And right now, please touch Chad’s hurting heart.
“I’m just really trusting the Lord for this, Dad; in fact, my Bible study group is praying for you.”
Adam Maxwell stared at his 25-year-old son with horror. “That was a joke just now, wasn’t it, Brad?”
“No. You need a wife, and I’ve asked the guys to pray with me about that.”
“I don’t want another wife.” Adam’s voice was calm, even as his insides squirmed with embarrassment over his son’s disclosure.
“Dad—” Brad’s voice was as calm as his father’s. “Greg is in his senior year, and I’ve been offered a job in Florida. We’re not going to be home forever and—”
“Florida?” Adam sounded pleased. “You didn’t tell me that. When do they—”
“You’re changing the subject. Greg and I are not going to be around forever.” Brad stopped when he saw a look of total confusion cross his father’s face. His voice was gentle as he went on. “Mom’s been dead for a long time, Dad, and you’ve never complained or been bitter. You learned to cook, clean, and even sew, but you need someone, someone to—”
“There are women at church,” Adam cut him off, as though this explained everything.
“Dad, I love our church, but it’s so big that the president could be sitting in the pew in front of you, and you wouldn’t even meet him.”
Brad turned away, and Adam watched as the younger man’s hand covered his eyes.
He’s choked up over this, Adam thought in amazement. He would have spoken, but Brad went on without turning.
“Greg met someone special a few weeks ago, and as I’m sure you’ve noticed, I’m very serious about Jenny.” Brad finally turned, his eyes suspiciously wet. “Our leaving for college was only the first step to an empty nest. Greg graduates in a few months, and I’m probably moving out of the state. We want you to have someone to take care of you, someone who would love you as we do.”
Now it was Adam’s turn to be choked up, and he couldn’t speak, even though Brad was waiting for some type of answer.
“I guess I’ve said enough,” Brad said in a resigned voice. “She doesn’t have to be the woman of your dreams, Dad—just someone you care about and who cares for you. Will you at least think about it?”
“Sure,” Adam returned, finally able to speak.
“I’ve kept you too long,” Brad continued. “You’ll be late for practice.”
“Right,” Adam acknowledged, glad to be rescued. He picked up his hat and the equipment bag from the kitchen table and headed out the door. Not until he was behind the wheel of his van did he realize that he and Brad had not parted very well. It was tempting to go back and hug him, to let Brad know he appreciated his caring, but he was already late.
She doesn’t have to be the woman of your dreams had been Brad’s words. Adam couldn’t stop the sad smile that crossed his face as he pulled up next to the baseball diamond.
She couldn’t possibly be the woman of my dreams, son. That woman has been dead for ten years.
“Hey, Chad,” Coach Maxwell called to his youngest player as he readied to leave the field.
Chad, who would normally have been thrilled to be singled out, hesitated before moving back to the bench where Adam sat with his notebook.
“Yeah, Coach?” the boy said, trying to smile.
“I just wanted to check with you about the camp-out. I don’t have your money yet. Is there a problem?”
“Well, not really, but I don’t know if I can go. You see, my dad’s pretty busy, and I just don’t know if we can fit it into our schedule.”
Adam had to fight to keep his anger concealed. This boy was so obviously protecting his father, a father who probably didn’t deserve that protection, Adam figured. Didn’t these men know how much their sons needed attention?
“Well, you see what you can do. I need the money next week, okay?”
“Sure. Thanks, Coach.” Trotting in the direction of his bicycle before the older man could say another word, Chad told himself he had one week to come up with a good excuse.
Adam sat in his van outside the Farrell house, feeling surprised at its shabbiness. As soon as Chad had spoken of his father’s busy schedule, Adam’s mind had conjured up a picture of a wealthy, fast-moving businessman with little time for home and family. By the time Adam reached the front door, however, he’d decided that the man Chad was protecting must be a bum.
“I’ll get it,” Lisa called to the household in general when the bell rang.
She had never met Chad’s coach, so the man beyond the threshold was a stranger to her.
“Hello,” he said briefly, “I’m Adam Maxwell, Chad’s baseball coach. May I please speak to your father?”
“My father?” Lisa sounded uncertain, and Adam could have kicked himself. Chad’s parents must be divorced. Why hadn’t he realized that before?
“My mother is here,” Lisa offered in the uncomfortable silence.
Adam smiled at her understanding. “May I please speak with her?”
“Sure.” Lisa held the door wide, and Adam stepped into the living room. The interior was clean but as worn as the exterior, and Adam felt a wave of compassion for Chad. He watched the attractive young woman who had opened the door disappear into another room. Adam turned to take in the entire room, and so was unprepared when he looked back to see Chad’s mother. He realized in an instant that even if he had watched her come into the room, he would not have been prepared.
Vulnerable. It was the first word that popped into his head at the sight of her small form and huge brown eyes. He knew from the hesitant look in her eye that he’d have to tread lightly.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Mrs. Farrell. I’d really hoped to see your husband about the camp-out.”
Chad entered the room at that moment, so Adam missed the surprised look in Hilary’s eyes.
“It’s really not my practice to interfere, but this team camp-out means a lot to the boys, and Chad said his father was too busy to attend. I came today to encourage your husband to join us. We always have a great time, and like I said, it means so much to the boys.”
Adam stopped when an unreadable look came over his hostess’ face. He watched Hilary give her son a long, loving look before turning back to him and speaking with great compassion.
“Chad is usually a very honest boy. In fact, there have been so few lies that I can tell you every time he has lied to me in 13 years. When he does lie, he does it to protect himself.”
Adam felt as though he’d come into the third act of a bad play, but he watched as Hilary turned to her son once again.
“I really do understand,” she said to him, “but you owe your coach an explanation.”
When Chad’s eyes met Adam’s, they were filled with tears. “I’m sorry I lied about my dad, Coach. My dad’s dead. We called my uncle to see if he could take me, but he said he had to work that weekend. I don’t know why I didn’t tell you, except that I’m the only kid on the team who doesn’t have a dad.”
Adam’s heart broke just a little over this admission, and he responded quietly. “Thank you for telling me the truth, Chad. As it is, you’re not the only boy whose father cannot attend.”
“I’m not?” Chad was genuinely surprised.
“No. There are three others. One does bring his uncle, but the other two come as my boys. I have a large tent, so I’ll just plan on having three boys this year.”
“Really?” Chad’s eyes were full of wonder. This was better than Uncle Jack.
“Really.” Adam’s smile grew large at the boy’s look of delight. “I’ll get out of your way now,” he said to Hilary while moving toward the door.
“Thank you,” she said softly as he was on his way out.
Adam looked at her and realized they hadn’t even been introduced. “By the way, I’m Adam Maxwell.”
Hilary took his outstretched hand. “I’m Hilary Farrell,” she responded with a smile.
“Are you by any chance free for dinner this coming week?” Adam would wonder for days where that question had come from, but it was too late now.
“Oh, well, I’m, that is—”
“That means yes,” Chad cut in from somewhere over her shoulder.
“Great.” Adam’s smile had become very amused. “I’ll pick you up on Thursday, seven o’clock.”
Hilary shut the door in a state of shock.
“It’s just a date, Mom.” Lisa’s logical voice drifted through her fog. “He didn’t ask you to marry him.”
“But he might,” Chad interjected.
“Be quiet, Chad,” his sister told him, “and come into the kitchen with me.”
“Stop grinning at me, Brad.”
“I can’t help it. If you could see how many times you’ve straightened your tie, you’d know what I find so amusing.”
“Don’t you have something else to do?” Adam growled.
Brad took himself off, but not before he smelled his father’s aftershave and whistled appreciatively. Adam sat down on the edge of the bed when he’d gone.
What have I done, Lord? I don’t even know this woman. I mean, I’ve seen Chad at church, so I assume she’s a believer, but I’m not sure. What is it about her that I can’t get out of my mind? Adam continued to pray, committing himself and the evening to the Lord, and then realized the time was getting away. He picked up his keys, unsure of what the evening would bring but determined not to be late.
“If a band of gypsies came along right now and wanted to buy you, Chad Farrell, I’d sell. I can’t believe you got me into this. What if he’s an ax murderer?”
“He’s my coach, Mom,” Chad told her reasonably from his place on her bed. “I don’t think he’s ever murdered anyone.”
Hilary didn’t hear him; she was back in her closet changing her blouse for the fifth time. Not that she had that many blouses from which to choose—she’d put on the blue one three times and the red one twice.
It was hot, so she opted for lightweight white summer pants and sandals. The only question that remained was which top to wear with the pants. She’d decided on the blue, and was in the bathroom working on her hair when the doorbell rang. When she was done, she moved from her bedroom to the dining room and set her purse on the table. She knew she should wait for Adam in the living room, but she couldn’t make herself go that far.
Lisa found her just after Chad joined her from the bedroom, telling her softly that her date had arrived.
“He’s here, Mom.” She sounded apologetic.
“I didn’t hear the doorbell!” Hilary announced as though it was the most important oversight of the evening.
“He’s wearing a suit,” Lisa said softly and watched her mother freeze.
“Oh, no! Please, Chad,” Hilary whispered furiously. “Please tell him I can’t go. Please—”
Hilary stopped when Adam appeared in the doorway. He could tell something was wrong by the look on Lisa’s face, and though he knew it was presumptuous of him to leave the living room, he’d come to tell Hilary that if she’d rather not go, it was fine with him. One look at her sweet, vulnerable face, however, and he changed his mind.
Hilary watched his eyes skim over her before he stepped into the room. He took her hand in his and moved back toward the door.
“We’ll see you guys later,” he called over her shoulder, and Hilary had no choice but to follow. Lisa spotted her mother’s purse as they were headed out the door and ran to press it into her hand. Lisa and Chad watched from the front door for just a moment and then closed it, thinking the two adults didn’t need an audience.
Adam held the van door open for his date, but Hilary hesitated. “I’m sorry about the way I’m dressed. If you’d rather we cancel tonight, I’ll understand. I know you must be busy.”
“You’re right, I am busy. Tonight I have a date with Hilary Farrell. If you’ll get in, we’ll pop back over to my place, I’ll change into something more casual, and then we’ll go to this great Italian restaurant across town. The food is wonderful, but the atmosphere is casual. Do you like Italian?”
Hilary could only nod as she climbed into the van. The ride to Adam’s house was quiet, but when they pulled up before a lovely two-story, Hilary began to babble.
“I’ll just wait here for you. I don’t mind, and I’m sure I’ll be in the way if I come in.”
Adam waited until she was through. “My son is here. Why don’t you come inside and meet him?”
“Oh! All right.” Hilary wondered how many mor
e times she would make a fool of herself this evening.
“Brad, this is Hilary Farrell,” Adam said a few minutes later. “Hilary, this is my son, Brad. Have a seat, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Hilary sat in the first chair she came to and tried to calm the frantic beating of her heart. The house was lovely, she observed, and as she let her gaze roam the room, her eyes rested on the portrait of a beautiful woman over the mantel. She glanced at Adam’s son and found him watching her.
“My mother,” Brad told her simply, and for some reason, Hilary relaxed.
“How long has she been gone?”
“Over ten years. I understand you’re widowed yourself.”
Hilary nodded. “Four years now, but sometimes it feels like a lifetime.” Hilary let herself lean back in the chair, crossing her legs gracefully. Her eyes were once again taking in the room, a room that gave evidence to the fact that there had been no lack of funds for this family.
“It’s hard when the breadwinner dies, especially if the wife isn’t trained in any particular field.” She smiled suddenly at the nice-looking young man across from her. “But we make it work; God always provides.”
“I quite agree with you there,” Brad replied and found himself the recipient of one of Hilary’s beautiful smiles. He watched her tense again when his father returned. He thought of the phrase “abandoned kitten” and decided that she gave new meaning to the words. He found himself praying as they left that she would relax with his dad and find out what a great guy he was.
“Dessert?”
“I couldn’t,” Hilary told him in all honesty. It had been years since she’d had such a big meal. The bread sticks had come nonstop, and before the entree, a salad had been delivered that was large enough to feed an entire family. Lasagna was the main course, and even though it was Hilary’s favorite, she’d struggled to get through her portion.
“How about some coffee?”
“Please,” Hilary told him with a smile and waited quietly as he ordered.