The Gift of Empathy (The Gifts Book 3)

by Jen Gentry

  Ecclesiastes 8:6

  For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.

  Jewel started on her online schooling and was settling in well at Perry House. Thanksgiving was coming in a few days and Emily worked with Aunt Gemma to plan the holiday meal. Jewel’s sign language improved by leaps and bounds and when Gemma asked, Jewel realized she didn’t really have any favorites, but wouldn’t be disappointed if she had some homemade pecan pie. She still couldn’t make the signs as fast as Emily and Gemma but Jewel was able to understand the signs they made.

  Ethan and Emily went out alone one evening and Jewel sat conversing with Aunt Gemma in the kitchen. Gemma made Jewel her own special pecan pie a little early for the holiday, but Gemma felt the child needed a special treat as her studies were going so well.

  Jewel was glad for a moment to spend some alone time with Gemma and work on her sign language.

  “Gemma is it OK for me to call you ‘Aunt Gemma’ or should I just call you Gemma?”

  “Child, I expect you to call me Aunt. You know your mother and I were best friends when we lived in the orphanage. My brother, Harold, loved Lydia so much that he would’ve done anything for her.”

  “Why did she leave him then? I will never understand Lydia. It seemed she could never accept anything good for herself or me.”

  “Jewel, your mother never had a good life. When she came to live with us at the orphanage, she was already very lost. Oh, she was such a beauty. Harold was smitten right away, but your mother; she wanted nothing to do with anyone. She was only eight when I first saw her, but she’d been so abused, first by her own parents and then her foster parents and then the government system put in place to protect children like us. Those of us who made it into the Catholic orphanage had absolutely no other place to go. The nun’s took very good care of us, but they only took in the hardest cases. We were the children no one wanted.” Gemma paused a second to let Jewel take in what she’d just said before continuing.

  “Your mother, God bless her, had been beaten and abused in every manner possible and she trusted no one. Slowly as the weeks went by she began to let Harold and me in. It was years before she finally gave in to Harold enough to let him ask her to marry him. In the end, I’m not sure we did Lydia any favors by trying to keep her close to us. I know that when she did leave Harold, he was completely heartbroken, but he had Emily to think about. After he died Emily came to stay with me. Honestly, I think Harold died of a broken heart. He never could understand what he did wrong. He really loved Lydia very much. But I think in the end it is like you said, Lydia just couldn’t believe she deserved anything good in her life. I pray she came to know the Lord before she passed.”

  Jewel sat silent for a few moments. What Gemma said seemed right. Nothing Lydia ever did made any sense to her, until now. “I guess she had it pretty bad then. Aunt Gemma, do you think my mother is in heaven?”

  “Jewel, all I know is the Lord loves each one of us and it is his will that none should parish, but all should come to him. I know that Lydia gave her life to Jesus before she married Harold.

  I know she wanted Emily to go to church and know the Lord, as well. I’d like to believe that the Lord made a way for Lydia, given her horrific life and mental illness, but that is between the Lord and your mother. Each one of us is responsible for our own relationship with Jesus and that’s what you need to focus on now. Building a relationship with Jesus and getting a good education.”

  “Butwhat about my gift? How can I learn more about it and how to use it?”

  “The Lord will guide you, Jewel. The Holy Spirit will show you the way. You will know it without a doubt. In here.” Gemma pointed to Jewel’s heart. “You will learn to trust the Lord when you learn to hear his voice.”

  “I know you’re right. I just don’t know what to do when the pain comes, Aunt Gemma, sometimes it scares me when I hurt so bad. I just want everyone to go away and leave me alone. Can you understand that?”

  “Jewel, my life has been filled with silence, yet sometimes I feel like I wish I could block everyone and all the drama out. So I do think I can understand on a smaller scale than what it must be like for you.

  When you are feeling the pain of another that would be a signal from the Holy Spirit that you need to pray for that person. I can imagine what it must be like for you when you are around so many people. This world is full of unhappy and hurting people. Those people need our prayers more than anything else we can give them. I think we should pray for you to come to understand your gift slowly and in the right setting. That way you can learn to use your gift effectively without being overwhelmed.”

  “I think you’re right. I want to start slowly. But what exactly is my gift? What is it that I’m supposed to do with it?”

  “My darling child, your gift will be a great boon to others. You will help to bring healing and light to a dark and hurting world.”

  Jewel didn’t know what to say to that so she just sat back in her chair sipped her hot tea and let that information slowly sink in. Dear Jesus, how can that be? How can I do what is expected of me. I am nothing. The Holy Spirit wrapped around Jewel and she knew everything would be fine in that moment. It would be as Emily always said.I can do all things in Christ Jesus, who strengthens me.

  ****

  Emily and Ethan enjoyed a quiet dinner alone. They’d gone to a small Italian restaurant in downtown Hook Pond. It had become Ethan’s favorite place to eat and Emily brought him here knowing he had something on his mind he needed to talk to her about.

  “I’m getting restless, Emily, I need to be productive. I need to find something to occupy myself with. I’d planned on us being married soon and then going on a long private honeymoon together.”

  Emily reached across the table and put her hand over Ethan’s. “I know, baby, I know, but can’t you see how much Jewel needs me right now? She needs us both, really.”

  “Em, have you seen the way she looks at me. It’s like she thinks I’m the boogey man or something. I haven’t had many dealings with teenage girls and frankly Jewel makes me a little nervous. But surely she has no reason to be terrified of me. I’ve been nothing but kind to her.”

  “She just needs time, Ethan. She needs time to get comfortable with everything that’s happened. This is a whole new life for her and she’s never been able to depend on anyone in her entire life. Our mother, God rest her, gave Jewel nothing but a life on the run with nothing stable.

  Jewel has never had a real home. Ethan you should have seen the look on her face when she saw her room. She was so amazed just to have her own bed to sleep in. I almost broke down and cried on my knees. Jewel has never had anything or anyone, and now she has a whole new life and a family she never knew about, not to mention she has the terrible burden of being empathic. Can’t you see how hard all this is for her.”

  Ethan squeezed Emily’s hand back. “I can see how Jewel needs you Emily, and I would never begrudge her that. It’s just that I need you too. I need for us to be husband and wife. I know how much the wedding ceremony means to you and everyone else, and I’m willing to wait. The question is; How long am I waiting?”

  “Ethan, I…. I just don’t know. How long does it take to heal from a lifetime of neglect? Just give me a few more weeks. Let’s get through the holidays and then we’ll see, OK?”

  “Sure. Let’s give Jewel a spectacular holiday season like she’s never had. I want her to have that, I really do. Just promise me that after Christmas you and I will set a date for our wedding and stick to it.”

  “I remember now why I love you so much, Ethan McGowan. You are so good to me.” Emily leaned across her plate of spaghetti on the table and kissed her fiancé.

  “Well, you are worth the wait.” Ethan said when they both came up for air.

  ****

  The day before Thanksgiving Emily got a call from her closest friend, Marta Steel. It seemed Marta and her husband Bradley were p
lanning to visit Marta’s parents for the holiday weekend, but Marta’s parents had a last minute change and were going on a tropical cruise with some friends. Marta was glad they’d decided to get away now because the new baby was set to arrive around Christmas. She wanted everyone to be close for that.

  “Marta, that’s great. You guys can come here for Thanksgiving. Ethan and I would love to have you. And I have a big surprise for you. There’s someone special I want you to meet.”

  “And who would that be? Don’t tell me you and Ethan adopted a child or something like that. Surely you wouldn’t have done that before the wedding. Oh, and by the way, how’re the weddings plans going? I was thinking you should’ve at least set a date by now.” Typical Marta, she could jump from one subject to the other to another in just one sentence.

  “Well, the first part is a secret. You’ll just have to wait until tomorrow. And on the second I’ll bring you up to speed on the wedding plans as soon as you meet my surprise. I promise it’ll all make sense tomorrow. Dinner is at six and Aunt Gemma won’t want you to bring anything but your appetite, so come hungry.”

  Emily couldn’t wait to see Marta and her husband, but she’d been really missing Marta’s nineteen month old daughter, Amy. This would make for the perfect holiday—her family and her best friends all together at Perry House. What a wonderful holiday this would be. Emily ran to tell Aunt Gemma that they would have to cook a much larger dinner than planned. They would be having guests.

  Emily’s excitement of having her friends for Thanksgiving filled the house like a wildfire. Ethan helped set up the formal dining room by adding the extra leaves to the table and dusting off the extra chairs that had been stored in the attic. In the attic he found an old wooden high chair that was still in really good shape. He dusted it off and brought it down for little Amy to sit in. It made Ethan ache all the more to be married. He and Emily both really wanted children of their own. Emily wanted to fill Perry House to the rafters.

  Ethan knew he was brooding, but he bucked up. He’d promised Emily he would help her give Jewel a proper holiday season and he meant to live up to his promise. Besides, Jewel deserved it, the poor kid, he could only imagine the horrors the girl had faced living on the streets her whole life and the last couple of years completely alone. He sent a silent thanks to the Lord for keeping Jewel safe and for giving Emily a chance to get to know her sister.

  Gemma kept Jewel busy in the kitchen. Jewel was making the pies with Gemma’s careful instruction and guidance. Emily put out the place settings on the table. She’d already spread out the freshly laundered and pressed table linens. Next she added colorful turkey shaped place mats. The plates were bone white china trimmed in gold with intertwined P’s and H’s for the Perry House insignia. Gold trimmed silverware and crystal wine glasses completed the setting. Fresh fall flowers made a lovely center piece and completed the look.

  Emily sat back and admired her handiwork. Not bad. Look at Ethan polishing up that old highchair. Dear Lord he wants children so badly. Please let Jewel heal quickly, Father, I don’t want to keep Ethan waiting forever.

  “Hey Em, I didn’t see you standing there. So what do you think? Maybe we should keep this piece of furniture down here. I can’t wait to see one of our own in it. Can you?”

  “No, Darling, I can’t.” Emily walked over to Ethan and embraced him. “I love you. You know that, right?”

  “Well a kiss would go a long way in convincing me.”

  “Just a kiss, huh? Is that all it takes?” Emily stood on her tip toes and kissed Ethan. “You know I think this is just the first of many holidays together. I’m feeling so blessed.”

  “Me too, Emily, me too.” Jewel walked in to place one of the pies on the side board to cool just as Ethan kissed Emily back.

  The scene was a bit more than Jewel was expecting and she dropped the pie. Ethan rushed in for the save as Jewel pulled away at the last second and the pie fell to the floor. Jewel glared at Ethan. “Now, look at what you did,” she yelled just before she ran out of the room and up the stairs in tears. Emily and Ethan both flinched at the slamming of Jewel’s bedroom door as it reverberated all around the house.

  “See, Emily, that girl wants nothing to do with me. She’s never going to share you with me. Can’t you see that?”

  “It’s like I said, she needs time to get used to all of us. She’s never had anyone in her life until now.” Emily could feel the frustration rising up inside of her as she knelt on the floor and began to clean up the spilled pie.

  “That’s what I’m saying. She is never going to want to share you with anyone, Emily. Jewel thinks you’re the only person in the world who cares about her and she is clinging to you with everything she has. Emily, the girl thinks I’m going to take you away from her. Don’t you get it?”

  “All I know is that she really needs me right now and you’re just jealous, that’s all.” Emily stood and looked Ethan in the eye before she turned on her heel and went back into the kitchen to toss the remains of the ruined pie in the trash.

  “I am jealous. I just love you so much….” Ethan’s words were left hanging in the air. I have to find some way to work things out with Jewel, and I need to get back to work. This is just crazy, Dear Jesus, tell me what to do.

  ****

  Jewel lay across her bed and cried until her tears dried up and her eyes burned. She didn’t know why Ethan made her act so crazy. It was just that she’d never seen Emily and Ethan so cozy together.

  Yes, she knew that Ethan was Emily’s fiancé, but what was it about Ethan that made her feel so edgy? Jewel supposed she was a little possessive of Emily, but didn’t she have a right to be. After all Emily was the only real family Jewel had. Her whole life she’d been alone with no one but a crazy mother for companionship and now just when she finds her sister this man is ready to marry her and take her away. Dear Jesus, how is this fair? Please tell me what to do.

  ****

  Marta arrived with her crew in the tornado like style that was all her own. Emily greeted them at the door. Ethan showed up to help welcome them and took their coats. Amy was very natty in her matching snow white jacket and mittens. The cold air blew in the door with them and everyone bee-lined for the fire place where a roaring fire took the chill away. Bradley was still using a cane to get around, but he showed Ethan how to set up a playpen for Amy. The precocious nineteen-month-old was fast out growing the playpen, but her parents figured she would need a place to crash soon. Amy was a little cranky after the long drive to Perry House.

  While Bradley and Ethan worked to get Amy settled Emily led a very pregnant Marta into the kitchen where the smell of a full Thanksgiving dinner made everyone’s mouth water. Aunt Gemma had out done herself. Jewel had yet to come back down from her room.

  Marta came up behind Gemma and hugged her while Gemma stood at the stove stirring a pot of thick turkey gravy. Gemma gasped and turned around as her hands started firing out words.

  “Marta! Oh my dear girl let me look at you.” Marta slowly turned around so Gemma could take in her growing belly.

  Gently placing her hands on Marta’s rotund figure, Gemma sighed. “Oh, what a precious gift from God, you’re having a boy this time, right?”

  Marta signed back, “Yes a ‘BIG’ baby boy. Just look at me I’m big as house and getting bigger every day.” Marta wrapped her hands around her belly and all of them including Emily laughed. Jewel came into the kitchen from the back stairwell as all three of them hugged each other.

  “Ahem…” Marta saw Jewel first. “And who might this be? Is this your big surprise, Emily?”

  “Yes, Jewel, come here. I want you to meet my best friend. Marta and I have been friends since grade school.”

  Emily gently pulled Jewel into the fold and placed her hand in Marta’s.

  “Marta, I want you to meet Jewel. Jewel is my sister.”

  Giving everything Marta Steel had been through in her life nothing much took her by surprise, but this did. Her
mouth gaped open and she was speechless, for a few seconds, anyway.

  “What? Your sister? How can you have a sister and I not know about it?” Marta sputtered.

  “Well, it’s a really long story. Let’s have a cup of tea before dinner and I’ll explain.” Emily started setting out cups for tea and everyone sat down at the kitchen table.

  Emily poured out hot tea as she filled Marta in on Jewel’s story. She carefully left out the parts about Jewel’s gift, but everything else just tumbled out.

  Jewel sat listening to every word. Something about Marta drew Jewel in. Emily already told her that everyone loved Marta. Jewel was prepared to dislike her as she did most everyone when she first met them, but it was hard to not like this petite brunette who listened to Emily so intently. It was clear that Marta truly cared. Marta was shrewd and discerning, but she seemed to trust Jewel and that made Jewel want to trust her back.

  When Emily was done telling the story of how Jewel came to be in her life, Marta lifted her heavy mid-section and reached over to hug Jewel. “Welcome, little sister. Welcome to our family. We’re so glad the Lord has brought you to us. I pray you never look back on your past—only look to the future and know you are never alone. Never again will you be alone. You now have two sisters and one niece with a nephew on the way.”

  Marta’s words were so sincere and heartfelt that all the women started to cry. Then Gemma interrupted as she signed out. “Time to eat, everyone grab a dish and take it out to the side board. I’m hungry!”

  Dinner was a joyous occasion. Everyone laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. Amy took to Jewel right away and spent most of the meal in Jewel’s lap. Jewel again thanked the Lord for making her feel so loved. She needed to make amends with Ethan, but Jewel felt she would need to find the right time to do that with Ethan in private. If Emily could love so many people all at once, surely that meant she could love Jewel, too. Jewel felt a nudging in her chest. This must be the Holy Spirit speaking to her. Just like Aunt Gemma said He would.