The Heavenly Fugitive

by Gilbert, Morris

  “Well, he looked like a president,” Barney said. Barney Winslow was a big man with some battle damage. He had been a prizefighter as a young man, and his years in Africa had left their mark. Still, he looked strong and virile as he sat slouched back in his chair. “I think his main trouble was he seemed to like everybody and want to do favors for everybody.”

  “That’s right. He had a vague, fuzzy mind. I read somewhere that Harding had said once, ‘I can’t make a thing out of this tax problem. I listen to one side, and they seem right. And then I talk to the other side, and they seem just as right. I wish there was a book that would tell me the right and the wrong of it.’ ”

  Dorothy listened as the two men talked, and then she asked, “Do you think it’s true what they’re saying about all the scandals?”

  “It’s true enough all right. Harding was a weak man. He couldn’t distinguish between an honest man and a rascal. I suspect that his health deteriorated largely because of the Teapot Dome Scandal. There was enough bribery and corruption in those oil deals to put some big men in jail,” Andrew replied. “Men that Harding had trusted.”

  Dorothy sat nodding at her husband’s assessment of the deceased president’s problems. Her thoughts turned to concerns over the loosening morals of the country. “We’re so sheltered out in Africa. I’m shocked at what I see here in America. Why, the way women dress! It’s a shame! Skirts are so short, and clothes are so tight. It’s embarrassing to see these flappers, as the papers are calling them now.”

  Barney smiled grimly. “Did you hear what happened in Utah?” he asked the group.

  “No,” Katie said. “What was that?”

  “A bill’s pending there requiring fine and imprisonment for women who are on the street with skirts higher than three inches above the ankles.”

  “That’s right,” Dorothy said. “I read that the same thing is happening in Ohio. The law there says any female over fourteen can’t wear a skirt that doesn’t reach to the instep.”

  “It’ll never work.” Barney shook his head. “People aren’t going to abide by such laws. Why, they’re not paying any attention to Prohibition. There’s probably as much drinking going on now as before liquor was outlawed.”

  “What’s happening to this country, Barney?” Andrew scowled. “God has been so good to America, and we’ve turned away from Him.”

  “It’s the same thing that happens everywhere when God isn’t honored,” Barney said, shaking his head. “Civilization goes down. I for one don’t see anything good coming out of all this so-called freedom. I think we’re living in an age of transition.”

  Katie forced a smile. “I guess that’s what people always say when times get bad.”

  “That’s right.” Andrew nodded and grinned crookedly. “I’ll bet Adam said one time, ‘Eve, you know I don’t understand the children. I think we’re living in an age of transition.’ ”

  Barney chuckled in amusement and shook his head. “You’re right. We’re all prophets of gloom. What a sad subject we’re on for a joyful Christmas morning!”

  “Uncle Barney! Aunt Katie!”

  They all turned together at the sound of Amelia’s voice as she entered the kitchen and greeted her aunt and uncle. After hugs all around and Christmas greetings, Amelia sat down and ate a sweet roll and had a cup of coffee.

  Then, before Barney and Katie had barely heard Amelia’s latest news, she jumped up from the table and grabbed Lola’s mink coat off the peg by the back door. Pulling on boots, she announced, “I’m going for a walk. Anybody want to come?”

  “Out in this freezing weather!” Barney exclaimed. “Not me!”

  “I’ll go,” Andrew said quickly. “Let me get my coat and some heavier shoes.”

  Ten minutes later Amelia and her father were walking along the pathway underneath the enormous oaks. “When are you and Mother going back to Nairobi?” she asked.

  “We haven’t quite decided. Barney and Katie don’t want to be gone from the mission station for too long either, but Patrick is running things in their absence, and he’s a pretty mature fellow.” Barney and Katie’s son was, indeed, a sturdy worker at the mission field.

  “I know you miss being there,” Amelia said. “It’s more home for you than here, isn’t it?”

  “You know, I really do miss it. So does your mother. Back when I was a young man, I used to think that the best time missionaries had was when they came home on furlough. But then over the years I’ve come to realize that home for us is the mission field. I’m a visitor here in America. I don’t know this country much anymore. So many things are happening—most of them not good.”

  Amelia knew they were very close to talking about her own lifestyle, for she was involved in things her parents did not consider good. Her dream of a life in show business would be the last thing they would want for her. She suddenly stopped, and when her father stopped also and turned to face her with some surprise, she said, “Dad, I know you’re disappointed in me and you think I’m making a terrible mistake. I’m sorry I have to put you through this.”

  Andrew reached out and took his daughter’s hand. They were both wearing gloves, but when he squeezed her hand he felt her return his grasp. “Not too many years ago, honey, I made a very, very serious mistake. I wronged your mother, and I got as far away from the will of God as is possible.”

  Amelia knew some of this story, but her parents had not talked about it a great deal. Years ago, before they went to Africa, her father had been called to be the pastor of a large, powerful church and had gotten so caught up with his work there that he had ignored his wife and family. As a result of this, Dorothy had had a brief affair. Her infidelity had caused Andrew to retreat behind a hard shell of unforgiveness, and it had nearly wrecked his life. Amelia looked up into her father’s face and listened as he spoke. “I made such a terrible mistake judging your mother.” He looked down at the ground and avoided her eyes. “Sometimes life’s like being in the middle of a bridge, and you can’t find either end. All you can do is stare at the water below and ask God to get you where you’re going before you destroy yourself.”

  “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

  Suddenly he put his arms around her and squeezed her. “You’re my daughter no matter what happens. No matter what you do. No matter what comes into your life, Amelia. I’m your father, and you can always come to me and to your mother. Nothing you could do would make us love you any less.”

  Amelia leaned forward and put her head on his chest. “It’s hard to believe that,” she whispered.

  “Love should be unconditional.” His voice was soft as he added, “It shouldn’t be ‘I will love you if . . . ‘ It should just be ‘I love you no matter what.’ ”

  The two walked on, and Amelia felt closer to her father than she had ever felt in her life. Finally they made their way back to the house, and when they approached, they saw a young woman come running out, followed by a tall man.

  “Well, if it isn’t my niece Erin and her old man!” Andrew said.

  Erin Winslow Merritt came running straight toward Amelia with her arms out. The last time the two had seen each other over a year ago, Amelia had been trying to steal Quaid from her. Amelia stiffened, uncertain how to respond to her cousin now. But it appeared that Erin had forgotten the whole incident, and she threw her arms around Amelia in a big hug, crying out, “It’s so good to see you, Amelia!”

  Relieved that Erin didn’t hold anything against her for her brash behavior, Amelia hugged her back, glad to see her cousin again. They had been close friends growing up, and inwardly Amelia cringed at the shabby way she had treated Erin last year. Amelia laughed now and said, “So what’s this I hear about your being married? I thought you weren’t all that interested in Quaid Merritt.”

  Erin laughed. “Well, I guess I saw the light after all.”

  Erin was a fine-looking young woman of nineteen who had always been into adventures of some sort. She had learned to fly while in Africa, and after coming to Am
erica, she had gotten into show business with Quaid Merritt. He had been a flier in the Great War, shooting down many German planes. He came up now—a tall, lean man with a friendly smile. He had heard the question and said, “We sure are married, but it was awfully hard to get her to agree to it.”

  Erin’s eyes sparkled. She had deep-set blue-green eyes, widely spaced, and she seemed very happy as she said, “Why don’t you boys go on in and I’ll tell my cousin all about our most recent adventures in Africa.”

  “I hear you’ve been flying missionaries around.”

  “That’s right, and also supplies and medicine. Walk with me, and I’ll fill you in on the details.”

  Andrew and Quaid went inside while the cousins stayed outside to be alone for a few minutes. Erin talked excitedly about their adventures in Africa and some of the lives they had touched with their emergency medical deliveries.

  Amelia stared at her cousin and then shook her head. “I don’t understand how you can do it.”

  “Do what, Amelia?”

  “Give up a career in show business. Why, they wanted you to star in a picture of your own!”

  “Oh, that’s nothing. I never did like show business. I love flying, and I love Quaid, and God has called us to Africa to use our flying skills. And Grandfather left enough money to buy two more planes and service them for a long time. So God has made a way for us. I’m so happy, Amelia.”

  Amelia had been dumbfounded when she had heard that Erin was giving up a life of fame and money, all that she herself had ever dreamed of. Doubt showed in her eyes, and Erin said quietly, “It’s all right. I’m giving up gravel for diamonds. I know you don’t see it now, but you will someday. We’ll talk later. Have you met our new visitors? I’ll bet there’s someone inside you haven’t met.”

  “Who is that? I thought it was just the family.”

  “It is family in a way. His name is Lee Novak, and his wife’s name is Sarah.”

  “The Novaks? That name seems to ring a bell,” Amelia said.

  “You must have been reading the Winslow genealogy.” Erin laughed.

  “You’ll have to tell me who they are,” Amelia said. “I don’t seem to remember offhand.”

  “Lee’s parents were Grandfather’s sister Patience and her husband, Thad Novak.”

  “Oh, I remember the connection now! But I’ve never met Lee and Sarah.”

  “They’re very nice. Quaid and I got along very well with them.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s in police work of some kind.”

  “Really? I’d like to meet him.”

  “Well, you will. Come on in. It’s almost time for dinner.”

  As soon as they were in the house, Erin took Amelia over to a couple who were talking to Phil. Erin interrupted. “Excuse me, Phillip, but my cousin wants to meet the Novaks. Amelia, this is Lee Novak and his wife, Sarah.”

  Novak was not a large man, no more than five-ten, but he was muscular and imbued with a sense of strength. He had black hair with gray at the temples, and Amelia found out later he was fifty-five. He had a pair of steady dark eyes, and his grip was strong as he shook hands with her. His wife was a small woman with a cheerful smile. She had dark hair and alert brown eyes.

  Amelia shook hands with her, then said, “I hear you’re in police work, Mr. Novak.”

  “Law enforcement,” Lee said. “I’m a special agent for the federal government.”

  “It’s very interesting what Lee does,” Phil said, excitement sparkling in his eyes. “He uses scientific investigation to track down criminals and get them convicted.”

  Lola came up and put her hand gently on Lee’s arm. “I always loved Lee’s father so much. His name was Thad. He served in the Confederacy all the way through to Appomattox.” Her eyes grew fond as she said, “The old home place would have been lost if it hadn’t been for Lee’s father. Thad Novak took over after the war and kept the plantation going. The rest of the boys went their own way, but Thad held it all together.”

  “My father was very fond of you too, Aunt Lola.”

  “We lost him . . . hmm, about five or six years ago? And your mother earlier this year.”

  “Yes, the world’s a lonelier place without them.”

  “Well, they’re sitting at the Master’s banquet table now. Come along. I think it’s time to eat. You’ll have to blame Amelia if the cooking’s not done right.”

  Amelia shook her head. “I was just Cora’s helper, and you know she never fails.”

  They went into the large dining room, where they found Barney and Katie, along with Andrew and Dorothy. They all took their seats with Lola at the head of the table. Spread out before them were steaming bowls of vegetables and a huge turkey in front of Barney ready for carving. The silver and fine china glittered under the lights.

  “Barney, the eldest son, you ask the blessing.”

  Barney bowed his head, and they all grew quiet. “Our Father, we thank you for this meal. We thank you for Christmas. Not for the tinsel or the trappings that have gathered around it over the years, but for the coming of Jesus. We thank you that He did come and grew up a perfect man, and that He died as the Lamb of God, the sacrifice for our sins. We bow before Him and before you, O Father, and we beg, O Lord, that this year will be a year of sacrifice and of praise and of honor to you. And we ask it all in Jesus’ name.”

  “Barney, start whacking that turkey,” Andrew cried out. “I’m starved!”

  Barney proved to be a good carver, and soon the plates were piled high with food. The talk ran around the table, and the three couples working in Africa filled everybody in on their work there. Everyone expressed great interest in Lee Novak’s career and in Phil’s accomplishments as well.

  “I hear you’ve broken every record at that college, Phillip, and that you’re already talking about getting through the four-year course in two,” Quaid said. “I wish I were as smart as you.”

  Phil flushed. “Oh, it’s not really that great.”

  “What are you going to do with all that education?” Lee Novak smiled. He was a quiet individual, but when he did speak, everybody stopped to listen.

  Phil shook his head. “Things have happened so fast. I’m not at all sure.”

  Novak seemed to file this away, as he did everything he heard. They were finishing their desserts of pumpkin and pecan pie when Lola tapped on her glass. Everyone turned to her, and she said, “I am going to preach a sermon.”

  “Here, here!” Barney said. “Let’s hear it for Evangelist Lola!”

  A silence fell over the table, and Lola began to speak. “It was always Mark’s job to speak about the family at Christmas dinner. Now here it is already the second Christmas without him. You all remember how proud he was of being a Winslow, and so am I.”

  Her voice was not loud, but it carried clearly. “There are so many empty places,” she said somewhat sadly, “and so many did not come back from the Great War, but God brought our men back. We even have a war hero. Quaid, you’re with us now. We’re thankful that Logan Smith, who is a Winslow in blood, brought such honor to the family name. The Winslow name is a proud name. Our people have been judges, ministers, legislators, doctors. Some of them haven’t turned out so good—as is true in every family—but many of them have. I want all of you to remember that you are Winslows, every one of you. Now I’d like to read a few lines from a book all of you know.” She picked up a leather-bound volume and opened it to a place she had marked. “This is Gilbert Winslow’s journal. One of my favorite passages is from the time when Gilbert and others of his family were thrown into prison at Salem. They were almost certain to be executed, but he wrote these words while standing in the very shadow of the gallows.” She began to read:

  “And so it seems that very soon now I must leave this earth. This is the Father’s will, apparently, and I embrace it. I came to this New World to make a life, but it would have been nothing without the Lord Jesus. When He came into my heart, He took over complete
ly and filled every part of me. Since then I have never ceased to proclaim His goodness, His riches, His mercy, His long-suffering. Now many will say, ‘Well, Gilbert, there you are in a dark stinking cell about to die. What do you say now to your fine God who has let you fall into this evil?’ I will say, ‘Hallelujah, praise the name of God! He is the God of gods, even though I be in a cell, and if it be that I am to die tomorrow, then I will go out shouting the praise of Jesus Christ and of the Father.’ The light may grow dim, but His light never does.”

  A silence filled the room as Lola closed the book. “I’ve always liked those last words of our ancestor: ‘The light may grow dim, but His light never does.’ ” She looked around the table and said softly, “I love every one of you, and I have prayed that every one of you may find God’s will for your life. I also pray for others of our family who are scattered far around the world. We are facing perilous times, and the devil is loose. He is out to destroy the homes and souls of those who call themselves believers. But I have prayed that our family, each of them, might find their way. You all have Winslow blood. You will need all of your strength and courage to find your way through these years that seem so evil. God be with you all and keep you all.”

  ****

  Phil was deeply moved by his grandmother’s short message. He kept thinking about it after they had left the dinner table and gathered in the drawing room to open presents. Two hours later, after all the gifts had been exchanged, he walked to the library and sat down, occupied with his thoughts. He was surprised when Lee Novak entered the room, saying, “Hello, Phil, I’ve been looking for you.”

  “Have a seat, Lee.”

  Novak sat down and said, “I’ve had you on my mind a lot since we met. I don’t know why, but I think the Lord has a work for you to do.”

  “What do you mean, Lee?”

  “I think one day you might do what I’m doing.”

  Phil shook his head and laughed. “Police work? Not a chance!”

  “There’s more to it than you think. This country’s falling on hard times. Criminals are taking over.”