by DiAnn Mills
“Why, at the point when it looks like our lives are to be swept away, must we finally learn the truth?” she asked. “I’ve never stopped loving you either.”
He rested his head atop hers. “God has been dealing with misunderstandings and two stubborn people.”
“And I’m the worst. You always gave unselfishly to me.”
“Not always. At times I manipulated you. I thought you believed the rumors about me and Jenny.”
“The cheerleader who needed help with her French? Never gave it a thought once you explained. You told me about tutoring her, and I trusted you.” She lifted her face to him. “Ryan, we’ve wasted years that we could have been together.”
“We have these moments, for as long as God allows.” He paused. “I think we needed this time apart to grow in the Lord.”
“I used to be afraid of God, because all I knew about Him was what I heard my mother say. Fear and repulsion confronted me every time someone mentioned His name. When I realized His heart was full of love for me, I embraced His love like a child running into the arms of a father.”
“I turned to God when my life no longer made any sense.”
His ardent gaze swept over her face. Even in the dim light, the warmth in his blue eyes penetrated her soul. He lowered his head and kissed her lightly, brushing his lips across hers in featherlike softness.
“Do you mind?” he asked.
“Please do. I’ve waited a long time.”
His kiss became a promise fulfilled. The years vanished along with the hurt and the sadness. His love soothed her doubt and regret like a gentle balm. Bittersweet emotions caused tears to flow unchecked over her cheeks. She didn’t care. If the waters overtook them this very instant, she’d die knowing the truth had sweetened the moment.
“Alina, tonight you’ve given me a taste of heaven. God is so very good.”
Suddenly the ironic circumstance of their meeting held clarity. She swiped at her tears. “God also has a sense of humor. Not only did He put us back together, but look how He got my attention. We had to work side by side in a job transition that I despised, and then you had to inform me of not having a job at the end of three months. The only reason I stayed this afternoon when Fred sent everyone else home was to give you a bad time—to prove I was committed to Flash.”
“I suspected your tactics. Selfish me wanted you alone in the hope that something from the past might be rekindled. I failed to consider the weather would turn out like this.”
A beep interrupted him.
“My cell phone,” she said. “It needs to be recharged—like my poor heart.”
He kissed her cheek. “I have my phone off. Every so often I turn it on to see if I can use it.”
She picked up a flashlight and aimed it at the stairway. “Look. The water is seeping over the top.”
twenty-two
Saturday, 3:45 a.m.
Ryan hated the thought of a slow death, and he intended to fight it all the way. “We’ll go higher as the water rises. I’ll get a few things to take with us.”
“I want to help.”
“What about the lump on your head?”
“I’m fine.”
When she started to get up, he reached under her arm and righted her. He then watched her to make sure she didn’t topple over. “Give yourself a few minutes before you attempt anything.”
Alina made her way to the items brought from the break room and pulled out a plastic garbage bag. She proceeded to put some of the foodstuff inside, along with extra batteries and a first aid kit. Her sideways glance at the staircase stabbed at Ryan’s heart. She can’t swim, and she’s petrified of electrical storms. Lord, please deliver us.
“I’ll take those.” He took the bag and led Alina to the stairwell. She seemed strangely quiet, not her usual manner of handling stress. “It’s less than three hours ‘til dawn. We’ll make it.”
“Thanks. Of course we will.”
Once she sat on a step, he opened the access door leading to the roof and pushed up to see the outside. The wind blew water across the roof and into his face. The light sticks looked to take flight at any moment, and the temperature had dropped since he’d checked earlier. They’d be shivering before long. He counted about six feet before they needed to move onto the roof. Every foot bought time. The old cliché about it being the darkest just before dawn rolled across his mind. They were in a war zone, and the enemy might not have had grenades and high-powered rifles, but it had the advantage. He refused to give up. He had faith and a God who answered prayers.
But what if death came before sunrise? All of his ponderings started and ended with the same question. He remembered the apostle Paul and his conviction that living was good but dying and being with Jesus were even better. Ryan felt the same way, but that didn’t mean he and Alina planned to take a dive into the first floor.
Am I ready to meet Him? While he sat on the steps, the faces of all those he treasured drifted through his mind—along with what he should have done differently. His parents were in their late fifties, healthy, traveling, and active in church. How often did he call or visit? And his sister in Oregon and his little brother attending Ohio State? Holidays and birthdays didn’t cut it. While traveling, Ryan often hadn’t bothered to look for a place to worship on Sundays—he could have sacrificed and been more involved no matter where he was. I could have shown others Jesus in me. God, if You will only get us out of this mess, I’ll—
Ryan startled. He refused to make a bargain with God. If he and Alina survived, he committed to making changes. How sad that a catastrophe had to bring him to reflections about himself. Alina’s voice broke into his ponderings.
“What is it?” he asked.
“The water’s here.”
Saturday, 4:15 a.m.
Alina leaned against Ryan’s shoulder while they shared a coat and a sweatshirt. She tried not to shiver. He’d always been one to “fix” things when she’d been uncomfortable, and he had plenty to concern himself with now—without any more problems. She recalled a time just before she broke up with Ryan when he’d found her crying. Alina couldn’t tell him how her mother had berated her for considering marriage.
“I can’t help you if you won’t tell me what upset you,” he’d said. “It’s my mother. We had a disagreement.” He’d frowned. “Anything I can do?”
“No. This is a difference of opinion.” And her mother had won. Two weeks later, Alina broke their engagement.
In the dark and seated on the fourth step with their heads nearly touching the access door, she slipped her hand into his. A candle offered a faint light as it burned near the base of the wick, sending a halo effect on the step beneath them.
“I’m being philosophical here,” she said, pointing to the candle. “But I’m thinking this small circle of light is like our legacy.”
“And what will we leave behind?”
She half-laughed. “Nothing earth-shattering for me. I wanted to make a difference in the world, especially after I became a Christian. I thought of taking mission trips or sponsoring orphans overseas. All I’ve ever done is volunteer in the nursery at church.”
“You took care of babies?”
“Yes, I did, Mr. Erikson.” She lifted her chin and forced a smile. “Why are you so surprised?”
“Not surprised. Pleased. And I’m sure those parents appreciated it. So you’ve left a fine legacy. Me, that’s another story. I have a fistful of regrets when it comes to my family. I’ve always been too busy to give them my time. Earlier I was thinking about what I wish I’d done differently. I almost did the barter thing with God. You know, ‘I’ll do this if You’ll rescue us.’ As soon as the thought entered my mind, I realized how that mind-set lowers God to human level.”
“You are a fine man, Ryan. Always have been, and you gave so much of yourself in our relationship. When we’re rescued, I pray I never forget how precious life is and how important every human is to God. I want my legacy to give God a smile. He know
s my weaknesses. I could have been less sarcastic and more courteous to others. I could have taken time to understand people like James.” A picture of James rolled across her mind—his anger, his interest in the things of God, and his little daughter’s illness.
“He’s a hard man to understand, and I hope God is able to get through to him.”
“He made life miserable for you, didn’t he? You never said a word.”
Ryan shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter. I want to believe that by not blaming him, I made a difference.”
“He’s searching.”
“True, like all of us.”
She squeezed his hand. “If given the opportunity, I will strive to make a difference.”
“Do I fit into those aspirations?” She smiled. “Do you want to?”
“For as long as God allows.”
“Sounds like you have serious plans.”
“Just listen to my plans and give me your opinion. I see a cloudless day in June, after the Flash/Neon transition. The sun is shining warm, birds are singing, and flowers are blooming everywhere. A limo pulls up in front of your red-brick church. The driver exits and opens the door for you. And you, Miss Alina, are dressed in white and carrying red and white roses. You walk up the steps to the church entrance. You pause for a moment and listen to the organ play one of your favorite songs.”
She managed a giggle. “I won’t have a job.”
“No problem. This story has a happy ending.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
“Inside, the church is full of friends and family. On the front pew is Anna, and she’s so happy. At the altar, your pastor is smiling and welcoming you to the celebration. Beside him, I’m standing and grinning so big that it looks like my joy has been painted on. I’m about to marry the most beautiful woman in the world.” He kissed her forehead. “How do you like my plans?”
“Out of the pages of one of my favorite romance novels.”
“Good. I was hoping you’d like the ending. Do we have a date?”
She bit her lip to keep from weeping. “We have a date.”
“We need a ring.”
“I still have the one you gave me six years ago. It’s in my safety deposit box.”
He looked startled. “I assumed you’d pawned it or tossed it somewhere.” He laughed. “Perfect. Now we have more money for the reception and the honeymoon.”
She sighed and allowed herself to dream with him and not think about their circumstances. “I bet Fred and Marta will want to host a reception at their place.”
“Barbecue and potato salad?”
She laughed. “I’m sure of it.”
“Promise me something.” When she nodded, he planted a kiss on her nose. “Tomorrow, or the next day, or the next week, promise me you won’t forget how much I love you. God will meet our needs and help us through whatever the future holds.”
“I promise.”
“I love you, Alina.”
“And I love you.”
He kissed her, his lips warm and inviting. Oh, what she’d missed these past six years.
“Neon has offered me a vice presidency in Columbus,” he said. “I figured it would take us about an hour and a half to visit Anna.”
She gasped. “Have you given the position much thought?”
“Some. Honestly not much until tonight. My parents would be doing cartwheels at the thought of me working in the city. I’m wondering if the offer is a blessing. A married man doesn’t need to be on the road for weeks at a time.”
“Such a delicious prospect. Would you like the work?”
“I’d be a liaison between the smaller cable companies and the executive board. I certainly have the experience, and I’m aware of the needs and challenges existing between the larger and smaller companies.”
“Sounds like you’re the man for the job, as long as you’d be happy doing it.”
“No questions or arguments?”
She wiggled her shoulders. “Nope. Will you need a secretary?”
“Can’t do. Neon has strict policies about married people working in the same office.”
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll find work, and I have a few nibbles on my résumé.”
“You don’t have to work unless you want to.”
“I’ve held a job since I was fourteen.”
“Just think about it.” His shoulders lifted and fell. “What about your friend Frank?”
“Frank?” His concern brought more laughter than she’d experienced in a long time.
Ryan frowned. “What is so funny?”
She squeezed his hand. “Frank is Fred’s uncle. He’s in a nursing home not far from Anna’s home. I often have dinner with him on Saturday evenings on the way back from Anna’s. I bring him homemade cookies, and he sends me flowers. He’s ninety-three.”
“Ninety-three?” Ryan grimaced. “Guess I don’t have any real competition, then.” He planted a kiss on the tip of her nose.
Alina studied the concrete step. Water flowed up the third one, extinguishing the remains of the candle. For now the thunder had ceased. Her fears of the water … swimming … electrical storms … all took form in a nasty demon stabbing at her heart. She took a deep breath bathed in a heavy dose of prayer.
“We need to move to the roof, sweetheart.” Ryan released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She could do this. She could do this.
twenty-three
Saturday, 5:35 a.m.
With the northern wind blowing the rain, Ryan doubted an umbrella would shelter them. The extra articles of clothing did little to keep out the torrents of rain. Within minutes Alina and Ryan were soaked. He took a quick glimpse at the light sticks on opposite ends of the roof. In less than an hour, dawn would sweep across the sky like a banner.
“How long do we have?” Alina asked. “I mean, before the water here rises from below us.”
“Hard to tell.” The truth still ebbed on time and the hope of rescue at sunrise. A deafening waterfall pounded in his ears. He stood in ankle-deep water. In the distance, lightning flashed across the sky. He’d soon have a hysterical Alina on his hands.
“I love you,” she said over the drumming weather. “I love you,” he said. “What are we going to name our firstborn?”
“I’m not playing any more games, Ryan. The water is rising faster than before, and another electrical storm is moving this way. This is it. I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you.”
He wanted to shake her, tell her God hadn’t abandoned them. Instead he wrapped his arms around her trembling body and kissed her soundly. Releasing her, he stepped to the middle of the roof and raised his hands to the dark sky.
“Lord, we need You. I believe You can save us from this water. Send a helicopter to rescue us.”
He glanced back at Alina, and a feeling of warmth surged through his body as though he stood in front of a roaring fire. “We will be all right,” he said. “I feel it in my spirit.”
She shook her head. “I give up, Ryan. I’m sorry, but I can’t hope any longer.”
For the next thirty minutes, water swarmed the rooftop like the enemy climbing over a fortress. The water rose just below his knees. He didn’t want to think about the current washing them away. There was nothing left to hold on to. Alina clung to him, and they watched the eastern sky.
“Do you hear it?” she asked.
His ears perked up. He wanted to believe he heard the sound of a helicopter’s rotor blades beating against the wind. “We’re here,” he shouted. “We’re here.” The flapping grew closer. “There it is.” He waved his arms and shouted again.
Within a few minutes the helicopter hovered over them. “Are you all right?” a man called out over a loudspeaker.
Ryan and Alina nodded, and Ryan gave a thumbs-up sign, knowing the rescuers couldn’t hear what was said.
“We’ll drop a ladder and get you out of there. Ryan, this is James.”
James, the foreman who wanted to break my nose? “Sure
glad you found us,” Ryan said once he and Alina had climbed safely inside the helicopter.
James laughed above the whirl of the helicopter blades. “Got a guilty conscience over what I’d said to you. Went to apologize at your hotel and couldn’t find you. Alina wasn’t home either. The more I thought about it, the more I realized you two were still here at Flash. Talked to Fred, and he agreed. Guess you’d say God got my attention.”
Alina shook off the wet coat over her head. “You are the best sight I’ve ever seen.”
Ryan drew Alina into his arms. “Look at the sky.” Just over the horizon, a trace of dawn in orange and yellow inched its way upward.
“Thank You, Jesus,” she sobbed. “Thank You.”
“Soon we’ll be dry,” Ryan said above the roar of the helicopter. “I meant all I said. I love you, and I want us to be married.” He peered into her rain-streaked face. “You are beautiful.”
“Any man who says I’m beautiful this morning has to love me. Do we still have a date in June?”
“Rain or shine.”
Saturday, June 11, 12:15 p.m.
The gray clouds that had rolled across the sky all morning with their silent threats of rain dissipated when the courthouse clock chimed the noon hour. In their wake, a veil of blue encircled the small church and sprinkled the day with crystalline sunshine.
Alina lifted her pen from her journal. Since the rescue from the flood, she’d begun to journal a little each day. Ryan encouraged it, and the whole process of putting her thoughts into words was helping to mend the brokenness in her life. She reread her first two sentences for the day and giggled. I’d never make it as a professional writer. No matter, this was her wedding day, and she could be as poetic and silly as she wanted.
“Alina, it’s a quarter past noon, and the photographer wants one more shot before the ceremony,” Deidre said. A crinkle deepened across her forehead.
“Why the frown?” Alina asked. “This is a beautiful day for a wedding, and my matron of honor is somewhere between stressed and full-blown panicked.”