“They’ve always made marriage look good.”
“Yeah, they have.”
“Your parents sound great,” Matthew said.
“They re great,” David said.
Cate watched Mama Rosa work her magic with the other diners, “But, they’d tell you that marriage is tough and challenging.”
“Yeah, they would,” David said. “I talked with your dad about it when I was on his church staff.”
“Cate, we were wondering if you wanted to go home to be with your parents during this time,” Matthew probed.
“I thought about it, but my parents don’t want me to. They say it would cost too much and that I’m needed here.”
“Yes, but do you want to go?” David asked again.
Wondering what they were up to, Cate asked, “Why?”
“If you do, we’ll make it possible,” Matthew chimed in.
“What do you mean, you’ll make it possible?”
“We’ll both chip in and help pay for your trip home,” David said.
“Thanks guys, I appreciate it and I’m really tempted, but I’ll stick to the plan I made with my parents. I’ll prayerfully wait on my dad to call tomorrow. Anyway, they may need me to come home later. Besides, neither one of you have money to spare.”
“Cate, money is not any issue for either one of us.”
She knew different. “Thanks again, but no thanks.”
“Don’t you know that I’d do anything for you?” Matthew realized he had left David out. He pointed to David and himself and stated his words differently. “Don’t you know we’d do anything for you?”
“You’re both sweet, but no.”
“Cate,” Matthew pleaded.
“No, Matthew,” Cate said gratefully, but firmly.
David spoke to end the argument, “You heard her Matt. She said no.”
Cate put finality to the conversation, “We’d better go. David needs some rest before he preaches again.”
“You’re right; he does,” Matthew said.
They walked the four blocks to Cate’s house. David was going to retrieve Sarah, but Cate suggested that he leave her so he could get some rest. As Cate and Matthew were about to enter the house, David called out, “Hey Cate, I love your mom and dad, you know.”
“Yeah, I know,” Cate smiled.
Cate and Matthew entered the house and found everyone napping. Matthew suggested that he go so Cate could nap. He kissed her goodbye and she went to her room for a short nap.
She had been asleep for about an hour when she felt her bed move, and opened her eyes to find Sarah lying beside her.
“What are you up to, Baby Girl?” Cate grabbed her and tickled her. Sarah giggled with joy and tried to tickle Cate. The sound of their laugher brought Kim to the door.
“What’s going on in here?”
“She’s tickling me,” Sarah yelled, through intermittent giggles.
“It’s not me who’s tickling, it’s her,” Cate said.
“It sounds like you’re having fun.”
“Yep,” Sarah said, still giggling and tickling.
“Well, it’s almost time to start for church.”
“Okay,” Cate said.
“Okay,” Sarah echoed.
Cate sat up on the bed, “Guess we had better get up and get ready to go.”
They washed their faces, fixed their hair and announced that they were both ready to go. Sarah slipped her hand in Cate’s as they headed out the door and began the walk to the church.
Matthew was there as before, saving seats. As before, David’s sermon touched Cate’s heart. This time it was on Psalm 46 and reminded her that “…the Lord is a very present help in the time of trouble,” no matter what the trouble is.
After she left the service, she thanked David for his sermon.
“Once again, I needed to hear what you said.”
“Glad God could use me. I’ll be praying for your mom, dad and you. I’ll check with you tomorrow for news from your mother.”
“Thanks again,”
Matthew took Cate’s arm as he nodded to David, “Good sermon, pal.”
“Thanks.”
She and Matthew said a quick goodbye and took a walk beneath the beautiful night sky.
As they walked, she drank in the night-and Matthew’s rugged good looks. She couldn’t believe how attentive he was. She knew he was concerned about her, and how she was dealing with the news about her mother. He was very sweet, slipping his large hand around hers and allowing her to walk for twenty minutes without having to say a word.
Suddenly, he stopped. “Cate, could we talk a moment?”
“Sure,”
He held her hands and looked deeply into her blue eyes. “Cate, I want you to know that I’m here for you. I know that you know, but I want you to understand- how much I love you.”
Cate bite her bottom lip, fearful he was about to propose, and thought about what she would answer.
He released her left hand and tenderly touched her faced. “I know that you’re stressed about your mother, and I respect that, but once she’s okay, I want to ask you something important.”
“Matthew-”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to add to your stress.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“Please forget I said anything. We’ll talk when your mom’s better.”
As they began to walk again, Cate caught a glimpse of David and Sarah in the distance; they were walking toward their house. She could tell that they were carrying on a conversation. She said a silent prayer of thanksgiving for David, Sarah and Matthew’s presence in her life at this particular time of trouble.
When they arrived at her house, Matthew kissed her good night, once again told her that he loved her and she reciprocated. As she readied for bed she stood looking at the mountains in the distance, and prayed for her mother, dad, the doctors, and the surgery the next day. She crawled into bed and fell asleep while looking at the mountains.
Thirteen
The morning came quickly, sunshine streaming through the windows of her bedroom and the brightness of the day awakening Cate. She glanced at the clock, realized that it was not yet time for her to get up and get ready for school, but decided to spend time with the Lord in Bible study and prayer.
Her time in the word was sweet that day. The Lord’s presence seemed to fill the room as she prayed a prayer for her mom, dad and the surgery. As she prayed, she felt the Lord immediately answering her prayer.
She left for school with joy in her heart. She wasn’t sure what was happening at home, but was confident everything would be all right. Everyone at school was especially nice; all knew that this day was a critical day in her life. She felt a sense of belonging and security for which she was grateful on this particular day.
The hours crept by. Every time she heard steps outside her classroom door, she was sure that Matthew was coming to tell her that her father was on the phone, and each time she was disappointed. With each passing hour, Cate became more and more anxious, and wondered why her father had not called.
The children noticed Miss Cate’s nervousness and anxiety, and they listened for footsteps too. Finally, they heard steps getting closer and closer. Matthew entered and told her that her father was on phone.
Cate hurried from the classroom to the office and the phone. “Hello, Dad. How’s Mom?”
“Catie, she’s okay. She’s groggy and is going to be very sore, but she’s okay.”
“Did they get all of the cancer?”
“They got all that was in the breast. They removed the right breast and three lymph nodes, but we won’t know about the lymph nodes for two or three days.”
“Will Mom have to have chemo or radiation?”
“Both, but we won’t know how much until we hear from the lymph node biopsies.”
“Daddy, can I talk to Mom?”
“Sure, honey, but she might not remember talking to you.”
“That doesn’t matter.
I’ll know that I talked to her. I want to hear her voice, dad.”
“Okay, honey. I’ll hold the phone so she can hear. Okay, Catie go ahead.”
“Mom, this is Cate. How are you?”
“Cate?” her mother answered, the voice weak.
“Yes, Mom, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Her dad took the phone back. “See, honey. She’s fine. She’s just really sleepy.”
“Daddy, will you call me when you hear from the lymph nodes and about the treatments?”
“Of course, honey. We told you we would keep you in the loop.”
“Daddy, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Catie.”
“Daddy, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I wish I was there.”
“I know, but you’re where you’re supposed to be. Your mother and I have loved reading your letters. We’ve enjoying learning about everyone and everything. We’ve been glad to hear that you feel you are exactly where God wants you. That’s worth more to us than you know. We are thankful for you, and proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll call you in a few days. Your mother will be able to talk to you then.”
“Okay, I’ll say goodbye for now.”
“Bye, Catie,”
Cate hung up, and realized that several people were outside Matthew’s office. As she walked out, they all inquired about her mother. She was happy to give them the news about the surgery. Everyone rejoiced and encouraged her to keep trusting the Lord.
By the time, she returned to her classroom, school was dismissing, but the children, as well as Matthew, stayed.
“We want to know about your mother,” Matthew said, as spokesperson for the group.
“My mother made it through the surgery fine.”
“Miss Cate, we are so pleased to hear this,” Tomas responded, as representative for the class. All of the children nodded.
“Thank you, children,” Cate said, and she began to hug each one. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodbye, Miss Cate. God bless you. We love you,” said the little voices, as they received their hugs and left the classroom.
“We love you, Miss Cate,” Matthew echoed, as he hugged her. “Cate, I’m glad your mother is doing well.”
“Yeah, I am too. We won’t hear from the lymph nodes for about three days. We won’t know her prognosis until then.”
Matthew continued to hold her, “We’ll keep praying.”
Kim and Miss Janet entered while he was hugging Cate. Kim thought a little levity was in order. “In all the time, I’ve been teaching here, he never hugged me like that. Did he you, Miss Janet?”
“You’re just jealous,” Matthew said.
“Jealous? Not me, I’ve got my own man,” Kim said. “As a matter of fact, I expected him to be here to hug me by now.”
“Well, you young folks make me feel left out,” Miss Janet chimed in.
“Miss Janet, don’t you know you’ll always be my best girl,” Matthew said, as he tried to hug her.
Miss Janet pushed him back, “Enough of this nonsense, Cate, we wanted to tell you how glad we were to hear how well your mother is doing.”
“Thank you. We’ll hear about the lymph nodes in a few days and we’ll know the prognosis.”
David and Sarah walked in as she finished. Sarah ran to Cate and hugged her. David asked about her mom. Once again, Cate explained.
“I’m glad things went well. How’s your dad doing?”
“Dad’s fine. I could hear the relief in his voice.”
“Daddy, can we go home now?”
“What’s your hurry?” Cate asked, as she tickled Sarah.
Sarah tried to get away from the tickling, “I want to go home and play.”
“I guess it’s time for all of us to go home,” Matthew said.
“Cate, I’m sorry for such short notice, but could you possibly stay with Sarah tonight? I received a call about an hour ago requesting that I attend a meeting tonight in Quito. I also have a meeting tomorrow, so I’ll be staying overnight with the Pattersons.”
“Sure, how soon do you need me there?”
“Mrs. Garcia will be there until six, anytime before that will be fine.”
“Yay!” Sarah jumped and clapped her hands. “Cate’s coming to our house.”
“So, you’re taking my girl tonight,” Matthew joked with Sarah.
“She was my girl first,” Sarah replied triumphantly. Everyone laughed.
“I sure was, Baby Girl. I guess she put you in your place, Mr. Matthew.”
Matthew smiled and everyone laughed again. Matthew moved close to Sarah, made a face, while giving her the ‘evil eye’, “But, I’m going to walk her home. Sarah, you’ll get her later.”
Sarah tried to make the same face, “Okay, Mr. Matthew.”
Matthew did walk Cate home, while David, Sarah, Kim and Miss Janet walked behind. When they arrived David and Sarah said goodbye to Kim and Miss Janet, but Matthew did not get the ‘alone’ time he wanted with Cate. She was anxious to pack for her stay at David’s house. He had to be content with a little small talk, a hug, a quick peck on the cheek, a goodbye plus a hurried, “I love you.”
Cate arrived at David’s home around five. David had already left for Quito, and Mrs. Garcia was giving Sarah her dinner.
“Miss Cate, I kept your dinner warm. It is in the oven.”
“Thanks, that’s very nice of you.”
Even though Mrs. Garcia was about the same age as Cate’s mother, she and Cate had developed a warm relationship. Mrs. Garcia’s smile and sparkling dark eyes evidenced an inner joy. During Cate’s times of taking care of Sarah, they’d had opportunities to sit and talk, and both had grown to appreciate the other as a sister in Christ.
After dinner, Cate and Sarah spent two hours reading and doing homework before Sarah went to bed. After she was in bed, Cate made a cup of tea and relaxed. She liked David’s home; Jenny had done a great job making it nice and homey, and she was sure that David had not changed anything since Jenny’s death.
The living room was simply furnished, nothing fancy, but comfortable and inviting. A tufted, well-stuffed couch, mingled beige, brown and blue in color, accompanied by a matching chair and ottoman occupied the west and south side of the room. At each end of the couch were end tables with matching lamps. On the north side of the room was David’s favorite chair, a blue rocker recliner he’d had ever since Cate had known him. Behind and to the right of David’s chair and against the wall that led to the kitchen were bookshelves, filled with classics, children’s, and favorite books. Along the wall opposite the couch, there was an entertainment center with a television, a VCR/DVD player, a CD player and numerous movies and videos. A number of beautiful plants adorned the room. Jenny had loved plants and had a green thumb; Mrs. Garcia continued to take care of the plants after Jenny’s death.
It was not a large house. Besides, the living room and kitchen, there were three bedrooms, a bathroom and a small room that David used as an office/study. There was a patio and a little garden out back.
It was odd that Cate could feel so at home in a house that Jenny had decorated and shared with David. Strange as it might be, she did feel at home. She was grateful that was true, because David was away often, so she stayed with Sarah.
She thought about Matthew, that he was going to ask her a question after the crisis with her mother passed. That probably meant he was going to propose. Things with her mother seemed to be going well, so she needed to be considering what her answer would be.
She was sure she loved Matthew, but do I love him enough to marry him? When she married Justin, had she loved him or did she only think she did? She wondered what about the marriage had been real. She thought he loved her and she loved him. Was any of it real? Moreover, she had loved David, but when Justin came along, she thought she didn’t love him anymore. Now, she thought she was sure she loved David-an
d Matthew. Maybe I’m crazy, and shouldn’t marry anybody. She was more confused than ever. Finally, she did what she should have done in the first place-she prayed. “God, help me, please. I believe Matthew is going to ask me to marry him. I don’t want to hurt him and I do want to do your will. Lord, I don’t know right now who I love, or if I know how to love. I’ve made such a mess of my life in this department and I want to stop. I want to love the man you want me to, and how you want me to. God, help me please. I don’t know what to do here. I submit to you. I’ll do whatever you want me to.”
Just as she finished praying and was about to finish her tea, she heard Sarah call out. She hurried to check on her and found that she was talking in her sleep. Cate sat on her bed for a few minutes and patted her back as she settled down to a deep, peaceful sleep. She kissed her softly on the forehead, went to the living room, turned out the light and went to bed.
Cate could see ‘her mountains’ in the distance from her bedroom at David’s house too. She always thanked God for these mountains and their special symbolism to her. She repeated the verse again, “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.” She fell asleep looking at the mountains.
Morning came. She and Sarah awoke, dressed, ate breakfast, said hello to Mrs. Garcia and left for school. Cate deposited Sarah in her classroom and hurried to her classroom to greet her own students. One by one they came, each one greeting her with smiles and hugs. Cate loved each one.
“Miss Cate, me and my family prayed for you and your madre,” Stefan said.
“Muchas gracias, Stefan.”
“De nada, teacher.”
“I prayed too teacher,” Maria said and then, the others.
“I am grateful to you all. How about, we say our morning prayers as we begin? Who would like to pray?”
They all raised their hands to volunteer.
“Juanita, will you lead us in prayer today?”
“Si, teacher.” She prayed a beautiful child’s prayer.
One thing Cate particularly liked about mission school was the freedom to talk about Jesus, read the Bible, and pray. It was a delight not only to teach these children the regular kindergarten things, but also about God.
The Calling Page 10