The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Miss King, wasn’t it?”
Elizabeth’s thoughts dissolved into a puddle on the floor. Father, help me. As if God would intervene in her disgrace. She bobbed her head, since no words would make it past her lips.
“What a surprise.” The woman directed a piercing glare at her husband. “Tobias, were you aware Miss King was in San Francisco?”
“I believe her mother may have mentioned it in passing.” He ran a hand over his lapel. “Very impressive, Elizabeth. I wouldn’t have believed you suited for missionary work.”
Elizabeth swallowed, her mouth as dry as cotton batting. “Life is full of twists and turns, Mr. Carver.” His name felt foreign on her lips. She leaned against the oak door for support.
Mrs. Carver glanced toward the dining hall. “It sounds as if things are getting underway. Perhaps we should find our seats, Tobias.”
“Yes, my dear.” He inclined his head to Elizabeth. “I look forward to hearing your performance. It’s been far too long.”
Her hand remained glued to the doorknob as she watched them proceed through the hall. She could leave now. Step out into the street, catch a cable car, and disappear. Elizabeth’s mind jumped from Charles to Donaldina to her family—all waiting in the other room. God, I thought I’d paid for my sins. Wasn’t it enough?
***
Charles sat next to Robert and glanced down the row at the rest of Elizabeth’s family.
Ruby waved and smiled. Obviously, Elizabeth had shared the news with one sibling, at least.
The room overflowed with well-dressed men and women, all speaking in hushed tones. The woman sitting in front of Charles sported a massive hat, the peacock feathers trailing back to tickle his knees.
Donaldina took to the stage and waited for the room to quiet. “Greetings to you all. We’re so pleased each of you could join us today for our musicale—something we hope to make an annual event.” She paused as Kum Yong translated her words. She introduced several important individuals, including the head of the Missions board, the pastor of their supporting church, and some representatives from Chinatown.
Charles scanned the room and noticed several familiar faces, including George Wu’s. Elizabeth would be pleased by the turnout. Every chair was occupied and additional men lined the walls, having sacrificed their places for ladies.
Donaldina spoke for about ten minutes, regaling the assembly with stories of how the family had fared since they’d moved into the new building. “Many of you joined us on our opening day, and I hope you notice the beautiful new curtains, cushions, and wall-hangings, designed and stitched by our students with the help of our sewing teacher, Miss Elizabeth King.” She turned and glanced behind her. “Miss King?”
The room remained silent.
Charles shifted in his seat. Had Elizabeth been delayed with the ill child?
Kum Yong moved to the back of the room and disappeared into the kitchen. A moment later, she reappeared, Elizabeth in tow.
He leaned forward, Elizabeth’s ashen color unsettling. Could she be so nervous? She’d played concerts in large auditoriums, why would a simple musicale frighten her?
Elizabeth’s sister, Ruby, whispered to her husband. Had she noticed as well?
Lord, give her strength. Charles forced his muscles to relax. He could do little to help besides pray.
Donaldina took Elizabeth’s arm, as if to steady her. “Miss King came to us three months ago. After attending one of our presentations, God prompted her to leave behind her life as a concert pianist and join us as a humble teacher.”
Elizabeth’s gaze flickered and she glanced down, red blotches appearing on her cheeks.
“Miss King has taken on both our sewing classes and our piano students. I know you’ll be pleased by what you hear today.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand. “Not only is she immensely talented and giving—our girls love her, as well.”
As Kum Yong translated Donaldina’s words, Abby leaned past Robert and whispered. “Charles, do you know what’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “She was fine a few minutes ago.” Charles sat back and studied the woman he loved. Her pallor sent a quiver through his chest. Was she prone to fainting? He’d never have believed it before today.
A smattering of applause followed Kum Yong’s words and Elizabeth inclined her head to the crowd, retreating to the piano stool.
Donaldina and Kum Yong took their seats in the front as Elizabeth began to play. Strains of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” filled the room and the students filed in, forming three long rows, the littlest in front.
Charles studied the group, trying to put a name to each girl. He could only match a few, mostly the young ones. Tien Gum’s smile sent a flood of warmth through his limbs. How far the young woman had come from the sobbing waif in the courtroom. If Elizabeth and Donaldina hadn’t retrieved her, the child’s life would be very different, indeed. How wondrous to be part of their work.
As the pupils finished their hymn, Tien Gum stepped forward. The smile never left her face as she recited the Twenty-Third Psalm, first in English and then in Cantonese.
A respectful murmur of approval rippled through the audience.
The musicale continued with the choir singing two more hymns, and several children reciting scripture and poetry.
As the audience applauded the previous selection, Elizabeth stood from the piano stool and retreated to a bench off to one side.
Little Yoke Soo marched out of the kitchen in her brilliant red costume and walked over to the piano. She turned to face the audience and dropped a perfect curtsy. “I will play for you my Jesus song, like the ones we sing from the big book. My teacher is helping me learn to read those songs and to write down my own.” She glanced at Elizabeth, a smile dancing across her tiny features. “I hope one day to play big concerts like Miss King.”
Elizabeth smiled, nodding to Yoke Soo.
Yoke Soo climbed up on the stool and got herself situated while the audience murmured over the child’s sweetness.
Everyone hushed the instant Yoke Soo touched the keys.
The notes flowed through the room like water sliding over the ocean sands and rolling small rocks in its wake. Yoke Soo leaned her shoulders toward the old wooden piano, encouraging it into sounds and stories no one would have believed it capable of producing. The delicate tune pulled at Charles, drawing him into her world—at least for the moment.
Mouths fell open about the room as the crowd soaked in the simple, sparkling tones of Yoke Soo’s Jesus song. Minutes passed with no whispers or feet shuffling or chairs squeaking.
As she reached the final chord, the sounds faded from the room. A long moment of silence passed until a short man in the front row began the applause. His slow clapping migrated through the room as everyone joined in. Several women stood to their feet, the rest of the audience following in short order.
Yoke Soo sprang from the bench—a child once again—and threw herself into Elizabeth’s embrace.
Tears ran down Elizabeth’s face as she pulled Yoke Soo close, rocking the little girl in her arms. Her lips moved as she whispered quiet words into the child’s hair.
Charles clapped until his palms stung—for Yoke Soo, for the Mission, but mostly for Elizabeth. Her tears cut at his heart. How precious she was to invest so much of herself in this little child.
As Yoke Soo disappeared back into the kitchen, Donaldina rose to address the room. She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “I’ve heard her practice the beautiful piece, and every time it’s been a little different. This evening—hearing it with you—I was most touched by your outpouring of emotion and appreciation. It’s clear you understand what we are desperately trying to accomplish here. We cannot continue to allow young girls like Yoke Soo, Tien Gum, and all of the others, to be crushed by human failings. Not only do their captors sin when they force their desires on these children, but I believe we sin when we turn our backs. How often do people dismiss them bec
ause of their age, their status, their culture, or their race? No more. Each child of God is equally precious.”
Charles bowed his head as the director prayed over the group. A few more songs from the choir and then Elizabeth would finish the concert with her piece. He bumped his foot against the bouquet sitting under his feet. He couldn’t wait to congratulate her.
***
Elizabeth took a moment to dry her cheeks as Qui N’gun curtsied to the crowd. Because of Qui N’gun’s poor hearing, her solo of “Blessed Assurance” had been a bit off-key, but her authentic passion still brought several women to tears.
Elizabeth knew Donaldina wanted her to say a few words before performing “Amazing Grace,” but one glance at Tobias scattered every idea of a planned speech. How could she boast about her accomplishments when her sin stared her in the face?
Instead, Elizabeth crossed to the piano and lowered herself to the stool. She glanced to where her family waited, in the second-to-last row on the right. Gerald sat with his arm draped around Ruby’s shoulders. Abby and Robert smiled beside them, Robert’s brown hair tousled, likely from running his fingers through the damp strands. Elizabeth’s gaze settled on Charles. The man’s head tipped slightly to one side as he studied her from afar. He nodded in her direction, as if to show his support. His eyes spoke love, even from across the room.
Nausea twisted her stomach. Why had she let things travel so far with Charles? Had she forgotten what she was? She swallowed, directing her focus back to the instrument, her vision blurring. She’d been a fool to think she could walk away from everything she’d done.
“I wouldn’t have believed you suited for missionary work.” Tobias’s words tore the strings she’d been using to bind the pieces of her soul together. He stripped away any hope of forgiveness and new life, leaving her with no shield from the audience’s curious stares.
She laid her trembling fingers on the keys. One last task. She could play her father’s favorite song. A deep calm penetrated her as she laid out the opening strains of the hymn. The notes reverberated off the walls, ringing through the decorated dining room like a carillon tower calling parishioners to worship. Within moments, someone began to sing.
Elizabeth sucked in a quick breath—she hadn’t intended to lead a hymn sing.
Others joined in, and soon the entire group was lifting up the words of the old hymn.
Closing her eyes, Elizabeth surrendered to the moment. No longer a performance, she focused only on leading the singers. The fears and trials of the day faded. “Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. ’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”
Gone were Tobias’s condemnation, Donaldina’s praise, and Charles’s affection. She pushed into the music. “When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”
The final notes suspended in the air, fading into cherished silence. Her father’s words echoed in her mind, “My precious daughter, you have a gift.” Elizabeth’s breath came slowly, filling her chest as she waited for a single clap to shatter the stillness, like being jostled awake from the perfect dream.
If only she could remain in that quiet place for all eternity.
26
Elizabeth slipped into the outer hall, fighting a wave of dizziness. She’d survived the concert, but the rest of the evening lay ahead. She whispered another prayer, in case God still listened. If He truly cared about her, He’d send Tobias and his wife home to Sacramento before they could breathe a word to anyone.
Ruby hustled after her, cheeks flushed. “Elizabeth, what’s wrong? You look as if the devil himself is on your tail.”
A shudder raced through Elizabeth. “Might as well be.” She glanced over her sister’s shoulder to where guests were beginning to file from the dining room, the clamor of their conversations spreading through the building. “Ruby, he’s here.”
She frowned. “Who?”
Elizabeth grabbed Ruby’s arm and pulled her to the corner by Donaldina’s office door. “Tobias Carver. He claims he’s a donor.” She dug fingers into her hair. “He never would have supported something like the Mission in the past. I can’t believe this is a coincidence.”
“Why would he do such a thing? Is he hoping to entice you back?”
“I don’t know. He was so angry when I left.” Her throat squeezed. “I can’t imagine he wants anything to do with me.”
Charles appeared, his eyes scanning the hall.
Elizabeth pressed herself into the doorway, behind the potted palm. “Please, Ruby. Tell me what to do.”
Her sister bit her lip. “You could pull him aside and insist he leave.”
“Every time I see him, I feel as if I will be ill.”
Charles caught her gaze and waved from across the hall. Clutching a large bouquet of flowers to his chest, he weaved through the guests cluttering the room.
Elizabeth slid a fingertip under her lashes to vanquish any stray tears.
“There you are. You disappeared so quickly, I was concerned.” Charles leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Congratulations.” He held the flowers out to her.
“Thank you.” Elizabeth grasped the blossoms, her hands trembling. As she spotted Tobias and his wife entering the room, her heart leaped. “I—I’ve a vase in my room. I’ll run up and put them in water.”
His brows drew down. “You can’t leave. Everyone is waiting to meet you.”
Elizabeth’s thoughts raced. How could she escape without raising suspicion?
Tobias had joined Robert and Abby, leaning toward her brother with a glint in his eye.
Ice chilled through Elizabeth’s veins. She thrust the flowers back at Charles’s chest. “I need to speak to Robert. Please, excuse me.” She pushed through the crowd of well-wishers until she reached Robert’s side.
Her brother turned with a grin. “Elizabeth, Mr. Carver was just telling me—”
“Robert, Abby, I need your help.” She grasped her brother’s sleeve and tugged, pulling him off-balance a step. “I’m sorry, Mr. Carver, but I must steal him away.”
“All right, hold on—” Robert turned to speak to Tobias, but Elizabeth was already propelling him toward the stairs.
Abby followed a step behind. “Elizabeth, what has gotten into you?”
“One of our children is ill. I want Robert to take a look.”
His arm stiffened. “In that case, let me get Gerald. He keeps a medical bag in the car.”
“I’ll send someone down for him. You must come now.” Elizabeth yanked his arm like she used to when she was a little girl.
Abby touched Elizabeth’s sleeve. “I’ll get him. And Ruby, also. You two go ahead.”
The crushing fear eased a bit as Elizabeth thundered up the stairs, her brother in pursuit. “Thank you, Robert.”
“You should have said something right away. How long has she been ill?”
Turning into the third floor hallway, Elizabeth paused to catch her breath. “Just before the program. I think she’s had a runny nose for a day or two.”
Robert halted. “A runny nose? You’re panicking over a little sinus congestion?”
She bit her lip. “And a fever. She was quite upset when I put her to bed.” Elizabeth tapped on the door before turning the knob and stepping into the bedchamber.
Ah Cheng popped up in the bed. “Teacher! Yoke Soo gave me a flower. She says your sweetheart brought them.”
Robert pinned Elizabeth with a pointed gaze.
A prickle raced down her neck. “It’s the fever talking.”
“Right.” He stepped over to the bed and crouched at the child’s side. “Hello. I’m Dr. King. How are you feeling?”
“A little better, but my head hurts. Teacher, did I sleep through the whole show?”
Elizabeth sat at Ah Cheng’s feet, trying not to think of what Tobias might be doing downstairs. “Yes, you did. You must have need
ed the rest to get better.”
Her brother laid a hand on the girl’s forehead. “She does have a slight fever. But hardly worth fussing over.”
Gerald appeared in the doorway, Ruby peering in over his shoulder. “I hear someone missed her singing debut.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I’m sorry to worry everyone. Robert thinks it isn’t serious.”
Robert tipped Ah Cheng’s head back, looking into her mouth. “Gerald, can I get a tongue depressor from you?”
Elizabeth’s brother-in-law placed the black medical bag on the mattress’s edge and clicked it open. Withdrawing the small wooden stick, he passed it to Robert. “What are you seeing?”
“I think . . .” Robert grasped the child’s chin, holding her mouth open toward the light. “Yes. Koplik’s spots. Definitely.”
Gerald grasped Ruby’s arm. “Go downstairs, now. You shouldn’t be up here.”
“Is it bad?” Elizabeth’s stomach dropped. She’d only intended to divert her family away from Tobias. She hadn’t anticipated Robert finding anything. “I thought you said it was congestion.”
Gerald dug through his medical kit as Ruby hurried out. “Koplik’s spots mean one thing, Elizabeth. Measles.”
***
Charles clutched the bouquet, his throat thick. He sensed people milling about the room, but his focus remained fixed on the stairway.
Kum Yong approached. “It was kind of you to bring flowers for the girls.” Her voice sounded distant, and he managed a nod in response.
“Should I put those in water for Elizabeth? I think she’s seeing to Ah Cheng. She should return in a moment.”
Her words knocked him from his stupor. “The little one who was sick?” No wonder Elizabeth seemed distracted. A weight settled in his stomach. “Is she worse?”
The young woman lifted her shoulders. “I don’t believe so. I checked after the program began, and she was sleeping comfortably. But Elizabeth wanted the doctors to see to her while they were here. It’s not often we have physicians in the Home.”
A gentle coolness swept over him. “Of course. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“As do I.” She took the bouquet. “Why don’t you greet some of the donors? They’d like to meet the attorney who speaks on our behalf.”
Through the Shadows Page 24