The Covenant - Chapter Sixteen

“Can I help you carry anything?” politely asks Rick heading toward her suitcase and aiming at her backpack.

“No thanks,  I have it” softly replies Annie looking straight ahead feeling a mixture of emotions having to leave the country that she has come to love a week earlier than expected “The suitcase is on wheels and my backpack is fine.”

Feeling a bit frustrated by Annie’s reticence this morning, Rick attempts once more “How was your morning? Were you able to say all your goodbyes to the team, Harriet and the children?  They will certainly miss you.  I saw the stack of pictures the kids painted for you on the table in the school room.”

“Yes, I have wonderful personal keepsakes from the children that I’m taking home with me.  I want to frame a few of them and the others will go into a scrapbook which Alice Hammer has offered to make for me” with waves sadness and love Annie continues “I will miss this.  It has been a great summer and one that I will never forget.  Maybe I’ll have the chance to come back some day.  But if not, I’ll keep praying for all of them.  I know God keeps us in His hands, much better than in our own”.

“You would like to come back? For a short or long term?” curiously asks Rick seriously contemplating his future that might include her.

“Whatever became available to me when it seems like I should go.  God has a way of working things out in spite of ourselves” shares Annie remembering how even on this trip the opportunity came to be for her to participate.

“How would you feel about being a missionary?” sincerely asks Rick wondering what exactly her feelings are on the subject.

“I would go if I were asked and if it seemed like the best time for my family.  If I stay single, it would definitely be something I would consider” replies Annie have contemplated this possibility many times.

“What if you were to marry, which is likely to happen? Would you still go then?” asks Rick pushing a little further to understand her viewpoint better.

“Only if my husband, if that ever happens, would sincerely want to go as well, then I would go” reflects Annie and then thinking about the possibility of Lauren and Rick together “I don’t think it’s a smart idea to push people you love into places where they do not want to be just because you feel ‘lead’ to be there without considering how they would feel and how much it would change their life too.”

“Oh no, I would never do that.  I’ve been living overseas for years now and from what I’ve observed, it has to be an entire family effort to adapt to the culture and make the best of what is available to them” honestly replies Rick having witnessed many hardships during his time of service “Or, it can become a very heavy and draining experience to be so far away from other family members or things that they are use to”.

“If you were to chose to be with someone who wanted to be a missionary, then would you go?” asks Rick feeling a bit encouraged by the conversation “Years ago, the thought seemed to scare you some.”

“Definitely, I’ve grown up a lot since then” frankly responds Annie pulling out some chapstick from her bag to moisturize her lips from the sunburn caused by the hike the other day “I think that I was fearful of things that I didn’t know about yet and that somehow I would get ‘lost’ in another culture and not know who I was anymore. Do you know what I mean?”

“I guess change does affect some people that way” Observes Rick but not wanting to feel defeated “But change can be quite a good thing.  You discover so many wonderful and exciting new things that way.”

“I totally agree. I know who I am now. I’m beginning to like change.  Every moment has definitely been rather exciting around here” agrees Annie “I’ve tried a lot of new things, been to a lot of great places, and met a lot of terrific people.  Every second has been worth stepping out of my comfort zone even in the less than pleasant moments when I was ready to kill a team member or two when they became a little too cranky for my tolerance level.”

“People are the same all over the world.  The language and traditions change some, but the character of people never really changes no matter where you are” reflects Rick adjusting himself to a more comfortable position in the orange plastic chair at the airport terminal while waiting for the plane to arrive “We breathe the same air and are hearts are the same.”

“After this is over, do you know yet if you will be receiving an assignment in the states or going overseas again for missionary service?” asks Annie taking another bite from her Peruvian dessert that she just bought at the airport cafe “When I asked last week, it sounded like you still weren’t sure what was going to happen.”

“They’ve offered me a position which I am considering” returns Rick and then more daringly as he feels the temperature rise in his face “I would like to bring someone with me this time.  It becomes very lonely without having someone to share your life with.”

“Oh …” sadly with a sigh responds Annie feeling as if Rick by now staying in Peru might end up with Lauren after all but fumbles over what to say next as her heart aches “I understand, having a companion would make things much easier and enjoyable together.”

“Yes it would!” delighted states Rick suddenly feeling a fresh burst of air into his lungs “There are so many more wonderful things about this place that would make raising a family here a rather exciting adventure.”

“Oh, yes that’s very true,” Knotting her brow, agrees Annie but hurting from the idea that he might have this wonderful life with someone else but trying to keep her composure. “Peru is such a beautiful and fascinating place”.

“I’m glad you like it too!” muses Rick suddenly inspired to give some root to his hopes “There are so many places here that I haven’t discovered yet and that I would like to share.” 

“Would you like some of my alfajores?” asks Annie wanting to change the subject before he delves into how much he is in love with Lauren which at the moment she can’t bear to hear,  “It’s delicious with the chocolate cake and peanut butter, sprinkled with the coconut.  It was worth coming here just for this!”

“I’ll take some.  Thank you” happily replies Rick taking a rather large cupcake from her box “These are really good!  I’ve been trying to bake all different kinds of desserts from here, but I haven't attempted this one yet.  This will be the next one on my list!”

Looking out of the oversized windows and concentrating on the plane that will take them back to the world that they know, Annie weakly smiles back at him, sadly realizing this may be one of the last days she will be able to spend time alone talking with him and that the private conversations will have to come to an end once he chooses to be with Lauren.

“I’ve enjoyed spending the summer here and getting reacquainted” remarks Annie “I’m glad that we are friends again.”

“Friends?” considers Rick to himself “Doesn’t she realize how much she means to me?”.  Confused he smiles back to her meeting her gaze and then replies out loud, “I wouldn’t have wanted anything to be any different.  You are a wonderful person, Annie.  I need to tell you…”

The loud speaker interrupts their conversation before Rick can continue what he has wanted to say to her all summer.  An announcer gives them information of their departing flight in three different languages.

In response, Annie quickly bends down and grabs her backpack not wanting to hear the 'I-think-you’re-great-but-I’m-not-interested' quote from Rick.  “It looks like the plane is here, we better get in line.”

“Yes, you’re right.  I’ve got to find my passport again which I threw into my satchel” explains Rick unnerved that he lost the opportunity once again to tell Annie how he really feels about her. “Hopefully, we’ll  be able to sit next to each other on the plane.”

The seat assignments are given as they board the plane.  Disappointed Rick ends up across the aisle from Annie. He helps her put her backpack into the overhead compartment bin after she secures her music and book for the ride home. As they settle into their seats, Annie closes her eyes trying to absorb their past conversation and to force herself to accept that his heart is with Lauren now.

As the plane ascends, Rick observes Annie resting in the seat across the aisle from him.  His heart aches as he realizes how much he will miss not being with her every day to enjoy all of their intriging conversations together and wondering if he can even manage for a few short weeks without her.  He is sadly disappointed that he has to return to Peru without her but hopes that their separation won’t be any longer than necessary.  He promises to himself that he will only stay away until arrangements are secured for Lauren to return to the states with her family.  He takes one last look at Annie peacefully resting as her open paperback falls gently down beside her before closing his eyes for the eight hour flight home and dreams of things to come.