The Covenant - Chapter Nineteen

“Are you ready?” politely calls Lydia Russell in a sing-song voice taking another last minute to look in the mirror to see if there is any hair out of place and then reapplying her lipstick just so “We don’t want to miss the Annual Craft show.  The Home League is counting on us to help with the registration table. I don’t think they can manage without me.”

“I’ll be there in a minute” answers Annie frustrated that she can find her car keys yet again this morning, opening every drawer of her dresser wondering if someone they could have dropped down in some unexpected place “Here they are!”

“Mrs. Croft has volunteered to help us with the registration table.  Since she’s new, it was decided to let her shadow me so that I might have an assistant next year” explains Lydia Russell being surprisingly impressed by the newest member of the corps.  “So, are you ready for our trip to New York?”

“I’ve been looking up as many things as I can and I’ve planned a schedule to make the most of our time while we are there” offers Annie handing Lydia a copy from her purse of what she has organized so far “Of course, it can be adjusted as we want it to be once we are there.”

“Looks like you’ve found some interesting places to go, see, and eat!” excitedly Lydia confirms Annie’s ideas “We just have to work out transportation.  We can rent a car, but parking might be expensive.”

“I thought that we might take the subway.  We can buy a week long pass which is somewhat reasonable.  The train is available throughout the city and most things to see are only a few blocks walk from a station” explains Annie hoping that Lydia will consider her suggestion “Many of my friends find it safe and convenient.  Although, I know it is not something you are used to doing, however, I think it will be a rather exciting adventure to use.”

For a moment, Lydia contemplates this suggestion imagining what life would be like traveling on the train in an urban city “Well, I guess if I don’t like it, I can always rent a car instead.  However, the thought of driving in downtown Manhattan horrifies me!”

“I can hardly wait for our trip!” Muses Annie while pulling out of the driveway and only softly hitting the curb this time, “It will be good to have a change of scenery and see some new things.”

“Mrs. Croft just sent me a text.  She wants to know if we can pick her up.  Evidently her car is in the shop for the next couple of days” explains Lydia Russell checking her mascara in the visor’s mirror and wiping her excess lipstick with a kleenix, “I told her that we were on our way.”

“Hello girls!” warmly greets Mrs. Croft climbing into the backseat of the small SUV tapping each of the on the shoulder in her welcome “I’m looking forward to the show today!”

“Did you make something for the craft show?” asks Annie having missed the plans that were made earlier over the summer while she was gone.

“Yes, I have some quilts I’m selling for world services.  Hopefully, they will bring in enough to be helpful” shares Mrs. Croft “I made different styles for a boy, a girl, and a couple of seasonal ones too.”

“They’re beautiful!  I’ve never seen such intricate and delicate work.  It’s quite impressive” explains Lydia Russell “I think she is the best quilter we’ve had so far for the show.”

“Have you heard from your brother?” shyly asks Annie “Has he said much about his time in Peru?”

“Yes, we’ve heard from him quite a bit.  It seems like Lauren is coming along nicely and healing at a steady pace” remembers Mrs. Crofts from the emails “Lauren is improving daily and it won’t be long until she’ll be returning home. It will be good to have Rick back in town for awhile too.”

“So, how are things going between Rick and Lauren?  A little bird told me that they were enjoying each other’s company” asks Lydia Russell having heard from Ethel Maysom the other day after Sunday School with the other intriguing weekly gossip.

“How does Ethel know about what happened in Peru?” curiously asks Annie trying to control the sound of jealousy in voice while wondering if Rick is writing to others what is happening between them.

“Well, evidently Lauren wrote Mary who told Maud who happens to be Ethel’s neighbor at the Catherin Booth Senior Center” thoughtfully explains Lydia Russell “I’m sure they are quite the couple now.  Lauren has hinted that she thinking seriously of someone.  Who else could it be except Rick?”

“Rick does seem very cheerful in his letters, happier than I’ve heard him in years” considers Mrs. Croft “I’m guessing my brother is finally considering settling down.  Maybe it took an random accident to make that happen.”

Annie bites her upper lip trying to constrain her feelings of disappointment at this news “He’s very kind.  I’m sure he is taking good care of Lauren while she recovers.”

“Oh Annie, I forgot to tell you.  Ben Wick sends his greetings to you.  Rick is sending a few things home since it would be cheaper than taking it on a plane.  Evidently there is a book in there that Ben Wick wants you to have” absentmindedly explains Mrs. Croft “From what Rick told me, you and Ben hit is off with your interest in poetry.  He even has Lauren reading some poetry now.”

“That’s really nice and thoughtful of him ” considers Annie finding a place in the parking lot of the church wishing that Rick had thought enough of her to send her something too.

“Evidently, he’s hoping to come back for a couple of weeks at Christmas and mentioned that he hopes to see you again” explains Mrs. Croft “It sounds like Ben Wick might be interested in you, Annie.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.  We’re good friends but that is really it” explains Annie not wanting there to be any confusion about her feelings with Rick’s sister should things not work out with Lauren “Ben’s a great guy and we get along well.”

“I also forgot to tell you, Rick was so complimentary of the way you handled the emergency with Lauren as well as your entire attitude and enthusiasm this past summer” shares Mrs. Croft “He thinks a lot of you.  You’re a very good friend to him.”

At the kind words, Annie smiles to herself feeling a rush of warmth that Rick noticed her concern even though it wasn’t expected.

After the craft show, Annie drops off Mrs. Croft at her home and then heads back to the Hargrove’s house.  She notices that their car has moved in the driveway.  Walking in the door, she can hear Mary’s voice coming from the dining room.

“Boys, put your toys away!  I have a headache!   It was such a long trip and I want to sleep.  Go find something else to do so I can sleep!” whines Mary pointing her kids towards the backyard carrying a large bottle of aspirin in her hand “Leave me alone for awhile!”

“Mary?” asks Annie helping the boys find some their baseball and bats to keep them occupied for awhile “How was your trip? I didn’t expect you home yet.”

“We took an earlier flight.  I didn’t like waiting at the airport when it seemed just as easy to get on our way” explains Mary feeling only slightly guilty for the expense involved in the exchange of flights “We’re here five hours earlier and it was worth every penny.”

Annie can hear a disgruntled “humph” coming from the other room as footsteps disappear down the hallway.  “How is Lauren doing?  How was Peru?”

“Lauren is fine.  Between Rick and Ben Wick she had plenty of attention to take care of her needs” offers Mary “Charles and I had plenty of time to enjoy all the sites and go all over the country.  I don’t think Lauren missed us at all.”

“Oh” sighs Annie understanding Mary having grown-up with her “How is Captain Wentworth doing?”

“Totally in love” snidely remarks Mary knowing that he often asked about Annie but jealous that her sister should have so many admirers. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there is not a wedding somewhere soon in his future”.

“Really? Are he and Lauren serious?” cautiously asks Annie knowing that her sister likes to indulge the truth to make it more entertaining for those who want to listen to her gossip.

“Yes, of course he is.  He was reading so much poetry while we were there, I thought he was losing it a little” explains Mary noticing that her sister seems to have been inspired by this, changes her aim “He shared all of his favorite poems with Lauren who was absolutely enthralled with him.”

“When is he coming back?” asks Annie hoping it will not be too far into the distant future.

“I’m assuming when Lauren is better and they can come back together.  They’ll probably announce their engagement then, I suspect” imagines Mary watching her sister squirm at this recent news “Maybe she’ll ask you to be a bridesmaid.”

Before she allows this thought to sink in, Annie changes the subject “I’m going to New York with Lydia Russell on Monday.  We’re going to be spending a month there with our cousins.   Ariel Clay is also still there with our sister and dad.”

“That was such a nasty divorce” starts Mary “Fortunately she had a prenuptial agreement or else Willoughby would have taken her for everything she had.”

“Isn’t her income though mostly an inheritance from her dad rather than her own earnings?” asks Annie “Although he’s a lawyer, it doesn’t sound like some of his risky investments have worked out lately”.

“Obviously, since he was managing our father’s money as well” sulks Mary having spent many hours angrily discussing the loss of her rather large inheritance in risky stocks “Strangers have taken over our house that we grew up in! It’s not right!”

“The Crofts are lovely people.  I can’t imagine more kinder people to move into our home” sincerely reflects Annie “I’ve had a great time becoming better acquainted with them.  You’ll like them too, Mary, if you will give them a chance.”

“So, what was your impression of Captain Wentworth?” asks Annie wanting to her more about him.

“Well, if I were not already attached, I definitely think he would have been looking my way, but in that I was already with Charles, he missed his opportunity” eagerly boasts Mary pushing her ego just a little further up  than necessary “He spent a lot of time talking to me about our family and what life was like when we were younger.  He enjoyed my stories so much.  He found us quite amusing. I think he knows about anything significant that happened in our family over the last twenty years.  He was such a great listener.  Seriously, if I had been single then he would be mine now, but of course now he belongs to Lauren”

Overwhelmed by her need to know, Annie pushes herself to ask “Did Captain Wentworth ever talk or ask about me?”

“Ummm…. Let me think” Mary considers whether to tell her sister the truth but chooses not to “I guess once in awhile if I brought your name up.  But then he spent hours asking about me.  He wanted to know everything” watching her sister’s discomfort, Mary conceitedly adds “I’ve never seen someone so interested in me, but of course I’m already taken.”

“It’s nice to hear he asked about me once in awhile” acknowledges Annie wishing that he missed her as much as she was missing him.

Mary analysis of her sister takes a turn for a moment, “I guess he did ask a few more times now that I remember a little more. But he seems to be enraptured by Lauren and I’m sure all of his thoughts are for her now.  They’re flying back together next week, but you will already be in New York by then so I guess you’ll miss seeing them”.

“Yes, I suppose so” reluctantly agrees Annie wondering if absence will help her forget how much he means to her.

 

 

The Covenant - Chapter Eighteen

Rapping at the door, Annie rushes to answer it after tucking the kids into bed for the night.  She quietly answers the door to find her good friends bearing gifts.  Annie giggles as she reads Jennings bright fuchsia striped t-shirt “Things that improve with age:  Wine, Art, Coins …. And of course  –ME!” and couldn’t agree more with that statement.  Fidgeting next to her is Alice Hammer broadly smiling wearing a colorful sombrero with a matching woven poncho that hangs nearly to her knees.

“I told her it was the wrong country, but she insisted on wearing it anyway” informs Jennings rather flatly “She wanted to ‘blend in’ so you wouldn’t feel so out of place until you have a chance to adjust now that you have returned home.”

“I think the sapphire blue matches my eyes quite well, what do you think Annie?” enthusiastically ask Alice Hammer for her opinion gently placing one hand on her cheek and slightly tilting her head as if posing for a professional photograph from the 50s glancing into the hall mirror  “I think that I need to wear this more often!”

Watching her friend, Jennings giggles and sarcastically asks “What movie are you going to star in this week? They’re really into remakes lately you might talk them into giving you a part.”

“OH!  Wouldn’t that be exciting!  I always wanted to be Katherine Hepburn” without any effort Alice Hammer changes her voice to mimic her movie idol and huskily states “I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun!”

“Yeah, you do that quite well” agrees Jennings patting her friend on the back “Every day is a new adventure with you, Alice. I don’t know what I would do if we had never met.”

“Would you like to come in?  The boys are asleep but we can sit in the living room.  Would you like some tea or coffee?” politely asks Annie remembering that there some brownies leftover from when they were made earlier in the day for the boys.

“Sure, but I need decaffeinated and I like instant too if they have it” explains Jennings “The instant has a more tart bitter flavor, a bit like candy to me. I like sour patches, lemon drops, and even the jalapeno bites are quite good.”

With each example, Alice Hammer sits next to her pursing her lips and gradually making more horrific faces as if she is tasting each one at that moment and bulges her eyes out “No, thank you.  I’m more into the sugar and spice things, give me a brownie or cookie any day and I’m fine” raising her eyebrows and giving her rather full tummy a tap here and there.

Taking a bit of brownie and a sip of rather polluted coffee Jennings exclaims “These are delicious!  I could eat a whole plate by myself!”

“I brought you the scrap book I’ve been working on for you” explains Alice Hammer taking it out of the oversized bag with a logo from a popular anchor store at the mall “Do you like it?”

The large album is covered in glitter with a feather frame surrounding a photo of just her and Rick which was taken the day they left for Peru at the airport.  Others were in the photo, but Alice Hammer clipped them out.

“I see this as a ‘Hope Album’ like some people have ‘Hope Chests’ for things they collect before they get married” dreamily explains Alice Hammer “My hope is that you and Rick will end up together!”

“Well, thank you for the thought” acknowledges Annie softly placing her hand brushing the photo of Rick before adding “I think he has found someone else.  Life moves on.”

“How could he?” asks Jennings while contemplating her next move to change this situation around “You’re a wonderful person and suit him quite well.  You always seem very happy together. Who is it?”

“Lauren Hargrove, Mary’s sister-in-law” sighs Annie determined not to let her feelings overwhelm her in front of her friends as she can feel her eyes well up with tears never having been able to keep any secrets from them.

“Oh, no” exasperated Alice Hammer hits her forehead with the palm of her hand “I didn’t see that one coming. She’s a nice girl with a good head on her shoulders, but unfortunately a bit of a flirt.  Rick would be a great catch, no wonder she went right for him.”

Shaking her head trying to compare Rick with Annie and then Lauren in her thoughts, Jennings bluntly counters, “How is that one going to work out?  Lauren is about as deep as a puddle. Rick likes to swim around in the ocean. I can’t imagine what they have in common to talk about.”

“I don’t know. I think he likes the attention and she is always available to offer some” considers Annie not entirely sure what they have in common either but trying to come to terms with it “She isn’t such a bad choice. She’s a good person.  They’ll have to grow into finding mutual ground with each other.”

“Whatever …” snaps Alice Hammer pursing her lips while wiping her mouth with her napkin before sincerely speaking “You can’t teach a fish to be a bird. My honey and I made an excellent match, but I had to wait for him. It’s a lifelong commitment keeping the right one and making each other happy, might as well get a head start with the pieces at least matching the same puzzle.”

“I got a postcard yesterday from Rick” offers Annie taking it out of her purse “He sends one about three or four times a week. “

“Ummm… that’s definitely encouraging “ surmises Alice Hammer “How many has he sent to you in the last three weeks?”

“Eleven, but they don’t say much except to explain what he has been doing” offers Annie wondering how he can only see her as a friend when she cares so much about him.  “For example this one starts: Dear Annie – I thought this postcard might look good in your scrap book.  Lauren seems to be improving.  She’s starting to read some books of poetry that Ben Wick let her borrow while she recovers. Things are going well.  I’m having a good time enjoying the area and seeing places we didn’t have time to see with the team while you were still here. Hope things are going well for you – Rick”.

“He doesn’t say much” agrees Jennings wondering if his care is more evident in volume rather than substance “It’s good he keeps you updated with what is happening”.

“If he’s sharing books of poetry with Lauren at least she is trying to learn more and develop herself” offers Annie wanting to accept the situation rather than prolong her feelings of loss “She probably fits him much better than what we are giving her credit for.  They’ll make a good couple.”

In response to Annie’s resolution, Jennings and Alice Hammer exchange knowing glances.  They recall Lauren like a chameleon transforming her look and attitude to adjust to whoever her current love interest was at that time.

“It’s better for a woman to discover who she is first, and then give themselves space to let someone  fall in love with who they really are” Jennings reflects on many years counseling couples “It seems the best marriages are made this way. That way there is no pretense, false expectations, or delusional dreams.  What you see is what you get. As a bonus for honesty, love has a habit of finding its way and deepening in clarity.”

While chatting, Annie flips through the scrap book which Alice Hammer has taken all the odds and ends of the trip such as ticket stubs, flight schedules, programs, candy wrappers, beads, brochures and making it into something she will treasure for a lifetime. Her heart aches as each token reminds her of a shared moment with Rick that is now just a sweet memory.

“So what are your plans when your sister and brother-in-law get back?” asks Jennings as she fills a second scoop of instant coffee into her cup of steaming hot water smacking her lips after taking a sip.

“As you know my family moved into a condo that my cousins own on the outskirts of New York City.  I thought that I might go and spend some time with them for awhile” explains Annie not wanting a front row to watch the courtship of Lauren and Rick once they return “It’s another territory so I might make some new friends while I am there.”

“How long will you be gone?” asks Alice Hammer not wanting her young friend to go too far away.

“Only a couple of months, I’ve been offered a job so I’ll have some income while I’m there.  I don’t think I’ll be charged rent since I’m staying with my own family, but who knows ….” As Annie’s voice trails off knowing that it is likely her father will ask for something since he never can live within his means due to his selfish and rather arrogant “necessities” at the cost to the needs of his own family.

“They’re returning on Friday, so I’m planning on leaving on Monday to help them get over jet lag before I leave” explains Annie realizing that she has to let go of Rick and find her own happiness without him “I’m looking forward to the trip and a change.  I think it will be good for me. I need to let go of some things here and move on with my life.  Leaving for awhile will help me do that.”

“Well, don’t stay away too long!” giving Annie a warm hug of encouragement Jennings continues “You always have a home with me when you want to come back. I’ve got plenty of room in my house. As you know Alice just lives down the street in her senior complex, so she’s wouldn’t be too far away either.”

“Thank you, I may take you up on that offer” gratefully replies Annie helping Alice Hammer with her poncho, “ I’ll definitely give you a call and let you know how things are going as well as when it will be likely that I’ll return. “

“I love you Annie. We’ll take care of you.  Don’t worry. ”  Kindly waves Alice Hammer doing a rather original rumba dance while shaking imaginary maracas along the sidewalk to silent music in her head “Chao! Adios Bendiga! Hasta Luego! Auf Weidersehen!”

While closing the door, Annie can hear Jennings mutter to Alice Hammer “Wrong country again.”

 

The Covenant - Chapter Seventeen

“Annie, we’re almost here” quietly whispers Rick shaking her arm to wake her up before the plane lands “Did you have a good rest?  You’ve been asleep most of the flight.”

“Are we really nearly there?  I didn’t expect to sleep for so long.  I guess the summer took more out of me than I knew” yawns Annie massaging a cramp in her neck and then noticing a rather damp spot on the shoulder of the passenger next to her while the retired older gentleman smiles back at her.  Horrified that she might been the cause for the mark Annie profusely apologizes “I’m so sorry I borrowed your shoulder to sleep on.  I was so out of it. I didn’t realize what I was doing.  I hope that I didn’t drool too much.”

“Not too much…” he warmly says with a comforting smile “When my children were little, they would often fall asleep on my shoulders.  They are now all young women.  You remind me a lot of my goddaughter, Faith Price who lives in Mansfield. She likes to read too.  She’s always carrying around a bag of books with her.  I don’t understand how she expects to read all of them in one day.”

“Faith Price? I knew a girl by that name when I was a counselor at Camp Long Branch many years ago.” Surprised responds Annie, “She was attending sunbeam camp with The Salvation Army.”

“You know my goddaughter!  I’m soldier with The Salvation Army too!” happily responds Mr. Bartram “What corps do you go to?”

“I attend Kellynwich Citadel” replies Annie “But I’ve been with  a children’s home in Lima, Peru for the summer with the Northern Territory summer service corps.  My friend Harriet’s mother, Major Fiona Smith, has been stationed there as the director for many years.”

“What an interesting way to spend your summer!  So, I see you read a lot too.  Do you also carry a bag of books around as well to read whenever you want to?” asks Mr. Bartram wanting to know Annie a little better.

“It’s not so much about reading them all in one setting, but having the option to chose which one and how much of each throughout the day” explains Annie not entirely joking with a smile “I usually have at least two with me, and I might be reading four different books at the same time during a week.”

“Too much reading for me, but I value your effort.  I’m more into facts and figures with my company,. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them, Bartram Enterprises?” states Mr. Bartram enjoying the company and discussion the last few minutes of the flight. “It’s been nice to meet you and Captain Wentworth.  I spoke with him earlier while you were resting and recovering.  It’s good to make a new friend who is even a Soldier on the plane home.  Hopefully we’ll run into each other again soon, most likely at a congress or perhaps a divisional meeting or band concert.”

As Mr. Bartram exits the row to freshen up, Rick leans across the aisle to talk more with Annie.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” giggles Annie embarrassed at her unintentional gaffe.

“I tried to reach over and knock your foot, but it didn’t work and you were completely out.  Mr. Bartram mouthed over that it was all right and not to worry about it” explains Rick laughing at the memory “Your head was bopping up and down, and all the over the place. Then at one point you were leaning halfway over into the aisle.  The flight attendant had to squeeze by to get through.  I think Mr. Bartram partially felt sorry for you and offered his shoulder as a pillow instead.”

Taking a Kleenix from her backpack , Annie glares at him and rolls her eyes as his stifled giggles continue. She takes out a mirror and horrified realizes that every single hair on her head appears to have gotten lost in its own peculiar direction.  She slumps in her seat wondering why Rick has to see her like this and why she can’t look like those actresses in the movies who wake up perfectly beautiful instead of the foreign creature she has become instead.

Brushing thru her hair, she glances back over to Rick who is putting his things away as well to prepare for landing.  Annie feels a sense of comfort and wonder that she can be so at ease with him, longing for him to feel the same way about her once again. He catches her looking at him and smiles back with a nod and wink.  Blushing Annie shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders, but smiles too.

After the pilot announces that the plane is descending, as she watches Rick double check his seat belt, Annie kiddingly asks Rick but not expecting an answer “Do you need me to hold your hand?” 

“Yes, I think I do!” jokes Rick and places his hand out across the aisle. 

Stunned Annie stares at it for a second as if it might be poison and doesn’t move.

Seizing the rather unexpected opportunity, Rick wiggles his fingers pleading, “Come on.  You said you would hold my hand.  I need you.  I’m not sure I can get through this without you.”

Peering over the rows of seats at the flight attendant who has already found their secured position, Annie shrugs her shoulders and throws her arm out. Rick grabs her hand and squeezes tightly as if he might actually be afraid to land.

One the tires tightly squeal along the tarmac pushing all the passengers forward near to the seat in front of them, “Thank you for rescuing me.  I’ll owe you when we get back” kids Rick wanting to spend a few more minutes with her “How about if I take you to dinner after we talk to Lauren’s parents?”

Quite pleased at this unexpected invitation, Annie replies “What a wonderful idea!  I’ve been craving French fries and a Dr. Pepper.”

“Great!” excitedly agrees Rick finding his satchel in the luggage compartment and letting Annie walk in front of him out of the plane towards home.

After finding their luggage in the baggage claim, Rick gently places a hand on the middle of Annie’s back to lead her to customs before exiting the airport.  Annie unexpectedly feels electrified by his touch and blushes while opening up her passport to have something else to concentrate on instead before Rick notices how much she likes it.

They walk near to each other glancing back and forth without saying anything as they enter the parking garage.  “Do you remember where they told us the van would we parked?” finally asks Annie.

“No, not really … the yellow “D” on the large pillar over there sounds vaguely familiar” replies Rick searching in his pocket for the spare key.  “But to be honest, the “Orange A” in the corner seems just as likely”.

“I have an idea.  Why don’t you hit the clicker for the alarm and maybe we can find it that way” suggests Annie having done this many times before when she couldn’t remember where she parked at the mall and had to ride with a security guard on his golf cart to find her car “I’ve had a little experience in this area”.

Rick presses the red button on the key chain as the van alarm echoes throughout the parking garage, making it appear the van has been parked in opposite directions because of the echoes of the acoustics. The shuffle together around the rows of parked cars with their wheeled suitcases and heavy bags strapped across their shoulders, aiming for a louder pulsating sound somewhere in the massive concrete  garage.  They pause for a breather as the alarm continues to blow, both of them chuckling to themselves

Shaking his head, Rick out of breath suggests “I think it might be coming from over there.  If not, we’re probably going to have someone else help us.”

“Okay” agrees Annie willing to follow his leadership after giving up attempting her suggestions with no happy resolution.

“I found it!” points Rick elated that the search is over. “Do you need some help with your luggage?”

“No thanks, I think that I can make it a few more feet.  I think we did walk a couple of miles today though” giggles Annie enjoying making a new memory with him.

Rick helps Annie load her luggage into the back of the van and then finds his place in the driver seat. “I should let you drive, you know this area better than I do.”

“Sort-of …. I have to use my GPS anywhere I go because I’m awful with directions.  Even the woman on my phone can’t understand my accent” explains Annie and then offers a few examples “The other day I asked multiple times for directions for Pizza.  It gave me directions to Lisa’s Nails, the Peace and Love gift shop, the Pieces of Art gallery, and finally ended with the Plaza of the Sun – none of them quite the same thing.”

“Ummm … maybe I will drive this time” jokes Rick “I vaguely remember you having a difficult time with finding your way.  Do you still use your hand motions for North, South, East, and West?”

“Hahaha … yes, I actually I do.  But the probably is, I don’t know where North is so it doesn’t really help figuring out where I am” shares Annie a little embarrassed that she is so clueless.

“What about the Sun.  It always rises in the East and sets in the West” curiously asks Rick wondering what her response will be.

“Yes, but when I look in the sky it always looks like it’s just up there.  Depending on where I am standing, I can’t really tell where it is at” sincerely explains Annie attempting to find the sun out the side window of the van while he is pulling out of the parking lot.

Not knowing how to respond to this but not wanting to hurt her feelings because he can’t understand how she could not know, Rick weakly replies “I guess I can see your point.”

Acknowledging that he really can’t comprehend how she could not know where the sun it at, Annie smiles and waves her hand back at him, but glad that he was at least attempting to understand her and that he remembers something that little that she did so long ago.

Reluctantly, he pulls into the driveway of the Hargrove’s home.   Annie and Rick walk up side by side to the doorway.  Mary meets them at the door before they can ring the doorbell.

“What took you so long?  We’ve been waiting for you!” angrily exclaims Mary with her hands on hips wearing a frown.

“I’m sorry.  We got here as quickly as we could after going through customs” politely informs Rick.

“You’re taking us to the airport.  We need to leave right now or we will miss our flight” sharply explains Mary as her boys hurriedly drag their mother’s luggage towards the van.

“I’ve left you $20 on the kitchen table for things you will need this week with the boys.  I went grocery shopping yesterday, but I forgot to pick up more bread, milk, eggs, and butter.  You can use that money to buy it with. I’m sure it is plenty” instructs Mary, “ You can do whatever you want with what is leftover.”

Annie nods wondering how much remains in her bank account to cover any expenses for the week that will most likely come up. “Thanks.”

“Charles!  Come on!  We’re going to be late!” shouts Mary up the stairs.

“I’ll come back and pick you up so we can meet for dinner” softly whispers Rick to Annie still standing in the doorway.

Mary overhears this suggestion “Oh no, you can’t.  You won’t have time. I already picked up your ticket from territorial headquarters and with my help you are booked on the same flight as us back to Peru this afternoon.  They gave me a package that's on the dining room table with the legal papers you are needing and some expense information to give that I was to you when you arrived” looking over to her sister in triumph and then back at Rick “Lauren is waiting for you.  She woke up and has been asking to see you.  She will be ecstatic to see you again.”

Hiding slightly behind the door, Annie closes her eyes trying to keep back the tears of disappointment “I guess this is goodbye then.”

Sighing Rick bites his bottom lip for a moment before replying “I’ll send you word on what’s happening with Lauren and how everyone else is doing”.

“That would be really nice.  Thank you” replies Annie not sure what to do next.

Rick moves forward to hug her, but Mary stubbornly places herself very close to Annie so it is difficult for him to get closer to her.  He awkwardly bends towards her for a hug as his elbow bangs against the front door and reaching as far as she can with Mary rudely standing in the way Annie closes her eyes and politely pats him on the back.

“I hope you have a safe flight!” wishes Annie as she sees Rick walking towards the van. 

Charles rushes out the door, but whispers back to her “I left $300 in my top drawer.  Go ahead and use it for whatever you need to or if you just want to keep it that’s all right with me.  I’ll pay you for the week when I get back, but don’t tell your sister.  She felt you should volunteer to take care of the kids because you are family.”

“Thanks Charles” kindly replies Annie wondering how two so mismatched people could end up staying so long together.

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.

 

 

The Covenant - Chapter Fifteen

“This is such an amazing view! What do you think?  Have you ever seen anything so beautiful at sunset?” in awe asks Lauren eagerly looking towards Rick “This has to be one of the most exquisite landscapes that I have ever seen!”

Sitting on a rock and absorbing the panoramic scene before him, Ben Wick quotes “Dusk is just an illusion because the sun is either above the horizon or below it. And that means the day and night are linked in a way that few things that are, there cannot be one without the other yet they cannot exist at the same time.  How would it feel I remember wondering to be always together yet forever apart?”

“What poet said that?” curiously asks Lauren feeling the longing in his comment and wondering who would have ever penned something so beautiful.

“Actually, it was Nicolas Sparks in The Notebook” remarks Ben Wick pleased that Lauren’s sudden interest in his favorite poetry quotes.

“I use quotes from the book and movie all the time for my twitter page!” exclaims Lauren feeling grateful to find another thing they share in common and an unexpected attraction to him “I’ll have to show you some of my favorite quotes that I’ve tweeted sometime!”

“I’d like to see them.  Hey, Annie that reminds me I haven’t heard your quote from Tennyson for today” smiling Ben Wick looks up at the sky letting the auburn and amber shadows of the mountain move his feelings to something deeper than just the moment before him.

“Let’s see.  I’ll have to think for a minute” stumbles Annie having been awaken from her own lost thoughts of a sweet moment she shared many years ago with Rick as they sat by the lake as the rays of the sunset reflected in the beveled  crystal water. Sincerely sharing their hearts, they made promises but with ultimate sadness she was regretfully unable to keep.

Not far from her, Rick concentrates on each feature of the mountains wanting to encase this moment in his memory forever.

“How about this one?” rhetorically asks Annie “Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within.”

“I like that one, but there is another that I like more” offers Rick having spent the last afternoon looking up quotes to add to the conversation and to impress Annie while looking directly at her begins “Who loves not a false-imagining, an unreal character in us; but looking through all the rubbish of our imperfections, loves in us the divine ideal of our natures – not the man that we are, but the angel we may be.”

Interrupting the quiet moment as the others are attempting to absorb what he said, Lauren steps in front of Rick and enthusiastically asks “What exactly does that mean? Are you saying I’m an angel?”

“Not exactly” intercedes Ben Wick busting a twig in half “He’s saying that when you love someone, you love all of them - the good and the bad.  But even though some things that you might not like exist, you positively focus on all the wonderful things about them that they possess and love them anyway.”

“Oh …” after a moment of consideration Lauren counters “I’d rather believe it means that someone believes I’m their special angel!”

Not wanting to encourage her fantasies anymore than necessary, Annie giggles distracting herself by digging in her backpack for a bottle of water that the stranger gave to her earlier in the day.

“You as an angel might be something interesting to see …” states Ben Wick letting his imagination wander as he ponders that possibility.

“I need to think of a name.  It would have to be something ethereal like Athena or Deidra” suggests Lauren intensely walking back and forth in deep thought across the uneven rocks and then stopping in front of Rick “What about Ariana or Elyse?”

“The only ones I know by name are Michael or Gabriel, you probably need to ask someone else for a suggestion” states Rick clearly not sure how to respond to this rather random train of thought.

“What do you think Annie?” curiously asks Lauren searching for a possible nickname to use for the rest of the summer to remind Rick that she is his chosen angel once they return home.

“Uh, I don’t know.  How about Oriana or Lilian?” suggests Annie not sure what to offer to make her happy.

“How about Oracle or Lilipad?” jokes the stranger walking by heading towards the trail with a couple of his friends.

Lauren passes him a scornful look “I don’t think so!” while her other teammates quietly grin to themselves. Lauren wistfully adds “It needs to be something much more majestic and heavenly …”

“I’m just joking!” warmly the stranger waves goodbye to them and then looking over at Annie in particular “Hope you have a great evening! Maybe I’ll see you around later.”

“That would be nice, all of us are still here for another day.” returns Annie not sure what to say while Rick tightens his lips and glares at her with his hands resting on his hips.  Annie observes Rick and shrugs her shoulders while raising her eyebrows, slightly shaking her head unsure of how she should have responded instead that would have pleased Rick more.

“Come on Lilipad, the trail is just up this way where we can all get a better view of the sunset” disgruntled Rick keeps his steady pace of walking three steps in front of Lauren, slowly followed by Ben and Annie in tandem behind them.

As the group hikes at a comfortable pace up the trail, Lauren teasingly throws tiny pebbles at Rick trying to get his attention however he seems lost in his own thoughts. Noticing that the small stones are not making any difference, she runs up beside him and bumps into him. 

Roughly knocking a few rocks along the path with his boot, Rick laughs for a second but returns to his own cavern of memories from years ago …

“My heart belongs to you, Annie.  Why are you leaving me?” Rick pleads feeling as if his heart is being ripped from his soul “Were you playing some type of game with me?  Don’t you know how I feel about you?”

“I do know and I deeply love you too.  But it wouldn’t be right to be together now.  You want to be an officer.  I want to finish school.  It isn’t the right time for me to go to training, and you wouldn’t want to be tied down to a wife or family either” fumbles Annie trying to construct her thoughts and excuses when her heart only wants to accept the advisedly impossible and to be with him instead “You have a lot you want to do and although you won’t admit it, you wouldn’t have time for me and I would eventually resent that.”

“Nonsense, you could be with me if you wanted to.  Is there someone else?” jealously Rick asks aware that others are interested in her but whom she hasn’t seemed to notice “If there is someone else, you need to tell me”.

“No, you are the only one that I ever think of” confirms Annie as hot tears start to gingerly fall down her cheeks “You will be so much happier without me.”

“It’s your family isn’t it?  I’m not good enough for you!” angrily snaps Rick “That Lydia Russell has wickedly burrowed her own ideas into your head and filled you with these delusions!”

“It isn’t Lydia Russell’s idea” defends Annie but not too convincingly “I’ve made the decision.”

“When are you going to grow up, Annie?” rebukes Rick “You can’t act like a child forever.”

Annie’s eyes angrily flare at his painful words as she walks away unable to find words to express the hurt that she feels from his callous words and also from the reality that she will be losing him to an unknown fate.

Sadly Rick remembers watching her walk away from him confused and hurt by her unexpected change of heart vowing to never give himself so entirely to anyone else again.

The sound of another voice crashes into the air disrupting his memories, “Hey, did you hear me?” shouts Lauren having run up a second path reaching just above his waste level and then in a mocking tone “Catch me! I’m falling!”

Shocked out of his private thoughts, Rick raises his arms to catch the ‘falling’ Lauren.  She giggles as he by instinct protectively grasps each side of her shoulders as she leans towards him.

“Let’s try it again!” Lauren calls out as she runs up the path again to a slightly higher level.

“Really, that’s probably not a good idea” suggests Ben Wick squinting into the sun resting a hand above his eyes for shading “Be careful.”

“I’m fine.  I’m just testing his manly skills at catching a falling damsel in distress!” jokes Lauren oblivious that anything could possibly happen to hurt her shouting just before leaping “O Captain, my Captain!  Here I come!”

Lauren lands very close to Rick gently falling against his chest and pauses while smiling up at him.

“Really, Lauren that’s quite enough.  I’m not up to this” not wanting to hurt her feelings while Lauren runs up the hill yet again, Rick adds behind her, “Why don’t you walk next to me instead and we can talk about whatever you want to?”

“You’re so strong.  I know you can catch me.  See, I’m going to jump from here now and it will be so easy for you” exclaims Lauren leaping with all her might hoping to accidently fall into Rick making her fully aware of her presence and interest in him.

Carefully, Annie observes Lauren setting herself to jump but noticing that the rock on the edge of the pathway is loose and muddy.  She watches as Lauren’s foot slips and she clumsily fall with all her might awkwardly tilts and lands two feet away from Rick’s angry outstretched arms while he shouts “Don’t!”

She dangerously lands with a loud thud as the dirt shifts below her body scratching the ground with the weight of its new canopy.  Trickles of crimson blood flow in tiny rivers from the whipped tresses of her hair soaking the ground beneath her.

“Lauren!” Gasps Ben Wick running and kneeling next to her as Annie kneels and opens her backpack with her abundance of supplies for an emergency such as this.  Dumbfounded, Rick stands next to Lauren horrified of his inability to catch her.

“She needs help” frankly states Annie “Rick, call the lobby of the hotel and see if they can contact an ambulance”.

“I can’t get any bars on my phone!” panicked Rick replies bending down to touch Lauren’s unresponsive arm.

“Ben, run down to the security area at the last station that we passed and see if they can call an ambulance” firmly instructs Annie not wanting to move Lauren if the situation ends up to be more serious than expected.  “Rick, see if any of the other visitors have a phone that we can borrow or if there is a doctor somewhere in the area.  I’ll stay her with Lauren until you find someone and help arrives”.

Within minutes, a crew of caregivers arrive to help the unconscious Lauren onto a stretcher to make her way to the local hospital.

A few hours later, Ben Wick, Rick, and Annie congregate in the lobby of the hospital while doctors attend to Lauren in surgery. 

“I’ve talked with her parents and territorial headquarters.  This morning I am going to the embassy to explain Lauren’s condition and also for my permission to stay longer in the country” explains Rick feeling guilty that he was unable to save Lauren from getting hurt, “I’ll be flying back to the states with the team so I can meet with her parents before returning to Peru to take care of Lauren until she recovers.”

“I can stay here too if you would like” offers Annie “She’s practically a sister to me.”

“That is a very sweet offer” kindly states Rick knowing that Annie would be a very good nurse “Actually, I’ve already made that suggestion to her family but your sister has insisted that you return to take care of her children. S he’s already purchased a flight for Charles and her to come down in place of her parents who feel unable to travel at this time due to their health”.

“Oh, I see …” Annie’s voice trails off into silence acutely aware that time and distance will make it unlikely for any reconciliation to continue especially with another clearly available and willing for his affection.

Not reading Annie entirely Ben Wick explains “Don’t worry about Lauren.  I’m staying as well and will be able to keep my eye on her recovery.  I can write and let you know how she is progressing.  I’ve agreed to take a position as a youth worker at Harriet’s corps.”

“That’s great!’ responds Annie grateful for a few words of good news in the midst of disappointing events “You’ll be wonderful!  The kids are already attached to you and this is such a fantastic opportunity for you too!”

There is a buzz on Rick’s phone after reading it, he pauses before responding “Unfortunately Annie, I’ve just received a text from territorial headquarters and we will be leaving early in the morning.  The rest of the team will be taking their flight home back to the States at the end of the week.  Ben, you will be responsible for the team until then.”

Disappointed realizing that a week has now just been shorted to less than 24 hours, Annie’s heart sinks as she compliantly nods her head in understanding and acceptance of the situation and the loss that it entails.