23) A Forever Promise

Dear Diary,

This morning, Father surprised us with some exciting news.  We have new neighbors moving in next door!  Father says that he heard from Evelyn's father, who owns the mercantile, that there's five children.  I hope that there's a girl my age!  Mother says we'll have to make them a meal to welcome them here.  I agreed excitedly.

After the news, Anna, Jonathan, Daniel, and I headed off for school on the dirt road.  Our farm wasn't far from the school, and I usually enjoyed the quiet, peaceful walk there.  School had never been something I had really dreaded.  That is, not until today.  Today was the spelling bee.  And all the students knew as much as I did that I was terrible at spelling, and most always failed.

So, making a quick excuse to my older sister that I had forgotten something back at the house, I ran off to the nearby creek under the huge oak tree.  It was my secret hiding place.  No one knew about it except me-- not even Evelyn.  I knew I would get into big trouble, but I don't think I thought about the consequences then.  All I wanted was to imagine what it would be like to have no school-- just for one day.  I thought it would be a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

So, after climbing as far up as I could, I sat back, a ripe red apple in my hand and my legs swinging back and forth, my eyes on the fluffy clouds in the sky.  I must have fallen asleep, because the next I knew, I found myself wet and shivering with cold.  It was raining, and, by my estimation, I guessed it to be around dinner time.  

After climbing down, I started towards the farmhouse.  I don't really remember where I went or if I could even see in the pouring rain.  I must have been walking for hours, because my feet were starting to hurt and my stomach was grumbling.

The next thing I knew I ran into a tall, blue eyed boy who looked about fourteen with dark hair that was sopping wet.  I remember gasping, and then looking up into his eyes.  I remember seeing his expression change from surprise to genuine concern in minutes.

"What are you doing here?" he had asked me.  But before I could even try answering, he said, "You look cold.  Do you want to come inside?"

My gaze followed to where he was pointing, and saw a large farmhouse I hadn't remembered ever seeing around our parts.  I also remember thinking that I must have been lost, because I knew most everyone in our town.  I had no time to voice my questions though, because he had taken my hand and led me inside before I could protest.

When I had entered, his parents immediately gave me something to eat, and sent me to bed without much comment.

The next morning I had awoken, I was startled and unsure of where I was.  Then it all slowly came back to me, and I began to wonder if my parents had begun a search party across the country to find me.  It made my face go pink with guilt.

I wasn't sure what to do then.  I simply walked downstairs, tentative and fearful, eyeing the kitchen as its inhabitants scurried about as though nothing had ever happened.  When they finally spotted me, they all became silent.  I remember being confused, embarrassed, and worried all at the same time.  I just wanted the ground to open up, and swallow me whole.  I would have rather been anywhere, but there, at that moment.

Then the boy, who was the one who had first discovered me, pushed a plate towards me, heaping with fresh cooked food.  I could hardly stand back and say no, especially with my grumbling stomach protesting.  Hesitantly, I sat down, taking little bites.  An older woman, I suspected to be the mother, asked me a few questions, but wasn't pushy for answers.  She was kind with a soft smile.  For some reason, I felt safer.  More secure.

Well, there's really not much more to tell after that except a man with salt and peppery black hair, who I had noticed couldn't walk very well, told the dark haired boy to take me home.  I hardly knew what to say, and wondered if he even knew where I lived.

But, I realized, once we had stepped outside, that he was only accompanying me, not taking me there.  

And in the daylight, I had a better idea of where I was, and easily directed my way around the winding dirt roads.  I talked very little with my 'escort,' unsure of what I'd say anyway.  I felt awkward, and wished that I had listened more intently to my mother's constant lessons on social graces.  

So, I decided to say nothing.  But I surprised myself when I asked in a very soft voice, "Did you just move here?"

That began our conversation, and soon it was like we were long lost friends.  I even found out his name which I had secretly been wondering.  It's Andrew Carter.  And ever since I've heard it, I keep playing it over and over in my mind.  Such a nice name, isn't it?

Well, when we reached the end of the lane, we both stood there, silent.  I didn't know what I should say to him.  And, even if I did, I probably wouldn't know how to say it anyway.  

Relief rushed over me when he decided to speak first.  "I guess I'll see ya later," he said.

I nodded, though I was a bit doubtful.  "Will you be coming to our school?" I asked.

"Maybe.  I still have to help around the farm a bit.  My father hasn't been well, and it's been hard for him to move around lately.  There's a lot of work that still needs done."

I only nodded.  "I'll be looking for you," I whispered.  I felt shy.  I felt awkward.  I felt a strange tittering inside of me.  It was so strange to me.  I had always been open and friendly with everyone.  Why did I feel so held back?  I didn't know.  

Of course, anyone could tell he was a handsome young boy, but I didn't care about that.  And I had met other boys before.  Why was he so different than the others?  I put thoughts aside, and smiled my farewell to my friend.

He waved as he walked away, and, for some reason, I felt the need to look back.  When I did, I caught his eye.  Self-consciously, I quickly turned away, trying with all my being not to break into a run.

That's pretty much the end of my dramatic day.  Well... not all of it.  Papa and Mama were too glad to see me to be immediately angry, but later they had a good, long talk with me.  I had learned my lesson.  I would never, ever skip school again-- even though a lot of interesting, fun happenings had occurred.  I'm just glad to be safe at home, now.  

And I was even more proud to be the first one to tell them I had met the new neighbors, explaining they had moved in earlier than expected.  Everyone began bantering me with questions, making me smile all the more at their interest.  I held nothing back though, and poured out all the details.  However, I kept Andrew's and my little chat to myself.  Some secrets should be kept secrets, I thought to myself.  

And, now, I feel like drifting off to sleep.  I promise to write later! 

Lydia Hall

April gently closed the book.  "So, you met your future husband, and had no idea the life you'd go through together," April thought aloud, a hint of a smile on her face.  Tucking the diary in her pocket for later reading, she began finishing the remains of the room.  

~*~

Then the day came.  Jenny and James arrived.  April had been watching and fidgeting all day, her eyes constantly on the road.  Then she saw the car bumping down the snow rutted road towards the old farmhouse with the for sale sign posted by the mailbox.  For a moment, April felt her heart sink even though she was overjoyed to see her friend home again.  But, without giving herself time to analyze her feelings, she grabbed her shawl, and rushed outside.

Jenny met her mid-way, both smiling at seeing one another again.

"It's so good to see you," April whispered.

"And you," she said, her face beaming with delight.

April wished to return the smile, but she couldn't get herself to enjoy that moment.  She still had one thought heavy on her mind that she had to lift off her shoulders.   "Has your father-- has he told you?" she whispered.

Jenny's face looked bewildered.  "What do you mean 'told me?'  Told me what?"

April bit her lip, trying to hold the tears in check.

"April, tell me what's wrong," she said.  Her voice was soft, but also trembling with worry.

"I don't know where to begin," she said in more than a whisper.  "It just all-- just happened so fast.  We thought we should wait, and let you know when you get back.  We didn't want to spoil your honeymoon or anything..."

But Jenny stopped her.  "April," she said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, "you can tell me."

"Your mother," April whispered, choking back the tears.

Jenny's face expressed first shock, concern, then disbelief.

"Isn't she feeling well?" she asked quickly.  "Where is she?  I want to see her."

"She's not here.  She's-- she's gone."  

She had said it.  It was over.  

Then she was holding her friend in her arms.  April had known it would cause a severe blow.  Jenny was strong, she had told herself before, but then had silently added that the separation of mother and daughter was something that would be terribly hard to bear.

~*~

The funeral was set for January twelfth.  It was a cold, foggy morning.  The dark clouds in the sky seemed to linger in the air.  April wished that they'd just open up and spill down all the welcomed rain.  Then the morning might be washed of its sadness and pain.

People gathered around on the hill where Mrs. Carter was to be buried, overlooking her past home shared with her husband.  'She'll be able to look down on it and smile,' Mr. Carter had said, and April couldn't have imagined her anywhere else. 

With her hands folded neatly in her lap and a smile of affirmation on her lips, Mrs. Carter was lowered into the pit they had dug earlier as the preacher stood around, speaking words of comfort to them.

"....for we know, she has been welcomed in by Jesus in a special place she'll reside in forever.  A place where no tears are shed, and where no pain is found."

Out of all the people who shed tears at that moment, April smiled.  No tears, she thought.  God's special promise that's awaiting us all.  His forever, enduring promise that brings unending joy. 

Author's Note

*Sorry for the long length.*

What do you think? :)

Reviews

[Missy Moooooo]

so. I actually cried this chapter. It reminds me when I was told that my Brother had been killed. I knew id never see him again. oh my i feel almost exactly what happened that day.

[~Lizzy♬]

Awww! Poor Jenny! I'm not able to bare to think about what it would be like if my mother died. I feel so bad for Jenny. It almost made me cry actually, but I loved the chapter so much. You're such a great writer! :)

~Lizzy!

[halflives]

Poor Jenny! There's nothing like being told that your mother has passed. My best friend's mother died, and it was the worst thing for me. I couldn't even IMAGINE what it was like for her. And to be told, after everything is over and done? Just after you are married? Unbearable.

I love the insight to Lydia's life. She seemed like she had it well. And don't worry about the long-ness. I actually like the chapter longer than shorter. :3 Well done, I'm looking forward to more?

[Krystal Nicole]

LoVED it!!!!!!