Sophie's Heart (12 page)

It was before 7:00 the next morning when Sophie heard a soft but distinct knock on her door. She was up but still wearing her robe, and moved from the bedroom to the door with some curiosity. No one was there, but on the landing, in a single neat row, were five bags of groceries. Sophie gasped in delight.

She had fallen asleep last night while still asking God what she was to do, and Sophie knew that all that was expected of her was to trust. She had done this and slept the night through. Now He had provided. Sophie knew with a certainty that this was Mr. Frazier’s doing, and she hoped she would have an opportunity to thank him.

She brought the bags in to unload them and smiled with pure joy at the wonderful assortment of foods. Canned goods, fresh vegetables and fruits, a large jar of applesauce, cheese, eggs, butter, milk, coffee, coffee creamer, sugar, bread, cereals, pancake mix, sandwich meats, and on it went. It seemed to Sophie that she had enough to last her three weeks. With that thought came another. What if the Fraziers didn’t leave for three weeks?

Sophie dreaded the very thought. She was so enjoying the children that the prospect of not being with them for weeks was rather hard to take. However, she told herself to trust, thank God for the day, and put her groceries away. Sophie enjoyed a delightful breakfast and a long quiet time to read her Bible, and then she set forth on foot—a definite mission in her mind.

“I would like to speak to you, Alec.” These words came from Peg, and Alec knew by her voice that the confrontation he dreaded was at hand.

“Have a seat,” Alec told her. It was late on Saturday afternoon, and he had gone into his office to get some paperwork out of the way.

“I am most concerned about this Sophie woman,” she began without preamble, her voice already high and agitated.

“You don’t need to be, Peg. Sophie is very capable.”

“The house looks clean, I’ll give her that, but beyond that you can barely understand her. She could be telling the children anything.”

“The kids get along with Sophie very well and I—”

“And what kind of example is it to them to have her practically living with you?”

“She doesn’t live with us.” Alec’s voice was reasonable. “She has her own place and comes and goes as she pleases. We, of course, do the same.”

“But she eats with you!”

“She eats with the children when I’m not here,” Alec qualified. “When I’m home, she takes a plate to her apartment.”

“Yes! A plate of
your
food!”

“Peg,” Alec said her name with a sigh, “I hardly expect her to bake and cook for my family and then go upstairs and start all over for herself. Our arrangement is going well, and I have no problem with—”

“
Your
arrangement, as you put it, is surely being watched by the whole neighborhood. I’m sure they’re all thinking the worst.”

“You never had a problem with the different bachelors who lived up there in the past.”

“Well, of course not. Vanessa would have never—”

“Meaning I would?” A note of anger had crept into Alec’s voice, and Peg knew she had gone too far. She was silent for a moment and then went on softly.

“Well, none of this really matters, anyway. I’m here now, and I’ll see to the children.”

“No, Peg, you won’t,” he told her immediately, but without heat. “That’s why Sophie is here. It will be nice for the kids to see you for a few days, but I expect you and Jim to keep it short.”

“Are you kicking us out?” Again she was outraged.

“No, just telling you that a one-week visit is just right.”

Peg stood now and faced Alec across the desk. “If that’s the way you feel, we’ll go tonight.”

“That’s certainly your choice, Peg, but I must tell you the loss will be yours. The kids enjoy you, and I know you love them. If you can let me handle my family the way I see fit, it could be a very enjoyable week.”

Alec’s gentle approach completely disarmed her. He was not as unshaken as he appeared, but he meant to have his say.

“I guess I’ll talk it over with Jim.”

“All right. The kids voted a few months back to sleep in on Sunday morning, so if you’d like to join us, we go to Sunday school and then the late service.”

Peg nodded, but could not quite bring herself to thank him. She left still upset, but Alec had the impression that she would come to grips with the facts and probably stay the week.

At 10:00 on Sunday morning, Sophie set out in her sturdy walking shoes. She had gone in search of information the day before, and indeed she had found it within the pages of a telephone book she found hanging in a phone booth.

There were not many churches listed in Middleton, so it wasn’t all that hard. She had called the church and talked with a woman who was extremely helpful. After learning that they were a Bible-believing church that preached salvation by grace plus nothing, she attained directions and walked to the church, taking careful note of where she was at all times.

This morning she knew exactly where she was headed and how long it would take to arrive. Sophie knew there was a distinct possibility that the Rileys went to Middleton Bible Church as well, but she didn’t know them well enough to ask for a ride.

The walk was a pleasant one. The early-morning sunshine promised a warm day, and Sophie moved along at an easy pace, her Czech Bible and her small black purse under one arm. Her skirt was black today, and her blouse was one of her five white ones. She’d considered wearing other shoes, but since she had a long walk she stuck with her plain black lace-ups and low white socks. She knew she was not a fashion plate; she hadn’t been in Czechoslovakia, either. But she was clean and well-pressed and could ask for little more.

Sophie arrived at the front door just five minutes before the service began and slipped quietly into the rear. She had not been able to gain entrance the day before, so without moving her head overly much, Sophie let her eyes take in the sanctuary. It was a large room with oak pews and trim and a very large choir loft. Sophie guessed the room would hold over 500 worshipers, and it was nearly full now. A baby cried somewhere many pews away, and Sophie’s eyes closed briefly on the sound. This was a family church. She had so wanted to find a church attended by families, and God had shown her the way.

She opened her eyes a second later and looked directly into those of Rita. The girl’s face was full of concern as she studied their housekeeper from a pew near the front, but Sophie smiled gently in her direction. Rita, after sending Sophie a relieved smile, turned back around in her seat.

Just moments later, the service began and Sophie was rapt for the next hour. The songs the congregation sang were very God-honoring, and a young man gave a testimony that brought tears to Sophie’s eyes. She struggled with one or two words in the sermon, but her heart was blessed by the message. Pastor Baker was working his way through 1 Corinthians and he had come to the end of chapter 15. The subject that morning was steadfastness, and Sophie’s heart felt renewed and ready to carry on. The word
Amen
was barely out of his mouth at the end of his closing prayer when a voice on Sophie’s right asked, “Have we met?”

Sophie turned in surprise to the older woman beside her and answered quietly.

“No, I am new first time this day.”

“Well, I’m glad you came. I’m Gladys Nickelberry.” With that she held out her hand.

“I am pleasure to meet you, Miss Nickelberry. I am Sophia Velikonja.”

“It’s Mrs. Nickelberry, and you’re not from around here, are you?”

“I live in Middleton, but I am from Czechoslovakia.”

“Czechoslovakia! You
are
a long way from home.”

Sophie smiled. “This is home now.”

Gladys nodded and studied her for a moment. “I don’t suppose you’d care to come to my house for lunch someday, Sophia?”

Sophie studied her right back. “I am free this week, and you can call me Sophie.”

Gladys beamed at her. “How’s Tuesday?”

“Tuesday is good day. I will need directions.”

Again Gladys smiled. “Where do you live?”

Sophie tried to explain, but ended up saying, “I work for Mr. Riley. Address is 615 Holly Court.”

“Riley. The family where the wife died about a year ago?”

“Yes, this is one.”

“Well, we’re just a few blocks away from each other. Go to the end of your street, well, you said it’s a court, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, turn left onto Bennett Avenue…”

She finished the directions and then wrote the address on a small scrap of paper. Sophie studied it for a moment.

“Two-twelve Scott Street.”

“Yes. It’s the first right off Bennett.”

“What time do I come?”

“Oh, about 11:30. Is that good with you?”

“Yes—11:30. I will come.”

“I’ll see you then. Oh, what do you like to eat?”

Sophie had to fight down laughter at the older woman’s expression.

“I like all foods. Same as you.”

“Oh! All right. I’ll see you then.”

They said their good-byes, but moved from the pew together and continued to visit. In a few moments Sophie learned that Gladys was a widow, and Gladys learned that Sophie had been living in the United States for less than a year. They finally parted in the parking lot, some of the last people to leave, and both went away greatly anticipating Tuesday.

Ten

D
ad.” Tory spoke from the door of his office.

“Tory,” Alec chided as he looked at his watch. “It’s after 10:00. What are you doing up?”

“I need to talk with you.” Tears pooled in her eyes as she said this, and Alec motioned her forward. She was tall for ten years old, but he still pulled her onto his lap after she’d come around the desk to his chair. Her tears had poured over by then, and for a time she cried into her hands. She had done this quite a bit in the first few months after Vanessa died, but not recently. Alec’s heart ached for her, and he waited to see if she would speak. However, before Tory said anything, Rita came to the door. When she saw her sister, she took the chair by the desk and waited as well.

“Grandma was mean to Sophie, Dad,” Tory finally cried. “I can still see her face. She looked so hurt and her English was all confused, so I know she was upset. Then she sent her away, and I haven’t been able to talk to her at all. I tried to go up the stairs, but Grandma saw me and said she had a job for me, so I had to come back.”

Tory could not go on at that point. Alec pulled her close, and she sobbed into the dark cotton of his shirt. He looked to Rita then, who also had tears in her eyes.

“When did this happen?”

Rita explained the way Jim and Peg had suddenly arrived and the way Peg had talked to Sophie. Alec barely contained his anger over the things she had said, but then realized it was no less than he expected.

“Then I saw her at church, Dad.” Rita’s own tears now spilled over as well. “She must have walked all that way. She’s going to think we don’t care at all. I don’t want Grandma and Grandpa to leave, but I want Sophie to come back.”

“Grandma’s not the same,” Tory sniffed and spoke up. “I know she misses Mom like we do, but there’s no reason to be mad at Sophie. I don’t want Grandma to be hurt, but I want Sophie back, too. She doesn’t nag us about our homework.” The tears were flowing again, and Alec softly quieted her.