Tracie Peterson (32 page)

“You’d never know the weather was so bad yesterday,” Ruth Bennett said as Ginny ushered her into the house on Christmas Day.

“I know, but that’s how it is around these parts. Just look at that sunshine out there! What a glorious day.”

“I brought you some holiday goodies. Didn’t figure you had much time to bake,” Ruth said, handing Ginny a basket.

“Oh my. What a treat. Indeed my baking has suffered. I even found myself missing Mrs. Mendelson’s fruitcake.”

“Poor dear, God rest her soul,” Ruth declared with a grin. “That woman had a heart of gold, but she couldn’t cook to save herself.”

“Well, she’s probably enjoying angelic fruitcake now,” Ginny said with a laugh. “Probably standing in line with my Harold and our little daughter, eating God out of house and home.”

“I’m sure my Kenny is right beside them,” Ruth stated, nodding. “I like to think of them all there in heaven. No war. No pain. No sadness. What a day that will be, Ginny.”

Ginny saw the tears in her friend’s eyes. They were women whose lives had been lived in quietness and gentleness of spirit. They had loved their husbands and children, their neighbors and friends. They had given of themselves to their community and to their church. One day God would come to bring them home as well, but until then, they both knew without complaint that there was still work to be done.

Ginny embraced Ruth and hugged her tightly. “Merry Christmas, Ruthie. Thank you so much for all you have done for me.”

Ruth held her friend just as firmly. “Merry Christmas to you and may this war end soon.”

“Amen,” Ginny said, her heart speaking the sentiment as a prayer. “Amen.”

They laughed and dried their eyes, suddenly feeling very silly for being overcome with emotions. “Do I get a peek at the new baby?” Ruth questioned.

“I think that could be arranged. Let me go check on Melody and make certain she’s up to a visitor.”

“I promise I won’t stay long,” Ruth said, then added, “I’d probably just start crying again. I know my Rachel is a grown woman, but the idea of her giving birth to our first grandchild makes me powerful nervous.”

Ginny nodded. “I can well understand. But I’m telling you, Ruth, our kids are stronger than we give them credit for. They’re probably better equipped for all of this war nonsense and conflict of the day than we are. They are invincible in their own way.”

“Oh, the strength of youth!”

Ginny laughed. “And the wisdom of old age. Combine them together and what a mighty force we make.”

Melody was happy for the company. She proudly showed off her new son and delighted when Ruth declared there to be no finer infant in all of Longview.

“Of course, I’ll have to change my opinion when my grandchild comes,” she teased. “But, then, you’ll understand.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” Melody said with a smile. “I wouldn’t expect it any other way.”

“What have you named him?” Ruth asked.

Ginny smiled as Melody’s gaze met her own. “I’m calling him John, on account of John Williams bringing us all together. And because Ginny said that John means ‘the Lord is gracious.’”

“That He is,” Ruth agreed. “He was most gracious in this situation.”

“He sure was,” Melody agreed. “I know I grieved Him, but I know He loves me still.”

Ruth looked to Ginny before handing little John back to Melody. “Never forget that love, Melody. It will see you through the darkest of hours.”

“Without a doubt,” Ginny countered. “And sometimes it’s all you have.”

Melody nodded. “I can see that now. I really can. I feel so lucky to be able to have a second chance. I’m not going to mess up this time.”

Ginny laughed, surprising the other two women. “Oh, child, never say that. We all make mistakes and we all mess up. It happens
even when we try our hardest to be perfect. Just do your best and trust God for the rest—that’s what my mama always said.”

“And her mama was very wise,” Ruth said, leaning over conspiratorially to whisper in Melody’s ear. “And it rubbed off on Ginny.”

The words were loud enough for Ginny to catch, causing her to chuckle. “Don’t know as I would say that,” she replied, “but one thing’s for sure, her words of wisdom made a difference in my life.”

“Just like yours have in mine,” Melody said, reaching for Ginny’s hand. “Thank you, Ginny. Thank you so much for helping me to find my way.”

Melody looked down at her son and smiled. He nursed noisily at her breast, and all Melody could think of was how very blessed she was. He was the perfect Christmas present, and in her heart she knew Ginny was right. God had forgiven her and she was free to begin again.

Outside, Ginny had told her, the wind was cutting like a knife, but inside, Melody was warm and safe and filled with such joy that she threatened to overflow with happiness. The only thing that could possibly have made things any better was if she could have made peace with her parents and have Collin home.

But, she surmised, that would have to wait. They were in this war for the duration, so there would be no telling what part Collin would have to play until it was all over. As for her parents, Melody had finally taken Ginny’s advice and tried to call them, but no one answered the telephone. It worried her slightly, but she prayed about it and gave it over to God, knowing that Ginny had been right about Him being faithful. From the time she’d been a little girl, she’d listened to her father read Bible stories to her and her sisters. She had been fascinated by the great men of God and the examples of how faith and truth always won out over evil and lies.

She touched the brown downy hair atop her baby’s head and sighed. Her life had taken such a dramatic change. A little less than a year ago she had been in school without a clue of what direction her life would take. Now here she was a wife and mother. She glanced at her bedside photograph of Collin. Dark brown hair and brown eyes, a lopsided, almost mischievous grin. He had posed for the picture a couple of days before they were married, and Melody cherished the memory of a happier time.

No matter what happens
, she told herself,
I will trust God. I have little John, and should anything happen to Collin, I will go on believing
that God is still faithful and good
. She glanced at the photograph once again and sighed.
But please don’t let anything bad happen to him, Lord
.

She finished nursing the baby and had just put him to her shoulder to burp when a knock sounded at her bedroom door.

“Come on in, Ginny. You don’t have to knock.”

The door opened, but instead of Ginny, Melody found her mother standing expectantly in the doorway.

“Mama!” Melody gasped in surprise.

“Oh, my sweet baby,” her mother said, tears starting to pour from her eyes.

Melody realized in that moment that all had been forgiven. She held out her free hand to her mother. Mrs. Meggison came quickly to her daughter’s bedside and embraced her gently.

Melody smiled and buried her face against her mother’s plump form. “Oh, Mama. I’ve missed you so much.”

Baby John cried a squeal of protest and Melody suddenly realized he was being sandwiched between the two women. Both women pulled apart and Melody’s mother glanced down at the bundle with such a look of love that Melody knew everything would be all right.

“This is John, your new grandson.” She lifted the baby up to her mother.

Mrs. Meggison hesitated only a moment before taking the baby in her arms. “Oh, he’s lovely. He looks just like you did when you were a baby.” She cooed at him before asking, “Does Collin know?”

Melody nodded, surprised that her mother even remembered Collin’s name. “I think so. The Red Cross was supposed to notify him.”

Then to Melody’s surprise her father’s tall, lanky frame filled the doorway. He had been so cruel and heartless to her. Melody stiffened momentarily, not at all sure she wanted to have his company.

“
You have to let go of the past
,” Ginny had told her. “
If you want God to forgive you, you need to forgive others as well
.”

Melody met her father’s stern expression and bit her lip. He looked old and worn. Maybe even sick. She felt a bit of panic. Surely he wasn’t sick. It was then that she realized that she could let go of the past. The idea of her father growing ill and dying was enough to make her long for his presence—to hug him one more time—to receive his smile of approval.

But could he approve of her now? Could he approve of his grandson?

Mrs. Meggison seemed to sense her husband’s presence and turned with a smile. “You have a grandson, husband. Come and meet him. His name is John.”

“A good Bible name,” Melody’s father said, coming a few steps into the room. “More books of the Bible are named John than any other name.”

Melody smiled. “We named him after Mrs. Williams’ son, John. The name means the Lord is gracious.”

Her father nodded. “That it does. If we’d have ever had a boy, I would have liked to have called him John.”

“Well, you could just use the name on your grandson instead. Maybe enjoy him like you would have a son,” Melody said, extending the peace between them.

“I’d like that, Melody,” he said, rubbing his chin for a moment. “You know, we could fix a room up for you at home. We live in Portland now and the house is plenty big.”

She smiled. All was forgiven. “I think I’d like that, Papa.”

Her father said nothing more, but she thought she saw a look of peace come upon him.

Melody watched as her mother took baby John to present to his grandfather. The old man studied the baby for a moment, then surprised both women by taking the infant in his arms.

“Would you mind if we prayed for him?” her father questioned. “Well . . . that is . . . if you don’t mind, we could dedicate him to the Lord.”

Melody choked back a sob. “I wouldn’t mind at all, Papa. I very much like the idea of you praying for my son.”

Her father nodded and bowed his head. “Father, we give this child to you. We commit our hearts to your ways and pledge unto you this day our promise to guide and direct this child in your paths. Give us wisdom to help him see what is right and wrong. Give us patience to deal with his mistakes and our own. And give us love, that we might be forgiving when things go wrong and that we might be a stronghold to one another when times are bad. We call him John and we present him to you, Father, with loving thanksgiving for another life safely delivered into this world. Amen.”

Melody wiped away her tears and met her father’s eyes. “Amen,” she whispered and reached up to take back her child. As her father leaned down to deposit the infant into her arms, Melody leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Papa.”

Her father, clearly embarrassed by the emotion of the moment, nodded and stepped away to where his wife stood watching with tears of her own.

All was well, Melody thought, and a peace settled upon her. She didn’t know where Collin was, or if he was all right, but God was with her and she would continue to pray that Collin, too, might find peace with his Maker.

“Nothing is too hard for God,” Ginny would say. And now, finally, Melody could believe that as well. She smiled at her parents.

“Oh, do sit down and tell me everything. How are my sisters? Where are they?” Melody questioned eagerly. She was ready to go forward with her new life and suddenly every moment was precious.