Every Storm (18 page)

Ruth couldn't think any longer. Holding the brooch close and rocking a little with the pain, she sat on the bedside and begged God to help her through the agony. Her words were incoherent and rambling, but she knew God understood.

She prayed until she was too tired to sit up and then laid her head down on the pillow. Placing the brooch on the nightstand where she could see it, she fell asleep with the light on, her mind full of her oldest child.

"Another week has passed," Ruth announced, addressing Max and Lorri on Saturday morning, "and we stilt haven't talked about Josie's service. I want to know what you want."

"What do you want, Mother?" Max asked, realizing Ruth had never said.

"I don't think I want a memorial service with many people talking. Pastor Higgins knew Josie for about two years before she left, and I just want him to speak."

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"I'm okay with that too, but the thought of an empty casket bothers me," Lorri admitted. "If everyone wants that, I can get used to it, but it still seems strange to me."

"I was getting used to the idea," Max said. "I mean it wouldn't be open, but it could still have Josie's picture on top, that pretty one in her blue dress."

"What do you think, Lorri?" Ruth asked.

Lorri rolled her eyes.

"I was thinking the casket would be open. I don't know why, but that's what was bothering me."

"So that's not going to bother you so much?"

"No, it's fine."

"What day does Grandpa come back?" Max wondered.

"Thursday or Friday. He said he'd send Word."

"Do we know what day we're having the service?"

"No, I was going to wait for Dean to decide. He just wanted us to talk about some of the details ahead of time."

So she would remember everything for the next week, Ruth wrote down all that they talked about. A feeling of unreality crept in from time to time, but she made herself concentrate. When the list was complete, she had the girls read it over and note any additional ideas.

That done, it was time to get to the grocery store. Lorri offered to go with her. Max stayed home. Arlene was coming over, and the two of them were scheduled to work on a big project for English class.

"Are you in the mood for grapes or cherries?" Ruth asked Lorri. "Cherries."

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"Bing or Royal Ann?"

"Bing."

"Wow, you're easier than Max. She has to think about things until I tell her I'm moving to the next aisle."

"Maybe she's had too many choices."

"The war took care of that. She's just indecisive," Ruth said. Then she asked, "How was the food in Australia?"

"It was good but different. I'm sure they would say the same about ours."

"I haven't told you this, but you have an accent."

"Do I really?"

"Yes, it's very slight, but certain words take on a life of their own."

"Such as?"

"Well, anything that ends with an
a
now has a slight r sound to it."

Lord's look over this was comical. "Like what?" she demanded.

"Like Australia. It comes out Australier."

Lorri started to giggle. She hadn't thought about it, but it was true. She did say things differently, but they sounded fine to her own ears. She said as much.

"I'm sure they do," Ruth agreed. "But if you don't mind, when we get home, you can show me where
Australier
is on the map."

Lorri began to giggle again, and Ruth only shook her head. Lorri was pushing the cart and in no hurry about it. Ruth stepped up the pace, thinking that at this rate they were going to be gone all day.

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Lori Wick

"Permission to break our agreement?" Arlene asked, interrupting the studying long enough to speak.

"Permission granted." Max went along.

"Word in the hallways is that Johnny King is completely smitten with you."

"I'm getting that impression."

"You didn't tell me this."

"We've sworn off boys."

"But at this moment we're off the record, so tell me now."

"He waits every day and walks me to Algebra."

"Do you like him?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"He's all wrong for me, Arlene. He
used
to come to church, and he's dated every girl in school. I don't want a man whose eyes roam that much and who does Christianity part-time. I've been happier not thinking about boys, and I intend to keep it that way."

Arlene nodded, and Max's head went back over her book.

"One more question."

"All right."

"Do you think he's cute?"

Max looked up. "Still off the record?"

"Yes"

"He's an absolute dream."

Arlene went into gales of laughter, which ignited Max's own giggles. Nevertheless, they did not allow the distraction. When the laughter died down, they went right back to work.

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"It felt longer than a month," Lorri confessed to her grandfather, hugging him once again.

"For me too. You look great."

"Do I?"

They had settled in the living room, Buddy all but climbing into his master's lap.

"Yes, you do. How's Max?"

"She's wonderful."

"Still off boys?" Dean asked of Ruth.

"Yes. There's a boy who likes her, but she's handling it very well."

"Only one?" Dean asked, a twinkle in his eye.

Ruth scoldingly shook her head in his direction.

"Do you know what I'd like to do tonight?" Dean suddenly asked.

"What?"

"Go to the football game. Harmony Hills plays at home tonight, don't they?"

"I think they do. Max would know."

"Shall we go?"

Ruth and Lorri smiled at his enthusiasm, completely ready to agree. They were still talking about it when Max came in the door.

"Grandpa!"

She was overjoyed to see him, questions pouring out of her as she s^t close to him on the sofa.

"So when do you leave again?"

"Barring the unforeseen, I don't."

"What were you the most hungry for?"

"Your mother's beef roast, mashed potatoes, and gravy."

"Did you see any of the men who rescued Raine?"

"No."

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160Lori Wick

"The radio news talked about the signing of the official surrender papers. Were you there for any of that?"

"No, but I did see some of the U.S. prisoners after they were released. They were overjoyed to be free."

For the moment Max ran out of questions. She sighed a little and sat contentedly next to her grandfather. Dean looked over at her, his eyes filled with love.

"Max, is there a home football game tonight?" Lord asked.

"Yes, we play Valley."

"Grandpa wants us to go."

"Truly?" she asked of Dean.

"Sure. How does that sound?"

"I have to call Arlene!" Max bolted from the room, an actionj

that had its usual effect: Everyone laughed.

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Thfoteeti

"I needed that," Lorri told her mother as they mounted the stairs much later that night.

"Why was that?"

"It felt normal. I didn't think anything would ever feel normal again. It was sad that we lost, but I still enjoyed it."

"Your father played football," Ruth said. They were almost to their rooms.

"I remember seeing the pictures."

The women parted for their own beds. Lorri was ready for sleep, but Ruth had made, the most amazing discovery. She had gotten ready for bed but then curled up in the middle of the mattress with her photo albums. It took only seconds to find Tom Archer in his football uniform. Ruth touched the picture lovingly, missing him still.

"I've been in such shock," she whispered to the image of his face. "Josie's not just with our Lord Jesus Christ, she's with you too. Our girl is in heaven with you, Tom, and I didn't even think of it."

Ruth hugged the album close to her chest, lifting her face toward the ceiling.

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"Thank You* Lord, for reminding me. Thank You for letting Tom have one of our girls."

"You wrote to Ken?"

"Yes, I sent word, but it's impossible for him to get away."

Ruth nodded, trying to imagine Josie's fiance being able to join them for the service.

"I also called Ken's family this morning," Dean went on, "to tell them the time and date of the service."

"Do you think they'll come?"

"I think Mr. Showers will, but he said Mrs. Showers is pretty shook up."

Again Ruth could only nod. It was all coming together so swiftly. The funeral was one week away-a Monday morning- with a private graveside service to follow. Pastor Higgins would officiate, handling the music and such. The Oceanside Funeral Home would handle the other details.

Ruth didn't know the last time Tom had been so much on her mind. She realized she needed her husband here. She was burying a child. It was only logical that he be here beside her.

"What's the matter?"

Ruth looked,startled. She hadn't realized Dean was still sitting there.

"I was thinking about Tom, wishing he was here beside me," she said

"I've thought about him a lot lately. Maxine too," Dean said, naming his late wife.

"We've said goodbye to many, haven't we?"

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"I guess we have. I don't think about it all the time, but we have certainly known grief before. And if I have my way, you'll know grief again," Dean said, shocking Ruth's eyes a little wide. "I don't want to bury any more of my family, Ruth." His voice deepened with suppressed emotion. "I'm sure you understand." Ruth reached for his hand. "I certainly do, Dean." Dean gave her hand a squeeze and rose from the table. There would be tears enough in a week's time. He didn't want to start now.

"Something wonderful happened four months ago today," Pastor Higgins told the mourners who gathered in his church on Monday, October 1,1945. "It wasn't wonderful in every way for everyone concerned, but it was wonderful for Josephine Archer.

"You see, Josie knew where she was going. She hadn't planned on dying that day, but it was all right that she did. I don't mean that no one would hurt, miss her, or be sad, but when a heart has things settled for all of eternity, it changes the way we look at her passing.

"Josie's grandfather and mother met with me. They told me that they wanted everyone to know what Josie believed and why she believed it. It's no secret. It's all spelled out in God's Word. Josie Archer knew she was a sinner and needed a Savior. She also knewom Scripture that the only salvation is from God through His Son. So when Josie was still quite young, she humbled herself before God and believed on Him for that salvation.

"And because God always keeps His promise, we know that her belief in Him was settled for all time. I stand before you today with a heart that is both heavy and light-heavy for the loss of

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our dear friend and sister but light in knowing that her rightly placed faith has secured her a place in heaven forever."

The family listened to these words in the same state that Pastor Higgins delivered them. Their hearts were both heavy with hurt and joyful with the fact that Josie had believed on Jesus Christ to save her.

Pastor Higgins went on to speak about Josie, her age, her family, and her accomplishments, but before the service ended, he reminded them once again that believers do not need to mourn without hope. Hope was found in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"Hello, Mr. Showers," Ruth greeted as they climbed from the cars at the cemetery.

"Hello, Mrs. Archer. I'm sorry to see you under these circumstances."

"I'm glad you could come. How is Mrs. Showers?"

Mr. Showers' eyes grew suspiciously moist.

"She's in a bad way right now. She can't stop crying, and she didn't want to come here and upset everyone even more."

"Please tell her I'll write to her soon and that we understand."

In the face of this kindness, Mr. Showers could not speak. He pinched his lips tightly together, nodded, and turned toward the grave site. It didn't help that the first person he saw was Max. She was so like Josie in face and frame that it was startling.

He forced his eyes to Lord, who stood next to her. She looked very different from the last time he'd seen her. She was still lovely, but thinner and missing the sparkle he had previously witnessed.