Faith Unseen (7 page)

              Leah was finishing up for the day and walking to the mailbox as Nathan parked his car in front of her house. “Well, well Pastor Lindstrom, what can I do for you?” she asked with a chuckle as he exited the car and walked up to her

              “You are enjoying this way too much for my peace of mind.”

              “Count on it my friend.”

              “Oh man.” He groaned

              “Come in” she said as they walked to the front door. “Faith, Nathan’s here” she called as they entered.

              “Hi” Faith said as she slowly descended the stairs

              “Hi” Nathan answered watching her closely.
She looks beautiful.

              Leah laughed at them and told them goodbye as she went to the kitchen. Nathan glared at her and went to take Faith’s hand. “You look beautiful.” He said as they walked out the door.

              “Thank you. Why was Leah laughing at you?”

              “Never mind.” He chuckled

              “UhHuh, I don’t get away with that answer so tell me.”

              “She is still gloating.”

              Faith was silent as they walked along. “Why is she gloating, she didn’t really have anything to do with anything?”

              “She thinks her persistence yesterday was successful matchmaking.” He answered as they sat down on a bench at the park.

              “Nathan, she has the wrong idea and maybe you do too. I didn’t do any of those things to get a “match” going between you and me. And if that is what you think, I’m sorry. I was only trying to be helpful. How did this get so messed up? How did I screw this up so badly? Oh, I know, I did it, that’s how it happened. It was just supposed to be a nice thing. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. Leah can walk down here and get me if you tell her when you go back to get your car. I’m sorry.”

              Nathan was stunned. “Are you finished?”

              “Yes, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. The hostess committee has the plan for the social and you have the flyer. Everything can be handled by someone else.”

              “Stop talking and stop digging yourself a deeper hole.”

              “Yes I’m sorry, just tell Leah to come walk me….” she was saying as he clamped his hand over her mouth

              “You don’t take instruction very well.” He chuckled releasing his hold on her. “Now, are you listening to me?”

              “No. Goodbye Nathan. I’m sorry.” She said strongly

              “If you say that again, I will leave you here.” He said with mock fierceness “Faith, those were nice things you did for me. It was not messed up as you put it. I was..”

              “I didn’t mean for you to think I was interested in you. I was only…”

              “Faith” he interrupted “Stop interrupting, stop talking, stop explaining. Listen to my whole response.”

              “It isn’t necessary. I’m sorry.”

              Nathan surged off the park bench and walked away. He stopped a few feet away and turned to look at her. She was sitting with her head down looking at her lap. He watched for a moment until she reached up to wipe the tears from her face.

              “Faith, don’t cry. If you will just listen to me, everything will be fine.” He said as he sat down beside her again.

              “Go away.”

              “Why?”

              “Because I feel stupid enough.” was her sad response

              Nathan wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. “Until I tell you that you can, don’t say another word. Promise?”

              She nodded and sniffed again as she tried to move away. Nathan just kept her close as he began to talk again. “I don’t think that you did those things for me to get a “match” going between you and me. I know you did them to be helpful and they were very nice. I appreciated them, did I tell you that?”

              “I don’t know.”

              “You broke your promise but I’ll let it go this time.” He laughed

              “But you asked me a question.” She justified

              “And that’s why I’m letting it go. Now, nothing is messed up or screwed up, we are friends and praying about something more. Although, if something more leads to more holding you like this, then I’m good with that. Anyway, Leah is probably gloating because she didn’t have to do anything as a “matchmaker” because here we are doing it ourselves.” He said releasing her and taking hold of her hand.

              “She’s still going to gloat and tease us.”

              “I know.” He groaned and laughed at the same time. “Are we okay now?”

              “Yes” she said softly as Nathan continued to hold her hand. After several minutes, Faith spoke up. “I shouldn’t probably tell you this secret, but I knew you hadn’t left me here. My hearing is excellent and I heard your footsteps stop instead of fade away.”

              “And there was no way in the world I would just leave you here, you goof. I was giving myself time to resist hugging you to shut you up. I guess that didn’t work.”

              “Should I tell you I liked it or just keep that to myself?”

              “Let’s tease Nathan some more today, just keep it to yourself.” He growled

              Faith nudged him playfully. “I will.”

              Nathan let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her as they leaned back on the bench. “Good, I prefer to be clueless. It is much more fun.” He grumbled. Faith laughed at him gently and leaned closer to him. “I liked it.” She whispered

              “Me too.” He answered back squeezing her softly. They sat quietly for a few moments until it dawned on her she had no idea why he had wanted to go for a walk in the first place.

              “Why did you ask me to go on a walk? Did you need something?”

              “No, I just wanted to do something with you and went with the idea of a walk. I thought we could talk and get to know each other better.”

              “Okay, what did you want to know?” she asked

              “Just stuff. Favorite color? Favorite flower? Favorite movie?”

              “My favorite color is yellow. Pale or pastel yellow. I remember that color. Favorite flower, I guess I haven’t tried to picture those as much. Probably roses. My mom had roses and I remember them. Actually, I remember my mom had a huge flower bed”

              “She still does. That night at dinner, I saw it as the gardener had it prepared for winter.”

              “She still loves to garden but she has him to the harder things. Next spring though, she’ll be out tending it again. We used to get in trouble if we kicked the ball into her flower bed.”

              Nathan enjoyed that. “How often did you get in trouble as a kid?”

              “Lots. Jeremy and Paul would plan something and Leah and I joined right in. They could make us do anything. We adored our big brothers.”

              “Still do from what I’ve seen.”

              “Yes, we are close.” She said fondly

              “Favorite movie?”

              “Used to be
Sound of Music.
”

              “Chick flick” he joked “And now? What was the last movie you liked?”

              “Uhh” she said stupidly

              “I know you can’t see it but do you listen to them as Leah watches them?”

              “No.”

              “My grandmother used to have me describe scenes to her or she loved to tell me what she was imagining with the character dialogue and the background music. Sometimes she came pretty close to what was happening and sometimes her scene was better.”

              “Leah already has to do so much for me. If she is watching TV then it is her few minutes of down time and I’m not going to bother her unless absolutely necessary. She works so hard at her craft.”

              “And it shows. Her work is beautiful. Thank whoever is giving me those shelves.”

              “I will.”

              “Anyway, back to the movie. Pick one and I’ll bring it over and we can watch it together.”

              “I’ll think about one. Now you, favorite movie?”

              “The old ones.” He answered and then went on to tell her about his other favorites. He told her it was getting dark and they should probably head back to her house. He guided her home and saw her inside. “Staying for dinner, Nathan? Martha brought us food today so you are safe to eat the cooking.” Leah said

              “Please stay.” Faith urged “I’m sorry I didn’t think of it first.”

              “Sure. I’d be glad too.” He told Leah then waited until she walked away to talk to Faith. He wrapped her in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles in her hair giving her a “nuggie” and growled “don’t start that apologizing again.”

              Faith laughed at his antics “Did you just give me a nuggie?” she joked

              “Yes and you deserved it.” He laughed back.

              “Hey, I’m a blind person you know.”

              “Yeah, so?”

              “Didn’t you know that you are supposed to treat me differently? As if I would break if you joked with me?” she asked pretending to be appalled at his behavior.

              “Yeah, that’s gonna happen anytime now sweets. You may be blind, but you are just like the rest of us. Deal with it.”

              “Come here.” She said motioning with her hand

              “I’m right here in front of you” he said. She cautiously put her hand on his arm to find out where he was then she reached up and gave him a hug. “Thank you” she whispered in his ear. He returned her hug and asked “What for?”

              She stepped back from hugging him and explained “For treating me like an almost normal person.”

              “I hate to be the one to break this too you dear, but you are a normal person.” He whispered like he was telling her a highly classified secret.

              “Not to everyone.” She replied a little sadly

              “Not to me. And not to your family. Who else matters?”

              “No one” she answered as Leah called them to eat. Leah showed Nathan the downstairs washroom and Faith went with them. As they were seated, Leah led them in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you this day you have made. Thank you for your Son, Jesus and the gift of his life. Bless those at this table that we will do your will. Help us to serve you humbly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

              The three of them talked as they ate and cleaned up. Faith was self-conscious as she ate but didn’t spill. He joked with her and she threw soap suds at him. “Don’t make me give you another nuggie.” He threaten

              “You gave her a nuggie?” Leah asked

              “Yes, and she deserved it. And I’ll do it again if she apologizes to me again when it isn’t necessary.”

              Leah had to turn away as the twinkle started in her eyes. Nathan would see her joy if she didn’t watch it.

              “Knock it off Leah. I can hear you thinking.” Faith stated as she rinsed the dishes.

              “What did I do?” she tried to ask seriously “I’ll leave you all to finish up, I have some work to do. By the way, Nathan, I should have your shelves done by the first of next week. Would the next Saturday work to install them?”

              “Sure, I’ll even fix the three of you lunch.”

              “It’s a deal.” Leah agreed leaving them alone.

              “She’s gloating again.” Faith stated

              “I think she is just happy for you.”

              “Why? We haven’t decided anything yet.”

              “Yeah, we may need to discuss that a little.”

              “Okay, are we done in here?”

              “Looks clean and all the dishes are done.” He said

              “Let’s go sit in the living room.” She offered. Faith led the way into the living room and sat down. Nathan sat beside her and took hold of her hand. When she didn’t say anything, he began to pray aloud
Lord God, we need your guidance as to where you want us to go with our friendship. Help us to discuss things open and honestly. In Jesus Name, Amen

              Faith sat waiting for Nathan to bring up a topic. She wasn’t uncomfortable in the silence but she also didn’t know what he wanted to discuss. After a few moments, he spoke up “How old are you?”

              “Twenty-five. How old are you?”

              “Twenty-eight. Have you dated a lot?”

              “No. I was injured when I was fifteen. It took a long time to heal and then to learn to be blind took me a long time. And with my scars, I wasn’t comfortable.”

              “What do the scars have to do with anything?”