A Time To Love

Chapter 4: "A Heavenly Appointment"

Daniel had once again found himself back at his place of comfort. Wilson just poured him his usual. Neither of them had said much, but Wilson was not one to
keep quiet for much time.
"Was she ugly?" He finally said, noticing Daniel's unusual demeanor.
"No." Daniel told him simply, "She was beautiful. Even more so than in my dreams."
"Really?! That's wonderful. What's the problem then, son?"
He downed his drink and said, "She rejected me."
Wilson couldn't help but laugh, "You've got to be kidding me? That's unheard of, a
woman turning you down. Did she say it with a real additude?"
"No."
"She spit at you afterward, didn't she?! Did she tell you to leave her alone, and that
she never wanted to see your sorry face again?" Wilson was getting excited as he
thought of it. "I wish I was there to see it!"
"No, Wilson, none of that happened. I just told her I had a lovely time, and she
agreed, so I asked if we could do it again, and she said, 'sorry, I can't', and went on
her merry way."
"Just like that, huh?"
"Yes."
"You're really a sorry soul, you know that?" Wilson topped up Daniel's glass as he
said it.
He grabbed it and took another long swig, "I dare say we both are, Wilson."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audrey looked out her bedroom window, admiring the coloured trees that God had
painted in shades of orange, and yellow, and red, reminding her that summer had
already come and went. It was peaceful as could be, but yet, she didn't feel peace in
her soul.
The look on Daniel's face, when she had bid him goodbye earlier in the day, flashed
through her mind. She had told him no when he asked to see her again, for she worried what would happen if she dared agree to see him again. She wished not to
give him the wrong idea. She wasn't interested in him, not in that way. She figured it
would be better to put a stop to it now before it got out of control. Audrey could
tell that Daniel was a fine man, apart from the obvious flaws he had. What could he
possibly want from her in the end? Surely, there must be some ulteriative motive with
him, and if she were to go along with it, what would become of her? What would
her family think? What would people say of her? She feared it all.
She thought she had made the right choice, but there was a lingering aching in her
heart. She felt uneasy. Sick to her stomach. She knew of no cure for it, though, not
in that moment, at least.
She looked up and said in a whisper, "What do you want me to do? Lead me where
I should go."
She closed her eyes, wishing to hear his voice, but she didn't hear anything. Nothing
at all. She opened her eyes and stared back out the window. Her eyes widened, and
a smile appeared instantaniously.
"Rachel!"
Rachel had returned, and in the most unusual of ways, walking down the street, side
by side with a dapper young man. Audrey rushed downstairs and made it to the
bottom just as the door opened.
"Rachel, you've returned!"
"Oh, Audrey -" Audrey jumped at her sister and hugged her dearly. Rachel recoiled
at the show of affection.
"I was worried sick about you, but I knew you'd be okay." She held Rachel's face in
her hands, looking in her hazel eyes as she said it. She was so thrilled that she nearly
missed the man that stood behind Rachel in that moment, but alas, she had noticed
him, "Oh-.. Rachel, who's this?"
He had wavy, golden locks and green eyes that looked like emeralds.
"I'm sorry for my intrusion," He put his hand out to Audrey and shook it firmly,
"I'm Caleb Ward. My father is the pastor of the Lutheran Church down the street. I
was just bringing Miss Harris home."
"Oh, is that so? You know, I've been looking for a fine church to go to," Audrey
began, "I'll have to go there one day."
"Please do. We welcome you to come, and it would be even better if you came back
again after that." He said softly, "I should be going now. It was nice to meet you." He
turned to Rachel, and said, "Please, come visit again, if you'd like?"
"I'll think about it."
They parted ways, and Rachel headed upstairs as though nothing had happened.
"Rachel, wait! How do you know him?" Audrey peppered, tailing Rachel into their
room.
"It's really not that exciting of a story." She plopped down on to her bed and untied
her brown hair.
"I'd still love to hear it!"
"Well, after I ran out of the house that night, I tried to find a place to hide from the
rain, and just my luck, I ended up on the front porch of a church."
"Go on." Audrey was enchanted. She needed to know the ending.
"He came out... Caleb. He asked me to come in, so before I knew it, I was sitting
down for hot tea and fruit cake, with the pastor and his son. I got my ear talked off
about all religious matters, but at least I was warm and full. I really didn't mind, too
much. They kept prying, so I told them what happened, so they offered to let me
stay in a vacant room in the church until I wished to return home. It's as simple as
that. Nothing more, nothing less."
"That's a beautiful story, Rachel." Audrey expressed, "It was by God's grace you
ended up there. I just know it was."
"Well, I guess you'll have to thank him for me." Rachel said it sarcastically, but it
went right over Audrey's head.
"Oh no! You have to thank him yourself as well."
"I'm afraid my direct line with God was cut off when I stopped believing in him,
Audrey."
"Oh, Rachel. That's not true." Audrey said it sorrily, but said nothing more, even
though she wished to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday mornings in the Harris-Baldwin house had become chaotic, what with
Emily and Irene in a frenzy trying to get ready for school after a long weekend,
Audrey trying to rush out of the door early for her college classes, not because she
feared being late, but because she liked to stop at Barry's every Monday to see the
new books he had gotten shipped in. Henry speed-read the morning paper, while
munching on his toast. If there was anyone who couldn't risk being late, it was
Henry Baldwin, the school principle. Katherine was also in a rush herself this
Monday morning. Normally, she'd be aiding everyone else, making sure they got out
of the door in time for their affairs, but today, she had to worry about herself as well.
Lake View School had an opening for a teacher's position, and after Henry's strong
recomendation of her to the board, Katherine had gotten the job. Despite Henry's
slight interference in the matter, Katherine's 8 years of teaching experience made her
an easy hire.
In the chaos of it all, Rachel just sat upstairs peacefully, at her typewriter, with a cup
of tea beside her while she typed out her heart and soul. Rachel was determined to
get published, and become a best seller. It wasn't a silly matter to her, for she took it
seriously. She believed in the words she wrote. She believed they could change the
world, if allowed, and no matter what Katherine said about it, she would not stop
believing so.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audrey awoke from her slumber suddenly. She had just had a dream of unusual
sorts, but it hadn't been the first time she had it; for the last week, she had been
consitantly dreaming about her and one other person. That person being, Daniel
Bouchard. Every time, the same scenario would play out; she'd see him, drunk and
beaten on the street corner, and each and every time, she'd pass him by.
Previously, Audrey had listened to what she believed was right. Avoid him, to
protect herself. Her conscience screamed at her. She couldn't avoid him. She couldn't
forget him, for she couldn't even get him out of her mind some days. She had
helped him on that street corner once before, and it was as though God was leading her, whispering to her that there was yet another street corner that he had to be
helped off of. Her work wasn't finished, and neither was God's.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That morning, Audrey ventured off to the one place she felt most fitting; the
church. It was the church that the man, Caleb Ward, had told her to come to, so she
went. She walked through the doors, and as though it had been set up by divine
intervention, the pastor, Caleb's dad, James Ward, met her at the door.
"Hello there!" He greeted, his face wrinkled as he smiled big at her, "I'm afraid we
have no service today since it's only Friday, but can I help you with something?"
"Yes. You sure can."
After he had introduced himself and her as well, he asked her to have a seat in one
of the pews. He sat with her and awaited her questions.
"...It's hard to explain, but I feel as though God is leading me to do something, but
it's something that I worry will make people question the sincerity of my faith." She
told him, as he listened closely.
"And what is this thing exactly?"
"Well,...there's this man, who I had met, because I had helped him out one day. He
had been in a horrible condition. He was hurt and intoxicated. I couldn't leave him
there, so I felt the good Chirstian thing to do was to help him." She explained, and
continued the story, "After that, we ran into each other, and he asked to take me out
to lunch, so he could thank me, and I went. He asked to see me again after that, but
I told him no, and I haven't seen him since."
"Why did you tell him no?"
"Because I knew what people would say. I don't want to be unequally yoked."
"So, you felt it was best to leave him be, and you did that. May I ask why you're here
than, dear?"
"I-I..." She stammered.
"You can tell me anything."
"I dream about him and think about him. It's as though I have no peace of mind
anymore. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now... I feel like I've committed a
grave sin...for turning my back on him."
He adjusted himself before saying, "You're worried about what others
will say. That's all. I've lived in this town my whole life, and I've pastored at this
church for 23 years. Let's just say, I have a feeling... I know exactly who you speak
of," She looked up at him, eyes wide with curiosity, "and if I'm right, then don't
worry about what others will say. The folks around here look at that boy with
judgmental looks, as though he's the worst sinner of all, when in reality, none of us
are any better than he is. They've just learned to hide their transgressions, better
than he has. He's hurting, and no one will stop to ask if he's alright. Maybe, what
someone like him needs, is someone like you." He paused as though he was finished,
but then added in, "You can never go wrong with a good friend in a great time of need."
"Are you really sure? Even if I were to tell people that it's for God's glory,... they'll
think me strange for associating with him."
"Let them. I'm sure that people looked at Abraham strange when he tried to sacrifice
Isaac, or David, when he danced naked through the streets, or even John the Baptist,
when he proclaimed 'clear way for the Lord!'. This is between you and God. No one
else." It hit her right then and there through Pastor Ward's words. She knew what
she needed to do. She just needed to trust God. Him, and him alone.
He continued, "It's like the words within the book of Esther, perhaps, 'you were
born for such a time as this'."
She smiled at him sweetly, "Thank you. For what you've said. It's brought me great
comfort. I'm going to follow God's lead, even if it's unusual or uncomfortable at
first. Even if everyone looks at me funny, I pray I'll be so focused on God that I
don't even notice them looking."
He let out a joyful laugh and said, "That's a wonderful idea."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audrey left the church, with her spirit renewed. She promised to come see Mr. Ward again on Sunday. She had told him that she had met his son before, to which he had told her that Rachel had been a wonderful guest, and they wished for Audrey
to bring the whole family that Sunday, especially Rachel. She smiled, thinking of his
words. He was right, 'you really can't go wrong with a good friend in a time of need'.
Audrey was in lalaland, and before she knew it, a huge gust of wind had blown her
hat right off the top of her head.
"Oh no! Come back here." She said to her hat, as though it could listen to her.
She chased after it, but just as she was about to reach for it, someone else's hand
picked it up for her. She studied him as he lifted it off the ground, brushed the dirt
off of it, and placed it gently back on her head.
"Hello again." He smiled, and his brown eyes reflected in the last light of the setting
sun.
"Daniel..." She could barely speak. It was a heavenly appointment. It had to be.
What were the chances?
"It's been a while." He said and continued, "How have you been keeping?"
"I...I've been alright. How about yourself?"
"I've been fine."
"Daniel," She looked into his eyes seriously, "I'm sorry. For our last meeting."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I guess I was just wondering...if that offer still stood? For us to meet again?"
He replied with a smirk, "It looks like we've already met again."
She let out a chuckle, "I suppose you're right."
"Well, I should be going. Take care."
He brushed past her, and her heart sped up the same as it had that first meeting
with him. She couldn't let him leave. Not like this.
"Daniel, wait!"
He turned back to her and asked, "What is it?"
"Daniel," She paused, working up the courage to say, "would it be possible for us to be friends? You and I?"
"I'd like that more than anything."