SPRINGTIME PROMISES *published*

CHAPTER 28: FRACTURED BONDS

The soft murmur of voices and the smell of fresh tea filled the Bartels' cozy parlor. Vera absentmindedly stroked her daughter, Muriel's hair, smiling gently at her mother, Minnie, who was fussing over the tea tray. Douglas played quietly with his toy soldiers on the floor, his concentration broken only by the occasional glance toward his father. Archie sat nearby, his face tense, a shadow of worry lurking behind his eyes. He sipped his tea, his thoughts clearly elsewhere while his father-in-law, Oscar, sat in his usual spot, quietly observing the room.

It was a typical family visit to Vera's parents' house, except for the lingering tension that hadn't yet broken the surface. Minnie, always the one to fill silences with warmth, smiled at Archie, unaware of the storm brewing in his heart.

"You know, Archie, it's been a while since you all came for dinner," Minnie said with a kind smile. "The children have grown so much since then."

"We've been meaning to," Archie assured her, drawing his attention back to his mother-in-law. "Things have been busier than usual at work and I've taken on additional shifts."

Oscar nodded, his approving eyes landing on his son-in-law. "Always busy for a clerk. How's work treating you these days, Archie?"

"Same as ever," Archie replied, though his voice was distant. His thoughts weren't with his job or even the family sitting around him. They were with Harry—the friend he hadn't seen since things began to change. He hadn't brought it up with Vera yet, but today it was weighing on him heavily. They hadn't spoken since Harry had left their Presbyterian church to join Eva's—a decision that still didn't sit right with Archie.

Before anyone could say more the door opened and Harry appeared in the entranceway. His arrival was unexpected, and the room stilled with a subtle unease. Harry stood there for a moment, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot.

"Sorry to drop by unannounced," Harry said, holding his hat in his hand. "I was wondering if I could borrow some garden shears?"

Oscar stood, smiling warmly, completely unaware of the tension between his son-in-law and their visitor. "Of course, Harry, no trouble at all. I'll fetch them for you."

Harry nodded, his gaze flicking to Archie. The two men exchanged a look—one that held years of shared experiences but now felt strangely hollow. They had once been like brothers, inseparable at work and in church, but Harry's recent decisions had changed that. Leaving the Presbyterian church for Eva's had been a shock to Archie. He'd expected Vera to leave her family's Methodist faith when they married, as tradition dictated, but for Harry to make a similar move was something Archie couldn't understand.

"Archie," Harry began, breaking the silence. "I haven't seen you since...well, since I made the change."

Archie set his cup down carefully, the clink of porcelain against wood louder than intended. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes, I've noticed."

Vera shifted in her seat, sensing the tension that had suddenly filled the room. "How's Eva?" she asked, trying to diffuse the situation. 

She and Eva had grown up in the same Methodist congregation and their paths had always run parallel—until now.

Harry smiled, though it was faint. "She's well. We're still settling in, but she's happy with the move."

Minnie, ever the kind hostess, spoke up, trying to steer the conversation into easier waters. "That's good to hear, Harry."

Archie couldn't hold back any longer. "I just don't understand it," he said, his voice tight. "Leaving your church - your family's faith - to follow Eva's...How could you?"

Harry's smile faded as he glanced at Archie seeing the disappointment etched into his friend's face. "It wasn't an easy decision, Archie, but Eva and I needed to be together in faith. We both felt it was the right move for our family."