The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 53 - Time with the Abernathys

The house suddenly seemed very quiet with just the Abernathy seniors and themselves at home after Greg's family left. Susan and her mother turned their efforts to cleaning up after their meal, talking as they worked in the kitchen. The children wandered off to their rooms, and Greg found his father-in-law back in the library regarding Susan's advent wreath thoughtfully, once again.

Mr. Abernathy looked up as Greg came into the room, arching his brow questioningly. Both men remained silent as they considered one another, with Mr. Abernathy looking between Greg and the wreath with an odd expression on his face. Greg looked at the other man expectantly, wondering what was on his mind, patiently waiting for whatever it was he had to say. Eventually Greg arched a brow in Mr. Abernathy's direction, though he never actually said anything.

"Have you a question?" Mr. Abernathy asked.

"I was wondering what you are thinking," Greg told him honestly. "You look like a man with a question to ask, or perhaps a statement on the tip of your tongue you are hesitant to make."

"You are quite perceptive, as always, Greg. I realize that this is your house ... and I don't want to speak out of place or, as my wife would put it, make waves; however the presence of an advent wreath in your house puzzles me," Mr. Abernathy told him.

"In what way?" Greg asked.

"It is a symbol of Christian faith ... Christian beliefs ... present in the home of a Jewish man," he began.

"Present in your daughter's home, Mr. Abernathy. This house is as much Susan's as it is mine," Greg said seriously.

"Yes, but you are the head of this house ... and you allow her to have it," Mr. Abernathy said.

"The wreath is an expression of Susan's faith, and as such, it is important to her ... as is her religion. That Susan is a woman of faith is important to me. I do all I can to support her in that sense," Greg told him.

"But why?" Mr. Abernathy sputtered. "Why would you do that?"

Greg shrugged. "She does the same for me ... and it is who Susan is. I love her for who she is, respect and honor her because of it. In my opinion Mr. Abernathy, the best gift a man can be given is a wife who is a woman of faith. That her faith is different from mine is to be expected. Faith, in my experience, is a very personal and very individual thing, even when we have enough in common in the particulars to belong to a body of similar believers," Greg commented. "For Susan, that means being Christian, for me, a Jew."

Mr. Abernathy nodded. "And her faith ... her beliefs ... they don't offend you?" he asked curiously.

"No. Why should they?" Greg asked curiously.

"Because ... nothing the two of you believe is the same!" Mr. Abernathy declared.

Greg arched his brow. It was the confrontation they'd long been expecting from Susan's family which until now had never really materialized.

"I believe in God, Mr. Abernathy. It is my understanding that Susan does too," Greg said.

"Of course she does. But she also believes in the sanctity of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior," Mr. Abernathy said.

"Also true. But what does that mean in regards to how she lives her life?" Greg questioned.

"How do you mean?" Mr. Abernathy asked warily.

"Let me try again. Do you believe her beliefs impact the way she conducts herself or interacts with others?" Greg asked.

"My daughter prays a good deal. As a youth, she studied the bible. I don't know as she still does that, but she did then. Also, as a Christian, she seeks a personal relationship with God," Mr. Abernathy shared.