The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 55 - Observations

Sarah and David Sloane arrived at the Abernathy's new house on the third Sunday in December, shortly after noon, less than an hour after Susan and the children arrived home from church services.

"Please, come in," Greg invited as he met his old friends at the door.

"Thank you, Greg," Rabbi Sloane said as he escorted his wife inside. "I say, you do manage to find places to live with a magnificent view," he remarked as he took in the floor to ceiling windows opposite the front door.

"Weren't you telling me they had a view like this while they were living in Sydney?" Mrs. Sloane asked her husband.

"It was very much like this, except it was of the city of course ... and the harbor. This view is much more distant but also more expansive," Rabbi Sloane commented.

"The design of this living room was very heavily influenced by that view," Greg told him. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I'll let Susan know you are here."

Greg headed towards the library to meet Susan who was coming towards them up the stairs.

"They're here," he said unnecessarily.

Susan smiled.

"Welcome Rabbi, Mrs. Sloane," Susan said warmly as she came in to greet their guests.

"Hello Susan. It is good to see you again," Rabbi Sloane answered.

"Yes, hello. Thank you for the invitation," Mrs. Sloane said graciously.

"Thank you," Susan replied. "It's good to see you too."

"It looks like things have been going well since Thanksgiving?" Rabbi Sloane remarked as he studied Susan's shape.

"Yes, they have. So far, we have been blessed," Susan assured him.

"I'm glad you've come, David ... you and Sarah," Greg said as they all sat down. "I think a follow up visit to Thanksgiving is very much in order."

"I'm glad you think so, Greg. I wasn't certain you would, after you'd had time to talk and think about it," Rabbi Sloane told him.

"Why is that, David?" Mrs. Sloane asked her husband curiously.

The rabbi cocked his head as he considered his wife.

"You're aware, obviously that Greg and Susan's marriage is mixed when it comes to religion?" he asked his wife.

"Of course. Ruth has made it a point of telling me so on several occasions," Mrs. Sloane reminded him.

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," Susan remarked.

"It doesn't?" Rabbi Sloane asked.

"Not really. It seems to me it's difficult for most people to see the difference between religion and faith," Susan told him. "That's the thing about Greg and me. We differ whole-heartedly when it comes to religion ... but faith? Not so much."

"Indeed not," Greg agreed. "Although I agree with Susan on this point, it is difficult for others to see ... perhaps especially Ruth, although I suspect that is for other reasons."

"In general, I think people do pay attention to the labels more than they do the things people say and do," Mrs. Sloane said cautiously. "I don't know you well, Susan, but my husband does ... relatively well anyway. Based on what he says, you are a woman of faith?" She turned her statement to a question only at the very end.

"I try to be," Susan told her sincerely. "Both for myself and for my family. I'm not sure Ruth sees that though."

"She may see it better than you think," Sarah Sloane told her.