The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 85 - The Wisdom of Rosalie

The hour was not that late when Greg and Susan walked into the house, and most of the family was still up. The boys were watching a movie with their grandfather, and Mrs. Abernathy was showing Jessie how to crochet. It seemed like such a normal evening at home. After the interactions with the family at the hospital, Greg's vision in the antechamber of the nursery, and their talk afterwards, it was hard to reconcile that with the normal events going on at home, but especially when they were both still struggling so much on the inside.

"Hello," Mrs. Abernathy greeted them with a smile.

"Hi," Susan answered, looking much more tired to her mother than she had only an hour ago.

"Is everything alright?" her father asked.

"It will be Dad ... it's just a lot to take in at the moment. If you'll excuse us, I think Greg and I need some time on our own," Susan told them.

"Of course, Susie," Mrs. Abernathy said.

Mr. Abernathy frowned slightly. It seemed to him the two had had quite a lot of time on their own lately. However he smoothed his expression slightly in response to a sharp look from his wife.

"Thanks Mom," Susan said and she disappeared in the direction of their bedroom.

"Do you need us for something?" Greg wondered as he took in his in-law's expression, causing him to linger behind.

"No Greg, we're fine," Mrs. Abernathy assured him.

Greg regarded her warily and she nodded in an encouraging fashion.

"Go see to Susan," she insisted. "She obviously has something on her mind."

"We both do," Greg related. "If you will you will excuse us, we do need to talk. The hospital is not the best place for a heart to heart discussion most of the time."

"I suppose not," Mr. Abernathy allowed.

Greg nodded, still concerned about the fleeting expression he'd seen on his father-in-law's face. Pushing it aside for the moment, he hurried down the hall after Susan.

c

Greg found her in the nursery, praying, although she looked up as soon as he appeared in the doorway.

"Do you need more time?" he asked.

"No. What I need is you. We need to talk. I need to hear about your vision. Whatever this message is from the Lord, which we both feel should be there, we need to figure out what it is ... together," Susan said.

Greg nodded. "Do you want to do that here, in the nursery?"

"Or out on the balcony," Susan suggested.

"Isn't it too cold out there?" Greg wondered.

"Not if we dress warmly. It's easier to see the lights out of doors, and you can almost hear the ocean if you concentrate hard enough."

Greg arched a brow. He doubted that was true, but he knew the sound of the ocean was something Susan found soothing, and tonight she obviously wanted to hear it. So he decided it was best not to debate the possibility on this occasion.

"Alright. Let me get a sweatshirt on. I see you already have yours," he observed.

"I do," Susan agreed.

"I'll be right back," he promised.

A moment later he was, and they went out onto the balcony, making use of the seldom-used deck chairs they kept there.

c

"Where do you want to begin?" Greg asked. "We did talk about this some at the hospital before we came home."