Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 37 - Chasing Faith

The first Sunday of Passover was a very low key day at the Abernathy's that year.

"Greg, would you mind terribly if Ruth and I borrowed one of your cars for a Sunday drive this afternoon?" Mr. Simms asked when Susan, Melody and the boys returned from church just before noon. With the exception of Alan and Cindy, everyone else was visiting in the Abernathy's living room.

"Where do you plan to go?" Matt asked curiously.

"We plan to explore the area along the northern limits of Santa Monica," Mr. Simms said.

"You mean around Pacific Palisade?" Matt asked.

"We'll probably start there," Mr. Simms said.

"It's alright with me, Bobby. Provided Ruth drives," Greg said.

"Of course," Mr. Simms told him. "I don't have my license anymore."

Greg arched a brow at his ex-wife.

"I will drive," Ruth assured him.

"We only want to follow your example, Grandfather," Mr. Simms told him.

"And what example is that?" Greg asked.

"We want to explore the source of our dreams. According to what you taught me, the legacy of our dreams is to provide us with a clue about what the Lord intends for us to do," Mr. Simms said.

"That is true," Greg told him.

"Then allow us to explore this, Greg," Mr. Simms asked.

"Of course," Greg said. "I only wondered if there might be some better way than for you to borrow our car."

"Don't you trust me?" Ruth asked with a hint of annoyance.

"Greg, if lending Ruth and Bobby our car for an afternoon will help their faith, I don't see any reason not to do it," Susan told him.

Still Greg hesitated.

"It might help them to tease out the message from the Lord from the whispers of the adversary," she reminded him.

Greg straightened as he remembered his daughter's words on that topic early that same morning.

"Of course," Greg said. "When did you want to leave?"

"If we intend to be back for supper, we should leave as soon as possible," Ruth said, looking at Mr. Simms.

"We will be back for supper," Mr. Simms firmly.

"In that case, here you go," Susan said, handing Ruth the keys to the car she generally drove. "It has a half tank of gas, so you might have to fill up before you come back, depending on how far you plan to go."

"Thank you, Susan," Ruth said getting up from where she was sitting with Reuben in the living room. "Are you ready, Bobby?"

"I am if you are," Mr. Simms said. He used his cane to get up from his chair as he spoke. "I am quite eager to find out if my grandfather's ideas work."

"You know, I am too. I'd like to put this nonsense to rest, one way or another," Ruth said, and the two headed down the half flight of stairs, towards the library and the passageway that led to the cave, and beyond that the Abernathys garage, where Susan generally parked her car.

"Have a good time ... and good luck," Greg told the pair as he followed them as far as the stairs.

"Thank you, Greg," Ruth called over her shoulder.

Greg nodded, watching their guests thoughtfully as they left, disappearing through the bookcase door.

Reuben came to stand by Greg's side as the door swung closed behind Ruth and Mr. Simms.