Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 43 - What the Lord Provides

"That was unexpected," Susan remarked as their family gathered, minus Matt and Melody, after their company left following a very short visit over the weekend.

"Very," Greg agreed.

"I hope we didn't say or do anything to drive them away," Susan commented in concern.

"If you are thinking of Ruth, I wouldn't be concerned. She has always been sensitive to these sorts of things," Greg said.

"But that's why Mama should be concerned, Papa," Jessie told him.

"Oh?" Greg asked.

Jessie nodded. "You and Mama are here to help everybody else. We're supposed to help."

"That is true, Jessie. But we cannot force our help on those who don't want it," Greg said.

"But I think you did help, Papa. You told her what she needed to know," Jessie said.

"What is that?" Greg asked.

"That sometimes we are related to ourselves. If we pray and we try, we can do things to help not only other people, but also ourselves; but that only happens if we ask God," Jessie said. "Mama and I told her that."

"Greg did too," Zack told her.

"I tried, Jessie. I told Ruth what I knew," Greg said.

"That's good," Jessie told him.

"Yes, it is," Susan agreed looking around. "Where is Matt?" she asked Zack.

"He's still down at the bottom of the shaft with Ashley," Zack said.

"Why?" Susan asked.

"They wanted to visit the lava tube we explored last December," Zack said. "He said something about it being a good place to talk."

Susan blinked. "I haven't seen him since the wedding. I was hoping for the chance to talk to him today."

"I think that's what he and Ashley are doing, Mom," Zack told her. "I suspect they went down there because they don't want to be disturbed. They know it's unlikely anyone will come looking for them for a while."

Susan frowned slightly.

"It is Matt and Ashley who need to talk, Susan," Greg reminded his wife.

"I know it is ... but still," Susan said.

She was about to say something more about it when two-year-old Melody came towards her up the stairs. Susan studied her as she came. Despite the effort it took, Melody seemed to manage it okay, though she took it slow. Still, the rosy color in her cheeks faded slightly by the time she gained the top step.

"Momma," Melody said, coming towards Susan as the color gradually returned.

"Hi Melody," Susan said picking her up.

"No up," Melody protested.

Susan set her down again, but for a moment Susan looked like she was about to cry.

"What's wrong, Mama?" Jessie asked.

"Nothing ... not really," Susan tried to assure her.

But she and Zack and even Melody looked skeptically at their mother.

"They don't believe you, Susan. Neither do I," Greg told her.

Susan smiled a half smile. "My children are growing up too quickly ... all of them. And yet I know, it's the sort of problem mothers have only if they are very, very lucky."