A Soldier's Heart

Dave Visits Beth's Father (Anne)

Later that day, Dave put on his collar to pay a visit to Beth's parents. I would normally have gone with him, but I had a feeling I shouldn't take Travis. I couldn't leave Travis alone, either, and I had no one else to leave him with.

Dave wasn't gone long. When he came back, his expression was a lot like Travis' had been earlier. I didn't have to ask, to know it hadn't gone well. Dave sat down heavily at the kitchen table, and I put my hand on his shoulder. His eyes were closed and his lips were moving, so I knew he was praying. I waited for him to tell me.

"He didn't even tell me his name or let me introduce myself. He just said 'We don't need no stinkin' preachers around here' and slammed the door in my face."

I was horrified. Not many people would be so rude to a minister, no matter what their beliefs were.

"Did you see his family?"

"Not really. Some woman, probably his wife, was hovering way back down the hall, but she didn't come forward or say anything. And I didn't see hide nor hair of Beth. Or hear her, either."

He rose from the chair and kissed my forehead. "I'm going to my study for a while. I need to think."

He didn't come out for hours. I kept supper warm for a while, then Travis and I ate without him. It was often like this, when Dave was wrestling with a problem.

I bathed Travis and listened to him say his prayers.

"Please, God, make Beth's daddy stop hurting her. Make him love her like my daddy loves me. I will take care of her, but I need your help."

His little face was upturned, with such a look of yearning it brought tears to my eyes. The faith of a child is a wondrous thing. I could almost believe, listening to him, that Beth's father would be enveloped in God's grace and little Beth would be cherished, as Travis was.