Sunshine and Rain

Chapter One

Christine

The sun shined brightly through the large window of the one-classroom school. My thin book for reading class today sat on my desk in front of me untouched as I gazed at the beauty without. The ticking of the clock at the head of the classroom reminded me of the approaching end to the school day and my heart beat faster with anticipation. I liked school but I loved home. It's true what they say, "There's no place like home." I love my mom, I love my dad. I couldn't be happier! I must admit I'm a little lonely at times but I am content. My mind wandered to the possibilities for supper. What will Mom make tonight? It was almost always a delicious surprise. My mom's cooking is the best!

    "Christine!" Mrs. Havensburg whispered sharply, breaking my thoughts. "Read your book!"

    I quickly opened the book and read the first few words, "Peter walked down the road. In his hand were..." And I looked at the words but spaced out again. Then the red bell hanging up beside the clock rang noisily signalling the end of school and I slammed the book shut and shoved it in my desk glad to be done. I made sure my desk was cleared off before leaving to pick up my backpack but Mrs. Havensburg stopped me short.

   
"Christine," she called, and I turned around to face a young face, framed by long blond hair, brown eyes, thick rimmed black glasses and thin but kind lips. "You'd better take that book home with you and tell me what it's about tomorrow morning. Understand?"

    I nodded sheepishly and retrieved the book from inside my desk. Waving bye to my classmates I left the classroom and walked through the entryway to the coat room where I grabbed my blue backpack. Mom was waiting for me in our bright red car and I ran to hop in.

    "Hi, Mom!" I grinned from the backseat, buckling myself in.

    "Hey, Chrissy! How was school?" She seemed more cheerful today than usual. I was fine with that!

    I went on to tell her about how Brad laughed so hard at lunch time that he spewed rice grains out his nose. And how Mrs. Havensburg reprimanded Luke for sleeping in class. And about Alice and her new pink headband that she made sure to show everyone. She chuckled, shaking her head, "You've had quite the day!"

    "Yeah." And then I looked out the window, suddenly lonely. Mom seemed preoccupied in her own thoughts so I stopped talking till we reached home.

Pulling into the driveway I unbuckled early, ready to hop out as soon as we pulled into the garage. As soon as the car stopped I was out and running to the door at the back of the garage dancing in place waiting for Mom to get to the door. She took her time getting out of the car and fishing out the house key but soon the door was open and I was home! Home, sweet home.

*    *    *

Daniel

The door to my office downstairs hung open just enough so I could hear when the girls got home. And soon enough I heard faintly, the sound of keys in the lock and the opening of a door. What really confirmed their arrival, though, was Chrissy's shout, "We're home, Dad!"

I smiled to myself as I closed up my Bible and put aside my laptop. She definitely knew how to announce her own arrival! I kissed at Boxy, our fluffy long-haired German Shepherd who had been sleeping soundly in an empty corner of the office, to follow me out to greet them. His huge ears perked up and he roused his 4 year old body enough to follow me out the door. I didn't make it far, however, until I had a Chrissy hugging the breath out of me. I laughed hoarsely, "Hey there, Chrissy!"

    "Hi Daddy!" she squeezed out between gritted teeth as she folded her arms around me tightly.

    "Let's go see your Momma." And I held her hand as the three of us, dog included, walked up the stairs from the basement. Heather had been gone for a few hours out for coffee with a friend and had gone straight from the cafe to pick up Chrissy allowing me for a little time to prepare for this week's sermon. Even though I had spent hours searching the Scriptures for a topic, I had still come up dry. And it was already Wednesday! Despite the setback I knew God would still provide a message for His people.