Seal of the King (40 page)

“
It can be a little overwhelming, but I’ll help you narrow it down, dear. Let’s see, your young man isn’t that much taller than you. I don’t think you want a heel that’s too tall. It’s fall, so probably not an open toe. Do you know what size you wear dear?”

Aurora looked at her blankly
, and said, “No I don’t suppose I do.”

“
Not to worry. I have an eye for that. Here is a pair of stockings to use while we try them on.” She handed Aurora some small, sheer stockings that just covered her foot up to the ankle when she put them on. Gwen had walked over to the wall looking at the shoes, periodically reached into a cabinet underneath and pulled out a box. Once she had 4 boxes picked out she came back to Aurora, and said, “Here we go. Let’s try these on.”

The first pair she pulled out had a square toe
, and large clunky heel; Aurora didn’t even try it on before she said, “no thank you I don’t like that one.”

Gwen pulled out the next pair
; it had a tall, pointy heel. Aurora shook her head wondering how anyone could stand in something like that. The third pair was better. The toe was pointed, and the heel was thicker. Aurora wasn’t thrilled about it but tried it on. The shoe was amazingly comfortable as she stood up. The leather sides came up around her foot and drew a straight line across the top giving the appearance of a rectangle.

“What do you think of that one?”

“It is very comfortable, but I’m just not sure I like it.”

“
Well I did save the best for last. I always like you to have something to compare it to.”

She pulled the last pair out of the box. The toe was rounded
, and the inside of the shoe matched the shape. The heel was short but wide so she wouldn’t have to worry about tipping over. As she slipped it on, the soft, supple leather gently hugged the sides of her feet just above the heel line. She could just see where her toes started on the inner curve, and the inside cushion felt like standing on a silk pillow.

Aurora smiled at her
, and said, “Yes, these will do nicely.”

Gwen smiled back “I thought so too. Now, if you put your boots back on we can go find your young man.”

Gwen put the shoes back in the box and made some notations in a ledger. Then she stood by the doorway smiling as Aurora came over. Aurora let out a little sigh as she and Gwen headed out into the hallway. “Is everything all right dear?”

“Oh yes. It’s just that where I come from… I’ve never seen such luxury. I feel guilty
. I’ve been thinking about the many people I know that are struggling to get by.”

Gwen in a kind voice, with an insight that surprised Aurora
said, “The Lord blesses us all in different ways. It’s what we do with those blessings that defines who we are.”

“
You’re right I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

Gwen took her arm
, and led her to the front “I hope you’re happy with everything today?”

Aurora turned
, and gave Gwen a hug “oh yes, very happy. Thank you so much Gwen.”

Gwen flustered by the sudden show of affection
said, “You’re welcome. I just hope that I helped make your day a little more special.”

“
You have.”

Up ahead they saw David waiting patiently
, and the minute they came into view he turned to face them. From across the room she saw him burst into a big smile, and she smiled broadly back at him. She felt the urge to run, but managed to contain herself.

David started walking towards her
, and in a matter of moments they were face to face, and he pulled her into a hug, slightly lifting her off of her feet. She held onto him tightly, totally lost in his embrace.

“I missed you
.”

“I missed you too
.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Oh yes, Gwen and the others were just lovely.”

David let go of Aurora
and gave Gwen a hug too. “Thank you, Gwen, for taking good care of her.”

“
The two of you. If every customer that walked through theses doors was such a pleasure to deal with, my job would be a whole lot easier.”

“We’ll come
back this afternoon, to pick them up.”

They turned
, and both said goodbye. “I realized while I was waiting for you that this was the longest we’ve been apart since we met.”

“Except for that dreadful tower” Aurora said suddenly quiet.

“Yes, I suppose so, but that’s behind us.” David said brightly as they got into the car.

Aurora gave him a small smile
, and said, “Yes, thankfully, but I feel guilty.”

David
asked in a concerned voice “Why?”

“You spent lavishly on me
, and all those people we left behind were struggling to survive.” Aurora said softly.

"I see,"
said David “I have something that might help.” He reached down and started the car.

“Please don’t think badly of me. I’m so excited about our wedding
, and I had a wonderful time today.”

“I would never think badly of you
, and I understand what you’re feeling. I have been very blessed in my life to live comfortably. I used to feel guilty about having more than others. Then I came to understand that it if we’re good stewards of what we’re given, then we’re better able to help those who need it. As for all the people we left behind, the Lord is watching over them. He delivered the city into their hands so they could reclaim their food, and not starve during the winter. When the spring comes they will be ready to rebuild their lives. They have seen first-hand the Lord’s love for them, and that is something that so many people in this world are blinded too. They may have more comforts here, but the people of Roktah have received a far greater gift.”

“
You’re right. I’m being silly.”

David said firmly “No, you’re not being silly. It isn’t silly that you are so compassionate
and caring. In fact, it’s one of the things I love most about you.”

“
Then, in that case I won’t argue with you.”

“I wasn’t planning on taking you here today
.” He said as they pulled to a stop in front of an older two-story building “because this place isn’t about me. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

Aurora looked at him a little confused “all right
, I’ll keep an open mind.”

“That isn’t
actually what I meant. There are a lot of fine people here who work really hard. I only help in a small way.”

Aurora
, more confused now, said, “Ok?”

David got out of the car
, and made his way around to get Aurora. As she was watching him, she realized the area they were visiting wasn’t nearly as nice as the place where the wedding salon was. David opened the door and helped her down from her seat.

They walked up to the doors
, and Aurora noticed a small sign that said ‘Safe Haven’. David opened the door for her, and they walked into a large room filled with people. Mostly women and children, but also a few men were all sitting at tables having lunch. They stood near the door for a minute, and then a woman from the other side of the room waved, and headed toward them. Noticing her, a number of other people turned, and began waving. Apparently David was well known here.

Suddenly out of nowhere a young boy came running up
, and launched himself at David, who picked him up in his arms. The boy couldn’t have been more than five or six, and he was bubbling with excitement.

“Hi there Charlie! How are you today? Did you eat your lunch, already?”

“Momma said I could come say hi.” Charlie said as David gave a woman sitting at one of the tables a wave, and she smiled and waved back.

“Charlie, I want you to meet someone very
important to me. Her name is Aurora.” David said as he turned so Charlie was looking at her.

“Hello, Charlie, it’s nice to meet you.” Aurora said with a big smile
.

Charlie looking a little awe struck asked David in a soft voice
, “is she an angel?”

David gave him a big smile
, and said, “sometimes I think so. She and I are going to get married. What do you think about that?”

"Wow,"
Charlie said, “will you still come visit me on Saturdays when you’re married?”

“Of course I will
.”

“I missed you this Saturday, I thought you forgot.
No one else had time to read to me.”

“I’m sorry Charlie
, but I promise I didn’t forget. I was travelling, and I couldn’t make it back in time. Do you forgive me?”

Charlie gave him a hug
, and said, “ok.”

“David I’m so glad to see you.”
The young woman from the other side of the room had finally made her way over. “I was worried when we didn’t see you Saturday.”

“Sorry, Rebecca. It was unavoidable.”

“He was travelling.”

“That’s right, Rebecca I’d like to introduce you to Aurora. She
and I are getting married tomorrow.”

Rebecca
, with a look of surprise and shock said, “oh… uh… that’s wonderful. It’s so nice to meet you. I thought he would never get married.”

“
It’s nice to meet you too.”

Rebecca then turned to David “now why haven’t you told me about her before, David? That’s just like you. He almost never talks about himself.”

“We’ve known each other since we were children, but we only met a little over a week ago.”

“Really? You are going to have to tell me the whole story whether you like it o
r not.”

“I
’ll be happy to, but we won’t have time today.” David said, “Charlie, your mom looks as if she wants you to come back and finish your lunch. I’ll come, and find you before we leave, ok?”

Charlie slid down from David’s arms
, and said, “ok” as he ran back to his mother. David watched him as he sat down, and began eating.

“
Charlie was asking about you all day Saturday.”

“
I’m sorry. I won’t be here this Saturday either, but I’ll tell him before we leave.”

Aurora as
ked, “What is this place?”

Rebecca looked at David
, and said, “You haven’t told her.”

“
It just never came up.” And with a nod he told her to explain.

Rebecca turned to Aurora
, and said, “This is a mission so to speak. We give out free meals to the poor and homeless. Upstairs we have rooms where woman who are in trouble can come, and stay with their children until they can get on their feet, like Charlie and his mom.”

Aurora said, starting to understand why they were there “oh that’s so very kind of you.”

Rebecca smiled kindly and said, “Thank you, but if it wasn’t for David, there wouldn’t be a mission.”

Aurora, looking
a little confused, said, “I don’t understand.”

“
David is one of our largest donors, we get donations of food, clothes, and money from a lot of other people and businesses, but David helped us get started, and is always here for us.” The look of admiration, and affection on her face was unmistakable.

Aurora with a look of surprise on her face
said, “really? I had no idea.”

“
That was the easy part. Rebecca and her staff do all the hard work.”

“
Don’t you believe that, Aurora. He worked as hard as anyone to help get the doors open, and he comes every week to help out.”

Aurora turned to David
, and reached up tenderly placing a hand on his face, and said, “I should’ve known. He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met.” Aurora saw out of the corner of her eye Rebecca wiping a single tear from her face, but she pretended not to notice.

“That’s enough you two.” David said even though the look of admiration on Aurora’s face could have held him on that spot all day. “I’m not a saint or anything. Rebecca is the real heart of this place. It was all her idea. I only helped her get started.”

Rebecca had regained herself, and said, “Typical, I’ve given up arguing with him about it. So what brings you here today?”

“
To invite you to the wedding tomorrow, of course.”

Rebecca stammered a little
, and said, “Tomorrow, that’s such short notice.”

Aurora sensing her dilemma said tenderly “Yes, we’d love to have you come.”

Rebecca said flustered “I’m not sure. I have to make sure someone can watch the place for me, and find a dress to wear.” Her face was a little pale, and her eyes shone brightly.

David, picking up that something else was going on
, said, “Rebecca I’d love to have you there, but if you can’t make it I’ll understand. I’m going to go say goodbye to Charlie. I’ll be right back.”