The Divided Family (10 page)

I shouldn’t be thinking about this right now,
she told herself.
I can’t undo the past, nor can I, or anyone else, make Joel become a Christian if he doesn’t want to. He was raised in a Christian home and exposed to Bible teaching from the time he was a boy. Joel became selfish and self-centered of his own accord. All I can do is pray for him
—
pray that he will see the truth before it’s too late.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Kristi stepped into Audrey’s room. The light beside her bed was still on, and Audrey’s eyes were open. For a minute, Kristi thought the dear woman was staring at the ceiling, but taking a closer look, she realized Audrey wasn’t moving.

Kristi’s heart pounded as she checked for a pulse. Nothing. And no breath came from Audrey’s slightly open mouth.

“You’ve gone home,” Kristi murmured tearfully. “Your body is healed, and now you are in the presence of the Lord.”

I
appreciate you having me over this evening.” Joel flopped into a chair in Tom’s living room. “Otherwise I’d have been alone on Christmas Eve.”

Tom’s dimples deepened as he took a seat on the couch across from Joel. “You’re welcome to stay the night and spend Christmas Day here, too.”

“Naw, that’s okay. Your folks will be here tomorrow, and I wouldn’t feel right about cutting in on your family time.”

“It’s no big deal. I’m sure Mom and Dad wouldn’t be bothered if you joined us for dinner.” Tom thumped his stomach. “Mom will be cooking a juicy ham, baked potatoes, and a green bean casserole. My contribution to the meal will be the pumpkin and apple pies I bought at a local bakery the other day.”

Tom’s offer was tempting, but Joel declined. “My aunt Verna called this morning and invited me to join her at my sister Elsie’s place for Christmas dinner. Things have been kind of tense between me and my family since Dad’s will was found, so I think I ought to show up and try to be sociable. I’m taking everyone gifts, so maybe they’ll see it as a selfless act.”

Tom’s forehead wrinkled. “You think so?”

“Sure, why not?”

Before Tom could reply, his cell phone rang. “I’d better take this call. It’s my mom.” He grabbed the phone, lying beside him, and headed out to the kitchen.

Joel leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tried to relax. Tom kept yakking like a magpie, carrying on a lengthy conversation with his mother, while Joel tried to ignore it. He’d told his buddy previously about the situation with his family and Dad’s stipulation regarding the will. Now he wondered if he should have kept quiet. From the look on his friend’s face before his phone rang, he didn’t approve of Joel buying gifts for his family in the hope of getting the envelope Dad had left for him. It didn’t matter what Tom thought. Joel had to try something to get his aunt’s and sisters’ approval.

“I’m sorry our new youth pastor couldn’t join us this evening,” Kristi’s mother said as the three of them sat at the dining-room table, eating open-faced sandwiches and tomato soup. “I’ve tried on several occasions to schedule a time when he could come for a meal, but either he’s been busy or you’ve had to work.” She looked at Kristi with a hopeful expression. “But I’m not giving up. If I can’t work something out before the end of the year, I’ll try to set something up with Darin for the first or second week of January.”

Kristi groaned inwardly. Mom meant well, but Kristi had no interest in developing a new relationship with anyone so soon after breaking up with Joel. While the pain from it was diminishing, at times like tonight, she missed what they’d once had. Then there was the sadness she felt over losing dear, sweet Audrey. A short memorial service would be held at the nursing home the day after Christmas. Since Audrey had no family members, only the staff and some of the patients would attend.

“Are you feeling okay, Kristi?” Dad asked, breaking into her thoughts. “You’re not your usual talkative self this evening.”

“I was thinking about the patient we lost at the nursing home last night. I’m going to miss my visits with her.” Kristi took a bite of her sandwich. The slice of french bread was covered with lettuce, turkey lunchmeat, and Swiss cheese. Squiggles of mustard and mayonnaise traveled across the top. Normally she would have devoured the meal because it tasted so good, but tonight her appetite was diminished.

“Why don’t you try to find another nursing job, Kristi?” Mom asked. “Something where you’re not working with elderly patients.”

“I enjoy my work there. I consider it a type of ministry.” Kristi hoped her mother wouldn’t go on and on about this. Sometimes Mom offered her opinions too freely, especially where Kristi was concerned.

“So what should we do after we’re done eating?” Dad asked. “Should we open our gifts or play a game?”

“We can’t open gifts, Paul.” Mom nudged Dad’s arm. “We’ve always waited till Christmas morning to do that. And since Kristi will be spending the night here, we can get up early if we want, eat the breakfast casserole I put together earlier today, and then open our Christmas presents to each other.”

Leave it up to Mom
to make sure we keep to our tradition.
Kristi couldn’t help smiling. Some things never changed.

“Okay, then,” Dad conceded, “as soon as I’m done eating, I’ll get out one of our favorite board games. We can play awhile and then have some hot chocolate and ginger cookies.”

Mom swatted his hand playfully. “I’m surprised there are any left. You ate enough of those cookies when I baked them earlier this week.”

He reached over and patted her cheek. “I never could resist snitching any of your baked goods. You’re the queen of our kitchen.”

Mom giggled. “So what does that make you?”

He puffed out his chest, grinning widely. “The king, of course. Whatever you bake, I eat. What a great arrangement.”

Kristi loved to see the banter between her parents. They’d been sweethearts in high school and had gotten married soon after graduating from college. It warmed her heart that even after being married nearly thirty years Mom and Dad were still in love and enjoyed each other’s company. Kristi hoped to have that kind of a relationship with a man someday.

Farmerstown

“How is Scott feeling?” Aunt Verna asked soon after she, Uncle Lester, and Glen entered Arlene’s house.

Arlene’s brows raised. “How’d you know he wasn’t feeling well? He didn’t complain of a bauchweh until we were on our way home from the schoolhouse last night.”

“I’m the one who told her.” Glen spoke up. “I heard about it from Uncle Larry when I came by here this morning to see if his driver could take me to work.” He leaned against the doorframe. “My driver came down with the flu last night and couldn’t pick me up.”

“I see.” Arlene took everyone’s coats and hung them up. “I’m glad you made it here today.” She gave her uncle a hug.

He smiled, his hazel eyes twinkling. “I wouldn’t have missed this special time with our family for all the money in the world.” Arlene invited them into the living room, where Elsie, John, Blaine, and Mary sat, along with Doris and Brian.

Arlene’s aunt and uncle took a seat on either side of her. “What about Scott? Is he feeling better today?” Aunt Verna asked.

“Not much, but he doesn’t seem to be any worse, either. He’s upstairs with Doug, Hope, Lillian, and Martha. I’ll call them down as soon as supper is ready to be served.”

“And how’s this little fellow doing?” Aunt Verna moved over to where Elsie sat, holding Samuel.

“He’s been content to have me hold him since we got here fifteen minutes ago.” Elsie kissed the top of the baby’s head. “I think he loves his aunt Elsie.”

John began talking to Lester about how his trip went. Arlene liked to see the family all together. These were the special times that made life worth cherishing.

“While you all visit, I’m going to slip into the kitchen and check on the chicken soup simmering on the stove. Once it’s thoroughly heated, we can set out the sandwiches Elsie brought and then call everyone to the table.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Elsie asked.

“No, that’s okay. You’re helping by keeping my baby entertained.”

Arlene went to the kitchen. When she lifted the lid on the soup kettle, her mouth watered, and she inhaled deeply. Even when she was a girl, chicken noodle had been her favorite kind of soup. Her children liked it, too—especially Scott. Sometimes when she fixed it, he ate two or three bowls.
I’ll bet the delicious aroma of this soup will bring his appetite back tonight.

A short time later, everyone sat around the table. After their silent prayers, Arlene dished up the soup, and the sandwiches were passed around.

“I’m glad we kept our Christmas Eve meal simple,” Elsie said. “Tomorrow at our place, we’ll be eating a big meal, so I hope everyone comes hungry to help eat the large turkey John bought the other day.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Brian smiled at Doris. “How about you?”

She nodded slowly. “I only wish I could do more to help with the meal.”

“It’ll be taken care of,” Elsie said. “So don’t even worry about it.”

“Mama, can I be excused?” Scott set his spoon down. “I’m not
hungerich
.”

“You need to eat your soup, Son,” Larry said. “If you don’t, there will be no cookies or candy for dessert.”

“I don’t care. My belly hurts, and I wanna go lie down.”

Arlene looked at Larry, and when he nodded, she said, “Go on up, Scott. I’ll check on you in a bit.”

Holding his stomach, Scott got up. Walking slowly, he left the room.

“I’ll bet that boy has the flu.” Aunt Verna clicked her tongue and nudged her husband’s arm. “Sure hope the rest of us aren’t exposed to it now.”

Glen shrugged his shoulders. “If we are, there’s nothing we can do about it. Let’s try to enjoy the rest of our meal.”

As they continued to eat, the conversation around the table went from talking about the Christmas program at the schoolhouse, to the snowy weather, which had stopped as suddenly as it started.

“Guess we won’t get to make any more snowballs.” Lillian’s chin jutted out. “I only got to make a few this morning before my toes got too cold.”

Doug bumped his sister’s arm. “That’s ’cause ya didn’t wear heavy enough socks inside your boots.”

Aunt Verna tilted her head in his direction. “Did you say something about a heavy box?”

Uncle Lester looked at her and raised his brows.

The children all snickered, while Doug shook his head. “I said
heavy socks
not
box.
”

“Will Uncle Joel be at your house on Christmas Day?” Martha asked, looking at Elsie.

“I don’t know. Aunt Verna invited him to come, but he may have other plans.”

“It would be nice if Joel made an effort to be here to celebrate with the family tomorrow,” Uncle Lester said before taking a bite of his sandwich.

“I hope he comes, ’cause if he brings his harmonica, it might make Scott feel better.” Martha paused for a drink of water. “He’s been wantin’ another lesson.”

Arlene hoped for her nephew’s sake that Joel would join them, too. With it being Christmas, maybe he would be in a good mood. She remembered how much her brother enjoyed Christmas when he was a boy. Of course, they all had, but Joel talked about it nonstop for several days before the big event. Arlene had always thought it was the gifts they received on Christmas morning that Joel liked most of all. He would jump up and down and clap his hands every time someone handed him a gift. Dad used to reprimand him, saying if he didn’t calm down, he’d be the last one to get his presents.

After the meal and the dishes were done, the grownups sat at the table playing a new game John had brought along, while the children went back upstairs to play. The game was just getting interesting when Doug bounded down the stairs and raced up to his dad. “Scott’s throwin’ up, and his belly hurts so bad, he can’t even walk.”

Concerned, Arlene jumped up. “I think we ought to call one of our drivers and take Scott to the hospital. It may only be the flu, but I’d feel better if he got checked out.”

“I agree with you.” Larry pushed his chair aside, grabbed his jacket, and went out the door, while Arlene hurried upstairs to check on Scott. This was certainly not the way she’d planned their Christmas Eve gathering to end, but their son’s health came first, and she felt sure the others would understand.