the impression that Pastor Steve and Tami think we should stay married and work through this.”
“What did they say that made that impression on you?”
Beth hesitated. “They said that we should stay married.”
“Then am I correct in pointing out that is not a mere impression, but a clear recommendation?”
Beth sighed. “Yeah.”
Donald studied her. “Perhaps your mother and I should seek their counsel on whether we should continue serving in leadership at the church. First Lynn, now this. Maybe it’s time to step down. The Bible talks about leaders whose children go astray.”
Beth froze mid-sit-up, lowering herself to the floor, feeling awful.
“I’m not as concerned about you. You have a proven history of making strong biblical and logical decisions. This was out of character for you and not the norm, but I don’t doubt you will be fine. You’ve always had a tendency to rebound well. Your sister, on the other hand. I am not sure how she will fare with her latest choices. She has no hope without Christ. You two are very different.”
The exterior door to the basement slammed shut. Neither had heard it open.
“Sweet, Dad. That’s awesome. Thanks. Glad to know you think I’m hopeless.”
Lynn glared at them, arms crossed, hurt and fury dancing in her emerald eyes. “I just love hearing how if preciouslittle
LizzyBeth makes a mistake we don’t need to worry. But if it’s Lynn who messed up, well[CENSORED]she’s a lost cause because she’s hopeless.”
As soon as she spit the last word out of her mouth, Lynn crossed the room and stormed up the stairs to the kitchen.
Donald looked stunned. Bewildered.
“She misunderstood. That is not it at all. It’s just different because she doesn’t have hope in the Lord.”
“I know, Daddy. I’ll go talk to her.”
Beth sprinted after her sister.
Donald remained seated, waiting for the storm upstairs to pass before joining the rest of the family. Sue would come get him when things settled down. His logic could usually help soothe Beth and Sue when they were upset. Occasionally it worked on Lynn—but never when he was the one she was upset with.
“Lynn, wait. Dad didn’t mean what he said as an insult,” Beth called after her, her tone making it clear they’d walked this road of misunderstandings before.
“He sure as hell wasn’t saying it as a compliment!” Lynn shot back.
Neither sister noticed their raised voices startled Sue and especially Bryce, who were seated on diner-inspired stools at the teal, retro-style kitchen table.
“That’s Lynn? Her sister?” Bryce asked quietly, wary of drawing attention from the stormy duo. At Sue’s nod, he turned back to study the short redhead glaring at his Lizzy.
Now he understood where the phrase ‘fiery redhead’ came from. Lynn barely hit 5’2” and looked nothing like Beth—or so he thought. But as he studied their features more closely—the shape of their eyes, the slight upturn of their noses, their full lips—he realized they could almost pass for twins if not for their skin tone and eye color.
He leaned forward to watch the show unfold.
“Fine, it wasn’t a compliment. But it wasn’t an insult either. It was a statement. We’re different,” Beth said matter-of-factly.
“I’m so sick of being compared to you. Everyone acts like you’re Glinda the Good Witch and I’m the Wicked Witch of the West.”
“We’re both from the West, and don’t compare me to a witch,” Beth quipped.
“Whatever! You get my point.”
“I got the point you were trying to make. But it’s not a very accurate analogy. If anything, we’re the tortoise and the hare.”
“What?” Lynn blinked.
