And words from Vic found her ...“Nothing happens ... that isn’t designed by God ... to know his love more.”
Marnie’s gaze landed on her. “You look so familiar to me. I don’t know why. Have we met before?”
“Do you have teenage daughters?”
She shook her head.
Keely lifted a shoulder. “I’m a singer.”
“Oh, that might be it. My husband loves country music.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“What do you sing?”
What did she sing? Maybe nothing, after the meeting with her laryngologist.“Prolonged inflammation,scartissue,permanent hoarseness...”
“Oh, you know. Songs about love and life...”
“Are you a folk singer?”
The words stirred up the memory of her sounds from the kitchen at the community.
“Sort of. But I think I’m taking a break.”
“Well, having a four-year-old can do that. But it’s worth it. We’re going to miss her. We’ve only had her for a couple months, but she’s made her way into our hearts. I wish we could adopt her, but ... well, clearly God was saving her for you.”
The words caught her, filled her.
“You should know that she hasn’t spoken since she came to us. I thought it might be the trauma of the accident, but...” She shrugged. “Sometimes it takes a while for a child to find their voice again after their life is so drastically altered.”
Keely nodded. “I get that.”
Outside, Zoey pushed the trike forward, only to have it fall over in the stiff grass. She landed on the grass, rolled off the bike.
Started to cry.
“Oh,” Marnie said and leaned up. Then she looked at Keely. “C’mon. This is where you step in.”
“No, I...”
“If you’re going to adopt her, she needs to start coming to you.”
Right. But she stood frozen as Zoey started wailing, so Marnie headed out the door, took off at a fast clip, rounded the bike, and swooped Zoey up. “You’re okay, sweetie.” She held her a moment, then wiped her tears. “C’mon. Let’s try that again.”
Zoey clung to her a moment, her big blue eyes wide. Then she cast a look at Keely.
Keely’s entire body seemed to convulse, and then—
Love. It simply poured through her, heat and fire and ... peace. So much peace.
This ... this was her song. Finally. Perfectly. And she hadn’t realized her lack until the abundance poured into her bones, but...
This was abundance. God pouring out his love in the struggle.
“Hey, Zoey,” Keely said, walking up, her voice soft. “My name is Keely. Can I help you ride your trike?”
Zoey looked back at Marnie, who nodded at her. “She’s safe.”
