Elise didn’t feel lucky. “We are blessed, but we also lost four men.”
“The first mate told me. Word will go out in case the bodies should be recovered, but you know yourself the odds are...”
“Yes. I understand.” She clutched her hands together. No one had to tell her about the unlikeliness of finding her father.
The doctor looked at her for a moment as if he intended to say something more, then stood and left the room. Perhaps he was just as much at a loss for words as Elise.
She sighed. It just didn’t seem real. She kept expecting to wake up and find it was all nothing more than a bad dream. Why couldn’t it be that and that alone?
She pulled on her stockings and then covered her feet in the thick wool socks that one of the women of the town had given her. She pulled on her boots and was tying them up when Nick entered the area that had been quartered off for her.
“We’re just about ready to go. How are you?”
“The doctor thinks I’ll be just fine.” She looked up at him after securing her laces. “After all, you can’t do much for a broken heart.”
She fastened the leg bands on her bloomers. The same woman who’d given her the socks had also brought her a wool skirt, but Elise couldn’t remember what she’d done with it.
“I can’t find my skirt. Where’s my skirt?” She patted the bed sheets, thinking it might have gotten tangled within. She looked nearby and still found nothing. “Where is it?” Tears came to her eyes. She hadn’t yet wept for her father. Why was she crying over a skirt?
Nick pulled her to her feet and held her close. He didn’t try to speak away her pain, he just held her. Elise clung to him and sobbed.
Nearly a week later, Elise was still contemplating what was to become of her and her sister. Should they go to Oswego and live with their uncle as he had suggested was best? At least there, they wouldn’t have to worry about food or shelter. They had the little house here in Duluth, but it had also suffered damage during what Dr. Thomas Foster, editor of theMinnesotian, called “The Storm King: The Most Terrible Storm Ever Known on Lake Superior.”
The storm had flooded Minnesota Point and other low-lying areas, and the wind had wreaked havoc as well. Nick had been making repairs to the house with the help of Mina’s husband, Carter, but Elise had no idea how they would pay for it. And, should more repairs be necessary, that would require more money. She supposed she could ask her uncle for help.
Caroline had been surprisingly strong. She comforted Elise with her constant presence and genuine concern. She was there whenever Elise wanted to talk and silent when Elise wanted to be left to contemplate all that had happened. Nick was a constant in their life as well. He stayed with Mina and Carter in order to keep everything appropriate. Elise hated to see him go at night and had even suggested that marrying right away would take care of all proprieties. But he wisely wanted to give her time.
The storm damage to Duluth and the harbor was extensive, and word was trickling in of other ships that had been lost. Elise hadn’t felt like attending the services being offered on behalf ofthe lost, but knowing that her father was one of them, she felt she had no choice. So she found herself among the congregants that Sunday, singing a song of God’s mercy.
The church was packed with men, women, and children who knew all too well the dangers of life on the lakes. They had gathered many times for their families and friends, for neighbors and strangers. When loss like this came, they were all one family.
The song concluded, and they all took their seats. Elise was comforted by the fact that Nick was on her right and Caroline on her left.
Pastor Johnson took the pulpit, Bible in hand. “We have gathered here today in loving memory of those who have perished at the hand of the most recent storm. These men and women will never be forgotten. Their duties put them in danger, often for our benefit, but this life was the one they chose and loved. They were vibrant and loving people who feared not what might come upon the morrow.”
Elise knew that was true of her father and mother. They had loved sailing and had loved each other. They had given Caroline and Elise the best life possible, despite the doubts of her aunt and uncle.
“As children of God, we need not fear the hour of death, for while that hour represents loss to our loved ones, it is indeed a glorious moment for those who are called home. In the Bible, we are given so many examples of the hour of death. I believe our Lord did this in order to acquaint us better with a situation that must come to all men but has absolutely no power over the child of God. That power was defeated at the cross, and because of it, death for the true believer is but a door that we pass through—out of this world and into the presence of God.”
Several people murmured their amens, while the sobbing of others grew a little louder. Elise thought of the many times she had sat in similar crowds with her mother and father. They were true believers, and all of her life they had taught Elise not to fear death or even mourn it, and all for the very reason Pastor Johnson just stated.
“Death holds no power over you, Elise,”her father had assured her.
“These earthly bodieswill die, but never our spirit,”Elise could hear her mother say.
“Jesus died on the cross, setting us free from the laws of sin and death,” Pastor Johnson continued. “He was victorious over the grave, and so too are those who belong to him. Yet here we are in our sorrow, and it is the natural state of those who have lost someone dear. I do not condemn your grief, but merely encourage you to dwell on the love. To know that everyone here shares somehow in that sorrow and will happily help you bear it. You are not alone. Just as our loved ones were not alone in this storm. Not even for a moment.”
Elise had been more upset over the idea of her father dying alone or with Booker Duran than anything else. She had wanted to speak final words of love, but there had been no chance. But they’d had a lifetime of love. Her father had no doubt of her feelings. She had been willing to give up her life for him. There was no need for spoken words. And her father hadn’t been alone. Jesus had never left him alone for even a moment.
After the services concluded, the people greeted one another with hearts of genuine compassion and love. Elise felt completely enveloped in their concern and kindness. Several of the womenpromised that meals would be brought to the house, while the men sought Nick to hear the story of theMary Elise’s final hours.
When they were able to slip away to catch the ferry, Elise let go a heavy sigh.
“You sound so tired,” Caroline said, taking her arm. “When we get home, I’ll make you some hot cocoa and then tuck you in bed.”
“I’m afraid this kind of weariness won’t be helped by sleep. I’ve spent a week trying that, and it hasn’t helped at all.”
Nick took Elise’s other arm. “It will take time to endure this sorrow, but I’d like to share something with you, if I may.”
