“No, I believe it serves God well. My faith in Him encourages others, as it has you. People see and hear and then begin to think, ‘Well, maybe God can do ...’ whatever it is they’re praying about. I just want my life to be an example of faith and hope. God truly can do anything and everything.”
“Then why isn’t Addie with you?”
Her words pinched a bit, but Isaac nodded. “In God’s time, she will be. I know that. That’s why I’m not worried. I know I will find her again. God will bring her to me.”
5
With the transfer of the house deed complete, Addie was excited to move into the little lakeside cottage. The ladies had left most of the furniture, as well as the dishes and pans, so there wasn’t a whole lot that Addie needed to arrange for. Pearl, however, had other thoughts. Without letting Addie know, Pearl had spoken to the women of the church, and they decided to help on moving day with food and new bedding, dish and bath towels, and other little things. There was even a brand-new braided rug made by the pastor’s wife. Addie was deeply touched.
Mary and Bertha had the day off from their duties as Camera Girls and came to help Addie set things into order. Bertha was a mild-mannered young woman, pretty in a classic way with blond hair and blue eyes. Her personality was especially joyful most of the time, and Addie enjoyed her enthusiasm for her job.
“This is the perfect cottage,” Bertha declared. “I could live here quite happily, and I’m sure that you will find it homey and peaceful.”
“I hope so,” Addie replied.
Mary was especially enthralled with the house. “It’s so quaint. Just like a little haven.”
“That’s exactly what I thought the minute I saw it,” Addie admitted. “I knew it was for me.”
Most of the ladies had gone home, but a few remained speaking to Pearl. Addie looked around the room and smiled. It already felt like home. The curtains hanging from the living room windows had been freshly washed and pressed, and the same was true of the ones hanging elsewhere. The Montgomery sisters had been most insistent that the house be cleaned from top to bottom before Addie could take it over. She hoped their new life in Spokane would be a good one, because she was certain this place would be a blessing to her.
“How old are you, Addie? If you don’t mind my asking.” Mary looked almost embarrassed at having posed the question.
“I’m twenty-six. Why?” Addie adjusted a landscape picture that the sisters had left her.
“I’m just nineteen and was thinking about how you have this house and a great job. I wonder if I can do as well by the time I reach your age.”
Addie laughed and gave a shrug. “How well or poorly a person does in life is conditional upon a great many factors. Circumstances around us often knock us down, but I’ve learned we have to keep trying.”
“Mama says that God controls our fate,” Bertha chimed in. She looked at Addie. “Do you believe that?”
Addie was always uncomfortable talking about God. Isaac had taught her that God was love. That He cared about herevery need, but if that was true, why had He allowed so many bad things to happen to her? If God controlled her fate, why hadn’t He kept her safe from the horrible things she’d endured?
“To be completely honest, Bertha, I don’t know. I want to believe that God is good and watches over us in tender love.”
“I do too,” Bertha replied. “But sometimes it is hard to understand why things happen as they do. Like when my little sister died last year.”
“My mother died when I was fourteen,” Mary stated. “I was really mad at God.”
“When Beulah died, I didn’t even want to pray,” Bertha admitted.
Addie motioned them to sit and took her own seat in one of the overstuffed chairs left to her by the sisters. Once the girls were settled in, Addie spoke. “I think losing a loved one is always difficult. My mother died giving me life. I never knew her, and yet the pain of that loss is very real to me. I’ve often asked God why He took her from me. However, having grown up in great cruelty delivered by my father and brothers, I came to be glad my mother didn’t have to go through that. I can only imagine how she probably suffered before I was born. I think it is possible that someone’s death can prevent them from further suffering.”
“But Beulah was only ten years old,” Bertha protested. “She was a good girl, and our family loved her very much.”
Addie nodded. “I believe every word you say. Again, I don’t have any answers, just possibilities.”
“When Mama died,” Mary began, “I asked my father how God could be so mean as to take a mother away from her children. I have two brothers who are younger than me.They needed their mother. I need ... needed ... her too.” Mary’s voice broke, and she paused to regain her composure. “Papa told me that we don’t always get to know why God does what He does, but we must keep putting our faith in Him. For me, that has been so hard.”
“For me as well,” Addie admitted. “I had a friend who would always tell me much the same. I really do try to have faith, but mine is very weak, and it’s easily trampled by life.”
The conversation depleted her of the joy the day had originally given. She wanted nothing more than to forget about why God allowed things to happen and focus instead on anything else.
“Mary, you live with several other girls, don’t you?” she asked.
Mary perked up and nodded. “We have an apartment with three bedrooms, and we all share together—two girls in each room. It’s the only way we can afford the rent. I was desperate for a job. I’d just lost my other position. The owners sold their shop and moved to California.”
“I remember when I read your application,” Addie said, smiling. “Your former employer gave you a great letter of reference.”
