The phone rang, and I jumped in my seat, then slapped a hand over my heart. I quickly answered the call, glancing over my shoulder to see if Ashlynn had awakened. Thank goodness her eyelids remained closed.
“Hello?” I opened the car door, exiting the driver’s seat before softly shutting the door so I wouldn’t bother Ash.
“Hey, it’s Chris.”
“Hi. What are you up to?”
“Just finished a visit from some middle school students interested in animal science.” Chris cleared his throat. “Hey, I hope this doesn’t weird you out, but I got the feeling God wanted me to call and pray with you.”
“W-what?” My heart thumped in my chest. Was he serious? Was there really Someone listening to me?
I looked up, but the cloud-covered sky simply forecasted snow and gave me no glimpse into a higher power.
“Erykah, did you hear me?”
“Sorry.” I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts and listen to Chris. “I’m just stunned.”
“Why’s that? Should I not pray for you?”
“I literally just asked if God was there. I was wondering if He could see me, hear me. And then you called to offer prayer.” I swiped at the salt tracks lining my cheeks.
“Then let me pray. He’s listening.”
I could feel sobs gathering in my chest. How could God really exist? How could the stories I’d been reading in the Bible be true? How could Someone who demanded holiness from the Israelites look at me and think I was worth anything? I couldn’t follow the logic.
It’s because it requires faith.
Goose bumps pebbled my arms. Where had that thought come from? Had I read that in the Bible? Had Chris uttered those words?
“Dear heavenly Father, I want to thank You for seeing Erykah. For hearing her prayers. For being willing to answer her questions. You love her beyond bounds and know how desperately she needs to be seen and loved. Please guide her in her care for her nieces. Please comfort her in the passing of her sister and brother-in-law. Please continue to show me how to help her as she searches out answers regarding You. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.”
“Amen,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say.
Just as in times before, Chris’s words centered me. Settled the angst gathering like a blizzard. “Thank you,” I added.
Seriously, I was so tired of thanking him. I hated being beholden to anyone, and I owed Chris in spades. Though I suspected I’d never be able to repay him for all the good he’d done for me and my nieces. I couldn’t understand how he was still single. Why hadn’t a woman snatched him up? All those complaints about wondering where the good men were, and I’d literally bumped into the best one at a restaurant.
Granted, bringing any romantic feelings into the situation would only muddy the waters. I needed to keep a clear head. I had to remember that remaining friends was in all of our best interests.
Still, when he flashed those baby blues my way, my stomach dropped, and I wanted to swoon like the starlets of old.
I rounded the car to grab Ashlynn. “I’m headed into the house. My boss told me to take another week of leave.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes.” I winced. “Shoot, I should’ve stopped by and picked up Cheyenne and Charlie.”
“Of course not. You have Ash, right?”
“Right.”
“Then watch over her, and you’ll see me and Cheye later. I’ll bring dinner.”
“Chris...” I tried for the same tone I used on Cheyenne.
He chuckled. “Okay. Fine. You can cook if you’d like. But maybe we can go and do something fun this weekend?”
“Fun?” What was that? Was fun even appropriate during grief?
