Everybody Called Her a Saint
Page 21
Without trying to be obvious, I looked closely at Amanda, one of the most strikingly beautiful women I’d ever seen. She wore tight-fitting gold silk pants and a matching low-cut, cowl-neck, satin blouse that probably cost more than I earned in a month. Her shoulder-length golden earrings and heavy gold chain seemed a little overdone, even for Roger’s house. About a year ago she started dyeing her hair—and it looked great—into a slightly lighter shade of ash-blond than her natural color. I couldn’t detect one bit of gray. Amanda had always been trim and beautiful, although I noticed the seams of her silk pants now strained when she shifted her weight. She must have added ten pounds since I’d seen her last. She smiled at me, but it seemed slightly forced.
While the other guests waited in silence, Burton looked across at me and arched his right brow. I shrugged in a perfect Simon-like gesture. He returned the Simon shrug—not quite perfect, but he’d get it right before we left.
I put my napkin on my lap and imitated everyone by sitting with my hands folded. The seconds ticked away. We had fourteen seconds to go. I sighed in relief. I had made it on time.
As we waited, I tried not to look around, because I never liked Roger’s taste in furniture. Everything in the house was done in the rococo style. While Roger thought it exuded delicacy and lightness—which I suppose it did—I thought it was too elaborately ornamented with shell motifs, serpentine curves, and cabriole legs, and not particularly comfortable. Finely done needlepoint of floral designs cushioned the seats and chair backs. I used to tell him I’d rather look at his chairs than sit on them. He didn’t like that part of my humor, either.
The grandfather clock began its first clang.
No one moved. I closed my eyes so that I didn’t laugh. We were all adults, all sitting in stiff obedience like kids in a military school. But then, that was Roger’s way.
Silently I counted the gongs. Surreptitiously, I looked around at the other guests. Across the table from me sat a fiftyish-looking woman whose lips moved silently as she also counted. She had one of those severe hairstyles—hair pulled back into a bun—and she wore thick, dark-framed glasses. Later I learned her name was Tonya Borders, Roger’s longtime lawyer. She looked like a woman who had forgotten how to smile. But then, I reasoned, maybe the poor woman had nothing to smile about.
The clock finished chiming.
Our eyes automatically turned toward the open door, which was only feet from Roger’s office. This was the moment for his appearance—just as the clock struck its eighth and final gong.
Roger didn’t come into the room.
For several seconds, no one spoke a word, but all of us turned toward Amanda as if on cue.
“Where is Roger?” she asked no one in particular. “He is never late.” She rang the small bell beside her plate.
A tall, rail-thin woman in a maid’s uniform appeared immediately. She carried a soup tureen. “Where is Mr. Harden?” Amanda asked.
“I do not know, mum. I’ll go check on him.”
Her name was Elaine Wright, and she had been with the Hardens for about four years. Elaine turned back into the kitchen with the soup. We could hear her set it on the stove or a ledge, and seconds later, she crossed the room and left by the other door. She wore a type of backless shoe that made every footstep echo through the dining room. She knocked on the door of Roger’s study.
A few seconds later, we heard her knock again. More like pounding the door this time. “Mr. Harden? Are you in there, sir?” Her tone was a notch below panicked.
“Sir? I’m coming in now.” Apparently, she then opened the office door.
She screamed.
The Inspired Living Devotional Series
Devotions for Couples
In Devotions for Couples the author uses his own marriage of over five decades to demonstrate how keeping love alive is possible, maintainable and so enriching—with God’s help. In this six-week devotional you’ll discover how to emulate Christ’s example of unconditional love in your own relationship.
Excerpt
Week 1, Day 1
When Shirley and I were dating, her mother made a statement that went something like this: “Some married people are kinder to their friends than they are to each other.” Over the years I’ve thought about those words often and determined it wouldn’t apply to us.
Sometimes because we love each other, we tend to take the other for granted. We become more considerate of new relationships because we want to establish them. We already have a loving relationship with our lover and therefore do not show concern.
I’ve noticed that when many couples are in the dating stage, they’re courteous and helpful. I’ve seen the dashing young fellow carefully open doors for the light of his life. I’ve often seen those same couples a year after their marriage. He gets out of the car and lets her get out by herself.
One of the things Shirley and I decided when we were dating was that I would continue opening doors for her all through our married life. I also said, “If I forget, I expect you to remind me.” I’m still opening doors for Shirley because it’s my way of saying I care about her and want to do little things for her.
True lovers constantly find ways to show they appreciate each other and to affirm the relationship they have.
Devotions for Dieters
Losing weight is a struggle. We may feel all alone in our quest to shed those pounds. Devotions for Dieters reminds us that support is never far away and that Jesus cherishes each of us no matter what the number on the scale.
Excerpt
Week 1, Day 1
“I never eat breakfast,” Alice said, as though that proved a badge of commendation. She prided herself on avoiding breakfast and eating nothing until lunch. She advised the rest of us to cut down to two meals a day or, even better, just one. I might have listened more seriously, but Alice weighs nearly 300 pounds.
Her theory sounded all right: don’t get the appetite going in the morning and you will keep it under control all day. It sounds good, but it doesn’t work.
Devotions for Runners
In the years since the author began running, he has discovered that his commitment to the sport as well as such setbacks as “hitting the wall” all share correlations with his own Christ-centered life. And in Devotions for Runners he wants to share those revelations with you.
Excerpt
Week 1, Day 1
Dr. Morgan entered the room carrying a manila folder under his arm. He laid the folder on the table and read the paper clipped to the top. He glanced up at me and smiled. “Basically, you’re in pretty good shape.” Then he paused.
“But?”
“Your blood pressure’s on the high side of the normal range,” he said. “Not an immediate concern—”
“But could be a problem in the future?”
He nodded. “For right now we’ll watch it and see what happens.”
As I left the doctor’s office and drove home, I thought of the prognosis. Both my parents, as well as my brothers and sisters, already fight with high blood pressure. I probably ought to do something about it, I said to myself.
A few days later in my devotional time I came across the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians. Those words, along with reading I had been doing on high blood pressure and physical fitness, convinced me that I not only needed to do something—I would.
Revitalize Your Prayer Life: An Inspired Living Series Companion
In Revitalize Your Prayer Life, veteran author Cecil Murphey invites you on a quest to discover the nature, character, and attributes of God and offers thought-provoking lessons and insights that will draw you nearer to Him. With honesty and transparency, Murphey allows you an insider’s view of his struggles with prayer and shows how he discovered the invigorating joy of praying anywhere, anytime.
Excerpt
When I was in grade school, our class visited the planetarium. In a darkened room, we stared upward at the ceiling. Tiny sparks of light twinkled and the objects slowly rota
ted. “This is the heavens,” the guide’s voice said. “These are stars and planets millions and millions of miles away.”
He went on to explain about light years and the immense vastness of space. I don’t know how much I understood, but I did grasp that planet Earth was a tiny place compared to the universe. And if the earth itself was tiny, what did that say about me?
It was an awesome moment. I distinctly remember thinking, I’m not even as big as a mosquito, which was the smallest living creature I could think of. I’m sure I didn’t know the word “awe,” but that’s the feeling that crept over me.
When we try to comprehend the immensity of our world, our galaxy, or even the universe, and realize that God brought all of it into existence with a mere “Let there be ...,” it fills us with awe.
Yet the Bible assures us that, in the midst of all that vastness God sees each of us individually. What an awesome God. And that God loves me.
About the Author
New York Times best-selling author Cecil (Cec) Murphey has written or co-written more than 135 books, including the best sellers 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (with Dr. Ben Carson). His books have sold in the millions and have brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world.
Visit his website at http://www.CecilMurphey.com and follow him on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/CecMurphey.
Copyright Information
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author‘s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2012 by Cecil Murphey. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
eISBN: 978-1-942356-04-2