Beyond the Picket Fence: And Other Short Stories

by Lori Wick

  "He was a terror today," Kelly told them one night, her voice a bit sad. "He finally knows my name, but I couldn't do anything right."

  "I've been praying that you'll have an opportunity to witness to him, Kelly," Russell told her. "But I think maybe I should pray that you'll just survive."

  Kelly chuckled. "It does feel that way at times. The money has been good--I've put quite a bit away for lean times--but I'm so glad that I'll be done next week." Kelly looked at Jill, her face guilty. "I sound terribly ungrateful, don't I?''

  Jill squeezed her hand. "I think the Lord understands. It hasn't been easy for you."

  "Does the agency have something lined up for you next week?" Russell asked.

  "Yes," Kelly told them with a pleased smile. "That candy company on Parker Street needs a temp. I'm scheduled there for three weeks."

  "That will be a nice break for you," Russell said.

  "I hope so," Kelly returned, her smile still in place. "I hope the biggest problem will be staying out of the chocolate."

  "It's a tough job," Russell winked at her, "but someone's got to do it."

  "Now, on Monday," Mr. Hamilton began firmly but not unkindly, "I'll be in court with the--"

  "Brandy will be back on Monday," Kelly gently cut

  in.

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  The intense lawyer looked at her as though he'd just noticed she was there and then said, "I need you in court, Kelly."

  The redhead nodded. "Brandy is going to call me

  this weekend so I can explain everything to her." Again the stare.

  "You'll win this case," Kelly told him simply and was pleased to see him look surprised. "Especially if Brandy is back. I'll type these notes for you now." With that she exited and felt very thankful that her last day was going to be pleasant. And indeed, it almost was, but with only an hour of work left, a call came in from his key witness that set her employer on a rampage.

  Barked at and berated for the remainder of the day, Kelly left for home feeling like a limp rag. She didn't cry--she was too tired to make the effort--but with a weary heart she thanked God she would never have to see Nicholas Hamilton again.

  Eight Months Later

  "Okay," Kelly instructed the small charges from her Sunday school class, "we're going out on the lawn today to look for things God has made. I don't want you to sit on the grass in your good clothes or walk in the flower beds. Does everyone understand."

  Eight four-year-olds nodded their heads as their small eyes watched her with love. Kelly smiled at them and pushed the door open. A man was coming in, one who held the door wide, but Kelly thanked him without

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  looking up. She wouldn't have raised her head at all if she hadn't heard, "You're welcome, Kelly."

  Her green eyes shot up and found Mr. Hamilton watching her. He looked much the same as he had eight months ago--tall, handsome, and impeccably dressed--but today there was a difference.

  "Hello," Kelly murmured faintly, receiving a small smile in return.

  "Miss Donovan, Crissy's in the flowers."

  Kelly had no choice but to move away and take care of her students, but it took a few moments for her to remember why they'd come outside at all. The remainder of the class time passed in a type of haze, and Kelly's former boss was still heavy on her mind when the church service started. When the singing was over and the sermon actually began, Kelly forced her mind to the words at hand. In fact, she had so successfully put Mr. Hamilton from her mind that her mouth actually swung open when at two o'clock that afternoon she answered the knock at her front door and found him standing there.

  "Mr. Hamilton," she said inanely.

  "Hello, Kelly. I knocked on two wrong doors before I found you."

  "Oh," she said rather stupidly and then recalled her manners. "Would you like to come in?"

  He entered without comment, and Kelly invited him to sit down. He chose her most uncomfortable chair but didn't seem to notice. Kelly sat across from him, her heart pounding with anticipation.

  "I didn't know you went to that church," Nicholas began.

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  Kelly smiled. "I didn't know you did either."

  "This is only my second week. I came to Christ ten days ago."

  Kelly bit her lip and pressed the fingernails of one hand into her palm to keep from crying. His face was serene yet excited. Kelly felt a tremendous rush of emotions.

  "Tell me how it happened," she finally said and thought it was much like uncorking a bottle.

  "I was miserable," he admitted. "I couldn't under stand why I was restless and angry. I had everything I needed, but I was still impossible to please. My brother told me I needed help. I thought he was talking about a shrink, but then he took me to see Roger Foy."

  "Pastor Foy?" Kelly asked. "Pastor North's assis tant."

  "Yes. I expected him to tell me how much money I needed to give to the church in order to find happi ness, but he didn't say that. He said you have to be born again. I laughed in his face. I told him I'd already been born once, but then he opened his Bible and showed me where Jesus had said that to Nicodemus.

  "I was flabbergasted by the story he read me as well as the words. I'd never understood the Bible before, but this was in plain English and not at all cryptic. I mean, Jesus himself said that we can't see heaven unless we first accept God's gift of life. I didn't know that. It's funny, but I've always believed that Jesus was God--I just didn't know He'd said all these things.

  "And I have to tell you the craziest part: I really didn't think it would work. My prayer was sincere, but I didn't think it could really be that easy. I kept waiting

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  for Roger to tell me I could write out my check now. Instead, he offered to meet with me every week for discipleship, and he even gave me his home phone number and said I could call at any time of the day or night."

  Kelly smiled. "He's like that--always available." "Have you known, Kelly.'' Nick's face was very serious. "Have you known about Christ for a long time."

  "Since I was 13."

  "So you've read the Bible a lot."

  Kelly nodded.

  "Can you tell me what Pastor North was talking about when he mentioned the Davidic Covenant.''

  And with that they were off. Kelly brought out her Bible, and they talked and discussed the Scriptures for hours. Mr. Hamilton was a brilliant man, and there were times when Kelly felt like she was out of her league, but anything she couldn't tell him he simply wrote down in a small notebook to ask Roger later. Kelly was utterly amazed to look at her watch and find that it was after five o'clock.

  "Oh, look at the time!" she exclaimed. "Would you like something to eat, Mr. Hamilton?" .

  "No, thank you, I'm not hungry. I read a verse yesterday..." and he was off again.

  Kelly didn't know how to handle this. The evening service started in 45 minutes, and she really would have liked a sandwich but told herself she could wait. However, she did not want to miss the service. When her watch read 5:30, Kelly plunged in.

  "Are you going to the evening service, Mr. Hamilton."

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  He stared at her, thoroughly nonplused. "You go to church at night?"

  Kelly nodded. "Six o'clock. My ride will be here in a few minutes."

  "Oh, well, I can take you, and then we can talk on the way."

  Again Kelly wasn't sure how to field this ball, but she decided swiftly, and the next few minutes were spent in a flurry as she made a phone call, changed her clothes, and rushed out the door to Nick's long sports car. They sat together during the service, and afterward he had more questions about what he'd heard. Pastor Foy saw them talking and came to join them. The church slowly closed down while the three stood in the parking lot and talked.

  It was after 8:30 when Nick said, "Well, you've given me a lot to think about. I'm going to go home now and look up these verses in James. Goodnight, Roger. Night, Kelly." And with that he was gone. Kelly watched him, praying he would remember her, bu
t a moment later his Jaguar roared to life and he was gone. "He's very excited, isn't he.''

  "Yes," Kelly agreed. "It's a joy to watch him. He's as intense with this as he is with everything else."

  "Yes. Well, I'd better scoot. Jana has gone onto the Brennan's and will think I'm lost. Goodnight, Kelly." "Goodnight, Pastor."

  Kelly stood motionless for a moment, her mind going over the easiest walk home. With the hills in San Francisco, it was going to be a climb. She was thankful that she was in slacks and low-heeled shoes. Suddenly Pastor Foy's car pulled up alongside of her.

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  "I forgot that you don't have a car, Kelly; how did you get here tonight?"

  Kelly smiled. "With Mr. Hamilton."

  "Oh, no," Roger said on a laugh as he shook his head. "Hop in. We'll swing by the Brennans', get Jana, and run you home."

  Kelly climbed in with a word of thanks.

  "Do you think Nick will be calling on you again?" Roger asked as the car pulled into the street.

  "I don't know," Kelly replied with a smile in her voice, "but if he does, you'd better pray for me. He asked me questions today that I've never even thought

  of."

  Roger laughed. "You'll do fine, but if you do end up over your head, just pick up the phone, Kelly."

  Again she thanked him, and even though she hated to inconvenience him and his wife, she appreciated the offer and the ride home.

  "I tried to call you today at that car place, but they said you were gone."

  No hello or greeting of any kind. Kelly smiled to herself as she held her apartment door wide and waited for Nick to enter. She had told him she was not going to be at Talmont Buick after last week, but he had not heard her.

  "I want to know what you think of this animal in Job, this behemoth. Let's go get some dinner and talk about it."

  Kelly hesitated as she always did when he mentioned eating out.

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  "Why don't I fix us something here.'' she finally asked.

  Nick shook his head. "I'm in the mood for a steak." She sighed very gently. 'I'll get my coat."

  Kelly didn't know how it had begun, but the first time they'd eaten a meal together, not wanting to presume, she'd pulled forth her wallet when the check arrived. Nick had never even blinked when she offered to pay for her share, and it had been like that ever since. So now, whenever he asked her for a meal, she had to do quick sums in her head to see if she could afford it. She couldn't right now, but it wasn't the first time she had settled for a salad or cup of soup while Nick enjoyed a full-course meal. He never noticed her meager portions in his effort to gain more answers about Scripture or tell her what he'd learned that week. Kelly thought she could have talked to him about her finances at the beginning, but this had been the pattern for nine months now, and she simply didn't know how.

  "I think the animal in Job 40:15 is a dinosaur," Kelly

  told him as she tried to make her soup into a meal. "Why."

  "Well, for one thing, it says he's got a tail like a cedar. All other Scripture references to cedars are the cedars of Lebanon, and they're huge. The tail on this animal is like a full-grown redwood. That could only be a dinosaur."

  He fell into a thoughtful silence that continued even when the waiter appeared with a carafe of coffee. Kelly had to speak to him twice.

  "Mr. Hamilton, would you like coffee.''

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  "Oh! Yes, please," he replied in a startled voice. After Kelly had creamed hers, she looked up to find

  him staring at her--really looking--for the first time. "Do you always call me Mr. Hamilton." Kelly nodded. "Why."

  "Well, that's what I called you when I worked for you, and I stilljust do." Kelly shrugged helplessly.

  "Well, you don't work for me anymore. Why don't you call me Nick.''

  "All right," Kelly said softly and worked at hiding her pleasure.

  "Is that a new blouse.'' he asked.

  "No." Again Kelly's voice was soft; she had owned

  the blouse for two years. "It's a nice color." "Thank you."

  It was the first time he had been even remotely personal with her, and Kelly took a sip of her coffee in order to hide her emotions.

  At this rate, she said to herself, not knowing if she wanted to laugh or cry, he'll ask me to marry him in just under ten years.

  "Are you going to the wedding, Nick?"

  "What wedding?"

  "Gina North is getting married. It was in the bulletin."

  "Oh, yes, I saw that. I think so." "Could I get a ride?" "Certainly."

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  It was risky business going with him because she never knew when he was going to forget her, but she wanted very much to attend with him.

  They were in another restaurant, and this time Kelly had enough cash for soup anda salad. It was one year to the day that Nick had knocked on her door, but only Kelly was aware of this anniversary of sorts. Everyone at church thought they were an item: everyone but Nick, Kelly, and Jill. Jill had been the one to see Kelly's tears.

  "I must not be the type men fall in love with, Jill. I mean, Russell fell for you the moment he set eyes on you. In a year's time, I've been given permission to call him by his first name, and I've seen his house twice." The tears had spilled over then, and Jill had hugged her. "I tell myself to move on, but I don't think he would even notice."

  "Have you noticed," Nick's voice brought her back to the moment, "how many times Paul prays for grace for the believers of the early church? I haven't been doing that, I mean, praying for grace, but I think it is significant."

  "I think you're right," Kelly agreed with him. "Grace is everything for salvation, but we couldn't live for Christ without grace. His grace frees us to serve Him and return for fellowship and renewal time and again."

  They talked on for the next hour, and when Nick dropped Kelly off, she reminded him of the wedding. "What wedding?''

  Kelly stared at him. "I'll get a ride with Jill and Russell."

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  "All right," he agreed so swiftly that Kelly felt crushed. A moment later he said goodnight and was gone. Kelly told herself not to cry, but she couldn't help it.

  "Should I move away, Lord.,, she sobbed. "Should

  I tell him how I feel. I feel my heart can't take anymore.

  It was a steamy night, so Kelly stepped into a cool shower and let the tears flow. She didn't really have any answers, but she felt better, and when she finally climbed into bed, slept almost immediately.

  Russell and Jill had just arrived to get Kelly on

  when Nick's Lincoln pulled up to a silent

  halt before the apartment. Russell and Jill were not erivdeth ah,pleteaYwly smil at the look

  "I thought you were riding with me, Nick said as she neared, having Watched the other couple drive

  away.

  "I was not certain, Kelly answered after deciding not to explain. Nick didn't comment further, and after Kelly climbed in, they were on their way.

  The wedding was lovely. So that Pastor North could walk his daughter down the aisle as well as perform the ceremony, both pastors were involved. The whole congregation cheered when the newlyweds turned and were presented to the assembly as husband and wife. The reception was right at the church, and everyone was in high Spirits as they followed the wedding party over tot a lovely meal. Kelly couldn't

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  remember when she'd had so much fun, but a dark cloud was looming.

  They had been through the reception line and had just eaten, when Mrs. Casmont, one of the older ladies, approached. She zeroed in on Nick, and a

  moment later the fun went out of their afternoon. "Has this given you some ideas, Nick."

  "I don't know what you mean," he replied sincerely.

  "Why, marriage of course. It's time you settle down. You and Kelly aren't getting any younger."

  Nick, who had greatly matured in the Lord over the previous year, tried to smile, but Kelly could see that it was strained. She wa
nted to tell Mrs. Casmont to move on her way, but there was no way to do this gently. That her treatment of them was not gentle in the first place made no difference. Kelly felt humiliated, but she was not going to lash out in return.

  "Well, I only hope this has given you some ideas," she said again, trying to be coy. "It would be so exciting if you could make that announcement today, but well..." She gave a dramatic sigh, and Kelly gave one herself when she finally moved away.

  "Let's go, Kelly." Nick's terse voice came to her ears just a moment later, and Kelly swiftly made her goodbyes.

  In the car Nick said nothing. Kelly felt tense with the strain and even more so when he didn't take her home. It took a moment for her to see that he was headed to his own house. He still hadn't spoken when he parked in the spacious garage, climbed from behind the wheel, and started toward the door. Kelly felt she had no choice but to follow. They were in Nick's elegant living room when he exploded.

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  "I'm not the marrying kind! Mrs. Casmont has no business speaking to us in that way. It's none of her affair!"

  Kelly said nothing since he wasn't really talking to

  her.

  "And you just stood there!"

  Suddenly under attack, Kelly was stunned. "What was I supposed to do?" she asked, but Nick was raking his hand through his hair and didn't t her.

  "Of all the interfering, rude women I've ever known, she just about takes the cake. And you probably put her up to it."

  If Nick had been looking at Kelly, he'd have seen her stunned look of disbelief and pain. Tears that. simply couldn't keep at bay flooded her eyes. Nick chose that moment to look.

  Kelly blinked furiously in an effort to control herself and -just barely managed. Nick was silent 12 pacing.

  After a moment Kelly said, "Maybe I should "Yes," Nick still didn't look at her. "I need to think Still too shaken to speak, Kelly let herself quie out the door. Unlike being stranded at the church, was miles from home, but she began walking anyway. She wanted to cry her eyes out, but she had to keep her head until she arrived home. Kelly had walked nearly a mile when Nick's car pulled up. The pasenger-side window went down.

  "Come on, Kelly, I'll give you a ride home."

  His voice sounded normal, but Kelly shook her head.