Seven

Days passed without any further information about the girl. Art’s mom didn’t know any more than she’d already told them, and no answer had come to Art’s telegram that they would shelter the child as long as requested. Josie tired of looking around the apartment, wondering where a girl and her belongings would fit. The second bedroom seemed too small—little more than a closet, really—but it remained the only option.

The more Josie tried to imagine sending a child across an ocean to live on a continent with strangers, the more she wondered at the sacrificial love behind the act. One afternoon as she sat at the kitchen table reading her Bible, it struck her. It was an act of desperation. Desperation to provide for the well-being of a daughter. Desperation to ensure her safety.

In some ways, that act mirrored the despair Moses’ mother must have felt when she set him in a basket of reeds and pushed him into the waters of the Nile with no idea or promise of the outcome—merely the knowledge death waited if she did nothing. The act would require such trust and sacrifice. Trust that God would intervene. And Jochebed’s willingness to sacrifice her dreams of how life should be. All to save her son.

Josie wanted to welcome the child, not merely endure the intrusion. The stay could be too long to allow it to become simply a duty. It could actually be fun to have the girl join them. It would certainly fill days that bordered on purposeless now.

Summertime in Cincinnati. They could take the child to Cincinnati’s amusement park, Coney Island, and to Reds baseball games. Maybe she’d save baseball for a time Kat visited. Kat could explain the game to their guest. Josie had never understood the rules—certainly not enough to make someone who may never have seen a game understand. Maybe Art would fill in those details.

Josie shook her head. There was so much about her husband she still didn’t know. Fortunately, God had given her a lifetime to uncover all the details, the likes and dislikes. With another weekend upon them, maybe she should make a point to learn what she could. She could call it a treasure hunt. Search for the nuggets that made Art the man he was.

The mantel clock chimed a new hour. Five o’clock. Time to get ready for Art to come home. Josie hurried to the bathroom and pinched her cheeks before adding a touch of color to her lips. She whipped a brush through her hair and practiced her smile in the mirror. A glow filled her eyes that she wondered at. Her mom often got a soft, doe look around her eyes when thinking about Josie’s dad. This was the first time Josie had noticed the same look in her eyes.

The clock eased toward five thirty, and restlessness propelled her out the door and down the stairs. She couldn’t stand to wait another moment in the apartment. No, the day was beautiful enough to meet him on the sidewalk. A streetcar zipped down the middle of the street. She cupped a hand at her brow, shielding her eyes from the sun.

Josie scanned the sidewalk, looking for his familiar gait. There. Her breath caught at the sight of him walking her way. His shoulders were pushed back, hat thrust at a jaunty angle on his curls.

She knew the moment he saw her, because a big smile cracked his face and he picked up his pace.

“Josie.” He picked her up and twirled her around right there on the sidewalk. “Ready for an evening out?”

She looked down at her plain skirt and simple white blouse. “That depends on where we’re going.”

“Get on your walking shoes, baby. We’re headed to Coney Island.”

Josie shrieked and held on tight. “That sounds perfect. But no roller coasters.”

“You’ll love them.”

She wrinkled her nose and made a face. She couldn’t imagine riding a roller coaster, even though she’d heard they could be fun.

Art laughed and patted her cheek. “Go on. You’ve got fifteen minutes to get ready.”

“Yes, sir.” She kissed him on the cheek, then spun and rushed inside.

A glow filled Josie at the thought of an evening exploring the amusement park. Even if it meant talking Art out of roller coasters. Moonlite Garden could be fun, too, since dancing had been one of the activities they’d enjoyed while courting, but in the months they’d been in town, they hadn’t made it to Coney Island or other venues. The thought of finally visiting the amusement park and seeing the famous ballroom and oversized swimming pool excited her.

❧

Art watched as Josie pulled a navy dress out of the wardrobe. Its vibrant color accented the blooms on her cheeks. She looked in the mirror, fingers playing with her makeup doodads. He hoped she realized she didn’t need anything to enhance her beauty. Thank You, Lord, for this gift. He had a feeling he would never tire of watching her or enjoying her. No, especially when life sparkled in her eyes for the first time in a while. While he hoped it wasn’t merely the prospect of a night out, he’d enjoy it. But if a night out brought this response, he’d make sure he planned more.

Josie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Ready?”

He’d been so engaged in watching her that he hadn’t done anything else. Art cleared his throat. “All right. Need a wrap?”

“Just a sweater, please.”

Art reached behind the door for where she stored them. He ran his hand along the four or five there. “Which?”

“This one.” Josie brushed past him and smiled as it slid from the hook into her arms. The fabric felt like a caress. Maybe they should stay in. . . . Another look at her face and her excitement and he decided no. They’d explore the amusement park first. She pulled on her sweater, her face inches from his. She must have read something in his expressions, because a softness claimed her.

“Later.” Promise filled the single soft word she breathed. He nodded. He could wait.

He tore his eyes from her mouth and gestured toward the door. “This way, milady.”

The Packard served as their steed, and soon they arrived at Coney Island. The lights pulsed from the roller coasters even though it wasn’t yet twilight. He couldn’t wait to show Josie the sight when the rides stood against a dark sky.

They strolled arm in arm around the outskirts of the park past the Moonlite Gardens. The swinging sounds of “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” reached his ears. He laughed as Josie bopped in time to the music. “Maybe we’ll take that in another night.”

Her giggle sounded like music, made sweeter by its absence. She stepped closer to him. “The night is perfect just spending it with you.”

“I hope you still think so when it’s over.”

“I will.” She reached up, and he stopped. The air came alive with expectation. She leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you.”

The wail of a saxophone pierced the air. “Come on. Let’s see what rides this place has.”

Josie willingly followed his lead as they strolled the park.

❧

They walked past a small Ferris wheel, lights lit as it spun round and round. Calypso music tinkled their way from the carousel. The animals rode up and down as it circled over and over. Art made a beeline for the roller coaster next to the carousel. The Wildcat stretched across the back of the park. Josie eyed its length. The ride towered above her, then rolled up and down in a pattern. Art bounced on his toes, and Josie steeled herself. She had to ride that beast. Surely it couldn’t be any worse than riding a car through mountain passes. Who was she kidding? Josie gulped and pulled back.

“What?”

“I’m not sure I can ride that thing.”

Art looked from her to the roller coaster. “Come on. It’ll be great. You’ll enjoy it so much I won’t be able to get you off it.”

Josie highly doubted that. A train rattled to a stop. The folks getting off had big grins stretched across their faces. None looked like they’d fared poorly because of the ride. “All right. I’ll go, but we’d better do it now before I change my mind.”

Art tugged her toward the line. Before she’d steeled herself, they were climbing into a car and buckling into the bench seat. Josie bit her lip as the car faltered in its steep climb. They crested the hill, and Josie’s heart stopped. They towered above the city, and she could see the downtown skyline in the distance. The view was amazing, dotted with the twinkling lights of a city bathed in dusk.

“Maybe this isn’t so bad.”

“The ride’s barely started.” Art’s words tickled her ear.

“Really?” Josie turned to him, then sucked in a breath as the train plummeted over the edge of the hill. The car jerked and pulled from side to side. Her teeth clacked together, and her knuckles whitened where she clung to the bar. She shut her eyes, but a scream still escaped. Art tugged her to him, and his chest vibrated with laughter. Josie peeked as the train eased its descent. Oh no! They were climbing another hill.

Finally, the ride ended, and they stumbled out of the car. Josie almost dropped to her knees to kiss the ground. “I’ve never been shaken so hard. People think that’s fun?”

“Admit it—you enjoyed it.”

“Maybe a tad.”

He spun her away from him and grinned. “More than that.”

Art looked longingly at the ride, then led Josie down the walkway. An easy silence fell as Josie watched other couples walk by hand-in-hand.

“What do you wish for?”

Josie stopped and turned toward him. What?

❧

Art smiled at Josie. The night was going so well. He couldn’t wait to hear her answer. Josie’s gaze drifted from him to some spot across the crowded floor. He tried to follow it but couldn’t see what had captured her attention. “Let’s sit down.” Josie tugged him toward a park bench.

They worked their way through the crowd.

“So you haven’t answered my question.” He hoped she’d give him a glimpse into her heart. Where did her wishes and dreams lie?

She nodded, keeping her eyes fixed on the table. “Have you ever been afraid to wish for something? Afraid that if you speak it, the dream will die?”

“Not that I remember.” Where was she headed with this thought?

Josie settled back as if somehow that simple sentence had told her everything she needed to know. “I really want to understand, Josie.”

“It’s nothing, really.” Her mouth twisted as if the words had a bitter taste to them.

Art squeezed her hands and held on until she looked at him. “All I hope is your wishes include me. I only want to make you happy. Give you moments like this.”

“I do love you, Art. My life is so much richer with you in it.” She hesitated.

He opened his mouth to probe further into her dreams, but she rushed to speak before he could. “Someday we’ll have children, and then I’ll look back and long for these days when it was you and me.” A shuttered look fell over her face.

“Are you afraid we might lose another child?” He hadn’t considered that.

“It’s silly, I know.”

“No, I can understand. We’ll have a family. At the right time. And then you’ll wish for some relief.” He leaned back and draped his arm around her shoulders. “I like that dream. Kids.”

“Someday.” A wistful smile touched her. He didn’t know how to comfort her and felt like he had to treat her with kid gloves. “Until then,” she added, “we’ll serve God as best we can. Maybe take in your cousin.”

“Those aren’t dreams.”

“It’s enough for now. Living with you. Spending time together.”

He almost believed her. But he also heard the cry of her heart, and he could do nothing about that. He wanted to live in this moment. Instead, the shadow of yesterday and the uncertainty of tomorrow hung between them.

Until someday arrived.