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Time passed slowly for me. The next few months were the hardest months of my life. Dealing with Jed’s death, trying to allow God to have complete control of my life, being an example to my brother and father—all of it was hard. My work was monotonous and dreary. I tried to find joy in everything I did, but sometimes it was nearly impossible. When it got too bad, I would stop what I was doing and go visit Wilma.
Wilma was such a good friend. She visited me at least once a week, and I tried to do the same. At church, I almost always ended up talking to her—when I could get away from James and John. James and John were what kept me going to church each week. Except for James; John; Hester, the butcher’s wife; and Wilma and her husband, no one else had attempted to reach out to me or talk to me. When I tried to talk to them, they would chat for a little and then make some excuse to go find someone else. James, John, Wilma, and Pastor Jenkins’ sermons kept me sane during those first few months as a genuine Christian.
One sunny, cool, early summer Sunday, God took me in a direction I never would have dreamt possible. Pastor Jenkins’ sermon hit me right between the eyes. He’d preached about being a living example for others and as he preached about ways to do so, I realized I had been failing in that area. When the service was over, I sat in the pew extra long. Between the sermon and knowing Caleb and Da both resented the time I spent at church, I didn’t want to leave the peaceful, quiet sanctuary.
The church was empty when I dragged myself out of the pew and headed out the door. As I opened it, the corner of my eye caught a flicker of movement which I chose to ignore. I walked down the steps and was nearly bowled over by two wild boys. With arms grown strong and quick from manhandling two brothers growing up, I grabbed the two boys before they had a chance to escape me.
Turning their faces toward me so I could see who the offending parties were, I was surprised to see James and John.
“What is going on here?” I demanded. “Why are you two acting like wild, heathen men?”
“We didn’t mean no harm, Miss Stuart. Honest, we didn’t.”
I screwed my eyes shut at John’s grammar. “You didn’t mean any harm. Don’t you pay attention at school? I know your mama is dead, but doesn’t your da do anything to correct your grammar?” James and John both looked up at me with eyes full of...something. I wasn’t sure what it was. Disbelief? But disbelief about what?
Holding firmly to a shoulder of each of the boys, I put on my sternest face and said, “Take me to your da, Boys. I’d like to have a talk with him.”
James and John marched in front of me and approached a group of men. I tried to recall which one might be their father, but couldn’t think of one who might be married, let alone married and widowed with two young boys.
James shuffled slower the closer we got to the group of men. John tugged on James’ arm, pulling him along. As we neared the group, John let go of James’ arm in disgust and walked up to the pastor, a glare settling on his brow.
“Pa, Miss Stuart wants ta talk to ya.” John aimed his glare at me. I fought a smile. The boy knew he was in trouble and that I wasn’t afraid to tell his da about it.
As I took another look at the man John was talking to, I gasped and berated myself for not putting it all together sooner. John and James were motherless. Pastor Jenkins’ wife had died. I kicked myself inwardly for not figuring it out earlier.
As I criticized myself, Pastor Jenkins walked over to where I stood with James. John trailed his pa. “Is something the matter?” Pastor Jenkins’ quiet voice struck me as oddly fitting under the circumstances.
Putting aside all intimidation due to the fact I was about to scold the pastor, I squared my shoulders and spoke, “As a matter of fact, Pastor Jenkins, there is. These two were running around like ruffians and nearly raced into me as I left the church. As the children of a leading member in this town, they ought to learn, and be taught, to behave better than that. Not to mention the fact that John refuses to speak proper English.”
Pastor Jenkins looked at John. “Is this true, John? I know you can speak proper English. Why would you do something else?”
John crossed his arms and glared at his father. Pastor Jenkins sighed and turned around to face James. “James, what do you have to say for yourself?” James signed a few things and then shrugged.
Pastor Jenkins stared at him intently for awhile before turning to me. “He apologizes for running into you, Miss Stuart. He claims it was his fault, but I have my doubts about that.” Miles Jenkins looked past me and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I apologize, Miss Stuart. I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but in this case I have little choice. My wife died almost two years ago, and since then the church people have kept me so busy I have little time for my boys.” He raised a hand when I tried to protest. “Yes, I know, I ought to say no to more people. Or get help with the boys. I have tried both, but everybody has urgent things to talk to the pastor about and nobody will take care of the boys. Believe me, I have tried.”
While he was talking, I watched his face. He looked exhausted and completely open and honest about what he had told me. He truly was a busy man who tried to keep his church going, keep his church people taken care of, and be both mother and father to two young boys.
The next words were out of my mouth before I could think through them. “What you need is a wife, Pastor.”
Miles Jenkins looked at me as if instead of words, a frog had come out of my mouth. “I barely have time for my boys, let alone trying to court someone. And who would marry a widowed pastor with two unruly boys, especially when one of the boys is mute? Thank you, Miss Stuart, for your concern, but I don’t really think...”
“Very well,” I interrupted. “How about another idea? What if I were to take care of the boys a few days a week for you? I could either do it at your house or at my house. Da won’t like it right away, but if the boys will help out some around the farm, I think he could get used to the idea. James and John can teach me more sign language and I can help them with their school work. When their schoolwork is finished, they can help out with whatever needs done.” Where had all this come from? Was I crazy? God, is this You? These boys really need help and so does Pastor Jenkins. Plus it will give me something to do for You. Maybe I can be a surrogate mother to them.
Pastor Jenkins seemed to be thinking about the idea. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, then looked at each of his boys. James signed something to him in an almost frantic manner. Whatever he said caused his father to crack a smile, the first I remembered seeing from him since I first came to church.
“I guess I know your opinion, James.” He turned to John. “What do you think, John?”
John shrugged his shoulders. “It would probably be fine. She’s the first person in town to take any interest in understanding James. I’m not sure I like the idea for myself, but it might help James some.”
The right side of my mouth curved up. I knew exactly what John needed—hard work.
Pastor Jenkins turned back to me. “I’ll pray about it and get back to you in the next couple of days. Would it be all right for me to come out to your place Tuesday evening? It might not happen since I don’t know for sure what I will have to do that day.”
“That would be fine. Bring the boys, too. You can come for supper. We eat just before dusk.”
Pastor Jenkins graced me with another smile. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
“Anything to eat something not made by Pa,” John said. He seemed to be serious, but I detected a slight teasing tone in his voice. The twinkle in his eye was visible if you looked for it.
I laughed. “I guess it’s a plan then?”
“If I can get away in time,” Pastor hedged.
“All you have to do is tell people you have dinner plans and the boys won’t let you live it down if you don’t get to the dinner on time. Right, boys?”
James grinned from ear to ear and nodded his head.
“Yes, ma’am,” John said with a grin matching his brothers.
“Sounds like I’ll have to make it work somehow,” Pastor said with amusement. “We’ll see you on Tuesday evening before dusk.”
I nodded. “I’ll make sure I cook a big meal. Growing boys eat a lot.” I winked at James. “Don’t work yourself to death, Pastor.”
Miles Jenkins laughed. “I’ll try not to. God bless you, Miss Stuart.”
“God’s blessings on you and your family, Pastor Jenkins.”
Pastor Jenkins took his youngest son’s hand and patted his oldest son’s shoulder as he walked to the parsonage.
I turned to go with reluctance. How could I spin this one to Da? Caleb wouldn’t mind. At least, I hoped he wouldn’t. Da, on the other hand...
As I trudged home, millions of thoughts flooded my mind. I could spin it as a goodwill gesture. Free help on the farm during the summer. Something for me to do. Something to take a deep, vested interest in instead of bothering Da and Caleb so much. A way to finally have some kids to take care of again. Oh, John! Please turn from that budding rebellious spirit before it is too late!
***
When I walked through the door, Caleb was the only one in the house.
“How was church?” he asked.
“Church was great. The sermon was convicting as always. I realized I haven’t been as good of a living example as I should be to you and Da. Caleb, I became a true Christian a few months ago. I realize I haven’t been a very good example of that, but I purpose to change this week.”
Caleb nodded. “I thought something was different about you. How was the fellowship after church?”
I blinked. He had hardly mentioned what I thought was a life-changing event. I took a quick breath to calm myself. “I actually only talked to three people after church: Pastor Jenkins and his two boys.”
Caleb cocked his right eyebrow. “Really? The way you said that makes me think there’s a bit of a story there.” He straddled a chair and leaned towards me in anticipation.
I chuckled. “There is. It all started as I was walking out of church. I had just reached the bottom of the stairs when two boys almost collided with me. I knew the boys, but not who their parents were. I had them bring me to their da and he turned out to be Pastor Jenkins.
“So I scolded Pastor Jenkins a bit about the behavior of his sons. His response to the scolding was a list of reasons why they run wild. Mainly it’s because his wife died two years ago and his work for the church and her people keep him too busy to raise them properly.”
“Let me guess,” Caleb said, “you offered your services.”
“And yours and Da’s.”
Caleb’s eyes widened. “What?” he sputtered.
I smiled. “I think it would be great if John and James could do some work here on the farm. Of course, Pastor Jenkins still has to agree to it. He is going to pray about it and get back to me on Tuesday. Oh, by the way, Pastor Jenkins and his sons will be here for supper on Tuesday.”
Caleb’s face went blank. “Da won’t like that.”
“I know. I was hoping you could help me convince him it is for the best. We can have some free farm help this summer. Two young, strong, hard-working boys.”
Caleb shook his head. “It might work, but I wouldn’t count on it.”
“I’ll pray about it and take my chances,” I said.
I had my opportunity right away as Da walked in.
“Chances with what?” he growled.
I swallowed hard and sent up a quick prayer. “With what I volunteered to do today.”
Da narrowed his eyes. “What’d you do now?”
“I invited the Pastor and his two sons over for dinner Tuesday night and I also volunteered to help Pastor Jenkins with his sons. His wife died a couple of years ago and his boys are running wild because Pastor Jenkins is too busy taking care of church business. I suggested we have his sons come here to help us out.” I talked fast and with few pauses so Da couldn’t interrupt me. “I figured they could help you and Caleb with some of the outdoor work. I’m sure we can figure something out.”
Da’s narrowed eyes had gradually changed to a glare.
Dear God, I prayed, please let him agree to at least try it.
“Keep them out of my way,” Da said.
“Don’t worry ‘bout that, Da,” Caleb interjected. “I’ll make sure they stay out of your hair.”
As Da walked away, Caleb muttered under his breath, “Like I tried to do with Jed.”
I shot him a condemning look, but Caleb put on an innocent face and left the room. I took a deep breath and said a prayer of thanks. At least Da and Caleb were okay with my project. Now all I had to do was pray Pastor Jenkins would agree to it.
