The ride back was awkward. Scott tried to avoid eye contact with Laura and wished desperately that the ride to the airbase would go faster. The white elephant in the car made the fun, easy conversation that had been normal before, difficult.
Even Laura’s laughter and her jokes seemed a little forced and unnatural. Scott wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, finally at the gate.
“Can I see your ID?” The guard peered in the car. He glanced at the Air Force Chaplain sticker under the windshield and waved them through.
“Do I look like a chaplain to you?” The question seemed stupid once Scott heard himself ask it, but it was better than the heavy silence.
“Uh maybe.” Laura looked up. “Hair’s a little wild though, not distinguished enough.” She gave a short laugh then was quiet.
A minute later, Scott arrived at Charles’s house. He said goodbye to Laura as she got out of the truck. Neither said anything about ‘next time’ either. Scott felt miserable as he drove away. He slammed the steering wheel in his hand. How stupid could he be? How dumb of him to start liking some lady he met right off the bat, and with a kid!
“I must seem like a real jerk to her,” Scott muttered to himself. Then he got back to the house. “Good.” He sighed audibly. John and Ruth weren’t home, and he definitely didn’t feel like talking to anyone right now. Scott parked the truck and went into the house. He flung himself down on the couch, and pulled a pillow over his head with a tired, frustrated moan. “God,” he said aloud. “I just about got eaten by a shark — I’m exhausted from that. And as if that weren’t enough, I basically just ended my relationship with Laura, all because of a kid!”
Scott sat up and hurled the pillow across the room. It made a small poof sound as it landed on the other couch. The room stared back at him silently. “Aww, forget it!” He muttered. He sagged back down onto the couch and nestled his head into a cushion. “Got some more lighting to hit me with, God?” he moaned, “I must not be getting whatever you’re trying to show me, so why don’t you just tell me?”
He relaxed on the couch, totally spent, but just as his tired eyelids began to sag, Scott felt a strange peace envelope him. It seemed like a small voice whispered in his head, “I love you, and everything will be okay.” Scott felt the muscles in his face relax as the peacefulness lulled him into an exhausted slumber.
Scott’s eyes where still closed, but his mind suddenly jumped from the dream he was in. What was that? Keys jiggling in a lock. The sound of a door opening. Scott remained still on the soft cushions. He heard heavy steps. It must be his Uncle John. Scott’s eyes fluttered open and he sat up, rubbing his cheek where it had pressed against the couch.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up!” Uncle John grinned at Scott, pausing at the edge of the couch. “Tired out from your dip in the ocean?”
Scott groaned. “You don’t even know the half of it.”
“Oh really?” Uncle John sat down on the couch across from Scott. “How’d it go?”
Scott acted as if he hadn’t heard. He sat rubbing his eyes. “Where’s Aunt Ruth?” he asked sleepily.
“Oh she’s at the church helping to decorate for a program.” John leaned back, “I got off early because today’s Friday, so that’s why I’m home.”
“Oh.” Scott looked at John.
“So how was the snorkeling?” John asked again.
“I ruined one of your flippers. I need to replace it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Scott.” John reached out and thumped Scott on the shoulder. “I have extras. I don’t care about the flippers. I want to know if you had fun.”
“Well, the flipper has something to do with that.” Scott tapped his foot. “A tiger shark tore it while it was on my foot, actually.”
John gave a little gasp. “Where? What happened?”
Scott related the tale of the swim with Laura and how he had gone out too far. “I’m sorry for being arrogant this morning. I think that happened because I was too cocky,” he finished.
John sat on the couch, listening. “I’m glad you’re all right. I’m also real proud of you for sending Laura ahead like that. You definitely demonstrated trust there.” He paused. “I’ll go diving with you any day, Scott.”
“I’m a little shaken up.” He admitted. “I wouldn’t want to swim out there again right away.”
John walked to the kitchen bar, loosening his tie and collar as he went. He ran a hand over his head in an attempt to smooth his hair. “There’s nothing like getting back on a horse when it’s bucked you off.”
Scott had to laugh at that one, “Sure.”
“Sounds like Laura handled the shark incident pretty well,” John observed.
Scott was silent. Then blurted, “Did you know Laura has a son from her previous marriage?”
“No, I didn’t.” John was folding his tie now. “How’d that come up?”
Scott explained the conversation and how he had begun to like Laura. He felt terrible. “She’s a real nice girl, but I don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship. I’m definitely not ready for a kid.” He bit his nail and looked up at John.
John was leaning quietly on the bar, listening. “This may not be what you were expecting me to say, Scott, but I know there’s a girl out there for you somewhere. I don’t understand everything that is going on in your life right now, but I know God has a plan for you and he’s opening the doors.” John looked thoughtful. “Keep the three legs of trust and you’ll be a blessed person, and you’ll have a good, happy marriage. I don’t know why this happened, but God has a purpose.”
Scott nodded soberly. “Thanks, John.”
When Ruth arrived home, Scott had to retell the shark incident and also answer several questions about Laura. Ruth seemed genuinely concerned, and said she would call Charles to make sure Laura was feeling okay from the shark incident. “You don’t have to worry about anything, Scott,” she said. “I’ll take care of all the girl stuff.”
That evening after a delicious dinner, Scott excused himself to his room to think. After a while, he pulled out the green journal and leafed through it, pondering what it said. After a couple of minutes, he closed it with a thump and slid out of bed. He needed to talk to his uncle. He had to know. Did John think Matthew was really murdered?
Down the hall, he saw a light shining from under the door in his uncle’s study. He walked softly down the hall and knocked. The door nudged open at the touch, and Scott saw John sitting in a black padded chair, reading a letter. John set it down and motioned for Scott to come in.
“How are you doing?” John asked, removing his reading glasses.
Scott held up the green journal in one hand. “I have some questions.”
John looked from the book to Scott, then back. “Have you read the whole thing?” he asked.
Scott nodded. “Yesterday actually.”
John leaned back in his chair and took an apprehensive breath. “Before we talk about anything, I want to tell you this. I wanted you to read that for two reasons, Scott. One, so you could understand the three legs of trust, and I thought reading it in Matthew’s words would have a greater effect on you than if I just told you.” John paused and cleared his throat. “The second reason I struggled though, is that I wasn’t sure you could handle it.” John looked at Scott. “I thought it was in your best interest to see what your uncle had written about the last days of his life.” He scratched the back of his head. “I prayed about it seriously, and I only gave you the journal because I felt a peace about it, and I felt very compelled that you needed to read it.”
Scott stood unsure. “Do you really think that there was foul play involved?” he stammered. “I mean, it’s like he’s going to confront Owen, and then the next day he dies.”
John stood slowly from his chair. “Scott, all we know is what we read. I didn’t have the opportunity to read this journal until five years after Matthew’s death. It was in a box of things I found in Matthew’s truck after the accident.”
John picked up the green journal and turned it over. “Your Aunt Tiffany was in such grief that she couldn’t handle dealing with any of Matthew’s things then. I offered to rent a storage unit for my brother’s personal belongings until she was able to go through them.” He set the book on the table. “Two months later, Ruth and I received my assignment to be a chaplain here in Guam.
“Now just a couple of months ago, we went on leave back to Alaska. The storage unit had never been opened, and Tiffany told me that I could have or get rid of Matthew’s things because it was too painful for her.” John paused. “When I was in Alaska, it seemed like there was a lot going on under the surface. Things seemed very artificial between us and your family. All I’m saying is it seemed like they didn’t want us too close, because they didn’t want us to know something. But anyway, I decided to go through Matthew’s things since no one else would. I found this journal.” John reached down to the table and touched the book. “I brought it back with me to read. I felt strangely drawn to it for some reason. I left almost everything else in the storage unit.” He stopped and turned to Scott. “I just finished reading Matthew’s journal about a week before you arrived here, so it’s new to me, too. Do not assume anything when you get back to Alaska.” John shook his head. “Just be aware of the people you’re dealing with, and how much you can trust them, and I would say to be careful with what you say around Owen.
Scott nodded. “You know the pastor that Matthew talked about in his journal? Tim?”
John looked up. “Yes, I do. He’s the one who encouraged me to become a chaplain.”
“Well I know him,” Scott sat on a chair, “I’m going to call him tomorrow and let him know I’m coming home.” He looked up at his uncle. “You know, he’s the reason I came to the Marshall Islands. He was the one who helped me get in contact with the mission out there.”
“I think that’s a really good idea for you to get in contact with him.” John nodded enthusiastically. “I think he’s a very level-headed guy who’d be good for you to work with.”
“I think he won’t be happy that I’m coming back, though” Scott shook his head. “The reason I came out here to the islands was so that I could get away from the influences that hindered my growth at home. Subconsciously, I couldn’t break away from some of the things that were holding me back there, so I needed to leave. Tim really influenced that.” He raked his hand through his hair. “And you’re right. Something is going on between Tiffany and Owen. Mom told me that they were having some major difficulties in their marriage.”
John nodded. “I knew there was something going on, even though I didn’t know what. Scott, I want you to hear what I’m saying. Tread lightly and don’t rock the boat when you get back. You do not want to make any inflammatory statements, and that’s for your own good and also your family’s. I would not trust Owen. You understand me?”
Scott nodded, “I understand.”
*****
The next Saturday morning, after breakfast with his uncle and aunt, Scott asked if he could use the phone to make some calls.
“Go right ahead,” John said. “But Ruth and I are going to a program at our church this morning, and you’re invited to come if you’d like.”
“Does Laura, I mean Charles, go to the same church as you?” Scott asked.
John nodded. “Yes.”
“I think I’ll just stay home then, and call back to Alaska, and relax.” Scott pulled at his gray sweatpants, “I don’t really feel like being around Laura right now.”
John nodded. “That’s fine, Ruth and I often invite people home for lunch so just be aware. We’ll probably be back here around one.”
Ruth walked into the room, heels clicking. She smelled of hairspray and perfume. “Can you do me a big favor Scott? There’s a casserole in the oven on 350, and it should be done by 12:15. Could you take it out of the oven for me, since you’re staying?” Ruth was now readjusting her hair in the mirror by the door. “I’d appreciate it, so we don’t have to hurry home as soon as the program lets out.”
Scott glanced at the clock. Only nine-thirty. “Sure, I can do that.”
A minute later, John and Ruth bustled out the door, John busily tying his tie, while Ruth was talking to him about the program at church. “And we have to set up the microphone before…” The door closed behind them, a little wave of tropical air swooshing through the house.
“Ahh.” Scott sat down on the couch and sighed. Finally peace. He could still faintly smell his aunt’s hairspray as it settled in the air. “So I need to call home.” He tapped his hand on the couch cushion, mentally preparing himself. He started to rise, but then sat back down. Alaska was a much different time zone, and his parents liked to sleep in on Saturdays. It was better to wait a little while. “I sure wish I knew what the time there is.” He settled back in the couch. “Oh well.” A soft beam of sunshine shone through the window and splattered lazily across the couch. It was pleasantly cool inside, and the warm sun felt good. This couch makes me sleepy. He sat back heavily. I guess I’ll just rest for a minute, he thought drowsily. A minute later he was asleep.
Scott dreamed that a forklift was backing up toward him and its beeping was getting louder as it neared. The exhaust smelled smoky and a little bit like casserole… Casserole! Scott was instantly awake. He turned on the couch and stared blurrily into the kitchen. The smoke detector above the oven was beeping and a haze of blue smoke rose from the sides of the oven.
“Shoot,” Scott muttered. He rolled off the couch, pillows landing on the floor with him. “Aunt Ruth’s casserole.” Scott staggered around the side of the couch. He reached the stove a second later and frantically jerked at the smoke detector. It popped loose from its place in the ceiling, now hanging from its wires, still beeping. “I got to get a chair so I can get the battery out of the stupid thing.” Scott muttered. He was dragging a stool from the bar when Scott realized the oven was still on. He left the stool in the middle of the kitchen and began to frantically fl ip the dials on the stove. Hot smoke curled up around Scott.
“I have an enchilada casserole in the oven. It’s one of John’s favorites. My mother used to make the same recipe every Saturday…” Ruth was cut off mid-sentence as she opened the door. She stood staring at a scene she had not expected.
Scott was still in his gray sweat pants and orange T-shirt from breakfast. He dragged a stool across the kitchen floor, smoke around him, almost hitting his head on the smoke detector, which now hung precariously from the ceiling. His hair was pancaked sideways, fl at on one side from where he had slept, and bushy on the other. He was now frantically flipping dials on the stove.
“What in the world?” John was halfway across the floor to the kitchen when he tripped over one of the couch cushions that had fallen to the floor. He fell, catching himself on the back of the couch with a sudden skidding slide. He was up and into the kitchen two seconds later.
Ruth, and her guests stood in the door, mouths agape, frozen for a second, then Ruth was skittering across the floor in her heels, and Charles hurried to help John carry the smoking casserole outside.
Laura hid a sudden urge to laugh in a discrete cough. She stood by her sister-in-law while the hubbub subsided.
“I’m so sorry,” Scott was saying. He looked mortified. “I fell asleep on the couch, and overslept! I didn’t realize how much time had gone by…”
John stood for a second, still holding the oven mitts. Suddenly he threw back his head and gave out a loud belly laugh. “I’ve always told Ruth that couch was a death sentence for studying. I swear, I sleep better on that couch than I do in my own bed.”
Everyone was silent for a second. Laura coughed once, then everyone was laughing. John leaned against the bar for support. He threw his arm affably around Scott.
“Don’t worry about it, Scott, we’ll throw together some hamburgers for lunch.”
Ruth was laughing and she hugged Scott.
“I’ll just excuse myself so I can get better clothes on,” Scott said sheepishly. He retreated into the hall, with everyone still laughing.
“Come on into the kitchen, Grace, I’ll need some help,” Ruth said, still laughing.
Scott caught Laura’s eye for one second, then looked quickly away, as he turned and hurried down the hall. It had twinkled ever so slightly, but probably because she was laughing at him, he figured. He closed the door behind him, and stood leaning on the door. “What do I do now?” He cupped his face in his hands. “Errh…”
A knock sounded at the door a minute later. Scott was still leaning against the door. He stepped back to allow his uncle to enter.
“Scott, don’t feel bad. It really is okay.” John patted Scott on the shoulder. “I know you didn’t mean to. It was a
mistake.”
“I know, I know.” Scott put his face in his hands. “It’s just Laura’s here and everything.” He stopped. “I’m sorry, John, I didn’t mean to complain.”
John patted Scott again. “Change and come out so you can be with everyone.” He disappeared out the door.
*****
During dinner, everyone was talking, and Scott and Laura were sitting on roughly opposite ends of the table. He had planned it that way, making sure to sit down after Laura. John and Charles kept up a lively conversation, telling stories about awkward situations that kept everyone laughing. Scott was glad that he didn’t have to say much, and he knew his uncle was telling stories to make him feel better.
He breathed a sigh of relief. He was feeling better, and the burgers really were good.
“Please pass the iced tea.” Laura smiled sweetly at Scott from across the table.
He reached out, gripping the pitcher, looked blankly at Laura, then with a shove of his arm, he sent the pitcher sliding across the smooth table. Scott hadn’t meant to shove it so hard. Laura reached out to try to stop it, but she was too late. The pitcher hit Laura’s plate with a clunk and ice cubes and tea splashed and gurgled all over Laura. She gasped as the cold liquid hit her, reaching out and catching the pitcher in both hands.
Ruth was up instantly, wiping Laura with a napkin, while Scott apologized, feeling the blood burn in his cheeks.
“Looks like today isn’t your day, Scott.” Grace tried to loosen things up. “That’s not so bad though, I remember a time I accidentally spilled a whole pitcher of punch on Charles when we were driving to church.”
Everyone gasped. Charles threw back his head with a dry laugh,
“Oh yes, I was wearing my favorite Wemble tie, too. It wasn’t the color of the punch.” He winked at Scott. “Along with running late, and being the platform chairman, it made for quite an ordeal.”
Everyone laughed. That is, everyone besides Scott. He was too embarrassed to manage more then a feeble cough…