Newark
New Jersey
I’m glad so many of us could go to Sara’s stepfather’s funeral today,” Mary Ruth said from her seat at the back of their driver’s van. In addition to her and Willis, Michelle, Ivan, Yvonne, and Lenore accompanied them. Sara needed friends and family with her today.
“Since it’s Saturday and I don’t have to teach, it worked out so that I could come along,” Lenore agreed.
Ivan had left his sons in charge of his business today, rather than having to close the store. When Willis talked to Brad last night, he’d said he also planned on coming to the funeral.
It would be nice to finally meet Sara’s brother. Back when Sara’s stepfather had called Sara and said he and Kenny planned to make a trip to Strasburg, Mary Ruth had been excited. She figured they would probably drive down sometime in the summer, after Kenny was out of school. But it was not meant to be.
It’s unfortunate we won’t get to meet Mr. Murray now, Mary Ruth thought. I wish it were under better circumstances that Willis and I would be meeting our grandson for the first time.
They’d crossed over the state line into New Jersey, so it wouldn’t be long until they reached their destination.
Looking out the window, Mary Ruth thought about Rhoda. Poor Sara. Less than a year after losing her mother, she’s lost her stepfather too.
Mary Ruth leaned to the right and loosened her seatbelt a little. She realized the importance of seatbelts for safety reasons, but was glad they weren’t required to wear them while riding in their buggies. To her, at least, they felt too constricting. She leaned her head against the seatback and closed her eyes. Since everyone else in the van was quiet, including their driver, she thought it might be good to take a little nap. Today would be long and emotional, and since they’d gotten up earlier than usual, she wanted to arrive feeling somewhat refreshed.
Heavenly Father, Mary Ruth prayed, please be with Sara and Kenny today. Let them feel Your presence, as if You are right there with them, holding their hands.
Newark
Brad entered the chapel where the funeral service was being held for Dean Murray and took a seat near the back of the room. Since he had arrived a few minutes late, all the other chairs had been taken.
A variety of flowers had been arranged up front, and a huge spray of white lilies draped over the closed casket. The fragrance from all the bouquets wafted through the chapel, and the sweet scent lingered everywhere. Next to the coffin was a small pedestal table adorned with a white doily. A framed picture sat on top. From where Brad sat, it looked like a family picture of Dean and three other people, who he guessed were Sara, her mother, and brother.
Craning his neck, Brad saw Sara sitting in the front row beside a blond-haired man, who he assumed was her brother. On the other side of her sat Sara’s grandparents, her uncle Ivan, aunt Yvonne, and cousin Lenore. Michelle was there too, sitting to the left of Lenore.
Brad pulled his fingers around his too-tight collar, hoping to loosen it a bit. Should have worn a different shirt, he thought. And I would have if there’d been a clean dress shirt in my closet. Brad had been so busy at school the past week that he hadn’t found time to do his laundry.
Brad caught sight of Stan sitting a few rows ahead. The Lapps must have hired him to bring them to the service today. If Strasburg hadn’t been so far from Clarks Summit, Brad would have gone there to get them.
Sometimes Brad wished he had stayed at the Bible College in Lancaster to complete his studies, instead of going all the way up to the university he now attended. If things had worked out between him and Sara, he might have considered transferring back to Lancaster, or even moving there and taking some online classes. A long-distance relationship was not good, but since Sara was not a Christian, continuing to see her socially was no longer in the equation.
When the blond-haired man left his seat and stood behind the podium at the front of the room and to the right of the casket, Brad’s thoughts refocused. Then as the young man began to sing, “Near to the Heart of God,” Brad’s wavering emotions threatened to overtake him. Not only were the words of the song appropriate, but the man’s voice rang so true and clear, it seemed almost angelic. As though it had come straight down from heaven, an amber-colored light filtering through the stained glass windows shone down on the talented vocalist, illuminating his hair, and making it look like spun gold. To be able to sing that song without any musical instrument to accompany him made it even more amazing.
Brad glanced at the program an usher had given him when he’d entered the chapel. Kenny Murray had been listed as the vocalist. What Brad suspected had now been confirmed. The young man, who stood before them, looking upward as he sang the powerful words, was indeed Sara’s half-brother. It had to be difficult for Kenny to sing at his father’s funeral and not break down. Was the boy a Christian? How could he sing a spiritual song, and with such conviction, if he was not a believer? Had Sara been raised in a Christian home and strayed away from it? There were so many unanswered questions.
Brad’s gaze went back to Sara. Her head was now bent forward. Her shoulders trembled, and when she turned her head to the left, Brad saw Sara dab her eyes with a tissue. Mary Ruth draped an arm around Sara, patting her shoulder. Brad wished he was sitting on the other side of Sara, to comfort and hold her hand. Yet another part of him was glad to be sitting in the back, not wanting to be emotionally tied.
Brad clasped the program he held. I’d like to know either way where Sara stands on Christianity, and I’d like to hear it from her, not Michelle.
Michelle was stunned to hear how well Sara’s brother sang. He seemed nervous, choked up near the end of the song, but his vocal tone was on pitch, and Kenny had moved her to tears. Taking a quick glance around, she saw many others wiping their eyes.
Sara is lucky to have Kenny in her life, Michelle thought. She had met the young man before the service started, and he seemed like a nice person. Not like some teenagers she’d gone to school with, who had foul mouths and arrogant attitudes.
Once again, Michelle’s thoughts went to her brothers. Had they grown up to be responsible citizens? Or did one or both of them end up like their parents—brash and rough around the edges? She hoped Jack and Ernie had made something of themselves and were living happy, fulfilling lives.
Michelle sighed. Guess I’ll never know the answer, so I need to keep my focus on the life I have in Pennsylvania and look forward to my future with Ezekiel.
When Kenny sat down and a man she assumed was a minister stood up and offered a prayer, Michelle reached up to make sure her head covering was properly in place. According to biblical teachings, the Amish believed a woman’s head should always be covered whenever she prayed.
When the prayer was over and the preacher began to deliver his message, Michelle glanced over at Sara, sitting straight and tall.
I wonder if she will stay in New Jersey with her brother now that her stepfather is gone. Willis and Mary Ruth would surely miss Sara if she didn’t to return to Pennsylvania. Michelle swallowed hard. I’d miss her too.
Sara couldn’t remember when she’d felt more proud of her brother. Kenny had made it through the entire song without missing a note. And to be able to sing without accompaniment made it all the more astounding.
She reached across her chest and clasped her grandmother’s hand, which was still around her shoulders. What a blessing and comfort it was to have Grandma and Grandpa here today. Sara felt so grateful the Lord had led her to them after Mama died. She also appreciated the presence of Uncle Ivan, Aunt Yvonne, and Lenore. What a privilege it was to have such a special family.
And there was Michelle, who’d come to offer her condolences and support Sara. This young woman, whom Sara had once been so angry with, was now truly a friend. Sara could hardly wait to tell Michelle she had become a Christian and explain how it came about.
She listened attentively as the pastor spoke to those in attendance. He talked about life after death and stated that every believer had the promise of heaven.
Sara didn’t know where her stepfather stood spiritually, but if he wasn’t a Christian previously, she hoped he’d made a confession of faith before his death—perhaps during the song Kenny sang for him or maybe when the chaplain had visited. If the smile on Dean’s face when he passed away was any proof, Sara had to believe it was true.
When the minister finished his sermon, he ended by telling everyone they were invited to go to the cemetery where Dean would be laid to rest. He also added that Sara and Kenny wanted those who could to join them for lunch at the Adega Grill, one of Dean’s favorite places to dine. After the announcement, he took his place at the foot of the open coffin and remained there while everyone filed by to pay their last respects to the deceased. Since Sara and Kenny went last, with the exception of the pastor and funeral attendants, the chapel was empty by the time she and Kenny walked out. In the hall, however, several people waited to speak to them and offer their sympathies. Sara’s grandparents, her uncle, aunt, and cousin were there, along with Michelle. Toward the back of the group, Sara spotted Brad.
Sara’s heart thumped in her chest as she made her way over to him. When she reached his side, he gave her a brief hug. “I’m sorry for your loss, Sara. I’ve been praying for you, as well as your brother.”
“Thank you. I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t come.” Tears welled in her eyes. “If you plan on going to the cemetery, I hope afterward you can stay for lunch.”
Brad shook his head. “Sorry, but I have to get back to Clarks Summit. It’s a big study weekend for me.”
“Oh, okay.” Sara tried to hide her disappointment. “I’m glad you took the time to drive down for the service. It means a lot to me.”
Brad nodded, then glanced down at the floor as though unable to meet Sara’s gaze. “You’re my friend, Sara. I wanted to offer my condolences in person.”
Friend? Is that all I am to Brad? When he lifted his head, Sara noticed his subdued expression.
A wave of sadness washed over her, and it wasn’t merely the mood of the melancholy service that had taken place moments ago. Sara felt something had changed between her and Brad. She suspected it might have to do with his friend Terri.
It doesn’t matter, she told herself. I have to stay in Newark until Kenny is able to be on his own, and I’ll need to help sell the house and settle Dean’s estate. It could be months before I’m able to return to Lancaster County. By then Brad could be engaged or even married. Sara told herself it was better this way, because she had no time for love or romance. If she were being honest, she’d never been sure where her relationship with Brad was going. Her focus had to be on her brother right now.