Sophie read nearly every word of the newspaper Mr. Riley brought her on Tuesday night, and she gobbled up the Wednesday edition that he left as well. On Thursday morning she walked to a convenience store a few miles away and bought the morning issue. It was a cold trip, but worth every frozen part of her body. The paper had many sales ads with it, but Sophie paid them little heed. Not until she’d read all she could about the world situation did she sit down to compose a letter to her grandmother. It started out with a straight-to-the point statement that set the tone for the entire letter.
You have not made mention of your political situation at all, so I can only assume that something is wrong. I would be on the phone to you this instant to learn the truth, even if it woke you up, but I cannot make such a call from a phone box. I must know how you are. I have cut myself off, my babushka, and I have no one to blame but myself, but now I must have answers.
It shames me to admit to you that I have only just learned of the world’s state of affairs. I think I believed that if I didn’t think about home, I wouldn’t miss it so much. I have been a fool. I can only ask your forgiveness, for my lack of interest has certainly been translated as a lack of caring. Nothing could be further from the truth. Again, I beg your forgiveness.
However, it is you who will need my forgiveness if I do not hear from you posthaste. I know something is wrong. I can feel it. You must write or call. I am even so desperate that I’m including the Rileys’ phone number. I must hear from you soon. Please, babushka, don’t torture me any longer.
Sophie had to close then because she was too spent to go on. She was glad she didn’t have to be at Gladys’ for over two hours since she was suddenly so tired that she could not keep her eyes open. Going from the kitchen table to the big chair in her living room, Sophie sat down. She forced herself not to pick up a book and was asleep within five minutes.
“This salad is wonderful, Sophie.”
“Thank you,” she said softly and smiled across the table at Gladys’ daughter-in-law, Candy. She was married to Carl, and he was the son who had followed in his father’s footsteps and become an ophthalmologist. Sophie learned that he practiced right here in Middleton with his father’s old partner and in his father’s old office.
It was slowly coming together for Sophie. She had been in the Nickelberry home for over an hour, and she was still trying to sort out the names of the 13 people she had met that day. Outside of Carl and Candy were their four children: Tyler, Brock, Erica, and Andrew—all very grown up and in college or high school. Gladys’ neighbor, Mrs. March, was also present and with her were two of her grandchildren, Cameron and Crystal.
Gladys’ youngest child, Barb, was here with her husband, John, and their two children, but Sophie had already forgotten their names. Gladys’ other three children, Mandy, Jared, and Mary, were all having Thanksgiving in their own homes or with their in-laws. Gladys told Sophie that they would all be in Middleton for Christmas and maybe she could meet them then. Sophie only hoped she would have people sorted out by then.
“Where did you live in Czechoslovakia, Sophie?” Barb’s husband, John, now asked from across the table.
“Prague,” Sophie told him and was surprised when he said he’d been there.
“Was this some time past?”
“Yes, I’m afraid it was, but I was very impressed. It’s a beautiful city. I had heard that it was the city of 100 spires, but I didn’t believe that until I saw it.”
“Yes,” Sophie agreed. “So many churches. They are beautiful on the outside with not life inside.” The faces around her looked interested, so Sophie continued. “Is odd in some ways, since our government does not encourage religious worship.”
“Then how did you come to Christ, Sophie?” This question came from Carl, who sat at the head of the table.
“Christianity started in my family with my great-grandmother. She was,” Sophie hesitated over the word in her mind since there were children at the table, and finally said, “attacked. Was by a soldier. When she learns that baby is to come, she wants to end her life.
“We have many beaches in Czechoslovakia, so she goes to beach with plan to go in the water but not come out, but is winter, and she slips on ice. A couple, older people, find her with hurt ankle and take her home. They take care of her for one week, and in that time they tell her she can have hope in God’s Son. By the time she goes home, she is new believer. She tells her family what has happened about the baby, and they take care of her, but she still sees the older couple every week for prayer and Bible study.
“My great-grandmother never married nor had other children, but she raised my grandfather, Vasek Kopecky, in God’s Word. When Vasek takes a wife she is believer, too, and they have Ekaterina, my mother. My mother married Vladamir Velikonja, and they have one daughter, Sophia. They tell Sophie how to have hope in God’s Son, too.”
She had an enchanting way of telling her story, and everyone had stopped eating in order to listen.
“Wow,” Barb finally breathed, and everyone began to talk at once. They thanked Sophie for sharing and asked her a few more questions. Sophie was silently surprised at all the interest, but she was pleased nonetheless.
When the meal was over, everyone moved off in pursuit of different activities around the house. Some fell asleep in chairs in front of the football game, and others sought out beds in the basement or upstairs. Sophie worked with Gladys and Barb on a huge jigsaw puzzle in the dining room. It was relaxing and fun, and Sophie felt lovingly drawn into this warm family. Late in the afternoon she went for a walk with Gladys and her granddaughter, Erica. Just listening to their close conversation gave Sophie a sense of peace and fulfillment.
Leftovers were brought out that evening for yet another meal, and soon after that the family began to disband. Sophie was dropped off at her apartment by Carl and his family. When he saw how dark it was, Carl walked Sophie to the bottom of the stairs and waited until she had her lights on before leaving. The apartment was a bit cold and lonely after the warmth and caring of Gladys’ home, but Sophie was still content. She found herself missing the Rileys already and prayed for them as she settled in with a book and then went to bed.
As she finally dropped off to sleep, she thanked God for the day to come since Gladys had asked her to lunch.
“I’m dying to ask you something, Sophie, but I’m so afraid of hurting your feelings.”
“I will not be hurt, Gladys. You must believe me.”
“Well, maybe not hurt, but you might think I’m criticizing what you wear. You must believe me, I’m not.”
Sophie looked down at her skirt and blouse and then to her host. She shrugged and waited. Gladys took a deep breath and said very gently, “I don’t know if you have hand-me-downs in Czechoslovakia, but in America it’s not at all unusual to pass used clothing to others.”
Sophie didn’t respond to this, so Gladys went on.
“I’m in a mad rush right now to get my house in order. I’m sure it has to do with being away for all those weeks. Now with Christmas coming, I’m going through everything. I haven’t attacked my clothes closet in years and, as I was boxing things up, I wondered if you might be interested in any of my old clothes.”
“Oh.” Light finally dawned for Sophie. “You want to know if I want to buy some of your old clothing?”
“Not buy, Sophie, take. I’m going to be giving them away, but before I hand them over to charity, I wondered if you might be interested in anything.”
“You will give these dresses to me?”
“Dresses, shoes, pants, blouses, sweaters—you name it. I’ve cleared out every drawer and closet.”
“Oh, Gladys, this is too much.” In Sophie’s mind it was a dream come true. “I could not—”
“Yes, you could,” Gladys cut her off. “Now come with me, my girl. You’re about to go shopping.”
Two hours later Gladys drove Sophie home and helped carry her new things upstairs. It had taken some talking, but Sophie had taken almost everything Gladys was disposing of.
“This is very nice,” she commented about the apartment.
“It is nice. I am very comfortable. Rileys have been kind to me.”
“I’m glad, Sophie. You work hard for them.”
It was nice to have someone notice.
“I have enjoyed these two days so much, Gladys. Thank you for all your work.”
“You’re welcome. Shall I pick you up on Sunday?”
Sophie hadn’t even thought of it. “Yes, please, but when Rileys return, I think I will ride with them. I would rather go to the early service, but for some reason I think I should take their offer.”
“All right. If it’s ever a problem, just call me, even on Sunday morning.”
“Thank you, Gladys.”
The older woman had some other errands to run that day, so she didn’t linger. Sophie walked her as far as the driveway and then returned to stand before her closet door for many minutes where she simply stared in wonder at her new things. Although they didn’t really look it, she and Gladys were almost a perfect match. Even Gladys’ shoes fit Sophie.
Sophie couldn’t help herself. She had to take her new suit down and try it on again. It was a boiled wool in a dark rose, and Sophie had never seen anything like it, let alone owned such a suit. The skirt was rather straight and the jacket was short. It buttoned to the neck with large black buttons and did not need a blouse because it had a black Peter Pan collar. Gladys had also given her high-heeled black pumps and a matching bag. The whole outfit was stunning. Sophie paraded back and forth in front of her full-length mirror for many minutes before she realized what was wrong.
“I need panty hose,” she said out loud. Her legs were shaved (the waitresses at Tony’s had made so many comments that she had felt forced into that), but such a dressy outfit did not look nice with white, bare legs.
Suddenly Sophie sat down on the side of the bed. Why have you never shopped for clothes before, Sophie, when you like them so well? Why have they never mattered? You have been critical of those who put too much stock in their appearance, but you have gone too far the other way. She now walked back to the mirror and studied just her face.
It might be time for a change, Sophia. You don’t have to do this overnight, but you need to be more open to the idea. You were so hurt when you thought that Rita was ashamed of your appearance. Would it really hurt to change a little?
It was a question that Sophie thought of off and on for the rest of the day. And when she woke Saturday and felt very burdened again over her grandmother, she dressed warmly and walked to a bus stop. It took some doing, but she finally made her way to the mall, crowded as it was, and purchased a pair of panty hose, two pair of underpants, and a bra. She spent the bus ride home figuring out how much she could put aside at the end of the month for her grandmother’s flight to America. It might be sooner than she had hoped if only she could convince her to come. She would write another letter and tell her grandmother all her thoughts. It was time for the women in her family to make a few changes.
Over four hours had passed in the van before the Riley children all settled in with books and tapes. Tory had taken the front seat and had chattered continuously to Alec, but now that the headphones rested on her ears, she sat quietly. Both Rita and Craig had books. Alec was thankful for the respite, and his mind shot immediately back to his last run-in with Peg.
“Tory tells me that woman is still working for you,” she had accused, and Alec was thankful she had at least waited until after Thanksgiving Day.
“Yes. We’re very pleased with Sophie’s work.”
“I can’t think what Vanessa would say.” Tears had sounded close to the surface, but Peg had been known to use tears in the past, so Alec was not particularly moved.
“Considering that every creature comfort is being taken care of, I would think she’d be very pleased.”
“How can you say that?” The tears were gone and the words were spat in angry rebuke. “I tell you, she’s not good for the children. Why won’t you listen to me?”
“Who did you have in mind, Peg?” Alec disarmed her with one reasonable question. The older woman stuttered and stammered to a halt, and then just stared at her son-in-law. He knew she wanted to say me, but never would. Soon after Vanessa’s death she had suggested that the children actually come and live with her and Jim, but Alec would not even discuss it. And then when they’d visited in September, she had been all ready to stay.
“It’s like I thought, Peg. You’re attacking Sophie, but there isn’t anyone who would please you. I have no doubt that no matter who I marry, you won’t approve.”
“You’re getting married?”
Alec’s eyes closed, sorry that he had even mentioned it. She looked ready to come undone, and he didn’t even know where the thought came from.
“As a matter of fact, Peg, I’m not. But should the time ever arrive, I’ve got to think of myself and the kids, not you and Jim. You don’t even approve of me, so I can hardly expect you to approve of anything I do.”
Peg had the good grace to look ashamed, and Jim chose that moment to come back in from hunting. Craig had gone with him but was still outside. It was just the adults when he said, “You broke your word to me, didn’t you, Peg?”
She wouldn’t answer.
“And now you’re too ashamed to even admit it.”
“I’m not ashamed of anything I said!” she jumped back at him. “You always take his side.”
“I always take his side because he’s always right!” Peg gasped, but Jim kept on. Alec had never seen him this way.
“You never approved. Not even when you saw the love in our daughter’s eyes did you think he was good enough. Well, let me tell you something, Peg Frazier: Alec Riley is the best thing that ever happened to our daughter. She was a self-centered little brat before she met him, and it’s time you face the facts.”
Peg came to her feet at that point, all color now drained from her face. Her hand groped in the air for a moment. Collecting herself, she rushed from the room, real tears now filling her eyes. Alec and Jim were quiet for a long moment.
“I’m sorry about that, Alec, but by now you’re used to my apologizing for Peg.”
“It’s all right, Jim. I know how hard it is.”
“I loved my daughter.” There were tears in Jim’s eyes as well, and he looked as if he’d aged 20 years. “But I’m not blind to the facts. I’m glad you’ve found someone to help out, and if ever you make someone a permanent part of your life, I’ll be glad for that, too.”
“Thanks, Jim, and I’m sorry I was the cause of words between you and Peg.”
He only shook his head. “That’s not true and you know it” was all Jim said before he went to check on his wife.
The weekend had not been completely ruined, but there had been some strained moments. The closest Peg came to an apology was to remind Alec, just as they were leaving, that she had reserved the cabins at the lake for the first week in June.
“Put it on your calendar” were her last words, and Alec said that he would.
Now the whole scene had played out in Alec’s mind, and he felt very tired. A quick glance in the back told him Rita was asleep and not able to drive or he would have turned the wheel over. Instead, he flexed his shoulders and reached for his can of pop. Another hour and a half to go. He did his best to stay alert and mentally prepared.