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The basement was almost entirely empty when Adelaide arrived, kids in tow.
"Aziel!"
Isabella reached her cousin first, but within a moment he was embraced by cousins thrilled to see him. They smiled at Jaira's children who asked to be excused from the table so they could play a little before the service. Mark nodded, giving his permission. The children wasted no time, already finding a corner of the room to play.
Terrell stood, "I have to clean up. Jaira, don't worry, you need time with your family," he offered to carry her weight of kitchen duties.
Before any more questions could be asked, Arlana rose from the table, helping the young man she had once been head over heels in love with clear the table. What a turn of events life had taken.
Had Terrell even been aware of how, as a child, she'd pledged heart and soul to him, desperate for love? Or more adequately an escape from her childhood? Probably not. No one had come to rescue the damsel in distress.
Arlana blinked at unbidden tears. Gone were the days of desperation. She had everything she'd ever dreamed of. Family. A man who loved her. Freedom. A child...two children. What more was there to ask for?
When she least expected it, her "May All Your Dreams Come True," had become a reality.
Blessed.
***
ARLANA RETURNED TO the table, motioning her sisters to join her.
"We need to talk," was Arlana's only explanation.
Adelaide and Jaira walked toward the back stairs finding a small area where they could speak in privacy. Arlana wasted no time, reaching into her purse.
"Girls," Arlana began, addressing her younger sisters as though no time had passed since their childhood, "I just want to say I love you both - and your families. I don't want there to be hard feelings between us."
Adelaide nodded in agreement, glancing at the children running in circles around her eldest son. She motioned them to play something else, not wanting them to get hot and sweaty in their church clothes.
Arlana sighed, searching for the right words. She may never have an opportunity to talk with her sisters like this again and for Arlana, every second counted.
"I was cleaning out the loft of my farm when I found this letter. The farm used to belong to our great, great grandparents when they first came to Canada...."
Arlana's voice trailed, choosing not to tell her sisters how she had come to live in their ancestral home. Jaira would barely look at her. There was no point in heaping onto herself more jealousy.
"I would like you to read it," she passed the antique envelope almost reverently to Adelaide.
Adelaide was a slow reader but was next in line in age. Her fingers trembled slightly as she gently slipped the letter from its envelope, clearing her throat. She read slowly, her voice full of emotion.
"To my dearest great-granddaughters,
I desire to write to you at this time although it has been many years since you last visited the farm, now my time is short and I can but hope you remember me with fondness as I, you. I cannot be certain if you will receive this letter, but it is my hope it will reach you shortly.
Tomorrow I am to be moved to a nursing home. I had not expected this to be my lot, but I am not discouraged. Although this picture seems dark at the moment, there is another side to look at. My time on this earth will shortly be coming to an end, and soon I shall be standing among the angels in Heaven around the throne of God. Is this not one great comfort?
Now I appeal to you, sisters, to mind how you conduct yourselves. I do not wish to dictate to any of you, but allow me to speak to you in affection though with firmness and strong feeling. I must tell you to beware how you conduct yourselves. Be on your guard. Do not think that no one will mind you - nothing of the kind. Never do anything mean. Never say anything mean or unbecoming - anything of which you would be ashamed. Whether with the higher class or the lower class, always act and speak respectfully - even in trivial matters. Observe, I do not mean you to be stiff and proud - nothing could be more distant from my mind. You should be humble-minded, gentle and kind yet there is a KIND OF PRIDE which you should have, that is self-respect.
A third point I must make is KINDNESS TO ONE ANOTHER. I am sure I need hardly hint this, for you will all feel the necessity of this at once. Be kind to each other. Let there be no coldness - no petty jealousies (I cannot imagine there to be any) no casting off of each other. Feel that you are dependent on one another. How much happier you can make yourselves by so doing!
My dear great-granddaughters, I have only to say in conclusion, let us be much in prayer. Let us wrestle with our Heavenly Father for grace and consolation and guidance. Let us often come to the throne of grace. Let us remember each other before Him. Oh! Is it not a blessed thing that we have a kind, sympathizing High Priest on High? We have reason to be thankful even for our present condition. Someone once said, 'We have to thank God for every hour that we are not in Hell.' How true!
Farewell! Farewell! The Lord guide and conduct you all, the Lord comfort and encourage you. The Lord bless you now and forever, and the Lord bring us at last to that happy, happy day where death-divided family shall part no more. Amen.
Believe me, my beloved great-granddaughters to be even unto death, your affectionate Great Grandfather,
John McLeese"
There wasn't a dry eye among the sisters.
Adelaide passed the letter back to Arlana, "I'd like a copy" she dabbed her eyes with a crumpled tissue, "He was so, so right!"
"Couldn't be said any better," Arlana agreed, emotion choking her voice, "I want to change. I love you all so much. These petty fights between us really have to stop."
"I agree," Jaira added, "We aren't getting any younger" her birthday was mere weeks away.
The sisters embraced each other, Terrell coming to stand beside Jaira. Placing his ebony hand on Jaira's shoulder, "The service will begin soon, shall we head up?"
"Are we leaving now?"
Aziel's bottom lip quivered. Saying goodbye to his cousins was one of the hardest things in his little world.
"No Honey, we are going upstairs for the service. Let's hurry."
Jaira, who knew the lay of the mission, led the way, her free hand in Terrell's.
Arlana raised an eyebrow and smiled. What had she missed? Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined Terrell and Jaira as a couple, Terrell older than herself by five years, but then again, Jaira always preferred older men. Jared had replaced her as their father's favourite, so perhaps that is why she sought love from men much too old for her. William should have been a warning, their marriage miserable.
The large extended family and their friends filed into the dimly lit sanctuary, trying to be careful not to rattle the metal chairs, those gathered already beginning to pray, ready to usher in the service.
Terrell waited as Adelaide and Arlana gathered the children, Jaira sitting beside Adelaide, her children chose to sit beside their cousins instead.
"I'll see you after worship," he breathed against her ear, sending warmth flooding down her spine before he walked toward the side door, disappearing from view.
Jaira watched the door swing shut behind him, a twinge of something she wouldn't acknowledge squeezing her heart. Jaira turned her attention back to the present. There was no point in daydreaming. She glanced over at Adelaide whose head was bowed in silent prayer. If only Addy and Gavin could see what a blessing this ministry was and want to join her!
The pre-service prayer service gave Jaira plenty of time for her mind to wander, watching as the band made their way to the podium, playing a few notes to tune their instruments. The soft notes didn't seem to bother the prayer warriors who adjusted to the background noise by simply increasing their own volume. Jaira sighed, watching Terrell's fingers move skillfully over the guitar strings, blushing when he caught her eye, thankful he was unaware that the subject of her thoughts was the farthest thing from Heavenly matters.
***
LACHLAN EXITED THE room he shared with Pastor Mosely and Josiah where they prepared for the evening service. He jogged down a narrow flight of stairs, crossed the dining hall in the basement, then skipped the stairs two at a time, stepping into the back of the sanctuary, then placed a hand on Arlana's shoulder.
"I need to speak with you a moment," his voice a reverential whisper in the soft hush before the service commenced.
Arlana followed Lachlan onto the landing at the top of the backstairs, concern lacing her whisper.
"What's wrong?"
"Josiah wanted me to give you a message. He has arranged for us to go to Israel tonight..."
Lachlan's words hung between them a moment before he continued, glancing over her shoulder at the worship team who were waiting for Josiah to begin.
"He wants you to write down the ages of your family members so I can book a flight."
Lachlan flicked the edge of Josiah's debit credit card he held in his hand with his thumb.
"I don't have much time," he stated the obvious, "It will be a last-minute flight out."
"What am I supposed to tell them?" Arlana frowned.
They weren't going to like this turn of events, she was certain of it, glancing at her family nearly filling the last row, forgetting those rows were reserved for backsliders.
"Josiah said he will explain more after the service but I need to book our flight before it's too late. He was urgent..."
"Okay..."
Arlana's face was unusually pale as she scribbled down the names and ages of her family members on the piece of paper Lachlan held out for her.
"Thank you, Love," he slipped up, referring to her by the endearment he had called her for months.
Neither noticed.