43

 

Pulling the curtains to one side, Mark gazed out his living room window, waiting for Beth to arrive. A strange green car parked outside across the street attracted his attention. He didn’t remember seeing it before. Perhaps he should ask around to see if it belonged to one of the neighbors.

He sighed. Still no sign of Beth.

Two weeks had passed since she’d lost her job. He hoped a relaxing dinner might cheer her up. It was worth a try.

A minute later, she pulled into his driveway, and he walked outside to meet her.

“Hi.” Mark opened the door, greeted Beth with a kiss, then led her inside. At the same time, an engine started, and the green car pulled away from the curb. He shifted his gaze to Beth. “I hope you brought your appetite.”

Beth’s lips formed a faint smile.

He’d hoped by now she’d find another job. If only he had more for her to do at Fishy Business, he’d hire her back in a heartbeat. Maybe if he kept his ears open, something might open up at the community college, and he could help her find a position there.

They walked through his house then out to his yard. Beth sat at a picnic table and scratched Sparky’s head while Mark grilled dinner.

Mark turned the meat on the grill. “Want to go to the movies this Saturday?”

“Huh? Oh, sure. But I probably should walk around the mall first and pick up some applications.”

No matter what he said, he couldn’t take her mind off the problem at hand. Or could he?

After finishing their meals, they sat outside and watched the evening sunset while Sparky romped around.

His lips brushed her cheek, but she remained unfazed.

Sparky scampered over and brought Beth a tennis ball. For a moment, she appeared to smile, but then she threw the ball and stared into the distance.

The dog returned and dropped the ball in front of them then lay on the ground, kicking his back legs behind him.

Perhaps her sadness came from more than the layoffs. Mark rested a hand on Beth’s shoulder. “Still thinking about the job situation?”

Beth nodded. “I’ve saved up some money over the past few months, which is good.”

“But…?”

“But I’m concerned how long I’ll be out of work.” She remained quiet for a moment, bit her lip, then sent him a look that told him he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “I found a teaching job in Columbus.”

C-bus. Not exactly next door. His shoulders tensed.

“I like it here, and I want to stay. But eventually my savings will run out. I don’t want to go, but I…” She choked back a sob.

He grabbed her hand. “Let me help you. I could sell the boat.”

Beth shook her head. “I can’t take your money, and you should keep your boat.” She wiped her tear-soaked eyes.

He hung his head. He’d fallen in love with her. If he didn’t move fast, he might lose her forever. A chance he wasn’t willing to take.

There was so much he wanted to tell her, but the timing was off. Or maybe it wasn’t. How could he be sure?

 

****

 

Mark drove over to Bill’s place. Perhaps his friend could provide some insight into the current situation.

He knocked on the door, and Bill answered. “Come on in.”

Stepping inside, Mark peeked around the living room. “Tim here?”

Bill slumped into his weathered black leather couch. “Nope. What’s up?”

Not sure where to begin, he sat next to his friend and folded his hands. “Beth is considering taking a teaching position in Columbus. Obviously, I don’t want her to leave so…” He rubbed a callous on his left hand.

Bill snatched the remote from his coffee table and turned off the Syfy Channel. “Ah…that does change things. So have you told her anything yet?”

“No, I—”

“Well, not the one thing, of course. But, the other…you haven’t said anything about”—Bill cleared his throat—”you-know-what?”

“I don’t know how. I was praying that—”

“When you first ran into her, I totally understood your reasons for not saying anything, for waiting, but now… How can you not tell her?”

Easy for his friend to say. He wasn’t the one risking a relationship with the woman he loved. Still, if their relationship was to go further, he’d have to be honest, even if it hurt.

Bill tapped his fingers on the remote. “What happens if she finds out from someone else?”

“What do you mean?”

His friend shrugged. “I think she’d prefer to hear things from you.”

Not many people knew. Those who did weren’t about to say anything. Then again, secrets seem to have a way of haunting people, coming out at the wrong time. “You’re right, absolutely right. I’ll tell her. Thanks.”

“Hey, anytime.”

He stood, and Bill patted him on the back. “She loves you, and you’ll work through this. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. Maybe you’ll need to talk to someone. But you both have a strong faith in God, and I’m sure that’ll get you through this.”

Waving good-bye, Mark headed home. Upon entering his bedroom, he walked to his closet and stared at the box on the top shelf. Maybe it was time to deal with the past. Writing had helped him before. Maybe it would again.

Sparky sighed, and Mark scratched the dog’s head. “Time for bed, little man?” Mark could journal about things later. For now, he needed a good night’s sleep and some prayer.

He climbed into bed, Sparky by his side on the floor. God, give me the words to say to Beth. And please don’t let her run away from me.