Page 8 of The Baxters
Elizabeth rose to her feet once more and took the spot beside John. Always beside him. “You understand me, John. The deepest parts of me.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” They stood shoulder to shoulder. He glanced at her. “And Ashley?”
“Yes.” Elizabeth battled the onslaught of discouragement. “Ashley most of all.” They often talked about their middle child, how the last three years had been more heartbreaking for her than anything they could have seen coming. “She was only ten when she met Landon Blake.” Elizabeth glanced at him. “Do you remember that?”
“Her unlikely friend.” John slipped his arm around her again. “Things changed on that class field trip. When they got lost at the zoo.” John’s smile was tinged with sadness. “I remember.”
Three years ago it looked like Ashley and Landon would be together forever. But a series of tragedies had changed all that. Now she was a single mother, alone and without any interest in the young man.
“Landon will be at the wedding?” John raised his brow in her direction.
“He will.” Elizabeth was glad she’d seen him at church last Sunday. “At least he said so.”
“It can’t be easy for him.” John’s voice held the sameheaviness weighing on her. “She’s pushed him away so often.”
“She’s ashamed. Embarrassed about what happened in Paris.” Elizabeth’s heart broke for her middle daughter. “The accident changed Ashley. It’s that simple… but she still loves Landon. I’ll always believe that.”
Elizabeth talked for a minute about Erin being lonely. “She’s young, but boys don’t chase after her the way they did the other girls. She feels like an outcast.”
“That’s hard.” John thought for a moment. “I need to take her to lunch next weekend. I haven’t done that in a while.”
“Please, do.” Elizabeth couldn’t shake her mood. “And then there’s Luke.”
“Luke?” John’s expression went blank. “What did Luke do?”
Elizabeth laughed. They’d had these talks since they first became parents, comparing notes and sharing insights about their kids. Praying for them. Cluing each other in on how things were really going.
This wasn’t the first time John had sounded unaware. “That’s just it.” Elizabeth crossed her arms. “He did nothing. Luke didn’t do anything wrong… and he knows it.”
“Ahh.” John nodded. “A little too smug for his own good. True.”
“Smug?” Elizabeth put her hands on her hips. “He’s downright arrogant, John. Luke criticizes everyone around him.” She blew at a wisp of her hair. “I’m worried about who he’s becoming. His attitude toward Ashley is ugly.”
“I know.” John kept his tone calm. “I’ll talk to him.”
Another clap of thunder rattled across the countryside. Closer this time. A shaky sigh came from Elizabeth. “I’ve been helping Kari plan this wedding for five months. I want it to be happy.” She turned to him again. “For her. For all of us.”
“I agree.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Then maybe today isn’t the day to figure this out.”
“Probably not. Except for Kari.” She straightened. “She only has this morning to change her mind.”
“I told you…” John smiled.
“She’s excited. Tim’s the one. I know, I know.” Elizabeth felt tired. “I just hope she was telling you the truth.” She allowed a weak chuckle. “I feel better talking about it… Even if it didn’t actually accomplish anything.”
John pulled her into a hug and they stayed that way for a long while. “It gave you a chance to remember. How it used to be.”
“Yes.” A rush of tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes. Standing here on the porch always gave her time to remember. Especially today. When everything about her adult kids’ lives felt so uncertain.
She wiped at her eyes and settled herself.I trust You, God… with our kids. Even the one I had to place with another family. When it comes to our adult children please… help them follow Your voice.
All of them.
No answer resonated through the shadowy halls of her heart. But Elizabeth reminded herself of one veryreal truth. God could make a miracle out of any mess. Her kids’ worst choices and mistakes.
And her own.
It was why they were celebrating Kari’s beautiful wedding today. Because after she lost Ryan, God had cared enough about Kari to bring her a second love of her life.
