A Family For Andi. Eileen Berger
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to Habitat for Humanity? Should they be part of this tenth, or would they be in separate categoriesperhaps numbers four, five, and seven?”
Several entered that discussion, and Andi paid avid attention. Keith, having brought up the topic, continued to be involved with it, and helped Karlyn encourage those hesitant about expressing opinions.
Two others stated they’d written “Tithe” as their first item, and Andi gathered that was the same as “one-tenth.” She knew that the many donations and endowments made by her father or in the name of the company would add up to more than thatand each was carefully noted for tax purposes.
She fleetingly wondered what her university or country club friends or co-workers would think of this conversation. What might they say if they were here?
Was it possible any would agree with this consensus? She doubted that, but it wasn’t the sort of thing they discussed. She couldn’t even say how Jon thought of moneyhis money. He had to have thought about it, didn’t he? Or had he just spent, wanting to be liked, needing…what?
She’d had wonderful times with him, and they’d talked of getting marriedbut she now faced the fact that during these last years she knew little of what went on inside. She’d tried to bring up deeper issues, but he’d quickly turn her away from them, sticking to fun things.
Had he been hiding from her? From himself?
She pulled herself back to the present. She shouldn’t be dwelling on this now, especially here.
Karlyn was tying things up. “…What’s important to youimportant enough to top your list of ways to spend money? And what do you consider really worthy of your time? There are necessary things like sleeping, eating, doing essential shopping, and spending 40 hours at work for many of us, and/or with baby and child care for some.
“But we still havethough I know it often doesn’t seem like ithours or minutes when we’re not required to do specific things. What about those? What are you doing with your free time?
“And how well are you controlling your thoughts? It’s true that anything can enter your mind, but what priorities have you set as to which ones remain, permitting them to take over? Just happy ones? Unhappy ones? Family-related? Service-oriented? Totally self-serving?”
She’d been at the chalkboard for the last few minutes, but now returned to her chair, part of the circle again. “We often don’t even try to control what we’re thinking. And thank Godliterally!that nobody knows what those thoughts are. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”
Andi’s glance circled the group as she wondered how many had secrets that they, like she, wouldn’t want anyone else to know. Probably everyone.
“We often forget that God knows every one of our thoughts. These precede our moods, words and dealings with othersincluding what we do with what we have!”
Her eyes met those of each person. “It’s easier to consider how to spend money when you still have nine million or more leftbut you do, right now, have money. So…what will you do with your paycheck or other sources of income?
“And you do have your life. What will you do with that? Settle for self-gratification or momentary pleasures? Or do you want it to count for something more…? Those are your decisions.”
Andi just sat there, not paying attention to the closing prayer, not really hearing it. What do I want from my life? she thought. From our money?
She had many questions; she did not know if they’d ever be answered.
Gram was waiting at the top of the steps, then led the way into the sanctuary, which looked different with perhaps a hundred brightly clad people in the pews. Andi felt conspicuous coming into the front of the large, sunlit room, but followed as Gram started back the outside aisle.
Smiling and nodding to friends, Gram led the way into the empty fifth pew, to sit along the center aisle. Andi had stepped back to allow Keith to precede her if he chose, but his hand on her elbow indicated that she should go first.
She wondered again about last night’s date. Might his having a not-too-unattractive, auburn-haired woman sitting by him in Sunday School and church cause resentment?
Gram got her attention. “That blondethe third one coming into the front row of the choirshe’s Zack’s wife. Keith’s mother. A soprano…”
Andi smiled and nodded, but with the organ playing and choir sitting down, each member with head bowed, it seemed inappropriate to respond verbally.
“You’ll meet her at Karlyn’sshe did mention she’d like you to come to the picnic, didn’t she?”
Andi whispered, “Karlyn invited me after class.”
There was the call to worship. The singing of a hymn, which sounded familiar. Scripture reading and prayer. An outstanding, joyful choir anthem. Taking up an offeringand she had no idea how much to put in. Checks sent to charities were large, but here…?
Those beside her were holding envelopes something like Mother had used, so that gave no clue. She withdrew a ten-dollar bill from her wallet, folded it in half, then over again, and placed it, number side down, in the deep, highly polished wooden collection plate. As she passed it on, she noted bills of various denominations among the envelopes, so assumed she’d done all right.
The pastor, probably under forty, seemed comfortable conducting the service, and his sermon was well organized and interestingthough Andi’s attention was often on those around her.
Was Keith’s father here? She wished there had been pictures to go with the detective’s information.
And that reminded her to take her camera along. Candid shots shouldn’t raise suspicion, and she’d like to show them to Dad. And she’d probably want to look at them, also, after returning.
Andi had shared Gram’s hymnal for the two songs before the sermon, but Keith held his toward her for the last one. As she reached to hold it, her forefinger touched his. Did he notice that? Or hers quickly drawing away?
He was an excellent baritone, and she found herself smiling up at him as she shifted from melody to alto. As the organist put in extra notes between the last two verses, he whispered, “You have a lovely voice, Miss Marker.”
And she whispered back, “So do you, Mr. McHenry,” then wondered if people noticed their grinning at one another.
Gram knew everyone, and seemed to feel Andi should meet them, but it was Keith who introduced her to his parents, both of whom appeared friendly and outgoing.
“We’ll see you at Karlyn’s,” Shelby said. “I must get home and pick up the salad and cakeand get. into casual clothes.” She turned back to add, “Be sure to bring your swimsuit, Annie. It’s been warm enough that the water in the pool’s quite comfortable.”
“Ididn’t expect to swim, so didn’t bring one.”
“Don’t worry. I have extras.” And she was gone.
Andi looked after her, wishing she’d said not to bother. Oh, well, that didn’t matteruntil she noticed Keith looking at her strangely, and wondered if he might be remembering her statement about usually wearing pants.
Back in her room, she hung her lightweight linen pants in the closet and took out a brightly colored sundress. It was long and full enough that the scars would remain hidden even when she was seated.
Keith had said he’d see Gram and her shortly, and she wondered if he might be going to pick up his date. I hope he does, she told herself. That would get her over this wondering, this silliness, this.…
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