Page 7 of Until We Weren't

Destiny shrugged. “What choice do I have?”

3

Faith grabbed a cart and walked into the produce section of the store. She usually either had groceries delivered or picked them up. But lately the avocados and fruit she’d received hadn’t lasted very long. Faith knew she could be considered picky, but why do something halfway instead of doing it right? She was that way with her work and expected the same of the people who worked with her.

She squeezed an avocado then another as she put them in a bag.

“Faith?” a woman said, pushing a cart up beside her.

Faith looked up into a kind face with a loving smile. Gretchen Green was one of Faith’s favorite people and she didn’t have many. The problem was that Gretchen also happened to be Destiny’s mother. She hadn’t seen her in a long time, but she’d talked to her once briefly on the phone and texted with her a handful of times since leaving Destiny.

One advantage of living in an urban area is that you didn’t just run into people like you might in a smaller town. But Faith missed Gretchen almost as much as she did Destiny. Gretchen was always kind to Faith and genuinely cared about her well being.

Faith hadn’t grown up in the best of circumstances and her trust issues had begun at a young age. Her parents hadn’t been around much when she was growing up. They provided basic necessities but were never interested in what she, her brother, or her sister were doing. Faith was a decent athlete and managed to get a scholarship at a small college, working her way through school. The only time she heard from her family was when they needed money.

The first time Destiny took her home to meet her parents, Faith immediately liked Gretchen and Michael Green. But somehow Gretchen knew that Faith hadn’t had the nurturing influence of a mother and she took her in and restored that part of her wounded soul. Faith truly felt like part of the Green family.

“Gretchen,” Faith said with a genuine smile.

The woman held her arms open and Faith walked into them. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d hugged another person.

“It’s so good to see you,” Gretchen said, letting her go.

Faith nodded and smiled at her. She guessed Gretchen knew not to ask how she was doing or could tell by looking at her.

“I’ve been thinking about you,” Gretchen said.

“You have?” Faith replied, furrowing her brow.

“You sound surprised. Don’t you occasionally think about the people you love?”

Faith nodded. There weren’t too many people Faith could say she loved, but Gretchen Green was definitely one of them.

Gretchen took Faith’s hands and inspected her fingernails. “I see you’ve been out playing in the dirt.” She ran her thumb across a faint scar on Faith’s index finger.

Faith chuckled. When she and Destiny would visit, Gretchen would send them to the sink to wash their hands. She loved to tease them and said their jobs were “playing in the dirt.” But she was their biggest supporter and proud of the beautiful expanses they created.

“I stopped by for a few things on my way home from a job,” Faith explained.

“Well, it’s good to see you’re going home before dark. I’m aware of the long hours you work along with someone else I know.” Gretchen raised a brow.

Faith smiled and rested her hands on her cart.

“You know, scars are a kind of blessing. You had to learn that at such a young age,” Gretchen said with a compassionate smile. “They can not only make us stronger, but also enable us to look at things again when it might not be as painful.”

Faith tilted her head. She knew what Gretchen was trying to say. Maybe enough time had passed for her and Destiny to be able to talk about what happened between them.

“They certainly make us stronger, but…” Faith sighed. “Time is supposed to make it not hurt quite so much, right? I’m not sure about that.”

Gretchen nodded. “Oh, I don’t know that the pain ever eases. Maybe we learn to deal with it and perhaps not be afraid.”

Faith felt like Gretchen was seeing straight into her heart. There was a part of her that was afraid to talk to Destiny. She hoped that someday the fear might fade and she could tell Destiny just how much she’d hurt her.

“I love you, Faith,” Gretchen said, hugging her again.

“I love you, too,” Faith said around the lump in her throat.

Gretchen pushed her cart past Faith and continued down the aisle.

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