Page 76 of Here With Me

“We wouldn’t be here if not for him.” Her voice cracked, and David’s heart seized. “Lottie heard us fighting and ran.”

“You need two people to fight, Sadie.” Gary’s deep, firm voice brooked no argument, Refusing to let Sadie lay the blame fully at David’s feet.

“No, she’s right.” David backed up and ran his hand down his face. “I?—”

Sadie turned toward her mom and dad, effectively cutting him out of the conversation. “I came out because I want to update you, and my phone is dead. The doctors say Lottie is fine and should be released later tonight. She’s still cold, so they’re warming her up with some heated blankets and hot cocoa, but otherwise, she’s fine. Her lungs are clear, and all her responses are good. I’m going to head back now so Lottie’s not alone.”

Sadie hurried back to the door without looking at David. He stood, watching her until the doors closed. He should go since he wasn’t wanted or needed here, and staying…well, it would only upset Sadie.

Gary’s hand clamped down on David’s shoulder, “Sit down, son. We need to talk.”

David’s stomach churned, and he tugged his coat a little tighter. Even with two pairs of socks on, his toes were still freezing inside his shoes. He shook his head. “I should go.”

“Nonsense. You saved Lottie tonight.” Gary sat down next to Dawn and nodded to the chair on the other side of her.

“I can’t stay, Gary. I’ve hurt Sadie, again, and I don’t think she’ll forgive me.” David let out a breath and shoved his hands in his pockets.

Dawn hummed her agreement then looked at Gary. The two seemed to communicate an entire conversation in one look. She leaned over, kissed Gary on the cheek, and stood up. “Nate, I feel like a cup of coffee—will you join me? David, you sit here.” Sadie’s mom guided him to the seat next to Gary and then motioned for Nate to join her.

Nate nodded at David as he walked away with Dawn.

David rested his elbows rest on his knees. Gary’s hand clamped his shoulder again.

“What happened?” Gary’s gentle voice prodded.

“Where to begin?” Letting out the air in his lungs, David folded his hands together and opened up, telling Gary about the accident with Remy, being sent home, his position being given to a younger candidate. The opening in Costa Rica, the trip down to talk with Wesley. About how much he enjoyed being in Heritage, working at the hardware store, playing soccer with the teens around town. “When Sadie showed up tonight, she had no idea I was leaving for the weekend. No idea about the opening in Costa Rica.”

“Why didn’t you tell Sadie about the trip?” No sharp accusation laced Gary’s voice, just open curiosity.

“Because…quite honestly, I don’t want to go back. Telling her about the job, the trip, made it seem like a real possibility. But telling her that I wanted to stay here—with her—seemed like a betrayal to God. To my supporters.”

“Why do you want to go back to Costa Rica?”

It’s my calling. The words shot to his tongue, but he couldn’t get them out. “The Bible tells us to go to the ends of the earth.”

“And being a missionary is the best way to serve God, if that’s where God called you. But sometimes ‘to the ends of the earth’ is just helping your neighbor. God calls us all to different things. My calling has been to my family and the people of Heritage as a shopkeeper. Sometimes I help people out when they need things. Other times it is just an encouraging word as they shop. Some people are called to be preachers, others teachers, others businessmen. No calling is lesser. And sometimes callings change. Middle-aged couples take to the mission field, leaving behind lucrative careers. Sometimes missionaries are called to return home. Both are good decisions—but only when the Lord leads.”

It sounded so simple. So easy. But there was no handwriting on the wall. No specific direction. “How do you know when it’s time for a change?”

“It’s a process. And just because God called you to go to Costa Rica alone ten years ago doesn’t mean He’s calling you to remain there, single, forever. Do you know why we continued to support you financially even after you and Sadie broke up?” Gary’s quiet voice encouraged David to sit up and look at him.

Honestly, he’d wondered. Was surprised when he’d heard the Hoovers had committed to supporting him. But he hadn’t wanted to seem ungrateful, so he’d never asked.

“It was clear you two loved each other, but it was also clear you two weren’t ready for a serious, committed relationship. So, I thought a few years apart might just help you both grow up. Although I’ll admit, I didn’t expect it to take ten years for you two to get your acts together.”

“What do you mean you didn’t think we were ready?”

“There’s no doubt Sadie loved you. Still does, but despite your feelings for each other, you two didn’t communicate. Didn’t share pertinent information with each other. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s the importance of communication in any partnership—especially marriage.”

“You don’t even need words to communicate with your wife anymore.” David remembered the look Gary and Dawn had exchanged before she left for coffee.

Gary slapped David’s shoulder. “Not always. But I’m not stupid enough to think that’s always the case. And it took us over twenty-five years of marriage before that became a reality in small areas. So let me ask you, are you really going to make the same mistake again?”

Letting out all the air he’d just breathed in, David looked away from Gary. It seemed the man had an uncanny ability to see right into David’s mind.

An older couple walked into the ER, the man shuffling along, pushing a walker, the woman next to him looking pale, coughing as she walked beside him. He guided her to a chair and made sure she was comfortable before pushing the walker over to the registration counter.

“You could have that, David.” Gary’s voice cut through his thoughts.

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