Page 8 of Here With Me

David nodded. A to-do list. That was manageable. And no one would mark all the boxes and get back to Escuela Biblica de San Jose faster.

Already ideas were spinning through his head. He’d call the schools and see if he could tutor in the afternoon or volunteer at the nursing home where his uncle had lived before passing away. Maybe he could get a Sunday afternoon program up and running. If the mission board wanted to see him involved in the community, he would be the busiest person in Heritage. Maybe he could help with the planning for that fall fair…festival…town anniversary—whatever that sign had said.

“And, David.” Something in Lance’s voice pulled David’s attention back to his field administrator and longtime friend. “As you readjust your focus, pray about your future. It’s okay if God changes your plans. Often He works in ways we cannot explain, and it’s only when we follow His plan that we find peace.”

Good advice. Too bad all David heard was crickets. Ending the call, David closed his computer screen and reclined back in his office chair, steepling his fingers in front of his face.

Movement caught his eye, and he turned his head to see the cat someone had dumped on his property. He’d taken her in and named her Mamá Gata after he found her with five kittens under his porch steps before a storm blew through. She turned a circle and plopped down again, allowing her kittens close to nurse. The kittens were almost old enough to wean, and he’d need to find them homes before he returned to Costa Rica. Because he would go back. He’d do whatever it took.

David pulled open the top desk drawer and removed a pad of paper to make a list. If Lance wanted him to be involved in the community, then he’d get involved.

At the top of the list David wrote:

Volunteer

Then he wrote down locations he could contact.

Better to solve the problem than to dwell on the reality that Nate didn’t approve his return.

A car door closed outside the office window. David pushed back from the desk, but one of the kittens pawed at his feet. He bent down to pick up the black kitten and cuddle it close. The soft body snuggled into his chest, purring.

“Hello?” Nate called out as he entered the house.

“In here.”

Nate’s face appeared in the doorway. “How did the meeting go?”

“You mean the one where they told me you didn’t think I’m ready to return to Costa Rica?” David cringed. So much for not sounding bitter. He set the kitten down next to its mama and stood from the chair. “You seemed to have left that part out of our conversation on Friday.”

Nate leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms against his chest. “I didn’t say you weren’t ready. I just expressed my concern with how you’ve locked yourself away. I only ever see you here and at the gym.”

“I’ve been to family dinners.”

“The few your sisters have insisted you attend.”

Nate didn’t understand. It was hard to reconnect with them because he was leaving again. If he got too close, he’d miss them all the more when he left. Being alone in Costa Rica without family—it was hard. He missed seeing his nieces grow, missed his sisters, missed all the big life moments. If he started partaking in all the family fun, it would just make it harder later.

David grabbed his notepad and a pencil and nodded toward the hall. Nate stepped backward. David left the office and walked down the hall to the main living area and plopped down on the couch. “So, I need to show you and the mission board I’m active and involved in the community. What time is Bible study tonight?”

“Seven.”

“I’ll add that to my list. Also, I need to find a job or a consistent place to volunteer.”

Nate carried a bottle of water from the kitchen before he settled on the couch across from David. “With all the high school kids looking for volunteer hours, the area is pretty saturated, but you know, I think I heard that Hoover’s wanted to hire someone. You’ve worked there before. That would be a good place to start.”

“Nope. Not Hoover’s.” Not after he’d seen Sadie. Gary said his daughter popped in and out. He must have meant Sadie, but David wouldn’t chance it. One meeting in ten years was one too many. He’d even dreamed of time gone by last night, of happy moments and scorching kisses. He’d gone years without dreaming of Sadie; he didn’t want to start again. Especially since she’d married—even if she didn’t have a ring on. “Definitely not Hoover’s.”

“I haven’t heard if anyone else is hiring. You could see if Thomas needs help at the diner. They’re always busy, but they also have several employees.” Another of the kittens appeared, this one orange with black-and-white patches on her feet and face. It ambled into the room and headed straight for Nate’s leg. He picked it up and the little fur ball snuggled into his arms.

“Practice before you take one home?” David added rehome kittens to his list.

Nate huffed while he scratched the kitten on the head. “I mean, it’s a losing battle. Olivia wants one, so it looks like you win, man. One less kitten when they’re ready for a home.”

Good. Now he only had to find homes for four kittens and mama cat. Because he was leaving for Costa Rica as soon as he checked off this to-do list. All while staying far away from Sadie Hoover and her all-too-familiar smile.

The kitten squirmed and Nate set it back down. “I’ll ask around and see if I can find any odd jobs for you.”

David nodded. After all, letting Nate dictate some of his work might get his approval sooner rather than later. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

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