Page 71 of Love Story
“Yes, sir.” John finished his coffee and took another cookie. The man was looking at him like he was waiting for John to say something. Or maybe hoping John would make a promise to believe in God. John swallowed a bite of the cookie. “Thank you. For telling me.”
Wilson cocked his head and scrutinized John for a long few seconds. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
“It’s just... No, sir. I’m sorry. I never could believe in a God who took away my parents when I was so young.” John didn’t want to get into a debate, but he had to be honest. “Not just that. Forgive me, but... people do a lot of terrible things in the name of religion. That’s what I’ve seen, anyway.”
Wilson leaned back in his chair and rocked for a while. The whole time he kept his eyes on John. Finally he drew a slow breath. “I’m going to ask God to show you just how much you need Him. Because hear me on this...”
John listened.
“You’re right.” Wilson set his half-eaten cookie on the plate and narrowed his eyes. “Parents die, yes. And people do a lot of terrible things. But God’s bigger than religion. He’s bigger than even our greatest losses.” He nodded once. “Don’t forget that.”
“Yes, sir.” John needed to get going. At this point, he’d say anything for the chance to leave.
Wilson set the Bible in his lap. “All right. I’m gonna pray for you, John. That you and that scared pregnant girl of yours will get married and find faith in Jesus. Faith that will see you through every hard thing ahead right on into eternity.” He grinned. “And in return that God will give you a marriage and family so beautiful all the world will want to know your secret.”
That sounded pretty good, John had to admit. He still didn’t believe. Never would. But at this point he wasn’t sure what else to do but agree. “Uh... yes, sir. Thank you.”
Wilson folded his hands on the Bible, bowed his head and prayed. John couldn’t remember every word Wilson said to God that day, but the part that stood out was that last line. That God would give Elizabeth and him a marriage and family so beautiful all the world would want to know their secret.
They were about to stand when Wilson jabbed his pointer finger in the air. “One last thing.”
John lowered himself back to his seat. “Yes, sir?”
“You don’t believe me. I can see that, no use telling me different.” Wilson didn’t look upset by the fact. “But every time you think about this day, I want you to remember something.” His voice dropped a notch. Like he was speaking straight to John’s conscience. “Only God could’ve worked it out so you’d break down in front ofmyhouse. Someone who knows how to fix an oil pan and has your kind of oil sittin’ around.”
The slightest chill ran down John’s arms.
“Someone who could tell you about the one thing you need a whole lot more than oil.” Wilson leaned closer and patted John’s knee. “Oil will take you down the road, John. But Jesus will take you all the way home. Know what I mean?”
John still had no intention of changing his mind about God. Right here in some stranger’s living room. But he nodded, anyway. “Yes, sir.” If he didn’t get on the highway, he would miss his chance to see Elizabeth tonight.
Before he left, John thanked Scarlett and Wilson for the snack and the conversation, and especially for fixing his car. Wilson said one more thing to John before he pulled away—his car good as new.
“Don’t forget me now!” Wilson smiled. “You hear?”
“I won’t.” This time John was serious. The man couldn’t convince him to be a Christian, but John would definitely remember this night. It was too strange and fortuitous not to remember.
But once he hit the road, John turned on the music and thought only about Elizabeth. The unusual encounter with Wilson Gage grew more distant with every mile. And sometime around two o’clock that morning John pulled up across the street from the house where Elizabeth was staying. He flipped off the lights and killed his engine.
It looked like any other house on the quiet street. Two stories, gabled windows, shutters and a front porch. No one would know that behind those walls was a houseful of girls who had no choice but to give up their babies. Girls sent away by parents too concerned about appearances to love their daughters through the most difficult time of their lives.
John gritted his teeth and looked for the best way in. Like Wilson, the man of the house might have a gun. In which case John had to be very quiet. If the man woke up and mistook him for a burglar, things could take a terrible turn.
Take your time,he told himself.You’ve come this far. No need to rush.He stepped out of his car and padded silently across the lawn. Every light was off. They were all sleeping. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.
John studied the situation. The front door would be too obvious. He crept along the side of the house and made his way to the back. A cement porch ran across it. Another good sign. No creaking boards with cement. John walked up the steps and with the slightest movement, he tried the door.
In the silence of the night, the squeaking handle sounded like clanging pans. John could do nothing but continue. He’d come too far to stop now. Besides, he’d rather face a shotgun than miss the chance to see Elizabeth. The door wasn’t locked, so John made his way into the house and—without making a sound—he shut the door behind him.
Now to find Elizabeth.
His heart pounded so loud he was sure it would wake up everyone.Be calm. You can do this,he told himself.One step at a time. He waited a few minutes while his eyes adjusted to the dark. All the girls in the house were pregnant. Asleep in their beds they were bound to look much the same.
Which was why it was a crazy stroke of luck when John peered into the first room and saw her. The space was small, with only one bed. But he knew the sleeping figure under the sheets was her for one reason. His photo was in a frame on the dresser.
She was here! His Elizabeth was right here in front of him. John couldn’t draw a breath until he closed her bedroom door behind him. Then he waited. One minute, two. Until he was sure no one had woken up. When he was convinced, he moved to the side of her bed.
Beneath the sheets, lying on her side, Elizabeth didn’t look pregnant. Her face was soft and young, like that of a girl still in high school. John stared at her for a moment. She was so beautiful. He would never love anyone the way he loved her. He bent close and put his hand on her thin shoulder. Her flannel nightgown and long dark hair made her look like a porcelain doll.
