Page 25 of When We Were Young
“All I can think about is Cole.” Ashley’s voice was more wistful. “I can’t believe he’s a senior. He’s made his decision on a school.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.” Jessie was going to attend Indiana University and live at home. Something Kari was grateful for. Cole, though, had looked at a handful of schools all across the country. Last time their families were together, he’d been trying to narrow it down. Kari ran her hands along her arms. The night was colder than she’d thought. “Where’s he going?”
“He’s following Connor Flanigan and his younger brother, Shawn.”
“Liberty University!” Kari was happy for Cole. “I always thought that was his first choice.”
“Yes.” Ashley sighed. “A full day’s drive from here.” She sounded like she was trying her best to be positive. “I know it’s the right place. I really do. But I looked at the calendar and figured out what day he’ll leave in August. Now that’s all I can think about.”
Kari’s heart hurt at the thought. “Did you ever think our kids would grow up so fast?”
“Never.” She paused for a minute. “Even Amy’s little survivor sapling is growing up.”
“Mmmm.” Kari pictured the little tree, a seedling of the real Survivor Tree in Oklahoma City. It was the one thing her niece Amy had wanted last spring. And now it was planted behind the original Baxter house, in Ashley and Landon’s backyard. “That’s beautiful. How’s she doing?”
“Great. She stays around home more than most kids her age. But I love that about her. And I think it’s normal. Given what she’s been through.”
It was true. Kari pictured their sister Erin and her husband, Sam, the way they had loved their four girls before the car accident that took their lives. Three of the girls were in heaven with them. Only Amy had survived. She was twelve now and she lived with Ashley and Landon. “She loves being with you.” Kari felt her heart melt. “Sweet girl.”
“She told me the other day that I remind her of her mother.” Ashley’s voice was heavier now. “What she remembers of her.” Ashley hesitated. “It made me realize I need to talk to her more about Erin. Make sure she doesn’t forget what kind of mother she was, how deeply Amy was loved by her. The fun things they used to do, the songs they used to sing.”
Kari set the rocker in motion. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
“It’s up to me.” Ashley sounded committed to the task. “All of us need to keep Erin’s memory alive for her.”
The conversation bounced to Kari’s children. How Annie had an upcoming dance recital and how RJ was playing middle school football. “His next game is Saturday.”
“Perfect. We were talking about what to do this weekend.” Ashley’s voice was happier now. “I’ll talk to Landon, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be there.”
Kari thought about her son, and how at eleven he loved football as much as his father had back then. He was a quarterback like his daddy, and last week he’d taken a hit to his knee that left him on the ground for nearly a minute. Kari took a slow breath. “Sometimes I wish he liked tennis or golf. Something that didn’t involve torn knee ligaments... or head injuries.”
“I get that.” Ashley’s son Cole had played and her younger son, Devin, was on a flag team this fall. “Football’s scary. Especially for us moms.”
They talked about Ashley’s husband, how Landon was enjoying his promotion. “I’m so proud of him.” Ashley sounded like she was beaming. “I always knew he’d be chief one day.”
“When you think about all he’s been through as a firefighter.” Kari shook her head. “If anyone deserves the promotion it’s Landon.”
“True.” Ashley hesitated. “Sometimes I think about how he nearly died rescuing that little boy from the house fire. And after that his days at Ground Zero in New York City, looking for his firefighter friend in the rubble of 9/11.” She sighed. “And his lung illness, of course.”
“I remember it all.” Kari and the rest of the family had stood by Ashley and prayed often for Landon. “After that he couldn’t fight fires.”
Ashley drew a long breath. “Which nearly killed him in a different way.”
“Well, I know this.” Kari smiled. “He’ll be the best fire chief Bloomington has ever had.”
“He will.” Ashley yawned. “This was just what I needed. The laundry’s done, so I’m going to turn in.”
“Okay.” Kari still wasn’t tired. “Me, too.”
“And that couple from your group, I hope they work things out. I’ll pray for them. God knows what they need.”
“Yes, He does.” Kari stood and walked back into the house. “That’s exactly what we’re praying for.” They said goodbye and Kari dropped into the nearest chair. She stared at her phone and pulled up Instagram. In a few clicks she was on the Carters’ profile. At a glance she could see twenty or so pictures and posts, beautiful shots of Noah and Emily and the kids. Photos of them at breakfast and on a walk, images of their dinner table and backyard garden.
Some photos had Bible verses laid over them. But always the theme was love. That was the goal of the account according to the description at the top. Kari read the words Noah had written.
This is the story of Noah and Emily Carter and how once upon a time we fell in love. Since then God has taken us on a journey that we hope will inspire you and encourage you. In case you wonder what love looked like for us... when we were young.
A sick feeling worked its way through Kari. She clicked on the last update Noah had posted. It was from a week ago. Little Aiden holding a bouquet of dandelions. The words beneath the picture read:
