Page 76 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
Annalee had her answer.
A month had passed since Christmas and now she and her parents had just gotten back from the doctor. He had gone over her results and explained everything. And then he left them alone. Annalee and her parents had clung to each other, talking about what the news meant and what they would do next.
They had prayed together and then they had come home.
Now she had to tell Tommy.
Her text was short and to the point.I know, Tommy. Can you pick me up? Please?
His response was immediate.I’m on my way.
Her parents were in the kitchen, still talking about the results, no doubt. They knew Annalee needed time to process, time to get her mind around everything that came with this news. They always knew just how to handle things. This whole time since she first got sick, any doubts or frustrations toward God, they’d kept between themselves.
Annalee stared out the window at the barren trees.January had never been her favorite month. Christmas was over and summer was a million days away. At least it seemed that way. But here, Annalee was struck by the trees. Every tree out front was bare, stripped of its leaves. Snow covered the ground from last week’s storm, and bits of it still clung to the trees.
Look at them, God.She narrowed her eyes. As far as a tree knew, its branches would never bear leaves again. Yet outside her front window, every one of those branches was raised straight to heaven.
Then she remembered a Bible verse she’d read this morning. Before her one-month doctor appointment. It was from Isaiah 55.The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
And wasn’t that what the trees were doing right now? The branches moving against each other in the winter breeze?There’s a lesson here,Annalee thought. If the trees could praise God in the middle of winter, so could she. For so many things and for her energy. A month away from chemo and she definitely felt stronger. She didn’t need a wheelchair.
Tommy’s Jeep pulled up. Annalee wrapped her scarf around her neck and slipped on her gloves. She already wore her warmest coat and hat. “Bye,” she yelled to her parents.
They both joined her in the living room. Their eyes were still swollen with tears. “Stay warm.”
“I will.” She nodded. “Thanks for letting me go.”
“Don’t be long.” Her dad’s tone was serious. “Just half an hour.”
“Okay.” A quick wave and she stepped out to meet him. The boy she loved with all her heart. The one who had been by her side through every day of this journey. And the one who deserved to hear her test results before any more time went by.
Despite the snow it wasn’t cold today. Not really.
Tommy helped her into the car and the minute he was behind the wheel he looked at her. “Can you tell me?”
“Take me to our spot.” Her tone was kind. But she couldn’t tell him here. In his car. “Please, Tommy.”
He didn’t ask again, and she didn’t have to tell him which spot. He began driving to White River Park as if he could read her mind and heart all at the same time.
Annalee leaned back into her seat and closed her eyes. The news swirled in her mind. This would change everything. She turned the radio to K-Love and let the song wash over her. It was one that had played when everyone gathered to cut her hair. A song about the titles God wore:Way maker. Miracle worker. Promise keeper. Light in the darkness…Annalee felt His peace come over her.Yes, Lord, You are all of that.Annalee hugged herself. God was with her. He was with them both.
Now more than ever before.
She could feel His holy presence here in Tommy’s car and in her heart and soul.
Tommy parked at the lot near the swings. The basketball court here had been shoveled so it didn’t require anyextra walking. It gave them somewhere to stand. So she could look him in the face and tell him what she knew.
What they’d waited all these months to find out.
Once they were out of the Jeep, he took her to a spot on the asphalt. Near a trio of small evergreen trees. More privacy, which was a good thing today. Tommy’s coach had allowed him to take off practice today. He’d been waiting at home with his phone since 2:30. An hour had passed since then.
Finally Tommy faced her. He took both her gloved hands in his. “No.” She shook her head. “I want to feel your fingers against mine. Would that be okay?”
“Of course.” They took off their gloves and Tommy gently worked his fingers between hers. “Tell me, Annalee. I need to know.”
She wouldn’t make him wait any longer. “Tommy… we prayed so much. But… I didn’t expectthis.” No winter cold could dim the love she felt for him. The way she never wanted to leave him. Her eyes got lost in his for a few seconds. And then she did something that tipped him off to the results.
Annalee smiled.
