Page 79 of A Distant Shore
“I found a frog today! Behind the tree out back!”
“A frog! I can’t wait to see it.” He tugged Luke’s baseball cap. “Hey so… today’s the big day!”
“I know! I’m gonna hit a home run!” Luke waved at Eliza in the stands a few feet away. “That’s what Mommy said.”
Little Masey skipped up, her long blond ponytail swishing side to side. She was six and Luke was five. “I told him he’ll hittwohome runs!” She hugged Luke. “Because he’s my best friend.”
Jack felt the presence of God as he set up the bases and the T, and as he welcomed the other Little Sluggers to the field. Because this was the life he had chosen, the one where he was teaching the next generation how to police well.
And where he came home to Eliza and their kids every night.
He had so much precious time with his family. Time to spend an afternoon celebrating with Eliza all the ways her safe houses were bringing life to the victims of trafficking. Time for the two of them to teach Masey’s Sunday School class and time to read the Bible together as a family. Every single night.
JackknewEliza and Masey and Luke—really knew them—and he loved them with every breath, every heartbeat. He was present, the way his father had wanted him to be.
The game was about to begin, and from behind him Jack heard one of the other parents talking to Eliza. “So, Lizzie. How long have you lived in Wilmington?”
Jack smiled. His wife was a pro at conversations like this. A quick look over his shoulder and he saw Eliza engage. “Oh, forever!”
“Lucky.” The woman was new to the area. Her son was one of Luke’s friends on the team. “I love the sunrises on the shore. Nothing more beautiful.”
“Yes.” Jack’s wife took her time. “I’ve always loved the water.” She paused. “I see God there. At the far end of the ocean.”
Jack’s heart warmed.Indeed, Lizzie. Indeed. He grabbed his glove and a T-ball.
A lifetime ago he and Eliza had been alone in a world where neither of them wanted to live. But God had changed that. He had taken their broken pieces and made something beautiful of them. Because today… well, today he and Lizzie were the most alive people Jack knew, filled with hope and faith, laughter and joy. They wanted to live to be a hundred, at least. Side by side.
This is the life you wanted for me, Dad. I hope you know.
The game was about to begin, and as Jack took his place on the mound, as he waited for his son to hit the ball off the tee, he had a feeling Shane and his parents really were watching.
And that somewhere in the bleachers of heaven, his father wasn’t only smiling.
He was giving him a standing ovation.
