Robert Whitlow - Deeper Water

"But you won't be enrolled at the school."

Ellie spoke with excitement in her voice. "The coach says the school board has adopted a new policy for homeschoolers that lets them play sports. I'm not sure how it works, but Mama and Daddy are going to pray about it. Would you pray too? The other girls were nice to us and had fun trying to tell us apart."

It would be much easier for Ellie and Emma to face the world together than it had been for me going it alone.

"Two are better than one," I said, quoting part of a verse from Ecclesiastes.

"Yeah, but I also sank some free throws," Ellie said. "It's only one point, but most of the girls didn't come close. Emma and I only missed two each."

I didn't try to correct her. "Now, will you let Mama and Daddy know that I'm on the phone?"

"I love you," Ellie said.

"I love you too."

I could hear the television in the den. It sounded like Mrs. Fairmont was watching a war movie. Mama came on the line.

"I'm here," she said. "Ellie said it was urgent. Are you all right?"

"Yes ma'am. It couldn't be too urgent. I listened to Ellie talk for ten minutes about the basketball scrimmage. Are they going to play on the middle school team next year?"

"We're praying about it."

"Is Daddy there?"

"He's gone with Kyle to look at a few head of cattle. I think Kyle has them sold for a profit before he buys them. That boy is going to be a success. I just hope it doesn't become too important to him and draw him away from the Lord." Mama paused. "But tell me everything about your week."

I'd already thought out an efficient way to summarize my activities. When I mentioned interviewing Moses Jones, Mama interrupted me. "You met with a criminal alone?"

"Yes ma'am. But it took place in an interview room at the jail with deputies everywhere."

"That part of being a lawyer has always worried me. Be careful."

"Yes ma'am." I took a deep breath. "And I've enjoyed getting to know most of the people I'm working with. One of the associate lawyers is a serious Christian. He's supervising my work in the criminal case."

"Then he should be with you when you meet with this man. Don't be shy in insisting that he come along."

"I won't. He's already told me that he wants to be there at the next meeting with the client."

"Good. How is Mrs. Fairmont's health? Your father and I have been praying for her."

I told Mama about the rough night and how God helped me. When I described the time of singing and prayer, she interrupted. "Amen! The Spirit is all over what you're doing at that house. To me, it's a thousand times more important than any work at a law firm. I'll mention it in our Sunday school class. Once Gladys McFarland hears about the need, you know she'll pray."

"Yes ma'am."

"Are you going to a church in the morning?"

"No. The Christian lawyer mentioned a home group he attends. I may visit, but not tomorrow."

"Be careful, but you've learned how to discern truth and error."

"Yes ma'am. And the lawyer also asked permission to get to know me better."

I stopped. The news was out. I waited.

"Did you say something?" Mama asked. "The phone went dead."

"Yes ma'am. The Christian lawyer wants to get to know me better."

"Isn't that why they offered you a summer job in the first place? That shouldn't be too hard if you're working on a case together."

I spoke rapidly. "Yes ma'am, but he meant on a personal level. He has a homeschool background all the way through high school. We have a lot in common."

There was silence. This time, I knew why.

"How old is he?" Mama asked in a measured tone of voice.

"I'm not sure, but he's only been practicing law for three years. He's probably twenty-seven or twenty-eight."

"So you don't know much about him."

"He's from California and very polite. He's smart and a hard worker. The senior partner he works for has a lot of confidence in him. This week he was working on an important case involving a company in Norway."

Mama ignored the data. "Tell me exactly what he said to you."

"That he would like to get to know me on a personal level. I told him I would need to talk to you and Daddy, and he thought that was a great idea. I've never met anyone like him. He understands my convictions and doesn't criticize me."

"How could he know that much about your beliefs? You've only been in Savannah a few days."

"It seems longer than that to me. Zach and I have discussed things at work and spent time together." I stopped. Mention of the motorcycle ride to Tybee Island at this point would kill all prospects. "We talked this morning. He came by the house, and we sat on the back porch with Mrs. Fairmont and had a great time."

Slightly breathless, I stopped and waited.

Mama spoke calmly yet firmly. "I'm sure your father and I would want to meet this young man before agreeing to anything. If he's as spiritually mature as you say, he shouldn't have any problem with that approach."

It was a predictable response. But as I'd presented my brief case, I'd realized how badly I wanted Mama to give me the okay. Parental approval of a budding romance was a safeguard against the anguish and heartache caused by aborted attempts to find the right soul mate. Mama said the serial dating practiced by most girls was often nothing more than preparation for multiple divorces.

"Yes ma'am. Talk to Daddy, and I'll keep my interaction with Zach strictly business."

"And remember that our home is open if you want to bring him here for a visit. You're mature enough to get married. It's just a question of letting God find your mate."

I raised my eyebrows. "You really think I'm ready for marriage?"

"Yes, but the timing should be in the Lord's hands. How many times have we prayed for your husband without knowing his name?"

"Hundreds, ever since I was a little girl."

"We want you to have your own home and family. I'm not the perfect wife and mother, but I hope I've given you a good example."

"Yes ma'am."

"I miss you most as a daughter, but also as a worker." Mama chuckled. "You'd think I would get twice the help from Emma and Ellie, but I think, with them, the help is divided rather than multiplied."

Mama's lighthearted comments encouraged me.

"Tell me about your week," I said.

Listening to Mama felt good and bad. It was good to hear about home, bad to face again the ache of separation from my family.

"Tammy Lynn," she said when the conversation was coming to an end, "thanks so much for telling me about your conversation with Zach."

Hearing Mama speak his name startled me.

"We trust you," she continued. "Which is one of the greatest gifts a child can give to a parent."

I felt a stab of guilt because I'd not told the whole truth. I quickly searched my heart for a way to provide additional information.

"We love you," Mama said. "Bye."

The call ended. I stared for a few seconds at the phone receiver in my hand. Even if I didn't tell Mama the whole truth, I could still honor her wishes.

MONDAY MORNING, I arrived early at the office and went directly to the library. I already felt more comfortable in my surroundings. A few minutes later, Julie and Vince, their faces reflecting the red of a glorious sunset, came in together.

"I don't have as much Middle Eastern blood in my veins as I thought," Julie said. "And Vinny is a pure Caucasian."

"Did you go to Tybee Island?" I asked.

"No," Vince replied. "Ned Danforth invited Julie to spend the day on his boat, and she brought me along."

"As my bodyguard," Julie added. "I could tell Ned was miffed when we drove up to the marina together, but I pointed out that it was an opportunity to get to know both of us at the same time. Ned and Vinny ended up spending a lot of the time fiddling with the navigation system while I served as a hood ornament."