Eileen Berger - A Family For Andi

Had he been hiding from her? From himself?

She pulled herself back to the present. She shouldn’t be dwelling on this now, especially here.

Karlyn was tying things up. “…What’s important to you —important enough to top your list of ways to spend money? And what do you consider really worthy of your time? There are necessary things like sleeping, eating, doing essential shopping, and spending 40 hours at work for many of us, and/or with baby and child care for some.

“But we still have—though I know it often doesn’t seem like it—hours or minutes when we’re not required to do specific things. What about those? What are you doing with your free time?

“And how well are you controlling your thoughts? It’s true that anything can enter your mind, but what priorities have you set as to which ones remain, permitting them to take over? Just happy ones? Unhappy ones? Family-related? Service-oriented? Totally self-serving?”

She’d been at the chalkboard for the last few minutes, but now returned to her chair, part of the circle again. “We often don’t even try to control what we’re thinking. And thank God—literally!—that nobody knows what those thoughts are. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

Andi’s glance circled the group as she wondered how many had secrets that they, like she, wouldn’t want anyone else to know. Probably everyone.

“We often forget that God knows every one of our thoughts. These precede our moods, words and dealings with others— including what we do with what we have!”

Her eyes met those of each person. “It’s easier to consider how to spend money when you still have nine million or more left—but you do, right now, have money. So…what will you do with your paycheck or other sources of income?

“And you do have your life. What will you do with that? Settle for self-gratification or momentary pleasures? Or do you want it to count for something more…? Those are your decisions.”

Andi just sat there, not paying attention to the closing prayer, not really hearing it. What do I want from my life? she thought. From our money?

She had many questions; she did not know if they’d ever be answered.

Gram was waiting at the top of the steps, then led the way into the sanctuary, which looked different with perhaps a hundred brightly clad people in the pews. Andi felt conspicuous coming into the front of the large, sunlit room, but followed as Gram started back the outside aisle.

Smiling and nodding to friends, Gram led the way into the empty fifth pew, to sit along the center aisle. Andi had stepped back to allow Keith to precede her if he chose, but his hand on her elbow indicated that she should go first.

She wondered again about last night’s date. Might his having a not-too-unattractive, auburn-haired woman sitting by him in Sunday School and church cause resentment?

Gram got her attention. “That blonde—the third one coming into the front row of the choir—she’s Zack’s wife. Keith’s mother. A soprano…”

Andi smiled and nodded, but with the organ playing and choir sitting down, each member with head bowed, it seemed inappropriate to respond verbally.

“You’ll meet her at Karlyn’s—she did mention she’d like you to come to the picnic, didn’t she?”

Andi whispered, “Karlyn invited me after class.”

There was the call to worship. The singing of a hymn, which sounded familiar. Scripture reading and prayer. An outstanding, joyful choir anthem. Taking up an offering—and she had no idea how much to put in. Checks sent to charities were large, but here…?

Those beside her were holding envelopes something like Mother had used, so that gave no clue. She withdrew a ten-dollar bill from her wallet, folded it in half, then over again, and placed it, number side down, in the deep, highly polished wooden collection plate. As she passed it on, she noted bills of various denominations among the envelopes, so assumed she’d done all right.

The pastor, probably under forty, seemed comfortable conducting the service, and his sermon was well organized and interesting—though Andi’s attention was often on those around her.

Was Keith’s father here? She wished there had been pictures to go with the detective’s information.

And that reminded her to take her camera along. Candid shots shouldn’t raise suspicion, and she’d like to show them to Dad. And she’d probably want to look at them, also, after returning.

Andi had shared Gram’s hymnal for the two songs before the sermon, but Keith held his toward her for the last one. As she reached to hold it, her forefinger touched his. Did he notice that? Or hers quickly drawing away?

He was an excellent baritone, and she found herself smiling up at him as she shifted from melody to alto. As the organist put in extra notes between the last two verses, he whispered, “You have a lovely voice, Miss Marker.”

And she whispered back, “So do you, Mr. McHenry,” then wondered if people noticed their grinning at one another.

Gram knew everyone, and seemed to feel Andi should meet them, but it was Keith who introduced her to his parents, both of whom appeared friendly and outgoing.

“We’ll see you at Karlyn’s,” Shelby said. “I must get home and pick up the salad and cake—and get. into casual clothes.” She turned back to add, “Be sure to bring your swimsuit, Annie. It’s been warm enough that the water in the pool’s quite comfortable.”

“I—didn’t expect to swim, so didn’t bring one.”

“Don’t worry. I have extras.” And she was gone.

Andi looked after her, wishing she’d said not to bother. Oh, well, that didn’t matter—until she noticed Keith looking at her strangely, and wondered if he might be remembering her statement about usually wearing pants.

Back in her room, she hung her lightweight linen pants in the closet and took out a brightly colored sundress. It was long and full enough that the scars would remain hidden even when she was seated.

Keith had said he’d see Gram and her shortly, and she wondered if he might be going to pick up his date. I hope he does, she told herself. That would get her over this wondering, this silliness, this.…

No acceptable word came to mind as she leaned closer to the mirror to apply lipstick. But when she looked into the blue eyes in the mirror, she noted that the slight smile on her lips had failed to reach them.

Replacing the tube’s cap, she stifled a sigh. Rule number one, Miss Annie Marker, or whoever you are: Thou shalt not fall in love. Which was fine to say— but why did she even consider that warning?

Why should that word, love, have even entered her mind?

She was in the kitchen when Keith entered by way of the back door. “All ready?”

“I think so,” Gram said, “but it doesn’t feel right.”

“Why is that?”

“Karlyn made me promise not to bring more than one dish, so that’s the macaroni salad there.”

“You’re a literalist if I ever saw one. You cover the top with a whole bottle of stuffed green olives and a can of big, ripe ones, so you’re still bringing several foods, though they’re now in one dish!”

“Well—” tossing her head “—the kids like olives!”

“Yes, we do!” He popped the black one from the very center into his mouth. “So let’s go, ladies. My car’s blocking the alley.”

Andi opened the back door on the driver’s side as he assisted Gram into the front one. “Let me fasten the seat belt,” he said and drew it across. “You care for the salad.”

“And the olives,” Gram murmured.

“And the olives.”