Julia's Last Hope (25 page)

Maude started to leave but then turned back to Julia. “I was wonderin’—before I go, could you—could you sorta say a prayer for me. I’m—I guess I’m scared and—and worried and I need some faith if I’m gonna get through this. I need God, Julia.”

With a sense of humility, Julia took her neighbor’s hand. “Of course, Maude. Of course. He’s here. You only need to reach out to Him.”

After praying with Maude, Julia followed her to the kitchen door and watched her go. Julia then turned to her garden. A few weeds were showing again.

John arrived home unannounced. He surprised Julia by walking up behind her and pulling her apron string as she hoed her garden. Startled, Julia whirled to see who would tease her in such a way. She could not believe her eyes. Throwing herself into his arms she wept on his shoulder.

“Why, I didn’t even know—hadn’t even received your letter—” she said when she could speak again.

“There wasn’t any letter,” John admitted. “I just—well I just had to see you, so I begged for a few days off.”

“The Shannons have gone,” Julia told him.

“I noticed. I saw the empty yard—the boarded-up windows.”

“It’s an empty town,” said Julia, shaking her head. She turned her face to keep John from seeing the tears building up.

John led Julia to the porch swing and motioned for her to be seated. He eased himself down beside her. “Jule,” he began slowly, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.” He paused to choose his words carefully. He did not want to hurt the woman he loved so dearly.

“You have—have given it everything you could, but, Jule—I don’t think it’s going to work. Not here. I’m afraid we are going to have to give up, Jule. To let the house go.”

John waited, holding his breath. He had never given Julia orders before. He expected a cry of protest, but Julia remained silent.

“We can’t go on like this, Jule. I can’t stand being without you—without the girls. I think—”

“What are you saying?” asked Julia, her voice trembling.

“We need to be together. To be a family again. I know it will hurt you to lose the house, but—”

“The house?” gasped Julia. “You think I can’t give up the
house
?”

John looked at his wife, a puzzled expression in his eyes.

“John, I don’t care about the house. Oh, I—I’ve loved it, of course—but without my family—the big, beautiful house has become a—a mammoth tomb. Empty and lonely. No, John, it isn’t my love for the house that has kept me here—trying to—”

“Then what?” asked John.

“You. You, John. I thought you couldn’t bear to give up the house.

I didn’t want to lose it—for you, John.”

“You mean—?”

Julia nodded her head vigorously. “You worked so hard to give me everything—to have things perfect for me. I thought—I thought it would—would crush you to—to give it all up. I tried to hold it for
you
,” sobbed Julia, burying her face against her husband’s shoulder.

“Oh, Jule, Jule,” John soothed her. “I just want—I just want you. I want us to be together. I can’t stand this—this being apart.”

“That’s all I want too,” sobbed Julia.

John kissed her wet cheek. He held her close, his own tears joining hers. Then he smiled and lifted her chin. “You’ll come with me? Move? Now?” he asked.

“Oh yes!” cried Julia, her eyes beginning to shine.

“What of Hettie—and Tom?”

“Hettie’s father just wrote. He wants them to live with him. He’s not been well. Hettie was fussing about it because she wouldn’t leave me.”

John’s arm tightened around Julia. “I found a little house,” he enthused like a child. “It’s—it’s not much—nothing like this one—but it does have a mountain view.”

Julia sensed his teasing. “Is there room for all of us?” she asked.

John nodded. “It will be crowded. The girls will have to share a room.”

“They’ve always shared a room,” Julia reminded him. “Oh, John—I’m so—so filled with—with joy—I fear I might burst. I can hardly wait another minute.”

John kissed her again, his face sobering. “I was so afraid,” he admitted. “So afraid you might not want to go off to another lumber town. That you wouldn’t be able to leave—this.” He nodded toward the large white house.

Julia shook her head with confidence. She was surprised that her long-troubled mind felt peace at last.

“It’s time,” she whispered. “I feel—feel free to go now. I didn’t feel this way before. This—release. Why?”

“Perhaps because you were still needed here,” John answered.

Julia thought of Constance and of Maude Shannon. “Yes, perhaps that
is
the reason,” she said. “Maybe I
was
still needed here.”

“And now?” asked John.

Julia placed her arms around his neck, her face aglow. “Now,” she said, “now God is giving us new challenges. New adventures. Oh, John! I’m so thankful we can face them together.”

“Let’s go wire the girls,” John suggested, and Julia hastily agreed.

“Perhaps Papa will bring them home to us!” she exclaimed, thinking ahead to the great reunion of their family. Tears of happiness glistened on her cheeks as she laid her head against John’s shoulder.