The Next Door Boys (3 page)

“A short while?” Stuart laughed. “A year in Iraq together feels like a lot longer than a short while.”

“I guess so.” Brian chuckled in agreement.

Julie sat down next to me, and everything about her felt warm: her smile, her eyes, the way she looked at me. She wasn't afraid to sit close, and her gaze didn't waver when she turned her head to speak.

“Wow, Leigh. It's really nice to meet you finally.” She rested her arm around my shoulders. “Oh! I made cookies. I forgot. I'll be right back. I was going to make bread, but I'm a disaster at making bread.”

“I can help you with that,” I offered. “With the bread. We always had fresh bread in the house when we were growing up.” Mom did amazing things with food. I didn't know if I'd actually inherited any talent, but I'd learned a lot while watching her over the years.

“That'd be great, but no hurry. You know, your brother has been singing your praises since he got here last January.” She glanced at what I wore. “I like your skirt.”

“Thanks,” I looked down. Jaron must have told her I sewed, and I shot him another look. I wanted a clean slate. Guess that was impossible. He had promised that no one knew I'd been sick. He'd mentioned something to Brian, but even he didn't have the whole story. Jaron said it was my story to tell, and I could tell it when and if I wanted to.

“I wonder why Evan showed up today,” Kim mused with a smile as we walked into our apartment.

“Oh, I thought you two were…” I didn't know how to finish.

“I wish.” Kim pronounced each word carefully. She must really like him.

Megan chuckled once. “I can guess why he was here.”

“What?” I asked when I realized she looked my direction.

She shrugged. “He's just not one of our regulars. He finally decided to come over the first Sunday you were here, that's all. Jaron's invited him a few times. That, and I saw him steal more than one glance your way.”

“Well, I didn't see him looking at me.” I didn't want anyone to like me. Not when I was finally out on my own. I wanted to concentrate on school, and I wanted to enjoy my free time by myself.

“Leigh, he's not like, straight out of the mission field. He's older, ready to settle down. Not only is he gorgeous, but he's nearly done with his master's degree. He's going to be an accountant,” Kim said.

“Okay.” I was not interested in getting involved with anyone, no matter how cute he was or how much money he was potentially going to make.

Kim rolled her eyes.

“I'm just not looking to date anyone right now, that's all.” I didn't see how that would be a big deal.

Kim started toward her room. “Well, I'm off to bed. First day of classes always wipes me out.”

“Night.” I walked back to my room. I couldn't imagine my four little classes wiping me out. But it was better than being at home.

For our first “official” FHE, Jaron thought it would be cool if we all shared a favorite scripture. Apparently, ever since he arrived, he'd pulled the two basement apartments together like we would have done if we were all living in the BYU dorms. Stuart and Julie were always welcome because they lived there, and I guess Evan just tagged along.

Jaron set his scriptures on the table. “So, there are kind of a lot of us tonight. Hopefully I'm not always such a tyrant about home evenings.” We laughed a little with him. “I'll start since this was my idea. I thought it would help us get to know one another better.” He took a deep breath. “This is the most quoted scripture in general conference, but I think it's because it gives us hope and a small understanding of the love of our Father in Heaven. ‘For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’”

We'd all heard that one before, but it was nice to hear it again, just the same. I sat next to him, but he started around the circle in the opposite direction. I exhaled in relief. I wanted to hear what everyone else had to say first.

Stuart shared the story of the stripling warriors. “I used to read those chapters over and over,” he said. “It helped me get through day after day after day in Iraq. Monotony followed by moments of terror was a hard way to live.”

Brian stared at his lap. I wondered what was going through his head.

Julie shared from 1 Kings 19, verse 12, something about the still, small voice.

“It's just hard to hear sometimes, and I think without realizing it, we look for the Lord in the big things, not in the small things.”

Stuart reached out and touched her cheek, his eyes full of soft admiration.

“I'm also glad that I didn't know Stuart when he was off fighting in a war.” She turned to him and swallowed. “I can't imagine listening for a quiet voice when I was worried for his life day after day.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. Julie closed her eyes.

I got chills.

“There's a part in Isaiah I wanted to share,” Evan started. My brain turned off with those words. I knew there was good stuff in Isaiah, but it was like wading through Jell-O for me.

“Brian?” Jaron asked after Evan finished speaking. My head snapped toward Brian.

Brian held his scriptures in one hand and rested his other hand over the open pages. “I'd heard about people having these great experiences on their baptism day, of turning to some profound scripture, and I really wanted one of those experiences.” He laughed a little at himself. “It took me like four tries before I found one that made sense for me and for the day. It's in Third Nephi. ‘There were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed.’ I knew then I wanted to make sure people around me knew I believed in Jesus Christ and that I really wanted to live my life accordingly.”

He completely took me in by what he said. It suddenly felt like such a great advantage—being baptized when you're older and have a deeper understanding of the importance. I remembered my pretty baptism day dress and very little else. It was a pretty dress…

My turn. The scripture I'd first wanted to share was in James. The one the prophet Joseph Smith had read that prompted him to ask the Lord which church he should join. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” The problem with sharing that one was that my understanding of that scripture came from my time sick; that was not something I wanted to share.

“Leigh?” Jaron looked at me.

“From Ruth.” I smiled. I didn't need my scriptures for this one. “‘Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.’”

I stared at my lap. “I like it because it showed the strength of a bond between two women where you might not expect it. I also love the idea of that kind of loyalty. I can't imagine being married to someone without that kind of dedication. Not that I'm eager to get married,” I added quickly. When I looked up, everyone was looking at me in silence. Did I do something wrong? “Sorry, what?” I asked, suddenly nervous.

“Thanks, Leigh,” Julie said. “I'll have to go and read Ruth before bed.”

I smiled back.

“I've never heard that one before,” Brian said.

“Really?” In my house that scripture was almost on par with the one Jaron had shared.

“Well, I haven't been around as long as you have, Leigh.” He raised his eyebrows, and his voice said, “obviously.” Fortunately, he was also smiling.

“Sorry.” I hadn't been around many converts. I'd been around people who knew everything or nothing. I hoped Brian wasn't offended. He was a good friend to Jaron, so I'd hoped we'd be friends too. Jaron had talked about Brian a lot since his mission. Even Mom and Dad were eager to meet him.

three

By Friday my body felt weak and completely exhausted. My first week went by in a blur. My math classes were overwhelming. I heard a knock at my door and groaned. I just wanted to be left alone.

I opened the door to see Jaron.

“Hey, Jaron.”

“How was the first week?” His eyebrows rose in honest interest.

“More exhausting than I thought,” I admitted. I knew immediately my admission was a mistake because his forehead wrinkled in concern.

“You're okay, though?” He tried to keep his voice light.

“I'm okay.” We stood in the doorway, but I hoped to sneak a nap in before dinner, so I didn't invite him in. “I volunteered my help at the costume shop, so that might be a fun break later on.”

“But if you're already tired…” he started.

“Sewing's easy for me, Jaron. It's okay.” I smiled a little so he'd know I wasn't offended. Or so he'd know I was at least trying not to be offended.

“Well, I'm here on official church business.” He relaxed against the doorframe.

“What can I help you with?” I'd never had a calling as an adult.

“Rumor has it the Lord would like you to serve with Megan in the Relief Society Presidency.”

“With Megan? I guess that would be okay.” Wow, the thought of being in Relief Society was still a little strange. To be in the Presidency was… bizarre.

“Great. They'll officially ask you and set you apart Sunday.” He smiled.

“Also…” Now he looked mischievous. “The Holy Spirit has been whispering to me…” He did his best impression of a fortuneteller, closing his eyes and rubbing his fingers on his temples. He always did this when he was about to ask me to do something he knew I wouldn't want to say yes to.

“Just tell me what you want, Jaron.” I did my best to sound annoyed, but I couldn't hide my smile.

“It's been a long time since I played piano in sacrament.” Oh, I knew what he wanted from me.

“Go ahead and play then,” I said back.

“I need an accompanist.” It was his joke, like he needed me to sing so he could play. Not the other way around. I saw Brian come up behind him in the doorway.

“I don't know…” I started.

“Oh, come on. I'll let you pick the song?” The dealing was about to begin.

“And make whatever I want for dinner.” I folded my arms across my chest.

“What?” He sounded incredulous. “That's blackmail! I'm feeling the stirrings of the Spirit of our dear Father in Heaven, and you're talking meals?”

“I'm about to throw in a pair of shoes.” I laughed up at him.

“Okay.” He tried to sound thoughtful. “How about I pick the song and I'll make you whatever you want for dinner.”

I would've done it if he'd just asked. “Wait, what's the topic?”

“Topic?” he asked.

“Yeah, you who asked. What are people talking about?”

“Uh…”

“Never mind. How about, ‘Peace Be Still’? I love that one, and since we've done it before, it shouldn't take too much prep from either of us.”

Brian talked over Jaron's shoulder. “You sing?”

“Her voice is…” Jaron shook his head. “When she actually sings, which she doesn't always do,” he looked at me accusingly, “her voice is pure and sweet and absolutely… angelic.” I reddened at the praise.

“Why wouldn't you ‘actually’ sing?” Brian asked.

“When I ‘actually’ sing during a sacrament meeting hymn, people start to stare at me. It's unnerving.” I hoped I made sense.

“Okay.” Brian shrugged.

I did love to sing, but it made me so tense. When I was tense like that, I couldn't breathe. Breathing was important for singing. Jaron knew me well enough to give me very little warning. It was better that way. He was also good about forcing me to do it. I didn't want to feel like I volunteered. Like, “here I am, I can sing, listen to me!” He always told me I was silly for thinking that way, but his words didn't change the way I thought. I didn't know how my voice sounded to other people; I knew it felt good to sing… when I could breathe.

“We can walk over to the stake center sometime tomorrow and practice,” Jaron said.

“Yeah, that'd be good,” I agreed.