His Timing (ages 13-17)

 by Micaiah C. 

Part 1: The Beginning

 Fresno, California, Fall 1895

Twenty-seven-year-old Andrea Rose Carter Prescott walked silently into Doctor Weaver’s office balancing her baby boy, Tobias, on her hip.

Lucy lifted her swollen eyes towards her sister-in-law. “Sit down, would you?”

Andi nodded, settling Tobias on her lap as she perched on the edge of the settee. “How is he?”

Lucy opened her mouth to speak as Andi’s mind drifted back to earlier that day. A messenger boy had rushed a note to the Prescott residence that morning. Justin had been in the buggy riding to his office when the horse spooked. The buggy had overturned.

“...but we’re not sure yet.”

Andi’s mind snapped back to the present. She blushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get the first part.”

“Doctor Weaver’s with him now.” She took a deep breath. “Oh, Andi! What if he’s not okay? What if…” Lucy’s shoulders shook.

Andi put an arm around her sister-in-law while still keeping Tobias steady. “Don’t go there, Lucy. He’ll get better. He has to.”

Lucy forced a slight smile. “I hope you’re right. I don’t know what I would do without-”

Her sentence was cut off with the door to Doctor Weaver’s back room opening.

Lucy flew up from her chair. “How is he? Will he be alright?”

Doctor Weaver bit his lip. “I’m not going to pretend everything is alright. It’s not. Justin has intense swelling in his brain. I’m not qualified to perform the surgery he needs. There is a doctor in San Francisco who can do the surgery. We need to get him there as fast as possible.”

Andi glanced over at Lucy’s pale face. “Is it similar to what Riley had?” she asked.

The doctor shrugged. “Similar, yes, but much more serious.”

Lucy placed her head in her hands. “Can you arrange for his transportation?”

Doc Weaver nodded. “We’ll have him there by tomorrow. I suggest you follow.”

Andi looked at Lucy. “I’m going with you. Riley and Mother can watch Jared, the twins, and your kids. I’ll bring Tobias.”

Lucy nodded. “Can you wire Kate and tell her we’re coming?”

~~~

As Andi leaned her head against the window of the train a single tear trickled down her cheek. the wheels’ cheerful clickity-clackity felt like a taunt.

Andi brought her gaze over to Lucy as she settled Tobias into a better position on her lap. “How are you doing?”

Lucy shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t know. What am I going to do if he doesn’t make it, Andi? What about Sammy and Gracie?” She put a hand to her stomach. “What about…”

Andi gasped. “Lucy, you don’t mean?”

Lucy bit her lip. “       I do. I’m pregnant, Andi.”

Andi grinned. “That’s spectacular, Lucy.”

“What if my new baby grows up never knowing his daddy? What if Justin never lives to see him?”

“You don’t need to worry about that now. Justin is going to get better.” Andi glanced down at Tobias as he cooed. He has too.

~~~

Andi sat down on the bed, settling Tobias next to her. “Lord,” she began out loud, “please watch over him. I don’t know what I would do without him.”

She lifted her teary face to focus on the door when someone knocked. “May I come in?” Kate’s gentle voice asked.

“I’d like that.”

As Kate made her way to the bed, Andi took in a shuddering breath. “What if he’s not okay, Kate? What would happen to Lucy and the kids?”

Kate shook her head. “The Lord would give us grace for each day. But if it’s God’s will, he will get better.”

Andi nodded slowly. “You’re right. I know you are, I just can’t imagine life without him.”

She watched a tear slip from Kate's eye onto her cheek. “I don’t know either.”

~~~

“So, Doctor Nelson?”

The middle-aged doctor smiled reassuringly at Lucy. “The surgery went well. I can’t promise he’ll be okay, it may take a while for him to wake up. But, I think he will.”

Andi let out a deep breath. “Thank You, Lord.”

Lucy nodded. “Yes indeed. Thank you, Doctor.”

Kate closed her eyes. “You see? God has it under control. Justin’s in his hand now.”

 

Part 2: The Waiting

 

Lucy walked into the room slowly. “He’s gone, Andi. It’s over.”

Andi let out a scream. “No! I don’t believe it. Justin can’t be dead.”

Lucy shrugged. “He’s gone,” she repeated.

 

Andi sat up in bed with a start, her heart pounding.

Kate ran in. “Is something wrong, Andi?”

Andi’s heart began to slow. “It was only a dream.” She patted the bed beside her. “Come sit with me for a while.”

Kate smiled, sitting down beside her.

“Why is it taking so long, Kate? It’s been five days and we haven’t heard a thing. Surely Lucy would have sent word if he woke up. She’s been with him day and night.”

Kate shrugged. “I don’t know. Why don’t you go over tomorrow?”

“No. I can’t stand seeing him so still.”

Kate bit her lip. “I know how you feel. But remember, it’s God’s timing. Not our own.”

Andi nodded. “You’re right. It’s His timing.” She got out of bed, put on her housecoat, and tiptoed over to Tobias’ crib. “Still sleeping.”

Kate grinned. “Babies are like that. Even if the world around them is in shambles, they still seem as peaceful as ever.”

Andi smiled. “I can’t sleep. I think I might write to Riley.”

Kate stood up, turning towards the door. “I’ll leave you to it.”

Andi took a pen, an ink well, and a fresh sheet of paper off the bureau.

Dear Riley,

How are you, Jared, and the twins? Are Sammy and Gracie alright?

Justin’s surgery went well, but Doctor Nelson isn’t sure if he’ll make a full recovery. As Kate says, it’s in the Lord’s hands now. She also shared a verse with me that you can share with Gracie and Sammy if they’re scared.

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I haven’t seen him, not since the surgery. I can’t bear looking at his still form. Lucy hasn’t left his side the whole time.

It’s been five days, Riley. What if he never wakes up?

Kate suggested bringing Tobias to Land’s End tomorrow to get my mind off things. I think I might.

It’s late here, so I should try and get some sleep.

I miss and love you, Riley. Give my love to everyone.

Love Andi

 

Part 3: The Conclusion

 

Andi slowly walked along the windy seashore, her white dress blowing in the cool, steady breeze. “This is Land’s End,” Andi whispered to Tobias, nestled in her arms.

She shifted her eyes to gaze upon the rolling water. “Looking out at the waves makes it seem like everything is perfect. Like nothing could be wrong,” she murmured. Oh how wrong they are.

Andi set her baby boy on the blanket she had spread on the sandy shore. As she knelt to join him, a sob choked her throat. “Why God? Please make him well. I need to see him standing up straight and tall like he used to. I can’t bear to see him so pale.”

“Then turn around.”

Andi sucked in a breath. She knew that voice. That was the voice she looked to for comfort when Father died. That was the voice that had soothingly told her it would be alright after she fell and scraped her knee. That was the voice that had gently prodded her into womanhood. That was the voice!

Andi spun around, rising to her feet. Tears streamed down her face, for before her stood her big brother for so many years. Standing straight, tall, and whole.

There he was.

Andi threw herself at him, burying her tear stained face in his chest. “Justin!” Thank You, God!

Justin wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Everything was finally alright.

~~~

Justin slowly lowered himself onto the settee next to Lucy.

Andi plopped herself on his other side. “So? What happened? We haven’t heard a thing.”

Lucy smiled. “He woke up the night after the surgery and I didn’t have the heart to leave. I asked the nurse to send word. Didn’t you get it?”

Andi shook her head. “Kate and I were worried sick. I had no clue until I saw the two of you on the shore.”

Lucy let out a chuckle. “I can imagine. Sorry it didn’t get here. I can’t believe how much unrest that must have given you.”

Andi shrugged. “Now that Justin’s here I don’t care.” She leaned her head on her big brother’s shoulder. Thank You, Lord. Thank You.