Bamboo and Lace (63 page)

“Your personal Bible study needs to be a priority, Lily,” he said without rebuke. “It's important. I know you agree with that, so we've got to find a way for you to have the time every day.”

Lily nodded, realizing she should have talked to her husband about this a week ago, even though he was busy at work these days and often tired in the evening.

“Did you read the letter from your father?” Gabe asked.

“No, I saw the envelope but didn't have time.” Lily shook her head. “Not even time to read a letter from my father.” Lily just barely managed to keep from crying again.

“Come here,” Gabe commanded softly, and Lily joined him on the floor. He wrapped his arms around her and continued quietly. “Have you ever seen those stress charts?” he asked, his chin resting on top of Lily's head.

“I'm not sure I know what you mean.”

“They're usually done by medical groups or maybe insurance companies, but studies show something to the effect that starting a new job is fairly high on the scale. I think having a baby is always near the top. So is getting married. So now, what does Lily do? In June you moved across seven time zones, in July you got married, and in October you became a mother. In the space of five months you've hit some of the most stressful situations on the list.

“I'm not saying that God looks the other way when we're stressed. We need to be trusting and not tearing our hair out, but you have been under a lot of pressure.”

“That's true, but why did you ask me if I'd read my father's letter?”

“Because he had a special note in this letter; it was to me.”

Lily shifted to look into his face.

“From across the miles your father figured out that you would be trying to do it all. He told me to make sure you understand what your priorities are. He doesn't expect you to move away from Lhasa and still be a part of that church.”

“Is that what you think I'm doing?”

“Not exactly, but he's not too far off.”

“I need you to explain.”

“In the bulletin every week is a listing of several ladies' Bible studies, but you're upset about not being able to translate.”

Lily still looked at him, her expression open, so he went on.

“Your first priority is your relationship with the Lord. After that comes me, Jasmine, and then this church family. Much as I still want you to translate, Lily, I don't want you to put more time and energy into it than you do the things that are here.

“Your father already understood that. I wish I'd seen it sooner.”

Lily sighed. “I hadn't thought about it in quite those terms. I just assumed I couldn't go to Bible study because Bailey doesn't go and I don't drive.”

“Why don't we ask if anyone comes from our direction when we get to the Stringers' tonight?”

“So you want me to join Barb's study?”

“First of all, I want to know what you want.”

“I would love to go to Bible study as long as I could take Jasmine.”

“I believe they all figure out their own babysitting needs.”

“Okay.”

“Any other hurdles besides driving and taking Jasmine?”

“I don't think so.”

“Then we'll do some asking tonight, or you can call the church office.”

“I have the list in my bulletin too.”

“Oh, yeah,” Gabe remembered. “Mine's right here in my Bible.” While still able to hold his wife, Gabe reached for his Bible and the two studied the list he found there. Gabe did not know what each Bible study was working on, but he was able to explain to Lily who some of the leaders were. She had not met several of them.

Jasmine, completely unaware that her parents were in the room, slept on while they talked and made plans. Lily had been an early riser before having to get up in the night with a baby. They decided to try that again, even at the risk of lost sleep, in order for Lily to have that quiet time with her Savior. She was to leave the room and not worry about the baby because Gabe would be there.

“And today I'll ask Ash and Deanne if they'll take Jazz, so tonight after Bible study you and I can head out to the hot tub.”

Lily smiled. “I would like that.”

Even after they'd made all their plans, Gabe just wanted to hold her. It was still a miracle to him that she was his—his to cherish and take care of, his to forgive him even when he made mistakes and wasn't the best husband he could be.

Lily was feeling the same way about herself. She wished again that she had talked to Gabe about this before. She should have known that he would listen and take care of her.

The doorbell rang as Gabe and Lily were headed out the door for Bible study that very night. Evan, Bailey, and the kids had gone ahead, but Jasmine had spit up all over Lily and she had run to change her blouse.

“I'll get it,” Gabe called as Lily's flight in the upstairs hall paused.

“Hello,” Ana said when Gabe opened the door. “Is Lily home?”

“She is. Come on in.”

“Is this a bad time?”

“Come on in,” Gabe repeated, dodging the question. “She just ran upstairs and should be right down.”

“Wow!” Ana said as she came more fully into the room. “This is even bigger than it looks from the outside.”

“Yes,” Gabe agreed, taking a moment to look around too. “It's pretty spacious.”

“Lily said that you don't live here alone.”

“No, we don't. My sister, her husband, and their three children live here as well.”

“How does that work out?”

“It works well, actually. I've never known anything else, and Lily fits right in.”

“You grew up here?”

“Yes. This is the house I came home to from the hospital.”

Gabe found himself under Ana's speculative gaze. He was slightly relieved when he heard Lily on the stairs.

“Ana!” she said as soon as she spotted her. “I'm so glad you came.”

Keeping with what she'd done last time, Lily hugged her.

“Sit down and tell me how you've been.”

“So this is not a bad time?”

“As a matter of fact,” Lily spoke as she led her over to the sofas and took a seat, “we were headed out the door, but I still want to talk to you. How is work?”

“It's okay.”

“Are you still on days?”

“Yeah.”

“And how is Nick?”

“He's okay.”

Lily smiled. “Good.”

“I brought Jasmine a gift,” Ana said, producing a small gift bag and a card.

“Oh, thank you. Should I open it right now?”

“Sure, if you have time.”

“Too bad Jasmine is sleeping in her seat,” Lily said as she opened the card first and then the bag.

“Would she help with the tissue paper?” Gabe asked, and Ana seemed to think this very amusing.

Lily lifted out the gift and could only laugh in delight. Ana had done it. It was the smallest swimsuit Lily had ever seen, with red and white stripes, navy blue straps, and a blue anchor. Lily was enchanted.

“I know what we could do!” Lily had a sudden idea. “Come back tomorrow and we'll go swimming. Can you make it?”

“Not tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Lily said, put off for only a moment. “What day will work for you?”

Watching her, Gabe smiled. At one time she would have apologized for being presumptuous. Now she was setting all that aside to reach out.

“I'll call you after I check my work schedule,” Ana said, her face as open as Lily had ever seen it. And with that, she stood. “I'd better get home.”

“Thank you, Ana. I can't wait to see it on her.”

Lily hugged her again, and this time Ana returned it without surprise. As they saw her to the door, they talked about everyone's plans for Thanksgiving, which was still about four weeks away, but Ana did not linger. As Gabe expected, Lily turned to him as soon as the door shut.

“Was I too pushy?”

“No. She seemed genuinely pleased.”

Lily was pleased as well, and her pleasure was evident even after they arrived late to Bible study and she asked the group to please keep praying.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Have you been stood up?” Bailey asked quietly when Lily and Jasmine arrived at the pool.

“I don't know, but on my walk out here I realized I can't be upset about this. I mean, Ana called me the day after Thanksgiving and said she would come swimming today, and now she hasn't shown up. I've done all I can do at this point, Bailey. I've got to leave it with the Lord.”

“What if she's running late, and we're not in the house?”

“I put a note for her on the front door and told her to come around.”

The women were quiet for a moment, and then Bailey spoke again. They talked softly because some other families were also at the pool. With their lounge chairs close, Sarah in a playpen, Jasmine asleep in her infant seat, and Celia in the shallow end of the pool, the two had some time alone.

“I want to tell you what an encouragement you've been to me, Lily.”

Lily looked over at her.

“Even this thing with Ana. You reach out more than I do, and I'm trying to work on that. I've heard you and Gabe talking about women's Bible study a couple of times, and I want to tell you that wherever you decide to go, I'll go with you, so you don't need to worry about a ride.”

“Bailey,” Lily said gently, “where did this come from?”

“I used to go, Lily, when Peter was a baby, but when Celia came along I just got out of the habit. So you tell me which one you want to go to, and we'll do it.”

Lily reached out to touch her arm.

“Thank you, Bailey. I can't tell you how excited I am to have you go with me. Do you have an interest in any particular one?”

“I had heard that Barb is doing a study about loving your husband. I think that sounds good.”

“Yes, it does. The one on grace sounds good to me too, but let's go to Barb's.”

“Okay. We'll probably just get a few weeks in before they break for Christmas, but let's do it. I'll call her today and ask how we get our books.”

“Okay, and let's hold each other accountable on this. We're not going to let the holidays make us too busy to do our lessons or attend.”

“Deal.”

The two lounged in the sun and talked off and on. Bailey tried to remember if she knew anyone else who went to that study so she could tell Lily. She was able to connect some people, and that was fun.

“Are we still headed out to Christmas shop tomorrow?” Lily asked.

“I think so. Deanne is planning on it. I have only one errand to run, and we can do that on the way.”

About an hour later, Evan found them still making plans and soaking up the rays while his oldest daughter frolicked with a little friend she had made.

“Lily, there was a message for you on the answering machine. Ana says she's sorry, but she can't come.”

“Thanks, Evan. Did she say anything else?”

“Only that she would call you back.”

Lily nodded before looking to Bailey.

“Well, at least I know.”

“Do you have her number?”

“I do, yes, and I might call when she's at work so she won't feel awkward. That way I can leave a message and she'll know I'm not upset.”

“That's a good way to handle it.”

“I didn't erase the message, Lily, in case you wanted to hear it.”

“Thanks, Evan.”

Evan sat on the edge of his wife's lounge chair just then so he could tell her something. Lily was glad. She wanted a few minutes to pray and ask the Lord to help her not stand in the way for Ana.

Maybe I came on too strong, Lord. Maybe I scared her away. Help me to be bold and kind. Help me to reach out with a good balance of grace and truth.

Lily also prayed that she would leave it with the Lord and not fret. He wanted Ana to come to Him more than she did. Lily reminded herself of this for the rest of the day.