Chapter 7
Several Months Later
Jack stumbled through the door to his apartment after a long and exhausting day, dropped his keys on the end table by the couch and slowly stripped off first his jacket and then his tie, dropping both at the end of the couch before slowly sinking down unto the cushions.
The months since his father's death had both gone by very quickly and then at times very slowly. June had turned into July, and before he knew it the end of August was already slipping by like a thief in the night. He had been somewhat shocked to realize when he arrived at work that day and saw the date on the calendar. It had hit him from out of the blue that it had been over two months since he had laid his father to rest.
Bless Sue – seeing the distress on Jack's face, she had quickly made the excuse that Levi needed a walk and had requested Jack go with her to pick up pastries from the local coffee shop. Whether anyone else saw the true reason for the impromptu trip, it wasn't spoken of or brought to anyone else's attention. A little time in the park, watching Levi run after his ball, and generally letting him have his time to collect his thoughts, had done him a world of good. Of course, it didn't help that the love of his life was there to quietly give him the strength that he so needed.
Sighing, he leaned against the back of the couch and closed his eyes for what he thought was just for a few moments. The next thing he knew he heard the sound of a key sliding into the key hole of his door. Glancing back at the door, he waited. A mass of golden fur flew in first, followed by the blond head of his partner balancing a bag of groceries in one hand, a package in the other, and trying to pull the key out of the door.
Jack jumped up and rescued the bag of groceries before Sue lost her grip. Smiling her thanks, she finally managed to pull the key out and placed it back in her bag. Jack had given her the key some time ago when Sue insisted on helping buy some of the groceries for his place since she was there all the time cooking. So, instead of loaning her his key all the time, Jack just gave her his spare so she could let herself in.
He carried the bag into the kitchen and began pulling stuff out to be put away. He waited until she had a chance to put the package and her bag down before attempting a conversation with her. Once she had put her things away, she followed him into the kitchen and began to pull out what she needed to make their meal that night. Before she got too far, arms reached around her, familiar lips began a slow journey from the base of her skull down the side of her shoulder. "Jack, I'm not going to get far making dinner if you keep distracting me."
Feeling his laughter rumble behind her, the hands in front of her signed But I like distractions.
She giggled. It was good to see his sense of humor was returning. "Yes, I know you do. But if I don't get supper started we'll go hungry."
Jack spun her around. "Then we can order out later. Right now, all I want is you." He moved closer to her lips, teased them with light brushes before descending with a passionate kiss that threatened to undo her self control. Slowly, teasingly, he released her. Bereft of any physical feeling, she slumped against him trying to catch her breath. Jack pulled her toward him and buried his face in her hair. When they finally pulled back from each other, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I wasn't kidding about wanting you. Today, all day, I felt so – I'm not sure. Lost. Dazed. All I really knew was that I needed you. You're my rock. You are my life. I'd be lost without you."
Sue reached up and brushed her fingertips across his lips. "You are my life, too." She gently brushed her lips to his, then pushed away from him and went back to where she had dropped the package. "I was given this on the way into your building. Mrs. Watson said it was delivered earlier today. I guess you two just missed each other when you came home. Anyways, I recognized the address. It's from your mom." She handed it to him.
Brow furrowed, Jack walked over to the table and began to open the box. Nestled inside was an envelope and some tissue wrapped items. Pulling out first the envelope, Jack pulled out the page and began to read the note.
Dear Jack,
I was going through some of your father's things the other day and came across these items. I thought you might like to have them.
Love, Mom
Peeling back the tissue, Jack pulled out his father's eagle. Stroking the feathers of the wings, Jack slowly sat down at the kitchen table at a loss for words.
Sue tentatively reached out to him. "Jack?"
Clearing his throat, Jack spoke, "My father made this when I was a boy. It was always one of his favorites. He loved to tell stories as he carved them. Said each carving had a story that needed to be told. So, one day, when he was teaching me how to carve animals, he was telling me a story about these people when they were in exile, in Babylon I think. And they were tired, and depressed and thought that God had forgotten about them. But then this guy reminds them that God never gets tired, that he hadn't forgotten about them, and that He would replace their weariness with His strength, like eagles soaring on their wings."
"But those who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint," Sue quoted the verse from Isaiah.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, that sounds right. He always said that it was one of his mottos in life. There are days when I wish I had what he had, the ability to trust in something like that. Like today." Jack continued to stare at the wooden creature in his hands.
Giving him a few moments, Sue decided to pick up the box to move it from the table but realized it still had some weight to it. Reaching in, she pulled out a leather bound book. "Jack?"
Taking the book from her, he brushed his hand across it feeling the cracked leather where it was worn from many years of use. He turned to the first page and a letter fell out.
Jack,
This bible belonged to your grandfather and when he passed, it was given to me. Your mother has instructions to pass on to you in the event that I do as well, and only when she feels you are ready for it. It is a great instruction manual to this thing we call life. The eagle I carved when you were a boy represents the verse Isaiah 40:39. Know that if you put your trust in Him, he will give you the strength to face whatever comes your way every time.
Dad
The answer he had been seeking all day was suddenly there, in his hands, staring at him. A sob tore through him, clutching the bible to him as Sue pulled him in her arms. As the tears slowed, Jack lifted his head and looked at her desperately. "Is it possible to find what he had? What you have? Why would God want someone like me? I'm not perfect, far from it."
Tears running down her cheeks, she held his face between her hands. "Because He loves you, unconditionally. No strings attached. Just trust him."
"Where do I start?"
