Obadiah's Angel
Chapter 18
A Prayer Answered
By
Becky
The afternoon was humid and stifling, as the temperatures of August soared. It seemed to be getting hotter as the middle of August fast approached.
The town seemed to slow down as people began to stay inside their homes, and out of the blazing sun. As long as he could remember, Kenneth Untner had never known it to be this bad.
It was said the river Thames was beginning to go down as the excessive heat continued. They needed rain, and needed it badly. 'Perhaps tonight,' Kenneth thought as he removed his vest, turned his sleeves up, and loosened his collar.
There was a slight breeze blowing through the windows that helped to move the heavy air around, but what they really needed was a cooling rainstorm.
He stood beside the window, looking out onto the grounds of the synod, and noticed some of the grass had begun to turn yellow with the heat of summer.
Gazing skyward he prayed, 'Lord, we sure could use some rain. Please send us a cooling shower soon. If it be your will. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.'
Sighing, he turned away from the window and sat in his chair. There were papers to grade, and he needed to get to them.
Earlier, he'd glimpsed Obadiah as he made his way toward the groundskeeper's shed. He hoped he'd worked through the things that were plaguing him.
He knew it was Gertrude Oleson's actions that had caused such despair and self doubt to invade Obadiah's mind, and he wanted him to come to terms with what had happened, and to know it wasn't his fault.
He'd prayed often during the days the boy had been there. He just hoped things would work out for him.
As Kenneth sat grading papers, lost deep in thought, a knock came. "Enter," he called out, and turned toward the door as it opened.
Obadiah strolled in, and smiling at his mentor, he asked, "Want some company, sir?"
Kenneth smiled at the younger man, then laid aside the quill he was holding, and stood as he replied, "Yes, I sure could use some. I need a break from these papers." He chuckled.
Obadiah closed the door, walked to the settee, and took a seat.
Kenneth moved to the side board, pulled two glasses out, turned toward Obadiah, and asked, "Would you like some sherry?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful," he replied.
Bringing the glasses to the center of the room, Kenneth placed them on the low table between the settee and his chair, then took his seat.
Obadiah sat forward and began to speak. "Sir, I'm going to Camberwell today to visit mother again."
Kenneth nodded in understanding and replied, "That is wonderful. I'm sure she will be happy to see you again."
Obadiah nodded and replied, "It's been a week, and I told her I would return within the week."
Kenneth smiled and took a sip of his drink before going on. "When do they expect to transfer her to Northbrook?" he questioned.
Obadiah shook his head. "I'm going to ask the doctor that question today," he replied as he sipped at his drink.
Kenneth leaned forward, preparing to speak, but then sat back and thought about it for a moment.
Obadiah noticed his friend wanted to say something, and wondered what was on the man's mind. It took only a moment more to find out.
Kenneth cleared his throat, sat forward once more, and began, "Obadiah, you say you are going to visit your mother today, am I right?" Kenneth asked for clarification.
Obadiah nodded once. "Yes, sir, I am," he replied. "Why do you ask?"
Kenneth smiled and answered, "Well, I was thinking, perhaps a haircut, before you set out to see your mother, might be in order?"
Obadiah's eyes widened as he looked at his friend, then he replied, "Ruth thinks it looks just fine."
Kenneth knew then that he had been outvoted, and resigned himself to the fact! "Alright, son. If you like it, then it's alright by me," he replied as he raised his hands in resignation and chuckled.
Obadiah's defenses dropped immediately, and he laughed along with the man.
"Well now, I suppose you'll be wanting to get along, eh?" Kenneth questioned. "I hear the coach ride over to Camberwell is a bit rough."
Obadiah laughingly replied, "I'm not using the coach. I rent a horse from the livery stable two blocks down." This took Kenneth by surprise, and he chuckled.
"So you got over the horse ride you took when you were thirteen then?"
Obadiah's face flamed crimson, as he remembered that day.
He had been happy and excited about his first horse ride; his grandmother had arranged it at the neighbor's farm next to hers.
Kenneth had come over that day to take the boy to the farm.
The sight of all the horses had overwhelmed him as they walked past the pastures where they were grazing.
The owner of the farm, Josiah Harrington, met them at the gate, and ushered them to the paddock, pointing out the thoroughbreds, and others with questionable ability. The older man directed them to the paddock of horses that were for riding. "Already broken," he'd called them.
At thirteen, Obadiah hadn't understood what it meant, but instead had eyed a black stallion he'd wanted to ride.
Josiah told him the horse wasn't quite ready, but Obadiah was stubborn, and when Mr. Harrington and Kenneth had turned their backs, he went to the corral, climbed the fence, and straddled the horse's bare back. The horse's ears went flat against its head, he reared high into the air, and promptly pitched Obadiah off. The boy went sailing through the air, and landed firmly on his derriere.
Obadiah chuckled. "Yes, sir, I have recovered from that day," he replied as he rubbed his backside in a fond, but painful, remembrance of the landing!
Kenneth walked with him to the door and bid him good day. "Tell Esther I said hello, will you, son?" Kenneth clapped him on the shoulder and gave it a shake.
Obadiah nodded as he walked down the steps and out the gate.
As he approached the Livery stable, Obadiah saw the young stable hand standing outside the door. There was an older man talking to him; it seemed he was angry about something, and as Obadiah approached the entrance, he heard the man speaking. "You let someone take that horse and ride it, boy? What's wrong with you?" the older man berated the child, as he waved his hands in the air, and glowered at him.
"But, sir, he got back alright, came riding in right before dark!" the young boy replied, swallowing rapidly as he looked up at the overbearing man.
"Listen to me, you rapscallion, I don't care; for all we know, that horse is dangerous!"
The man raised his hand, intent on hitting the boy, but Obadiah grabbed his arm, and growled in his ear, "Hit that boy, and I will knock you out!"
The older man backed up and turned toward Obadiah. A sneer curled his lip as he laughed. "You? You're gonna knock me out? Ha, not likely you scrawny church rat!" the man spat back, and raised his fists to Obadiah.
Obadiah narrowed his eyes at the burly man, then replied, "I see you have no respect for the cloth, do you? Therefore, it is my duty to teach you some respect." He smiled as he took off his hat and handed it to the boy, followed by his coat.
As he turned back toward the man, he saw a large beefy fist coming straight at his face, and dodged the punch.
Raising his fists up, he informed the man, "I must tell you now, I was the boxing champion in my class. I just thought you'd want to know that we can stop this now, sir, before I hurt you." Obadiah spoke calmly, quietly, but in a readied stance for fighting.
They were circling each other, fists raised, ready for striking. The man laughed once again. "Yeah, I bet, you panty-waist twit."
Obadiah and the man continued to circle each other, the liveryman throwing punches and verbal insults in Obadiah's direction. But Obadiah never threw a punch; he only dodged the larger man's efforts, waiting for the right moment to strike. His chance finally came when the man dropped his left arm just enough for Obadiah to land a punch square in the man's face. He heard the man's nose crack, and a moment later, blood began to flow from his pudgy, broken nose.
Infuriated that he couldn't touch young pastor, the man became sloppy, and wildly began to try and hit Obadiah.
Each time he missed, he became more enraged, and several times landed headlong into the side of the barn. After about ten minutes of trying to best the young cleric, the man stayed down on the ground and raised his hands in defeat.
Winded and gasping for breath, bleeding from his nose and a cut to his eye from his first two collisions with the side of the barn, he gave up. "Aye, parson, ye beat me fair and square. I apologize for my words," the man whispered as Obadiah lowered his hands and shook his head.
"I, too, am sorry it came to fisticuffs, but you infuriated me with your actions toward this child. He did nothing wrong," Obadiah replied, shaking his head. "I was informed ahead of time that he had no knowledge of the animal, and I took matters into my own hands. Besides that, a man as big as you has no business hitting such a small boy," Obadiah growled as his own past came surging forward, and he remembered his own treatment as a child.
The older man shook his head as he climbed to his feet, dusted off his pants, and righted his coat. Obadiah approached the young boy and gave him a halfpence. "Here you go, youngster, please bring the horse to me. I wish to ride to Camberwell," Obadiah informed the boy, then turned to the man behind him. "This horse is not dangerous, rest assured of that, and I will return him before dark."
The livery owner nodded in agreement, and accepted the money Obadiah proffered, then stepped back.
The youngster led the horse out of the stable and handed Obadiah the reins.
"Here ye are, sir," the young man announced, and Obadiah took the reins, stepped into the stirrup, and swung himself into the saddle.
The horse nodded his head as Obadiah clicked his tongue and gently nudged his flanks. The horse took off in a slow canter down the road as Obadiah settled in for the ride.
Chuckling then, Obadiah called out, "Ah, horse, I see you remember the way." The horse nodded, let out a whinny, and continued on their way.
~*~*~*~*~*~
When he arrived at the asylum, he noticed several people outside on the grounds. There were white-coated men standing within several groups, as the residents chatted with one another or with the orderlies.
Obadiah approached the door, pulled back the heavy knocker, and let it fall. The same little man, 'Fredericks,' Obadiah thought, opened the door and greeted him.
"'ello, sir, you'll be wantin' to see Miss Esther, then?" Obadiah smiled and nodded as he was escorted up the stairs to Esther's room.
Obadiah knocked on the door, then pushed it open, and called out, "Mother?"
Esther Slope turned from the window and smiled at him. "Oh, son, you came back!" Her voice was stronger, and had more expression than the first time Obadiah had been there.
"Yes, Mother, I told you I'd return." He walked over to her and gave her a hug, then kissed her cheek as she clung to him and patted his back.
"Come now, let's sit down," he urged as he took her over to the bed. "How have you been this week?" He questioned, "Any problems at all, hmmm?" He waited patiently as she held tightly to his hand and looked at him intently.
"I'm quite alright, son," she reported with a smile. "No problems at all this week." She patted his hand, then went on, "It's so good to see you again."
Obadiah squeezed her hands and brushed back a lock of greying hair from her forehead. "Kenneth Untner sends his greetings." She nodded as he went on. "I am staying at the synod in London until another parish is available."
She shook her head and replied, "He is a good friend. Your father and he were the best of friends. Did you know that?" Obadiah nodded as she went on. "Now then, how was your week, son, anything spectacular take place?" Her eyes were sparkling with happiness, and burned with the familiar intensity Obadiah saw in his shaving mirror each morning as she waited for him to answer.
Obadiah smiled as he responded, "Well, on Sunday, I gave the sermon at the Synod."
Esther's smile grew wide, and she patted his cheek. "That's my boy," she replied, her pride clearly evident in her tone as she squeezed his hand. "Now then, son, tell me, do you have a special girl? What is she like?"
Obadiah blushed, but shook his head. "No, I don't, not yet." He frowned, then went on. "There was a girl on the coach from London to Hammersmith; her name is Angelique Rhys." Esther hung on his every word as he continued. "She has the most beautiful green eyes and blonde hair." He sighed wistfully, and looked once more at his mother.
Esther shook her head in understanding as she reached across the short space between them and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "My son, it sounds to me as if you are in love."
Obadiah shook his head and scowled. "Mother, I…" He stopped and looked up at her. His eyes held a sadness that Esther noticed right away.
"What is wrong, son?" she questioned, holding his hand tightly within her small, fragile ones.
Obadiah sighed as he replied, "I wrote a note to her after I reached Acton. I told her of my post, and the people. And how enjoyable the coach ride was." Esther nodded, and encouraged him to go on. "She never responded. I never heard from her. It's been a month now, and, well I just know she thinks I'm a masher, or worse." He stopped speaking abruptly, and looked at his mother.
Her eyes were filled with compassion, and she shook her head as she replied. "Son, don't think like that. Why, any girl in her right mind would welcome your attentions! Let's look at this another way shall we?" Obadiah cocked his head, and raised his eyebrow in questioning silence. "Perhaps she isn't in Hammersmith at this time? I know that Hammersmith is, well, let's say it is a place the well-to-do people live. People who are bankers, lawyers, and doctors." Obadiah nodded, and Esther continued. "Listen now, those people take extended vacations, away from England, especially in the summer months. Don't give up on her! I'm sure you will hear something soon. Have faith, Obadiah, faith! Not only in her, but in God. Things will work out all in their own good time." She reached across and hugged him tightly.
When she drew back, he kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Mother, you are far wiser than I could ever be."
Esther shook her head. "Oh mercy, no I am not." She chuckled as she hugged him once more. "Now then, how about you escort me outside? We can walk around the grounds until you have to leave," she suggested as she rose from the bed and stretched out her hand to him.
Obadiah took her hand, stood up, and together they went outside.
Hearing the clock on the square in Camberwell chime, Obadiah looked down at his mother as they slowly walked along beneath the tall oak trees. She looked at him. "Well, it's time for you to start back now, isn't it, son?"
Obadiah squeezed her hand and nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so," he replied, and they turned toward the walkway leading to the front door.
After Esther was settled in her room, and Obadiah had said his goodbyes, he walked to the Superintendent's office to talk with Mr. Townsley. He knocked once, and heard the booming voice of Monty Townsley call, "Come in."
Opening the door and stepping inside, Obadiah greeted the man. "Good evening, Mr. Townsley." He closed the door and approached the desk.
Monty Townsley rose and shook his hand, as he gestured to the settee, before taking a seat in the overstuffed chair next to it. "Mr. Slope, I mean Reverend, what can I do for you today?" he asked.
Obadiah smiled. "I need to know when my mother will be transferred to Northbrook," he replied. "I have a favor to ask, and I'd like to get the doctor's opinion on it."
Monty Townsley rose, went to his desk, and rustled through a stack of parchments. Finding the one he searched for, he pulled it from the pile, then turned back toward Obadiah. "Here we go, let's see. Oh yes, she will be leaving here on Sunday, sometime in the afternoon," he read from the letter, then looked up.
Obadiah looked most pleased by this news as he leaned forward and asked, "Might I speak to the doctor now? I need to ask him if my request could be possible."
Monty Townsley walked over to the door and asked Fredericks to get the doctor.
Turning back toward Obadiah, he asked, "Would you like a sherry while we wait?"
Nodding in the affirmative, Obadiah smiled and replied, "Yes, thank you."
Monty walked to the sideboard and poured two glasses. "I'm afraid this is all I have besides water. The committee for the asylum, well, some frown on strong drink. Well, any drink actually, but it just takes the edge off sometimes. You know what I mean, sir?" Monty asked as he handed Obadiah his glass.
"Thank you, and yes I do know what you mean," Obadiah replied as he took a sip from his glass.
They talked quietly about Obadiah's job, and what was going on in London, the recent heat wave, and the fact that the Thames was going down due to the heat. As they chatted, Mr. Townsley spoke up. "I do say, please call me Monty. When you say Mr. Townsley, I look around, expecting my father to be here." They both laughed, and once again settled into a lively chat.
A knock came to the door shortly thereafter, and Monty called out, "Come in, James."
The doctor pushed open the door and entered. Obadiah stood and shook his hand, then settled back down in his seat.
"Fredericks told me you wanted to discuss something?" He directed the question to Obadiah as he sat in a chair.
"Yes, quite right, I wanted to know if I could pick my mother up on Sunday morning?" The question hung in the air, and as the doctor thought it over, Obadiah went on, "It's like this, I will be giving the sermon at the Synod chapel again, and as she has never heard me preach, I'd like to surprise her, you see." He looked at the doctor and waited expectantly.
James Harris pursed his lips, then cleared his throat. Sitting forward, he thought about what Obadiah had asked. "Well, sir, I don't see a problem there. She is stable, and all you need to do is take her over to Northbrook. I will send word, and you can take the necessary papers with you to turn over to the doctor in charge there," he replied with a smile.
Obadiah smiled happily. "Thank you, thank you very much, sir." He stood then, and shook hands with both men. "I must be heading back, but please don't tell my mother about my picking her up. I want it to be a surprise." Both men nodded, and walked with Obadiah to the entrance. He bid them farewell and left.
After he returned to London and the synod, he went to Kenneth's office. Knocking on the door once, he heard the distinctive voice call out, and he pushed the door open. "Kenneth, I have a favor to ask," he announced as soon as he closed the door and faced the man behind the desk.
Kenneth looked up from his writings, his interest piqued by Obadiah's enthusiasm. "A favor, you say, and just what that might be?" Kenneth questioned, smiling at the man he felt was his son in every way.
"I was wondering if I might give the sermon again this Sunday?" he asked, then waited for the answer.
To say Kenneth Untner was taken aback would have been an understatement. He was fairly gobsmacked, and sat there looking at the younger man standing in front of him with a stunned look on his face.
Shaking his head, he teasingly replied, "Trying to take over Brother Poole's spot, eh?" Obadiah looked aghast at such a thought, and his face showed it.
Kenneth chuckled, and stood up. "Son, it's a joke. Now, what is this all about, you wanting to preach again so soon?" he asked as he ushered him to the settee.
Obadiah smiled in relief, and explained. "Mother is being transferred to Northbrook on Sunday. I want to pick her up early and bring her here, so she can hear me preach. Then, I will take her on to Northbrook." He waited for Kenneth's reaction.
Kenneth smiled approvingly. "That is wonderful, son! But, will it be alright? That is to say, did the doctor approve of this?" he questioned, and Obadiah reassured him he had talked with the doctor in charge, and all was well. He leaned forward, and patted Obadiah on the shoulder. "Well then, yes, you certainly can give the sermon. What a splendid idea." Kenneth seemed pleased, and without missing a beat he began to plan the day. "We shall have a special lunch, just the three of us, right here in the office, before you take her to Northbrook. What do you think?" Kenneth was excited, and it showed in his face and tone of voice.
Obadiah laughed and shook his head. "I believe you are more excited than I am, sir. Oh, but sir, we can't have anything with meat or salt! That is one of the things she can't have," Obadiah told him, concern written on his features.
"Not to worry, son, not to worry. We will serve only fruits and vegetables, no salt or meat," Kenneth told him. "Besides, in this heat, the lighter the meal the better!" he added with a hearty chuckle.
Obadiah was satisfied that all would be well, and nodded. "Alright, sir, it's all settled then." The two men spent the rest of the afternoon talking quietly.
After dinner, Obadiah retired to one of the anterooms for some quiet reading. The synod held many rooms with bookshelves, and in the evenings they usually had a few brothers sitting and reading.
The anteroom on the second floor was all but empty when Obadiah walked in. The lamps were glowing brightly, and only Brother Charles Franklin was there. Seated beside the high window, catching the last rays of the dying sun, he held his book high to read.
As Obadiah walked in, Charles lowered his book to see who had entered. Upon seeing it was Obadiah, he closed the book and stood up.
"Good evening, Obadiah," he greeted, then went on without missing a beat. "I say, I was wondering, well that is to say…" Obadiah smiled at the man as he tried to get the words out, waiting patiently for him to finish. "Well, it's like this, my lady friend and I, well, I have asked her to the Sunday Social next week in the park. You know they always have them on the third Sunday of the month."
Obadiah nodded his head. "Yes, I remember that," he replied.
Charles nodded, and then went on. "Well, she has a cousin, you see, that will be in town then, and well, we had already made the date. She now refuses to go unless her cousin can go along too, and well...."
The man was breathless, but continued in a rush. "I'm wondering, if perhaps, you can do a brother a favor, and please go with me? I know it would be a blind date as such, but you might just like the girl, and well, what do you say, Obi? Will you go, please?" Charles looked a bit distressed, and was fairly begging by the end of his explanation.
Obadiah looked thoughtful as he weighed the proposition. On one hand, he really didn't like the thought of a blind date. Yet on the other hand, he had already lost his heart to another, even though she didn't know it, or him. But Charles was a friend, and he hadn't really been out with a woman since the debacle with Mrs. Bold, and then Gertrude Oleson, of course.
He looked at Charles' hopeful expression and took pity on the poor man. "Yes, Charles, I will help you out. But, just this once! I hope your lady friend appreciates this," he finished, as Charles clapped him on the shoulder.
"Indeed, Obi, indeed she will. Thank you." Obadiah nodded, and walked over to a shelf of books on the east wall. Choosing a book, he sat in a chair near two lamps and began to read. The rest of the evening passed in quiet solitude, and when it grew late Obadiah bid Charles farewell and went to his room.
The remainder of the week was spent helping Kenneth by running errands to the churches the Synod oversaw, and helping with grounds work and the vegetable garden, while reading quietly at night or working on sermons.
He'd started writing several sermons, storing them in a leather satchel. They would be helpful on his next assignment. Doing them now would make it possible to find the extra time he would need in order to inspect the new parish he would be sent to.
Kenneth Untner came to Obadiah's room on Saturday evening, and after knocking once, he pushed open the door and called out, "Obadiah?"
Obadiah stepped out of the closet, holding his vest and frock coat. He was clad in light trousers, barefooted, and in a white shirt, unbuttoned to the waist, with the sleeves rolled up. It was obvious from the look of the man he was trying to get his clothes ready before retiring for the evening.
"Yes, sir?" he questioned, stepping forward to meet Kenneth as he came further into the room.
"Oh my, I'm terribly sorry! I didn't mean to intrude on you." Kenneth looked down at the floor, and began to back up. "I'll just step outside, and give you a few more moments." He turned around.
"Wait, Kenneth! You've seen me in various states of undress for my entire life. Granted, I've either been on my deathbed, or swimming, but still, it's just me," Obadiah replied with a chuckle.
Kenneth turned back, looking sheepish, and smiled. "Well, you have me there, quite right."
Obadiah smiled, and looked straight into his eyes, telling the man before him, "You're the only father I can remember. We are family." Nodding in understanding, Kenneth walked further into the room.
"Now then, what do you need, sir?" Obadiah asked as he placed the vest and coat back into the closet.
"Well, I have acquired a buggy from the livery stable. It will be here bright and early in the morning," he replied as Obadiah closed the door to the closet and crossed the room.
"Thank you, sir. That was most considerate of you." Obadiah clasped his shoulder and took a seat on the bed as he gestured for Kenneth to have a seat in the straight-backed chair near the desk.
Kenneth declined. "I just wanted to let you know it will be here bright and early. I'd venture to guess around six a.m., if I know the livery man." He laughed, and Obadiah nodded in understanding.
True to form, the buggy was in front of the Synod at six a.m. Obadiah heard the horse whinnying from the his window, and looked out. He was ready to leave, and when he walked down the stairs, Kenneth met him at the bottom. "Well, son, I'll see you in about two hours. I will have the front row ready, and I will sit with her, alright?" Kenneth asked.
Obadiah smiled. "Quite alright, sir, see you then," he replied as he walked out the front door.
When he knocked at the asylum, Fredericks opened the heavy door and ushered him inside. Esther was ready when he arrived. He found her sitting in the foyer, her bags packed, and sitting at her feet. She was chatting with Mr. Townsley, and they both looked up when he walked in.
"Oh, Obadiah! I didn't know you were picking me up." The surprise in her voice was clearly registering in her eyes, as she looked from Mr. Townsley to him. "Well thank goodness I'm ready!" she exclaimed with a glowing smile as she looked at him.
Obadiah went straight to her and helped her rise, before kissing her cheek and giving her a hug. "It was supposed to be a surprise. I made them promise not to tell you," he explained, then turned to the superintendent, and shook his hand. "Thank you, sir, for taking care of my mother," he told the man, then he bent down and retrieved her bags.
Monty Townsley nodded and walked to the front door, pushed it open, and helped Esther down the steps and into the buggy.
Obadiah stowed the bags in the back, and then climbed aboard. Esther took another look around, then said goodbye and waved at the man as they drove away. "This is so nice! I can't believe they didn't tell me it would be you picking me up." He could tell she was happy, and her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
"Well, Mother, I had an idea. Since you've never heard me preach, today would be a perfect day for it. Getting settled into a new place, closer to me, I thought that it would be a nice surprise for you," he explained.
Her tears spilled over, and she fished around in her purse for a handkerchief. Obadiah pulled one from his inside pocket and handed it to her. "Thank you, son. This is the best surprise you could have given me," she told him as she dried her eyes and enjoyed the ride.
Early Sunday mornings in London were quiet and peaceful. The few to venture out on the street were headed to church, or were the street urchins, going through the garbage, looking for something to eat.
Obadiah pulled the buggy up to the front of the Synod Chapel, tethered the horse to the hitching post, and went around to help Esther out of the seat.
Together they walked arm in arm to the front steps. The chapel wasn't full, but several pews were beginning to fill as Obadiah led his mother to the front row. Kenneth Untner was seated there, and rose as the two approached.
Esther looked at him as he stood; at first she thought he was being polite, until she looked at him closely. There was something quite familiar about his face. His eyes, she remembered his eyes.
"Kenneth? Kenneth Untner?" she questioned.
Kenneth nodded and took her hand. "Yes Esther, it's me." He motioned for her to sit down, and he took a seat beside her.
"Oh my, Kenneth, it's so good to see you! Obadiah, Kenneth was best man at our wedding," she informed her son. Obadiah looked at her, surprise was clearly etched on his features.
Kenneth looked at him then, and smiled. "Yes, I was. I'm sorry I failed to mention it, son."
Esther laughed then, and reached out to pat Obadiah's arm.
Obadiah shook his head, and laughingly replied, "Is there anything else I should know?"
Kenneth shook his head. "No, nothing else, I assure you."
Obadiah smiled, clapped Kenneth on the shoulder, kissed his mother, and started toward the anteroom to change.
After the service was over, Kenneth escorted Esther across the grounds, and into the synod.
They walked slowly, talking about things Kenneth had not thought about in ages.
"Kenneth, do you remember when James came back from the farm covered in poison ivy? Oh my, he was all broken out, and itching." Esther laughed.
"Well, Esther, I'm afraid he wasn't the only one." They both chuckled as they reminisced about the good times they'd had.
Obadiah took the buggy and brought it around to a side alleyway. He unhitched the horse and allowed it to rest in the coolness of the oak trees.
Kenneth and Esther waited for him in the foyer, then the three of them went into Kenneth's office. The brothers had set a table in Kenneth's office, and had brought three place settings.
The food was set out on the sideboard, waiting for them. The meal consisted of fresh vegetables from the garden, corn and peas. There was a fresh salad, with tomatoes, lettuce, and purple onions. For dessert, there were fresh peaches, strawberries, grapes, and apple slices.
The afternoon passed slowly as the trio sat and talked. At the chiming of the tower clock, Obadiah looked at his mother. "Well, I believe we should be on our way."
Esther looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I want you to be back before dark, son," she replied as she stood. Kenneth rose and laced her arm through his, and they walked toward the door. Obadiah picked up his coat and hat, and Esther's coat and handbag.
As they walked to the front entrance, Esther turned and thanked Kenneth. "I want to say thank you for taking care of Obadiah. You are truly a wonderful friend." She whispered, "James would be proud to know how you have taken care of his son."
Kenneth looked at her and replied, "Esther, we were best friends. You are my friend. It was the least I could do. Obadiah...well as mischievous as he was, he needed a firm hand, and it was the right thing to do."
Obadiah ducked his head and blushed slightly as he grumbled, "I heard that!"
Esther and Kenneth looked at him, and they both laughed as they started down the hallway to the side door, where the buggy was waiting.
Obadiah hitched the horse to the buggy, making sure all was secure before climbing into the seat.
They slowly rode through the streets of London. They had plenty of time, and Esther seemed to enjoy looking at how much the place had changed. From time to time she would make a comment about a building or a vacant lot. "You know, this area here used to house a few factory workers, " she told him as they drove past a particularly run-down section on their way out of town.
Obadiah looked around and replied, "No, I wasn't aware of that. From the looks of it now, I'd say it didn't prosper very long."
Esther shook her head. "Quite right, son. It was part of the mill town. See the stack there in the distance? Your father worked there," she murmured as she gazed at the darkened tower.
Obadiah looked into the distance and shook his head. "Was this where Father worked when you two got engaged?" he asked.
Esther looked down at her wedding band and replied, "Yes, he worked there for the entire summer." She smiled as she remembered her James, and was happy she had a beautiful son to remember him by.
Obadiah took the road toward West Kensington, knowing that it would take them straight to Brook Green. As they approached the town of Olympia, Obadiah saw a small road sign pointing to the west; it read HAMMERSMITH.
His heart lurched in his chest as he thought about Angelique Rhys, and he wondered what she might be doing on a lazy Sunday afternoon. 'Is she strolling in the park with someone? Is she resting in her parlour, or perhaps she is helping her mother?'
Brook Green was the next town ahead, and as they rode past the road to Hammersmith, Obadiah turned and looked back, wistfully thinking about the girl with blonde hair and bright green eyes. Knowing God had a plan, he'd just have to wait, and see where God led him next.
As Brook Green came into view, the sounds of children playing could be heard as well as laughter. There was a park off to the left, and as they passed, they could see several young couples seated on the ground with picnic baskets near by.
Esther pointed out one little girl as she ran happily forward, chasing a ball. She looked to be about two years old, and had a mop of curly red hair. "Isn't she a cute little thing?" She laughed. "Oh, how I have missed the laughter of children." She sighed.
Obadiah looked at her. "Perhaps this new home will be near the park," he replied, and Esther nodded and looked at him.
The building could be seen before they rounded the corner. The large home stood across the street from the park. It was made of wood and stone. 'Granite,' Obadiah thought as he looked at it from the buggy.
As they pulled underneath the archway over the drive, a man came walking out the door. Obadiah noticed that the man had a bright smile as he greeted them. "Mrs. Slope?" he questioned as he reached out to help Esther from the buggy.
Obadiah jumped down and tethered the horse before he retrieved the bags from the backseat. Coming around to where his mother stood, she reached out and took his arm.
"Reverend, good of you to bring her out like this," the man greeted.
Obadiah nodded and replied, "Yes, Mr…?" Obadiah waited for the man to introduce himself before going on.
"Oh forgive me, sir, the name is Ferguson, Ian Ferguson," he replied.
Obadiah nodded and continued, "I wanted to see where my mother would be staying now."
The man looked surprised and cleared his throat. "Oh, I see. Yes, Reverend Slope, right this way."
Obadiah could tell the difference between the Greater London Asylum and Northbrook right away.
The entire tone of the place was bright, airy, and colorful. It had a whole new feel about the place. The building itself was testimony to that.
The granite was a beige color with an almost coral-colored vein running throughout. The front door was sturdy, but had windows, letting the sunlight cascade into the foyer.
The floors were stone, bright and welcoming, and the walls were all painted in bright, cheerful colors. No dark wood was present at all. Above each door were transom windows to allow the air to circulate into the rooms, and let in more light.
Obadiah liked it right away, and he could tell his mother did, too.
Esther seemed to be pleased, especially when she was taken to her room. It was on the front side of the building with a view of the park across the street.
She smiled brightly as she looked out, and then turned and exclaimed, "I love it! I can watch the children play."
Her room was warm and inviting, with muted yellow paint, and several throw rugs in tones of light browns and beiges. She had a four-poster bed, two comfortable chairs, and a desk that was placed in the corner. The closet was a nice size, and would hold all it needed to.
Obadiah was impressed with the layout, and smiled at his mother when she turned away from the window and looked at him. "I believe this is going to work out just fine, son," she told him as she walked over and gave him a hug.
Obadiah kissed the top of her head, and then looked at the man standing in the doorway, and smiled as he replied, "We'll take it!" They laughed then, and Mr. Ferguson shook his head as he suggested a tour of the place.
Seeing his mother settled in, they had a light supper in her room, and as she walked him to the front door, she gave his hand a squeeze. "Thank you, son. Today has been the best day I have had in quite some time." Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
He kissed her cheek, then replied, "It has been a fine day for me as well, and I will see you next week." Giving her a hug, he went down the steps and climbed into the buggy. He waved goodbye to his mother as he drove away.
The sun was hanging low in the sky by the time Obadiah got on the road for London. Thinking back over the last few weeks, he realized they had been filled with so many wonderful events, that he would remember them for the rest of his life.
He was happy that he was finally getting to know his mother, and that she ultimately had the chance to hear him preach. Things seemed to be looking up now, and he was at long last getting over the setback of Acton.
As he passed the road to Hammersmith, he sighed once more, and drove on, not knowing that his future was about to change forever.
~*~*~*~