The next day, which was a Sunday, Elizabeth and Jack went to church together. When Elizabeth entered the church, she tried to find a place to sit. She saw Rosemary. Rosemary smiled at both of them. Elizabeth smiled back. Their friendship had taken a hit while Elizabeth was grieving and trying to decide which man to be with. While they were still courteous with each other, the friendship felt different. Elizabeth needed to apologize to Rosemary.
Elizabeth and Jack found a spot next to Florence and Ned. Elizabeth scanned the church when she landed on Nathan and Allie. Elizabeth caught Allie's eye. Elizabeth smiled at Allie and Allie gave a small smile back. Allie was another person she needed to apologize for hurting. Nathan just looked ahead not even acknowledging Elizabeth.
Joseph began the service and read a few lines from the scriptures. Joseph gave his sermon which was about forgiveness. How appropriate Elizabeth thought. Elizabeth listened to the sermon and agreed with everything Jospeh was saying.
After church, Elizabeth and Jack went over to the swing and sat on it. Elizabeth watched as everyone left. Jack was playing in the grass. Joseph walked over to Elizabeth after everyone had left.
"Good morning, Elizabeth" Joseph said.
"Good morning, Joseph." Elizabeth said.
"Hey there little guy" Joseph said to Jack. Jack smiled at Joseph.
"I enjoyed your sermon. It really resonated with me." Elizabeth said.
"I'm glad. Sometimes I wonder if my sermons resonate with anyone or if I'm just blowing hot air." Joseph said.
Elizabeth laughed.
"That's how I feel with some of my students." Elizabeth said.
Joseph chuckled. Elizabeth smiled.
"I have noticed that you haven't been socializing with Rosemary or the Constable lately. Did you have a falling out?" Joseph asked.
"You could say that." Elizabeth said. All of sudden, the whole story came out. Elizabeth started with losing Jack in a mudslide to finding out she was pregnant. She told Joseph that she never grieved Jack because she had to be brave for the new baby and pushed her feelings aside. Elizabeth shared her feelings of never being able to find love again and when Lucas and Nathan showed interest, it overwhelmed her. She missed being courted which led her to grow closer to Lucas. She also missed the deep conversations with a man which led her to grow closer to Nathan.
After Nathan has been shot, Elizabeth realized that her feelings for Nathan were stronger for him than Lucas. But Nathan has a dangerous job and she couldn't risk her heart being broken again, so she ran to Lucas out of safety. After it was revealed that Jack took Nathan's place in the mission, it was like an old wound was opened. She decided not to court with either of them. She also explained to Jospeh that she hurt many people in the process and needed to ask for forgiveness.
Joseph sat down on the swing next to Elizabeth.
"That was a lot to keep bottled up." Joseph said.
Elizabeth wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Grief can take a toll on the body and soul. But even though the grief overtook you, you are still responsible for your actions." Joseph said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"What should I do?" Elizabeth asked.
"You need to apologize for those you hurt. I know apologizing can be a challenging task. Start small and work your way up to the big apologies. And from now on, after service, you and I will sit here and discuss your progress" Joseph said.
Eizabeth smiled.
"Thank you, Joseph," Elizabeth said.
Joseph smiled.
"I want you to read these verses and think about them. James 5:16 and Ephesians 4:32." Joseph said.]
Elizabeth repeated the verses to remember them. Joseph said his goodbye to Elizabeth and Jack and left them.
Elizabeth took Jack's hand and they headed home.
After feeding Jack, Elizabeth put him down. Elizabeth watched Jack as he fell asleep. After Jack was asleep, Elizabeth went downstairs to find her bible.
Elizabeth opened her bible to the passages that Joseph wanted her to read. As she was thinking about how the quotes related to her, she heard a noise coming from the side of the house. Elizabeth went over to the window to see Rosemary in the garden.
"Is everything alright?" Elizabeth asked.
"Too many weeds in my garden" Rosemary said.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Weeds can kill a garden. They need to be plucked out immediately. Tending to a garden is important" Rosemary said.
"Tending is also important for a friendship." Elizabeth said.
Rosemary sighed.
"Yes, it does."
"Rosemary, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I treated you the past year. I have been absolutely terrible to you." Elizabeth said. She started to cry.
"I hope you'll be able to forgive me one day." Elizabeth said.
Rosemary took off her gardening gloves and patted Elizabeth's hands.
"I already have. I'll be right in and we can have some tea." Rosemary said.
Elizabeth nodded.
Elizabeth put the kettle on the stove.
Rosemary entered Elizabeth's house. The two friends hugged for the first time in a long time.
"I missed you." Elizabeth said.
"Me too." Rosemary said.
The two women sat on the couch together.
"I have been so terrible to you." Elizabeth said.
"No. You have been grieving." Rosemary said.
"That's no excuse to treat people so badly." Elizabeth said.
"I think I should apologize for my part I played in all of this. When Jack died, you were so devastated. I wanted you to find love again so you could be happy. I should have told you to not to get involved with two men until you were ready to move on." Rosemary said.
"I wanted to find love too." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth told Rosemary about the conversation she had with Nathan yesterday.
"He is so angry with me" Elizabeth said.
"Can you blame him?" Rosemary asked.
"No. I don't think he'll ever forgive me." Elizabeth said.
"He will. But it's going to take time" Rosemary said.
The two sipped their tea. After it was getting late, Rosemary left to go cook dinner. Elizabeth fed Jack. The two played on the floor after dinner. Elizabeth put Jack to bed. As Elizabeth was getting ready to go to bed, she knelt on the floor and put her hands together to pray.
"Dear Lord. Thank you for guiding me in my apology to Rosemary. Please help guide me with the other apologies. And please help Nathan and Allie to open their hearts to forgiveness. Amen."