Lauren seemed to believe this was what she needed, and that was enough to make her reach out and take the Bible from Lauren’s hand.
* * * *
Bill unlocked the front door and pushed it open. Gripping his keys and backpack in one hand, he grabbed the two bags of groceries with the other and trudged into his dark, quiet house.
A terrible smell overwhelmed him as he entered the kitchen. Searching the counters and sink, he spotted the same pile of dirty dishes he’d left there this morning. Leaning forward, he sniffed. That didn’t’ seem to be the source of the foul odor.
He dropped the bags on the floor by the kitchen table, walked across the room, pulled open the shades, and pushed back the sliding glass door. The warm breeze floated in and diluted the stale smell. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted the overflowing trashcan at the end of the counter. There was the trouble. He’d thrown out some old food from the refrigerator last night, but he had forgotten to take the trash outside.
He gulped in some fresh air then held his breath as he turned and walked back to take care of it. Yanking out the trash bag, he quickly tied it closed and headed out the sliding glass door.
“Man, this stinks,” he muttered. Coming home to a dark, empty house every day was getting to him. Although Wes was officially still his roommate, he rarely saw him after work since he spent most evenings at Lauren’s.
Over the last two weeks he’d slowly seen his life slip back to his old solitary pattern. No one greeted him when he came home. No one asked him about his day, and no one was around to share a meal or watch a video or listen to music. He lived alone. All alone. And it stunk.
Bill dropped the bag in the large outdoor trashcan and slammed the lid. So what was he going to do about it? He couldn’t look for another roommate until after the wedding and Wes moved out. But it wasn’t Wes he missed the most. It was Jennifer.
Bill climbed the steps to the deck and plopped down in a chair. Propping his feet up on the railing, he gazed into the forest. What was Jennifer doing right now? Probably sitting down to a delicious dinner with Tilley, Wes, Lauren, and Toby around the big table in the dining room at Long Meadow. His stomach growled at the thought. There’d be laughter and interesting conversation that would last well over an hour as everyone shared stories about the events of the day.
He heaved a heavy sigh. What was the matter with him? He’d lived by himself for over three years before Wes arrived last January. But once again, he realized it wasn’t Wes he was thinking about tonight.
He lifted his eyes to the azure sky above the treetops. Father, You know how I feel about Jenn, but I made a commitment to you a long time ago. If I’m going to date someone seriously, she has to love You and want to grow spiritually. Jenn definitely isn’t there right now, and I have no idea if she ever will be.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. Please soften Jenn’s heart. Help her see who You really are and how much You love her. I’m not sure if you can use me in that process. I seem to be messing things up more than helping, but if you want me to be there for her, I’m willing.
Chapter Thirteen
Jenn stepped into the shade of the blue tarp tent and glanced around at second-hand items on display. The Tipton Flea Market was a treasure trove for the experienced bargain hunter, and Jenn considered herself one of the best.
Since her teenage years she’d enjoyed shopping at thrift stores and garage sales. When she moved into her own apartment, she’d furnished it in eclectic-vintage style with treasures she’d purchased for a song.
Today, Lauren had sent her to the flea market looking for unique items they could use in displays at the gallery. So far she’d found a wooden tray she hoped to refinish, an unusual willow basket, and eight old leather-bound books.
This booth looked promising with several tables of dishes and
* * * *
Bill unlocked the front door and pushed it open. Gripping his keys and backpack in one hand, he grabbed the two bags of groceries with the other and trudged into his dark, quiet house.
A terrible smell overwhelmed him as he entered the kitchen. Searching the counters and sink, he spotted the same pile of dirty dishes he’d left there this morning. Leaning forward, he sniffed. That didn’t’ seem to be the source of the foul odor.
He dropped the bags on the floor by the kitchen table, walked across the room, pulled open the shades, and pushed back the sliding glass door. The warm breeze floated in and diluted the stale smell. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted the overflowing trashcan at the end of the counter. There was the trouble. He’d thrown out some old food from the refrigerator last night, but he had forgotten to take the trash outside.
He gulped in some fresh air then held his breath as he turned and walked back to take care of it. Yanking out the trash bag, he quickly tied it closed and headed out the sliding glass door.
“Man, this stinks,” he muttered. Coming home to a dark, empty house every day was getting to him. Although Wes was officially still his roommate, he rarely saw him after work since he spent most evenings at Lauren’s.
Over the last two weeks he’d slowly seen his life slip back to his old solitary pattern. No one greeted him when he came home. No one asked him about his day, and no one was around to share a meal or watch a video or listen to music. He lived alone. All alone. And it stunk.
Bill dropped the bag in the large outdoor trashcan and slammed the lid. So what was he going to do about it? He couldn’t look for another roommate until after the wedding and Wes moved out. But it wasn’t Wes he missed the most. It was Jennifer.
Bill climbed the steps to the deck and plopped down in a chair. Propping his feet up on the railing, he gazed into the forest. What was Jennifer doing right now? Probably sitting down to a delicious dinner with Tilley, Wes, Lauren, and Toby around the big table in the dining room at Long Meadow. His stomach growled at the thought. There’d be laughter and interesting conversation that would last well over an hour as everyone shared stories about the events of the day.
He heaved a heavy sigh. What was the matter with him? He’d lived by himself for over three years before Wes arrived last January. But once again, he realized it wasn’t Wes he was thinking about tonight.
He lifted his eyes to the azure sky above the treetops. Father, You know how I feel about Jenn, but I made a commitment to you a long time ago. If I’m going to date someone seriously, she has to love You and want to grow spiritually. Jenn definitely isn’t there right now, and I have no idea if she ever will be.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. Please soften Jenn’s heart. Help her see who You really are and how much You love her. I’m not sure if you can use me in that process. I seem to be messing things up more than helping, but if you want me to be there for her, I’m willing.
Chapter Thirteen
Jenn stepped into the shade of the blue tarp tent and glanced around at second-hand items on display. The Tipton Flea Market was a treasure trove for the experienced bargain hunter, and Jenn considered herself one of the best.
Since her teenage years she’d enjoyed shopping at thrift stores and garage sales. When she moved into her own apartment, she’d furnished it in eclectic-vintage style with treasures she’d purchased for a song.
Today, Lauren had sent her to the flea market looking for unique items they could use in displays at the gallery. So far she’d found a wooden tray she hoped to refinish, an unusual willow basket, and eight old leather-bound books.
This booth looked promising with several tables of dishes and
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