glanced toward Sophia. He stared at her for a moment, then jerked his head toward the house before returning his attention to the other man.
Sophia climbed the few steps to the porch, then entered the house. She found Karen in the kitchen, seated at the table with a young girl who was weeping inconsolably into her hands while Karen patted her back.
You keep that sleaze ball away from my daughter, or I’ll have him thrown in jail.
With the memory of those words ringing in her ears, Sophia understood the situation without further explanation, and her heart sank.
“Grandmother.”
It was the first time Karen had called Sophia that, but this wasn’t the moment to take pleasure in it. “Yes.” She moved forward again. “I’m here.”
The girl choked back a sob as she lowered her hands.
She’s so young, Lord. She can’t be more than fifteen.
“Patty!” came a shout from outside.
The girl bolted from her seat.
“Patty, get out here! Now!”
“He’s gonna make me have an abortion,” she whispered, then she ran from the house.
O, Father God. No!
Sophia turned and followed after Patty as fast as her old legs would carry her. She reached the porch in time to see the girl’s father grab her by the arm and force her into the car with a none-too-gentle shove. Before Sophia could step off the porch, the man got behind the wheel and started the engine. He said something to Dusty through the open window, then drove away, a spray of dirt and gravel flying up behind his rear tires.
Karen’s fingers closed around Sophia’s arm. “Dusty will take care of it.”
“I hope so, dear,” Sophia replied while patting Karen’s hand. “Dear God, I hope so.”
Sunday, May 9, 1937
Dear Diary,
Sophia has steadfastly refused to be my maid of honor. Mikkel has tried talking to her, but she will not relent. I can see the sadness in her eyes and the bitterness, too. I want so much to help her, but she will have no part in it.
Mama is beside herself. I am getting married in less than a month. She is making my wedding gown. And all the while, her daughters are at war.
Papa has warned Sophia that she will one day regret her decision, but Sophia insists she will not.
Father in heaven, is there no way for me to reach my sister? Please soften her heart toward me. All my life she has been there for me. We learned to play the piano together. She taught me to swim when I was too afraid to get in the water. She helped me with my algebra or I would have surely failed that subject. I cannot help loving Mikkel, nor am I sorry I am to marry him. But what about Sophia?
Esther
Wednesday, June 2, 1937
Dear Diary,
I am frightened.
My wedding gown is finished and hanging in the parlor. Delphia has her bridesmaid gown. She says it is the loveliest dress she has ever owned and that my mama is a wonder. Some gifts have been delivered and are sitting on the table, prettily wrapped. Mrs. Booher at the bakery says my cake will be large enough to feed the entire church congregation, all of whom are expected to be there for the wedding on Saturday morning.
I love Mikkel. I have come to love him more every single day. But I am still frightened.
Today he told me that we will be leaving later this summer for Denmark where he intends to assist his grandfather in his church. I am more than frightened. I am terrified. I have never gone farther from home than to Boise, less than a hundred miles away. Mikkel says it will only be for a year. Two at the most. But how shall I get along? I have learned only a little of the Danish Mikkel has tried to teach me.
I long to talk to Sophia about my fears. She has been such a rock for me. Always she has listened and advised. But it is useless to try to talk to her now. She wants nothing to do with me. She will not listen or advise. She says she is not coming to the wedding.
I don’t believe her. She will come. She must. She could not hate me that much.
Oh, Sophia, you were my closest and dearest
Sophia climbed the few steps to the porch, then entered the house. She found Karen in the kitchen, seated at the table with a young girl who was weeping inconsolably into her hands while Karen patted her back.
You keep that sleaze ball away from my daughter, or I’ll have him thrown in jail.
With the memory of those words ringing in her ears, Sophia understood the situation without further explanation, and her heart sank.
“Grandmother.”
It was the first time Karen had called Sophia that, but this wasn’t the moment to take pleasure in it. “Yes.” She moved forward again. “I’m here.”
The girl choked back a sob as she lowered her hands.
She’s so young, Lord. She can’t be more than fifteen.
“Patty!” came a shout from outside.
The girl bolted from her seat.
“Patty, get out here! Now!”
“He’s gonna make me have an abortion,” she whispered, then she ran from the house.
O, Father God. No!
Sophia turned and followed after Patty as fast as her old legs would carry her. She reached the porch in time to see the girl’s father grab her by the arm and force her into the car with a none-too-gentle shove. Before Sophia could step off the porch, the man got behind the wheel and started the engine. He said something to Dusty through the open window, then drove away, a spray of dirt and gravel flying up behind his rear tires.
Karen’s fingers closed around Sophia’s arm. “Dusty will take care of it.”
“I hope so, dear,” Sophia replied while patting Karen’s hand. “Dear God, I hope so.”
Sunday, May 9, 1937
Dear Diary,
Sophia has steadfastly refused to be my maid of honor. Mikkel has tried talking to her, but she will not relent. I can see the sadness in her eyes and the bitterness, too. I want so much to help her, but she will have no part in it.
Mama is beside herself. I am getting married in less than a month. She is making my wedding gown. And all the while, her daughters are at war.
Papa has warned Sophia that she will one day regret her decision, but Sophia insists she will not.
Father in heaven, is there no way for me to reach my sister? Please soften her heart toward me. All my life she has been there for me. We learned to play the piano together. She taught me to swim when I was too afraid to get in the water. She helped me with my algebra or I would have surely failed that subject. I cannot help loving Mikkel, nor am I sorry I am to marry him. But what about Sophia?
Esther
Wednesday, June 2, 1937
Dear Diary,
I am frightened.
My wedding gown is finished and hanging in the parlor. Delphia has her bridesmaid gown. She says it is the loveliest dress she has ever owned and that my mama is a wonder. Some gifts have been delivered and are sitting on the table, prettily wrapped. Mrs. Booher at the bakery says my cake will be large enough to feed the entire church congregation, all of whom are expected to be there for the wedding on Saturday morning.
I love Mikkel. I have come to love him more every single day. But I am still frightened.
Today he told me that we will be leaving later this summer for Denmark where he intends to assist his grandfather in his church. I am more than frightened. I am terrified. I have never gone farther from home than to Boise, less than a hundred miles away. Mikkel says it will only be for a year. Two at the most. But how shall I get along? I have learned only a little of the Danish Mikkel has tried to teach me.
I long to talk to Sophia about my fears. She has been such a rock for me. Always she has listened and advised. But it is useless to try to talk to her now. She wants nothing to do with me. She will not listen or advise. She says she is not coming to the wedding.
I don’t believe her. She will come. She must. She could not hate me that much.
Oh, Sophia, you were my closest and dearest
Similar Books
