Another Homecoming by Davis Bunn; Janette Oke

Author:Davis Bunn; Janette Oke
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 1556619340
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Published: 2011-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

12

THAT SPRING AND SUMMER were the fullest and most memorable Joel had ever known. Throughout those mixed-up seasons with their crazy weather, he was up before dawn delivering papers. The April frosts were the worst—not the coldest, but still the hardest, maybe because he was expecting warmth that did not arrive.

As soon as the school day was over, he met up with Simon. Usually they went back to the Miller home, where he grew accustomed to helping in Mr. Miller’s workshop. The broad-shouldered man was a good teacher and introduced Joel to all his carpentry trade. Joel grew as comfortable with the lathe and drill and sander and broad-band saw as he had with the smaller instruments of his modeling days.

At the beginning of summer, Mr. Miller declared the boys ready to begin work on their own furniture. Joel was as delighted as Simon and started on a rocker for his mother. The two worked in a corner of Mr. Miller’s shed and learned to move about the cramped space with ease.

When evening shadows lengthened, Joel found it harder and harder to put down his tools and head for home. Toward evening, Mr. Miller would often look at him, his gaze filled with a thoughtful sadness. But he seldom spoke of Joel’s homelife, except for their continued discussions after Sunday services. Sometimes Mr. Miller prayed with Joel about a specific need or a particularly bad day at home.

Joel’s life at home became more and more a world apart. He found it increasingly difficult to slip into his silent role as he journeyed home. The Miller household was so full of laughter, of talk and life. Ruthie was always in and out of the carpentry shed, bringing lemonade, a word, and a bright smile. Joel found himself increasingly drawn to the shining-faced country girl. And she seemed to save her warmest smiles just for him.

The first day of August, Joel arrived home just in time for the evening news. He had found this the easiest way to slip back into his home. Walter Cronkite supplied the comfortable conversation his parents lacked. That night was a special treat, because the Ed Sullivan Show would be on later. Joel found himself in hopes that the little mouse, Topo Gigio, would make an appearance. The puppet always made his father laugh. It was such a rare occasion that he and his mother shared a smile behind his back.

He parked his bike behind the house, came in through the kitchen door, and kissed his mother as she stood over the stove preparing dinner. He entered the living room in time to see Elvis Presley being shorn like a lamb, while his drill instructor stood and observed. The entire world had watched as Elvis had been inducted into the army. For some reason, it had made his popularity grow even stronger. The day he had left for boot camp, millions of teenagers had written and wished him well.

At his mother’s call, Joel rose and went to set the table.

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