Roses for Mama by Janette Oke

Author:Janette Oke [Oke, Janette]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, ebook, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 0764202464
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 1990-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Changes

Charlie arrived at the Peterson door one evening. The wind held a chill, and Thomas quickly bid him enter and warm himself while Angela hustled to put on the coffee. One look at the poor man and she sensed something further was wrong.

“He’s gone,” Charlie said, lowering himself into the chair Thomas offered.

“I’m so sorry,” said Angela, setting the pot on the stove and crossing to Charlie. “When?”

“This afternoon—’bout four.”

“You need some sleep. You look worn out. Why don’t you just stay here for the night and—?”

“No. Gus will need me.”

Angela let the matter drop.

“When will the funeral be?” asked Thomas.

“We haven’t made those arrangements yet—and there might be some complications.”

“Complications?”

Charlie nodded his head. “The boss said, ‘No service.’ He just wanted to be buried on his own land. But the new boss says thet’s heathen. Says there’s no way he’s gonna jest stick his pa in the ground without some ceremony.”

Angela nodded, new respect for Carter growing in her thinking.

“Sounds reasonable to me,” expressed Thomas.

Charlie nodded his head. “Well, I gotta say thet I agree with ’im on thet one. Still, it’s hard not to carry out the boss’s wishes.”

Angela laid a hand on the bent shoulder. She understood how he must feel.

“You’ve served him well for many years,” Angela reminded him. “I guess no one could expect more than you have given.”

Charlie stayed long enough to drink a cup of coffee and eat a slice of lemon loaf. Then he bundled up in his heavy coat and headed back across the empty field.

“If things had continued on as they have been, I’ve not sure Charlie could have taken it much longer,” observed Thomas.

Angela nodded in agreement. “The poor man,” she said in a whisper. “He looks like a bearded ghost. He’s lost weight, Thomas, and his eyes look sunken from lack of sleep.”

“Well, it’s over now, I guess.”

Angela nodded again and then a new thought struck her. “But not for poor Mr. Stratton,” she said. “For him—there is an eternity ahead—and I fear for what it holds for him.”

Thomas lifted his head to look at her.

“Oh, Thomas,” admitted Angela. “I never once tried to share my faith with him.”

“Pa tried,” responded Thomas.

“He did?”

“More than once. I was with him one time. I remember. Pa said that the caring for the state of one’s soul was the most important job a man had to do in life. Then he invited Mr. Stratton to church.”

Angela waited.

“The man cursed at Pa. I will never forget it. It shocked me that a man would speak in such a way. Then he clenched his fist and shook it in Pa’s face. Pa never even blinked. I was hoping Pa would punch him.” Thomas stopped to smile momentarily at the memory, then went on.

“Pa didn’t back down, but he allowed the man some self-respect—even though he knew he was wrong. ‘Mr. Stratton,’ he said. ‘A man’s got a right to make his own decisions in life. I’ll grant you that. But I’ll also

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