Tempest in a Teapot by Judy Baer

Author:Judy Baer [Baer, Judy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8249-4840-5
Publisher: Guideposts
Published: 2010-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Jane was putting away the last of the serving pieces and straightening the chairs around the table when she heard a tiny knock at the door. It was Ethel, a long coat thrown over her bathrobe.

“What are you doing here so late?” Jane asked as she opened the door. “Alice and Louise are already in bed—and it looks like you were too.”

“I couldn’t sleep, dear. I need someone to talk to.”

“I’m available. Come in.” Jane led her aunt into the study. Surrounded by books and other memories of Daniel Howard, it seemed the place to be. Ethel obviously needed calming, and this was the most comforting place in the house.

“What’s going on, Aunt Ethel?”

Ethel’s hands fluttered to her face in agitation. “It’s Lloyd.”

Jane waited quietly.

“Something has happened to him ever since this development issue over Fairy Pond came up. He’s not the same man. He’s short-tempered, impatient, intolerant. And he’s lost his sense of humor completely. He used to be such an …” Ethel blushed. “… affectionate man. And now he’s like an old lion with a thorn in his paw.” She crossed her arms over her chest and announced. “He’s gotten so annoying.”

Then her head drooped. “And I’m worried about him.”

Jane’s heart went out to her aunt. Lloyd had been “escorting” her around for some time now. “Lloyd and Ethel” had become as common a phrase around town as “cream and sugar” or “pie and ice cream.” Lloyd made Aunt Ethel’s life far less lonely and vice versa. She, in her own way, was suffering as much as her friend.

“Maybe Pastor Ken would spend some time with him.”

“He’s tried. Lloyd keeps shooing him out of the mayor’s office, saying he’s too busy to think about himself.”

“Then Pastor Ken should go to Lloyd’s house … or yours. Lloyd might be more receptive to what Pastor Ken is saying if he realizes how much it affects you as well.”

Ethel looked doubtful. “Lloyd has a very thick head for a sweet man. Stubborn as a mule, that man.”

“And you care a great deal for him and don’t want to see him like this.”

Ethel’s eyes welled with tears. “Exactly.”

“We’ll pray about it.”

“I’ve been praying. And praying, and praying and—” Jane reached for Ethel’s hands. “Let’s do it right now.” They both quieted, and then Jane began to speak. “Dear Lord, our friend Lloyd is miserable right now. He’s so loyal to the citizens of this place and wants to do what is best. I believe he’s getting overwhelmed, Lord. Help him through this. Give him the insight to know what to do and the wisdom to realize that he can’t take all this so personally. And help Aunt Ethel to be strong for him, Lord. Thank You that we can come to You in our time of need. Amen.”

Ethel sniffled and wiped a tear from her eye. “Thank you, dear.”

“We’ll both keep praying. Maybe we should be praying that Lloyd learns to control his emotions so that they don’t get so far out of hand.

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