A Gentle Fragrance by Pamela Griffin

Author:Pamela Griffin [Griffin, Pamela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620298794
Google: Lfi9YoeOEJ0C
Goodreads: 2197755
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Published: 2005-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Three days later, Bill stood on the porch and thought a lot about that picnic. It was the first time he’d seen and heard Sarah laugh again, really laugh. Like she had during her ride on her pet dolphin. And he’d purposely striven for humor, acting like a sap, just to hear her delight. The ring of her laughter made him feel good inside.

The screen door creaked open, and he turned his head. Brent joined him on the porch, coming to stand beside him. Both men stared straight ahead.

“I came to inquire as to whether you’re feeling well,” Brent said. “You were quiet at dinner.”

Bill chuckled. “I’m surprised you noticed. With fifteen boys chattering away, dinnertime can’t exactly be described as silent in this place.”

“Yes, that is one area on which we still have improvements to make. The newest additions to the refuge instigate questions and incite the others to trouble.”

“Chad and Roland?”

Brent nodded. “They do more than instigate questions, I’m sorry to say. Being brothers, they often urge one another to dissension.”

“They play off one another.” Bill thought about that. “I’ve noticed Chad tends to be more of a leader. They seem very close. I rarely see them apart.”

“They are close.”

The words Brent spoke didn’t seem to be all about Chad and Roland, and Bill felt his brother nurtured the same thoughts he did. In speaking of the two boys, Bill couldn’t help but be reminded of how close he and Brent once were, Brent always playing follower to Bill’s leader.

“We did have some good times, didn’t we?” Bill let out a sigh of reminiscence.

Brent’s expression became nostalgic. “We did.”

The desire to rectify past mistakes spurred Bill to speak. “But we can never go back, can we?”

Brent hesitated. “It’s not always wise to revisit the past, no.”

Bill closed his eyes, the crushing blow of defeat bowing his shoulders. He had so wanted not only to make amends with his brother and ask for his forgiveness, but also he’d hoped to rekindle the strong friendship they’d once shared. Though his brother had accepted him back, had even been friendly, he maintained a wary distance.

Again, Bill wondered if he would always be chained to his past sins. God had forgiven him and accepted him, though he was in no way as good a Christian as his brother and Stewart were, and he doubted he would ever be considered worthy enough to have the town regard him with respect. Still, he had hoped that at some point Brent could move beyond the past and give Bill another chance to be his brother, as close as they’d once been.

Before Bill could retreat to the house, Brent spoke. “Perhaps it’s not my place to ask this, but given the fact you did come to me for advice, I don’t feel as if I’m treading on forbidden ground.” He cleared his throat. “I trust matters have improved between you and your wife?”

Bill wished he could give him a positive response, but the truth was he just didn’t know.

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