Читать книгу The Light in the Mirror - David I. Lane - Страница 7

3

A Pleasant Interruption

Rinsing dishes in time with a Viennese waltz, Richard was about finished when the phone rang.

“I’ll get it!” yelled Mac.

Richard heard his uncle say, “He canna come to the phone right now. Can I take a message?”

“Uncle Mac, I can take it!” Richard yelled.

“It’s a lassie on the line. A bonny lass I bet.”

“Hello. This is Richard Hawkins.”

“Richard, this is Melissa Ingram. You rescued me from those men in the van today. The policewoman gave me your name and phone number. I’m not calling at a bad time, am I?”

“No, not at all, Melissa. How are you? I hope you had no bad effects from your experience.”

“Yes, one bad effect.”

“Oh . . . may I ask what?”

“Embarrassment. I’m embarrassed, because I never thanked you for coming to my rescue. Those men . . . were . . . I don’t know who they were. But it’s clear they wanted to hurt me. Who knows what they would have done? But for you, they would . . .”

Richard could hear Melissa’s voice choke up. Soon he could hear her crying.

“I’m sorry, Richard . . . just . . . give me a minute. I’m sorry . . . to lose . . . control this way.”

“That’s okay, Melissa. Take your time. I can wait.”

Soon the sobbing at the other end of the line lessened. Richard heard Melissa ask someone for a handkerchief.

“I’m all right now. I told myself that I wouldn’t lose control. But, here I go, crying in your ear.”

“You have every right to feel upset in thinking about those two men.”

“But, they’re not the reason I was crying. I was crying because . . . of you.”

“Crying because of me?” Richard had often wished that he had a mother and sister to teach him about women. Though his occasional confusion didn’t diminish his interest.

“Every time I think about what you did for me . . . the gratitude I feel overwhelms me. I owe you so much.”

Now it was Richard’s turn to be embarrassed. He had always found it difficult to take praise. He never knew what to say. “I’m glad the Lord put me there to help.” As Richard said that, he wondered if Melissa would understand what he meant. The words came out before he realized Melissa might not be a fellow believer.

“I’m glad He did, too.” She continued, “My parents would like to meet you, Richard. I believe they want to thank you for saving their only child. I promise they won’t get emotional—and I promise not to also—but it would mean a lot to them if you would let them invite you over for dinner. Of course, I’d be there, too.”

“Well, sure, that would be nice.” Melissa’s last words prompted a quick response of agreement from Richard. Seeing the attractive runner again in better circumstances was a pleasant prospect.

Richard and Melissa agreed on a date and time, and said their good-byes.

During the phone conversation, Mac had gone to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. When he walked back to the living room, he found Richard smiling to himself and humming a little tune.

“A bonny lass?” asked Mac.

“A bonny lass, Uncle. My damsel in distress.”

The Scot patted his nephew on the shoulder.

“Well, I’m off to my bed, Richard. I’m feelin’ a bit tired.”

As Mac headed for his room, Richard heard him quoting lines from Robert Burns. His uncle often found occasion to share lines from his favorite poet.

“Ay waukin, O,/Waukin still and weary:/Sleep Ah can get nane,/Fur thinkin’ o’ my Dearie.”