Читать книгу Summer's Promise - Irene Brand - Страница 12

A car drove into the compound and stopped behind David’s vehicle. The driver honked her horn.

“I’m parked in the middle of the road. I’d better move,” David said. With a wide smile, he waved genially to the woman, hopped in the car and moved it closer to the rail fence that surrounded The Crossroads.

By the time they started up the steps, a half-dozen cars had entered the area. A bell rang, the clatter of feet sounded inside the building, and David and Summer hurriedly stepped to one side as twenty or more children ran out the door and down the steps.

A tall, angular woman appeared in the doorway behind the departing children, and she smiled when she saw David and Summer.

“Sorry you got caught in the stampede. I’m Edna Stollard. Are you Mr. Brown?”

David stepped forward and shook hands with her. “Yes, I’m Bert’s brother. This is Summer Weaver, Spring’s sister.”

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Miss Stollard said, “but not under these circumstances. The Browns’ deaths have been a blow to the staff and students of The Crossroads. Let’s talk in my office.”

They entered a narrow hallway, where many students were standing beside their lockers, and Edna said, “Most of our students live on campus. The ones you saw leaving live in Mountain Glen, and their families transport them back and forth to school.”

The building had a scent that Summer associated with schools—dust, chalk and stale food—reminding her of the elementary school she’d attended in Ohio. Edna motioned them into an office at the rear of the hallway. It was a crowded room with many filing cabinets, but she moved papers from two chairs to provide a place for David and Summer to sit.

Edna Stollard had a round, rosy face, devoid of makeup, and the kindest brown eyes Summer had ever seen. Her straight hair had been dark-brown at one time, but now it was streaked with gray, parted in the middle and pulled back into a tidy bun at her nape. Edna wore a dark-blue cotton shapeless dress and a white sweater. She obviously didn’t give much thought to current fashion.

“I’d expected some of the family to come and gather up the Browns’ belongings,” she said to David, “but I concluded from your phone message that there’s another reason for your visit.”

David took Bert and Spring’s last wills and testaments from his briefcase and handed them to Edna. “As you know, since you witnessed their signatures, Bert and Spring wrote these before they left here a month ago. Did they discuss the wills with you?”

Edna shook her head. “No. The Browns were in a hurry to leave and they asked The Crossroads’ cook and me to witness their signatures.”

“The contents certainly came as a surprise to us, so please read one of them. Bequests are the same in each will.”

David didn’t watch Edna as she read. He stood and looked out the window to the campus. Two adults monitored the activities of students playing basketball on an outdoor concrete court, while other children walked toward the dormitories. The buildings were plain, but the natural beauty was hard to surpass. The school compound was situated in a large alpine valley. High mountain ranges surrounded the valley, and yellow and reddish hues tinged the trees at the highest elevations.

Edna cleared her throat, and David returned to his seat. Summer sat quietly, a resigned expression on her face, hands clenched in her lap. She looked vulnerable and uneasy, making David wish he could shelter her from the fallout of their siblings’ requests.

Edna glanced at the papers again. “They made some highly irregular requests,” she said.

“That’s the way it appears to us, too,” David agreed. “Except for the children, it seems that Spring and Bert weren’t at liberty to make the requests they did.”

“No, of course not. Appointments to work at this school are made by our mission board. I’m really surprised, for it isn’t like Bert to make such an erroneous move.”

“We’ve figured out that Bert and Spring may have been worried about what would happen if they did die,” Summer said, “and they wrote these documents before they started on their trip. They probably thought they’d have plenty of time to discuss the provisions with us.”

“Assuming the mission board would appoint you to take over The Crossroads, what qualifications do you have to handle this work?”

“Perhaps we should make it plain, Miss Stollard,” Summer said, “that we aren’t interested in doing what Bert and Spring requested. We’re not suited to fill these positions, and they should have known it.”

David chuckled. “Summer does have a Master’s degree in Business Administration, but we’ve never worked with children. Both of us have jobs that are important to us, and frankly, we don’t want to disrupt our lifestyle.” He hesitated before he added, “And neither of us have the necessary spiritual qualities.”

“You aren’t like your brother and sister?” Edna questioned in her deep, calm voice.

David and Summer shook their heads emphatically.

“Not spiritually,” Summer said.

Edna glanced out the window. “Are you planning to spend the night here?”

Summer’s face blanched at the thought of negotiating that winding road after dark, but she didn’t want to stay here, either. The surroundings intimidated her and she wanted to leave. What had they accomplished by coming to North Carolina?

David looked at Summer for a decision, and she said, “What’s the purpose in staying? We aren’t interested in coming to The Crossroads even if the mission board would appoint us.”

“Miss Weaver,” Edna said, “something has to be done with the Browns’ belongings. The house belonged to them. It’s not part of the school property.” She looked at David. “Since you’re the executor, you’ll have to settle their affairs here.”

“I didn’t know they owned the house,” David said. “Did you?” he asked Summer.

“I’d forgotten about it, but I believe Daddy did buy the property and finance building the house. He wanted the kids to have a home of their own, rather than to live in a mission house as they had in Bolivia.”

“Wherever they got the money, the house and a half-acre lot belonged to Bert and Spring,” Edna said.

“It looks as if we will have to stay overnight,” Summer reluctantly agreed. “I don’t want to return to Asheville for the night and have to ride up that mountain again in the morning.”

“Our return plane reservations aren’t until day after tomorrow anyway.”

“Where are your homes?” Edna asked.

“I live in New York City,” Summer said. “David’s home is in Atlanta.”

“Then I can see why Mountain Glen doesn’t appeal to you,” Edna said, an amused expression on her face. “Let’s go to The Crossroads’ cafeteria and eat supper. Although Bert was the administrator over there, I’m supervisor of both schools. I’ve lived here in Mountain Glen for over forty years.”

Summer regarded the woman in amazement. How could anyone have survived forty years’ living in this secluded area and still radiate such serenity and optimism? In Edna’s character, she detected the same inner strength Bert and Spring had possessed. Whatever made them different, Summer knew it was something she lacked.

As they walked toward The Crossroads, David said lightly, “We wondered where the school got its name since there aren’t any roads to cross.”

“The name has nothing to do with the location. Bert chose the name because every teen attending this school comes with difficulties—a broken home, a police record, rejection and many other problems. At this point, they reach the crossroads of their lives, and they either profit by our instruction and trust God to help them live productive lives or they continue to go downhill.”

“What’s the percentage of success or failure?” David asked.

“The school has only been operating one year, so it’s rather soon to determine success or failure. The enrollment is limited to thirty on-campus students. We’ve had two boys who wouldn’t accept our strict rules, so they left. We count those as failures.”

The students were already seated at tables when the three adults entered the noisy dining hall, but talking ceased abruptly as curious eyes turned in their direction. More than curious, the residents seemed frightened as Edna said, “Let me have your attention a minute. We’ve got company—Summer Weaver and David Brown, relatives of Spring and Bert. They have some business to take care of here. I invited them to have dinner with you and to stay overnight.”

One boy lifted his hand. “You anything like Mr. Brown, sir?” he said to David. The boy’s face spread in a wide smile, but behind the smile lurked a hint of uneasiness. “We’re brothers,” David said easily, walking to the table and putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder, “but I’m not the great guy Bert was.”

“You gonna come here to stay? We’re afraid we’ll get somebody who won’t understand us like Mr. Brown did.”

“We’re just visiting today, but don’t worry. Miss Stollard will see that you get a good replacement for Bert.”

The boy shook his head. “Nobody could take his place.”

Edna directed them to the serving window, where she introduced the cook, Hallie Blackburn, and Anita Bailey, a student, who gave each of them a filled tray.

“You look like your sister,” Anita said to Summer. “She was neat and pretty, too.” She eyed Summer’s pink pants set. “I like your outfit.”

“Thank you,” Summer said, warming to the girl’s admiring glance. “Spring and I do…did,” she corrected herself with a pang in her heart, “look alike.”

They took their trays to a vacant table, where Edna bowed her head and gave thanks for the food. The tray contained a slice of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, vegetable gelatin salad, two cookies and a carton of white milk. The food tasted good, but the servings were small, and Summer wondered if this was enough nourishment for teenage boys. None of the students seemed overweight. No doubt the school operated on a limited budget.

As they ate, Edna explained that Bert had been the administrator and the chaplain, and Spring had taught and helped in the office. Two retired couples served as supervisors of the dormitories. Two women and one man took care of the teaching. The older students did the cleaning and yard work.

“All of these positions are volunteer,” Edna said, “except for Bert and Spring who were paid a small salary. The cook is also paid, but otherwise, the staff comes on a six-month or one-year volunteer basis.”

“So there isn’t any continuity in the educational program,” David said.

“More than you might imagine,” Edna answered, “as long as we had a good administrator.”

It was almost dark when they left the dining hall, and Edna said, “Would you like to go to the Browns’ home now?”

Summer and David exchanged uncertain glances. Summer wasn’t sure she was ready for that, but the sooner they settled their business here, the sooner they could leave Mountain Glen and hopefully never return.

“Maybe we should,” Summer said.

With Edna in the lead, they walked along a narrow forest path with huge rhododendrons and evergreen trees making a canopy over them. Summer experienced claustrophobia again, and she pressed closer to David. He took her hand and held it until they came to a rustic cabin near the mountain’s edge. Before they went inside, Edna led them to the front of the cabin where they overlooked a spectacular view to the southwest. A smoky haze hung over range after range of mountains that seemed to extend into infinity. With the exception of a few lights sparkling in the distance, marking the existence of a town, the area appeared as it had before settlers reached the mountains.

“Bert and Spring wanted to bring up their children in this rural setting,” Edna said sadly, “but God had other plans for them.”

Two rustic rockers, with a table between them, stood on the porch. An unwashed coffee cup was on the table, just as Bert or Summer might have left it. Inside the house was further evidence that their loved ones didn’t know they were leaving home for the last time. A package of cookies lay on the table. Dishes had been washed and placed on a drying rack. Several large logs in the fireplace waited for a spark to ignite them.

The front half of the house contained a combination kitchen and living area. A narrow hall, with a bathroom at the end, divided the rear of the house into two bedrooms. One room held a double bed and a chest. The other room across the hall had twin beds. Stuffed animals were scattered on one bed, which Summer surmised was Nicole’s side of the room, for posters of dinosaurs and football players decorated the other corner. The wooden headboard was cluttered with a small collection of dinosaurs.

“One of you can stay here tonight, or we can offer two guest rooms in the dormitory,” Edna said.

Reluctantly, Summer agreed to spend the night in the house.

“David,” Edna said, “I’ll show you to a room in the boy’s building.”

“I’ll bring your suitcase from the car after I move in to my room,” David said, closely eyeing the pallor of Summer’s face.

She nodded, pulled out a chair from the table and sat down wearily. When he returned a short time later, Summer still sat at the kitchen table, a frightened look on her face.

“It’s so dark,” she complained. “And I can’t hear a sound.”

Sitting across from her, David answered with a note of levity in his voice, “That’s supposed to be one of the benefits of country living.”

“Perhaps so, but I’m not keen on country living. At the farm, we had several dusk-to-dawn security lights. It never got completely dark except on those times when the power was off, and even then, Mother always had lots of lamps and candles on hand.”

“I’ll exchange places with you if you like,” David volunteered, “but I think you’ll get more rest here. The dormitory walls are paper thin, and the boys are rather noisy. I figure I’ll want a little peace and quiet before morning.”

“I’ll be all right.” She got up and paced the floor for a few minutes, then she looked in the refrigerator and some of the cabinets, where there was a good supply of food. In spite of the wills they’d left behind, it was obvious that Bert and Spring had intended to come home again.

“You might as well come here for breakfast. There are tea bags in the cabinet and frozen juice and a loaf of bread in the freezer.” Her eyes flitted around the room. “David, what are we going to do with their things?”

David shook his head and surveyed the cabin’s furnishings. One wall cabinet contained mementos that Bert and Spring had brought from Bolivia. A small television was centered before the couch and a deep lounge chair. An open Bible lay on a desk. Had Bert and Spring sat at that desk when they’d written their wills?

“If I’m the executor of the will, I suppose I can make the decision of what to do with everything, but it won’t be an easy task.”

David hated to leave Summer alone, but he knew he should leave. In spite of his good intentions, he figured Edna wouldn’t approve if he spent the night in the house with Summer, even if Summer would allow it. He laid a tender hand on her shoulder.

“Try to sleep. I’ll be here early in the morning.”

When he stepped off the porch, Summer opened her mouth to ask him to stay longer, but she didn’t speak. She had to stop depending on David’s presence to calm her fears.

Summer showered in a thin stream of tepid water and changed into her nightgown and robe. She couldn’t bring herself to sleep in Spring’s bed. She picked up a blanket and went into the living room.

She laid the blanket on the couch, wandered around the room and picked up the Bible lying open on the desk. Several lines were highlighted, and she read aloud, “‘For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”’

The minister who’d preached their funerals had read the same passage, and Summer considered it a fitting epitaph for Bert and Spring. She turned the pages of the Bible wondering if it contained any words to guide her in the decisions she must make.

There were many underlined passages, and she paused at one verse marked in Psalm 144, “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” Accepting someone as Lord meant He would be the ruler of your life. If she took that step, could she more willingly carry out her sister’s request?