Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [20]
She looked up into his eyes. Noted the firm set of his chin. His unblinking stare. But she said nothing.
“Okay, how about this? How about if you talk with Pastor Johnson? I bet he could tell you how to help Emilie—tell you how to organize meals or something. Whatever. And that would make you feel better, wouldn’t it?”
“You think making food is going to solve this for Emilie? And what about Colleen? You and me? What about my feelings, Bill?”
“Aren’t we being just a tad overdramatic? Good grief, I’ll talk with Colleen. We’ll work this out, for cryin’ out loud.” He pulled her into his arms again, rubbed her back. “Look, honey. We’re going through a tough time. We’ve got a—I’ll admit it—a teen with a capital A attitude. Our friends are in crisis. And it’s putting you and me on edge.” Once again he pushed her away from him so he could look into her eyes. “But we’ll get through this, okay? I promise you. We don’t need a stranger meddling in our … our lives. Okay?”
Maureen sighed. Nodded her head, acquiescing.
“Also, since I’m an elder at church and—”
“Ironically, so is Ed.”
He ignored the comment, continued, “If you were to go see a counselor, well, can’t you see how this would play out before the community? On the heels of Ed and Emilie? You know how that would look.”
“My understanding is that a professional counselor would never reveal confidences. Isn’t that a legal requirement?”
Bill sighed, shifted his gaze away before admitting, “Yes. But you know this area of town, Mo. Someone might see you going and then—”
“So now we get to the issue.”
“Maureen, that’s not fair.”
“It’s just like Colleen said. She accused me of fretting about my image, and now it’s come back to me full circle, hasn’t it? Guess I deserved this.”
“I’m just asking you to consider how this will affect all four of us. Isn’t this a rather selfish desire on your part? You’re already gone two mornings a week in the shop. You’re busy with church. When do you have time for sessions with a counselor?”
Maureen rubbed her eyes, pushed away from him. “I need to get dinner going.”
“I thought we were making a decision here?”
Her eyes bored into his for only a split second. “You’re right that I just don’t have the time, Bill.”
“So we’ll work this out—just us, together?”
“We’ll work it out.”
It was yet another evening of Colleen’s self-imposed silence, but in a strange way, Maureen welcomed it. Reading and praying with both girls took the last bit of energy she had at her disposal, and she fell asleep minutes after she’d collapsed into bed, not even hearing the annoying click of the remote.
Only to awaken at 1:17 a.m. Instantly, wide awake.
One thought after another bullied for priority in her mind. She worried about Colleen, and what they were to do. How to handle her in a way that wouldn’t push her further away from them. And where is she spiritually? Maureen’s heart wondered. Her worries then turned to Emilie. In their bed—by herself. Maureen was tempted to cuddle up to Bill’s back for the sense of security he would instantly provide, but she couldn’t lie still long, was afraid she’d only awaken him also. There was certainly no sense in both of them worrying needlessly at this hour.
When she was convinced a good amount of time had passed, she looked up at the clock. 1:35. Sighing, she knew there was no hope of drifting back to sleep.
Maureen gently lifted the covers and eased out of bed. She was slipping into her robe when Bill’s voice startled her.
“What’re you doing?” he mumbled.
“Can’t sleep. Sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep, okay?” She padded out of the room, barefoot, and closed the door gently behind her. For a moment, Maureen stood at the door and listened. Not hearing any further movement from Bill, she assumed he’d drifted off again.
Typical man, she fumed to herself. No matter what worrisome events are happening,