A Heart of Faith – Chapter Ten
Time. Some think it’s something of which they have lots. But we never can know how much we do have, until it becomes jeopardized. That’s a lesson the Meltsner learnt the hard way, when just that happens to Eugene Meltsner.
All of a sudden, time seems to be slipping away for him, quicker than anyone could have expected. Will the situation be able to be turned around before time is completely gone for good? Only time and faith will reveal what God could possibly have planned for them—of what use the situation could be. And maybe, as the saying goes, “One man’s loss, is another man’s gain.”
Although the events prove to be a fright for the family, and even their close friends, they are all able to find that they can have Hearts of Faith that God will take care of them and their every need.
The rain that week persisted for the second day in a row. The employees at Whit’s End weren’t expecting for many kids to walk over on their own after school was let out, though some who lived close by probably would—with their rain hoods up and speed walking along the puddled sidewalks.
While waiting for the usual after school rush of customers, Connie was helping Mr. Whittaker get things set up in the Ice Cream Parlor. Wiping off the last of the tables, Connie saw that her employer was done with the cups of plastic cutlery. “When you’re done with the tables, could you put these cups on them, please?”
“Sure thing, Whit.” Connie answered, making her way back over to the counter as Whit walked out from behind it. “I’ll be heading up to my office if you need me.” He began. “Renee will be arriving a little bit later.” Connie nodded. “Okay.” With that, Whit ascended the spiral staircase.
Connie crouched down behind the counter to put the cleaner and rag away, when the bell above the door sounded. She assumed it to be Renee simply arriving early. “Oh, hey Renee! Didn’t expect you for another-” Connie paused, her brow furrowing in confusion when she stood up to see who had actually arrived. “Greetings and salutations, Miss Kendall!”
“Eugene?” Eugene nodded, as he took his raincoat off. “What’re you doing here?” Connie asked, coming out from behind the counter to greet her friend. “Why, I’m here for my shift, of course.” She blinked. “Wait, but aren’t you supposed to be home? You know, resting?” She wondered. “Not necessarily. I’ve been instructed to not exhaust myself.”
“But, you’re still at work…” Connie noted, still sounding confused. “Mr. Whittaker agreed to allow me to continue working at Whit’s End, under the strict condition that my workload remains light.” Eugene explained, as he briefly went to the kitchen to hang his coat on the hook by the door. Coming back out to the front counter, Connie then asked him, “Okay, but why would you want to be working if you’re… sick?”
“Simply put, the alternative would be remaining home on my own for the majority of the day. To be quite honest, I’d much rather prefer working alongside my closest friends, instead.” Eugene answered, giving Connie a smile. She still looked a bit dubious. “Oh… And you’re sure you’re well enough to be working?” Eugene’s smile fell a little. “As well as I will be feeling, Miss Kendall.” He told her. Connie hummed.
“Now then,” Eugene began, clasping his hands before himself. “Where might I find Mr. Whittaker?” He asked. “Oh, he’s upstairs in his office.” Connie answered. Her friend gave a nod in thanks, before heading off upstairs—just as another customer came up to the counter.
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Not long after Eugene’s shift began, did Renee Carter arrive for her shift also. She took Connie’s spot behind the counter, allowing for Connie to find various other jobs that needed to be done. Not-so-coincidentally enough, the majority of the tasks Connie found to do, ensured for her to stay close to Eugene.
She did her best to remain subtle as she kept an eye on her friend, unknowingly paranoid that there would be a repeat of the incident that very last Friday. Connie was hardly aware of how badly paranoid she’d even gotten, until it got pointed out to her.
As Connie was sweeping the library, Eugene was replacing loose books into the bookshelves. (There would always be some kids who’d forget to put books back when they were done reading them).
Just as he was about to put one book away, a page began to slip out. Eugene opened the book, finding said page to have been ripped. Lining the page up, he turned around to head for the library’s doorway. “Where’re you going?”
“… Pardon?” Connie tried to act casual, even though the question came out quicker than she’d intended. “I um… Y’know, I’m just wondering…” Eugene gave her a bit of a suspicious look, but answered her anyway. “I’m going to retrieve a roll of tape. It seems a page from this book was torn.” He explained, before continuing out of the room. Keeping up her subtlety, Connie followed after Eugene at a modest distance
The two made their way downstairs, and as Eugene continued into the kitchen—where the wooden storage cabinet was—Connie took a rag from the sink’s tap and began wiping down the already mostly clean counters. Finding the roll of tape he’d been seeking in the top cupboard, Eugene found himself unable to reach it. He set aside the book in his hand, and went to retrieve a step stool. Connie saw him doing so, and before Eugene was able to step up to grab the tape, she swooped in. “Let me do that for you!”
“I… um-?”
“Here you go, Eugene.” Connie said, already stepping off the stool with the roll of tape in hand. Still processing what exactly had just happened, Eugene slowly took the roll from Connie’s hand. He blinked a few times, brow furrowing a bit in frustration. “Miss Kendall,” He began, tone matching his facial expression. “I would greatly appreciate it if you would cease and desist this act of following me around and treating me as though I were a frail kitten! Now, if you would please—borrowing the colloquialism—’give me some space’?!”
“I… I’m sorry…” Connie apologized. Though she was taken aback from Eugene’s brief outburst, she realized he did have a point. Head bowed a little, she left the kitchen, leaving Eugene alone. Renee seemed to notice her co-worker’s defeated stance as she walked out of the kitchen. “So‘re you done followin’ Eugene ‘round, now?”
“… What?” Connie gave the ginger a curious look. “Y’were about as subtle as a poodle, Connie. Me ‘n some of the kids all noticed you, and from the sound of it, as did Eugene.” Renee explained. Connie sighed and shook her head. “Okay, you got me…” Renee gave her a bit of a sympathetic look. “Er, no offense, of course.”
“None taken, it’s alright.” Connie assured her, as she went to help Renee with the kids in the Ice Cream parlor.
Later on that afternoon, Connie’s shift was at its end. Gathering up her coat and purse, she went to clock out. Eugene caught up with her before she could leave Whit’s End. “Miss Kendall?” She looked in his direction. “May I speak with you for a moment?” With a small nod, Connie followed Eugene to a more quiet spot of the shop. “What’d you wanna talk about?”
“About how you were constantly following me around for the better part of this afternoon.” Eugene told her. Connie mouthed a quiet ‘oh’, looking downwards. “I simply wish to understand why you were doing it.” He explained. Connie gave a short shrug, though answered with, “I mean… I guess I just wanted to make sure nothing happened to you.” Eugene could tell there was something more. “Is that, pray tell, the only reason?”
“Well… mm, no…” Connie slowly replied. “Oh? If I may, what else is bothering you?” Eugene inquired, hoping she’d open up a little more. “… It’s just that, we’ve been friends for a really long time now.” Connie began, pausing to find her words. “And I guess, this whole thing with you only having so long to live… it’s kind of scary… Not to mention, anything could happen to you unexpectedly, y’know?”
“Ah,” Eugene hummed, connecting the dots. “You mean, something similar to what happened with your mother?” Connie sighed, but nodded once. She finally looked up again. “What happened to my mom felt so… so sudden, and what made me feel worse, was that I wasn’t there when she had her heart attack!” She explained, as the memories from her mother’s passing crept to the front of her mind. “Connie, I completely understand how this current situation with my own health may rekindle… unpleasant memories of your mother’s passing. Truly, I do.” Eugene began, sounding completely empathetic. “However, I am still here, and if it is God’s will, a donor will be provided.”
“I know…” Connie answered shortly, though she still couldn’t help herself from worrying. “Perhaps you can keep a verse, such as II Timothy 1:7 in mind.” Eugene reminded her. Connie nodded, knowing which Bible verse he was talking about. “You’re right… I should.” Her friend smiled, glad to have had this talk. “Well then, I believe that was all I wished to speak with you about.” Eugene began, insinuating that Connie could now be on her way. Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Pleasantly surprised by the gesture, Eugene returned the gesture. “Thanks for this, Eugene.”
“You are most welcome, Connie.”
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