“What about the Kleins? Grafton told me he secured them visas, but they are about to expire.”
Chaisley’s gulping sobs grew. “We can’t find them. Apparently they were frightened and left the hotel, but they haven’t returned.”
“Oh, child. I’m so sorry. From what you told me, Mary Beth is a strong, resilient child. She’ll help her mother get in touch.”
“I pray they do.” Chaisley mopped up her face with a hankie and straightened her shoulders. She laid a hand close to Celestia’s and found her fingers. “I’ve rescheduled several concerts in Spain so that I could stay with you awhile. Perhaps you’ll be back on your feet by the time I need to leave.”
Celestia covered her granddaughter’s hand with her own. “As much as I would love for that to be true, the infection is still in my lungs. Grafton has been honest with me—if my body can continue to fight it off, that’s great. But there’s also a good chance that I will soon be joining my precious husband and your parents in Jesus’s presence.”
“Please don’t talk like that.” Chaisley sniffed and swiped a hand at her tear-stained cheek.
“My child, I’m in the Lord’s hands, and that’s the best place to be.” She coughed several times, and her granddaughter handed her the glass of water again. “Thank you.” After a few sips, she handed it back, and Chaisley set it down on the side table without spilling a drop. “Now ... let’s talk about something happier.”
Chaisley blew her nose. “Like what?”
“Like how beautiful you are. I’ve seen how you’ve taken the world by storm and have stood firm in the face of the enemy.”
“And then I come in here and feel like a little girl and sob all over the place.” She shook her head.
“Only because you feel safe here with me. I love that. But don’t give up that strength or tenacious streak even as you grieve, my dear.”
“I can’t bear to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me. You know that. I simply will gain heaven, and you’ll meet me there one day.” She shifted in the bed as another coughing fit overtook her and she worked her way to sit up a bit more. “Now ... if my time is short, I have a request.”
“Anything.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Grinning to herself, she launched into her plan. “I’ve seen how you are with Rick, and there’s no denying the way he looks at you. You two care for one another ... dare I say, you love each other?”
“Love?” Chaisley cleared her throat. “Um, well, I guess, that is ... we do care for each other. We’ve become close friends.”
“Oh, don’t beat around the bush. I can see it clearly on yourface this very moment. Don’t deny it. The world is in dire straits. There’s no time to waste.”
Chaisley’s mouth clamped closed.
Yes. She was correct. “All right, then. Here is my request. I am asking you to promise me that you will marry him before the year is out. I would love to see you married before I pass on, but we don’t know how much longer I have. That’s why a promise will have to do.” All this talking made her cough even more. “I’m so thankful that God has brought you love, Chaisley. I want to be able to take my last breath knowing that you are loved and taken care of.”
Her granddaughter’s mouth opened and then shut. Opened one more time and then shut again.
If it wasn’t such a serious moment, Celestia would want to laugh at all the expressions passing over Chaisley’s face. “Do you promise?”
“Well ... don’t you think this is something I should discuss with Rick?”
“Sure. Go get him right now. Let’s get this settled today.”
Berlin, Germany—Wednesday, October 19, 1938
The man at the table in front of him was worthless.
“I thought you taught this to your students, Mr. Wolf?”
The man’s hands shook over the paper. “I teach braille, yes. But this isn’t that.”
“Then what, pray tell,isit?” He smacked the paper with the back of his hand.
The man lifted his bound hands to his eyes and rubbed at them. “If I remember my schooling from university, this might be a form of the original braille from the early 1800s. These other forms seem to be some of the inventions from the United States.”
He slapped the table. “You’re telling me you don’t know what it says?”
