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“That isn’t a bad, thing, Josh.”
“No, it isn’t,” he agreed.
The server returned with their drinks and took their order. She promised to get their food out quickly. They thanked her before she walked away.
“I’m going home after lunch, so I can spend time with her,” Josh told Father Paddy.
“That’s a good thing. I know it’s difficult to see this right now, but Sophie’s illness has brought about some good.”
“How’s that, Father Paddy?”
He laughed. “For the first time in decades, Duke Ward and Brad Russack are coming to St. Agnes and I’ve actually seen both men on bended knee.”
Josh hung his head and snorted. Father was right though. His dad was always on the edge of his seat, like he might bolt at any minute during the times when the entire congregation was kneeling. He, himself wasn’t allowed to do that. He got whacked in the back of the head by whichever parent was closest and they were glad to do it for him too.
“She asked them to come to church with her. Without question, they both showed up. If I had known that was all it would take to get those two into St. Agnes again, I’d have made that request years ago.”
“I don’t think you’d have the same effect, Father Paddy,” Josh teased him.
“Probably not.” Father Paddy leaned on his arms. “Josh, I haven’t seen the entire Ward and Russack families together in in the pews for years. It makes me as happy as it does Sophie.”
“She’s finding comfort in it.”
Their server brought their food and they were quiet for a few minutes while she asked if they needed anything else. When she walked away, Josh dug into his cheeseburger. Father poked around on his plate.
“What are you finding comfort in Josh?” He asked.
He shook his head. “Not much, these days. Ask me in six months when Sophie’s treatments are over.”
The rest of their lunch conversation was about Josh’s landscaping business. His new employee and Ally coming home. They also talked college and professional football. Father Paddy was a diehard LSU Tigers football fan. Josh laughed at his excitement over the team this year. He watched college, but he wasn’t as extreme as Father Paddy.
“Ally is heading up to Columbus tomorrow. She’s good friends with Camden University quarterback Brian Wilkes.”
Father was impressed. “Great arm, that boy has. He’s the reason they are number two.”
“He is.”
They finished their lunch and Father Paddy walked with Josh to his car. “Josh, I can’t tell you that this is going to get easier for you.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Like Sophie, your attitude is just as important.”
“I know Father.” He sighed, the heaviness revealing his level of frustration that was intense.
“Come see me anytime or call me to talk.”
Josh nodded.
“Sophie is in my prayers every night.” Father Paddy promised Josh then he hugged him briefly before shooing him to his truck while he headed towards the sidewalk. He had walked. It was too pretty, not to. People around town often saw Father Paddy walking to the diner, the post office, even the grocery store when he didn’t need much. This was life in their small town.
Josh waved as he passed by Father Paddy feeling more at peace than he did prior to their lunch. He passed John Overly heading in the opposite direction and the two exchanged greetings. A wave before they could no longer see each other. His twins were a little over three months old now.
What if had agreed to him and Sophie having a baby? Things could have been really complicated now. It was a phase for her, he had been sure of it. Not something that she really wanted but something to mask something that she feared. Her friends, lives were changing both Micki and Kai having babies at forty. She didn’t want them to change without her and leave her behind.
She was afraid of what their life would become without children. He parked in the drive of his home. The single, story ranch had been theirs for ten years. Five more years and it was paid for. The lawn was the best in the neighborhood. It should be considering his business.
The gardens, were all Sophie. She was the best at that in their company. She loved her gardens. He would have to take care of them this spring. He and Ally would make it work for her.
Josh wiped his hand across his face and got out of the truck. His neighbor shouted to him. He walked to the edge of the lawn and spoke to Bob. An older man, about sixty or so. His wife brought over dinner several times while Sophie was ill last week.
“How’s Sophie?”
