The Crossroad by Beverly Lewis Page B

friend. May the Lord bless and keep you always.
    In Christ … I remain,
    Adele Herr
    Philip didn’t bother to read the letter a second time. Reaching for the phone, he sat at the desk in his home office and dialed the number for Fairview Nursing Home.
    When one of the nurses put him through, he was met with a cheerful, strong voice. “Merry Christmas, Philip!”
    “How’d you know it was me?”
    She laughed softly into the phone. “No one else calls.”
    “Well, it’s good to hear you’re in such fine spirits. Must be the advent of Christmas.”
    “That … among other things.”
    “Such as?” He was eager for a good health report.
    “To begin with, my doctor is cutting back very slowly on all of my medications. My old ticker is working better than it has in years.”
    “That’s terrific news!”
    “Yes, and I’m able to be up and out of bed, walking the halls. I even helped one of the patients address a few Christmas cards yesterday.”
    He was excited to tell her his plan. “Say, I received your letter … just now read it, and I’m taking you up on your invitation. I’m coming to your Christmas party.”
    “How wonderful, Philip!”
    He heard the joyful ring to her voice. “You really are feeling better, aren’t you?”
    “For which I thank the Lord,” she replied. “God has touched my life by bringing you into it … and Rachel, as well.”
    Philip thought about her remark and wondered what she’d make of it if he casually mentioned the research he had been conducting on behalf of, but unknown to, Rachel. Forging ahead, he said, “I’ve gathered some information, and it’s interesting that you mentioned it in your letter … about Rachel’s hysteria….” He paused, inhaling a bit. “Did she bring it up herself when she was there?”
    “Well, let’s see … Yes, Rachel actually spoke freely of the emotional effects she’s suffered since the accident. I think she soon may be ready to face her past head on, though I have no idea what that may involve.”
    “I have an idea,” Philip said, not telling her that he’d talked with several therapists on Manhattan’s east side, upon his brother-in-law’s recommendation. Philip felt he had a handle on the sort of questions a doctor might ask to permit the pain and the memories to resurface, the deeply submerged anguish of Rachel’s loss. If he could just spend some time with her, he might be able to befriend her.
    “I’m glad I wrote you about the Christmas program. Meanwhile, be careful not to work such long hours,” she said, beginning to sound a bit tired. “It’s not a good thing to burn the candle at both ends.”
    “It’s what I’m used to. Besides, I’m working my way down a long list of assignments. I’ll see you soon. Keep smiling.”
    “You’re a wonder,” she said.
    “Good-bye, Adele.”
    “God is ever faithful,” she said before they hung up.
    He recognized it as one of the last lines of Gabe’s postcard message to her.
    Before heading out to the kitchen to heat up some leftovers, Philip opened his file drawer and located a list of characteristics he’d observed in Rachel Yoder. He’d made the list while waiting at the Lancaster Community Hospital last September for word after Rachel’s little daughter’s wasp-sting incident.
    Soft-spoken, mild-mannered, devoted to Annie were among the first qualities he’d written. Scanning the words, he recalled the beautiful young blind woman. If ever there was something he wanted to give at Christmastime, it was sight to Rachel Yoder!

    Sunday night meetings were a bit unusual, but Rachel wanted to go to the preachin’ service that had been called at the Beachy Amish meetinghouse. Especially since a visiting minister was passing through. “Lavina’s picking me up,” she told Mam, adding, “Wouldja be so kind as to tuck Annie in for me?”
    “Well … how late do you ’spect to be?”
    “I really don’t know, but I wouldn’t think too awful late.”
    Dat spoke