14
Bing was already seated before Gigget showed up for church. She made it in before the music began, probably due to getting the children into their programming. He marveled at how she managed to do that. She was a superior woman to be sure. Far above his pay grade. He wondered if she’d come sit by him, but in the crowd of people, she might not have seen him. She sat on the other side of the auditorium.
Her hair was done nicely, and she smiled to people around her. Who could fail to appreciate this woman? He hoped she would contact him while he was away.
He surreptitiously watched her during worship. She was an angel singing her worship to God. Her face radiated the beauty and wonder of the hymn’s lyrics. Bing wondered if his face did that as well. Not that people could see much of it right now with his full beard. He turned his focus back to the stage. If he focused too much on Gigget, he wasn’t tuning into God, and that was the reason he was here. To worship the Lord. After all, it was God who got him through the awful years of marriage as well as the torture of the divorce. Only God could sustain his very last breath.
Soon he was seated for the message, and the aloneness of his situation hit him full force. Most people were here as couples although some friends would sit together. He’d done that too, but his buddy Puck was up north, hunting. Bing had been invited, but that would have meant missing his date with Gigget.
Focus on the preaching! He directed his gaze to the front of the sanctuary where the pastor stood. He was preaching about Paul still praising God in the midst of being beaten for Christ and jailed. Would Bing have that kind of faith? He hadn’t done that well during the divorce. He’d stopped attending church for a time before his marriage blew up. Defeated, he hated to admit that he’d failed. He attended a Christian divorce support group which helped him through his grief to a stage of forgiveness. God had been good in bringing him back here. It was wrong for him to let his fear of censure keep him from worshipping with others.
Soon the message was over and the closing song was done. His brain had a hard time paying attention as he mulled over all he needed to do before leaving town. Including updating his will.
He slid out of the seat and into the aisle with the rest of the congregation and headed toward the vestibule. He’d lost track of Gigget. She’d probably gone to fetch the kiddos. Bing grinned at the thought of them. They’d told him they were praying for him to be their new daddy. After he’d gotten over the shock, he realized what an honor and privilege it was that they wanted him. He wasn’t sure how long that would last if he really was their father and needed to discipline them for something. So far, they’d seemed pretty obedient, but that would be a challenge down the road. He hadn’t made it easy on his own mother. The Army had helped to settle him.
He headed out to his truck and for home. If Gigget wanted to exchange letters, he might need to get started with writing some of them.
Grabbing a legal pad, he sat at his kitchen table, pen in hand, to begin the first letter. When finished, he began his packing. He still needed to work the next two days and there were a lot of other things to set in order.
~*~
Gigget missed connecting with Bing after church. Her spirits sank when she realized he’d left before her while she was getting the kids. Did he regret their date? Was he getting cold feet when it came to a relationship? It was odd at her age to think of having a boyfriend. Is that what one called it when you were in your thirties? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Were they dating or was this courting? She really didn’t want to waste time on someone who didn’t have a goal of marriage. Not that she believed Bingle was the one. He could be. She didn’t want to waste time if that wasn’t his same goal.
Friday had been refreshing, and she understood for the first time what it might be like to be cherished by a man. What a novel experience. She got the kids home and tried to get them to rest. They’d come to a compromise where they would spend at least an hour reading a book on Sundays.
Gigget settled at her desk and pulled out some stationery. She managed to find some old stationary. She used to write letters, once-upon-a-time. How had she lost that?
Dear Bing,
It is strange to be writing to a man I only met a few weeks ago. I’m hoping to send this out before you leave so you have mail waiting for you when you get to wherever you’re going. I realize you probably can’t even tell me that, but I hope it’s not any place where you would be in danger. Of course, that’s just a silly woman’s anxiety. This is the Army, not a game of basketball with friends. I realize there are no guarantees in life but I do know a few things. God is faithful and He loves His children, and I can entrust you to His care. I’m just beginning to get to know you, but He loves you with an everlasting love.
You might find some communication from the children as well. I’ve never seen them take to an adult as much as they have to you. You are something special. I don’t know if whatever we have between us will go anywhere, but regardless, I will always hold you in my heart with a deep gratitude for all the ways you have taken care of me and my little family. To me and the kids, you have been Jesus’s disciple in the flesh. I’ll never forget your kindnesses to us.
The forecast is for snow this week. I hope you’ll be somewhere warmer and that you can be a blessing to the people you serve with. Thank you for dinner Friday night. I really did enjoy our time together. The food was great as well, a special treat.
Stay safe in God’s loving care. We are praying for your safe return. I realize you’ll be gone over Thanksgiving but hopefully you’ll be home for Christmas.
Sincerely,
Gigget
The timer went off alerting the kids that they were free to play or watch a movie. Gigget was in the mood for Christmas movies and perhaps, even putting up the Christmas tree. Her mother superstitiously believed that putting up the tree brought early snow. Gigget smiled at that thought.
Maybe a Christmas movie and popcorn?
Djoni and Amoretta handed Gigget their own letters and drawings for Bing. It touched her heart.
“You sweet children. Are you thinking he’s Santa Claus or something? Or are you just trying to sell yourself as children to parent?”
“I don’t understand,” Amoretta said. “Mine says:”—she held the paper up in front of her—“I hope you stay safe and fight fair. I am praying for you. Will you be home for Christmas? I want a doll and clothes for her and a little stroller to put her in. Love, Amoretta.” She handed it to Gigget.
“Mine’s better,” Djoni stated. “Is it fun to go to war? Mommy won’t let me watch movies about that. I hope you beat the bad guys good. I’d like some new trains for my wooden train set. Do you play with trains? I think they are cool. We could play sometime if you want to. Come back soon. Love, Djoni.”
“They are both fine letters, but he’s not obligated to get you Christmas gifts. We don’t even know if he’ll be back by then.” I hope he will . “I’ll put these in an envelope to mail tomorrow. How about you select a Christmas movie for us to watch together,” Gigget suggested.
The children rushed to the shelf that held the movies and began debating what they’d watch.
Gigget really hoped Bing would enjoy the letters. She wondered if she’d be able to write every day…she doubted he would.