Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
W hile Martha was in the office, drawing up her plans for the large handbag order, Ava and Lucas sat at the table outside, nibbling their slices of pumpkin pie and sipping cider.
“I know I was reluctant to come here to the lake at first, but I’m glad you pressed the issue,” Lucas said, peering out at the water under the purple evening sky. “Being on the water gives me perspective.”
“How so?” Ava dragged her fork through her pie and took a bite of the sugary cinnamon-flecked dessert.
“I got so caught up in graduation requirements and then college classes. After that, it was residency and job applications. And then the day-to-day rat race in New York. For a while, I forgot that city life is a choice not everyone elects to have.” He took a sip from his mug.
“After the incident on the operating table, I knew I wanted something else, but the relaxing force I sought wasn’t tangible until I walked out on this deck for the first time. ”
“I know what you mean. I’ve been wrestling with what to do in my life, myself. ”
Interest shone in his eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s funny that you and I both ended up in New York. And now, we’re both here, wondering what to do.”
“I’m not wondering anymore, actually. I plan to find a nice plot of land, put down roots, and, as soon as I’m financially able, quit my job and start farming. I have a childhood full of experience as a farmer. And my dad could help me with the logistics if I need it.”
“You’re going to give up everything you’ve studied for?”
“What good is it when I don’t have the passion for it?”
“You’re right.” Ava picked up her mug, letting the warm surface combat the evening chill in her fingers. “My life isn’t quite so cut and dry. I still love what I do, I think. I’m just not as interested in the day-to-day grind of it anymore.”
“So what are you going to do?” Lucas asked.
“I’m going to get better, go back to work in the city, and see how I feel and what opportunities arise.”
His nodded and his gaze dropped to his plate, thoughts evident. Was he wondering what Elise would think of his plans? Ava had grown up the way he had and still wasn’t sure if she could leave New York. Would his fiancée come around to the idea?
Something about going back to New York didn’t feel right to Ava, but she didn’t know what else to do. She’d built her entire life there. In that way, she could understand Elise’s position.
“I wish my dad were here. He always had the greatest advice,” Ava said.
“What do you think he’d tell you to do?”
“I have no idea this time. I feel like I’m flying solo.” She scooped another bite of pie, but didn’t eat it. “You know, he said once that he’d send me a big bass from heaven when he got there. I’m still waiting for it. ”
Lucas grinned. “That might be difficult to do. Heaven’s a long way.”
“I went fishing last week, and I hoped to catch one. I didn’t, though. It was pretty disappointing.”
“Given how my life has unfolded so far, I don’t think we’re meant to know what goes on up there,” Lucas said. “You got a lucky glimpse is all.”
“Maybe that’s why I couldn’t see anything. Because I wasn’t supposed to know yet?”
“Maybe.”
There were lots of reasons, she had decided. Given her choice and what was meant for her, there really was no reason she should see any of it yet. But after everything over the last month or so, she was certain there was something beyond the emptiness.
Lucas set down his fork. “After you told me about your near-death experience, I looked the subject up.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I wanted to know what you’d gone through.” He leaned back in his chair. “There are tons of experiences. And some of them happen in that ‘void’ you mentioned. People have noted that their loved ones were often waiting in the wings. Maybe your dad was there, but just out of sight?”
Warmth surged through her. “I did feel like someone was there with me. I wasn’t sure if it was the source of the voice or not.” She rubbed her face. “It all sounds irrational, I know.”
“Not so much anymore, really. The thing is, you thought you were supposed to find me to save yourself, but in saving yourself, you saved me ,” Lucas said.
“I know.”
The love from the void that had filled her radiated outward, reaching others in her path.
Ava’s experience had definitely affected her mom—Ava was closer to her now than she’d ever been.
But her coming back had also changed Lucas’s life.
What would he have dealt with if she hadn’t returned?
And it had also caused her to slow down and pay attention to her faith.
“Ever since you told me of your experience, I’ve had an entirely different perspective on what happened to me,” Lucas said.
“While the guy on my table that day won’t see his wife, I can at least feel some hope that maybe he will one day.
It’s too bad you didn’t see your dad. Then we’d know that we see our loved ones. ”
“Growing up in church, we learned we’d see them when we get there.”
“I guess that’s the element of faith we all have to have,” he said.
“I have faith that there’s more and that I’ll see my dad one day.”
Just then, a breeze blew around them, and Ava hoped it was him.
With only the moonlight and the flickering fire in the firepit behind them, Ava and Lucas sat cross-legged on the edge of the deck, overlooking the lake. After their pie and cider, they’d moved over near the water and spent the last few hours talking about everything and nothing at all.
Her sore muscles needed a break, so Ava lay back on the deck and looked up at the stars twinkling in the inky, dark sky. Lucas followed her lead.
“I think the last time I looked at the stars was with you when we were kids,” he said.
“Same.” She turned her head toward him. “That’s kind of sad, isn’t it? Why didn’t we ever climb trees again or look up at the stars? ”
“For me, it was because I never had anyone besides you who made me think to.”
Emotion welled up; she swallowed it back down. “Promise me I won’t lose my best friend again,” she said.
His gaze roamed her face. “I promise.”