Chapter 25.  Bind Us Together, Lord!

 

Dan slept fitfully, if he slept at all.  He pondered his plight Chapter and pleaded with God during every wakeful moment of the long night.  Over and over again, these thoughts tumbled through his depressed mind, “Is it something I have done wrong, Lord? ...  Would I be a poor mate for Miriam? ...  Why is she in love with this worldly guy? ... I thought she would never warm up to a non-believer ... Is it his charm?  his money?  his good looks? ... I’ll have to quit the research team ... There’s no way I’ll be able to watch Miriam become Vic’s mistress ... Something in me died when I saw her cuddling with him on the dance floor ... I’ll have to quit attending Transcendental Community Church ... I don’t want to be near her again ... But, Lord, how do I quit loving her? ... She’s the girl of my dreams ... I was so sure ... and now, my dreams are shattered ... Lord, help me through this ... Even though she’s fallen for a terrible man, bless Miriam ... I want the best for her ... How could she make such a tragic mistake?”

 

Miriam spent most of the night on her knees.  Finally, she crawled into bed, but as she did, she lifted Danny Bear from her dresser and reclined with him in her arms.  If she slept at all, it was in brief snatches.  Her head ached.  Her body was sore.  Her mind was feverously searching for answers.  She rolled the same thoughts around in circles, “Lord, how do I explain what Dan saw? ... He thinks I was showering love on Vic ... You know, I was plotting my escape ... He thinks I was ‘cheating’ on him ... behind his back ... How can I regain his trust? ... Lord!  Help me say the right words in the morning ... Make him listen! ... I think he loves me ... Jan says he does ... I know I love him ... I’ve been afraid to use that word ... We’ve known each other for less than three months ... Can I be in love with him in such a short time? ... Yes ... You know I love him ... You brought me here, all the way from Boston ... You sat me down next to him ... You brought me into his home ... I know he’s the man of my dreams ... Everything seemed so perfect, until I danced with Vic ... Lord, help me clean up this mess ... How can I face the future without Dan? ... If I can’t have him, please, bless him anyway ... I want him to be happy and successful, with or without me ... I know all things are working together for the good of both of us ... Please, Lord!  Give me Dan!”  She squeezed Danny Bear with all her might.

 

Dan roused at 5 o’clock.  He pulled on his jeans and a yellow tee-shirt, slipped on some tennis shoes, stuck a pocket Bible in his hip pocket, and moved to the kitchen.  He made a pot of coffee and tried to read some Scripture as he downed his brew.  He couldn’t make much sense of what he was reading.  His mind was too muddled.  Really, he was waiting for the morning to brighten, so he could embark on a long walk.  He was headed for Prayer Point.  He needed to pray and meditate and seek the Lord’s will for his life without Miriam.

 

Then, he heard soft footsteps in the breezeway.  Miriam slipped into the room and said, “Dan, we need to talk.”

 

Dan refused to look at her.  He feared he would break down if he did.  He rose and opened the back door, saying, “Help yourself to some coffee.  I’m going for a long walk.”

 

He shut the door behind him.  Quickly, Miriam jerked it open and called out, “Wait, I’m going with you!”

 

Without looking back, Dan yelled, over his shoulder, “No, I want to be alone.”  He resumed his rapid descent to the valley.

 

Miriam chased him.  When she could, she grasped his arm and cried, “I’ve got to explain what happened last night!”

 

As he walked on with Miriam clinging to him, Dan replied, “You don’t have to explain it to me.  You don’t owe me an explanation.  I saw you loving on Vic.  I get it.  I don’t want to know why.  I need to know how to live with your decision.”

 

“Dan!  Stop!  Look at me!” Miriam pleaded.  “You’ve got it all wrong.  Oh God! Make him listen!”

 

Dan stopped, but he refused to look into Miriam’s face.  He knew he couldn’t handle that.  Miriam stepped in front of him, threw her arms around him, and laid her head on his chest.  Hugging him as hard as she could, she said, “I love you, Dan.  Let me explain.”

 

“You can’t love two of us!” Dan snapped.  “I saw you cheek to cheek with Vic!  You cheated on me behind my back!”

 

“No! Dan!” she cried.  “I love you and you alone.”  She began to sob.  Her chest heaved.  “You’ve got to hear me out.  Please!  Those few minutes on the dance floor with Vic ... that’s the closest I’ve ever been to the flames of Hell!”

 

Dan’s heart was softened by her intense declaration of love ... “love” ... the word he had longed to hear her say since the first time he saw her.

 

“Here’s what happened.  Vic asked me to dance the last square-dance with him.  You were with Jim.  I thought Vic would be upset if I refused.  So, in the interest of workplace harmony ... stupidly ... I said, ‘Yes’ ... It was an awful experience ... He was ‘grabby’ ... It gave me the creeps ... I was glad when the square-dance ended ... I began to walk back to where your Mom was ... the lights dimmed ... the band began to play... Vic grabbed my left hand ... put his arm around my waist and started slow-dancing ... I wanted to flee, but I didn’t want to insult him ... Then, he began fingering the small of my back ... He squeezed me so hard it hurt ... He laid his cheek on mine ... He told me he was taking me to his place ... to get to know me! ... I felt I might be raped ... That’s when I saw you staring at me ... You seemed to be in agony ... like you were falling apart ... I pushed Vic away with all my strength ... He fell to the floor ... I rushed to your Mom’s side, but you had already trudged out the door ... Your Mom said you were heartsick ... I felt like scum ... violated by Vic ... deserted by you ... I needed your love ... I longed to feel your strong arms around me ... But, you were completely non-responsive ... I don’t blame you ... I know why ... But, please know this, I love you ... I’ll love you forever, even if you never speak to me again.”

 

That thought caused her to resume sobbing and heaving.  Exhausted, she crumpled and fell to her knees.  Dan knelt, too.  Looking to the sky, he screamed, “My God ... What have I done?”  Looking into Miriam’s blotchy, teary-eyed face, he confessed, “I misunderstood ... I should have punched Vic in the nose ... Miriam, I’m so sorry.”  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her profusely.  “Please forgive me for being such a blockhead.”

 

Dan pulled the hem of his tee-shirt up and patted Miriam’s face.  He looked into her marvelous eyes, deeply.  He searched for her soul, and she for his.  An intense, personal and permanent bond was made.  They both knew it.  A glorious smile spread over Dan’s countenance.  Miriam’s face brightened in response.  Dan’s smile broke into soft laughter.  He rolled to his left and stretched out on the ground.  He gazed at the morning sky and yelled, “She loves me, Lord! ... You heard her say it.  She loves me!”

 

Miriam caught his contagious joy.  She threw herself beside him, kissed his handsome, happy face, repeatedly, and then, nestled her head on his chest.  They lay there exhausted and contented for a long while.  Then, Miriam whispered, “Now, where were we going?”

 

“Prayer Point.”

 

Miriam sat up.  “Take me there!” she demanded.

 

“Well,” Dan said, coyly, “It’s hard to get there, and it’s reserved ... it’s only for me and my soul-mate.”

 

“Dan,” she exclaimed, “That’s me!  You’ve been in my dreams since I was twelve.  God brought me here just to find you.  I’m yours.”  And then,it happened.  Miriam burst into her exuberant mode.  Her face was glorious.  Her eyes sparkled.  She was full of enthusiasm.  She giggled.  “You’re stuck with me.  Often, when I pray, God says you belong to me.”

 

Dan sat up and laughed heartily.  “Then you qualify for a tour of Prayer Point.  Let’s go!”

 

The path to Prayer Point was arduous.  It was steep.  Dan broke the way through dense brush.  In certain places, Miriam had to jump over miniature ravines filled with gravel and mud.  But, with Dan’s help, she made it to his private retreat.  The view was stunning.  She drank in the glory of the valley below.  And, she felt God’s presence as she gazed into the expansive sky above.  “Dan, it’s wonderful!” she gasped.

 

“Yes,” he said, “and you’re the only one I’ve ever shared it with.”  They sat, quietly, on a natural stone bench toward the back of the ledge.  It was reminiscent of a Church pew.

 

Miriam remarked, in a hushed tone, “It seems like holy ground ... like we’re in a huge cathedral.”

 

“Yeah,” Dan sighed. “I love coming here, but today, it’s really special ... You’re here.”  He embraced her fondly and thrilled as he adored her lovely face.  “Are you sure you love me? ... I mean ... as in forever?”

 

“Without any reservations,” she whispered.  “Here, in the sight of God, I give my heart to you.”

 

“Wait here,” Dan said, as he rose and moved to a small patch of clover near the cliff’s edge.  He picked some long-stemmed blooms and returned to Miriam’s side.  He wove the stems together into an ornate braid.  Then, he joined the ends to form a small ring with a pinkish-white bloom on top.  He knelt before her, looked up into her radiant face, and said, “Will you marry me?”

 

“Oh! ... Dan! ... Yes!  If you still want me after I unload my guilty heart.”

 

Dan looked baffled.  “What’s weighing on your mind?” he asked.

 

“I know it was wrong, but I didn’t tell you that Vic has been bugging me for a date.  He offered to take me to lunch, last Sunday ... He wanted to take me to the Fox ... He asked me to help him pick out his mansion ... And, he offered to take me to a high-society charity ball ... he even offered to buy me an expensive gown for that affair ... I flatly rejected all his offers ... except one ... the charity ball ...  I never said, ‘Yes’, but I never said, ‘No’ ... I’m ashamed of myself ...  Something inside me wanted to be Cinderella for one night ... Now, I see how dangerous temptations like that can be ... I’m sorry ... I love you ... I’ve been wanting to tell you ... to clear out any secrets between us ...”

 

Dan cut off her confession.  “Miriam,” he said, quietly, “We all have a ‘wild side’.  As the Bible says, we have to fight against ‘the world, the flesh, and the Devil’.  You’ll find other guys attractive ... I’ll find other girls charming ... But, you’re my soul-mate.  I promise to be true to you, forever.”

 

“Dan, I’ll never cheat on you!”

 

“Then, take this ring, here in the sight of God ... Be my soul-mate, forever.”

 

Miriam gave her left hand to Dan.  He slipped on the beautiful, clover ring.  He rose and pulled her to her feet.  They embraced and kissed.  After several minutes of serene bliss, Miriam said, “Let’s make a pact ... I promise I’ll never dance with anyone but you.  If asked, I’ll say, ‘I only dance with Dan.’  Now its your turn.”

 

“OK,” Dan responded, “If asked, I’ll say, ‘I only dance with Miriam’ ... But, what about our kids?  Shouldn’t we make an exception for them?  I might want to dance with my beautiful daughters.”

 

Miriam giggled.  “You’re right.  We’ll make an exception for them.  I might want to dance with my handsome sons ... Hey! Let’s go tell your Mom.  She promised to pray that we would get past this crisis.  She may still be praying.  Let’s go.”

 

...

When Dan and Miriam reached home, they raced into the kitchen.  Dan screamed, “Mom, where are you?  We have great news!”

 

He heard music coming from the living room and heard his Mother say, in a muffled tone, “I’m in here.”

 

They stepped into her presence, exclaiming in unison, “We’re engaged!”

 

Jan broke into tears.  Sobbing, she struggled to say, “That’s wonderful! ... an answer to prayer.”  Tissues were strewn about her chair.  Her eyes were swollen.

 

Jan rose and embraced Miriam.  “I’m so glad for you two.”  And, again, she sobbed.

 

“Jan, what’s wrong?” Miriam asked.

 

Dan understood the situation.  “It’s Mom’s wedding anniversary,” he explained.  She had that photo of Dad on her lap.  She’s playing their song.  Listen, it’s Nat King Cole ...”

 

[1] When I fall in love it will be forever

   Or I'll never fall in love.

In a restless world like this is

   Love is ended before it's begun,

And too many moonlight kisses

   Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

 

When I give my heart it will be completely

   Or I'll never give my heart.

And the moment I can feel that

   you feel that way too

Is when I’ll fall in love with you.

 

Miriam hugged Jan.  “That’s so beautiful,” she said.  “That could be our song too.  But why are you crying?”

 

“I miss Walter so much ... I’m so lonely.”

 

Jan wiped her face dry and began picking up the tissues around her chair.  Miriam helped.

 

“What’s that on your finger?” Jan asked.

 

“Dan made me an engagement ring of white clover.  Isn’t it pretty?” Miriam asked.

 

“Why, that’s amazing Dan.  I didn’t know you could do that,” Jan opined with a smile.

 

The trio moved into the kitchen and sat down at the table.  “Mom,” Dan asked as he poured a cup of coffee for each of them, “if you’re so lonely, why did you stop dancing with Duke Damon last night?  He was chasing you.”

 

“But, what was he after?” Jan responded.  “He asked me to spend the night with him.  I said, ‘No!’, and that’s when I decided to stop dancing with him.  He’s a good citizen ... a good neighbor ... but he’s not a Christian man.”

 

Dan said, “I understand, completely, but I hope you find someone soon.  You need a mate ... Oh! ... wait here ... I just remembered something.”  He raced to his bedroom and returned, immediately, with a small, velvet, maroon jewelry box.  “Miriam, when my Grandma knew she was dying, she gave this to me.  She said, ‘When you find the right girl, use these rings.  If they don’t fit her or she wants to have something different, feel free to use the diamonds or the gold as part of her wedding set.  If nothing else, sell them and use the money to buy her what she wants ... but, I would be honored, if she would wear my rings.’  What do you think?”

 

Nervously, Miriam opened the box.  Inside was a gorgeous, interlocking, wedding band and engagement ring.  Quickly, she slipped them on.  They fit perfectly.  She was exhilarated.  “Wow, Dan, they’re terrific.  I’ve been living in Grandma’s house, and now, I get to wear her rings.  What an honor! ... What a blessing.  But, you know Dan, I really love my white clover ring ... It’ll be hard to watch it wither and die.”

 

“No need for that,” Dan asserted.  “We can go next door in a few minutes and seal it in a block of clear resin.  We’ll admire it forever.”

 

“Great!” Miriam exulted.

 

Jan was cheered by Miriam’s joy.  “I’ve always thought those rings were fabulous.  I’m so pleased you love them ... but, the best news of the day is ... you love my son!  That makes me so-o-o happy.  That ends my depression.  But, look at me ... I’ve got to tend the card shop, and I’m all disheveled from my binge of self-pity.  I better freshen up and get going.”

 

...

At 4 o’clock, an hour before closing time, Dr. Angelo rushed into “Stacy’s Special Occasion Cards”.  Jan was on duty.  She was the only one in the store. 

 

“Jan,” Chuck said, “Can you help me?  I’ve found a special lady I want to pursue.  I’ve got a huge bouquet in the car, but I need a nice card to go with it.  Can you find something sweet?  Oh! ... also, I want to show you the flowers ... to see if you think they’ll impress her.  While you find that card, I’ll bring them in.”

 

He raced out the door, and Jan collapsed into a chair behind the counter.  She’d cried all morning, and now, tears fell from her swollen eyes, again.  She was dismayed by her reaction to Chuck’s words.  Suddenly, she realized how strongly she was attached to him.  She had not allowed herself to think romantic thoughts about him, out of loyalty to Walter.  And now, Chuck wanted her to help him impress his special lady friend.  She felt ill.  But, she had to do her job.  She grabbed a few tissues and began looking for a card.

 

“How’s it going?” Chuck said as he re-entered the store.

 

“How romantic do you want it to be?” Jan asked, choking back her tears.

 

“Very romantic ... but not saucy ... you know, dignified.”

 

Jan came to the front with several cards.  A massive bouquet sat on the counter.  It filled a large, ornate basket with a huge hoop-like handle.  A live rose bush was in the center, and many cut roses and complementary blooms were attached to its branches.  It was a lavish display.  “I’ve never seen such an artful spray,” Jan remarked.  As Chuck scanned the cards, Jan dried her eyes and raved, “It’s phenomenal ... it’s huge ... it’s beautiful!”

 

“Well, I hope it does the trick.  I’ve got to get her attention,” Chuck said, as he bent over the counter and began writing on one of the cards.  He finished, faced Jan, and studied her face.  “Are you allergic to flowers?” he asked.  “You’re eyes are swollen.”

 

“No ... Not at all,” she replied.  “I’m just having a bad day.”

 

“Really?” Chuck answered.  “I’m sorry.  I hoped to find you in a playful mood.”  With a winsome smile, he handed her the card and asked, “Would you read this back to me?  I want to be sure it sounds right.”

 

Jan felt a few more tears wetting her cheeks, but she soldiered on.  She opened the card and began to read.  “Dearest Jan,” she said and stopped, abruptly.  Tears flowed freely as she collapsed into her chair, dobbing her eyes.

 

“Oh dear, what have I done?” Chuck asked, kneeling beside her.  “I was hoping to make a memorable impression.  Are you angry?  Have I caused you pain?”

 

“No,” Jan said.  “I’ve had an unusual day, and I thought you were about to court some lady, and I suddenly realized how much I care for you.  I’m sorry.  I’ve made a mess of things ... Please ... read me the rest.”

 

Chuck took the tear-stained card from her hand and read ... “Dearest Jan,

I’m not a poet

   with fancy words to woo you.

Very simply put,

   I want to get to know you.”

 

“Oh, Chuck,” Jan said.  “That’s beautiful!  You’ve made my heart soar.  My day’s getting better ... much better.”

 

Chuck took her hand and kissed it.  She bent over and kissed his forehead.  He helped her rise.  She looked into his eyes and he locked his on hers.  They admired each other for a long while.  Then, Chuck wrapped his arms around her.  They shared an ardent kiss.  “Will you let me take you to the Peabody Opera House next Friday evening?  They’re staging ‘The Sound of Music’.”

 

Jan gave him a peck on the cheek and said, “I’ll be delighted to go with you.”  Just then, the wall clock chimed 5 o’clock.  Jan had to close the shop.  She eyed the massive bouquet and said, “Chuck, your magnificent gift won’t fit in my car.”

 

“Then, I’ll drive you home,” Chuck replied.

 

“That won’t work either.  I can’t leave my car here ... Why don’t you follow me home ... Oh, dear, Chuck ...”  With a glorious grin, Jan continued, “In all the excitement you caused, I forgot to tell you ... Dan and Miriam are engaged!”

 

“Wow!” Chuck exclaimed ... that’s fast ... but, you know ... It will work.  Those two were meant for each other.”

 

“Yes, they were ... and they are ... Whoops! ... speaking of the kids, they fix our Saturday dinner for me, while I work.  I better call them and let them know we’re coming together.”  Jan lifted the phone, typed in her home number, and spoke to Dan, “Set an extra plate on the table, son.  I’m bringing Chuck home.  We’re going to celebrate tonight!”