Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: TRAVELER (01/28/16)
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TITLE: Waiting with Eleanor and Irma | Previous Challenge Entry
By Anne Warden
02/04/16 -
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Lucille gazed down the tracks, which ran straight as a hatpin across the sparsely-treed plain. She pondered her father’s words before he’d kissed her forehead and left, “I can’t believe my girl is going off to college. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. Don’t forget that God is taking the journey with you and he’ll provide for your needs.” Though she knew he was right, worry settled too comfortably on her shoulders. Why couldn’t there have been a Christian college closer to home? Why couldn’t her stepmom have gone into labor a different day, so Daddy could have waited here with her? Why had the car given them trouble, so that she missed the earlier train?
A breeze ruffled her skirt and a tumbleweed sauntered across the track. She heaved a loud sigh and wiggled her toes in her new high-button shoes. Well, she knew how to combat worry. She unbuckled her suitcase to retrieve her bible.
As she lowered the brim of her cloche hat for shade and settled on the lone bench to read, the depot agent opened the door and strolled onto the platform. The way he looked her over set Lucille’s spine tingling and her heart jumping. “You can wait inside if you like, miss, out of the sun.”
“No, thank you.” She didn’t smile. Something told her it would be dangerous to do anything which could be mistaken as encouragement.
He took a step toward her, his lip curling.
Voices came from beyond the depot. He continued to stare at her.
A lump formed in Lucille’s throat and her mouth went dry. Lord! Please!
The voices grew louder. The agent looked over his shoulder as two young women approached. They had their heads together, chuckling. One glanced up and her laughter ceased. “Come on, Irma,” she urged, tugging her companion’s sleeve and hurrying up onto the platform. “George, don’t you have something to do?”
“Huh?” The man jumped back. “Who are you?”
“Just go back to work.” She wagged her hand as if shooing an errant child. As soon as he retreated inside, she turned to Lucille. “Are you waiting alone?”
“Yes.”
“Could we wait with you?”
Considering their good timing, Lucille nodded. Thank you, Lord. They sat down, one on each side of her and introduced themselves as Eleanor and Irma.
With Lucille’s bible open on her lap, the conversation soon turned to the wonderful things God does for his children. Lucille thrilled with their knowledge. These women had many stories to relate and seemed to be strong Christians. She wasn’t sure what time it was when Irma opened her ample purse to pass around sandwiches and apples. They ate and talked and laughed and talked some more, as the shadows lengthened.
All too soon, a whistle sounded.
Lucille glanced down the track. “Could that be my train already?”
“It sure is,” said Irma. “The 7:20, heading west to your college in Idaho.”
They rose. Lucille bent to place her bible on her suitcase. But when she straightened to thank the women for their company, they were gone. What?
She spun around, glancing in all directions. Dashing to the edge of the platform, she searched the path toward town. No one.
The two had vanished.
With a whoosh of steam, the train arrived. Baffled, Lucille gathered her belongings and boarded. As she claimed a seat, her thoughts were jolted with a snippet of Scripture, “. . . some have entertained angels unawares.” She shivered.
Then grinned. What a powerful assurance she had been given today that God would indeed be with her! Every step of her journey. Every step of her life.
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(Hebrews 13:2, KJV)
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Well done. God Bless