Read Online Of Windmills and War by Diane H Moody - Free Book Online Page B

Gentry told me he wants to retire and asked if I’d
be interested. I thought it over and decided I’m going to do it.”
    Danny breathed a long sigh, relieved his quick prayer had
been answered. “Sounds great, Dad.”
    “I’m glad you think so because you’ll be helping me run it.”
    An expletive shot through Danny’s brain, but he caught it
before it slipped from his lips. He tried to act grateful but failed miserably.
“Uh, well, we can, uh, talk about it, I guess.”
    “Nothing to talk about. I’ll teach you the ropes over the
next few months, and by graduation you’ll know everything you need to know.”
    Danny looked at his mother, hoping the expression on his
face conveyed his frustration.
    She set her coffee cup on its saucer. “Frank, Danny needs to
be the one to plan his future. Not you.”
    “Nonsense. Why, if it was up to him, he’d go spend all my
hard-earned money at that fool college in Evanston .”
    “Not your money. His money.”
    “That’s ridiculous. He could never—”
    “He has and he will. He’s worked hard, saved every penny,
and has more than enough to pay for his first year.”
    Danny swallowed hard before turning back to face his father.
“It’s true, Dad. I don’t need your money because—”
    “Well, it’s a good thing, because you won’t get a dime from
me.”
    “Fine.”
    “Fine,” his mother added.
    Dad looked back and forth between them, his face darkening.
“So, I see the two of you have made an alliance against me. Well, isn’t that
nice. A man works hard to provide for his family, and they gang up on him
behind his back. Well, to hell with both of you.” He threw his napkin on his
plate, shoved his chair back, and stormed from the room.
    His mother closed her eyes as she raised her palm toward Danny.
When the door to the basement slammed, she pointed in that direction and opened
her eyes. “Sorry, I’ve learned to wait for the slamming of the door. It’s his
punctuation mark whenever he gets this way. Which you surely know by now.”
    “I’m sorry, Mom. I’d hoped we could stay off the subject
since it’s a holiday.”
    She reached over and covered his hand with hers. “Not your
fault, honey. And besides, we’re long overdue telling him your plans. We both
know there was no easy way to do it, so today was as good a day as any. At
least you and I have something to be extra thankful for this Thanksgiving.” She
smiled, squeezing his hand.
    Danny leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks. And
you’re right. What a relief. Finally!”
    “He’ll huff and puff for a few weeks, but he’ll eventually
accept it.”
    “You think so?”
    “I hope so. But even if he doesn’t, what’s done is done. And
you, my son, are going to college!”
    “I can’t believe it. It’s really happening, isn’t it?”
    “It sure is. I never doubted it would. Every night before I
go to bed, I get down on my knees and ask God to intervene for you and help you
see your dream of college come true. Of course, I pray for your brother,
too—even when he doesn’t bother to write home.” She rolled her eyes. “I believe
God has opened this door for you. This is an answer to our prayers, Danny.
Never forget that.”
    “I won’t. And thanks, Mom. Not just for praying, but for
understanding.”
    “You’re most welcome.”
    Danny stood. “Tell you what. As a token of my appreciation,
I’ll clean the kitchen. You go sit by the fire and I’ll bring you another cup
of coffee. Then Sophie and I will do the dishes.”
    She looked up at the ceiling. “Oh, Lord Jesus, thank You for
a son who knows how to bless his mother.” Then she pulled him toward her, put
her hands on his cheeks and gave him a long kiss on the forehead. “I am a
blessed, blessed woman.”
    “Go. Sit. Sophie, you wash and I’ll dry.”
    “What?!”
    “I’m kidding, Mom. Now scoot. Can’t you see we’re busy clearing
the table?”
     

     
    Later
that evening, with the kitchen