Read Online The Weight of Love by Jolene Betty Perry - Free Book Online
Authors: Jolene Betty Perry
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I can’t have distraction. Not right now. Not when I’m so close to the end.
“ Kyla’s trying to talk me into moving to Salt Lake.”
My head snaps up. “When?” Is she moving now? Maybe before I get home? Just after ?
“Soon.” Kyla’s smile is wide. “Tom got a job there, and I’m trying to talk Jaycee into coming with us.”
“Well, I love it,” I say. “It’s a great city.”
“Yeah…” Jaycee’ s voice is hesitant. “I’m just… This is a hard place to leave. There’s a lot of memories here for me and we’re sort of settled, and I’m just not sure.”
“Spend some time on your knees.” I let myself look at her.
“I’m working on it. It seems like I’m always on my knees. If it’s not about one thing, it’s about another.” She shakes her head.
“Don’t do that, not about prayer. ” Why would she feel bad about that? “Our Father would much rather us pour ourselves out to him every night than not speak to Him at all.” And I still can’t take my eyes off of her. This probably means I’ll be adding to my own prayers tonight as well.
“Guess you’re right.” She picks at the last bits of her nachos.
“Thank you, Elder,” Kyla smiles my way. “I just know if she spends enough time thinking about it, I won’t have to move without my sister.” She pokes Jaycee on the shoulder, and I love that they have each other. I get the impression that the Allen’s spend a bit of time with both girls, but Jaycee would have a hard time without her sister. There’s something about family that’s irreplaceable.
“Well, I don’t want to hog you two guys all night, even though I sort of do.” Jaycee stands up. “I know there are a lot of other people who need you more than I do.”
“Thanks.” Elder Smitts stands. “Call us if you need anything.”
“Oh, I know how to find you two.” She chuckles.
“Thanks.” I reach out to shake her hand. It’s small, but strong. She stands tall and looks us both in the eye. Yep, it’s definitely going to be tricky to keep my mind off her.
Instead of think ing about her the way I want. I decide I’ll write to mom and tell her about Jaycee. She’ll see beyond my admiration of how strong she is, I’m sure, but the idea of someone else knowing that I’ve been affected this way will feel good. I think.
9
JAYCEE
Youth activity tonight , the teenagers. I feel so guilty for the relief I have in having one night a week where I don’t have to do Bridger’s nighttime routine. Sister Allen is there with him, like she is every Wednesday night. The snow’s really coming down and I’m thankful again that Matt’s life insurance paid for my truck. It sucks gas like lemonade, but I feel safe.
I’m the third car here, right after Bishop Allen, and one of the small silver cars that the missionaries drive. The door will be unlocked and the gym open. We’re playing basketball games tonight—horse, pig, around the world… I may be short, but I can shoot. Well, five foot, six, isn’t really short, it’s average. It’s just short for playing ball. I dash from my car into the building. My huge down coat is wrapped tightly around me trying to make up for the loss of warmth on my bare legs. I can’t play ball in pants.
I step into the foyer and let myself shiver a few times before sliding my huge coat off. I feel eyes on me. My head jerks up from where I’m stomping snow off my tennis shoes to see the missi onaries – Worthen and Smitts, sitting with some kid who’s a friend of someone in the singles ward. I forget they’ve been meeting with him here.
“Sorry to interrupt.” I glance between their three faces, all of which are pointed at m e. “The kids will be here soon. If you want quiet, you’ll have to go somewhere else.” I smile.
“We’re finishing up.” Elder Worthen’s voice is smooth, low. His eyes don’t waver from me, not for a second. My shirt suddenly feels a lot smaller than it did at home.
I
“ Kyla’s trying to talk me into moving to Salt Lake.”
My head snaps up. “When?” Is she moving now? Maybe before I get home? Just after ?
“Soon.” Kyla’s smile is wide. “Tom got a job there, and I’m trying to talk Jaycee into coming with us.”
“Well, I love it,” I say. “It’s a great city.”
“Yeah…” Jaycee’ s voice is hesitant. “I’m just… This is a hard place to leave. There’s a lot of memories here for me and we’re sort of settled, and I’m just not sure.”
“Spend some time on your knees.” I let myself look at her.
“I’m working on it. It seems like I’m always on my knees. If it’s not about one thing, it’s about another.” She shakes her head.
“Don’t do that, not about prayer. ” Why would she feel bad about that? “Our Father would much rather us pour ourselves out to him every night than not speak to Him at all.” And I still can’t take my eyes off of her. This probably means I’ll be adding to my own prayers tonight as well.
“Guess you’re right.” She picks at the last bits of her nachos.
“Thank you, Elder,” Kyla smiles my way. “I just know if she spends enough time thinking about it, I won’t have to move without my sister.” She pokes Jaycee on the shoulder, and I love that they have each other. I get the impression that the Allen’s spend a bit of time with both girls, but Jaycee would have a hard time without her sister. There’s something about family that’s irreplaceable.
“Well, I don’t want to hog you two guys all night, even though I sort of do.” Jaycee stands up. “I know there are a lot of other people who need you more than I do.”
“Thanks.” Elder Smitts stands. “Call us if you need anything.”
“Oh, I know how to find you two.” She chuckles.
“Thanks.” I reach out to shake her hand. It’s small, but strong. She stands tall and looks us both in the eye. Yep, it’s definitely going to be tricky to keep my mind off her.
Instead of think ing about her the way I want. I decide I’ll write to mom and tell her about Jaycee. She’ll see beyond my admiration of how strong she is, I’m sure, but the idea of someone else knowing that I’ve been affected this way will feel good. I think.
9
JAYCEE
Youth activity tonight , the teenagers. I feel so guilty for the relief I have in having one night a week where I don’t have to do Bridger’s nighttime routine. Sister Allen is there with him, like she is every Wednesday night. The snow’s really coming down and I’m thankful again that Matt’s life insurance paid for my truck. It sucks gas like lemonade, but I feel safe.
I’m the third car here, right after Bishop Allen, and one of the small silver cars that the missionaries drive. The door will be unlocked and the gym open. We’re playing basketball games tonight—horse, pig, around the world… I may be short, but I can shoot. Well, five foot, six, isn’t really short, it’s average. It’s just short for playing ball. I dash from my car into the building. My huge down coat is wrapped tightly around me trying to make up for the loss of warmth on my bare legs. I can’t play ball in pants.
I step into the foyer and let myself shiver a few times before sliding my huge coat off. I feel eyes on me. My head jerks up from where I’m stomping snow off my tennis shoes to see the missi onaries – Worthen and Smitts, sitting with some kid who’s a friend of someone in the singles ward. I forget they’ve been meeting with him here.
“Sorry to interrupt.” I glance between their three faces, all of which are pointed at m e. “The kids will be here soon. If you want quiet, you’ll have to go somewhere else.” I smile.
“We’re finishing up.” Elder Worthen’s voice is smooth, low. His eyes don’t waver from me, not for a second. My shirt suddenly feels a lot smaller than it did at home.
I
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