Paths 3 & 4

 

 

 Path 3

    Noah struggled to his feet once more. He gripped his crutch and looked ahead trying to ignore the pain in his wounded leg.
    The sky was overcast, and dark gray clouds spoke of an approaching storm. Already he could hear a few distant rumbles of thunder. A storm was not what he needed right now. He needed shelter.
    The road before him led up a gradual hill and one lone tree stood silhouetted against the sky like a lighthouse pointing the way or a lookout standing guard. On either side of the road, the green grass was covered with bright yellow flowers. From a distance they became a carpet of yellow. Bright and cheery. They were a stark contrast to the gray and menacing clouds overhead.
    Closing his eyes a moment, Noah seemed see not yellow flowers, but red poppies waving in the wind. Red like blood. Poppies like those that grew in–
    Quickly opening his eyes he shook his head. “No,” he said aloud. “I’m out of that now. It’s over. Done.”
    Until the next time.
    “Please, Lord, not another war like the last one! It was too much.” He glanced down at his legs. He still had them both, thank God, even though one might never be the same again. But others?
    Thunder rumbled again and a breeze stirred the flowers and cooled his heated face.
    “If I can just make it to that tree up there, perhaps I can find a barn or house. Somewhere to take shelter.”
    As he started limping slowly up the road, he began quoting the verses that had been his comfort and help for so many months.
    “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sale.”
    A rumble that wasn’t thunder made him look behind him and then slowly limp to the side of the road as an automobile approached.
    The car came to a stop beside him and the driver leaned over and opened the passenger door. “Hop in. That storm’s going to break soon. Where are you heading?”
    Noah hesitated. “Looking for shelter right now and then a job. If one’s to be found for me.”
    “Well, climb in.” The driver was a middle aged man with a friendly smile. “My farm is just over the hill here. You’re welcome to stay for a spell until you find a job.”
    Gratefully, Noah climbed in the car and it started off again.
    “Were you in the war?”
    “Yes.”
    “What did you do before that?”
    “I was in college. Wanted to be a teacher.”
    “Do you still?”
    “Still want to teach? Yes. I think so.”
    The car bounced over a rock.
    “Name’s Armstrong, by the way,” the driver said. “Herbert Armstrong.”
    “Noah Grey.”
    “I just might know of a job for you, Noah. The school in town is looking for someone to take over the upper classes come fall. I can get you in touch with the school superintendent if you like.”
    They passed the tree and started down the hill on the other side toward a cozy stone farm house.
    “I’d like that. Thank you. I was just praying for directions this morning and now–”
    “The good Lord leads, does He not?”

Path 4

    Vivienne stared at the path before them. “Oh, come on,” she said, folding her arms. “You don’t expect me to believe this is a real path, do you?”
    Lucy exchanged puzzled looks with Milly. “Um, yes, it’s a real path. What else would it be?”
    “Ha!” Vivienne remained standing. “Come one. I know a photoshopped picture when I see one. Even if it’s printed on a huge canvas. I live in Hollywood, remember? I even think I see the edge of the canvas right–” she pointed. “There.”
    “Where?” Milly and Lucy asked at once.
    “Right where that strip of dark on the path is.”
    Lucy and Milly stared at the path before them. It was lined on either side by huge trees whose branches arched overhead forming a canopy of shade in summer. Now it was spring and only buds could be seen on the branches. The grass on either side was a bright green with cheerful little flowers growing here and there. Down the path a little way, the light seemed to glow. The girls knew the sun had to be just right for the path to glow like it was now, but they didn’t expect to have to convince their cousin from California that it wasn’t fake.
    “Did the boys do this to try an fool me?” Vivienne asked.
    “No,” Milly said.
    “And it’s not fake,” Lucy put in. “The sun does make it seem to glow for a short time, but it’s a real path and it really will lead to the old mansion.”
    Vivienne tossed her head. “Sure it does. Then you two take this path and I’ll run back and join the adults on the road.” She laughed. “If it was a real path they’d be coming this way. You all can’t trick me. So long!” With that she turned, ran back to the house and joined the adults on the road.
    Lucy looked at Milly. “Well, now what? Should we go and walk on the road?”
    “And convince Vivienne that this is all fake? I don’t think so. Come on. The boys said they’d catch up with us as soon as they finished whatever they were doing for Dad.”
    “But Mom said we were to be friendly and help entertain Viv,” Lucy protested faintly.
    “Well, we can’t do that if she won’t come with us. Mom will understand. Come on.”
    After one more glance back and seeing Vivienne’s mocking face watching them, Lucy nodded. “Okay. Let’s go. Maybe she’ll realize it’s not fake and join us.”
    “Maybe.” There was no conviction in Milly’s voice.

 

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