Free Going Home by Wanda E. Brunstetter

clasped Noah’s shoulder. “Besides that, you’re easy to talk to.”
    “Sure hope so.” It was then that Noah noticed his boss’swrinkled forehead. “Is there something wrong, Hank? You look so thoughtful.”
    Hank ran his fingers through his thick, auburn-colored hair. “To tell you the truth, something’s bothering me.”
    Noah got to his feet, and Hank did the same. “Is there a problem with your business? Are you concerned that you won’t sell as many trees this year as you have before?”
    “It’s got nothing to do with business. It’s about me and Sandy.”
    “What’s the problem?” Noah kicked a clump of grass with the toe of his boot. “Or would you rather not talk about it?”
    Hank shook his head. “I don’t mind telling you. In fact, it might do me some good to get this off my chest.”
    Concern for his boss welled in Noah’s soul, and he clasped Hank’s shoulder. “Whatever you say will remain between the two of us; you can be sure of that.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate it.” Hank drew in a breath and let it out with a huff. “The thing is. . .Sandy and I have been trying to have a baby for the last couple of years, and yesterday afternoon we went to see a specialist in Springfield and found out that Sandy’s unable to conceive.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure you would both make good parents.”
    “We’ve wanted children ever since we got married ten years ago, but we were waiting to start our family until I got my business going good.” Hank sighed. “Now that we can finally afford to have a baby, we get hit with the news that Sandy is barren.”
    Noah wasn’t sure how to respond. Among his people, folksdidn’t wait until they were financially ready to have a baby. Children came in God’s time, whether a couple felt ready or not.
    “After we left the doctor’s office, Sandy acted real depressed and would barely speak to me. I have to admit, I was pretty upset when I heard the news, too.” Hank grunted. “Then last night when we were getting ready for bed, she said, ‘I think you don’t love me anymore because I can’t give you children.’”
    “What’d you say to that?”
    “I tried to convince her that I do love her, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”
    Noah rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he contemplated his reply. “She probably needs time to adjust to things, and if you let her know through your kind words and actions, she’ll soon realize that your love isn’t conditional.”
    “You’re right. It’s not. I would love Sandy no matter what. Even though it would be nice to have a baby of our own, it’s not nearly as important to me as having Sandy as my wife.”
    “Maybe if you keep telling her that, she’ll begin to realize it’s true.”
    “Yeah, I hope so.”
    Noah didn’t know why he was telling Hank all this; he was sure no expert on the subject of marriage. Even so, he felt he had to say something that might help his boss feel better about things.
    “Have you thought about taking in a foster child or adopting a baby?” Noah asked.
    Hank shook his head. “Oh, I don’t know. . . . I don’t think Sandy would go for that idea.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because she wants her own child. She said so many times during the two years we tried to have a baby.”
    “She might change her mind now that she knows she’s unable to have children of her own.”
    “I—I suppose she could, but she’s so upset right now. I don’t think it’s a good time to talk about adoption.” Hank stared at the ground.
    “Maybe not, but it’s something to consider.” Noah paused and reflected on his next words, knowing that Hank wasn’t a particularly religious man. “I want you to know that I’ll be praying for you.”
    “Thanks.” Hank looked up and clasped Noah’s shoulder. “You’re a good man, and I count it a privilege to have you as my employee and my friend.”
    “Same goes for me.” Noah smiled. “And I really enjoy working with all