Free The Road Home by Patrick E. Craig Page A

it’s because I’m getting older or if I’ve just figured out how to block it from my thoughts.”
    â€œFor sure it’s because you’re getting older,” Bobby said and then smiled. “Actually, Reuben, I have had the same dreams. I don’t think it’s something you really ever get over.”
    The two men sat silently for a moment, remembering the horror of the battle, the explosions, the cries of wounded and dying men, and the Japanese soldiers coming at them in wave after wave.
    â€œEver since I figured out that I needed to trust God instead of just following the rules, I’ve found a great comfort in my faith,” Reuben said. “How do you deal with it?”
    â€œNow, Reuben, you know where I stand,” Bobby said. “I’ve always been glad that you’ve found solace in your church. But I just have never quite figured this whole God thing out. I’ll probably wait the rest of my life and then be a death-bed penitent.”
    â€œI pray that you’ll come to faith before then, my friend,” Reuben said, holding Bobby’s gaze.
    â€œCome on,” Bobby said as he jumped up and grabbed his coat and hat. “Let’s go have some lunch. I’ll drive.”
    â€œHa-ha,” Reuben said. “Very funny. By the way, Bobby, I have something important to talk to you about over lunch. It’s about Jenny. I’m in need of your help.”

C HAPTER E IGHT
    Come Find Me

    J ENNY WAS WATCHING FROM THE LOBBY of the library as the young man in the blue van drove past. For some strange reason she wanted to run out and stop him. Her meeting with Johnny Hershberger had been strange and disconcerting. He had made her feel uncomfortable and nice at the same time. She remembered looking into his eyes and starting to lose herself in them. She still felt the touch of his hand on hers, so she shoved the offending member into her pocket and tried to scrub the memory off against the wool lining.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” she asked out loud. “I’m having crazy dreams, I’m remembering weird things from my childhood, I’m telling everything about my life to complete strangers…”
    A library patron, hurrying past, gave Jenny a very strange glance.
    â€¦and now I’m talking to myself!
    She stopped her thoughts and took a breath. She felt as if her life were spiraling out of control, and she realized that it might be a good idea to pray. But the idea made her uncomfortable when she remembered that she hadn’t prayed in a week, so she quickly bowed her headand whispered. “Lord, I’m feeling a little verblüfft , and I need Your help, I guess. Can You give me some help here please? Amen.”
    Jenny looked up and looked around. No one had noticed her praying, but it hadn’t been much of a prayer anyway. She glanced back out the glass door. The blue van was no longer in sight, and she didn’t know which way it had gone.
    She turned and walked toward the little desk that Mrs. Blake had given her in the back of the building. She decided to bury herself in her work all day and not think of the things that were troubling her anymore. She came to her desk, pulled off her coat, and hung it on the rack beside her cabinet. She pulled out her chair, sat down, and attacked the stack of historical material on her desk. But even as she worked, two images kept coming to her mind. One was a pair of sea-blue eyes that drew her deep into their unknown depths, and the other was a woman’s face.
    The woman’s words echoed in Jenny’s head. “Jenny, come find me. I’m lost, so lost.”

    Later that afternoon, Jenny was still sitting at her desk. She had tried to work on a project with a fast-approaching deadline but hadn’t been able to make any headway. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the dying woman. Jenny remembered her face being beautiful. She had long black hair, and her eyes were