Free Silent Star by Tracie Peterson

still hear the cries and knew he was not wanted there. He was an outsider—their worst nightmare come true. Gone were the warm feelings from the McGovern house. The closed door said it all.
    Andy walked to Mrs. Nelson’s house. He was supposed to share supper with her tonight—he’d promised her. But he didn’t feel like company. He didn’t want to sit and make small talk about the day or about how the war was supposed to be over by Christmas. He especially didn’t want to talk about Christmas.
    He missed his mom and dad more than ever. This was his first Christmas without his mom and the loneliness of it was almost more than he could stand. Mrs. Nelson’s faithful friendship helped soften the blow, but she couldn’t be with him all the time. She had her own life and friends. She had church and other things that were more important.
    He stood on the step and wondered if it might not be better to just go home. But isn’t this what you wanted? Someone to care, someone to welcome you inside so that you don’t have to simply watch from the outside? But even though it was true, Andy suddenly wanted to run away. He looked behind him to the street, then back to the house. Before he could change his mind, however, Mrs. Nelson peeked out the window and smiled. She opened the door and reached out to pull him in. Welcoming him as she always did with her gentleness and love.
    “Andy. I thought you’d never get here. Come in and warm up by the stove.”
    ----
    Estella watched Andy as he shrugged out of his coat and hat. He had a look of complete defeat on his face. “What’s wrong, Andy?”
    “I had to take a telegram to Mary Beth’s house.”
    Estella sighed. She could well imagine the sorrow in that house just now. “That was the first one you’ve delivered to them, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.”
    “So their boy is missing in action. We knew it might come to this. Remember what Mary Beth said the other day? She knew it was a strong possibility.”
    Andy held his hands out toward the stove. “But knowing that doesn’t make it any easier.”
    Estella hung up his coat and set his hat on the hall table. Lord, she prayed, let me speak wisely—speak for me. She turned to Andy. “Come on. I have supper just about ready for us. I’ve made some stew. We can talk while we eat.”
    Andy said nothing and Estella knew he was deep in thought about Mary Beth. “I know you’re worried about them,” she said softly. “I’ll go visit them tomorrow and let you know how they’re doing.”
    His dark blue eyes closed as he stood there. “I wanted to say something to help, but I couldn’t. I knew nothing would help.”
    “No, just then nothing would. Sometimes folks don’t need to hear a word, though. Andy, you’ve got a big heart and eventually people are going to know this for themselves. I’m sure Mary Beth knows you care and that you wouldn’t have wanted her hurt this way.”
    He opened his eyes and Estella could see they were wet with unshed tears. “No, I wouldn’t have seen her hurt for the world. She’s the only person, besides you, who’s been nice to me since the war and all the telegrams.”
    Estella knew the truth of it. “Let’s eat our supper and you can tell me about your day.” She motioned him to the chair opposite her own. “I’ll pray first, if you don’t mind.”
    Andy bowed his head without protest. Estella offered a brief but heartfelt thanks for their dinner. She asked too that God would go to each grieving family in their town and offer them solace. When she finished, she reached for Andy’s bowl and began to ladle the stew.
    “Do you really think God will comfort them?”
    The question took her by surprise, but she tried her best not to show it. “Of course I do. Do you doubt it?”
    “I just think if God cared so very much, He might not have allowed the war at all. He wouldn’t take away the people we love if He cared about our comfort and wanted us happy.”
    Estella handed him his