Chapter Three

Three

Pasadena, California

Late September

“Paine Harbor? Where in the world is that?” Sandy Grace nearly shouted to her husband. Oliver - upon receiving word his employer was sending them on a three-year assignment to research the people and culture of Paine Harbor, Maine for a possible film – had just told Sandy about their upcoming job transfer and move.

“Look,” Oliver said patiently while pointing to the map he had pulled up on his MacBook Air. “It's right here, just off the coast of Maine. It's almost the northernmost part of the United States on the eastern seaboard. Sandy, try to think of it as an adventure.”

He and Sandy knew this job would require some travel, but hadn't anticipated a project quite like this one. “It's over 3000 miles from home, Oliver!” Sandy exclaimed in realization of the radical life change they were about to experience. “And they have winter there! For most of the year!”

“Honey, I know this is a shock. It was for me, too. But I need you to be with me on this,” Oliver said softly to his beautiful bride.

“I know, I know,” she said with a flushed red face. “Look, I need some time. I’m going to go get a cup of coffee. I’ll be back in an hour or so. I just have to think.”

Since the time of her father’s death, Sandy and her family had remained in Southern California. She was used to warm winters and sultry summers. She loved the ocean and enjoyed nothing more than soaking up the sun on any one of a dozen different favorite local beaches.  The thought of moving to an island in the Atlantic Ocean was not a happy one for this California girl.

“Sandy,” Oliver replied calmly. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t tell me that, Oliver Grace!” she replied tartly. “I don’t need you be sorry. It’s just part of what we signed up for, but…” she wiped her face of the tears that were flowing. Moments like this were never easy for her. Change came surprisingly hard to Sandy considering that she’d spent her earliest years moving place-to-place based upon her father’s current military assignment. “Give me an hour, okay?”

“Of course.” Oliver replied gently.

Sandy grabbed her car keys, purse and iPhone and headed out the door with a serious look on her face. Driving to her favorite coffee house, she grabbed a cup to go and ended up at her church.

The church was set on a large and very beautiful campus. It featured park like grounds with flowing streams, gigantic ancient oak trees and walking paths. It was one of Sandy’s favorite places to go when she needed to think things through. She found a park bench in the shade and sat down to drink her coffee and find some peace.

The tears began to flow again. Try as she might to stop them, they continued to fall down her reddened cheeks. Sitting quietly she finally gave up the fight to control her emotions. “God,” she cried out in frustration. “Why am I such a mess?” Not getting an immediate answer, she took another sip and saw a beautiful red-crested cardinal perched on a branch about 20 feet above her head. Her eyes were fixed on the bird and she gazed in appreciation at the stunning glory it contained.

“I love birds,” came the Voice.

Startled by this, Sandy looked around expecting to see someone nearby. When she did not, the realization came to her, “It’s Him.”

“Yes, it is Me,” the Voice spoke gently. “I love birds because they possess something that not everyone has.”

“What is that?” she asked.

“They have faith. It’s built into their very DNA.”

“I don’t understand. How can a bird have faith?” she asked in confusion.

“Sandy,” He replied patiently. “You’ve read my book. You know what I say about birds, how they don’t have houses or barns but they simply trust Me to provide for them day after day. That, dear daughter, is faith.”

“I get it.”

“Do you?” He asked. Continuing he said, “I’m calling you to a new level of faith today. I’m moving you and Oliver to a new place, with new people, and I am keenly aware it is considerably outside of your comfort zone. I’m doing this for your own good. I want you to trust me.”

Sandy considered these words carefully. Everything in her wanted to argue and to prove her point that staying put in California made the most sense. As she mulled over the message of the Voice, she realized to argue was futile and foolish.

The tears flowed again. When she was able to speak, she pointed to the cardinal still poised in the tree and said, “I want to be like that bird. So, I will trust You. Do as you see best.”

“Sandy, my heart leaps in joy! And I say to you, by faith you will far surpass the beauty of the cardinal and become like the highest and greatest of all the birds – soaring above the rest, you will enjoy the glory of an eagle!”

A few minutes later, Sandy collected her empty coffee cup and purse, wiped her face one last time and returned home to their condo. Walking in the front door, she smiled at Oliver and said, “When do they want us there?” 

“In six weeks,” He replied with some relief.

“Great, six weeks from now is November. The start of winter!” she said. “Well, I certainly hope they are paying you a lot of money, because neither of us have any winter clothing!”

Pasadena, California

Late October

The Grace's had found themselves working nearly non-stop in preparation for their cross country move, and the day of their departure was looming. Already, the movers had provided the shipping containers, along with enough rolls of tape to supply Santa's helpers for years to come. Still there seemed to be so much to do, and the stress was evident in both of them. Even Oliver's direct supervisor had seen the strain and released him from his present project a week early so he could devote his full time efforts to preparation for the big move.

“Oliver, are you sure I can get reliable high speed Internet on Paine Harbor?”  Sandy asked anxiously. “It is absolutely vital I'm up and running 100% of the time.”

It was enough they were moving about as far away as possible and still remain in the United States, but to be on a remote island in a small village was even more of a challenge. Since graduation from UCLA with a business degree, Sandy had opted out of corporate America and using her entrepreneurial gifts, had launched a web-based business which had quickly become one of the top ten internet sellers for customized artist supplies. Her home-based drop ship business was grossing over $100,000 a month in sales, and while her profit margins were thin, they played a significant part of the Grace family budget. In their plans, it wouldn't be long before there would be a baby in their home, followed by at least two more, and Sandy desperately wanted to give her children something she'd never experienced and always longed for – a mother who didn't work outside the home.

“Sandy, I've checked and double checked with the local Internet provider in Paine Harbor and they assure me they've got it together! Relax, everything is going to be just fine,” Oliver said attempting to reassure her.

“I sure hope so,” she replied.

Two nights before they were scheduled to leave Pasadena for the final time, they gathered at the favorite local Thai restaurant with a large group of family and friends.  Seated on the patio in the warmth of an Indian summer, Oliver raised his wine glass, and clearing his emotion-filled throat, said, “Beloved friends, thank you for all you've done for Sandy and me. You cannot know how much we love you and appreciate the support and kindness you've given us. We are going to miss you all so much. Sandy and I have been talking and we've come to see something we want to share with you.  Strangely enough, we both have a great deal of peace knowing somehow, in someway, God is orchestrating this move and He has a plan to do something really cool through it. We hope you can support us in this too!” The tears formed in his eyes as he struggled to continue, Sandy was holding his hand in a death grip as tears ran down her face. “Listen, I've already talked too much. We love you. Now let's drink and celebrate!”

The party continued late into the night, until the manager of the restaurant politely suggested that it was nearly two hours after closing time. With a smile on his face, he said to Oliver with a smile, “Unless you'd like to order breakfast...”

On the morning of departure, the moving truck arrived.  Oliver and Sandy stood back, sipping steaming hot cups of coffee and watched the men quickly load it with all of their possessions. In only two hours, the condo was empty with the exception of two small suitcases, two laptop computer cases and the accumulated dust bunnies fromunder the beds.

“Well, its time to go.” Sandy gulped looking around one final time at their first home as husband and wife with blurry tear filled eyes.

Oliver reached out and hugged her.  “This is the place we will bring the kids to one day and say to them ‘this is where we got our start’. And they'll roll their eyes and say 'whatever' but we will remember these days and how good they were! Won't we, San?” he asked.

Looking up at her beloved husband of three and a half years, she smiled and sobbed at the same time. After a little while, Oliver said, “C'mon San, it's time. Let's go.” They climbed in their car and drove away from Pasadena. Ignoring Horace Greeley's counsel of yesteryear to head west they headed directly east in Oliver's beloved twelve-year old Range Rover.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Late October

“That's his street.” Sandy told Oliver while looking down at her iPhone map. As they were heading east, Sandy and Oliver had planned to stop in at Demetrius' place to bring him some love and a message.

“Shhh! I don't want him to hear us!” Oliver said to a overly excited Sandy while ringing the doorbell. “He’s not expecting us until tomorrow!” When the door opened, the shock was equal from both directions.

“What the heck? What are you guys doing here? I thought you’d be here tomorrow!” Demetrius said with surprise. Before they could answer, Sandy and Oliver's eyes met in wordless communication about the condition they found Demetrius in. Drawn, gaunt and grey with a three-day beard and the obvious evidence of the need for a shower, he looked terrible. 

“One of us has a bit of lead foot on the interstate, so, we are early. Hopefully that’s okay. We are starving, can we take you out to dinner. You look like you could use a steak and a beer!” The brothers embraced. After a quick and necessary shower, but skipping the shave, they jumped in the Range Rover and headed out in search of the perfect steak dinner. Over dinner they got caught up with discussed the details about leaving California. For the first time in his recent memory, Demetrius seemed really fascinated by the conversation.

Of course the only real topic Demetrius wanted to talk about was April. “I know I'm supposed to be better by now, but I'm not. I just don't know what to do,” he admitted. “The ache in my soul doesn't decrease. In fact, in some ways it gets worse as time goes by. Everyone expects me to be okay by now. But believe me, I am not okay.”

Sandy and Oliver were stumped as to how to give Demetrius any comforting words.

When Sandy and Oliver awoke the next morning in Demetrius' guest room, they were shocked to see a clean-shaven, well-dressed Demetrius preparing breakfast in the kitchen. With a big smile on his face, he greeted them and enthusiastically said, “Hey, want some coffee? This is my favorite roast. I think you'll like it. I get it by mail from a place in Southern California.  I got up super early and ran out and got bacon, eggs, waffles and strawberries. Is that okay?”

While they ate, a markedly animated Demetrius said to them: “There's something I've been thinking about for a few weeks, and when you showed up here yesterday, it confirmed it in my mind it'd be the right thing to do...”

“What?” Sandy interrupted.

“Let him talk,” Oliver gently scolded.

“Sorry Deme!” she said with a smile in her eyes.

“I've been thinking I need some new scenery and a new place to lay my head. I need to get away from here where all I can see is April and the fact she isn't here any more! Grief has a way of making me extremely selfish and I feel like it’s taking over my life.  I need to stop it before it kills me. So, here's what I'm thinking. If it's okay with the two of you, I'd like to go with you to Paine Harbor.”

“Really? Do you mean it?” Sandy asked excitedly. “While we were driving here we both had decided to ask you to come with us!”

“Yes, Demetrius, we'd love to have you join us! You know how much we love you and how much we loved April.  You are so isolated here in Colorado Springs. I think you need your family around you, and frankly we need you. We don't know anyone in Paine Harbor, and if you were with us, that'd help. Plus we can always count on you to make good coffee.” Oliver said smiling.

“Not only that,” Sandy interrupted, “the house the studio rented for us has an extra bedroom! You'd fit right in!”

“Oh, my gosh. I cannot believe it.” Demetrius said with tears of joy running down his face. “Listen. I’ve been thinking about this, and I knew you two would be cool with it, so…” he paused. “Well, I’ll admit it, I have already hired a real estate agent to lease out my house for me! I’m free to leave! I can make a few calls and have all my stuff shipped to Paine Harbor.”

“Demetrius,” Oliver asked gently, “Uh, what are you going to do in Paine Harbor?”

“What you may not know is April and I took out life insurance policies on each other right after our honeymoon. We never dreamt we'd use it so soon. But, frankly, I have quite a bit of money. More than you might imagine and I have a pretty big idea for starting a business.” Demetrius replied.

“What would that be?” Oliver asked excitedly. “What?”

“Well, you know I have quite the affection for a good cup of Joe. I’m thinking that I could open up a little shop in Paine Harbor that serves great coffee and it could become a place for people to hang out! I’ve searched Google and Yelp and it appears there is not a good coffee house there. In fact it looks like there is only one diner and a couple of fast food places, so I’ve got a good shot at making something happen. Plus I’ve become keenly aware I really need to be around people. In fact, I can easily isolate due to grief, and as you saw when you got here, that’s not a good thing. This is one way I can guarantee I will be around people. What do you think?” 

Sandy nearly jumped across the table and tackled Demetrius. As she gave him a bear hug, she shouted, “That's the best idea I've heard in a long time! Come on!”

Again the young brother looked to his older brother for affirmation.

“Yes. Demetrius. That is a great idea. Pack your bags.”

“They already are,” he said smiling.

Two days later the Grace family left Colorado Springs in a convoy.