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Topic: End (02/13/06)
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TITLE: A Farewell Embrace | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kay Newman
02/18/06 -
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(a true story)
“Mrs. Rogers, your husband’s truck is parked at the boat ramp and there is no boat on the trailer,” came the answer to the haunting question Karan Rogers was playing over and over in her mind. That call from the Bower County sheriff was all Brad Ashley needed to spur him to drive the long road to the lake to search for his best friend, Victor.
“….but you don’t understand honey, tomorrow is the Super Bowl and we can get in a morning hunt before the game,” explained Victor in his feeble attempt to convince Karan of his “need” to go hunting on Sunday morning and miss church again. With a mixture of gloom and frustration filling her voice, Karan made one last plea to her husband and her brother “The weather report this morning said a severe cold front will be pushing through here this evening and there may be ice and snow in our area.”
Karan interpreted Victor’s actions the rest of that long Saturday as a feeble attempt to soften the look of sadness in her young eyes. Victor knew at 32 years old, he had given her adequate reason to know her pleadings were fruitless. He recalled her tears of disappointment countless times when he came home with another “toy” to satisfy his hunting and golfing passions. Just last summer it was a 15 foot aluminum boat he justified as something for himself and their three sons. Karan had wondered if he would ever understand that his desperate need to acquire more things and his increased drinking were due to his need for a love relationship with Jesus, the Comforter and Lifter of our heads.
Karan and Victor strolled over their lawn looking at the beautiful Camellias that typically bloom in January in Mississippi. They boasted of how lovely the reds and pinks, mingled with white on the petals were and how nicely their team efforts at landscaping had evolved. At Victor’s request they took a ride in the country and on their way home, Karan asked if they could stop at the local flower shop in town. He consented. While there, Karan was zealously musing over a blue recipe book holder and protested when Victor handed it to the cashier. “What is this all about?” she wondered. His eagerness to please her was an indicator that he would be leaving her and the boys again.
It was 7 p.m. and the air was muggy and warm, preceding the approach of the cold front. Bruce, Karan’s youngest brother, had called for Victor as he continued pacing from the bedroom to the truck with hunting gear and supplies for their trip. Karan watched with an unusual sadness as he hugged Billy, 9 and Earnie, 8. Timmy was lying on the floor with a friend watching television and Victor called on his way out, “I love you, Timmy.” As he passed through the kitchen, he stopped where Karan was preparing dinner for the boys to say his goodbyes. It seemed that he could hardly bear the look in her eyes and with his head lowered, his pace hurried as he approached the truck. Behind her she heard Timmy complaining that he didn’t get a hug. Karan ran to the truck and stopped Victor just in time. He returned to the kitchen and called for Timmy where their farewells were formed in a huge embrace. Karan’s heart sank as Victor drove away, still puzzled by her foreboding feelings.
The temperature had dropped to a frigid 3 degrees when the search party was launched that Sunday evening. By 3 a.m., the agonizing wait became unbearable and Karan was sure another moment of silence would crush the life from her. At eight o’clock on Monday morning, their family doctor and friend arrived with news, “Karan, I am so sorry, we have found Bruce with the boat and it appears he died from hypothermia. So far, Victor has not been found.” Karan retreated to her bedroom and opened her Bible. There she found this scripture reference written by her friend, “Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving make all your request known to God, and the peace that passeth all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 4:6&7 NIV With thanksgiving? She wept.
Timeless grief. The boat she hated. A tragic end. Victor was found two weeks later on Timmy’s 14th birthday.
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