Sophie's Heart Read online

  "Yes. I want to run Sophie home."

  "Oh, Janet," the younger woman immediately cut in. "There is no need."

  "I want to, Sophie."

  "I do the buses always," she was swiftly growing embarrassed, so her English was failing. "And my feet, that is, I walk always too. Please, Janet."

  But Janet was already walking away, saying over her shoulder that she was going for her car keys. Sophie helplessly watched her until she felt David's eyes on her. He was smiling and Sophie couldn't help but smile in return.

  "She wants to take care of you."

  Sophie nodded. "Mothers do that."

  "So you really don't mind?"

  "I do not wish to be problem."

  "It's no problem. Janet's used to having a car, so I think the idea of the bus is a little daunting to her."

  "David," Sophie now became very serious, "what is this 'dawning'?"

  "Daunting?"

  "Yes. Daunting."

  "Uh, let's see. I guess it means a lowering of courage. Does that make sense?"

  "Yes, it does. It is word I could have used often."

  David smiled gently. "There are probably many things you could say to describe yourself, Sophie, but I doubt if a lack of courage has ever been one of them."

  Sophie smiled at the kind words, but said nothing. He couldn't know how cowardly she had been at times.

  Sophie looked over then to see Janet backing a minivan from the garage. She thanked David and walked to the new-looking vehicle.

  "Okay, Sophie," Janet said, once Sophie had buckled up and Janet had backed to the end of the driveway. "Which direction?"

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  "Well, I live on Conner Street."

  "Conner Street?"

  "Yes. In an apartment behind a grocery store that has big pig face on it."

  "The Piggley Wiggley?"

  "Is that how you say it?"

  "Yes, and I know just where it is."

  It was the time of day when traffic was just beginning to back up, so there was little conversation as Janet negotiated her way toward Sophie's home. It took over 20 minutes to arrive and, when they did, Janet had to fight down her emotions. It was all so shabby: the building, the parking lot-in fact, the entire street. It looked toher as if the apartment building itself had not been painted in years. The windows, if they depicted the interior of this place, showed a lack of care as well, since many sported no drapes. The curtains Janet did see were torn and stained.

  "Thank you for a ride, Janet, and again for lunch."

  "You're welcome, Sophie."

  Janet somehow felt compelled to get out when Sophie did and walk her to her door. There was a group of teens eyeing the van, so Janet followed her friend with some trepidation.

  "I'll see you at Bible study," Janet said when Sophie stopped before one of the downstairs doors.

  "Yes. I will be there."

  Impulsively, Janet reached forward and hugged Sophie. Sophie squeezed her tightly. When Janet stepped back, she was smiling-a smile that died when she saw the tears in Sophie's eyes.

  "Sophie, what did I do?"

  "It is nothing." A tear slid down her cheek.

  "Please tell me."

  Sophie hesitated, her face reddening slightly. She drew in a shuddering breath. "I have not had touch in many months-not since coming to America."

  "Oh, Sophie," said Janet as she reached for her once again. She felt Sophie tremble, and wondered if her own heart would break. Sophie, thinking of Janet's drive home, broke the embrace.

  "You will want to go now, Janet. The traffic will be worst."

  Janet nodded, tears standing in her own eyes. "I'll see you later."

  Sophie waved and used the key to her door. Janet was still shaking when she pulled into her driveway.

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  That night in bed, Janet shared with David. With his arm around her, he listened quietly to her account of seeing Sophie's home. Again, it passed through his mind that she might be the one to go and help Al with the kids, but he kept this to himself. As he fell asleep, he prayed that if God wanted this very thing that He would burden Janet's heart with it as well.

  "You didn't have to leave today," Janet commented to Sophie after the Bible study just two weeks later.

  "No," she answered with a smile. "My schedule has changed, and I now have Tuesdays off."

  Janet hugged her.

  "I've been thinking so much about you, Sophie. How are things at work?"

  "They are well. Mr. Markham is giving me good things now, and I was even asked to teach new girl."

  "That's a compliment to you."

  Sophie was not sure how this could be a compliment, but since another woman had joined them, she was not able to ask. Sophie listened quietly to the question the woman asked about Bible study and was impressed with Janet's answer. That Janet had given this subject much thought was obvious. Sophie listened closely until she realized the other woman's daughter was with her.

  Sophie guessed the little girl to be around four, and she stood very quietly while her mother talked. She didn't look up at all, but when Sophie noticed that the lace on the child's tennis shoe was untied, she knelt down.

  "Your shoe," Sophie pointed and waited for the little girl's eyes to drop. "It is untied. Would you like me to tie it?"

  The darling little blond girl did not answer, but slid her foot slightly forward. With dexterous fingers, Sophie made a perfect bow and then smiled at the child. From Janet's vantage point she could not see Sophie's face, but that of Sandra, the little girl, was wreathed in smiles over something Sophie was saying. Janet was suddenly so struck with something that she could barely attend to the woman who was talking to her.

  Other women came over just then, and Janet was occupied with them for the next half hour. She lost track of Sophie and, by the time she had a moment to look for her, she was gone. Janet debated going to Sophie's apartment right on the spot, but made

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  herself stay calm. She could not talk to Sophie first. However, she did drive straight to her husband's office. Shehadto talk to him about what she was thinking.

  "Hi, Janet," Alec spoke into the phone. "I was just thinking about you."

  "You were?"

  "Yeah. Does David still have my tree trimmer?"

  "I think so."

  "Good. I'm not actually sure I'll get to the yard this fall, but I wanted to make sure it's still around."

  "I'm almost positive we have it, but I'll make a note to check."

  "All right. How are Dave and the kids?"

  "Great. How about yourself?"

  "I'm doing fairly well. I get the impression from your voice that you've called about something specific."

  Janet took a deep breath. "You're right. I have. Will you hear me out?"

  "That bad, huh?"

  "I'm afraid you'll think so."

  Alec was silent for a moment. "I'll listen, Jan. You know that."

  "All right. I've met someone who would really like to get out of Chicago. She's single and probably in her mid to late 20s and, from what I can see, very capable. Both David and I think she would be just right for you and the kids."

  "What exactly are you suggesting, Jan?"

  "I'm suggesting that she come up and take care of you guys."

  "You mean a live-in housekeeper?"

  He sounded so horrified that Janet swiftly jumped in.

  "Not exactly live-in. She could take the apartment over the garage. It isn't right, Alec, that the kids are fixing their own meals, or that they're alone so much while you work. I really believe Sophie is perfect for the job."

  "So you've already discussed this with her?"

  "Good heavens, no! I wouldn't do that without talking to you. I can't be sure she'll even agree. If she's willing, will you at least meet and interview her?"

  Janet heard Alec sigh on the other end. "What in the world does that type of thing cost?" Alec knew the question was an excuse, but he asked it anyway.

  "
I'm not sure, but don't forget the insurance. This is the very reason you and David took out those policies on Van and me. I

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  know it sounds like I'm telling you what to do, Alec, but I'm simply dying to help and I'm just too far away." Janet paused to control sudden tears. She took a deep breath and said, "I think Sophie might be a godsend."

  There was more silence on the other end. In truth, Alec had completely forgotten about Vanessa's insurance policy. He had received the check at a time when he was still overcome with grief and had simply put it into their savings account and not given it another thought. His business was almost more than he could handle, so there had been no reason to dip into that fund.

  "Are you still there?"

  "Yes," Alec said quietly. Janet couldn't know that Alec was watching Rita, his oldest, walk by with a laundry basket. When other 16-year-old girls were helping their mothers, his daughter was responsible for the household chores.

  "Just let us ask her, Al. Then if you have any doubts after you meet her, we'll drop the whole thing."

  "So you'll bring her all the way up here, and if I say no she'll just calmly go back with you?"

  "That's right. I'll make sure she understands before we come."

  It didn't sound very kind to Alec's way of thinking, but he knew his sister would be very tactful.

  "Please, Alec." Janet's voice came softly to his ears.

  "All right," he said with a good deal of reluctance. "You can talk to her, but be sure she understands and that you let me know before you come."

  "I will, Alec, and please try to trust me with this."

  "All right, Jan."

  They finished the conversation quickly. After Janet told David they had one down and one to go, she picked up the phone to call Sophie.

  ***

  Just a week later Janet picked up Sophie to bring her to their home for dinner. Janet's two youngest children were with her in the van, and she prayed that Sophie would not be nervous. To her surprise, Sophie immediately began to talk with them.

  "You must be Bethany, and you are Jeremy."

  Bethany nodded and smiled. "My mom says you're from Czechoslovakia."

  "Yes. It is not like Illinois."

  Bethany smiled and Jeremy asked, "What's it like?"

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  "Well, I should have said that it is not like Chicago. We have more open land, and I think Illinois does as well, but I have not seen fields."

  "We have a lot of farms," Jeremy told her. "But if you work and live right here in the city, you never see 'em."

  Sophie nodded and smiled at him.

  "Where do you work, Sophie?" This came from Bethany.

  "I do bus work at Tony's Restaurant."

  "Oh, that's pretty cool. Dad and Mom like their food. Is that what you did in Czechoslovakia-work at a restaurant?"

  "No," Sophie told her with a smile, but did not elaborate.

  "Do you eat the same things in Czechoslovakia as we do here?" Bethany suddenly asked, having just thought of it.

  "Some same, some different."

  Jeremy, who was very much a "people person," asked, "Can you tell us one thing that you miss?"

  "To eat?"

  "Yeah. Something you guys eat a lot and we've never heard of."

  "That would be bela-ruza," Sophie said.

  "Bela-ruza? What's that?"

  "It means 'white rose.' That is what my grandmother and I call a pastry she makes with special white cream and berries."

  "Sounds good," Jeremy remarked before Sophie heard another "cool" from Bethany. Moments later they were at the Ring home.

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  "My BIGGEST FEAR, SOPHIE, is that you will think we've plotted against you," Janet said to their guest when dinner was over and the adults were alone in the living room.

  Sophie, who was still working on the wordplotted,said, "I do not think I will."

  "What Janet is trying to say is that we wanted to have you over, but we also wanted to talk to you about something. It's an idea we have, but it comes without strings."

  "Strings?" Sophie's face told them she was completely out of her league.

  "If you say no to our idea," David went on, "we will still care for you and not be upset with you in any way."

  Sophie stared at them for a moment. "I wish I understood," she admitted quietly, and David saw that he shouldn't have begun this way.

  "It's my fault that it's not clear. Let me try to explain. About ten months ago Janet's brother, Alec Riley, lost his wife in a car accident. They have three children. Even after all this time, Alec and the kids still seem to be at loose ends, especially concerning the housework and the cooking.

  "You've never complained, Sophie, but Janet and I get the impression that your job is not what you'd really love to be doing. You've also mentioned you would enjoy a quieter place to live. Alec and the kids live in Middleton, Wisconsin. It's a quieter place and may be what you're looking for.

  "Janet and I were wondering if you would consider going to work for Janet's brother. I would think that they need someone to wash clothes, cook, clean, and keep track of the kids, but until you talk with Alec, I couldn't definitely say."

  "So you have not talked to your brother?"

  "Not about the specifics," Janet put in. "I called him and he's agreed to meet and interview you. Of course, if either of you doesn't think it will suit, there is no obligation."

  Sophie looked thoughtful. "How old are the children?"

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  "About like ours. Rita is 16, almost 17. Craig is 12, and Tory just turned 10."

  "So young to say good-bye to their mother."

  David and Janet silently agreed, but stayed quiet to give Sophie a moment to think. David was on the verge of telling Sophie that she did not have to answer them right now, but he wasn't given time.

  "I would like to try this," Sophie said. "I do not know if I will be correct for this job, but I would like to try."

  Janet felt as if the Lord had just hugged her. "When are you off work again, Sophie?"

  "Not until next Tuesday, but that is Bible study day. I think I can ask for a day if it is not the weekend. Shall I do that?"

  "Yes, why don't you see what you can arrange and call me. It's about a three-hour drive, so you're going to need all day."

  Sophie nodded, and Janet rose to get them some coffee and dessert. Although Sophie enjoyed the rest of the evening, it was a relief to get back to the shabby apartment she called home. She desperately needed some time alone to think and pray.

  ***

  Sophie got off work a little early the next night but could not sleep. She'd asked for next Monday off and gotten it, but her heart was full of a hundred things. After turning in bed repeatedly for 20 minutes, she rose and turned on the light. It was just after 1:30 in the morning. Sophie sat on her one chair and started to reach for the letter she'd started to her grandmother the night before. However, she never picked it up.

  "It would be morning at home," she whispered and reached for the phone instead.

  Her hand shook as she dialed the numbers and told herself not to panic over the cost. When her grandmother picked up the phone in Prague, tears filled Sophie's eyes.

  "Hello, babushka."

  "Oh, my darling, are you well?" The voice was breathless with fear.

  "Yes, I did not mean to frighten you."

  She heard her grandmother crying and fought down her own emotions. She waited, knowing the older woman would need a few minutes, and prayed that they would be able to talk.

  "I'm sorry," the elderly woman gasped. "I have just missed you so. I am kicking myself that I talked you into this."

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  Knowing it wasn't true, Sophie laughed. "I miss you, too, and I needed to talk to you so badly."

  "Let me blow my nose and you can begin."

  Again Sophie laughed; her grandmother had that effect on her.

  "I'm going to Wisconsin next week about another job," Sophie said when Kasmira cam
e back on the line.

  "Translating?"

  "No. There is a family who needs a housekeeper. It will be out of the busy city. I would enjoy that."

  "It won't be a pain to be with children either."

  Again Sophie smiled. Her grandmother knew her so well.

  "Are you happy where you are?"

  "I am at peace, but I would love to move from Chicago."

  "Where is this Wis...?"

  "Wisconsin. Get out your map. It's above Illinois. The town is Middleton, which is very near Madison, the capital. I looked it up, and it lists the population at over 14,000. It's not a tiny town, but David said the area to the west of it is rural, and even near the capital it doesn't feel like Chicago."

  "What determines if you take the job?"

  "The man interviewing me. Mr. Alec Riley. I can't imagine a reason that I would turn it down, so if he wants me to stay, I will. I have so long prayed that God would take me to a quieter place, and now I feel that He has opened the door."

  "What if it closes?"

  "I knew you would ask this. If that happens, I will carry on here."

  "It's worse than you've written, isn't it?"

  She heard the catch in her grandmother's voice and nearly cried herself. "I know that God is taking care of me, but it is very lonely here," she admitted. "Everyone is very suspicious. If you're kind to a woman, she thinks that you want something. If you're kind to a man, he thinks you want to have relations. For such a big place, my world has become very small."

  "I heard you say David's name. David Ring?"

  "Yes."

  "Have the Rings offered this to you?"

  "Yes. Alec Riley is Janet Ring's brother. He is a recent widower with three children. You'll pray for them?"

  "You know I will. For you, too."

  "Don't write to this address again unless I call you. Is there any word of the list?"

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  "Oh, Sophie," Kasmira's voice was filled with regret. "It will be years, and I really don't see how..." Her voice trailed away.

  Sophie sighed, but didn't comment, realizing just at that moment how good it was to speak Czech. She had met a few Czechs here in Chicago, but their life-style of drinking and parties was not Sophie's choice. And as she'd explained to her grandmother, it had been so lonely.

  "You've never really said what your apartment is like."

  "It's very near a grocery store," Sophie said as her eyes took in the horrid little one-room place with its stained walls and smelly carpet. "It's so convenient."