“I guess that’s because the Pilgrims’ colony ended up American, instead of English.” Katherine said with a shrug, puzzled, but relieved by the seeming change of topic.
“Yes, and remind me, what was it they were celebrating, those pilgrims of yours?”
Katherine’s eyes lit up, as they always did when she talked about anything to do with history. “Well, their first winter was very hard, and they had lost more than half the people. No one was certain they would even survive in the new land. But by the time the harvest was brought in the next fall, they had enough to last them through the winter and they had made friends with the Indians. So, they all had a celebration to thank God for all the good things He had provided.”
Miss Harriet gave a sly smile and exclaimed unconvincingly, “That’s right! Now I remember.” Miss Harriet’s studied her plate for a few moments, before looking thoughtfully up at Katherine and asking, “Do you believe God has provided good things for you?”
“Of course I do.” Katherine began to squirm inwardly under Miss Harriet’s kind but searching gaze.
“And,” the older woman continued gently, “has God provided you with your parents?”
Katherine saw now where Miss Harriet’s questions were leading, and looked away, replying quietly, “I don’t know… I guess so.”
Miss Harriet leaned forward and reached over the small table for Katherine’s hand. “My dear, I know it might feel difficult or awkward or even painful to see them, but I also know that God doesn’t make mistakes. He gave you those same parents for a reason, and I know it’s probably not my place to say it, but I believe you should spend Thanksgiving with them, because they are part of what God has provided you out of His goodness.”
“But.. how can you, of all people, say that?”
“Because I know that my parents—both my parents—were who God intended me to have. He knew my father would abandon us, but He also knew all the good He would do for and through my mother as a result of my father’s wrongdoing. He knew the lessons of forgiveness, patience, and love He would teach us. He knew it all and planned it all for my good. After all, God says that He works all things together for good to those who love Him, and aren’t the parents He chooses for us included in ‘all things’? Some parents do choose to do terrible things, Katherine, like my Papa did, but God is bigger than all that. He can redeem even the worst situation if we will only allow Him to work.”
Katherine looked down at her plate again and sat quiet, struggling inwardly, not wanting to admit that what Miss Harriet had said was true. Miss Harriet softly stood and began to clear away the dishes from the table. As she reached for Katherine’s empty plate, she said hesitantly,
“Forgive me, dear, I shouldn’t be telling you what to do…But would you do one thing for me?”
Katherine looked up, questioningly, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Will you promise you’ll pray about where God wants you to spend Thanksgiving?”
Katherine took a deep breath and nodded.
Miss Harriet smiled, and said in a brighter tone, “Good. And if God leads you to stay here, I’d be just thrilled for you to spend your holiday with me. Otherwise, it will just be Whiskers and I.”
Katherine gave a watery smile. “Whiskers?”
“Yes, he’s my cat. He likes to roam around the garden all day and spends much of his time curled up under that little bench out there. Let me just set these dishes in the sink, and we’ll go see if we can find him. It’s nearly sunset now, anyway, and time for him to come inside.”
Miss Harriet disappeared into the kitchen briefly, then the two went out into the garden. Miss Harriet called her cat’s name and he came ambling down one of the garden paths, large, grey, and very fluffy.
“Hello Whiskers!” Katherine said as the cat sniffed her hand, rubbing his cheek against her with a purr. Miss Harriet smiled and picked him up.
“He likes you. You should be flattered, for he hardly likes anyone. There’s days I think he doesn’t like me very much.” Then to the ball of fluff in her arms she said brightly, “Come on, then old boy, it’s time to go inside.”
The cat having been safely deposited in the house, Miss Harriet led the way back out to the garden so Katherine could watch the sun set over the waves in the distance. The two sat in companionable silence for a while then Miss Harriet drove Katherine back home.
As she waved goodbye and locked the tearoom door behind her, Katherine thought over the evening and what Miss Harriet had said about her parents. Leaving the lights off, she dropped her bag by the door and walked over to the window seat. She curled up with a pillow in her arms and looked out at the sky above the tall brick buildings.
She knew what she needed to do. Taking a deep breath, she began to pray.
Ok, Lord. Show me what You want me to do, and I’ll do it.
11 Miss Harriet’s Idea
The next morning, Miss Harriet unlocked the door and stepped into the tearoom. She called a cheery greeting up the stairs, then went back outside to fetch a large box from her car. Katherine was just coming down the stairs as Miss Harriet returned.
“Good morning!” Katherine said, yawning. “What’s in the box?” Katherine knew she looked exhausted, but she felt more settled than she had when Miss Harriet had dropped her off the night before.
“Oh, just a few things to get this place looking a little more like autumn.” Miss Harriet set the box heavily down on the floor by the counter and then turned towards Katherine. “Now, then, how’s my favorite employee this morning?”
Katherine grinned, then yawned again. “Tired. I didn’t sleep much last night. But I did what I promised.”
“And?” Miss Harriet asked eagerly.
“Well,” Katherine began sheepishly, “To be honest, I already knew what God wanted me to do, but I asked anyway to make sure, and then I bought a ticket right away, so I couldn’t put it off.” Miss Harriet gave a satisfied sigh, then gently taking Katherine’s hand, said,
“Oh, Katherine, I’m so proud of you!” Katherine smiled a little, and Miss Harriet knelt and began pulling brightly colored leaves and flowers out of her box.
Katherine slowly sank to the floor beside her employer and sat, silent and uncertain, twirling one of the flowers between her fingers. Finally she spoke.
“I do feel better than I did last night, but oh, Miss Harriet, I still don’t want to see my parents. I know it’s the right thing to do, and I know there’s really no excuse for me to avoid it, but I still can’t help not wanting to go.”
Miss Harriet’s eyes softened and she gave Katherine an understanding smile.
“I know, Dearie. It’s hard to do the right thing sometimes. It’s even harder when the right thing is the one thing you would like the very least of all to do. Come on, let’s put the kettle on and get some tea in you; then we can chat.”
“What about the decorations?”
“Tea first. Then decorating. Mr. James won’t mind if we’re still finishing up when he comes, and you know there’s no one else in town who would venture in so early.”
