First Love. A Longer Short Story. Free To Read Here On The Blog.

 

First Love

Everlee Lewis reluctantly placed her Bible and notes on the bedside table. As she brushed her almost blonde hair into a ponytail and applied just a whisper  of make-up, Everlee's thoughts returned to Ruth of the Bible. How faithful, determined, and brave the young woman had been. It must have been incredibly challenging to set out for an unknown land with only her mother-in-law beside her. And yet she had. Ruth's courage and determination now lived on in the small book which bore her name.

Everlee pulled a sky blue cardigan over the simple ankle length dress she wore. It didn't take long to gather up her bag and secure the windows and door of her compact apartment. Down on the street, the busy work day was well under way. Everlee found herself yearning for the relative peace of her small home. The sounds of the city rushed to greet her: clanging, beeping, squealing, and hollering. She wrinkled her nose at the exhaust fumes of the passing traffic. At least Ruth hadn't had to deal with all of this on her travels. Everlee tuned out her surroundings as she stood beneath the bus shelter. A barren landscape alleviated only by date palms and groves of olive trees replaced the city streets. An uncovered sun warmed her face and she heard the faint bleating of goats. She, Everlee Lewis was Ruth, headed into an unknown future and a beautiful romance...

"Day dreaming again?" Arnie the bus driver knew her well. Everlee blushed, but she quickly got over her embarrassment. Arnie was such a dear. "Thanks Arnie. I'd be late for work all the time if not for you."

"No problem, young lady." Arnie drove the bus forward smoothly as she took a seat near the front. "Let's get you to the bookshop, shall we?"

***

Everlee unlocked the shop's metal gates under the watchful eye of the block's security guard. As assistant manager, it was her turn to open up that week. She smiled at the guard. "Thanks Leo."

"No problem, Miss Lewis. You need to be careful these days."

Everlee nodded as she closed the shop's gate behind her. Only once a client rang the bell could they be admitted. It was the city after all.

As much as Everlee enjoyed working amongst books, gifts, and stationary, she often wished for a quiet country life where there would be no need for alarms and metal gates. She sighed slightly, then said a little prayer as she pushed her dreams aside. Contentment was something she admired greatly in other people. With God's help, she hoped to grow in that area herself. 

Once the lights and the computer were on, Everlee turned her attention to the previous day's stock take. She satisfied herself that all was well before allowing herself the luxury of a cup of scented tea.

The bookshop dated back to the 1930's and was as quaint and narrow as can be. The building stretched quite far back though, and the old living quarters on the first floor had been converted into a reading nook for clients as well as an office.

The narrow balcony, which was adorned with lacy metal work and pots of scarlet geraniums was utterly charming, and added all the nostalgia Everlee could hope for.

She set out a delicate tea cup and saucer in the little cupboard of a kitchen, then waited for the kettle to sing its song. A feeling of quiet contentment settled in her heart.  The  cozy surroundings and fragrant tea had helped lift her mood, but she was deeply aware that her joy did not depend on them.

***

Declan O'Neill stopped in at the library on his lunch hour. He was a bit of an old soul, though only twenty-five, and the library remained one of his favourite places. This time, it failed to deliver the volume he was looking for. As he left the building, wondering where to search next, he remembered the old-fashioned bookshop, and braved the steady stream of traffic to reach it. He buzzed the bell at the gate, and a young woman about his age let him in. "Everlee Lewis" her name badge informed him. He smiled. Everlee was as pretty as a field of flowers in the country. He could imagine her sitting curled up with a book in the evenings, her long, light coloured hair, falling forward as she journeyed through its pages.

"How may I help you?" Everlee inquired politely.

"Well, I hope you can. I'm looking for a book about Irish immigrants. Actually, anything about the Irish community would be helpful. I'm doing some family research." He offered.

Instead of turning to her computer, as he expected her to, Everlee walked out from behind the counter, and beckoned him to follow her. "Here we go. The history section. We have a few books about local immigrant communities, not to mention a section of genealogy books which you might find helpful. Here they are. Just one shelf over." Everlee gestured to the selection before pulling out a paperback volume. "This one may interest you. It's written in an anecdotal style. Not dry at all. I enjoyed it very much."

"The Belfast Boys." Declan read the title before taking it from Everlee. "My great grandfather came over from Belfast."

Everlee smiled her encouragement. "It may be just the book for you then." She took a moment to study her customer. It was unusual for a man of his age to be spending his lunch hour looking at history books. His hair certainly spoke of his Irish ancestry: it was jet black, although cut in a modern style. As for his eyes, they were surprising: a friendly blue, rather than the brown one might expect. "I don't think I have any Irish ancestors," she supplied as she scanned the shelves for more books. "I do have a Scot or two, a couple of Germans, and a few British forebears though."

"Sounds like an interesting bunch." Declan chuckled. "My mother's side is thoroughly British."

"Sounds like an interesting match." Everlee countered.

Declan seemed lost in thought as he contemplated the genealogy book she'd handed him. "It is. Politics and religion can't get in the way of true love, you know." Declan's eyes met hers, and Everlee could only detect honesty and friendliness in them. "Declan O'Neill," he said, offering her his hand, "it's only right that you know my name, seeing as I know yours."

Everlee's heart did a dizzy little dance as his hand touched hers. "Pleased to meet you." She didn't trust herself to say more, afraid she'd embarrass herself by babbling on. "I'll be at the front if you need more help." Everlee retreated, stopping to help and elderly customer on her way.

She lectured herself as she rang up a sale. Stay professional, Everlee Lewis. You can't let a handsome Irishman send you into orbit. And he could be an atheist for all you know. She looked up from the screen for a moment, to find herself looking into those friendly blue eyes once more. "I'll take 'The Dublin Boys' and 'Genealogy Made Easy." Declan placed the two books on the counter and handed her his card. "Thanks for your help. I would probably still be fumbling around if you hadn't come to my rescue."

Everlee found she couldn't stay aloof. Declan O'Neill was too sincere and downright nice for that. "It's a pleasure." Everlee wished they could somehow carry on the conversation they'd been having. "I hope the books will be of use."

Declan took the cloth bag containing his purchase. "I've no doubt they will." His eyes sparkled as he smiled at her. "I'll pop in and let you know what I think once I've read them."

"I'll be looking forward to that." Everlee said softly. Her heart rate quickened. I hope you are a fast reader, Declan O'Neill. As she turned to help another customer, she hoped that she hadn't made a total fool of herself.

***

At odd times throughout the rest of the day, Everlee's thoughts wondered to the Irishman as she now privately called Declan, and each one of her customers seemed dull and uninteresting in comparison. 

In her mid-twenties, Everlee had put dating aside after a series of dead-end relationships. There had been nothing wrong with the men: all had been church-going and hard-working, but none appealed to Everlee's creative and nerdy side. Of all four men she'd dated, only one had been a keen reader. Unfortunately, the only books he'd read were text books for his post-graduate studies.

Meeting Declan O'Neill had sparked hope for love and marriage inside her: a marriage not unlike her parents' one. Old-fashioned, sweet, and leading to a gaggle of children. 

Feeling lonely for her childhood home and family, she locked the shop up. All around her, people were rushing back to wives, husbands, and children; to supper, and companionship. Everlee swallowed a lump in her throat. She planned to visit her family during her annual leave, but that was months away.

At home, after a light supper, she texted her best friend, Ivy.

"I met someone cute today. He seems to love reading."

Ivy's reply was prompt.

"Tell me more."

Everlee told all she knew about her handsome customer, then typed, "What should I do?"

Ivy's response was true to the young woman of faith she was. "You should definitely pray about it."

"I will. Thanks, Ivy." Everlee added a cute good night sticker. 

Later, after she'd showered and dressed for bed, she set the novel she'd been reading aside, in favour of her Bible. Then turning once more to the Book of Ruth she lifted up her heart to the Lord.

***

The following morning, Everlee resumed her Bible study. The young woman's bravery and faithfulness struck her once more. As she read, she could not find a whisper of discontent. The true account read like a romantic tale, especially towards the end. Boaz, in his God-given role of kinsman-redeemer, helped bring joy and fulfilment back into both Naomi and Ruth's lives. And who couldn't help but smile to read of the precious baby born to Boaz and Ruth? A baby who would ease Naomi's pain. A baby who would have a place in the Royal line. Everlee bowed her head, and bringing all of her discontent, her hopes, and dreams to Jesus, she surrendered her whole life to Him anew, just as Ruth had done so long ago.

***

A couple of days later, the shop bell buzzed at lunchtime, and Everlee smiled to see Declan O'Neill standing on the step. He waved cheerily. "I finished "The Dublin Boys."

"That was quick!" Everlee opened the gate and  Declan clanged it closed behind him. "It was as good as you said. "The author transported me back to nineteenth century Ireland."

"He did a superb job of painting the characters and the country, didn't he?"

Declan nodded, and his eyes brightened. "He did. I feel as though I understand my ancestors more fully now."

Once again, Everlee noticed how striking his eyes were in light of his raven hair, but her heart was calm. "I'm glad." She said simply. The sense of urgency to find a man had gone, and a feeling of peace had replaced it. Sure, it would be wonderful if someone like Declan became part of her life, but only if he loved the Lord and put Him first. Everlee knew now that she'd made finding a man more important than her relationship with God. Ruth had helped her see that surrender to God must come before anything and anyone.

"My ancestors were Catholics," Declan continued, "very religious. My own parents still attend mass. I'm just glad that the Lord saved me and freed  me from dead religion." His voice had softened, but his eyes still sparkled. "By the way, Everlee, I didn't just come in to tell you about the book. I was wondering, would you care to have coffee with me?"

Everlee smiled at Declan as she lifted her heart heavenward. "I'd like that."

They made arrangements, and Declan clanged the gate happily before heading down the street with a jaunty wave.

Everlee's heart broke out in song as faith, hope, and joy settled on the shelves of her heart.

***

The end.

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Copyright: Alison Lawrence, pencil in His Hand.

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Thank you so much for reading this story. I hope you were encouraged in your own faith walk. Please consider sharing it with friends and on social media. 

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Love and prayers,

Alison