The Reflection in the Mirror

By Robert Parlante

Martin Gilmore knows about the power of forgiveness. With help from family and friends, he transforms himself from an angry man, damaged by a childhood incident involving a teacher, to a new man experiencing joy for the first time in Christ’s redemption. That spiritual walk involves hard choices.

As a single dad to his two grown children who strives to achieve integrity in the workplace while dealing with his feelings for his fiancée, Linda, Martin knows the test of a refiner’s fire where life hangs in balance. So far, those experiences strengthened him. But will his trust in God last when he faces challenges?

When sixteen-year-old Simon enters the picture, Martin feels like he’s looking into a mirror and seeing his old flawed self all over again. The young runaway is a thief, a substance abuser, and a truant, who hates his missing father.

Simon’s unexpected kidnapping draws Martin into a dark, sinister world of illicit activities. Can he rescue Simon and his father? Can Martin finally overcome the smoldering embers of failure trying to reignite within him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Harbor Press
• Release date: May 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533706928

Robert Parlante

Robert "Bob" Parlante is a minister married to Angela, and they live in Matthews, North Carolina. They have three children and nine grandkids. His favorite pastimes usually involve books, gardening and spending time with family. "The Reflection in the Mirror" is Bob's third book in the "Patch Town" series.

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THE REFLECTION

IN THE MIRROR

THE REFLECTION

IN THE MIRROR

PATCH TOWN BOOK 3

Robert Parlante

The Reflection in the Mirror

Copyright © 2016 by Robert Parlante.

New Harbor Press

www.newharborpress.com

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All scriptures are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24, NIV

The Reflection in the Mirror is dedicated to my wife, our three children and their spouses, and our nine grandkids. May we all be an inspiration to each other. And may the Lord spur us all toward love and good deeds.

REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR

Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.

(Matthew 4:19 NIV)

On Saturday afternoon, Martin Gilmore grabbed the metal door knocker ring gripped in the mouth of a brass lion’s head and barely tapped it against the metal striker plate. The thick wood front door to the Ashbaugh mansion was ornately carved with a stained glass insert, and the knocking sounded reluctant like the uncertain feelings streaming through his heart.

Linda Petersen, his fiancée, was standing next to him. Do you think Miss Ashbaugh will be able to hear that?

She did invite us for tea at three o’clock. She’s probably expecting us. Martin wobbled as if he was trying to stand up in a rocking rowboat. He twisted back and looked toward the lake shoreline. He was growing more concerned by the moment thinking about the request he planned to ask Omeda Ashbaugh.

The eighty-year-old village matriarch had initiated the invitation to tea, and Martin decided to explore an issue he faced regarding his upcoming wedding. Martin and Linda’s wedding plans were recently turned upside-down, and at this point, he couldn’t predict how it would all sort out. He still recalled the matriarch’s pointed responses at the village council meeting when he and Jake Kerstin from the Lake Windermere Resort had made a presentation regarding the resort expansion.

Martin had not seen Omeda Ashbaugh around the village since the council meeting. He had heard she might not be feeling all that well. But now all he could think about was finding a new venue for their wedding celebration, and he hoped having Linda at his side would help keep the conversation on track.

The door eased slowly open, and a middle-aged woman wearing a crisp white apron appeared. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore, please come in. Miss Ashbaugh is expecting you.

No, Martin said, we’re not married yet … not until May. Assuming we can find a venue!

I’m so sorry. I must have misunderstood Miss Ashbaugh. The housekeeper Amelia bent forward with a slight apologetic nod of the head.

We’re engaged.

She smiled and opened the door wider, inviting them in. Miss Ashbaugh’s waiting for you in the parlor. Is bergamot tea okay? It’s her favorite.

Both nodded yes and followed the woman into the parlor. It was Martin’s first time visiting the mansion. Despite his anxiety he could not help being taken in by the splendor of the house. He did not know where to look first as he tried to avoid acting like a country mouse taking his first trip to the city.

The striking architecture and antique furnishings blended together like a Botticelli masterpiece. The large bay window facing the lake shoreline offered a vista unmatched throughout the Lake Windermere region. Spring-like weather had come early to Lancaster County, with the trees and shrubs scattered about the Ashbaugh estate already showing shoots of greenish growth. Spring bulbs were poking with new life through the cool mid-March soil. By the end of May, Martin thought the estate grounds would look picture-perfect for a wedding!

The Queen Anne-style house was built in the late nineteenth century by Horatio Ashbaugh, Omeda’s great-grandfather. He had established a railroad line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, carrying goods from Lancaster County to each of the two cities. Despite the family’s history of privilege, Omeda rarely flaunted her position. She poured back much into the lakeside community as an ardent supporter of the arts, education, and historical preservation.

When Martin and Linda came into the parlor, Omeda was sitting in a wingback chair upholstered with richly woven golden fabric, a regal setting for the matriarch. She rose slowly to her feet, reaching for a cane resting against her chair. Martin, Linda, she said with a firm but raspy voice, extending her hand to him and then to her. So nice to see both of you. How are the wedding plans coming along?

Martin shot a glance at Linda, who responded with a slight no movement of her head. He concluded it was too soon to raise the wedding venue question and pushed back the anxiety ready to bubble over inside him.

Omeda invited her guests to join her at the round mahogany table. Her health appeared to have deteriorated since Martin had last seen her at the village council meeting back in December when Jake Kerstin had made the presentation suggesting an expansion of the Lake Windermere Resort. The proposal did not sit well with Omeda, who was known for her historical preservation advocacy.

Her housekeeper soon returned with a tray carrying a ceramic teapot with a red rose design, cups and saucers, and dishes of small iced cakes and shortbread cookies. She slid the tray onto the tabletop, and the stacked china cups rattled with a thin sound. The minty aroma of Earl Gray tea put Martin at ease, but he decided to wait until their host had her say before commenting on their floundering wedding plans and the snags already encountered.

Have you completely recovered from that terrible episode with the barn fire? Omeda’s voice still sounded labored.

Martin felt a blast of emotions like an explosive fire trying to engulf him once again.

Omeda reached for the teapot. Linda quickly offered to pour. Why thank you, dear. The hands are not quite what they used to be. Omeda’s slight frame relaxed back into her chair. You’re probably wondering why I invited you both to tea.

No matter the reason, we appreciate the invitation, Martin said. And we’d love to return the offer after we’re married. I’ve completely recovered from the fire incident. Thanks for asking.

Omeda swept her hand into the air. See this house? It was built by my great-grandfather in 1895. It’s been in the family that long. He only had one child, my grandfather Nathaniel, who only had one child, my father, Thomas. You see, fertility is not a blessing in the Ashbaugh family line!

She laughed weakly. My parents had two children though, me and my brother Ralph, who is ten years younger. I never married but my brother did late in life. They had one son … a surprise pregnancy considering his age at the time! She looked away, and her voice trailed off as if she were embarrassed by the information she shared. Regrettably, his wife died at childbirth when their son was born.

The thought of losing a wife immediately tugged at Martin’s sympathy, having lost his own wife, Sarah, to breast cancer years ago. I didn’t even know you had a brother. What happened to Ralph and his son? He wished he could share with Omeda’s brother how God lifts burdens and can bring new love, like Linda, into a person’s life despite circumstances.

Unfortunately Ralph gambled away his inheritance and virtually left Simon—that’s his son’s name—to his own devices. My brother never recovered from the death of his wife, and he always blamed Simon for that tragic event. The problem right now is that Ralph has disappeared. I believe someone was trying to get him to pay off a gambling debt … which I suspect is a very large sum of money. My worst nightmare is that Ralph may have already paid back the debt with his life! It certainly doesn’t say much for the Ashbaugh family, does it?

And Simon. Where is he? Linda reached for a shortbread cookie.

Well, that’s where you and Martin come in … hopefully.

Martin was about to sip his tea when he was stunned still, afraid to hear the next words. I’m not following you … Martin placed his teacup back onto its saucer and glanced at Linda, who looked as if she was anticipating another family secret.

Simon is sixteen years old and has not returned to his school. He’s been truant for several weeks.

Hasn’t anyone tried to intervene? Linda eased her teacup back onto the table and slipped her uneaten cookie onto the saucer.

He’s been living without a real parent for practically all of his life. He’s rebellious, been known to shoplift and, in the past, has been picked up by the police for underage drinking. He ran away from home several times already, but keeps returning since he has little means for survival on his own.

Martin inched closer to the edge of his seat. Does he know where his father is now?

No, he does not. When my brother disappeared, he and Simon were living in a run-down furnished apartment in Brampton. After a week went by and there was no sign of his father, Simon hitched a ride with a trucker to Lancaster. That’s how my nephew ended up here with me.

Martin’s hand jerked against his teacup. "He’s here now?"

For the past three days he’s been sleeping on and off around the clock. He’s barely eaten anything. I don’t know what to do.

Really, Omeda. Martin felt a catch in his throat. Are you able to deal with a young man like Simon?

A rebellious sixteen-year-old boy is not easy to handle even with two parents, Linda quickly added.

I’ve come to that conclusion only after a few days with Simon here. Omeda paused, as if struggling to pull in a strengthening breath. Her eyes were watery and cheerless as she dabbed her sniffling nose with a dainty handkerchief. My health is waning, and I’ve given up driving a car. I was hoping you and Linda could help me until things sort out. Simon desperately needs stable parent figures in his—

Help you? Martin’s hands clinched down firmly on the arms of his seat. What does that mean? Omeda, I’m not the best example of a good man or father. I’ve made plenty of mistakes raising my children.

But you’re trying to put your life in order. Omeda’s spirit seemed more animated. I’ve seen the changes in you. I see you in church with Linda and her daughter every Sunday. If you could help get him back in school here in Lake Windermere … maybe spend time with him … it would be a huge help to me. And that will give me time to work out a more permanent solution.

Omeda’s brightness was short lived as her eyes grew shiny with tears. "I’ve hired a private investigator to try and find Ralph. He desperately needs help too. If he’s still alive! I’ve had this love-hate thing going on with him for years. As much as I want to, I can’t walk away from my brother."

Linda reached across the table and clasped her hand. We need to trust God.

I keep trying to trust God, but it’s not always easy.

Linda looked back at Martin, and her deliberate glance communicated she was supportive of their helping with Simon.

Martin tried to ignore the thought of a wild teenager sharing his life with him. All he could think about was thieving and angry struggles with Simon. Yet in some way he began to think how much Simon reminded him of his own life when he was about the same age. It felt like he was looking into a mirror and seeing Simon as a reflection of himself.

Martin had also quit high school and dealt with anger and destructive behavior. But God sent purposeful people into his life that helped him grow past the weaknesses that always dragged him down. He never would be the believer today had people like Leroy and Pastor Amos not come into his life. Was God trying to make him a purposeful person to speak into Simon’s life?

Linda stared intently at him this time as if to encourage him to say something to help Omeda.

He let out an audible breath of air. Omeda, he began slowly, trying to choose his words carefully, I am open to the idea, but there’s something else …

What might that be? Omeda wept through her words. Does that mean you’ll help me with Simon?

Martin looked to Linda for support. Her eyes widened, and he sensed she did not want him to raise the topic of the wedding problems.

What’s the something else? Omeda asked. I’ll do anything to gain your help.

We’re getting married this May on Memorial Day weekend. Our original plan was to have the ceremony at the resort at the edge of the lake with a small reception there at the restaurant.

That sounds lovely. Omeda turned to Linda. I’ve always loved the old resort.

But there’s a problem. Martin tried to calm his racing heart. Wanamaker, the resort owner, has decided to divest its interest in the resort. When the expansion ran into problems, they decided to put the place up for sale.

Jake Kerstin suggested we not plan on having our wedding there. Too much uncertainty. The place could be sold by then, Linda offered sadly.

Omeda grew noticeably downcast at the news