Holy Whisperings

By Brenda Helton

Beatrice was three years old when her parents, William and Francis Cummings, tragically died in a car accident. Ruth Singer, Francis's older sister, was thunderstruck when she heard that she was named guardian of the minor child at the reading of her sister's will. Being a stay-at-home mom to her three girls for the past ten years, living in a shoebox-sized house, and sacrificing personal wants and needs due to living on one income, Ruth was more than ready to break out of the house and return to the workplace. She finally reached the point where all three of her children would be in school. The thought of reversing in time to take on a three-year-old led to frustration and anger.

As a result, Beatrice felt the brunt of her aunt's negative emotions through no school support, treating her as an extra in the family, and belittling her physical appearance because it was different from her cousins.

In spite of the negativity Beatrice felt from her aunt, she found comfort in the unique dreams that would come to her in the quiet of the night and the unconditional love that overflowed from her grandfather whom she called Pops. When he wasn't in the farmhouse playing games with her or taking her outside to see Dusty the horse, he was sitting in his favorite chair by the window reading his Bible and writing in an old, leather-bound journal. When asked what he was writing, he would tell her when the time was right, she'd understand.

A close school friend invited Beatrice to attend one of her equine-assisted therapy sessions as a guest. Watching from the observation deck of the therapy barn, Beatrice immediately felt a connection to the horses and the therapy approach to helping children and adults overcome emotional struggles. The desire to pursue this interest remained with her all through her high school years.

One night, she overheard Aunt Ruth and Uncle Raymond say they weren't going to pay for her university tuition. It wasn't until Pops made the bold move to supersede Ruth's authority and revealed the truth to Beatrice about her inheritance that she felt the confidence to begin her career as an equine therapist. Graduation from undergrad and graduate school quickly followed. Beatrice then established Baker Barn and met David, a medical psychotherapist, who became the love of her life. Eager to start a family, an accident on one of the horse trails turned their dreams upside down.

Trials and heartaches followed as they held onto their dreams. Although her employees at Baker Barn were a great support, her biggest source of support came from her unique dreams and Pops' journal of holy whisperings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798893451320

Book preview

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Holy Whisperings

Brenda Helton

ISBN 979-8-89345-131-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89345-132-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Brenda Helton

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

To my sister, Sandra, who, over the years, took the time to listen to all of my unique dreams and one day named them my holy whisperings.

Chapter 1

The Will

Chapter 2

A Period of Transition

Chapter 3

Pops Loves Me

Chapter 4

Difficult News

Chapter 5

Along Came Carrie

Chapter 6

It's the Other Way Around

Chapter 7

Life Is Full of New Chapters

Chapter 8

Baker Barn

Chapter 9

Ruby Rubble

Chapter 10

The Crazy Barn Lady

Chapter 11

It's Time

Chapter 12

Hector

Chapter 13

The Cedar Chest

Chapter 14

A Bundle of Joy

Chapter 15

An Open Bloody Wound

Chapter 16

1 – 1 = 3

Chapter 17

Clean Your Closet

Chapter 18

He Doesn't Make Mistakes

About the Author

To my sister, Sandra, who, over the years, took the time to listen to all of my unique dreams and one day named them my holy whisperings.

Chapter 1

The Will

Two soft knocks at the door were all it took to make Attorney Winthrop startle. He drew in a deep, full breath and held it there for a few seconds. His filled lungs began to burn. He slowly exhaled.

Ready or not, here we go, he muttered to himself. Of all the wills and trusts he drafted and proctored during the past twenty years of his practice, he still got sick to his stomach when guardianship of minors had to be addressed. He gripped the arms of his oversized, gray leather desk chair for support as he struggled but finally managed to get his short, small-framed body out of the chair's vacuum seal. Once out, he scurried around the massive desk, jabbing his right thigh on the sharp corner. He let out a little yelp.

Why do I always do that? he mumbled, aggravated with himself for buying a desk and chair set that seemed to be the size of Texas.

He slowly opened his office door. Mr. and Mrs. Singer, please come in. He motioned for them to take a seat at the white, upholstered Lind, armchairs that were placed across from his desk. He made the return trip around his mammoth desk and lowered himself back into his chair. He gave his seat cushion a few seconds to stop releasing air out of its side vents, ultimately vacuum-sealing himself back into place. He quietly rested his hands on the closed file folder that lay on his desk containing the will. His stomach turned. He knew that what he was about to read and discuss with the anxious couple seated across from him would be life-altering. Sorrow, tension, and anticipation enveloped the room. The silence was deafening. The only sound in the room came from the modern, abstract clock that hung above his office doorframe.

Let's get started, shall we? Attorney Winthrop said with a fake, cheery voice as he put on his reading classes and turned slightly to address Mrs. Singer. As you know, Ruth, your sister, and brother-in-law, Francis and William Cummings, came to me three years ago asking me to draft an estate will for their family. Francis had just given birth to their daughter Beatrice, and being the think-ahead, proactive couple that they were, they didn't want to waste any time in making provisions for their child in the event of their untimely deaths. Attorney Winthrop paused and adjusted himself in his chair, sat up a little straighter, and cleared his throat a few times. In their initial estate will, Francis and William named your mother and father as the guardians of Beatrice. I believe your sister shared this news with you? Attorney Winthrop asked in a questioning voice. Ruth remained wide-eyed and silent but gave a short, quick nod of her head. However, last week on December 23, just five days ago to be exact, Francis and William returned. They wanted to schedule a meeting with me before the new year to make an adjustment to their estate will. The meeting resulted in a change of guardianship for their child. They explained that due to your parents' progressing age and some recently diagnosed health issues with your mother, they wanted to remove your parents as guardians and name you and your husband as the new guardians of Beatrice in the event of their untimely deaths. Attorney Winthrop stopped there to take a pause. He shuffled a few papers around and, over the top of his reading glasses, took a quick glance at the numb couple seated across from him.

From the looks on Ruth and Raymond Singer's faces, Attorney Winthrop's fears were confirmed. Francis and William came in to see him two days before Christmas. With all the festive activities of the holiday season surrounding them, they were too busy to notify Ruth and Raymond of this change to their will. They probably thought they had plenty of time. Attorney Winthrop paused, rested his elbows on his desk, pinched the bridge of his nose, and closed his eyes. In his mind's eye, he recalled the day he last saw them. They were giggling about taking Beatrice to see Santa Claus at the Windy City Mall that evening. They were joking and laughing together about stopping at the hardware store on their way home to buy some reindeer food so Beatrice could broadcast it on the front lawn in order to feed Rudolph on Christmas Eve.

It was clear to see the love they had for each other. They were full of life. They anticipated many more years ahead to see Beatrice sit on Santa's lap, put presents under their tree, and celebrate Christmas as a family. Attorney Winthrop opened his eyes. Here it was five short days later, and he was reading their will. Snapping back to the present, he drew in a deep breath before moving on.

He noticed that the silence in the room magnified. Even the clock seemed silent now. Ruth and Raymond sat frozen in their seats, each lost in their own thoughts swirling dizzily in their heads. They slowly turned and gave each other a questioning look. Their eyes were wide with disbelief and shock. Raymond reached over and gently squeezed Ruth's hand. They turned back in Attorney Winthrop's direction, but their eyes did not register. They did not blink. They sat paralyzed as they waited for more information.

Attorney Winthrop recognized their confused looks and silence. He immediately knew what he needed to do. He had experienced this reaction many times over the past twenty years or so. He was the first to break the silence.

Mr. and Mrs. Singer, I can see that neither of you was prepared to hear of this change today. Perhaps it would be beneficial if I read the full revised section of Francis and William's will, he said in a soft, calm voice.

Yes, please, that would be appreciated, Raymond Singer said as he nodded his head in agreement. He gripped his wife's hand a little tighter. Ruth Singer remained silent.

This is the will and testament of William and Francis Cummings, Attorney Winthrop began. We, William and Francis Cummings, together as parents of our only child, Beatrice Elaine Cummings, name Francis's older sister, Ruth Singer, and her husband, Raymond Singer, as guardians of our minor daughter Beatrice Elaine Cummings in the event of our untimely deaths. Upon our death, it is our wish that Ruth and Raymond Singer immediately liquidate all of our earthly possessions and place the liquidations in a trust through Attorney Winthrop's office. The trust shall be held in our child's name until her eighteenth birthday. Upon that time, she will gain access and full control of the total amount accrued.

Again, silence. Attorney Winthrop decided to take the reins. Where has Beatrice been staying since her parent's accident?

This time, Ruth Singer was the one to answer. She's at my parents' house. Neither my parents nor Raymond nor I were aware that Francis and William were even remotely thinking of changing the guardianship of Beatrice, let alone take action. They never discussed this with any of us. This is the first we are hearing of this change. My parents were babysitting Beatrice on the morning of the accident. She has been with them since that horrible day, Ruth said in a shaky, broken voice flashing back in her mind to the knock at her door from the Lindenwald, Illinois, police department chief notifying her of her sister and brother-in-law's fatal accident. She shook her head as if to shake away the memory. My parents have already started moving Beatrice's things to their home. They think they have guardianship of her. I just have to ask, Attorney Winthrop, are you meeting with us first before meeting with my parents because you feel it is our place to inform them of this change? Ruth asked in an anxious, borderline angry tone.

No, not at all, Ruth, Attorney Winthrop answered, using a calm, even voice. "I will be calling your parents as soon as you leave my office today to inform them of this change. It is my responsibility to explain the change of guardianship to them, not yours. I contacted you and Raymond before your parents for three simple reasons. First, Beatrice is only three years old. As her new guardians, you need to start a conversation with her on a level that she will understand, regarding her parent's passing and her move to your home. It is only fair for the child that this happens immediately.

"Second, I felt you needed as much time as possible to prepare your home for her arrival. Not just preparing it physically but preparing it emotionally. That includes explaining this new situation with your three children.

Third, I thought that if I shared this information with you first, you and your husband could help your parents understand the situation better and reiterate any confusing parts to them. I feel it is best to wait until next week to schedule an in-person meeting with them. I wanted to give them a chance to get through the funerals first, Attorney Winthrop said in almost a whisper as if whispering would help the unbearably difficult and confusing situation vanish. When I meet with them in person, I will answer all of their questions, go over all of the details, and if they wish, I will read Francis and William's entire will to them from beginning to end, he promised with a sigh.

When Ruth and Raymond Singer exhausted all of their questions, felt they understood all of the answers, signed a few papers, and had nothing else to do or say but to get on with this surprising new change in their lives, they stood up to leave. Attorney Winthrop extended a warm hand shake to Ruth, patted Raymond on the back, expressed his condolences to both of them, and wished them the best.

Raymond reached for Ruth's hand as they walked in silence across the snowy parking lot back to where they left their car. The freezing December air swirled around their shoulders dropping random snowflake crystals on the collars of their heavy, wool coats.

As they walked in silence, Ruth couldn't help but think how fast life could change. One minute, she had a wonderful younger sister named Francis, a compassionate nurse who worked in her husband William's thriving veterinary office, and the next minute, she was in the coroner's office identifying any remains left behind from their burned bodies.

Two hours ago, she walked into Attorney Winthrop's office as a mother of three girls: Maisie, age ten; Sallee, age eight; and Dixie, age six. She walked out the mother of four.

Ruth didn't know how they were going to make ends meet with another child in the house. They were barely making it as a family of five. Now they'd be a family of six. Raymond was a sales manager at a local department store. He worked long days and most weekends too. He grabbed as many overtime hours as his boss permitted. Ruth was a stay-at-home mom. Once the children started coming, they agreed that Ruth would quit her job as an Environmental Services Worker at the hospital and stay home with the children until they reached school age—ten long years of scrimping, sacrificing, and saving pennies to make ends meet trying to live on one income.

They still lived in the tiny starter home they moved into twelve years ago as newlyweds. It was more important for Ruth to be a stay-at-home mom than for her to work and them to move to a nicer home. The house was plenty big twelve years ago, but with the addition of three children, it was cramped. Every square inch of space was occupied in one way or another. It was outdated, and in desperate need of repairs, but on one income, they never had the extra cash to fix it up.

Recently, things started looking up for them. This school year, Ruth would be an empty nester. All three girls would finally attend school the full day. Mid-August, Ruth walked all three to the bus stop for the very first time. She had a newfound energy in her step. She stood there with the other mothers, wished all the children a good day, waved goodbye as the bus pulled away, and speed-walked back inside the house. She didn't want to get trapped in a conversation with the other mothers dilly-dallying at the bus stop. Now that the children were off to school, she was focused on the task at hand. She was on a mission and didn't want to waste a minute of time. She got in the house, brewed a cup of black coffee, turned off the TV, grabbed her laptop, and went to sit at the kitchen table.

It seemed forever ago that she was employed as an EVS worker at the hospital, but she remembered the job well and remembered liking it too. She knew she would have never quit if it wasn't for starting a family and wanting to be a stay-at-home mom. She also knew that she could show consecutive years of experience in this one particular occupation and knew that since she left on good terms, she would receive solid recommendations from previous supervisors. Ruth decided that looking for an EVS position at a hospital would be the smartest place to start looking.

It didn't take her long to realize that there were several job openings to choose from. She quickly scanned the list. Some openings were in nursing homes and rehab facilities. Ruth knew she wanted a position in a hospital, so she didn't take the time to read any details on those jobs. She found a few jobs at hospitals in the downtown area. Those would be too far from home. Those were quickly dismissed. Toward the lower end of the list she was scanning, a position caught her eye. There was a new learning hospital that was recently built close to her girl's school. They needed an EVS worker for the morning shift. Ruth's eyes opened wide as she read the details about the job. It sounded like a great fit for her schedule. Parts of the hospital were still under construction, so interviews were being held off campus in a high-rise physician's office. Due to the construction, several job openings would not start for a few months. None of this information discouraged Ruth. She had been a stay-at-home mom for ten years. She could wait a few more months to begin work.

She took her time applying. Ruth updated her resume and attached it to the application. She smiled to herself as she hit the send button. She got up and brewed herself another cup of black coffee. The house was quiet. She decided to enjoy all that she accomplished on this first day home without children. She was anxious to see what would happen with this application.

A few weeks later, she was called in for an interview. The person who interviewed her was very impressed with her application and resume. They already contacted her references and were impressed with what they heard there too. She felt confident that the interview went well.

In mid-December, a few weeks before her sister and brother-in-law's fatal accident, she was called in for a second interview with the same supervisor. The shift leader, who was over the morning shift that Ruth was applying for, also joined them. At the end of the interview, they told her that the job was hers if she wanted it. The hospital's construction would be completed in the middle of January, so the job would not begin until then. Ruth accepted the position.

The visit to Attorney Winthrop's office changed everything. Her long-awaited dreams of returning to work came to a screeching halt. With Beatrice coming to live with them, she'd be back to being a stay-at-home mom for at least another three years.

Raymond was concerned. He could see and feel his wife's uncommunicated thoughts. Once they reached the car, Raymond broke the tension. What are you thinking, Ruth?

What do you think I am thinking? Ruth said in a snippy tone.

I'm not sure, sweetheart, that's why I'm asking, Raymond replied in the sweetest voice he could muster. He had an idea of what was wrong with his wife but was too nervous to call it for what it was.

What was Francis thinking, Raymond? Ruth spoke through clenched teeth. We had this discussion together with her and William three years ago when Beatrice was born. Remember, she asked us then to be guardians of their child should any unforeseen thing happen? Without even taking a minute to think things through, you immediately answered, ‘Sure, that would be fine, no problem.' I wanted to hit you! The thought of taking in another child didn't bother you, but I was nervous and upset at the thought of it. I would have to be the one to take care of the child all day, not you. I would be the one who would have to put returning to work on the back burner, not you. So I was the one who spoke up. I convinced Francis that since we already had three children, lived in a small house, and only had one income that Mom and Dad should be named as guardians, Ruth said all in one breath. I'm really mad that she changed things without asking us. How could she do this when she clearly knew how I felt? Ruth said in a rough voice.

I'm sure that they planned on telling us, Ruth, Raymond reasoned. They only went to see the attorney to change guardianship five days ago. They probably thought they'd tell us right after the holiday. You know how crazy things get around this time of year with shopping, family, and holiday parties. I'm sure getting into a fatal car accident was the last thing they were thinking of. They didn't factor that into their plans. Who would? I'm sure they thought they had plenty of time to get together with us, Raymond spoke in a convincing voice. Plus, with both of your parents getting up in age, and your mother being diagnosed with cancer this past year, I'm sure they felt an urgency to change their will.

Ruth sat in silence. She knew in her heart and mind that every word Raymond was saying was probably true. She understood, but that didn't stop her from feeling angry. She was more than ready to get back into the workplace. She didn't want to be a stay-at-home mom for another three years. She needed the change, and they needed the money. They needed a bigger house. Now, with the addition of Beatrice, it would feel even smaller. She felt trapped, and there was nothing she could do to control the situation.

George and Josie Baker heard their daughter's car pull up into their driveway, but neither one got up to greet Ruth or Raymond at the door. They had just hung up the phone with Attorney Winthrop. Ruth