Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow Read Free Book Online Page A

inhaled the aroma of the plate in front of him. “Ignoring this corn bread isn’t God’s will. I’ll pray.”
    Elias closed his eyes and began to pray. Tom kept his eyes open and watched. There was no denying the existence of something special about the old man. Even though there were a few small holes in his flannel shirt, he looked noble.
    “Amen,” Elias said.
    Tom dived into the meal and cleaned his plate. Elias ate the corn bread but picked at the rest of his food.
    “If you had food like this as rarely as I do, you’d appreciate it more,” Tom said between bites.
    “I appreciate it. Fix yourself a second plate.”
    Tom loaded up and put his plate in the microwave. “Is that a coconut cream pie on the top shelf in the refrigerator?” he asked.
    “Yes. Baked by Bobby Joe Hargrove,” Elias answered, brightening up. “Do you remember him? He drives a logging truck. Years ago his father spent time in jail for moonshining but got saved before he died.”
    Elias’s memory for remote events was crystal clear. His mention of Mr. Hargrove uncorked a series of stories about the Mount Pisgah Church, a stone building beside one of the main highways west of Bethel, and the people who worshipped there. Finally, Elias stopped. He stared at Tom for a moment, then looked out a window.
    “Are we still on daylight savings time?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Do you want to go to the cemetery? It won’t be dark for another hour or so.”
    “No, that can wait for another day.”
    “What about Austin’s Pond? I’ve not been able to get over there by myself. That’s what I really want to do, especially now that you’re here.”
    “I just got here,” Tom answered impatiently, “and I’m not sure it’s a good idea to go to the pond. There’s nothing there but bad memories.”
    Elias frowned. Tom decided to change the subject.
    “I’m not going to be working for the same law firm in Atlanta,” he said. “Yesterday was my last day.”
    “What happened?”
    Tom spent the rest of the meal telling Elias about losing his job. The older man kept shaking his head from side to side. Tom didn’t mention his conversations with Arthur Pelham.
    “I know, it’s hard to believe,” Tom said as he neared the end of the story. “It was a huge shock. And to top it off, Clarice broke up with me. She’s the woman who came up from Atlanta with me to attend the funeral.”
    “God is good,” Elias responded, pushing his chair away from the table. “I’m thankful for all he’s doing in your life.”
    Tom gave the older man a puzzled look. “Are you saying it was God’s will for me to get dumped by Clarice and lose my job?”
    “I say what I hear.” Elias ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t believe God’s sovereignty is an excuse for man’s mistakes, but I’m confident that he’s working all things for your good.”
    The old man stood and walked slowly to the sink with his plate. Tom wasn’t interested in unraveling Elias’s theology. Instead, he went to the refrigerator and took out the coconut pie.
    “Do you want a piece?” he asked.
    “No thanks, but help yourself. Coffee is in the cupboard to the left of the stove if you want it now or in the morning. I’m not drinking it anymore. It’s not good for my heart.”
    Tom cut a generous piece of pie. “I’ll be going to the office early, so I may leave before you get up.”
    “Probably not.” Elias put his plate in the dishwasher. “You’d think I’d sleep more soundly the older I get, but it doesn’t work that way. It’s not often the sun beats me out of bed.”
    “Then I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks for letting me stay with you.”
    “This place is as much yours as it is mine.”
    Rover was lying in the corner. On his way out of the kitchen, Elias dropped his hand. The dog lifted his head and licked the old man’s knuckles. Tom had never seen Rover do that to anyone else.
    “I like your dog,” Elias said. “I’ll be glad to keep