Page 15 of A Song in the Dark

“Every single one of the people on that list can be trusted. Timothy ensured it.” Celestia’s voice cracked, and she pressed a fist into her hip.

She would have to have a soak after this.

Her body simply wasn’t what it used to be.

But now was not the time to get emotional or fall apart.

Both girls in front of her understood that if she used the good doctor’s first name it was either because she was about to cry or to let her temper reign.

She coughed into her hand and raised her chin.

“Grafton has organized a network across Europe. They aren’t simply contacts, they are people in key places, situated across Europe, ready to mobilize resources as soon as we need them.

Again, we can’t predict what is going to happen, but we can watch, prepare, and be ready.

We are praying that other groups like ours will rise up and heed the call.

But because of the eyes and ears of the Nazis, trust is hard to come by.

We may only be a few in the face of a great enemy, but I think of what God did through Gideon, and I am encouraged. ”

Chaisley leaned her forehead against the glass. “Mary Beth, the little girl who wrote to me, said bad men were looking for them and they had to go into hiding. And her mother, Geraldine, said that being blind shouldn’t be a crime. This is really happening, isn’t it?”

Celestia’s throat clogged once again with tears. Why was it so hard to hold herself together? “Oh, my dear. I am so sorry to hear of their situation. But yes, it is happening.” She choked on the words.

Her granddaughter made her way back to the table and sat down, sliding her hand palm up on the table. Celestia took it, giving her a pat.

Chaisley cleared her throat, but then sobs overtook her for several seconds. Then she lifted her chin and shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s just overwhelming to realize that it’s not simply a bad dream.”

Celestia squeezed Chaisley’s hand. The hands that could bring audiences to their feet.

Her granddaughter sputtered and then swallowed hard, her face turning to flint.

“They’ve already sterilized Geraldine. Since I read that letter, there’s been a prodding in my soul.

I knew I need to help but I ...” Chaisley pressed a hand to her heart.

“I haven’t known what God was asking me to do.

So when the first letter came, I was determined to find this girl and her mother.

I don’t even know if it’s possible—but I need to try.

We’ve been corresponding, and I gave them this address as a way to reach me as I travel. ”

“There will always be a place for them here if you do find them. How long it will be safe, I don’t know. Who knows which countries Hitler will go after next.”

“What else can I do to help?”

Shame wound around Celestia’s heart, squeezing it.

The good Lord was probably tired of hearing how sorry she was for not acting sooner.

But the regret was almost suffocating at times.

“Don’t be like me and ignore things or try to reason them away.

It took me far too long to get to this place, and I regret it more than you know.

I could have helped so many had I not buried my head in the sand.

There are still many that you can help. I don’t know how. But ... do the tour.”

Oh, how she longed to take back everything she’d just said!

To tell her precious granddaughter to run.

Far away. But no. If no one fought the evil, it would win.

“Give people an evening of beauty and hope. Make contacts and listen to everything around you. You not only have a gift with your music, you have an incredible gift of discernment with your ears. This might force you to act a part at some point, but remember how the Lord used Rahab, how He used Joseph and Esther.”

Melanie stood and joined Chaisley. The set to the young woman’s jaw was as fierce as the look in her eyes. “I didn’t want to come, and frankly, I’m so scared I’m surprised my legs aren’t shaking. But at least I know why we’re here.”

Her granddaughter nodded and let go of Celestia’s hand. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Dr. G spoke with us about using the old form of braille to communicate. We’re also going to use the other two from the United States as well.”

Celestia smiled. Chaisley’s determination was magnificent to behold when she wielded it.

She was so like her father in that respect.

A pang accompanied that thought, but she pushed it away.

“Yes. That’s probably the best way for us to send notes to one another right now.

But a time may come when we will have to use something else.

Some form of code. Especially once you travel into Germany.

I don’t trust our correspondence to remain private. ”

Chaisley stood and paced the space between the window and her chair. “I already have an idea. Let me work it out before we leave, and I will somehow get word to Dr. G as well.” She turned her face to the window. “It’s no coincidence that we decided to start the tour in Austria, is it?”

Celestia caught Melanie’s gaze, her brows arched together, waiting for an answer. There was a new strength in the set of Melanie’s shoulders, a boldness Celestia hadn’t seen from the young woman in a long while.

Good.

Please sustain this boldness in her, Lord. In both of them. I commit these precious ones to Your will.

“No. It isn’t a coincidence.”

The room was silent for a moment before Melanie grabbed Chaisley’s and Celestia’s hands. “Wherever He leads ... I’ll go.”

The words wrapped around Celestia, infusing her with courage. “Yes, dear hearts. If we are called into the lion’s den, then we will go.”

Amsterdam, Netherlands—Monday, April 4, 1938

Watching her friend say good-bye to her grandmother was harder than Melanie thought it would be. Probably because of the knowledge they now carried. And Mrs. Frappier had been like a grandmother to Melanie as well.

The past few days had been filled with lots of short, intense conversations.

Chaisley was like a dog with a bone. Once she got hold of an idea, she couldn’t let it go.

So she’d pushed and prodded Celestia for information and worked with her childhood braille writing tools in her room in the quiet times.

No telling what Chaisley would come up with, but her friend had a brilliant mind.

It gave Melanie time to think and prepare for the upcoming tour, too.

Quiet times at the manor had always been Melanie’s favorite thing.

Reading. Drinking tea. Resting. The manor in Amsterdam was so peaceful.

But the recent developments had changed it all.

Would they have peace again in Europe .. . ever?

Some moments she wished to be back in England in the safety of what had been comfortable. Honestly, paying attention to the newspapers and radio broadcasts upset her, so it was easier to ignore it.

Then there were other moments where she tired of hiding.

Tired of hiding the knowledge of who her father was.

Tired of fearing she had family members within the Nazi Party.

Tired of pretending it would all go away if she ignored it.

Truth be told, she’d always been afraid of someone from her family finding her and her mother.

She pushed the thoughts aside. She had no control over what happened. Fear was getting her nowhere.

Everyone around the manor seemed to have a task. Something they were doing to help this network of Dr. G’s.

Except her.

She winced. Good heavens. Such self-pity. She had her part, helping Chaisley on this tour. Perhaps they’d be able to find the Kleins and get them to safety. That was enough, wasn’t it?

Should she pray harder? Longer? She toyed with the small fringe fob on her purse, a familiar ache sweeping through her.

Mother would know what to do too. She always had such a serene peace about her, even after her husband demanded she leave if she wouldn’t obey. Not once had Melanie seen her mother anything other than calm.

With such a mother, why did she struggle so with frustration, fear, and her swinging emotions? She’d felt so brave, bold even, when they were talking about being alert on the tour to people who might need this network’s help. But now, doubt filled her, which let the fear creep back in.

Inhaling a sharp breath through her nose, she let it out and swallowed all her thoughts.

Her gaze flitted to the Frappier women. Both inspired her. Why couldn’t she be more like them?

The quiet conversation between Chaisley and Celestia ended, and they hugged once more.

Mrs. Frappier waved Melanie over. “My dear, I will be praying for you every day. Call or write or send a telegram whenever you need to. I will be here.”

“Thank you.” Melanie swallowed back the sudden tears clawing at her throat. Would they see one another again? She leaned in and wrapped the woman in a hug. “I love you and will be praying for you as well.” Lord, please protect her from danger.

“Don’t you worry about me. I’m in good hands.” She winked.

“Yes.” She forced a smile, which sent a couple of rogue tears racing down her face. “You are.” Melanie swiped them away.

“Grafton is coming to visit in a few days. I’ll write with any news.” Celestia stepped back and grabbed one of each of their hands.

Melanie grabbed Chaisley’s free one, and they made a circle.

“The L ord bless thee, and keep thee: The L ord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The L ord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

“Amen.” Chaisley’s strong voice accompanied the squeezing of Melanie’s hand.

She forced oomph she didn’t feel into her own response. “Amen.”

They walked down the steps toward the car with Chaisley’s hand on her shoulder. She gazed out at the road ahead.

A road of challenges.

A road fraught with unknowns.

A road of ... darkness.