Disappear with Me

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

1910, Southampton

The next morning, Leander conducted a lesson with Peter. He didn’t know how long it might be until he would see Peter again, if ever.

“Let’s read Deuteronomy, chapter thirty-one, verses six and seven,” he said.

“Be strong and of good courage,” Peter read slowly. “Fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said until him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.”

Peter digested the verses for a few minutes and then asked, “Didn’t God give the Promised Land to the mothers as well?”

Leander chuckled. “Of course he meant to give the land to the fathers and the mothers. What we must understand, my dear boy, is that when the Bible was written so many years ago, it was written by men, so much of the language is male dominated. We can safely assume God gives all his promises of peace and love and understanding to all people, not only men, not only people from England, but all who are willing to accept.”

“Well, then, it should say so, don’t you think?”

Leander smiled in agreement.

“So what does this mean to you?” Peter asked.

“Let me see…it reminds me of going away to university.” He told Peter most of the story. In his mind’s eye, he traveled back to the day in 1888 when Father John said he would be going away to St. Stephen’s House at Cambridge University. Talking about those days made Leander feel like he was in another world. He didn’t want to end the lesson, but he forced himself to say, “Our time is finished.”

“I don’t want to go,” Peter said.

“I know, but for now, you must. One day, I hope we will resume our normal schedule. In the meantime, you must be good and mind the Davenports.”

“I want it to be like it used to.”

“That is my hope, too, but for right now, I need you to be very good. The Davenports are in charge. Do you understand?”

Peter looked down at his feet. “Yes, sir.”

He took Peter’s chin and raised his head. “Remember, no matter what, I love you as if you were my own son.”

Peter’s eyes grew big and he flung his arms around Leander. The hug made him smile. He hoped he made Peter feel more welcome and loved than Father John had done with him.

After Peter left, he reopened his worn Bible to the verses they had studied together. Once again, his mind traveled back to the summer holiday, to the parts he didn’t tell Peter about. He smiled as he remembered Whisperbrook.

Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, he read again.

Dear Lord, please do not fail or forsake me. I will be strong and have good courage, but please don’t abandon me.

He heard someone at the door. The constable had arrived.