As Shannon finishes reading the story, George and Stan arrive with a gift ...and Shannon greets them. 

     Stephen is disappointed. No reaction from reading the book had been detected. Now Shannon and Stan are talking.

     Stan takes notice of a mark on her arm that he had not seen before, “Oh, did you burn yourself there?”

     Shannon is embarrassed. It isn’t the first time someone had pointed it out. And she feels a bit unsightly, even if it is the most remote part of who she is.

     Fernye, always alert, offers an explanation, “That’s a birthmark, Stan.  God marks each and every one of us wonderfully so. It’s like a star map, following each birth mark. No two are the same.”

     Fernye shows her arms, with her birthmarks, “No two people are the same.”

     Shannon still does not feel well. One of her birth marks is at least half as big as a dime.

     When Stephen shows his arms, Fernye is amazed, “This is truly remarkable!”

     Everyone looks on, witnessing what Fernye had noticed. Stephen’s birthmark pattern is exactly like Shannon’s, except for the nearly dime-size one. Fernye comments on her observation, “That must be why God gave you that large one, to set you apart from your dad.”

     Stephen doesn’t share the joy. Shannon already very effectively sets herself apart from him. So hopefully, this does not make Shannon feel even more uncomfortable about him ...and certainly nothing to be up in arms over. He will continue to cling to the meager hope ...that one day things may change, for the better. 

     Time is a great healer ---sometimes. But that requires a desire deep within both people to want to make amends. If not for the sincere desire for peace, time can serve the very opposite of means …drawing them further and further apart. 

                                                               *******

     Two weeks go by and there’s no progress with Stephen and Shannon. Stephen is really disappointed. Shannon had to know the story was from him and the message is unmistakably clear ….he loves Shannon so much. And she shows no acknowledgement of that fact.

     Cindy is also feeling down. The way she sees it, Stephen is not really acknowledging her. She had spent the entire day with Fernye and Stephen’s mom, Ruth. They had worked together, making one of those old-fashioned long dresses. They had chosen a beautiful print. And to cap it off, Fernye had braided Cindy’s long beautiful hair.

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     On many occasions, Stephen had made mention of Cindy’s beauty. But never had Cindy looked more beautiful than on this occasion. It was no special occasion really ...just an ordinary day, a couple weeks before autumn. Though on this occasion, it appears the beauty of autumn has come early.

     Cindy's beauty could be appreciated in any season, but it was clear God had especially touched her with the unique beauty of autumn …the morning rays glistening down each braid of her beautiful red hair as the fresh morning dew reflects its soft light in her sparkling blue eyes.

     Cindy awaits for Stephen to arise to the smell of a simmering omelette. But when he arises, she quickly loses that romantic moment. She feels more like the omelette, on the back burner …as he doesn’t even notice her! 

     Stephen hugs and kisses Leah and Josiah, then sits down at the dining room table with his head in his hands.

     That figures! Cindy is overwhelmed by her injured emotions. Yet she considers that he doesn’t care about his own appearance, why would he care about hers?

     Cindy addresses the issue, “Why don’t you try growing a beard?” At this point, her point is not so much in making a point of it as it is in getting his attention to look up.

     Stephen does not look up. He rubs his eyes, then strokes his stubble with his hand, “It itches too much. I wouldn’t be able to stand a beard.”

     Cindy now is getting slightly agitated, “Well, why don’t you either shave every day or not. This every third day thing of yours doesn’t cut it. On the second day, you already start to look scruffy. And personally, it’s really rough when you kiss me.”

     Cindy hadn’t been giving Stephen much attention lately, and he didn’t really expect a change this morning, “Then tell me what day you want to kiss me and I’ll shave that day.”

     Stephen gets the change he doesn’t expect. Actually, he doesn’t even see the change. Before he can look up, Cindy has left the room. And she undoes her hair and takes the dress off, slipping back into her pajamas. The final touch is to clump her hair and put a clip in it.

     Shannon had already eaten and is outside, throwing a Frisbee to the dog. Leah and Josiah are playing in the other room. Cindy returns to the kitchen, slaps the omelette on a plate and slides the plate across the table to Stephen.

     Stephen looks up, “What’s the matter?”
     Cindy leans forward on the back of a chair, “Now I think I understand how you feel when you say Shannon doesn’t call you, Dad. She treats you with respect in every way, but you say there’s something missing. Well, you treat me good and respect me, but there’s something missing too. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something there. Or maybe it’s something that’s not there. Either way, it scares me.” 

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      Cindy pauses, waiting for Stephen to say something, but he doesn’t. Cindy’s frustration continues, “During our courtship, you’d always send cards and notes, telling me how much you missed me. Honestly, I don’t feel you miss me anymore …and that shouldn't be.”

     Stephen voices his own frustration, “I miss you even more. Before we were married, I felt separated from you when we were apart …but now, I feel separated from you when you are here. That shouldn't be!”

     Cindy wants the guilt to fall elsewhere, other than on her, “I got up extra early today to do my hair. I put on a dress that your own mom helped me make. And you didn’t even notice!”

     A squeal comes from the other room, then a scuffle. Leah and Josiah are fighting. They usually get along beautifully, but every once in a while they come to blows. They don’t carry any grudges with it though; theirs is just out of mere frustration. They resume playing again before Cindy even gets to the adjacent room to intervene. Cindy admires that quality in them …the beauty of childhood.

     Stephen goes to the bathroom. Once again they are separated, not only by rooms, but by emotion. And spiritually too.

     The rest of the morning they don’t say much to each other. They gather together for a bite to eat before Stephen has to leave for work. And not much is said.

     Just as he finishes and is about to leave the table, Leah runs up, “Dad, give me a big hug.” 

     Leah gets a big hug from Dad, then giggles, “Now I get to kiss you on the smooth side.”

     At this, Cindy hears and notices. Stephen had three days growth of stubble on one side of his face, and was cleanly shaven on the other half. She had plainly accused him of not noticing her, and all morning she had not noticed him. They were both at fault. He had obviously felt bad too, but had made his point quietly, without saying a word.

     Cindy begins to laugh. A tear breaks through the laughter. 

     Stephen begins to cry and laugh too. They laugh and cry together. Then Stephen does something that surprises Cindy. He calls work and tells them he will not be in. 

     This is uncharacteristic for Stephen. By this, Cindy feels loved …and so does Stephen.

     Cindy’s eyes soften, “I’m sorry if you don’t feel loved sometimes. Is that why people eat chocolate?”

     Stephen smiles, “I don’t know about all that, but if you really must know, there’s nothing I like better than sitting down and having a bowl of Moose Tracks and holding you close.”

     Cindy smiles, “Actually, I have some I hid in the back of the freezer.”

     Stephen holds Cindy close, “For a special occasion such as this?”

     Cindy kisses Stephen on the unshaven side of his face, then on the smooth side, “Just as long as you don’t get any moose drool on me.” 

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