Generous Orchid - Chapters 40 and 41
Roots that run deep
Suzie, all you have is faith.
Yes, all I have is faith.
One of my favorite scriptures is found in Jeremiah 17:7-8. It’s a passage that held me through two battles with breast cancer, through the loss of a younger brother, through financial difficulties that almost took us under when our son was critically injured by a drunk driver.
The passage describes a tree whose roots go deep into the Source of life, and yet endures heat, wind, and torrential storms. When the storm passes, the tree is battered and nearly broken and yet its leaves are still green, and its branches still produce fruit.
What a beautiful image of how our faith and our relationship with our Heavenly Father holds us.
In today’s chapters, a storm has been long brewing. It’s a critical time and, like often happens in a brutal storm, decisions have to be made quickly for survival.
But what?
And how?
If you’ve missed the last few chapters and want to catch up, the following links will help you do just that. Then, let’s jump into Chapters 39 and 40 as we continue to follow the story of Annabelle, Joseph, and Sunsoo.
I’m so thankful for you as you take this novel adventure with me. ~ Suzie
Links to previous chapters
Generous Orchid, Chapter 40
Annabelle put her arm around Sunsoo’s waist and eased her into a chair. The sun was curtseying into the horizon when the knock came at the door, and Sunsoo’s soft voice called out.
Annabelle rushed to the door; it had been days since she had seen or heard from her friend.
“Are you ill?” she asked, noting how the younger woman seemed to sink into herself.
“No,” she replied. “My father sent a message asking me to make my way to their home. My mother is sick. I stopped here because it’s my only opportunity. . . ”
“Do you want me to come with you? I can grab my bag and be ready in minutes,” Annabelle said.
Sunsoo’s face was drawn, her cheekbones jutted out. Again, she shook her head no. “I have not been able to leave my home, but I was granted permission to travel to see my mother.” She reached for Annabelle’s hand. “As I was saying, this might be my only opportunity. . .”
Annabelle pulled off her apron and sat down beside her. She had heard the rumors about the punishment Sunsoo received for her decision in the market that day. She noted faint bruises around her temple, and the way she held herself as if every movement cost her. She also noted tension in her posture. “Sunsoo, are you okay?”
Sunsoo clasped Annabelle’s hand tighter. “I need you to listen. I don’t have much time. I heard you are having meetings in your home,” she said. “Is that true?”
It was true.
A few had approached Joseph furtively. Some arrived at their home after dark on that very day that Sunsoo so bravely became a believer. Others sent messages, asking to meet secretly one-on-one. Sunsoo’s courage had flamed a fire of anger in the heart of some, but kindled a different fire in others. A small group now met in Joseph’s and Annabelle’s home after hours, tucking every word of teaching away. The meetings were held by candlelight, as they dared not light the lanterns.
Sunsoo paused, rubbing her wrist with delicate, bony fingers. “I have come to warn you.” Her head jerked up at the clanging of the garden gate outside.
Thomas ran into the room. When he saw Sunsoo, he exclaimed. “I saw your sedan down the street!”
Sunsoo stood. “If a child recognizes my sedan so will other inquisitive minds. I must leave. But first, I must speak to you both privately. It’s important.”
Annabelle nudged Thomas. “Go to the barn and make sure the horse has enough straw and fresh water for the night.” When he hesitated, she said more firmly. “Go, Thomas. Listen to me.”
Once he was out of the room, Sunsoo continued. “Please listen to what I am about to tell you. Your lives may depend upon it.” She pulled herself up to full height. “Terrible violence is about to erupt in our city. Powerful men are behind this rebellion and you — your whole family — are in danger. You must find haven in the American Legation. If you wait, you will lose your lives.”
“What? How do you know this?” Joseph asked. He came to stand behind Annabelle, as if protecting her from the words spilling from their friend’s lips.
“I have spied on my husband,” she said simply. “I read his correspondence he leaves lying on the desk. I listen to conversations when they are careless. I’ve learned a lot. The intent of the Society has always been to keep foreigners and those who profess the Christian faith out, but it has taken a violent turn, not just in rhetoric but as part of their plan. One day I will be asked to confess that I do not believe in the Western God or I too will be purged. I may not be spared, but you have a chance.”
Annabelle didn’t know how to respond. None of this was surprising. Rumors had lingered like an unwanted guest for all their years in China.
Sunsoo continued in a rush, her words falling like rain. “I would normally tell you to take a train to Peking, but I’m not certain you would arrive safely. Many of the plans involve the railways.”
“Surely the Viceroy does not wish a battle to erupt in his province,” Joseph said. “I will go to him. I won’t reveal where I received my information. I’ll send word to the missionaries in Shanghai and in Peking.”
“Joseph, it is too late,” Sunsoo whispered. “And surely your words would lead back to me, and perhaps even my son.”
Annabelle wrapped her arm around the small woman’s shoulders. “We hear you. We won’t do anything to bring further harm your way,” she said, looking to Joseph for affirmation, relieved at his nod.
“The Empress has withdrawn her public opposition. The Secret Society plans to converge upon Shanghai and kill hundreds, and nothing will stop them. They save Peking for last so that they can keep the Legations secure in their false assumption of safety,” Sunsoo said.
“Come with us then,” Annabelle said. “We will protect you.”
Sunsoo kept her voice level, as if schooling a young child. “And leave my son? My parents? My life? The Consulate would be in mortal danger if even one Chinese Christian was protected. That is not an option. ”
Annabelle held back tears as she studied her friend’s countenance. She radiated peace, though it was certain her body had been broken.
Sunsoo smiled, fresh tears marking her cheeks. She looked to Joseph. “You gave me a precious gift, teacher. How is it that I doubted God’s love for so long?”
Joseph strode over to his desk and pulled open the bottom drawer. He drew out the heavy box with the red ribbon and placed it in front of her. “This was always meant for you. I didn’t know it then, but I am certain. Please take it.”
Sunsoo untied the ribbon and traced a finger over the characters etched on the first page. She mouthed the words as she read silently, a tear sliding down her face. “I treasure it, but there is no way I can take this with me.”
Annabelle ran to the pantry and grabbed a heavy bag of rice and sat it on the table. She pulled out a large pot from the cabinet and poured half of the rice in it until it brimmed. She tied the ribbon securely around the box holding the gospel of John, and placed it inside the bag, then poured rice back into the bag until it was covered. She grabbed her market basket and placed it inside. “Leave it at your father’s. You can hide it there.”
Sunsoo held the basket reverently. The trio stood in silence. The night air was thick, as was the emotions between friends. Annabelle gazed at the woman in front of her.
Was it possible this was the end of their friendship?
The thought was more than she could bear.
Sunsoo pulled a dark scarf over her head. As she prepared to leave, she looked to Annabelle and whispered. “Your friendship changed my life. You will always be Mai Kailen,” she said. “Now, leave and soon. Tonight, if possible. Take Thomas and travel to the Embassy. Promise me.”
Joseph assured her they would depart that very night, and relief flooded her face.
The heavy door shut behind her and Annabelle sank to the floor. Joseph crouched next to her and she buried her face in his chest as she sobbed, her cries reaching to the heavens.
Chapter 41
The ancient horse stumbled over rugged terrain. Brush caught in the spokes. The weary horse thrashed his head in protest.
“Walk on,” Joseph urged, clicking his tongue.
It would take days to reach Peking traveling covertly. Joseph had no plan other than to enter the city and present his wife and child to the Ambassador. He carried a letter from Dr. Wong warning Peking of imminent danger.
Annabelle studies his features and she could sense fear rumbling just under the surface. Thomas slumbered among their belongings in the back of the wagon, his head lolling as he slept against the trunk hidden under straw.
“We have only the moon to show us the way,” Annabelle said, gripping the side of the wagon. Fatigue embraced her like a long-lost lover. She pinched her arms to wake herself. “How are you able to stay awake? I feel as if I may drop.”
Her husband’s unruly hair rustled in the night breeze. He shook a strand out of his eyes and stared ahead. “I’m praying.”
“And what is God saying?” Annabelle asked.
“To trust him.”
She gazed into the darkness. Trees mocked them in stiff poses, branches reaching to the sky or out as if to draw them in to their web. The moon peeked from behind the rugged mountains in the distance. Clouds with shadowy eyes peering at them followed their path.
“I have heard that the Boxers wait to pounce on those who travel at night,” she whispered, looking from right to left.
Joseph patted the weapon at his side. “I am prepared.”
