CXXV

TRICKY TRIANGLE

CHAPTER 5

APRIL 1965—MAY 1969

After the shock of teenage parenthood wore off, Hal began a quick maturation process. First, he asked Dawn to marry him and she said yes. Then together they told his parents and her mother. Surprisingly, Dawn’s austere mother took the news the best and even seemed pleased at the prospect of becoming a grandmother.

Then they talked to Dawn’s pastor and his wife. She felt their disappointment keenly. Yet they were pleased that Hal requested to be baptized and intended to marry Dawn. The pastor and his wife began premarital counselling with the young lovers. They instructed the pair to not only refrain from intimate contact, but not so much as hold hands until I ‘do’s were said.

In a two week span, Hal was baptized into Dawn’s church. The following weekend the four friends graduated from Mayfield High. The weekend after that, on June 12, 1965, Dawn and Hal were married in a small ceremony. Wendy was maid of honor, and Ed was the best man.

Little did Dawn and Hal realize what an impact their life changing situation would have on their best friends. Before the precious child was conceived, the foursome had all planned on  attending the nearby University of Minnesota together. Now Hal decided to forgo school to support his young family, and Dawn was going to focus on motherhood.

Ed became increasingly uncomfortable with Wendy’s apparent longing to become a wife and mother like her friend. Although Ed desired to settle down one day and have a family, he didn’t want to realize that dream when he was still a teenager. The pair began to quarrel rather than converse, and ultimately broke up.

When Wendy immediately began dating Will Briscoe, while a devastated, heartbroken Ed joined the Marines. The war in Vietnam was only escalating, and Hal angrily berated his friend and told him he was committing suicide. Wendy tearfully begged Ed to not go and to take her back. But his physical had been taken, and the papers were signed.

In August, Ed shipped off to the Marine Corps, Wendy became a Golden Gopher, Hal continued to work at one of his father’s warehouses, and Dawn worked in retail at a local department store until her third trimester. Mr. and Mrs. Hal Storm settled into domestic life in a trailer park not far from the secluded woods where their romance first gave bloom.

The four friend’s birthdays were within twenty days of each other. Wendy’s was November 1^st, Ed’s was the 8^th, Dawn’s was the 12^th, and Hal’s was the 19^th. Baby Storm’s due date was the 15^th. They all secretly hoped he or she would be born on their particular birthday.

The winner of the baby lottery was Ed. Baby Storm arrived during a storm when there was only twenty minutes left on the 8^th day of November. Superstitious Wendy feared this was a bad omen for her beloved Eddie. She was concerned that this meant he was going to be killed during his service to the country. Six months later, Ed did ship off to Vietnam and into harm’s way.

Wendy’s concern was based on a flimsy theory that David Edward Storm being born on Ed’s birthday was somehow meant to replace him. Unfortunately, Wendy didn’t keep her irrational fear to herself. Dawn just laughed it off, knowing her bestie was capable of flightiness. Outwardly Hal laughed it off as well, but inwardly he feared Wendy might be having some type of women’s intuition.

On February 22, 1969, a second child was born to Dawn and Hal. Another healthy baby boy they named Luke Henry Storm. With the birth of their first child, Dawn experienced bouts of melancholy for the first few weeks. With the second, she had significant postpartum depression for the first couple of months, and it would be years before the depression completely subsided.

Being thrown into domesticity at such a young age had its affect on Hal too. He was growing weary of daily toil, between work and the struggles of raising very young children. Coupled with that, his wife’s energy seemed frightening low for the normally fiery Dawn. Her attitude was also bleak unless they had company.

Hal’s religious conversion had gotten him through the first couple years. But the busyness of life kept him away from the amount of spiritual food he needed. The daily devotions he had practiced early on, became less and less. He made sure to pray with his young family every day, but other than at church, his time in the Bible almost disappeared.

The birth of baby Luke brought a visit from Wendy. She was student teaching at Springdale High School. It was Mayfield High’s chief rival, and Hal teased Wendy about being a traitor to their alma mater.

“Hey, I applied at Mayfield first,” Wendy defended. “But they never offered me a position.”

It was also realized that Wendy was living in an apartment only a block away from the warehouse where Hal worked.

“You should stop by,” Wendy invited, then giggled. “Maybe we could study the Bible.”

Dawn felt a twinge of something in her psyche. Was it jealousy? She decided to overcome her insecurities by making a suggestion, after all, she trusted her husband and best friend. If they spent time together, she was confident that it would never leave the realm of platonic. “I think that would be a good idea, as long as Wendy is serious.”

“I’m serious,” Wendy said with a shrug, but then giggled again. “After sowing some oats in college, I’d love for your wholesome lives to rub off on me.”

“You’re not seeing anyone, then?” Dawn asked.

“I had a kinda serious boyfriend, but he’s from Montana and intends to move back after graduation. And I’m hoping Springdale gives me a permanent position, and it looks hopeful so far. The art teacher I am working with is retiring, and the principle seems to like me.”

“I bet he does,” Hal teased.

Wendy winked, while Hal and Dawn glanced at each other. “I’m not sleeping with him you guys. Gross, he’s older than my dad. I just give him a little show.”

Wendy demonstrated by bending over in front of Hal. His eyebrows rose as his eyeballs took in her ample cleavage.

“I see,” Hal murmured.

“I’m sure you did,” Dawn said sternly.

“Anyway,” Wendy said with an innocent shrug, and then a playful hip bump with Hal. “Nothing wrong with a little looking, right Henry?”

“Wendy, you know Hal doesn’t like to be called Henry,” Dawn said as her eyes ran up and down Wendy’s form. She would always love her best friend, but she liked Wendy better when she was a scrawny nerd.

“It is my name, Sweetheart,” Hal replied.

“Oh, I see, you don’t like it when my mother calls you Henry,” Dawn responded sarcastically. “But if a pretty girl shows you her breasts, Henry is just fine.”

Wendy blushed, and Hal jammed his hands in his pockets, feeling scolded. “Yes, I prefer to be called Hal, but it’s the way your mom calls me Henry that I don’t like.”

“Whatever,” Dawn mumbled.

Hal rectified the awkward situation by suggesting that the two long time friends get together once a week. Dawn would give the potential Bible study, and he would babysit. The two women were delighted with this prospect. Wendy left, hugging Dawn, and kissing her cheek. She then turned and hugged Hal, but when she kissed his cheek, the corner of her mouth caught the corner of his mouth.

When Dawn came home after an evening with Wendy, she was in such a good mood that  she initiated intimacy with Hal. But before the making of love could be completed, baby Luke woke up crying. Hal was left extremely frustrated as he laid with his hands behind his head, waiting patiently and hopeful.

A couple weeks later, his heart pounded as he knocked on Wendy’s door. He didn’t understand why. She had invited him to stop by anytime. He simply wanted to share a letter he had received from Ed with her. Maybe it was because the view down her blouse, the playful hip bump, and the innocent, yet somehow provocative kiss, kept playing over and over in his head.

He heard soft, quick footfalls, then the peep hole darkened. He waved, and Wendy squealed his name. His grin vanished for a second when he noticed she was naked, except for a towel wrapped around her torso. Her long red hair was covered by a green shower cap. Even without her red-gold mane to frame her face, she was still exceptionally pretty.

“Come in,” she instructed happily. “I’m going out for diner with a girlfriend of mine. I thought you were her and way early.”

“I’m sorry. I should have called first,” Hal said. “I can come back some other time, or just let Dawn show you what I brought.”

“No, no, don’t go. She’s not due here until six. Just let put some clothes on.”

Hal tried unsuccessfully to avert his eyes, but he did refrain from joking that she needn’t dress on his behalf. His conscience was pricked. What was he doing here? He could have just let his wife share the letter with her in a couple days.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Wendy asked, when she reappeared a few minutes later. She wore a tan corduroy skirt, brown tights, tan boots, and a tight white, ribbed top. Her hair was in a ponytail. “I have cola, orange juice, beer, or wine.”

“I’ll have a beer,” Hal heard himself say. He hadn’t had a drop of alcohol since Dawn told him she was pregnant that fateful night at the end of their senior year in high school.

Wendy brought Hal a bottle of Miller and a glass of wine for herself.

“So,” Wendy said happily, “What was it you wanted to show me?”

“Dawn was telling me that you haven’t heard from Eddie in almost a year,” Hal said.

“Yeah,” Wendy said, and then sighed. “He and I had exchanged letters pretty regularly. Then in one of them, he asked me if I was seeing anyone. I did have a boyfriend at the time, and believing honesty is the best policy, I told him the truth. I haven’t heard from him since, even though I’ve continued to write him about once a month. How often do you hear from him?”

“The first couple of years, about every three weeks or so. The last couple years now, about every two or three months. This one is kind of short, but it has to do with you.”

Hal handed Wendy the letter. She read it silently most of the way through. Then she began to read out loud quietly. “I’m due to get out in August. That is, if I make it back. The fighting here is pretty intense. If I don’t make it back, tell Wendy I love her. I always have, and never stopped. I know she’s moved on and I have to respect that. But pictures of her have gotten me through some pretty lonely nights. Take care, old buddy. You’re friend, Eddie.”

Wendy both laughed and cried, causing Hal to put his arm around her. She and he continued to converse for twenty minutes. “I’d love to chat all night, but my friend will be here any minute.”

“No, that’s cool, I just thought you should see that letter,” Hal replied, then chuckled. “Eddie would probably clobber me if he knew I showed you. But he also didn’t know you and your boyfriend broke up.”

“Thanks, Hal,” Wendy smiled sweetly. “I think I’ll write him, telling him I’m single and can’t wait until he gets back. I’ve never stopped loving him as well. I’m not going to date again until he either takes me back, or tells me to get lost.”

“I don’t think he’ll do that, you’ve only gotten prettier since he’s been gone.”

“You’re sweet,” Wendy said, and hugged him, “And now that you know where I live, don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t,” Hal grinned.

Then, to Hal’s surprise, she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

Hal wasn’t a stranger. Over the next couple months, Hal stopped in about once a week. He had a beer and she had a wine as they chatted for twenty or thirty minutes. They always parted with a hug and quick kiss.

Even though the kisses tantalized Hal, he told himself they were just friendly, just quick pecks of affection. He tried to block from his mind the fact that not once had he ever shared a kiss on the cheek, let alone lips, with a male friend.

Then came the day they talked for over an hour and had more than one adult beverage. Ironically, Hal had stayed later because they were discussing the Bible, even looking up several passages. But then the Bible was set aside, and Wendy continued their dialogue with a confession.

“Hal, I’ve got something that’s been plaguing my mind,” she said. “I already talked to Dawn about it, but I want a guy’s perspective.”

“Okay.”

“Eddie is writing to me again,” she explained. “I told him I wasn’t seeing anyone, and he expressed interest in us getting back together when his second tour in Nam is up in June. Then he is set to be discharged in August.”

Wendy stared silently at Hal, and he didn’t understand why that would be plaguing her mind.

“So, now you don’t want to rekindle things with Eddie?”

“No, that’s not it at all,” she said, and then bit her lower lip with an anxious expression.

“Well, what then?” Hal inquired.

“My first couple years in college, I was kind of promiscuous. Then at the beginning of my junior year, I met Roger. He’s the guy from Montana I recently broke up with. I was actually with him twice as long as Eddie. My point is, I don’t know that I deserve an honorable man like Eddie anymore.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Hal consoled. “I know for a fact Eddie himself had a steady girlfriend when he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Then they broke up before he left on his second tour in Nam. She is the only one he ever wrote about, but I highly doubt she was the only girl he dated. You two went different directions for a while, now you’re coming full circle, and right where you were meant to be all along.”

“Thanks, Hal,” Wendy smiled, covering her hand over his. He gave it a gentle squeeze, then she hopped up and dashed to the kitchen. Before Hal could protest, she had popped the top on another bottle of beer, and then refilled her wine glass.

They chatted some more, and Hal drained his beer as quickly as he could. Dawn was gonna wonder what was taking him so long. He walked to the door, and they shared a quick hug and kiss.

“Hal, have you ever wondered what our lives would have been like if you and I would have been paired, and Dawn and Eddie had been?” Wendy asked as he was about to step out of her apartment.

“Of course I have, it actually almost happened.”

“Yes it did,” Wendy said solemnly. “To be honest, I guess I’ve been kind of jealous of Dawn. Two beautiful kids, and a settled family life.”

“You’ll get yours,” Hal said, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Then he laughed. “You’re not exactly old. Remember, Dawn and I started things rather prematurely, and definitely not planned.”

“Yeah,” she said, smiling at him fondly.

She put a hand on his cheek and kissed him again. This time it lingered, and several passages from chapter five of Proverbs ran through his head. He had been reading it a lot lately, due to his fascination with Wendy. But he told himself Wendy wasn’t like the women described in chapter five. She was the sweet best friend of his wife.

She was also a chesty, leggy, pretty redhead who was at this very moment giving him something more than a friendly kiss. He told himself to flee like Joseph from Potiphar’s wife. But he had the strongest buzz since he was eighteen, and it wasn’t just from the alcohol. She kissed him a second time, and then a third. They just began to deepen their kiss when the phone made both of them jump.

“Hello,” Wendy said into the receiver as Hal stood stone still in the doorway, frozen with inappropriate desires. Wendy glanced guiltily at Hal, not liking the croaky way Dawn’s voice sounded. “Oh, Dawn, hi. Is something wrong?”

Dawn sniffed. “Wendy, I have some news about Eddie.”

(DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES)

(The LIFE and MINISTRY of JESUS Part 18)

At Capernaum: Capernaum itself was well adapted to be the center of the Savior’s work. Being on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea, it was a great thoroughfare of travel. People from many lands passed through the city. Here Jesus could meet all classes of humanity.

Jesus met the people on their own ground, as one who was acquainted with their perplexities. He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way.

While His teaching was simple, He spoke as one having authority. This characteristic set His teaching in contrast to that of all others. The rabbis spoke with doubt and hesitancy, as if the Scriptures might be interpreted to mean one thing or exactly the opposite.

Jesus sought to break the spell of infatuation which keeps men absorbed in earthly things.

When Jesus saw men refuse the message of peace, His heart was pierced to the very depth.

The demoniac Jesus delivered partially comprehended that he was in the presence of One who could set Him free. But when he tried to come within reach of that mighty hand, demon’s will held him, demon’s words found utterance through him. The conflict between the power of Satan and his own desire for freedom was terrible.

The demoniac had been fascinated by the pleasures of sin, and had thought to make life a grand carnival. He did not dream of becoming a terror to the world and the reproach of his family. He thought his time could be spent in innocent folly. But once in the downward path, his feet rapidly descended. Intemperance and frivolity perverted the noble attributes of his nature, and Satan took absolute control of him.

So it will be with all who yield to evil, the fascinating pleasure of their early career ends in the darkness of despair or the madness of a ruined soul.

The period of Christ’s personal ministry among humanity was the time of greatest activity for the forces of the kingdom of darkness.

So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin.

With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict, the prince of evil works under a disguise. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

History is repeating!! With the Bible open before them and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in the word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God’s word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and sinful indulgence is widespread.

Secret sin or master passion may hold him captive as helpless as was the demoniac of Capernaum. Yet his condition is not hopeless. The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame—the power of the word. God does not control our minds without our consent.

The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power.

Every person is free to choose what power they will have to rule over them. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ. The demoniac, in place of prayer, could utter only the words of Satan; yet the heart’s unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded.