Disclaimer: Please, please, don't sue me. The Marshall and LeSourdes own Christy, I'm just messing around. And I never intend to make money off of this. Title: The Way Things Ought To Be Author: Sarabeth "For All The David Dames" Part one "The Way Things Ought To Be" Setting: The evening of the last day of the Road Home. "Christy." David's strong voice turned Christy's eyes from the pond. "Hello, David." Her tone was quiet and perplexed. "How is Alice?" David's jaw muscles tightened with frustration. "I didn't come here to talk about Alice. What was MacNeill doing at the school house this morning?" Christy stammered, "Ah, I don't know. I - I think Neil was worried about me. I went to his cabin and left suddenly." "If something was wrong, why couldn't you talk to me?" "Nothing was wrong - I wanted to ask Neil about you, and the school." Christy squeezed her eyes together and frowned. Shyly, she faced David. "Marriage scares me. I have so much work to do, David, and I can't give it up just to be someone's wife. Who will teach these children? What will happen to them when we leave? God has called me here, and I can't give that up. Even for you." David sighed and turned his gaze to the horizon. "Christy, God brought me here too. I don't know why I'm here, other than that He ordained it. "I was offered two positions when I finished seminary, Cutter Gap and a large congregation near my home in Boston. The choice seemed obvious until my father's business dispute with an elder at the Boston church was revealed. Grace church withdrew their offer, and here I am in the mountains. "Sometimes I know why I'm here. Remember the scarlet fever epidemic? But mostly I wonder why this place, why these obstinate people." "David, you - " "The Bible says that when people marry, the two become one. I don't think the one is me, Christy," said David as he took her hands. "It means both of us. We serve these people better together. And I wouldn't leave Cutter Gap if you believed God wanted us here. "Think on it. I love you, I want to marry you. Christy, it's not just a whim." David walked away, leaving Christy to wonder why he hadn't kissed her. ### Part two Setting: Three days from part one, which occured the night of the end of the road home. "Miz Christy? Are you alright? I mean, you been awful disconcerted lately. Does it have sumthin' to do with the tea house? I know thet preacher was only trying to help -" Christy drew a sharp breath. "Ruby Mae, I don't want to talk about it. I'm under a lot of stress right now. There's something I really want but it may force me give up Cutter Gap, and my decision is very, very hard." Ruby Mae stood silent and shocked by her friend's stern reply. "I'm sure you have chores or homework to do, so why don't you run along?," said Christy as she reshelved the day's textbooks. Ruby Mae scurried out of the school house. Her pupil's concern worsened Christy's mood. Steaming tears rolled down the teacher's face as images of David and her school children battled in her mind. Christy grasped the edge of her desk and cried. "Father, I don't know what to do! I didn't know how much I loved David until I realized I might have to give him up for the work you've called me to. "These children need me. How can I turn my back on them? I need them, too. I want my life to count for more than teas and dresses! Please, what should I do?" Suddenly, Christy felt a familiar arm around her shoulders. She fell into David's arms, and he cradled his beloved as she wept at his chest. Stroking Christy's hair, David whispered, "Everything will be fine, whatever you decide. All things work together for the good of those who are called according to God's purpose." Peace flooded Christy. A knowing came to her, and with it, calm. Her tears stopped. She withdrew from David's embrace and studied him carefully. "Yes." David stepped back in surprise. "Yes?" Christy nodded. "Yes." The End!