Chapter 19
Robert Michaels Sr.'s death brought no joy to Gertrude Winters. She had prayed for him daily the past seven years since his accident. At one time, he used to walk through the sewing factory every day, speaking to the women, taking time to ask about the family, and telling them they were doing a fine job. Then the accident in Ohio happened. When he returned from having spent six months in the hospital, he was a changed man.
He demanded and threatened continuously. He ordered them to do a better job or be fired. Now he was gone, his bitter heart healed by the forgiveness of Christ. During his sermon, Adam conveyed the news of his Robert's conversion. Gertie felt a thrill all the way to her soul.
"How about I make some of my beef stew?" she asked Victoria when they returned home from the beautiful service.
"Oh, that would be wonderful," Victoria, answered, her mouth watering. She hugged her aunt.
When the ladies planned the church suppers and carry-ins, several were always sure to ask Gertie to bring her delectable beef stew. On occasion, feeling they must be tired of the same thing every time, she would prepare a different dish but seeing the disappointment on their faces, she always resolved to bring her famous beef stew the next time.
Pushing back the curtain covering the pantry, she hurriedly pulled the jars of corn, green beans, and carrots from their places on the shelves. Bending, she reached for the small sack of potatoes she had purchased last week. She sighed. They were almost gone. . . but if she cut the bad spots out she might have just enough.
Several times the past week, Adam had called on Victoria but he was always careful not to arrive at mealtime.
"Victoria," Gertie said smiling, "Get out the best china."
"Oh Aunt Gertie, are you sure? I might break something," she said, biting her lower lip as she remembered when she was twelve years old.
Gertie had put very little restrictions on her niece. Victoria made up for her lack of toys by using household items. One afternoon while her aunt was at work, she set up a tea party for her doll on a rickety wooden crate.
Wanting it to be the best, she used the good china her uncle had given Gertie - - the beautiful set on their twentieth wedding anniversary. Standing up too quickly, her knee hit the crate and toppled it over, sending a cup and saucer falling to the floor, cracking the cup.
When Gertie came home she found Victoria crouching on the floor, sobbing as she tried to fit the broken pieces of china together. Gertie never punished her, feeling she had chastised herself enough already. Until today, Victoria had never touched her aunt's dishes again.
"I want the table to look nice when your young man comes to call," Gertie said smiling.
Victoria's face reddened but she was pleased in spite of her embarrassment. Then a frown crossed her face.
"What if Adam finds out about Pottsville?"
"Adam is a very intelligent man. He knows better than to listen to gossip," Gertie replied unconcernedly. She laid the slices of beef on the cutting board and sliced them into chunks. "Besides, what have I always taught you?"
Victoria repeated the lesson she knew by heart.
"Honesty in everything you do, say, or imply."
"Very good!" Gertie smiled, nodding her head.
Victoria was quiet for a time. She reflected on her new found faith. Gertie had always taught her morals, just as her mother had when she was alive. Time and time again, her aunt had encouraged her to turn her heart over to Christ but she had always thought she was capable of handling anything. That is, until the incident at Pottsville. There she had felt her very soul stripped bare. Floundering and helpless, she reached out to the Lord. He lifted her up and put her on the solid rock of His salvation. She smiled to herself. Reading her Bible now was such a joy and comfort and prayer was a time of Holy Communion. Fellowshipping with God's people, a pleasure. A smile spread across her face.
"Victoria."
No answer. She repeated her name.
"Victoria!"
"What? Oh I'm sorry. Did you say something, Aunt Gertie?" Victoria asked.
"Would you slice the bread, please?"
As she cut the bread, Victoria asked, "Have you ever heard Mr. Moody preach?"
"Oh my yes," Gertie replied with a wave of her hand as she stirred the stew. The sweet aroma filled the small house. "I remember the night of the fire." Gertie's eyes moistened.
"He gave such a wonderful appeal to the unsaved, then closed the meeting without giving an invitation. That night many went into eternity lost."
They were interrupted by a knock at the front door. Thinking it was Adam, Victoria flew to the front door. Through the glass opening in the door, she saw the slim form of Robert Michaels, Jr. A shock went through her and the old resentment rose up inside. Leaving him standing on the porch, she returned to the kitchen.
"Its Michaels Jr." she said simply.
Wiping her hands on her apron, Gertie hurried to the door.
Opening it, she greeted her visitor warmly.
"Mr. Michaels," Gertie said, surprised to see him standing on her front step.
"Mrs. Winters, I'm here on behalf of my father," Robert said, visibly shivering.
"Your father?" Victoria asked, coming up behind her aunt. Instantly she was on guard.
"Yes," he said, his teeth almost chattering. "May I come in? Please?"
Silently the two women stepped aside to let him enter. Gertie felt uncomfortable knowing their social positions were so different.
Robert removed his gloves and hat. Extending his hand toward the fireplace, he said "It's monstrously cold out today."
"Mr. Michaels, I don't mean to be rude, but why have you come to see me?" Gertie asked.
Robert sighed.
"You're aware my father passed away this morning." The man's eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Yes," Gertie answered. "I'm very sorry."
"Thank you. Before he died, he asked me to do something he said he should have done years ago."
Gertie gasped. Michaels had not changed. Victoria's face fell. He had come to fire her aunt.
"He instructed me to offer you the position of foreman at the factory."
Gertie's mouth fell open and she stared wide-eyed at the man before her.
"Actually, it won't be the current factory. We will be building a new facility with better heating for the winter and many windows for ventilation during the summer."
"He really did get his heart right with the Lord, didn't he?" Gertie said softly.
Robert smiled.
'He almost looks handsome,' Victoria thought to herself.
"Yes he did, as have I," Robert said.
"It changes your outlook on everything," Gertie said, hugging the young man.
Robert sighed. He hadn't felt a woman's embrace since the death of his mother.
"Indeed it does. My father asked me to give you this."
Reaching inside his coat pocket, he removed a large envelope and handed it to Gertie. It felt heavy to her touch. Opening it, she gasped.
Seeing her puzzled expression, he smiled.
"Back pay and raises you should have received for the past seven years!"
RIVER OF FIRE