Are you all right, Josie Bouchard? I noticed you sitting here all alone and I thought I should come over and visit with you for a spell. I hope you don't mind.' Josie didn't mind. Having Jeremy sit by her side did block most of the cold wind. ?I came to see my brother who worked in the building that used to sit right there on that corner.' She nodded in the direction across the street and Jeremy's eyes followed. ?Now I don't know where he is or where he's gone, or if he is even still alive.' Her voice cracked but she choked back the tears.
She wouldn't be so weepy if she wasn't so tired. And now there was no place to go. She needed to get hold of herself. What had happened to that independent woman who knew where she was going? Who always had a plan? ?Well, I do know that the building was evacuated as soon as the sirens started up. I know because I used to work there.' He paused and looked down at his feet with a pensive look in his eyes. ?Bouchard? He knew that name. ?Percy Bouchard? Josie raised her eyes and grabbed Jeremy's arm.
?Do you know Percy? He's my brother!? Jeremy started laughing. ?Now I know why you are so intriguing. I see Percy in you!? And now I know why You sent me over to this woman. She needs to be reunited with her brother. Thank you, Lord. ?Is Percy all right? Do you know where he is? Jeremy stood up and took Josie's elbow pulling her up from the rock pile. ?I can do better than just give you directions, I can take you to him. Come along.
' Josie had to wonder if this was one of those coincidences she and Pippa had discussed after church one afternoon. Pippa had said that nothing happened by coincidence because God was in charge of everything and arranged things according to His plan. ?But I'm not sure I believe that, Pippa. Did he arrange for Ian to die such a horrible death? Josie had asked. Pippa was quick to answer, ?Remember that God will put people in your life and arrange circumstances but you still have choices to make. Ian made a very unwise choice when he took that plane up.' She remembered Sean talking about God's plan. If what was going on in her life right now was part of God's plan, she didn't like it.
But here, out of the blue, was a man who would take her to Percy. How could she have planned that? She put her hand in the crook of Jeremy's arm and they walked for three blocks, visiting about the war and why God allows such things to happen to mankind. He brought up God in the conversation, she didn't. She listened not wanting to be rude. Jeremy talked as if God was his personal friend. He and Ruth and Pippa could talk for hours! ?So you work in the hospital and your apartment was destroyed? No wonder you look lost! You're very fortunate to have a brother you can go to. Will you go back to your home since you have time off? Jeremy enjoyed his walk with Josie. Josie would like nothing better than to go to Summerside.
But that was impossible. ?I don't know how I'd get there.' She pulled up the bag she was carrying and said, ?This is everything I own right now. I had a few things at the hospital. But I don't have my winter coat or boots.' She looked down at her work shoes that were covered in ash and soot from the street debris. When Jeremy finally stopped walking, they stood in front of a few buildings, damaged, but still standing. There was no one around and the building looked deserted.
?Are you sure this is the place? Josie asked with doubt. She felt more than the chill of the cold air surrounding the building. She looked up at the dark windows and found it hard to believe anyone was there. ?You do know what your brother does? Jeremy asked. Josie licked her lips. Oh, yes, that's right. Percy dealt in the secret things of the war. She nodded at Jeremy.
?Okay, let's go in.' As they neared the door a man stepped out of the dark and stopped them. When he saw Jeremy, he acknowledged him and let them pass. The front of the building was almost dark with just enough light to not fall over your own feet. Jeremy knew where he was going so Josie followed along quietly. ?Stay close to me because there are pieces of plaster and glass on the floor from the last bombing.' Jeremy pulled Josie through the debris holding her hand tightly. The last door they went through led into a brightly lit room humming with typewriters.
Giant maps were hanging on all the walls. The men and women all wore uniforms and a quiet buzz of conversations permeated the room. No one looked up when Jeremy and Josie walked in. It was as if they were invisible. Josie looked anxiously around the room trying to catch sight of Percy. He wasn't in the room and she was disappointed. Jeremy saw Josie's face and said, ?Now, now, he won't be in this room. We're not there yet.
' He took Josie's arm and pulled her along through another door. When he opened the door she saw a huge oak desk with Percy sitting behind it. She stood still for moment just taking in the sight of her brother. And he looked at her with disbelieving eyes. He jumped up out of his chair and ran to Josie and hugged her tightly. Josie broke down and cried. It felt so good to be in her brother's arms. She felt safe.
She felt like she was home.