Finding Hope Read Online Free Page B

oil spat and spattered as the fresh fish and vegetables cooked on the propane stove. Thomas tenderly flipped the homemade pan bread as the smell of baking swirled through the small apartment.
    “That smells wonderful. I’m so hungry,” Hope said picking at the bread.
    “Wait till we eat, girl. Go get that wine open so it can breathe,” Thomas said patting Hope’s butt.
    “Thanks so much for letting us stay here. Tomorrow night is going to be a blast,” Faith said as she pulled out a chair at the table and sat next to Gabe.
    “So how have things been in Impel? Our town is still a mess,” Gabe said, stealing a yellow bell pepper off the serving plate.
    “It’s tough out there,” said Thomas. “Work is hard to come by and life just ain’t getting any easier. Thank God Hope can use a needle and thread. She’s been in high demand now people can’t afford to buy new things anymore,” Thomas admitted as he neatly arranged the feast on the table.
    “How’s little Julian?” Faith inquired with a concerned look on her face. “Thomas told us he’s not feeling well.”
    “Yeah, he’s been fighting the fevers. With so many people getting sick, it was just a matter of time until he had it too. He had a pretty high fever yesterday, but with every day that passes, he’s getting a little stronger,” Hope said with conviction.
    “I’ve been hearing good things about New Providence, Missouri. It’s a small town two hundred miles east of here. Word has it that they have plenty of food, fuel, and even have the electricity up and running,” Gabe explained, putting his arm around Faith.
    “With a hospital, police station and even water treatment. From what I hear it’s almost a normal life,” Faith added as she snuggled into Gabe’s strong body.
    “It would be nice to get back to normal, but I’m not sure if I even remember what normal looks like anymore,” Hope added. “Can’t even get a doctor here when ya need one.”
    Faith got up from the table and poured the ruby-red wine into four glasses admiring the color and the heady scent. “Wine. Such a basic thing a couple years ago, but now so exotic,” she said as she gave each diner a glass.
    “To old friends and new possibilities,” Gabe said as he lifted his glass to toast. The glasses clinked together as each of the dear friends toasted the days ahead.
     
     

 
    Chapter 3
    Of Love and Loss
     
    Laughter echoed along the hollow streets of Impel as the last light of the day dove beneath the horizon. Like the North Star, the brightly lit hall cut through the blackness guiding the people of town to the joyous event. Shadows danced across the walls of the giant room as a symphony of voices joined in rhythm and meaning. Excitement, elation, and unbridled enthusiasm soaked the crowd with an energy they could both taste and feel.
    Music swirled while people twirled, able to feast on moments of happiness and the ability to forget their day to day struggles. A giant table off to the side of the great hall was saturated with enough food to feed a small nation. Pickled vegetables, fresh bread and fish, assorted cheese, bean casseroles, cob corn, shelled nuts, and fruit pies of every configuration were stretched across the table like an indoor rainbow. At the center of the overflowing table sat a sight not seen for many years ― a full roasted pig. Children zigzagged among the growing crowd as the band banged their instruments with precision and skill. The tempo of the carnival like music was impossible to resist. Every shoe in the hall bounced to its infectious beat.
    Walking across the crowded floor, Hope smiled and nodded at the many people she recognized.
    “This is amazing!” Thomas shouted, trying to be heard over the noise of the room. “I can’t believe how many people are here. What do ya think Gabe, simply amazing, huh?”
    Faith held on tight to Gabe’s hand as they weaved through the crowd. “We’re gonna go get something to eat,” Gabe said