The Weight of Love Read Online Free PDF

it’s colder there than it was in Sitka, and I froze in Sitka. So, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Guess it doesn’t much matter. The whole point is that I’ll go where I’m needed.
    - - -
    “I’m Bishop Allen, this is Elder Smitts, your companion while you’re here.” He reaches out a large hand, which I take.
    “Is this how things are normally done? Get picked up by the bishop curbside?” I smile.
    “No, but I was in town and Smitts’ companion had to catch a flight, so I was his companion for the day and it just seemed easier.” Bishop Allen and I almost look one another in the eye. He has a smooth voice, silvery grey hair, and a nice feeling about him. I like him immediately.
    Smitts looks like a high school student. We shake and he tries really hard, but the boy needs some muscle. He’s looking at me with the same wide-eyes that the greenies do, and he’s closer to home than I am. I’m sure to get questions from him. He shivers once in his thin jacket, and I don’t blame him. The snow is deep, even at the curb of the airport.
    “Well, cl imb on in, you can ride shotgun. Smitts has had it all day.”
    “Great.” I step in the passenger’s seat. “There’s no legroom on a plane for a guy like me.”
    “Tell me about it.” The Bishop laughs. “Pizza on our way out of town sound okay to you two?”
    “Great,” w e answer at the same time.
    He starts through Anchorage , and I see a lot more of the city than I did on my brief run through when I first arrived. I was only in Anchorage for a day before being flown to Southeast. I’m actually comforted by the lanes of traffic and stoplights, even though we’re driving on snow. It’s the first time I’ve missed home for real. The city, choices of where to eat, and lots and lots of people. It feels familiar.
    “Palmer is pretty small, but Wasilla is next door and a bit bigger, not as big as Anchorage, though,” Elder Smitts says.
    “Alright.” But I can’t imagine anything as small as some of the places I’ ve been. Elfin Cove, Petersburg, even Juneau was small…
    At least the cold here isn’t that damp cold that only comes with day after day of rain. I relax into the seat and take it all in.
    -  - -
    “This is nice.” I step inside our apartment. It smells like fresh paint and new carpet. Everything is clean, new, and random shades of beige. It may be boring, but after the musty apartments built in the fifties that I’ve been living in, this is a welcome change.
    “New building. It’s owned by one of the church members around here. They give the church a huge discount for the missionaries. Helps them with taxes, helps us have a nice place to stay.”
    “Cool.” I lug my trunk into the room. It’s clean, actually clean, not a frantic pick-up clean for my arrival. I’m thankful. I can’t stand a slob.
    “I need to make a few phone calls before tomorrow.” He sits at the table and pulls out his book.
    “I’ll unpack.” I stand up and stretch.
    “We have zone conference in a few days so you’ll get to meet the other people serving in our area, and the calendar of stuff we’re signed up to do is up-to-date. We’ll go over our people when you’re ready.”
    He really has it together. “Thanks.” I’m relieved I won’t be babysitting this guy. I’ve done too much of that. Here, I’ll be able to get some actual work done.

     
     
    5
    J AYCEE
     
    I pull up to Matt’s parent’s house. It’s always mixed coming here. I feel welcome, for sure, but it’s still awkward. My heart still pounds. My hands still get sweaty, and that bit of dread at seeing glimpses of my past and what should have been my future spread out in front of me. Every time.
    “ Kaycee! Bridger!” Donna opens the door to let us in.
    “Hey.” I try to find my polite smile as we step inside.
    They live in one of those split entry houses and she’s very particular about no shoes in the house . Coming in and getting shoes off in that small space is