“Jah.” No telling how they’d react to knowing that men in uniform were waiting to talk to them.

The men rose in unison, and Lyle went with them to the door, still feeling woozy. He closed the door behind them and trudged toward the settee. Sitting there silently, he stared out the window at the sky, reliving what he’d been told.

After a time, Lyle turned to kneel, folding his hands and asking God to keep Evan safe and out of the hands of the Viet Cong. He didn’t know what that might mean for his son. He also asked for divine peace that passes all understanding, that it would guard his heart and mind as well as his family’s.

Almighty God, grant Thy mercy to our lost son, and may we grow in faith through Christ our Lord during this trying time. Help me have strength to be a witness of courage and compassion to my family.

Here, he paused, wondering now if Evan had received his letter yet.

Lyle resumed his prayer, tears rolling down his face. O faithful heavenly Father, give us all a complete and righteous compassion for our wayward boy. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

After Lyle wiped his face and beard with his kerchief, he rose and plodded back through the house toward the kitchen, sustained by the living God.

Now, to share the news about Evan with his wife and daughter while attempting to pass along this heaven-sent sense of peace.

At the kitchen table with her parents, Ellie felt like she’d run into a rock wall. This is dreadful news! She felt even worse because Mamm was taking it quite hard. Yet Ellie understood, because she, too, felt thoroughly shaken.

“Let’s keep in mind what the army men told me,” Dat said, a solemn look on his face. “Evan could be found at any time.”

Mamm nodded and pressed her handkerchief to her nose and mouth, eyes closed. “My poor, lost son,” she murmured.

Ellie slipped her arm around her. “Dat’s right, Mamm. And we’ll pray that way, for Evan’s sake.”

No one was hungry for breakfast. Dat didn’t even want coffee, nor Mamm her tea, even though Ellie offered to get them something to drink. Sol was out working in the orchard but would return any minute. She wished he was already here, then realized that he, too, would be shaken by this news.

Eventually, Dawdi Hezekiah came over as he usually did for breakfast. When he sat down, he looked round like he was wondering why Mamm wasn’t cooking eggs, frying bacon, or making oatmeal. Dat got up from the head of the table and slipped over to sit next to him, then quietly told him that Evan was missing in action. “Two men from the army came a little while ago to tell us.”