Trees Must Bend

Then one day in late November, Kate answered the phone and it was Father Logan calling from Dan’s provincial house in the States. He wanted to tell them, the soft voice said, of a recent occurrence before they saw in the newspapers. “Dan’s name has been published among those being sought by the military government of Chile for giving aid to the underground. It will be in the evening papers.”

“Is he in danger?” Kate asked.

“I don’t want to minimize this, Mrs. Brady. But we are doing everything we can. We are in contact with the American Embassy and will do everything possible to get Dan out of the country safely. We will keep you posted.

“It seems that Dan, another of our priests, and three Maryknoll nuns are accused of giving refuge and medical attention to members of the underground, which is trying to overthrow the government. Apparently they aren’t accused of sedition; in effect they are charged with an act of Christian charity—helping the wounded.”

Kate thanked the priest for the information and sunk into the chair next to the phone.

“Yes, please keep us informed.”

Ben sat as in a daze and had to be reminded to take care of chores. Kate was able to lose herself somewhat in comforting him. “Not knowing is the worst, Ben. I know how hard it is for you. But we’ll get through this. We always do. Don’t we?’’

Ben could only nod. Kate’s strength always amazed him. He remembered when they had learned that Dan’s ordination would be in France. That was when Kate’s eyes took on the determined look Ben knew so well, and she told him, “We are going to France.” College money for the other children couldn’t be used. The farm was going through some hard times. She would do what do she had to do, and if it meant leaving the security of her home, she would do it. If she was frightened at the prospect of leaving home and teaching again after thirty years, she never let Ben see it. “Just be glad I have a lifetime certificate. They don’t give those out anymore,” she had told Ben.

No wonder, thought Ben, as he remembered her determination. They don’t make them like you any longer. Tough as nails and fine as silk, he grumbled to himself. But denim and silk don’t mix easily. We’ve mixed for over thirty years, he thought, but it hasn’t always been easy.

And though he wouldn’t admit it to another living soul, he knew he wasn’t half good enough for Kate. And Dan was definitely his mother’s son. He wished now he could offer her some comfort. But something always held him back.

Then the call came. Dan was safe at the American Embassy and would be flying to the States that night. Ben broke down and cried. It was the first tears Kate had seen in their thirty years of marriage.

“I know, I know,” she soothed him. “Danny is safe. That’s all that matters.” They waited together by the phone for Dan’s call.

“I’m back in the States, Mom,” were his first words. He sounded tired and far away.

“When will you be home?” Kate asked.

“I’ll be home in a few days, Mom.”

Ben took the phone from Kate. He asked the question that couldn’t wait. “Son, will you be staying in the States now?”

Dan hesitated. He knew what Ben wanted to hear. “No, Dad,” he said finally. “I’ll be here a few months, then I’ll be going to Peru to start a school there. At my request.”

There was no response for a minute. Ben wanted to argue. He wanted to rant and call it foolishness. But he thought better of it. “I understand, son. It’s what you have to do. You have my blessing. I’m very proud of you.”

There was a long moment of silence. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”

Kate saw the tears Ben was trying to hold back as he hung up the phone. She wondered if Dan knew. Probably not. But she knew.

She took Ben’s hands in hers. “Thank you,” she said. “Our son is coming home.” c