Chuck did a lot of talking in those early drafts. (He's a lawyer, after all.) Most of it got cut.
Chuck hadn’t avoided Glen Dillard necessarily, but he was anxious to get home to give Rita some relief. He should be the one staying with Bobbi, taking care of her. Rita had been so eager to stay, though. He hoped that meant she had an idea of what she could say to jolt his wife, and bring her back to herself.
“Chuck!” Glen called just as Chuck reached the side door. “Got a minute?”
“Sure,” Chuck answered, suddenly feeling guilty.
Glen closed the distance between them before he spoke. “How’s Bobbi?”
“That is a complicated question. We drove out to
“A good thing,” Glen said.
“That’s what I thought, too. She told me she’s not treating her cancer. She wants to let it kill her.”
Glen’s shoulders dropped and he couldn’t hide the shock on his face. “Chuck… what did you do? What did you say to her?”
“Nothing that made any difference. I talked to Rita, Gavin and Joel last night. We’re staying with her round the clock, and trying to get God’s word in front of her as much as we can. She won’t read on her own, and I haven’t been able to get her to come with me.”
“Chuck, we’ve been friends for years now…”
“Go ahead and say it, what ever it is.”
“I think this is more than you can fix.”
“I know that,” Chuck protested.
“Then stop,” Glen said. “
Chuck looked away as tears formed. “I have to do something, Glen.”
“I’m not saying you should go home and sit around.” He snapped his fingers. “Remember what you told me about when things started turning around while you and Bobbi were separated?”
Chuck sighed deeply. “It was when my mom told me to go to Psalm 37, and I quit trying to force the reconciliation. I just waited for God to bring it all together.”
“Did He?”
“Yes,” Chuck rolled his eyes, then he said softly, “I need to read that psalm some more.”
“It might help.” He reached in his coat pocket and took out a business card. Pulling a pen from his shirt pocket, he wrote “Jeremiah 17:5-8” and handed the card to Chuck. “Try those with Psalm 37.” Chuck put the card in his Bible. “Do you think Bobbi would talk to me if Laurie and I came over?”
“No, and she’ll be furious with me for having you stop by.”
“Can I try it anyway?”
“You’re welcome to try.”
“Thank you. We’ll set up a time after you talk to her.” He shook Chuck’s hand and started to walk away.
“Glen, thank you. I mean that.”
“My pleasure. I wish I could do more than just talk.”
“You and me both.”