“A China Escape” — Episode 10

Chapter 23

Lilly recounted her adventure to Adria and their moms, making sure to leave out the part about how she escaped from Emmy’s bedroom window. Lilly ended the story of her time in China by telling how Sarah went into labor aboard the airplane just as they were landing in California. (Bo had landed his helicopter in Seoul, South Korea, where they boarded a flight to America.) They rushed her off to a local hospital just in time to have her impatient newborn be delivered by professionals. When Bo returned to his home and workplace in China, he had made sure to send back all of Mr. Hill and Lilly’s personal items for them. “So we didn’t get to see the chocolate museum or camp on the Great Wall of China, but in the end, our trip to Beijing was totally worth it,” Lilly concluded.

The faces of Adria, Mrs. Sinise, and Mrs. Hill were spellbound — all three mouths open wide. Mrs. Hill was the first to speak.

“Honey, I wish I knew you were making all this up. As unlearned as I am in matters of law and foreign affairs, I know that the Chinese government is nothing to play with. And now, I wish I could have been on that helicopter to help out that brave lady, Sarah.”

Lilly stared at her mother from across the small table. “Um, Mom, we all know that you faint at the very sight of blood. A bloody little baby would just be the final blow. Remember the time I got that gash on my knee from falling off my bike. Dad had to bandage it up while you were passed out on the floor. Then we both had to revive you.”

Mrs. Hill wrinkled her forehead and laughed. “Forgive me, but I don’t quite remember it like that, girlfriend. Although it is a wonder how I use so much dark red in my fashion collections,” she mused.

“Hold a minute,” Adria said popping the last of her shrimp corn cake into her mouth. “Lilly, you never told us exactly how you were able to get free from the locked room.”

“Yeah,” Lilly acknowledged slowly. “That was on purpose. I’ll tell you later, Adria, in private. I don’t want to scare you, Momma.”

“O.K.,” Adria said.

“Please don’t,” Mrs. Hill agreed. “You have already scared me enough as is, but if I get wind of anything else dangerous your dad lets you do, I’m talking to him about this — not with him, to him. You hear?”

“It was all me,” Lilly said defending her father. She knew her Mom secretly enjoyed hearing about their frequent escapades and wouldn’t forcefully object to Lilly traveling unless she seriously got hurt, or unless the travels interfered with her education and other goals.

Mrs. Hill smiled lovingly. “Well, we better get going, baby. I want to cook something special tonight in honor of the Carrigs. It was wonderful meeting up with you girls, Ava and Adria. Let’s do it again soon.”

Lilly left a tip near her plate and said her goodbyes. She was eager to host Manchu, Sarah, and their newborn baby for dinner.

Later that evening, Lilly waltzed into her family’s sunny San Diego home kitchen to check on her mother who was whipping up the dish they had decided on — curry chicken with tawa pulao.

“Momma, the Manchus haven’t eaten real American food since they left China,” Lilly stated. “Why did we pick out an Indian meal?”

“Because we are weird like that,” Mrs. Hill answered matter-of-factly. “At least, it looks and smells delicious.”

Lilly laughed. “Exactly.”

“See, your dad would’ve grilled some all-American burgers and hot dogs,” Mrs. Hill continued.

“If dad had the choice,” Lilly agreed. “Do you want me to make dessert?”

“Not tonight, honey. Marco took that upon himself, but I’m sure he could use your help.”

Lilly turned on her socked heel to see Marco kneeling on a stool by the counter swiftly and silently stirring a big bowl of batter. Between intervals, he stuck one of his fingers into the bowl, brought up a glob of batter to his lips, stuck it in his mouth and sucked the glob off meditatively. “What! So you’re the person who stole my job?” Lilly said, sidling up to her little brother.

“No, no. I merely took that which was left undone and tended to it,” Marco said not looking up from mixing the batter.

“I see. What are you making?” Lilly asked.

“Macaroons,” Marco said happily.

“Macaroons,” Lilly gushed. “I suggest we have ice cream with them. Do you need any help? I’m free.”

“No, thanks, Sis. I want to make these all by myself tonight.”

“Why the sudden spurt of generosity and coyness?” Lilly teased.

“Can’t a man be so?” Marco asked.

“Perhaps,” Mrs. Hill piped in. “But a boy of mine can’t.”

“Ahh, Mom, you got me there,” Marco said spooning the batter onto a pan..

“I have, haven’t I?” Mrs. Hill replied.

“Thing is, I have a friend coming over tonight. She–”

“She?” Mrs. Hill asked.

“Yes.”

“What’s that, son?” Mr. Hill asked coming into the kitchen. “We’re having a third guest? Interesting word choice you picked to describe her.”

Marco shook his head. “Dad, only you would wish to impose on me so great a delicate burden as that of a girlfriend.”

Lilly and Mrs. Hill chuckled as Marco continued. “Her name is Frigga Kite, and she’s playing Julius Caesar’s wife in the school play I told you all about.”

Mrs. Hill cleared her throat. “You better be careful, Brutus. You might end up the one dead on a stage, instead of Sir Caesar.”

“Going out with Caesar’s girl,” Mr. Hill said contemplatively, as if truly weighing the ramifications of the action. “My son, what have you done?”

Lilly withheld her urge to laugh. “Dad, calm down now. She must be a very beautiful somebody! He wants to impress her with his perfect baking skills.”

Marco turned to them and shook his head sternly. “Mother and Father, I am just ashamed to hear such childish silliness come from your mouths. And my dear sister, Lilly,” he said with an air of superiority, “it is beyond my understanding as to why you join them in this folly, especially since you have been through this same torture at their hands.” With that said, he slid the pan into the oven just as the doorbell rang. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

As soon as Marco disappeared around the kitchen doorway, Lilly and her parents bent over in laughter and shared a three-way highfive. They straightened up as Marco returned with Frigga, a pretty big-eyed Indian girl bringing with her the scent of hotel lotion. He shot them a warning look and proceeded to show her around.

“Welcome to our home,” Mrs. Hill said to Frigga.

“Thank you, Mrs. Hill,” Frigga replied. “Why does this say ‘Ask before ye eat’?” she asked, pointing up at the flowery paper bearing those words which was tacked to one of the glossy cabinets.

“Oh, that’s the cabinet storing my mother’s favorite snacks — the snacks she loves so much we must ask her before we take them so she’ll know when to replenish them for her own pleasure,” Marco reported.

“That’s true,” Mrs. Hill said smiling at Frigga.

Chapter 24

When Marco and Frigga left the kitchen, Mr. Hill poked his head around the corner and watched them both with amusement for a few minutes before tapping Lilly on the shoulder. “Come here for a minute, Lilly,” he said. “I originally came in to tell you I received some interesting news involving us both.”

“Yes, sir.” Lilly followed him to his computer in his home office. An email from Mrs. Sun was on the screen. Lilly read it aloud:

To Mr. Hill and Lillian Hill:

I hope this email finds you well. Your sudden return to America was brought to my attention by a friend of yours, Bo Cambridge, who came by to retrieve your belongings upon my return from a week-long stay with my children at their tutor’s house. I was also startled to find my husband missing and I was unable to get in contact with him for several days. Meanwhile, Mr. Cambridge informed me of my husband’s part in hurting you two and the pastor you were trying to aid. I was greatly saddened to hear this and was partly in disbelief since my family, including Evan, has professed belief in the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. However, my husband confirmed Mr. Cambridge’s report when he called me from prison only two days ago. While I do not wish to burden you with all he told me, I do believe an explanation for Evan’s behavior and actions is both needed and deserved. Near tears, for the first time he told me of a financial debt he owed the government from before we were wedded. Unable to pay it, some years ago, an official approached him offering a back deal — either help them detain those “government dissidents” and be paid occasionally for any success, or be hauled off to prison. He accepted the deal and ever since has been working secretly for the government to do just that. Thankfully, his efforts to help detain two other Christian pastors failed as well. With this third failed attempt, the government came and jailed him claiming they did not know where his loyalties lie. Evan also admitted to me that he doubts his Christian faith, and wants to apologize especially to you, Lilly. I know it is not my place to judge my husband’s heart, but I do feel his apology is sincere and his remorse is not just because of his imprisonment. I believe my husband was a proud man because he could have asked for my help, my family’s help, and even the help of others in resolving his debt, but he did not. Yes, even though I am his wife and this revelation was shocking to me as well, Jesus has given me the strength to forgive Evan. I pray that you have found it in your hearts to forgive him as well. Thank you and God bless.

Eia Sun

P.S. To Lillian: Echo and Emmy enjoyed having you stay with us, and hope you come back to visit, or at least send them your email so that you three can stay in touch.

“Look at that,” Mr. Hill said after Lilly finished reading. “Sweetheart, you’re more popular than me. You received two shout-outs in one email.”

“Consider, Dad, one of those shout-outs came because of a creepy hostage situation,” Lilly kidded. “And I was that hostage. I went through a scary situation to get that shout-out.”

Mr. Hill laughed. “So what do you think of this email?” he asked.

“It definitely clears everything up,” Lilly confirmed thoughtfully. “And, of course, I forgive Evan.”

“Same here. I’d like to say, you can’t not forgive someone for taking the mundane out of life,” Mr. Hill said. “This email definitely explains the ‘why’ factor. It is a pity how some men are so venal though.”

“Venal?” Lilly questioned.

“Yes, meaning able to be bought.”

“Oh, I see. Do you believe the Chinese officials are going to have us or the Carrigs extradited to China or something for what we did?”

“No. If they try anything, news will get out, and I’m sure American government officials will put a stop to the situation.”

“Well, if they do and aren’t stopped, just know I’ll stick by your side even in the jail cell,” Lilly assured him smiling.

Mr. Hill put his arm around Lilly’s shoulder. “I can always count on you, darling,” he said sincerely. Together, they typed up a reply email to Eia Sun — an email of thanks and encouragement.

It wasn’t long before Mrs. Hill called their names notifying them of the Carrigs arrival.

“Hurry, hit send,” Mr. Hill said.

Chapter 25

“Done,” Lilly said pressing the button. They walked through the hall to the front door where Mrs. Hill, Marco, and Frigga were cooing, oohing, and aahing over the Carrig’s newborn in the waning San Diego evening light.

“We named him Nathaniel St. Christopher Air,” Sarah told everyone, her face aglow. “Air. We decided on it because of the whole almost-giving-birth-on-a-plane-up-in-the-air thing!”

“Well, that is one unique name,” Mr. Hill commented.

“Yeah,” Mrs. Hill agreed. “My children were dormant in the womb every time I flew during their nine months of conception. Sweetie, why didn’t you try something like that?”

“Momma, Momma,” Lilly said, “you are crazy! I had no control over when I came out.”

The Carrigs laughed.

“Marco, if our baby is born in water, then we can name it Aqua,” Frigga whispered a little too loudly.

Marco looked repulsed and backed away from Frigga who was oblivious to his sour expression and sought shelter beside Lilly until everyone took their seats at the dining table.

“What’s wrong?” Lilly asked him as he scooted his high back chair closer to hers.

“My sister,” Marco sighed in a low tone, “I truly thought I had found a pure one, a sensible girl not taken by fantasies of weddings and marriage and babies, but no.” He leaned his curly head of hair back and continued dreamily. “That’s all Frigga talked about…well, besides one scientific thing that I didn’t understand.”

Lilly put her hand on her little brother’s shoulder to comfort him and held back a smile. “No biggie,” she said. “You have many more years to continue the search.”

As the cheerful chatter died down around the table, Mr. Hill clinked on his glass with a spoon to get everyone’s full attention. “Miss Kite, would you like to say the grace for this delicious meal?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Frigga said as everyone else reverently bowed their heads. “Grace!” After a few seconds of silence from Frigga the reverently bowed heads lifted questioningly.

“Perhaps I should have said, ‘pray and ask the Lord to bless the food,’” Mr. Hill chuckled. A loop of laughter rippled around the table with Frigga laughing hardest of all.

“Let me, dad,” Lilly said being the first to recover from the laughter. Once again everyone bowed their heads reverently as Lilly thanked God for His provision and loving care.

“Amen!” they all said at the close of Lilly’s prayer.

Over Mrs. Hill’s truly delicious curry chicken, tawa pulao, and seasoned potatoes, Mr. Hill shared the contents of Eia Sun’s letter with the Carrigs.

“I will definitely keep him in my prayers,” Manchu said upon hearing the news. “Doubt is part of the faith journey for some.”

Mr. Hill nodded understandingly. “So how are you two enjoying California after…what…three years in smog city?”

“Pretty much,” Sarah answered a radiant smile crossing her face. “The continuous sunshine is just heavenly, and I can’t wait till we go to the beach next week!” She looked lovingly at Manchu who smiled his agreement.

“Sarah, honey, be sure to get all your rest,” Mrs. Hill advised her. “Babies can be quite the demanding taskmaster. I should know.” She nodded at Marco, but he was deep in conversation with Frigga discussing how many window-like constructions there were in the coliseum, and didn’t notice.

Sarah gave the thumbs up sign since her mouth was too full to reply.

“Great to hear, Sarah. What about you, Pastor Manchu? How are you liking California after being away for so long?” Mr. Hill asked.

“Very much so,” Manchu began. Lilly detected a hint of sadness in his voice as he continued. “But, and I don’t mean this to sound ungrateful after all you and your very brave daughter have done to save our lives. I am so thankful for all you have done that I can hardly put it into words; but nevertheless, my heart is still with the members of our church that we left behind. Now, they have no pastor. I know that God will stay their eternal Shepherd and can provide for them another earthly pastor, yet, I still feel God has called me to continue ministering to them and others in China through more than just email and such. It will do no good, though, to return only to be caught and stopped for good, even though I would keep my promise to be faithful to Christ by witnessing to my fellow prison mates if that circumstance be God’s will for my future. However, there must be some other way.” Manchu clutched his chest as his voice trailed off.

Mr. Hill set down his fork deliberately, interlocked his fingers together and stared thoughtfully through half-closed eyes into the plate of food before him, his mind racing down an ever-shifting track towards a beneficial solution; but Lilly beat him there.

“There is another way,” she said. “Sometimes when I’m away from San Diego, I attend our home church online. It’s just like going to the real building. I get to participate in worship just the same and hear the message live. There’s also a chat section to interact with other church goers. I was thinking for the time being, once we find the right person to set all the technical stuff up, you can pastor and Sarah can sing from your place over here while your members can listen live and join in all the way from China through their cell phones. If they want to, they can still meet in one place to listen together. Only thing is, you guys will have to be up late at night if you want to broadcast over there and reach the Chinese people during the day time.”

The Carrigs looked at each other, then back at Lilly. “We’re ready,” they said in unison without hesitation. “It is a blessed idea,” Manchu added. “When can we start?”

“Not before I propose a toast,” Mr. Hill said rising to his feet and raising his glass in the air. “To good friends, God’s miracles, and the Gospel news going on.”

Cheers rose up from around the table. Even Marco and Frigga paused in their debate to clink glasses. Juice sloshed over the sides onto the table. Lilly looked around the table at all of them, and for a brief moment everything glittered.

Lilly’s Notes

Lillian (Lilly) stayed in contact with Echo and Emmy, albeit through the internet. So far, they have taught her some of the Chinese alphabet and much about Star Trek. Lilly considers them two of her close friends.

The Carrigs’ online church was up and running the very next Sunday after the events documented herein. Once word got out to members overseas, their church blossomed wildly and continues to grow at a great rate of speed with hundreds attending regularly.

The rescue mission had no known repercussions for Lilly, Mr. Hill or their trusty friend, Bo Wu-Cambridge.

Lilly’s final words are: Be helpful to those around you in ways big and small. Be sure you share the Gospel with everyone you can and encourage people to pray and read the Bible. Don’t desert your friends when times get tough for them, and never be influenced into doing that which saddens God’s heart.