Kav...only you could make hiding out in a library sound so utterly wonderful! And Myles' magic stew....I can smell it!

In the words of Oliver Twist, may I say...MORE......please?

Jill

I think you hear this pretty often of allot of the readers and writers here but i think your stories are not only amazing but brilliant. every story you wrote here makes me excited to read them and they always have a deaper meaning at least that's how i see it. look at this story..it warms my heart to see how you capture the lives off these caracters but also the diffrence between poor and rich.

and that it doesn't matter who you are that if you believe in god , everything will find his place in time. you are truly a brilliant writer and thx for giving these amazing stories.

ok that was long enough , i will stop now and wil be waiting for the next brilliant post.

greetz law

What a heart breaking comment, something I would have never have considered being an issue, except I imagine if you are in those circumstances that Carolyn and Cassie find themselves in.

I'm so glad that Myles simple action of giving them some food and Carolyn finding some bus tickets allowed them such a fantastic evening, hopefully things will continue to improve for them.

Soph

WOW!

I don't know what else to say. I have been gone since Friday and came back to pages and pages of posts! This story is so incredible! I love the transformations we are seeing in Myles' search for God, the plight of Carolyn and Cassie, Jack and Sue's "reacquaintance", etc, etc, etc. Keep those posts coming and I will remain a faithful reader!

Oh, wow, Kav! How fantastically wonderful!!



I was sooo looking forward to a Kavalicious, romantic, melt-worthy, puddle-inciting kiss scene…. And boy, am I a gushy blob or what!!!!

Wonderful!

I suppose Jack and Sue will be picking up where they left off? I mean, after all, they have lots to catch up on.



*Lizzy, the puddle, swoons… And yes, it is possible.*

And as for the Myles praying scene. I love his line of thinking as he’s brushing his teeth and “preparing.” It’s so Myles!

And I certainly think he needs some direction there, but he’s making an effort, and that’s a step in the right direction. With Sue backing him up, it won’t be long before he’s where he needs to be… at least I hope.

Keep up the excellent work!

And as for the Carolyn/Cassie post: I wanted to jump around with them!!! It was so wonderful to see them having such a wonderful day.

I just hope they don’t get caught.

Again, keep up the fantastic work!

The simple things in life.....are always the most wonderful

Wow. This story is incredible Kav. I forgot how much I missed reading your stories. I really hope Myles can help them out even more than he already has. Ihave an idea where this is going...and I can't wait!

Such a poignant post - the fun, the relaxation - the forgetting of troubles....yet nothing has really changed (but we know it will). That a bowl of stew can bring such promise..... Carolyn's and Cassie's needs are so basic...yet so necessary...and you are writing this story brilliantly!

Wow! What wonderful posts to come home to! I am soooo relieved at Carolyn's change of mind, change of attitude... and am hopeful along side with her that her life situation will change for the better, and soon.

Also am glad that Jack and Sue ah, resolved the issue of whether she was interested in Myles romantically. Hmm... maybe not resolved entirely. A few more kisses wouldn't hurt, I'm sure.

Myles praying is a wonderful sight to behold!! He really is trying and I think doing an excellent job for the first time out, so to speak!! He does need to learn how to listen better, because I do believe that was God talking to him!! Why do I feel that Myles' beginning relationship with God is going to save Carolyn and Cassie???

I just love the scene in the library!! Such enjoyment of the simple things in life. I too was very moved over Cassie's statement about the bathroom!! We sure take a lot of things for granted!!!

Kav, this is just wonderful!!!

Yes, Duckfan, I will glad to vacuum your livingroom, for double chocolate chip cookies!!! I can smell and taste them already!!!

Joy

I just can't get enough! Can't wait for the next post!

I appreciated the library scene as well.

Myles first attempt at prayer was sincere and God would have looked at his heart as he prayed it. Myles is well on the way to being the answer to Carolyn's prayers for help.

Bravo, Kav!

This is wonderful writing...



gracie

Just to sum everything up, Kav, amazing work and I'm so glad you're sharing your gift with us. Can't wait for more of Cassie and her mom's adventures!

“Put him down.” Lucy said, raising her voice over the dull roar of 20 hungry and excited children all jiving for places at the tables in the lunchroom. When Bobby didn’t seem to be about to comply, she thwacked her wooden spoon threateningly against her palm.

“This drongo was bad mouthing little Cassie,” Bobby mumbled his explanation sullenly as he released young Carter Reynold’s collar just enough so the boy’s feet could touch the ground. “Listen here you, I’ve arrested people for less. Mind your manners, got it?”

Carter’s malevolent stare did nothing to relieve Lucy’s tension.

“You’ve made it worse,” she hissed and Bobby knew he’d have felt the backside of that wooden spoon if the nippers weren’t about to witness Lucy’s display of temper.

“I don’t understand how a few old ladies can manage them every morning.” This came from a harassed Jack who had waded into a juice box war only to be squirted in the eye with orange juice for his trouble.

Lucy had to admit that the situation was going from bad to worse rapidly. It was as if the kids instinctively knew that the breakfast club substitutes were rank amateurs and therefore it was open season. If they didn’t get things in hand now the teddy bear pancakes that Sue and D were making in the kitchen, would cause mass pandemonium.

“Don’t do that sweetie, it’s not nice,” she cautioned a young boy who was making rude noises. “And to think I wanted four kids,” she sighed to Tara who had stepped in from the kitchen to see what all the fuss was about. “Now I think one would be too many.”

“It’s all in how you handle things, Lucy. Think of them as little Randy Pitts trying to get the better of you. You wouldn’t let that happen, would you? Watch this.”

Putting her thumb and forefinger into her mouth, Tara’s whistle was shrill and loud, silencing even the rowdiest child instantly. Twenty pairs of eyes stared at Tara with new respect. She looked right back at them, assessing each one individually until they were all squirming in their chairs.

“Right, let’s try this again, shall we? Why are we here?” she held her hand up when several students started to catcall a reply. “You.” She pointed to a skinny boy of about eleven.

“B-b-because you’re going to feed us breakfast,” he answered nervously.

“Precisely,” Tara beamed at the lad as if he had just answered a particularly difficult equation. “You. Pig or boy?”

The young man she pointed at looked confused, so she turned her attention on to another hapless youth. “You. Pig or girl?” The child twisted her braid nervously unable to formulate a response.

“Hmmm…I can see what the problem is now – none of you know how to behave because you think you’re a bunch of pigs. Well, if that’s the case, my job just got easier.” She picked up the garbage she had been about to bring out to the dumpster. “See this? Yesterday’s leftovers. I’ll just strew this around the tables and you can help yourselves. I’ll give you ten minutes to root around and then you’re outside until the bell rings, got that?”

“But it’s raining!”

“We’ll get sick if we eat garbage.”

“Yuck!”

“Pigs don’t mind the rain and they eat garbage. So, I’ll ask you once again. Pigs or children?” This time she looked at them all collectively.

“Children!” Came the quick response from nearly everyone.

She nodded, pleased. “You three who aren’t sure – sit over there – that’s right, away from the tables. When you’ve made your decision see me. The rest of you -- sit on the chairs and act properly. Next infraction warrants bread and water rations and laps around the schoolyard. Got that?”

“Yes ma’am,” they chorused.

Tara turned to Bobby and Jack. “Camp counselor from senior year in high school through college. Think you can keep things under control now? Because I don’t want to have to come back in here.” They saluted her smartly and she disappeared back into the kitchen.

Things went more smoothly after that, though Cassie insisted on shadowing Myles. She clung to his pant leg telling everyone within hearing range that he was her Tooth Fairy Man. Several youngsters who had recently parted with bits of enamel lined up behind him, wanting to know if the tooth fairy had left any cash for them. Myles found his wallet much lighter by the end of the hour.

“She’s awfully cute,” Lucy whispered to Bobby once things had settled down and the kids were happily digging into bear appendages.

“Who, Cassie?” Bobby grinned at the little mite. There was something about kids and missing front teeth, he thought. “She’s smitten by Leland though. There’s no accounting for taste.” His dimples and Jack's wink had impressed the child and they were both feeling the sting of rejection.

They let Cassie stay to help tidy up. Alice often did. She reported that the little girl bore the brunt of teasing by a gang of 4th grade hooligans led by Carter Reynolds. They called her Tweety Bird because of her lisp and sometimes tried to take her lunch.

“How sick did you say Alice was?” Myles asked as he lifted Cassie onto the chair he’d placed in front of the kitchen sink.

“Hopefully it’s a twenty-four hour bug,” Jack wished fervently.

“I promised Grams we’d cover for her till the end of the week. Just two more days, guys. It won’t be so bad.”

“You weren’t involved in the juice fight,” Jack grimaced as he tried to wash out a stain on his tie.

“I don’t know how your grandmother has the energy to do this every day,” Myles said as he rescued Cassie from falling headfirst into the sink of dirty dishwater. “I’m ready for a nap.”

“Not me,” Cassie declared vehemently. “I had the bethtetht thleep ever latht night.”

“Oh, to sleep like the proverbial baby,” Myles sighed enviously.

“I’m no baby,” Cassie told him indignantly.

“So, why did you have the bestest sleep?” Tara asked as she pulled down the little girl’s shirtsleeves and buttoned up her cuffs.

“’Cauth my tummy wath full and tho wath mummy’th,” the little girl said candidly, patting her belly and smiling in satisfaction. “And now it ith again!” She said with a wonderfully toothless smile.

Tara and Myles exchanged alarmed glances. Cassie wasn’t saying anything they hadn’t suspected from their subtle investigation, but it seemed so much more terrible to hear a six year old speak so matter-a-factly about hunger.

“Well, I guess your mummy must have made a nice supper for you then,” Sue interjected softly.

“No thilly,” Cassie scoffed. “Mummy can’t cook cauth we don’t have a thtove. We had Tooth Fairy Turkey Thtew,” she declared proudly and threw her arms around Myles’ waist. He had little choice but to wrap his own around her slight body as it balanced precariously on the chair.

“I told you Carolyn is my new maid,” he spoke directly to Sue. “I gave her some of my soup yesterday.”

“And bread…and muffinth,” Cassie added. “Look.” She hopped down from the chair and ran for her knapsack, rooting through it to produce a carefully wrapped package. She held it up for the adults’ inspection before plopping down and lovingly removing the worn waxpaper. She patted two squashed muffins gingerly, held them up to her nose to inhale the spicy scent and then tenderly wrapped them back up again. It was evident to all that she had performed this ritual more than once this morning.

Myles squatted down next to her. “There’s more where that came from, Cassie. How about I bake you a different kind of muffin every time your mother comes to clean my house?”

Cassie beamed at him. “Maybe you could put chocolate chipth in them,” she suggested shyly.

“Now there’s a good idea. Why didn’t I think of that? Oh, wait a minute, I did!” He snapped his fingers and Tara produced a oatmeal chocolate chip muffin in a baggie. “Tara and I made these last night. One for every child. How about you take yours now?”

“Don’t forget these,” Sue handed Myles the Ziploc containing an apple and a little bag of raisins.

“Here Cassie, do you have room for all these?” he asked, helping her to arrange everything so that the apple wouldn’t squash the muffins.

“And we have one poor little bear left all alone in here,” Jack exclaimed, holding up a lopsided pancake teddy that was missing one eye. “How about you have him for lunch?”

Cassie shook her head solemnly. “Nope,” she said firmly, “but I’ll take him for my Mummy.”

So they spread some jam on the bear’s belly and rolled him up like a crepe, packaging him for Cassie to add to her growing knapsack larder.

“Wow, I’m a lucky girl today!” she beamed at them proudly. “That’th cauth Mummy’th praying for me.”

“I bet your mummy prays for you all the time,” Sue said gently.

“But today we have to pray for our familieth. And that’th me!” Cassie pointed to herself importantly before she turned to Myles. “Who are you going to pray for?”

Myles groaned inwardly. He’d woken this morning with a renewed zest for life, looking forward to continuing this prayer journey to Easter only to discover that Tuesday was the day to pray for your families. As if that wasn’t enough, Reverend Brambles encouraged her congregation to tell the chosen family member that they were being prayed for. He could just picture pulling his father away from a business meeting. Hello, Father, just wanted to let you know I’m praying for you. That would go over well. His mother would tell him not to be act so common and Anne? Well, Anne probably wouldn’t say much of anything. He came to the conclusion that the Leland family and prayer were not compatible. But how to explain that to a six-year-old who still believed in the tooth fairy?

“I haven’t decided yet,” he answered truthfully.

“Well you better hurry or you’re going to watht good praying time,” Cassie told him disparagingly. “Look how good I’m doing. And I only prayed once tho far.” She patted her knapsack proudly. “Mummy brought uth a nithe dinner yethterday and I’m gonna bring one to her today. I have lots of thtuff already.”

Great post I could see it all playing out in my mind. Myles with Cassie is so cute and Tara suprised even me with her abilities at bringing all the kids into line.

i could just see this as it panned out. loved taras ability to control the kids

sad that he doesn't know who to tell he's praying for them perhaps he couild remember sue saying the team wrere her family and pray for them or stick with the church family and pray for casie and carolyn......

what the heck, he could pray for all of them

cath

Kav, I just caught up your weekend's posts and I am overwhelmed... I am so glad Myles met Carolyn in his house and gave her a food, I am so glad Carolyn and Cassie had a great evening and I am really happy Myles' mind is full of them... I think Myles finally found his meaning of life!!!! Now he is concentrated to make joy her and Carolyn!!!!

I love Jack and Sue's kiss and I am so happy Jack finally understood he can't let Sue go out of his life!!!!

And the last post!!!! Tara was perfect, I had a respect from her too

I can't wait for more!!!!


Restie

Kav, this story is simply breathtaking. Myles is making a serious progress and I'm having loads of fun watching him lowering his defences, I simply love Cassie and her sometimes innocent sentences can bring tears into my eyes, I can't wait for more!

Tara is great with this wild bunch of kids! I could easily see her as a camp manager!

Cassie is adorable, and she makes Myles look better every day. As much as I hate the situation Cassie and her mom are in right now, I am glad Cassie told them about it. I wonder if the remark of missing a stove to cook on, hit ground with Myles....

Wow, Tara was amazing! Her ability to simply silence the children is.. wow! Loved the way she asked them if they were pigs or children!

Oh, Kav - that was such a wonderful scene.....I was giggling at Lucy and Bobby....belly laughed when Tara took control...and weeping at Cassie's innocent truth, but rejoicing through the tears at the fact the team now knows of her and her mom's plight. (Or at least has a good idea- one that they will undoubtedly investigate.)

Wow!

I could just imagine spunky Tara being the one on the team who could control the room full of children. Not a easy task for the faint hearted.

This story of Cassie touches the soul. I am also glad that the team is aware of the situation.

I wonder how Myles will handle the next prayer assignment to pray for family?

i loved this


and ......



that

and....




that.........out of the mouths of babes

Boy, I even snapped to when Tara whistled!! She really whipped them into shape fast, didn't she??

Kav, Cassie is your most endearing character!! I just love her and her childish innocence!! She sees the good in Myles and doesn't care who knows it - perfect!!!
I think LTS has a very good idea - Myles can pray for his FBI family, then silently send prayers for his real family!!!

I could just see the team trying to work with these kids!! You had me falling off my chair!!!

Joy

Sniff, sniff! Their plight brings tears to my eyes almost every time I read it!

Such a sweet post!

I can actually envision little Cassie, with her excitement, her two missing front teeth, and the whole team being captivated by her.

I can see the wheels beginning to turn in Myles, and with the whole team backing him up, I have a feeling Carolyn and Cassie are going to have a brighter future... as long as Carolyn will accept the help. Hopefully, she'll begin seeing Myles more as a friend than an employer.

And I loved Tara's take-control-Atilla the Hun-ish camp counselor mode. hehe. Very impressive! I'd hate to be a misbehavin' kid in that "Camp."

And the guys, feeling the "Sting of rejection." I love it!

Keep up the fantastic work!

What a wonderful post, taking us from laughter to tears and warming our hearts... brilliant job, Kav!! Loved Tara taking charge - it fit her personality soooo well!! And Cassie... so precious! Loving this!!!

This just gets better with every post

Loved the juice wars and Bobby getting wound up by a ten year old! Fantastic! This is the besteth thory I ever read Kav!

Tara was fantastic...


And cassie was heartbreaking.....


I am ADDICTED- NEED MORE!!!!!!



please

What's that old saying...starve a cold, feed an addiction?

Or perhaps it's feed a cold, starve a fever. Agh I'm not nurse or anything. Wait, ails is, isn't she? There we go, a trained health care professional and her prescription is for more, who are we to argue?

You don't want to be responsible for anything unpleasant happening, do you? Unless it's to Chuck and his spawn of course, in which case I say let 'em have it!

Wow, another fantastic post. Loved little Cassie and her way of telling the truth without realising that is what she is doing - she is letting slip lots of great titbits that bought Jack and Sue together and now telling the team about her situation.

at Tara, playing Sergeant Major with the kids, good job one of then knew what to do!!!

Soph

I loved how Tara got those children in line!!! Hopefully the rest of them learned something from her. Even though the last thing Carolyn would have wanted was for Cassie to tell the team what she did, I'm glad she did...the more good people who know, the sooner they'll get some help!

Wow, didn't take me too long to get behind. But I've played catch-up now. I don't have much time to say much more than what I've said before: Your writing is brilliant and heart-wrenching Kav. I love every bit of this story! Keep up the great work.

Speaking of work, off I go...

Thanks again Kav!
-JF

I was GOING to pm you and leave notes as I caught up but SOMEBODY is really popular and her BOX is full so I am glad to say, I have caught up and here I am.

This is awesome. Step by step trip to finding oneself helped by helping another. Finding God in others. Finding God in your self by being open. Awesome.

Myles is honestly trying to learn and just plain scared and you are showing it well.

As for Sue explaining, I am glad that so far she has not. Mainly because a relationship with God is between that person and Him, and none of Jack or the teams' business. Sue asking Jack to step out for a minute to finish up with Myles was great in that she put God first. God (and you) will work all of this out, and it won't be a neat little package because life isn't a neat little package. But then, packages are fun to open and see what is inside, dirt and glitter and all. I can't wait to see more.

And now that I have seen it all to the latest point, you ROCK. (I included my pm note here.. )

As I have oft stated before, I bow in your general direction.

Aww. I love Cassie's innocent comments of how nice it is just to go to bed with a full stomach. Really makes you feel for her...and yes I do know it's just a story, but you write it so well I really get into it. Keep up the awesome work!

To what EVERYONE else has said.......
and.......

I'm glad that the team has some more clues as to Carolyn and Cassie's situation!

Camp counselor - you learn many skills in that job that serve you well the rest of your life. Now can she sing the song "Flicker"?

And by the way Jack who wears a tie to serve breakfast to grade schoolers anyway?

Flicker? Can't say Tara knows that one...care to serenade us, Pam? Now if you'd asked her to sing Black Socks you'd be all turning your computers off in a hurry and then the song would still reverberate in your ears for days to come..


She felt more exhausted for having had a good night's sleep. Funny how that happened. She went nights just barely dozing off and she could still zip through her day with enough energy and then some to spare, but now that she had one good sleep – even if it had been curled up on the floor next to Cassie's sofa – her body just seemed to crave more.

Bleary eyed she barely keyed in the right code to avoid setting Myles' alarm into overdrive. The near miss left her feeling shaky and she had to sit on the bottom step in the entranceway with her head between her knees taking in great gulps of air. Her head felt like it was full of cotton balls and her throat was scratchy but she simply refused to get sick. It was impossible. Who would take care of Cassie?

* * *

Myles volunteered to escort Cassie to her classroom, smiling at the airs she put on as she tucked her things away in the cloakroom, talking to him incessantly in a voice loud enough to carry all around the room. She wanted to make certain that they were noticed.

His heart hurt for the little girl, whose father had never taken her to school or presumably, had never showed any interest in her at all. Cassie made the most of the situation, broadcasting Myles' presence all the way down the hall. And students and staff alike paid attention. He supposed his height had something to do with it, since most of the students barely reached his waist and the primary teachers all seemed diminutive in stature.

When he went to leave her at the door, her little hand slipped into his. He could feel the hot, sticky pressure and was mildly surprised that he didn't immediately think of rushing off for anti-bacterial soap. Instead he let her pull him into the classroom, proudly showing him her desk. He felt like he'd invaded munchkin land, awkwardly dodging rambunctious children darting every which way. The teacher stood at the front of the class and he realized she wanted to start the day and still Cassie held onto his hand. He scrunched himself down between the narrow aisle and after an intense whispered conference he was able to pull away, exchanging his fingers for his business card.

She clung onto it with an intensity that brought tears to his eyes and he had to clear his throat to rid himself of the lump that had settled there. He patted her awkwardly on the head before making the long walk to the classroom door. He made the mistake of glancing back and seeing the stricken look in Cassandra's eyes made him want to snatch her up and run. She seemed too little and too fragile to be left alone like that for the entire day.

"She'll be fine, Mr…?" the teacher's softly modulated voice pulled his gaze away from Cassie’s wistful little face.

"Leland," he supplied and then realized that she was looking for more information. "I'm...a friend of the family," he explained lamely.

The teacher seemed relieved. "I'm glad you stopped by, Mr. Leland. Cassie's a delightful child, but I've been worried about her lately. I haven't been able to reach her mother to arrange an interview. The phone seems to have been disconnected. Perhaps you could pass the message on?"
Myles nodded warily.

"You're obviously aware of Cassie's speech impediment. I've talked to her mother about arranging sessions with our speech therapist. For a nominal fee she will be able to start with Cassie after the Easter break. Mrs. Stevenson should come by and fill out the forms and we'll need a check for the full amount. $120."

"A hundred and twenty dollars to fix a problem that will go away by itself when her teeth grown back in?" Myles asked incredulously.

The teacher's pleasant demeanor cooled a notch as she gave his expensive suit and silk tie a once over. "Therapy is necessary now to correct any bad habits Cassie develops while her teeth are growing in. There's no reason her lisp should be so pronounced. She's been tested and we'd like to nip the problem before it becomes much more time consuming and costlier to correct."

Myles had the feeling that Carolyn didn’t have that kind of money, but there was no point in revealing that to the teacher right now. "I'll pass the message along," he said stiffly. The teacher seemed satisfied and Myles finally made his way out to his car.

Pray for your family members. He grimaced as the thought entered his mind out of nowhere...or somewhere. The distance between his parents never seemed greater. He felt closer to his coworkers...friends...that thought startled him. Were they his friends? He thought of them that way, was it possible they considered their relationship with him in a similar fashion?

He steered his mind back to the problem at hand as he steered his vehicle into the busy morning traffic. He needed to find a way to pray for his family...and then the courage to tell them about it. The problem seemed insurmountable to him until he thought of Carolyn trying to raise a daughter on her own on a housemaid’s salary. Surely if she could face those odds every day he should be able to find the guts to face his family.

"You there?" he asked, looking above. "What am I saying? Of course you're there. You're probably busy with a different kind of morning rush hour." An opportune time to whip through this little assigment painlessly, he thought with a surge of hope. Surely God had more important things to do than pay attention to the likes of Myles Leland III's little forays into prayer at such a busy time. "Here goes," he whispered under his breath. "God bless my parents." He said in a rush, knowing full well that he was cheating, almost afraid of being caught out. When no lightning bolt hit him he relax. "Almost home free."

Wrestling his cell phone from his pocket at a red light, he dialed his father’s office number and the surprised secretary patched him through almost immediately.

“You go and get yourself shot up?” Myles Leland II asked curtly. “It’s about time! Now you’ll come to your senses and start earning your living like a man…” The thing Myles liked most about cell phones was that you could hang up on somebody and blame it on a poor signal later.

He tried his mother next.

“Are you sick? Dying? Engaged? No? Then I simply don’t have the time darling. Perhaps we can get together at the Cape in the summer…” It was April and he hadn’t seen either of his parents since Christmas.

Well at least he could say he tried, he thought smugly.

You see what I’m up against? He put his car in park and unbuckled his seatbelt. No offence, but since after 60 odd years you haven’t gotten through to them why on earth do you think I have a chance? Myles grabbed his briefcase and opened the door. Frankly, one could almost consider it laziness on your part to send me in as your reserves. The sound of a car backfiring echoed in the underground parking, making Myles jump in alarm. He looked heavenward. I was only joking. I’m sure you have a perfectly good reason for putting me through this humiliating process and according to Sue you’ll tell me in your own good time. Must be nice to be God. He paused to listen, hoping for some divine guidance. Three seconds later and finding none he sighed in frustration. Fine. Let’s get this over with. He wasn’t about to stew over it all day.

He’d reached the elevators by this time, rejected them as too crowded and chose the stairs instead. On the second landing he dialed his father again. “Hello, Dad,” he cringed at greeting his father so casually. “We got cut off back there. No need to worry, I’m not shot up, am feeling hail and hearty and just wanted you to know I was thinking about you just now…and I’m praying for you…no, Father, I didn’t mean to insinuate anything by that remark…no, I do not think you are so senile that you need my prayers…no I never meant to imply that I didn’t have the utmost faith in your ability to wheel and deal in the business world…and no I haven’t become addicted to cocaine…I just felt like saying…Father? Richard?" Myles cursed and ran his fingers through his hair. Fine time for the reception to give out.

Preferring to get unpleasant tasks out of the way as soon as possible, he called his mother next. It could never be said that Myles Leland III was a proscratinator. “Hello, Mother, it’s Myles again. No, not that Myles, Myles your son. Yes we just spoke – or rather you spoke and I listened but I didn’t get a chance to say…no mother, I wasn’t aware of the importance the historical society placed upon our ancestral crest. Yes, I imagine that you might enjoy having your picture in the paper…but what I wanted to say was…pink, it’s ageless and suits your coloring…Now back to the…No don’t hang up…I just wanted you to know that I’m praying for you.” A dial tone buzzed annoyingly in his ear.

That went well. Myles directed his exasperated sentiment up several floors. Suddenly a head poked over the railing two flights up. “Talking to yourself, Leland? When’s the last time you had a psych assessment done?” The nasal drawl of Randy Pitts vibrated through the enclosed area.

Myles stormed out onto the third floor and took the elevator the rest of the way, whirling into the bullpen in a royal snit as silent laughter echoed in his ears.

Myles, the teacher is right, 120 dollars is nothing for you, maybe you could give her "Easter present" and pay the course for Cassie...

Kav, I really love Myles' calls with his parents (I know it's not funny, it's sad but you wrote it the way it's funny... I hope you understand what I want to say )

I can't wait for more!!!


Restie

Myles' parents are so very cold. It really makes you feel for him. It looks like his own heart is warming up very nicely, however. I wonder if he will talk with his sister Anne?

I am reeling at $120 for speech lessons..... so glad i have the NHS (free health service) as i attended a speech therapist for 7 long years, from the age of 2 to 9..... just think of the money- ouch!!!!!!!


Also a speech therapist would delve into their family life and that would be scary for both Carolyn and Cassie along with the money situation.


Poor Myles, his biological family does not act like family. no wonder he is so cold to the outside world. protective armour i say... Lets hope he realises the true meaning of family....blood is not always that important and God can work with even the stoniest of hearts...

As Bobby would say, "Good onya Myles!" Your determinedness even took me by surprise.

Now family....you seem to have a rather large one surrounding you. It's not always a blood relationship thing, you know!

BTW...Carolyn needs you right about now.

Jill

Poor Myles - he is trying so hard - and not getting any respect!!! I give him an "A"!!!

Yes, Myles, why don't you take on Carolyn and Cassie as your project and help them and help yourself at the same time!!!

Joy

Just caught up...and this story has sent a shiver through my heart...simply amazing.

Very moving post, I felt for Cassie, Carolyn and Myles too

All right, I'll make my post short, sweet and to the point:

MORE, MORE, MORE!

oh, yeah.... pleeeeeeeeeease???

Well, yes I supose Bobby would say that, but more importantly Jill, I was just about to. Now I have to ditto and Kav will think I was too lazy to think up my own response (shouldn't real life Australians, as opposed to fictional ones, get first dibbs on the Aussie slang? Shouldn't that be a rule or something?)

But back to the point:
Love Cassie parading Myles all around her school and clutching his card like a precious treasure

And Myles' conversation with his mum! I'm sure you would enjoy having your picture in the paper, pink is ageless and suits your colouring!!!! Fantastic!!!

Oh and Duckfan, I suspect that Jack may have been trying to impress some one a little taller with his fancy tie

my heart went out to myles then

i know God will honour the effort he's made

wonder if it isn't just the money that makes carolyn think twice about speech therapy but also having someone in authority know about her, especially as they currently live in a car

looking forward to more

cath