Obviously I missed a post - which is a wonderful thing to discover because I got to read even more. I think I like Miss Yancy - seems to want to help Cassie.

And poor Carolyn. She's distraught because, not only is her child trying to take care of her, which is more than any child should have to even think about doing, now she might have to keep her with her during the day, threatening her job even more...she's sick, Cassie is probably too.........Kav, I'm trusting on you to help her soon!

I take a little nap and come back to a post !! ... Thank you, Kav!!

Myles praying for control ... I just love how his world is changing.

Glad Jack and Sue are with Carolyn

And I really like that teacher, Miss Yanci

She only had eyes for her daughter, so comfortably nestled in Myles’ lap. It pierced her heart to see Cassie so at ease with the man. Why oh why hadn’t she chosen a better father for her child? Why wasn’t he a presence in their lives? Giving Cassie the attention she craved? The protection she needed? The security that was her right? The child was only six-years-old!

Cassie’s tears began anew the second she saw her mother. She leapt from Myles’ lap and catapulted into Carolyn, nearly knocking them both to the ground. Paying no heed to their witnesses, Carolyn simply dropped to the floor where they stood, embracing her daughter and rocking her small body in her arms.

“I’m having a Jonah Day, Mummy,” the little girl declared through her tears, punctuating her observation with a hiccup.

Barely aware of the smattering of laughter that surrounded them, Carolyn bent her head to rain kisses along her baby’s wet cheeks. “What’s this all about then?” she asked softly.

“Carter tried to thteal my food. I wath thaving it for you tho we could have another featht tonight just like yethterday, but now it’th all ruined!” Cassie talked around her sobs and hiccups and, combined with her lisp, Carolyn was desperately hoping that none of those eavesdropping understood the full magnitude of her daughter’s words.

Cassie worked the fastener on her knapsack and peeled back the flap, peering woefully into the dark, jumbled depths. She peered up at her mother imploringly.

Carolyn fought for control as she looked at the mangled contents of the bag. What hadn’t been destroyed in the fight had been squished beyond recognition by Cassie’s fierce embraces. “Teddy’th killeded,” Cassie sobbed, reaching in and pulling out a mass of crumbs wrapped in saran wrap.

“Teddy?” Carolyn asked, not able to comprehend the connection between a teddy bear and this wad of crumbs.

“Thue made him. He had raithinth for eyeth and a belly button and everything.”

Carolyn looked at Sue for clarification. “We made teddy bear pancakes at the breakfast club,” Sue explained. “Alice is my roommate’s mother and when she got sick Lucy asked us if we would help out…”

“Small world,” Carolyn said in amazement.

“In God’s hands, yes it is,” Sue confirmed.

“You were there too?” Carolyn asked Myles.

He nodded. “I gave Cassie my business card and the school called me when…”

“Perhaps we should discuss this matter in my office, Mrs. Stevenson,” Mr. Bennett suggested, not unkindly.

Carolyn ignored him and returned her attention to her daughter. She had to make things right for Cassie first.

“I bet he tastes the same even if he has a crumble bumble,” she said seriously.

Her daughter’s drooping mouth curved up in a hesitant smile.

Carolyn eased the wrapping from around the crumbs and held the bits of pancake in her hand. “I think this is a bumble bit,” she said solemnly. “Should I taste it?”

Cassie nodded delightedly.

Carolyn scooped up a few crumbs in her fingers and raised them to her lips. “Hmmmmm. That teddy bear must have had a nice plump bumble. It’s very tasty.”

A giggle escaped Cassie’s lips. Her mother was eating teddy’s bum! The giggle became rooted in her chest and her deep little chuckles filled the room.

“You try some.” Carolyn’s fingers carried some more crumbs to Cassie’s mouth but she pressed her lips firmly together, shaking her head.

“I’m not going to eat no teddy bear’th bum!” she declared resolutely.

Carolyn shrugged and licked the jammy crumbs from her fingers. “All right, let’s look in this jumble and see what else we can find. Ah, here’s a good part…it’s a crumble tumble…look here’s the belly button!” She fished out a rather squashed raisin and popped it into Cassie’s willing mouth, following it with more jam smeared pancake bits. “We better eat his mouth next. We don’t want mumbles from this jumble of crumbles, do we?” A few more raisins and pancake bits made their way past Cassie’s lips. “Cassie – I think you’ve created a new recipe!”

“I have?” Cassie looked at her mom in wonder.

“Uh-huh. We’ll call it a Jumble Crumble and I bet Mr. Mallard and his friends would like to have some.”

“Really?” Cassie bounced out of her mother’s lap and tugged at her hand. “Can we go give them thome now?”

She was suddenly the sunny dispositioned child he had begun to love, Myles realized, wiping the tears from his eyes after watching the tender display between mother and daughter. He looked away from the sweet tableau and at the faces that mattered most right now -- the principal and the social worker.

“As you can see, this has all been a misunderstanding,” Myles spoke resolutely as he stood and squared off with the principal.
Jack slipped into place beside him loosening his jacket enough so that the badge clipped onto his belt was visible. He wasn’t above using a few intimidation tactics to get the results they wanted.

“We really should discuss this inside,” Mr. Bennett reiterated. “Mrs. Wringer has some questions for you, Mrs. Stevenson.”

“Has there been a formal complaint, then?” Myles asked smoothly as a suprising warmth and calm spread through his chest.

“N-no,” Mrs. Wringer admitted hesitantly.

“So you have not received a report questioning Mrs. Stevenson’s parenting skills?” Myles pressed.

“No.”

“Then what has been your purpose for your school visit, Mrs. Wringer?”

“I happened to be here on a follow up visit for another family…”

“Aha!” Myles pounced. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you aren’t permitted to conduct an investigation without proper documentation, are you?”

“Well, no, but a report is in the works…”

“But not yet completed?” Myles pressed.

“No, but since I’m here it’s a simple matter for me to make an assessment now,” Mrs. Wringer said rather frostily.

“Without that documentation, you would need the permission and full cooperation of the parent, would you not, Mrs. Wringer?”

“Yes.”

Myles looked over at Carolyn who was listening in astonishment. “Do you feel like putting Cassie through a social services evaluation interview right now, Carolyn?”

“No!”

Myles turned triumphantly back to the social worker. “I’m afraid permission has been denied. I guess you’ll just have to wait for the paperwork to be completed.”

“I have grounds to intervene in matters of child endangerment,” Mrs. Wringer defended hotly.

“Do you have any fear of Carolyn endangering her child?” Myles posed the question to the secretary who, he noticed, was blowing her nose furiously and looking damp about the eyes.

“Goodness no. They’re the sweetest pair ever,” the lady declared staunchly.

Myles beamed at her. “Well there you have it. I guess we’ll just have to wait for the bureaucratic red tape to be cleared. With the Easter holidays coming up, it’s doubtless that you’ll see a report cross your desk before the middle of next week, isn’t that right?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Wringer answered sullenly.

“Now about this nonsense of Cassie being violent…” Jack’s jacket shifted even more to reveal his holstered gun, “do you think you might be willing to rethink that one, Mr. Bennett?”

“It definitely appears that some hasty decision were made here,” the principal readily replied. “I’m open for discussion.”

I'm all teary now, having read that, Kav. Just loved the moment between Carolyn and Cassie---very sweet. I'm glad that things are okay for the moment as far as the social worker and the school goes, but I am anxious to see how the rest of this will play out. Even though you've already spoiled us today, I'm greedily awaiting more---this is so wonderful!!!

Whew! Now that some members of the team are becoming involved, I'm feeling more and more hopeful for Carolyn and Cassie. I hope Carolyn will, in turn, accept the help they're willing to offer

I'm teary, too, Tina! Such an infinitely tender momma Carolyn is! Unlike me who is about to go chase down three rugrats - two my own, one visiting, who have been playing in the water hose on this unusally hot day! I guess it's showers all around before the egg hunt!

I'm in a liquid state right now ... you can keep me there all day, Kav.

Cassie and her mother ... so sweet !

Myles and Jack ... those badges sometimes just come handy, don't they, boys?

loved the bits with teddys bum and tum

really enjoyed jack flashing his badge then his gun

and myles was so sweet with Cassie, he's coming on in leaps and bounds in the whole prayer and children thing, neither of which he's ever been too comfortable with

hope carolyn accepts whatever help he is offering, as long as he doesan't try to take over

and i'm also eagerly awaiting the continuation of jack and Sues little chat, preferably without any interruptions

can't wait for the rest

cath

Carolyn is one strong woman! She only lives for her daughter, doesn't she? It showed in the way she put her attentione solely to Cassie in a room full of offensive adults (apart from the FBI-friends, of course!). Myles is already growing into his role of surrogate-uncle...or is it more like surrogate-daddy?.....

Kav, the moments between Carolyn and Cassie are just beautiful!!! I could see it unfolding right in front of me!!!

I love the way Myles and Jack pulled in ranks and flashed their authority around to get the social worker and prinicpal to rethink their plan!!!

Now, let's take these two to Myles' house and try and think of something we can do for them that will keep Carolyn's pride intact!!!

Joy

I'm a puddle, and I'm just going to stay this way now! Loving this in so many ways, I can't even begin to say!!!

Oh, Kav! I love it, I love it, I love it! The mother/daughter moment, the J/S moment, the Myles/Cassie moment, all of it!!! I love how they're all banding together to support Cassie and Carolyn! I can't wait to see where you take this next! And... I do believe there is a nice chunk left to share for you to reach today's goal.

I'm being optimistic here.

Can't wait for more!!!

“Mummy, I have to go,” Cassie whined anxiously.

Carolyn barely heard her daughter’s plea over the hubbub in the office. She was trying to follow negotiations between Myles and Jack and Cassie’s ‘suspended sentence’. She tried to get a word in edgewise but the men ignored her. Miss Yancy had stopped by to see how things were going and Sue was updating her while the secretary was alternately dealing with phone calls, and a continuous string of children who had been sent to the office for one reason or another. Everyone seemed anxiously engaged in something except her. She was beginning to feel useless and self-conscious and more than a little embarrassed at the predicament that had transpired here. These were FBI agents wasting precious time and resources on her behalf. She didn't have the strength to fight the roll of shame that crested in her heart. She was feeling useless: as a mother, as a woman, as a member of the human race. She tried to snap out of her morose thoughts, knowing that her illness had something to do with her depression. Her head was swimming and she was now alternating between nausea and hunger. She knew she was running a fever and she just wanted to lie down somewhere safe and quiet.

“Mummy, I’m going to pee my pantth,” Cassie insisted with a whimper.

“Okay sweetie, let’s go.” Carolyn took Cassie’s hand and led her down the hall to the girls’ washroom where she leant against the cool tile wall while Cassie used the toilet. She almost fell asleep with her back propped against the wall when she felt Cassie tugging at her hand. “Can we go feed Mr. Mallard now?”

Suddenly the idea of going in and facing all those people again – strangers really – was more than she could bear. “Now that sounds like a good idea,” she agreed, ruffling her daughter’s hair. She paused long enough to scribble a hasty thank you note and gave it to a seventh grader who was dressing for patrols at the end of the day. “Would you mind bringing that to the office and giving it to that tall man with the blond hair?” The seventh grader left on his errand with an air of importance and Carolyn hastily sped Cassie out the back door of the school.

* * *

“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Myles roared.

Jack came in from a quick jog around the perimeters of the school to confirm that both mother and daughter had indeed disappeared from sight.

“Why would she just take off like that?” Myles complained angrily. “Doesn’t she know it’s in Cassie’s best interest to…”

“Feed the ducks,” Sue put in quickly, jabbing Myles in the ribs with her elbow. “Remember? She promised she would take Cassie and she probably wants to get there before the light fades.”

Myles nodded his head curtly, signing thank you for Sue’s benefit as he turned and made his excuses to Mr. Bennett as Jack and Sue left.

They regrouped outside the school at Jack’s car.

“I can’t believe that after all that effort she just slipped away!” Myles raged. “How could she do that to me? To Cassie?”

“We weren’t exactly including her in the discussion with the principal,” Jack reminded him sheepishly.

Myles looked about to protest but clamped his mouth shut and thought for a minute. “I was being high-handed again, wasn’t I?” he asked Sue. “Go ahead, be honest. I can take it.”

Sue grinned in spite of her worry. “You have to admit it is second nature to you.”

“How are we going to find her now?” Myles asked worriedly. “I wanted to make sure she spent the night in a decent and safe home.”

“Relax, Myles, I know where she is. Jack and I met her at the park this morning. We can go there now and head her off at the duck pond.”

Ah, it was to sad to see that Carolyn became overwhelmed and fled. I am glad that Sue and Jack seem to know where she is.

The only thing I can think of ... (and I cannot think much right now) ... is that Myles will have to munch his words before he utters them if he doesn't want to humiliate Carolyn ...

I'm so glad that Jack found the new park and took Sue there this morning. God is so good - and works things out perfectly!

This is riveting, Kav. I can't walk anywhere near my computer without hitting refresh and hoping for a post. We just go back for an egg hunt...the kids need baths..and an early bed time....the kitchen needs my attention as does the laundry, but here I am, soaking up each post you write.

Carolyn sank gratefully down onto the park bench and smiled wanly at her daughter’s enthusiasm. Cassie was balancing on the rocks doing her duck walk and Mr. Mallard and friends were swiftly swimming over. Carolyn wanted nothing more than to sink down onto the hard plank seating and drift into oblivion, but she fought the temptation, rising shakily to her feet and walking unsteadily to the shoreline.

“Thit here, Mummy,” Cassie patted the flat rock beside her.

Carolyn unwrapped the crumbled pancake and held it out for Cassie to throw to the ducks. It soon became apparent that she needed to hold fast to the back of Cassie’s shirt to make sure the child didn’t fall in. When all the crumbs had been distributed and Cassie had wiped her sticky hands along the sides of her pants, she settled onto the rock beside her mother.

“Are we homeleth?”

Carolyn started shaking inside, fear coiling and building from the core of her being at the unexpected question. She tried to formulate an answer but though she opened her mouth, no sound came out. This was the question she had been dreading. The confrontation of truth that she wasn’t ready for. Three simple words had suddenly made it forever impossible for her to pretend that this was anything other than what it was. And now her daughter realized just what kind of failure her mother was.

“Becauthe we don’t have a home,” Cassie concluded, snuggling companionably into her mother’s side.

Carolyn swallowed nervously, her heart hammering so loudly that it practically drowned out her own thoughts. “Mummy’s working so that we can get a home again, sweetie.”

“When we get one, can I have a bed?” Cassie asked wistfully.

Carolyn tried to fight the sob that was building inside her chest. A tear escaped her left eye and trailed down her nose, dripping onto her little girl’s head.

Cassie looked up at her in surprise. “Are you thad, Mummy?” she asked in concern.

“A little bit, darling. I’m sad that we don’t have a home and that you don’t have a bed.”

Cassie patted her mother’s knee consolingly. “Maybe if we pray God will help uth,” she suggested, but then she frowned. “Are we poor too?”

Carolyn didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Yes, sweetie, I’m afraid we are,” she answered truthfully.

After digesting this for a minute Cassie asked, “If Jethuth came to help the poor, how come he ithn’t helping uth?”

“Oh but he is, Cassie,” Carolyn hastily assured her. “He uses special helpers, like…well, like Myles and Jack and Sue. Remember how said you were this afternoon?” Cassie nodded. “I bet you felt better when Myles came to school.”

“Did Jethuth thend him jutht for me?” Cassie asked in awe.

“I think he did, baby, I think he did,” Carolyn answered feeling a kind of awe warming her inside and out. It didn’t bear thinking about what would have happened to Cassie this afternoon if Myles hadn’t appeared. And if he hadn’t interceded on their behalf, Cassie might well be spending the night in a foster home this evening. Her arms tightened protectively around her the little girl. Did you send him, Father? Comforting heat flooded her body. You’re not alone. Stifling a sob, Carolyn reached for Cassie’s knapsack and drew out a crumpled business card. But he doesn’t know us. Let him have that privilege. How can I ask him for help? I’m a stranger to him. I was a stranger and ye took me in. I’m frightened. So is he. Please send me a sign…Carolyn’s inner reflection was brought to an abrupt halt when an enthusiastic golden retriever greeted her with a slobbery kiss.

“Mummy look, it’th Myleth and Jack and Thue!”

Alright, I'm teary again and now I have goosebumps. I'm in awe---how do you do it?? I'm so glad Carolyn got the sign she was asking for, and I'm going to be sitting here, waiting in anticipation for your next post!

I'm gonna have to go get some water and rehydrate myself - you're killing me here, Kav - and yet I can't get enough!

My box of kleenex serves many purposes today ... more please !


I can see little toothless Cassie in my mind, and I can also hear her.

Wow! What a day. I lost track where you are in your 8 posts, but you are doing an unbelievable job. I told my hubby that I was going to print this story for him to read. He said, "Oh, Boy." I told him it would be like watching an episode on the TV....You are simply amazing Kav! What a gift God has given you.

here's hoping that you aren't done with all those posts....

Wow! I was gone for the day and came back to a whole slew of posts. They should have come with a kleenix warning! This story is incredible, Kav and really tugs at my heart! Keep up the great work!

This is #7, might just manage #8 since my sheets and jammies are in the dryer and I can't go to be anyway.


Once she started talking she couldn’t stop. It was a relief to share the burdens she had kept hidden for so long. Surprisingly, once she admitted her situation, the shame she’d been feeling lessened, replaced by hope and a new-found optimism.

“None of this is your fault,” Sue told her more than once. “Don’t blame yourself. You have done a marvelous job with Cassie in spite of your circumstances. That in and of itself is an amazing accomplishment.”

Carolyn glowed at the praise, feasted on the kind words that lifted her spirits in a way that nothing else could. She glanced shyly at Myles when she confessed to combining her laundry with that of her clients’ and keeping leftovers and food intended to be disposed of. When he didn’t look surprised she looked at him suspiciously.

“You did told me to throw out that food on purpose!” she accused.

He grinned. “I hoped you would take the bait. Looks like I was right,” he said proudly.

She blushed at being caught in the dishonest act. “I justified it because it was going in the garbage,” she confessed, “but it was still stealing, in a way.”

“It was surviving, Carolyn,” Myles corrected her, “and I wouldn’t have cared if you’d carried half my pantry home. Probably wouldn’t have noticed either. Now that’s a crime.” He thought of the excess he had lived with all his life and cringed at the way he had taken it for granted.

“Ith it thupper time yet? Levi wantth to know,” Cassie came running up to the adults, panting nearly as heavily as the dog.

They went to Sue’s apartment and made a smorgasbord out of Myles’ leftovers and bits and pieces Sue and Lucy threw together. Cassie eyed the heavily laden table rapturously. “I geuth God’th paying attention after all,” she told her mother seriously.

After dinner they talked some more and the conversation grew into an argument about where Cassie and Carolyn were going to spend the night. Myles wanted to take them home with him. Sue was sure he would spring up at any moment and shout, “Finders, keepers, losers, weepers!” His enthusiasm was almost endearing now that he had tempered it somewhat.

Myles knew he was fighting a losing battle, but didn’t feel like giving in gracefully. He had no desire to return to an empty house after this eventful day. He had begun to think of Carolyn and her daughter as his and felt a stab of jealousy when it was decided that they should stay at Lucy and Sue’s. Jack had to take him aside and remind him that Carolyn was a young woman who would probably be more comfortable in the all-female household here. And there was her reputation to consider, especially in view of the inevitable social services assessment looming in her future. So Myles had backed down, but not gracefully, much to Jack’s amusement.

It was evident that Carolyn was exhausted. She could barely keep her eyes open the rest of the evening. She tried to keep up with the conversation, but unrelated snatches of words and phrases just swirled around in her head succeeding only in confusing her. She could barely keep track of her excited daughter who moved around the apartment trying out every chair and bed, intoning, “Thith one ith too thoft” or “Thith one ith too hard”. She declared Sue’s bed “jutht right” especially when Levi curled up on it with her.

“You two can take my bed and I’ll sleep on the sofa. It pulls out,” she told Carolyn.

“You keep a bed hidden in there?” Cassie was clearly impressed and there was nothing for it but to demonstrate the couch’s transformation.

Tossing the extra pillows at Sue, Jack eyed the crowded living room regretfully. By the blush on her cheeks he figured her mind was travelling in the same direction.

“I need to walk Levi one last time.”

“Why don’t we take Levi out for a walk?”

They said it at the same time, laughing self-consciously as everyone else stopped to look at them.

“That’s subtle,” Myles quipped, feeling unaccountably light-hearted.

Jack ignored the jibe and grabbed Sue’s jacket from the hook in the hallway. He helped her on with it, taking great delight in sliding her hair out from beneath the collar. He let the fine silken strands slide through his fingers, watching the play of light on the golden curtain.

“I won’t be long.”

“Don’t wait up for her.”

They both spoke at the same time again and Jack laughed while Sue blushed. Levi just wagged his tail and headed out the door.

“I should be going as well,” Myles said regretfully. “Carolyn you look like you’re about to drop. Go to bed. And you, Miss Hop-along-Cassidy, no more jumping on the bed. Let your mother get some sleep, all right?”

Cassie nodded, looking suddenly hesitant. “You’re not thtaying here?” her lower lip trembled.

“Oh Cassie, honey, Myles has his own house. The one I cleaned, remember I told you how pretty it is? He has his own bed there,” Carolyn tried to ward off a tantrum.

“And you get to try out Sue’s bed tonight,” Myles continued. “You will have to do a scientific study and tell me if it is really too soft. But you won’t know that unless you stay in bed the whole night through. Got that?”

Cassie nodded and then threw her arms around Myles neck and gave him a resounding kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight, Myleth,” she said so sweetly that it brought tears to his eyes. Then, “Aren’t you going to kith Myleth good night, Mummy?” exchanged the tears for laughter instead.

That was just heartwrenching! I'm SOOOO glad that Myles, Sue and Jack found them in the park! I know that they are going to help her. I hope we get another post yet tonight!

I love that you keep making another post when I am making a post!! Is that timing or what?

I'm so glad that Carolyn did not waste any time trying to hide what was really going on in her life. The whole gang will be able to help her.

and can I say how much I'm looking forward to Levi's walk.......ooohhhlala!

a walk in the park...sounds fuzzilicious

Yeah...that your bedding is still wet!!!1

I'm glad Carolyn and Cassie have someplace safe and warm to sleep tonight, and I must say that I loved Myles' possessiveness of the two. Looking forward to Jack and Sue's walk...any chance that is coming up in the next post???? Hoping it happens tonight! Why not, since you can't go to bed yet anyway.

Now I'm sitting here crying happy tears.....and cheering for wet pajamas and sheets!

Carolyn's burden has been lightened...because a burden shared is a burden halved....and with such a group, even more so. I can't wait to see the team in 'action' once again with Myles leading the way.

And the anticipation of Levi's walk......

I am so pleased that they were found and are safe and sound at Sue and Lucy's.
This is one amazing story.

Kav, do you know what these posts are doing to me? I feel as jumbled as the bumbled pancake! Here's my gamut of emotions (in various orders, depending on which post I read):


Yep, that about covers it. This is a truly brilliant piece.

Oh, I'm just so jittery!! You know that feeling where your heart is pounding so hard and your body is so wound up that it feels like you're going to have a heart attack and you can't sit still?! Yes, I'm eighteen, and I'm already gearing up for a heart attack. HAHA! But, at least it'll be brought on by exuberant happiness! And hey... Kav, what's one more post? hehe.

I can't wait to read more! And I'm so excited! They get to sleep in a bed tonight... and to have their company fought over?! Hallelujah!!!

I just came back from a Good Friday service, so I'm understandably hyped!!! haha.

Keep it up, girl! You have me hooked, line and sinker, and everything else that can possibly be caught. hehe.

haha.

hoho.

I think I'm going cuckoo!


But I'm having so much fun doing so!!

Sorry no fuzzies tonight...I'm too sleepy. If I tried it now it would read 'they kissed' so I thought I better leave it for tomorrow. And, Lizzy, dearest, have you started in on the Easter candy early?

Carolyn fell into the welcoming softness of Sue’s bed with a contented sigh. She was actually wearing pajamas, soft yellow cotton ones with an embroidered yolk. She’d forgotten what it felt like to sleep in a bed. It had been years. Even in her old apartment she had slept on a slab of thin foam. Her whole body ached and she buried herself all the way up to her nose beneath the piled comforters. Cassie’s warm little body wriggled in close to hers.

“I feel like a printheth,” she whispered in awe to her mother.

“You’re my princess,” Carolyn murmured sleepily.

“Mummy, what are we praying for tomorrow?” Cassie asked, thinking that today’s prayers had been very successful.

“Reverend Brambles wants us to pray for our enemies,” Carolyn whispered. “Now hush and go to sleep.”

“Enemieth aren’t good, are they?” Cassie asked dubiously.

“They’re people who hurt us or upset us in some way,” Carolyn didn’t feel up to any detailed explanations tonight.

Cassie sat bolt upright in bed. “I better not hafta pray for Carter Reynoldth,” she declared ominously.

Carolyn groaned. Why did the best teaching moments happen at the worst possible times? “Maybe he needs someone to pray for him. Did you ever think of that?”

“Hith mother can pray for him,” Cassie decided after some thought.

“He doesn’t have a mummy,” Carolyn said and then waited to see how Cassie would take that news.

“He hath to have a mother. Everybody hath a mother,” the little girl protested.

“His mother lives far away and he never sees her, like the way it is with you and your daddy.”

Cassie flounced back down onto the pillows. “Well, I’m not praying for very long then,” she vowed resolutely.

* * *

There was an emptiness in the house that he had never felt before. It made him feel a restless yearning. He imagined what it would be like to return home at the end of the day to have a family greet him – a house full of noise and laughter and love. Myles sighed. Now he was feeling melancholy. Deflated almost, after the excitement of the day. He pulled the covers back from his bed and climbed in, yawning tiredly. He’d read for a bit, just to get well and truly drowsy and then turn in for the night.

Unable to get comfortable, he fidgeted with his pillows, the slant of the sheet, the angle of the lamp illuminating the page of his book. He still couldn’t seem to retain anything and had read the same paragraph over and over again without any hope of comprehension. He closed his book in disgust and leaned against the headboard in resignation. What do you want me to do now?

He hadn’t talked to Anne in a number of weeks. A quick mental calculation pegged it more than a month ago. She was never far from his mind, but he wasn’t good about acting on the thoughts he had. They had grown up at odds in the same house, competitors for the love of their parents – ironically something that could never be given in the first place. He had made some progress with reconnecting with Anne in the past few years, but she was still wary of any overtures. Father, why are putting these thoughts into my head? Surely you can’t expect me to…it’s late, she’s probably in bed. I’ll call her in the morning. Thinking the decision made, he turned out the light and settled more fully under the covers.

Only to have his eyes spring wide open and, muttering under his breath, Myles succumbed, reaching over to turn on the light and locate his address book on the nightstand. Rifling through the pages he located Anne’s number and quickly dialed. Get this over with and get to bed, Leland, he encouraged. The phone rang five times before a sleepy voice answered.

“Hello Anne…yes it’s me, expecting another man to be calling you at this late hour? If so, give me his name and I’ll have him checked out for you...No, that wasn’t meant to be a joke. I’m in deadly earnest, a woman can’t be too careful these days.” He thought of Carolyn’s innocent but misplaced trust in Cassie’s father. “Yes I’m fine and no I’ve not had a near death experience.” Why did his family wonder this every time he called one of them? “I’m calling to see how you’re doing. What’s going on in your life. What you’ve been up to over the last month. Are you happy, Anne? Can I help you in any way?…” He could hear the incredulity in her voice as he rambled on. “Yes, I guess it is too late to get into that conversation right now. I should let you go back to sleep.” Tell her! “Anne, before you hang up, I just wanted to say…that is I want you to know…that…I love you. You’re a remarkable woman with more courage than I can ever hope to have. I admire your ability to recreate your life – to move forward, in spite of everything our parents have to say about that. You’re a good woman Anne and I just thought you should know. ‘Night.”

Satisfied? He rolled over in bed as a feeling of contentment covered him like a blanket, lulling him into slumber.

I suppose your reason for no fuzzies was a legitimate one... Considering the fact that you managed to post eight times today, I suppose we can't exactly complain! Loved the conversation between Cassie and Carolyn---she's doing such a good job of raising that little girl! And Myles' phone call to Anne was so very him...the ending of that call was heartwarming, and I wonder what Anne was thinking right then! Can't wait to see what you come up with tomorrow, Kav! Hope you dream up something warm and fuzzy tonight.

Loved it - even without the fuzzies! I think when I crawl in bed in just a few minutes, I'll take the time to be thankful for what I take for granted!

So - do we get 8 posts tomorrow too?

Okay, I can go to bed now, too. I wanted to be there to cheer you on to that last post even though I know you couldn't hear me.



Have you been secretly spying on my day?

I loved Myles call to his sister. It was perfect. My favorite part was "Satisfied?" at the end. Myles is really starting to listen to his heart where God seems to be doing some serious reconstruction.

Nope, no Easter candy for me this year... if I want candy, I'm buying it for myself. So, this is just pure Lizzy!! Easter's going to be pretty thrown together this year, so I doubt there will be any candy. Besides, it's been established: I've been too old for Easter Egg Hunts for years now. But hey, maybe they'll need a bunny!! haha.

OK, I'm way off track here.

Congrats on your 8th post!!! A wonderful accomplishment! Seriously. I have enjoyed every one of them immensely, too. hehe. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

I can't wait for more!

And, as much as I loves kisses, when you're awake and coherent and able to write like the Kav we know, love, and adore, it'll be well worth the wait!

Keep it up, girlfriend! You're doing awesome!

Kav, thank you for the 8 posts today ... I'm going to bed in high spirit ... just like Myles !!!

I loved all eight posts!



gracie

woke up to all these wonderful posts



cath

Just caught up on your great story.

Will there be any fuzzies today?

Kav, you did it again....you got me crying again over Myles!

8 posts in one day....WOW!!!!! Any chance you could play that trick again today?

kav,

Thank you for all of the posts. You certainly have struck a cord with this tender story.

I could just imagine Anne's reaction and see her face as she got Myles' call.

Myles is gaining so much into his life as he opens it up to others.

Wow, wow, wow and wow!

How could a job is Carolyn doing if Cassie is only just starting to get that things aren't what they should be? And Myles feeling all possessive- and cranky at God (Satisfied? ) Wonderful!!!! And Jack and Sue...Oi they might be dealing with a few interuptions but you can feel the tension and they are definantly heading in the right direction- and at a brisk pace for once!

Fantastic and amazing and congratulations on managing 8 posts in one day (each one better than the one before)

Eight whole posts! Yikes! You were so awesome in each post. Up, down, sideways, diagonal...you hit every target and every spot!



The only good thing about this story ending would be that my knees would get some rest from ....

playing catch up and you have had me go thru an entire range of emotions....I have no idea where to start...

Cassie is adorable.... those bullies- GRRRR well i can relate to wee cassiea dn those boys really do need her prayers.....

Myles true light is shining thru the clinks in his stone wall. it is wonderful watchign him flourish and grow...

Carolyn, my heart bleeds for her, at least if she is going to fall ill she is in a safe enviornment......

sue and Jack....perfect!!!

All and all this has been wonderful....

Kav, catching up was so much fun - I cried the whole time, sometimes because I was sad and sometimes because I was extremely happy!!!

I love Myles in this story - I've always felt that Myles had this part hidden in him and I am elated to see you bring it out!! I love his phone call to Anne, and the fact that he is effortlessly letting God into his life (unbeknownst to him as of yet, of course)!!!

Cassie is so adorable!! I'm so glad that they have a real bed tonight and that the team knows all their circumstances and will now jump in to help!!!

Cassie is going to pray for Carter, but not for too long - how cute is that???

Jack and Sue taking Levi to the park!!! **sigh**

Kav, thank you so much for all the many posts!!! Hate to sound pushy, but I can't wait for more!!!

Joy

Wow, what an amazing run of posts.

I'm glad that Cassie felt comfortable enough with Myles to fall asleep on him and that he is learning to think before he speaks.

Carolyn is an amazing mother, always thinking of Cassie before herself. hopefully she will soon not have to worry so much about the tough stuff she is now and can enjoy life. I know she won't ever take things for granted.

Hopefully the walk with Levi will get Jack and Sue to where we want them to be...

Thanks

Soph

I think I have about 12 posts to go...hoping I can do it by midnight tomorrow!!!! and this post is rated PG-17 because, well, when you keep Jack waiting...


There was a chill in the air and Sue shivered slightly beneath her light jacket. Dampness clung to the ground, moisture glistening on tree limbs in the soft yellow light of the street lamps. An unexpected spring shower in the early evening had left it’s mark and while Levi happily frolicked in the saturated grass without a care, Sue was wishing she had brought a warmer coat. She didn’t want to call an early end to the evening, but she might just have to when her teeth started chattering.

Cold? Jack signed, noticing the way she huddled into the folds of her jacket. He didn’t know how she could be. He was boiling; heat infusing his body just with the anticipation of what was to come. Perhaps it was time he shared some of that heat with her. His hand reached out for hers and he pulled gently to get her attention, stopping under a street lamp.

“It’s time,” he said mysteriously.

Sue looked at him nervously, suddenly unsure of herself. “Time for what?”

“To finish what we’ve almost started a hundred times over these past three years,” he answered quietly, his heated look robbing her of her breath. His hand moved to the top button of her jacket, easily slipping the wooden toggle free from its clasp.

“Jack?” her voice wavered, exposing her vulnerability to him.

The sound of her husky confusion wrapped around him, caressing and intimate. He knew his voice would sound that way too, desire clouding his words, roughening the timber of his voice and for the first time he found himself regretting her inability to hear. He wanted her to know just what she did to him and she would never listen to the evidence of arousal in his voice. Two more buttons popped free of their fastenings. He smiled in anticipation. He would just have to show her with his hands and his mouth instead.

“You’re shivering and I’m going to make you warm,” he explained as if it was perfectly logical to take clothes off in order to ward away the cold.

Sue looked down, watching his fingers nimbly finish off the last toggle. It was true she was shivering, but she wasn’t so sure that it was from the cold any more, especially when he parted the folds of her jacket so it hung wide open only to step in closer so that their bodies almost touched. The heat emanating from him was incredible and yet she shivered more violently than before. Her heart jumped when his hands settled at the curve of her hips, branding her possessively with their heat. He applied an unrelenting pressure and their bodies fused, their heated cores pulsing to life. She braced her hands against his chest unsteadily and then slid them up until they encircled his neck. She stared up at him expectantly.

His breath stilled in his body and he could only stare back at her as his hands explored the enticing curves of her womanly shape. His physical reaction to her nearness was shocking and yet, at the same time, not unexpected. He had been waiting for this moment since the day he first saw her and now that it was finally here he had no intention of rushing it. Their gaze never broke as his hand slid down her back, around to her front, stroking her from ribcage to waist with the back of his hand. One finger snagged in the hem of her peasant blouse and skin connected with skin causing her to utter a surprised “Oh!”

The motion drew his eyes to her lips, parted now in a perfectly shaped bow. He groaned, his hand at her waist trembling, as he tried to maintain some semblance of control. The muscles in his belly knotted, hard and aching with a need he had not until this second ever considered giving free reign to.

“Close your eyes.”

Sue wasn’t certain she had read him right. She was having a difficult time concentrating on anything but the incredible heat that was building around them. His hand was brushing against the contours of her stomach, his rough knuckles scraping across her sensitized skin, making it impossible for her to catch her breath as her stomach contracted with the sensual pleasure. He tapped her forehead impatiently with a finger and in her befuddled state she forgot what it was he wanted her to do.

He grinned at her in pure male amusement, easing her lids closed with the palm of his hand and then kept her fluttering eyelashes closed with light, nibbling kisses. Resting his forehead against hers, he reluctantly eased his hand from beneath her shirt, smiling with deep satisfaction at her muffled murmur of protest. He cupped her face in his hands, his fingers digging into her scalp possessively, holding her captive for his perusal. He drank in every pore -- high cheekbones, flushed with excitement, long lashes and lush lips – he’d realized she was beautiful, but not quite this stunning. He couldn’t get enough of her.

Robbed of her sense of sight, Sue waited in anticipation, trusting him implicitly. Heat whispered through her body, warming up her blood, melting her insides. She liked the feel of his hands cradling her face, his thumbs tracing patterns along her cheekbones. She could feel his breath playing across her forehead, teasing her with barely there kisses until every nerve ending in her body was standing at attention. Jack! Had she put a voice to her plea or kept it buried in her heart? She wasn’t certain – wasn’t certain of anything anymore except that she needed him to kiss her now. She tried to move her head, struggled against his gentle restriction, but he was too strong, too determined to tease. She felt his laughter dance along her cheekbones, slide down the slope of her nose, hover at her lips, moist and open, inviting him in.

She sobbed when his mouth applied the gentlest of pressures, only to pull back and nibble along her chin instead. When he returned his attention to her lips once more his caress was measured and possessive. He claimed her mouth deeply, tantalizing her with adventurous forays of tongue and teeth.

Her hands moved instinctively over his body, sliding beneath his leather jacket, running lightly over his muscular form, claiming him as intimately as he had claimed her. Flames danced behind her eyelids, as heat rose and swirled between them. The weight of her breasts rested against his solid chest and every muscle in her body ached for fulfillment. For the first time in her life, Sue allowed her body to rule her brain as she kissed him back just as possessively.

Beautiful post that seemed to end all too soon...well worth the wait!!!

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