Full Version: Redemption - Kav - Option 2
RomanceFanFiction.net > The Highlights - A Place To Start > Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2006 Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > Easter/Spring Challenge 2006
This is going to be a beautiful and moving story...
Catching up a bit here. I loved Myles realising that Sue is his friend. It seems so simple but makes so much difference.
Thank you for this story, I'd sort of forgotten about Easter this year. Well, maybe not forgotten, misplaced. Looking forward to more.
Thank you for this story, I'd sort of forgotten about Easter this year. Well, maybe not forgotten, misplaced. Looking forward to more.
Wow is all I can say
......and
This story I can tell is going to shift our emotions into overdrive..so very thought provoking...sad, poignant and with a smattering of light relief...I thank god too that Jack was there...... It reminded me so much of the pilot episode where god showed her the way to DC!
And as for Myles...he is so endearing in that Myles like way only devotees can understand...
Can't wait for the next instalment
......and
This story I can tell is going to shift our emotions into overdrive..so very thought provoking...sad, poignant and with a smattering of light relief...I thank god too that Jack was there...... It reminded me so much of the pilot episode where god showed her the way to DC!
And as for Myles...he is so endearing in that Myles like way only devotees can understand...
Can't wait for the next instalment
QUOTE
"Why is it always easier to pray for someone else than for yourself?" Sue mused
Hmmm, something I've wondered myself...
Loved the moment of "divine sign" about Jack. Now can we get some "divine intervention"?!
BTW, Myles, I use the "Hey God" one myself quite frequently actually. I don't think He minds and it's a whole lot easier than what you've got so far!
Emboldened by his cheeky grin, Sue leaned her hip against the driver's side of his car in what she hoped was a casually non-chalant pose. "Chance encounter?" she teased innocently.
"Nothing chance about it." His eyes lingered on hers for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
It flustered Sue and she quickly dipped her head, pretending an absorbtion in the comfort of Levi's collar that she didn't feel. She jumped when she felt the pressure of his hand resting on her arm.
"I can't talk to you if you're not looking at me," he chided her good-naturedly.
Sorry. Sue fought back the embarrassing wave of heat that seemed intent on flooding her cheeks. Father, if I'm supposed to be praying for my benefit today then can we start right here? With him?
Jack slowly opened the car door, gently bumping her far enough away so that he could slide out. Standing in front of her, he placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"Jack, what are you doing?" Sue asked in surprise.
"Trying to keep your attention on me for longer than a second," came his unexpected reply. "First you're looking at the ground and then you're looking at the sky. How about looking at me for a change?"
"That shouldn't be too hard," Sue said without thinking.
"Glad you think so," Jack grinned cockily, watching her heightened colour. He wondered if her cheek would feel as hot as it looked. The temptation to find out was almost impossible to resist. His fingers itched to caress her cheek but he resigned himself to allowing only his eyes that privilege. He cleared his throat a little self-consciously.
Eat. Finish? he signed.
Eat late I
You and I go to park?
Sue looked at him in confusion. "You just signed park."
Jack still remained silent, concentrating on his hands to convey his invitation. P-i-c-n-i-c he finger spelled. Eat. Morning.
"Isn't it kind of early in the season for a picnic?"
"I found this new park. It has a great spot for Levi to watch the ducks..."
At the d word Levi snapped to attention, singing excitedly in the back of his throat.
"See? He likes the idea and there's a sheltered, sunny spot." Jack was glad she couldn't hear the pleading tone in his voice.
She could see it in his eyes though. Hiding her smile, she deliberately paused to consider his request. "Where does the breakfast part come in?" Hunger. Me.
"All taken care of," Jack assured her, indicating some takeout bags and a thermos in the car. "Coffee and crossiants -- I'm pretty sure there's a chocolate one in there."
"Well that clinches it then," Sue said with a laugh. "Just let me get changed. I won't be five minutes."
Jack watched her disappear into her building, leaving Levi at his side. He whistled appreciatively at her retreating form and looked down at the dog. "You know something fella, I'm sure glad you two didn't go to New York." Levi barked his agreement.
* * *
Cassie pelted down the footpath and along the grassy embankment, shrieking with delight when she caught a glimpse of her green headed friend, Mr. Mallard.
"Cassie! Slow down!" Carolyn called, shaking her head and picking up speed. The little girl was full of energy this morning and anxious to see if the ducklings had hatched. They came to the park every morning. It was half way between the car and Cassie's school and now that the weather was warmer they found it a safe sanctuary to bide their time until Carolyn could drop her daughter off at the Breakfast Club before heading off to work.
Cassie slid to a halt at the edge of the pond making the most outlandish quacking noises which seemed to mean something to the flock of ducks that resided there. She was soon preaching to an audience and her special duck, Mr. Mallard, was right there front and center. Carolyn watched her daughter and almost felt carefree. The early morning sun was warm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky and she could almost forget that they didn't have a home and she was down to less than ten dollars. Five really, since she'd have to pay that man the tooth fairy money back. Her short spurt of euphoria evaporated as the worries of the day began to crowd her mind. Lost in thought she didn't notice her daughter's caprious dance along the edge of the rocky embankment nor Cassie's attempt to mimic a blue heron standing farther out from shore. She precariously perched on one leg teetering from side to side unsteadily. Carolyn noticed her antics at the exact second her daughter took a nose-dive. With a terrified scream, she ran forward, knowing in her heart she wouldn't reach Cassie in time.
From their position on a park bench Jack and Sue had watched the little girl's playful dance along the shore. They both bolted up at the first sign of trouble but it was Levi who beat them to the rescue, carefully closing his mouth around the child's jacket and pulling her backwards until she fell with a thud on solid ground. Sue recognized the woman who raced to the little girl's side, scooping her up into a hug and then laughingly batting away Levi's enthusiastic kisses.
"Yes, you're a clever dog," she crooned to the golden who thumped his tail in agreement.
"He bit my butt, Mummy," Cassie said and collapsed into a deep belly laugh.
"More like he saved your butt, missy," Carolyn corrected. She looked up as a couple approached, recognizing the woman immediatly. "Hi. You have an amazing dog! He'd make a great nanny."
"Like in Peter Pan," Cassie piped up as she tried to clamour to her feet only to be knocked down again by Levi's enthusiastic offer of help.
"Cassandra isn't it?" Sue asked, taking Levi in hand while Jack helped the little girl to her feet.
The child nodded her head vigorously. "But I don't know your name."
"Sue, and this is Jack"
"Hey there squirt," Jack said with a wink.
Cassie giggled and Carolyn quickly cast her eyes elsewhere. It wouldn't do to ogle someone else's man, but she couldn't help taking a second peek. Yep, He was definitely that good looking.
"Where'th your huthband?" Cassie asked, tugging at Sue's arm.
Sue smiled at the little girl's unabashed inquisitiveness. "I don't have a husband," she told her solemnly.
"Yeth you do -- that funny man from yetherday."
Sue looked stunned. Jack perplexed.
"We thaw you go into that rethtaurant. He was holding your hand." Cassie beamed up at Sue with friendly curiosity.
"You know what, we're running late," Carolyn rushed in nervously, noting the stunned look on Sue's face and the unsettled one on Jack's.
"But Mummy, I want to play with the doggy!" Cassie protested petulantly.
"Some other time. You have school and I have work. Tell the doggy thank you one more time and let's get going. I'm sorry we disturbed your..." Carolyn broke off abruptly as she took in the cozy blanket draped across the back of the park bench and the remains of their meal.
"It's all right. We're glad Levi was here to save this young lady from a dunking," Jack reassured the nervous young woman, picking up on the tension that suddenly enveloped Sue.
"What'th hith name?" Cassie asked giving Levi one more kiss between his eyes.
"Levi," Sue answered automatically reaching out to stroke the gentle dog's back.
"No, I mean the nithe man from yethterday. Thith oneth nithe too," she patted Jack's leg, "but I like the other one better. He'th funny."
With a strangled cry of embarrassment, Carolyn lifted Cassie into her arms and began hurrying away. She turned once to mouth 'sorry', leaving Jack and Sue alone caught up in an awkward silence.
"Nothing chance about it." His eyes lingered on hers for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
It flustered Sue and she quickly dipped her head, pretending an absorbtion in the comfort of Levi's collar that she didn't feel. She jumped when she felt the pressure of his hand resting on her arm.
"I can't talk to you if you're not looking at me," he chided her good-naturedly.
Sorry. Sue fought back the embarrassing wave of heat that seemed intent on flooding her cheeks. Father, if I'm supposed to be praying for my benefit today then can we start right here? With him?
Jack slowly opened the car door, gently bumping her far enough away so that he could slide out. Standing in front of her, he placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"Jack, what are you doing?" Sue asked in surprise.
"Trying to keep your attention on me for longer than a second," came his unexpected reply. "First you're looking at the ground and then you're looking at the sky. How about looking at me for a change?"
"That shouldn't be too hard," Sue said without thinking.
"Glad you think so," Jack grinned cockily, watching her heightened colour. He wondered if her cheek would feel as hot as it looked. The temptation to find out was almost impossible to resist. His fingers itched to caress her cheek but he resigned himself to allowing only his eyes that privilege. He cleared his throat a little self-consciously.
Eat. Finish? he signed.
Eat late I
You and I go to park?
Sue looked at him in confusion. "You just signed park."
Jack still remained silent, concentrating on his hands to convey his invitation. P-i-c-n-i-c he finger spelled. Eat. Morning.
"Isn't it kind of early in the season for a picnic?"
"I found this new park. It has a great spot for Levi to watch the ducks..."
At the d word Levi snapped to attention, singing excitedly in the back of his throat.
"See? He likes the idea and there's a sheltered, sunny spot." Jack was glad she couldn't hear the pleading tone in his voice.
She could see it in his eyes though. Hiding her smile, she deliberately paused to consider his request. "Where does the breakfast part come in?" Hunger. Me.
"All taken care of," Jack assured her, indicating some takeout bags and a thermos in the car. "Coffee and crossiants -- I'm pretty sure there's a chocolate one in there."
"Well that clinches it then," Sue said with a laugh. "Just let me get changed. I won't be five minutes."
Jack watched her disappear into her building, leaving Levi at his side. He whistled appreciatively at her retreating form and looked down at the dog. "You know something fella, I'm sure glad you two didn't go to New York." Levi barked his agreement.
* * *
Cassie pelted down the footpath and along the grassy embankment, shrieking with delight when she caught a glimpse of her green headed friend, Mr. Mallard.
"Cassie! Slow down!" Carolyn called, shaking her head and picking up speed. The little girl was full of energy this morning and anxious to see if the ducklings had hatched. They came to the park every morning. It was half way between the car and Cassie's school and now that the weather was warmer they found it a safe sanctuary to bide their time until Carolyn could drop her daughter off at the Breakfast Club before heading off to work.
Cassie slid to a halt at the edge of the pond making the most outlandish quacking noises which seemed to mean something to the flock of ducks that resided there. She was soon preaching to an audience and her special duck, Mr. Mallard, was right there front and center. Carolyn watched her daughter and almost felt carefree. The early morning sun was warm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky and she could almost forget that they didn't have a home and she was down to less than ten dollars. Five really, since she'd have to pay that man the tooth fairy money back. Her short spurt of euphoria evaporated as the worries of the day began to crowd her mind. Lost in thought she didn't notice her daughter's caprious dance along the edge of the rocky embankment nor Cassie's attempt to mimic a blue heron standing farther out from shore. She precariously perched on one leg teetering from side to side unsteadily. Carolyn noticed her antics at the exact second her daughter took a nose-dive. With a terrified scream, she ran forward, knowing in her heart she wouldn't reach Cassie in time.
From their position on a park bench Jack and Sue had watched the little girl's playful dance along the shore. They both bolted up at the first sign of trouble but it was Levi who beat them to the rescue, carefully closing his mouth around the child's jacket and pulling her backwards until she fell with a thud on solid ground. Sue recognized the woman who raced to the little girl's side, scooping her up into a hug and then laughingly batting away Levi's enthusiastic kisses.
"Yes, you're a clever dog," she crooned to the golden who thumped his tail in agreement.
"He bit my butt, Mummy," Cassie said and collapsed into a deep belly laugh.
"More like he saved your butt, missy," Carolyn corrected. She looked up as a couple approached, recognizing the woman immediatly. "Hi. You have an amazing dog! He'd make a great nanny."
"Like in Peter Pan," Cassie piped up as she tried to clamour to her feet only to be knocked down again by Levi's enthusiastic offer of help.
"Cassandra isn't it?" Sue asked, taking Levi in hand while Jack helped the little girl to her feet.
The child nodded her head vigorously. "But I don't know your name."
"Sue, and this is Jack"
"Hey there squirt," Jack said with a wink.
Cassie giggled and Carolyn quickly cast her eyes elsewhere. It wouldn't do to ogle someone else's man, but she couldn't help taking a second peek. Yep, He was definitely that good looking.
"Where'th your huthband?" Cassie asked, tugging at Sue's arm.
Sue smiled at the little girl's unabashed inquisitiveness. "I don't have a husband," she told her solemnly.
"Yeth you do -- that funny man from yetherday."
Sue looked stunned. Jack perplexed.
"We thaw you go into that rethtaurant. He was holding your hand." Cassie beamed up at Sue with friendly curiosity.
"You know what, we're running late," Carolyn rushed in nervously, noting the stunned look on Sue's face and the unsettled one on Jack's.
"But Mummy, I want to play with the doggy!" Cassie protested petulantly.
"Some other time. You have school and I have work. Tell the doggy thank you one more time and let's get going. I'm sorry we disturbed your..." Carolyn broke off abruptly as she took in the cozy blanket draped across the back of the park bench and the remains of their meal.
"It's all right. We're glad Levi was here to save this young lady from a dunking," Jack reassured the nervous young woman, picking up on the tension that suddenly enveloped Sue.
"What'th hith name?" Cassie asked giving Levi one more kiss between his eyes.
"Levi," Sue answered automatically reaching out to stroke the gentle dog's back.
"No, I mean the nithe man from yethterday. Thith oneth nithe too," she patted Jack's leg, "but I like the other one better. He'th funny."
With a strangled cry of embarrassment, Carolyn lifted Cassie into her arms and began hurrying away. She turned once to mouth 'sorry', leaving Jack and Sue alone caught up in an awkward silence.
Oh dear...definitely an awkward situation there, and I hope we get to witness Sue handling it! Love the description in your posts---you took us there to the lake with all of them! Levi's rescue of Cassie was wonderful!
Gotta love kids.Loved the picnic in the park and Sue's boldness with God on her current situation with Jack.
No worries, Carolyn...many of us would have to admit that we always look twice or three times or a zillion times at Jack...it is kinda hard not to stare actually
Thank you for blessing us with this wonderful reminder of the important and needful things of life.
Terie
Terie
This prayer of Sue's shows just how deeply she loves and cares for Jack.
I wonder what Sue will tell Jack about Myles without breaking his confidence.
QUOTE
Father, if I'm supposed to be praying for my benefit today then can we start right here? With him?
I wonder what Sue will tell Jack about Myles without breaking his confidence.
I adore Cassie! And somehow, I think she'd get along famously with Tanya!
I agree with Alaskanfan - I hope we get to see Sue's explanation to Jack...after he squirms a bit. I'll bet he's flabbergasted that the man holding Sue's hand was Myles! Ooooo - I can't wait! Please??????
And of course, whether it be Sue or Jack - I can't wait for one of them to realize that Carolyn and Cassie need some help.
I agree with Alaskanfan - I hope we get to see Sue's explanation to Jack...after he squirms a bit. I'll bet he's flabbergasted that the man holding Sue's hand was Myles! Ooooo - I can't wait! Please??????
And of course, whether it be Sue or Jack - I can't wait for one of them to realize that Carolyn and Cassie need some help.
Oh Kav! I totally missed your story 
I have no idea how that happened!
Now that I see it, I'll be reading from the beginning and I can't wait to get started!
I have no idea how that happened!Now that I see it, I'll be reading from the beginning and I can't wait to get started!
Kav - I hadn't checked the Spring Contest in a couple of days and boy was I overjoyed when I saw your name added to the author's list!! You have the beginnings of an amazing story here. There is a depth and spirituality that I just love in it. Hopefully, my prayers will be answered by the end of this story with Jack and Sue finally admitting their feelings to one another and Myles possibly gaining is own family! Can't wait to read more!
Oh....I Know That My Redeemer Liveth is one of my all-time favs....glad you included it!
Oh....I Know That My Redeemer Liveth is one of my all-time favs....glad you included it!
Oh my!! I love all the possibilities with this story! It's wonderful on sooo many levels!!
Boy, I sure hope Sue can find a way to explain without betraying Myles' trust, but also without giving Jack the idea that she's taken. I'd hate to see this go down the tube! And besides, maybe Jack will be more curious and understanding than suspicious and discouraged.
Can't wait for more!!!
Boy, I sure hope Sue can find a way to explain without betraying Myles' trust, but also without giving Jack the idea that she's taken. I'd hate to see this go down the tube! And besides, maybe Jack will be more curious and understanding than suspicious and discouraged.
Can't wait for more!!!
You left us here!!!! 
Jack, don't feel a panic, it was only Myles... Sue, tell him it!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!
Restie
Jack, don't feel a panic, it was only Myles... Sue, tell him it!!!!!!! NOW!!!!! Restie
QUOTE
You left us here!!!! Jack, don't feel a panic, it was only Myles... Sue, tell him it!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!
Ditto to Restie
Things are going along really nicely and you have to go and put some angst into it!
Come back here now young lady and fix it!
And I'm not talking about 536 pages later 
Actually looking forward to every stressful word
QUOTE(mentor @ Apr 5 2006, 12:47 PM)
QUOTE
You left us here!!!! Jack, don't feel a panic, it was only Myles... Sue, tell him it!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!
Ditto to Restie
Things are going along really nicely and you have to go and put some angst into it!
Come back here now young lady and fix it!
And I'm not talking about 536 pages later Actually looking forward to every stressful word
Lets see...yes a triple ditto to those who managed to get here before me!
wonderful posts, Kav
just caught up!! 
oh boy!! sue and myles !!! !!!
sue you have a lot of explaining to do!! and jack is going to like it now !!
why does something always interupt them wheen they are in a moment !!!
oy sue i think you should get cracking at the explanation park as to why you were with myles in the park!!!
kav this is great more like amazing please continue and post soon !!!
oh boy!!
sue and myles !!! !!!sue you have a lot of explaining to do!! and jack is going to like it now !!
why does something always interupt them wheen they are in a moment !!!
oy sue i think you should get cracking at the explanation park as to why you were with myles in the park!!!
kav this is great more like amazing please continue and post soon !!!
They were too early to go inside the school yet. Carolyn stood irresolutely in front of the locked door at the front entrance.
“I told you I could have played with the dog longer,” Cassie said reproachfully.
Carolyn sighed inwardly, but put on a cheerful face. “Well, I guess you’ll finally get a turn on the climber. You’re always saying it’s too crowded with kids at recess," she coaxed brightly, starting to lead a reluctant Cassie into the schoolyard. It was getting harder and harder to find things to do to take up non-school time. She looked down at her daughter's protruding lower lip and her heart plummeted as she ached to make everything right for the little girl. Most of Cassie’s schoolmates wouldn’t even be out of bed yet.
An image of her daughter snuggled beneath a fluffy pink comforter in a girlie canopy bed flashed through Carolyn’s mind, the image piercing into her soul, taunting her. She nearly doubled over at the onslaught of emotions that battered at her broken heart. How could she ever make any of this up to Cassie? How was she ever going to break free of the vicious cycle? It was all becoming too much for her. Overwhelmed and blinded by tears, she stumbled on the uneven playground, falling onto her hands and knees. Thankfully she had the presence of mind to release Cassie’s hand so that the little girl didn’t fall down with her.
“Goodness, are you all right, sweetheart?”
Embarrassed, Carolyn stood up and blinked back the tears that she suddenly wasn’t sure she could keep at bay any longer. It was Alice, one of the Breakfast Club’s volunteers. “I’m fine, thanks. Clumsy me!” she quipped, feeling pathetically stupid. Her palms burned from grazing the pavement and she was sure she could feel a trickle of blood on her knee.
“Thilly Mummy,” Cassie said affectionately, giving her mother and make-it-better kiss. “You’ll be right in no time,” she added wisely.
Carolyn suddenly realized the futility in that well-intentioned statement. She actually wouldn’t be all right soon – and not any time in the near future either. She was just so tired. Tired of being positive and cheerful in the face of adversity. Tired of watching her daughter suffer for her mistakes. Tired of picking herself up and dusting herself off after every fall. She was beginning to think she couldn’t do this any more. It was all too much. Something had to give, and she was afraid it was going to be her.
Father, help me. I can’t…anything anymore. I feel so lost. So abandoned. Why won’t you help me?
“Can I help you, child?” Alice looked at the beleaguered young woman with concern. She had never seen anyone look as downtrodden and discouraged as Cassandra's mother did right now.
“I’m fine thank you,” Carolyn repeated, fighting for the brittle control that she wore as a mask to face the world.
Alice’s smile said she didn’t believe her, but she kindly turned her attention to the little girl standing unusually silent at her mother’s side. “Well, now, what do we have here?” Alice regarded the mite with serious contemplation. “Stand up straight – as tall as you can. Hold out your hands. Front and back.” She tilted her head as if about to come to a great decision. “You’ll do.” She nodded decisively. “I bet you’re a good helper.”
Cassie drew herself up on her tippy-toes to look even taller. “The betht. Mummy thayth so,” she replied without an ounce of modesty.
“I could tell,” Alice said solemnly. “And I need the best today. You see my friend Mira is sick today and she usually helps with the breakfast. How about you come in early and be my assistant? If that’s all right with your mother?”
Carolyn nodded gratefully, sure that the older lady was just making up an excuse to get Cassie inside earlier. “Actually that would be wonderful. I have to get across town before 8:30. What do you say, Cassie?”
“Yeth pleathe.”
Carolyn enveloped her into a hug, and kissed the top of her head. “You have a good day then and I’ll be back here to pick you up after school. And stay away from Carter Reynolds…understood?”
Alice drew Cassie in against her side and smiled reassuringly at the young woman. “I’ll take good care of her and watch that she gets safely to her class,” she offered gently.
Carolyn couldn’t quite bring herself to look at the kindly face of the older woman. She knew it would be her undoing. She just managed a mumbled thank you, blew a kiss to Cassandra and quickly turned, hurrying off. Alice watched somberly for a minute. That one looks hunted – and haunted, she thought to herself. Squeezing Cassie’s shoulders, she headed in the direction of the school kitchen. “Come along, little chick, let’s see what we can get on the table for you young ones.”
“I told you I could have played with the dog longer,” Cassie said reproachfully.
Carolyn sighed inwardly, but put on a cheerful face. “Well, I guess you’ll finally get a turn on the climber. You’re always saying it’s too crowded with kids at recess," she coaxed brightly, starting to lead a reluctant Cassie into the schoolyard. It was getting harder and harder to find things to do to take up non-school time. She looked down at her daughter's protruding lower lip and her heart plummeted as she ached to make everything right for the little girl. Most of Cassie’s schoolmates wouldn’t even be out of bed yet.
An image of her daughter snuggled beneath a fluffy pink comforter in a girlie canopy bed flashed through Carolyn’s mind, the image piercing into her soul, taunting her. She nearly doubled over at the onslaught of emotions that battered at her broken heart. How could she ever make any of this up to Cassie? How was she ever going to break free of the vicious cycle? It was all becoming too much for her. Overwhelmed and blinded by tears, she stumbled on the uneven playground, falling onto her hands and knees. Thankfully she had the presence of mind to release Cassie’s hand so that the little girl didn’t fall down with her.
“Goodness, are you all right, sweetheart?”
Embarrassed, Carolyn stood up and blinked back the tears that she suddenly wasn’t sure she could keep at bay any longer. It was Alice, one of the Breakfast Club’s volunteers. “I’m fine, thanks. Clumsy me!” she quipped, feeling pathetically stupid. Her palms burned from grazing the pavement and she was sure she could feel a trickle of blood on her knee.
“Thilly Mummy,” Cassie said affectionately, giving her mother and make-it-better kiss. “You’ll be right in no time,” she added wisely.
Carolyn suddenly realized the futility in that well-intentioned statement. She actually wouldn’t be all right soon – and not any time in the near future either. She was just so tired. Tired of being positive and cheerful in the face of adversity. Tired of watching her daughter suffer for her mistakes. Tired of picking herself up and dusting herself off after every fall. She was beginning to think she couldn’t do this any more. It was all too much. Something had to give, and she was afraid it was going to be her.
Father, help me. I can’t…anything anymore. I feel so lost. So abandoned. Why won’t you help me?
“Can I help you, child?” Alice looked at the beleaguered young woman with concern. She had never seen anyone look as downtrodden and discouraged as Cassandra's mother did right now.
“I’m fine thank you,” Carolyn repeated, fighting for the brittle control that she wore as a mask to face the world.
Alice’s smile said she didn’t believe her, but she kindly turned her attention to the little girl standing unusually silent at her mother’s side. “Well, now, what do we have here?” Alice regarded the mite with serious contemplation. “Stand up straight – as tall as you can. Hold out your hands. Front and back.” She tilted her head as if about to come to a great decision. “You’ll do.” She nodded decisively. “I bet you’re a good helper.”
Cassie drew herself up on her tippy-toes to look even taller. “The betht. Mummy thayth so,” she replied without an ounce of modesty.
“I could tell,” Alice said solemnly. “And I need the best today. You see my friend Mira is sick today and she usually helps with the breakfast. How about you come in early and be my assistant? If that’s all right with your mother?”
Carolyn nodded gratefully, sure that the older lady was just making up an excuse to get Cassie inside earlier. “Actually that would be wonderful. I have to get across town before 8:30. What do you say, Cassie?”
“Yeth pleathe.”
Carolyn enveloped her into a hug, and kissed the top of her head. “You have a good day then and I’ll be back here to pick you up after school. And stay away from Carter Reynolds…understood?”
Alice drew Cassie in against her side and smiled reassuringly at the young woman. “I’ll take good care of her and watch that she gets safely to her class,” she offered gently.
Carolyn couldn’t quite bring herself to look at the kindly face of the older woman. She knew it would be her undoing. She just managed a mumbled thank you, blew a kiss to Cassandra and quickly turned, hurrying off. Alice watched somberly for a minute. That one looks hunted – and haunted, she thought to herself. Squeezing Cassie’s shoulders, she headed in the direction of the school kitchen. “Come along, little chick, let’s see what we can get on the table for you young ones.”
What a beautiful heart this Alice seems to have.
oh the emotions..... i am nearly crying here and i am off work sick you know, and this is just too good and too sad....
What a predicatment that Sue is in?????
What a predicatment that Sue is in?????
QUOTE
“I could tell,” Alice said solemnly. “And I need the best today. You see my friend Mira is sick today and she usually helps with the breakfast. How about you come in early and be my assistant? If that’s all right with your mother?”
That name sounds familiar.....
I'm glad Alice was there to help!
alice is a wonderful person, very intuitive, much like sue
cath
I wouldn't be surprised if Alice moonlights as a librarian or at least has friend's that do! Kav this is such a story of all of us, any of us. You make me cry and laugh in the same breath followed quickly by prayers of thanksgiving - many for your amazing talent. I could go on and on but I won't I hope you do though...
I can see that I don't need to read this while at school - my emotions can't handle it. It's hard to discreetly wipe the tears when you are sobbing uncontrollably!
I like Alice - is she an angel????
I like Alice - is she an angel????
QUOTE
Cassie giggled and Carolyn quickly cast her eyes elsewhere. It wouldn't do to ogle someone else's man, but she couldn't help taking a second peek. Yep, He was definitely that good looking.
Oh dear, what is Sue to do - this sure is awkward!!
Oh wait, another post - I'll be back!
Oh thank goodness for sweet people like Alice. I think that was part of the answer to your prayer Carolyn. Man, my heart breaks for that lady and her sweet little girl...sure, sure this is fiction but it's so like what so many people do go through in reality. Superb writing Kav! 
Kav.........you're just tugging away at our heartstrings! Jill
Heartwrenching post...you're doing such a wonderful job with this!!!
Sorry to butt in like that but isn't Alice the name of Lucy's grandma? 
QUOTE(MelissaT @ Apr 6 2006, 06:35 AM)
Sorry to butt in like that but isn't Alice the name of Lucy's grandma?
Interesting thought. But surely she's not the only Alice in DC.
I hope God's help will be work in Myles' house... I really hope, Carolyn is too exhausted by this way of life ...
AND we need to know everything will be all right with Jack and Sue, please!!!!
Restie
AND we need to know everything will be all right with Jack and Sue, please!!!!
Restie
Melissa T -- you would be right. Great minds think alike.
“Jack!” Sue’s plea held him back from entering the bullpen. He looked at her expectantly and she almost lost her nerve. But this was ridiculous. She knew what Jack had to be thinking. He hadn't bought her “he’s just a friend” explanation back at the park. He hadn’t actually asked her outright if she was seeing someone, but he was suddenly acting like she was. And she couldn’t blame him really. That’s the conclusion she would have come to if the situation were reversed. It didn’t matter that a 6 year old had blurted it out – her mother had certainly conveyed the same message by her actions. And there she was, unable to give the complete explanation and him feeling like she was holding something back, and she was, only not what he was assuming.
He’d acted sweet and funny on the drive to work and kept up a mindless banter in the elevator on the way up, deliberately seeking to create a light-hearted atmosphere between them. He had definitely extinguished the special spark that had been slowly building since he’d picked her up this morning and she wanted it back. Please make this right, Father, she had pled silently in the elevator. You make it right. The impression came strongly as the doors glided open and they stepped into the hall. She’d almost lost her nerve, but with a prayer in her heart she took a leap of faith.
“About what Cassandra said…it’s really not what you think,” she began awkwardly.
He shifted his body slightly, drawing in closer, unconsciously pinning her against the wall, oblivious to the other Hoover employees bustling along the corridor. He looked at her, his eyes alight with interest. “What do I think?”
“I think you two took your sweet time getting in to work this morning.” Myles seemed to materialize out of nowhere, startling them both.
Jack took a step back and Sue could have screamed in frustration.
“You better be careful what you pray for, Thomas – you might just get it and then what would you do?” He gave her a knowing wink before grabbing her arm and hauling her past Jack and into the bullpen. Under the guise of helping her off with her coat, he ducked in close enough to whisper, “I guess we know what’s been foremost in your personal prayers this morning.” He grinned delightedly. “So, is it working?”
“How would I know? I keep getting interrupted,” Sue retorted glaring at him.
“Oh-oh. I did it again, didn’t I?” Myles said in dismay.
Sue’s anger melted with a sigh. The man wasn’t deliberately clueless. Okay. She signed, though they both knew it wasn’t. Opportunities like that with Jack didn’t come along every day.
“It can’t be irreparable,” Myles put in quickly. “I could go talk to him and…”
“No!” Sue’s loud exclamation had heads turning. “Leave my life to me – I’m sure you have enough to concentrate on with your own. How did your morning start, for instance?”
Myles immediately looked dejected. “This is harder than I thought it would be,” he admitted. “I’m not sure if I’m going about it the right way, but it’s very time consuming. Here. I’ve made up a rough draft. Review it for me, will you and we can meet and discuss it at lunch, say? My treat, it’s the least I can do.” Not waiting for a response, he turned from her and addressed the rest of the team who were staring at them curiously. Was that a malevolent glare coming from Hudson? He suddenly felt quite buoyant. “Speaking of treats, I have taken the liberty of procuring a culinary repast from Krispy Cremes for one and all.” He helped himself to a cream-filled, chocolate iced concoction before depositing the box of donuts on the table by the coffee machine.
“Single guys,” Lucy shook her head disparagingly, “thinking that a donut is an adequate breakfast.” But her hand snaked out and snatched the jelly-filled Bobby’d been eyeing.
“Hey – I was about to grab that one,” he objected indignantly.
“I see that your scorn of my nutritional habits haven’t prevented you from delving in,” Myles smirked.
“I had a proper breakfast this morning. Cereal, toast and juice,” Lucy stated smartly.
“Ha! So did I and mine outdid yours nutritionally. Vegetable omelette. And my juice was freshly squeezed,” he retorted piously. “This is simply dessert.”
“Well, since I haven’t eaten anything yet, I get two,” Bobby joked as he wrestled the box away from Jack and closed one hand over two plump donuts.
“Leave some for the rest of us poor starving mortals,” D said dramatically pulling the now battered box away from Bobby.
At the word starving, Lucy immediately sobered. She licked the traces of powder from her mouth and wiped her hand on a tissue. “Hey – speaking of starving…”
Her unnatural hesitancy caught everyone’s attention.
“Grams just called a few minutes ago. She’s coming down with the flu and…”
“Oh no, Luce, is she all right? Does she need anything?” Sue asked with concern.
“You can take the day off if you need to go see her,” Jack offered quickly, earning a grateful smile from both women.
“No. It’s not that bad. It’s just that she’s involved, along with a few other ladies from her retirement home, in volunteering at this school breakfast club. It seems there’s some sort of bug going around the school and all the volunteers are elderly and therfore more susceptible. She sounded really tired when I talked to her. The trouble is, if Grams doesn’t go tomorrow there won’t be anyone to run it. She called asking if I’d take it on until she felt better. She told me it’s the only proper meal some of those kids get in a day. I couldn’t say no, but it would mean I wouldn’t make it to work until nine.”
“No problem, Luce. You know the Bureau encourages community service. You’ll get the hour off without your pay docked. Donna used to help at a Breakfast Club when our kids were little. Take the time and tell your grandmother I wish her a speedy recovery,” D assured the rotor.
“Thanks D, but, well, I know I can’t do it on my own and I was thinking…” Lucy looked at the group hopefully. “You know how we always do some sort of charity work at Christmas together? Well, why not at Easter? What better way to commemorate Christ’s sacrifice then by making a small one of our own?”
“You want us to help you?” Tara asked clearly getting excited by the idea.
“You can count me in,” Sue agreed and looked at Jack expectantly.
“As long as I don’t have to cook anything more complicated than toast,” he agreed, realizing that there was no way he could refuse, not with that look in her eye.
“I can toss some Krispy Cremes to a bunch of ankle biters as well as the next bloke,” Bobby agreed readily though his words were garbled as he spoke with a mouth crammed full of donut.
“Whatever happened to children eating their breakfast at home before they come to school?” Myles asked, contemplating the merits of the blueberry fill over the maple glazed. "Isn't that it parental duty to ensure your offspring are adequately fed? Sounds to me like another scam to milk the taxpayers out of yet another dollar."
“Because, Mr. Sensitivity, some families don’t have as much money as you have. Parents might be unemployed, too sick to work, be on disability…”
“Spent all the grocery money on cigarettes, booze, drugs…”
“Don’t be such a cynic, Myles,” Lucy snapped.
“Whatever the reason,” Sue eyed the pair, “the children shouldn’t have to suffer. I think we’re all in, aren’t we, Myles? Or is there something else you’d like to tell the team?”
Myles sighed irritably. Trust Thomas’ true colours to start showing now. She took her sweet time extracting revenge, but when she did it she was good, he had to give her that. Unless he wanted to explain his whereabouts on Sunday mornings of late; he had to fall in with the rest of the crew. “Fine,” he said irritably, “but I don’t do dishes.”
* * *
Her stomach felt queasy. It was psychosomatic, she knew it, but her discomfort still felt real. She’d taken a donut out of the garbage and eaten it. She’d never done anything like that before. It was a sombre testament to how low she had come; how much control she had let slip away from her.
The donut had been in a variety pack box -- only a single bite taken out of it. Blueberry filled, obviously not someone’s favourite, so they had just thrown it away. She found the box when she was scrounging for a current bus transfer. It had taken her fifteen minutes this morning, examining all the transfers people threw so carelessly onto the sidewalk. She’d almost given up hope of finding one and was resigning herself to having to delve into her scant cash supply to come up with the bus fare herself when she’d been distracted by the tantalizing aroma coming from the donut box. She couldn’t believe her luck when she found it wasn’t empty. Her stomach grumbled, hurt with the emptiness that had become all too familiar to her.
She was grateful for the teacher who suggested that Cassie enrol in the breakfast club at school. A kind woman, who didn’t ask any embarrassing questions, just gently offered to sign the requisition form that would ensure Cassie got one square meal a day for the rest of the school year. She took the charity offered for her daughter’s sake, knowing that she couldn’t bear for Cassie to feel the hollow emptiness that had become her own constant companion.
Lunches were harder, but Alice often gave some of the children leftovers and they always got a piece of fruit to bring for morning snack time. Carolyn spent most of her money on lunch food for Cassie. Packaged crackers and peanut butter, little fruit cups, cheese and yoghurt. She had to buy the more expensive single packaged items because she didn’t have a place to store them safely. Once she’d bought a week’s worth of lunches and kept them in the car. Someone had stolen them all while she was at work and Cassie was at school.
Carolyn had been so upset, she’d cried in front of the child. She couldn’t help it and she didn’t know what she was crying for most – the loss of the food or the fact that there was some one out there with such a desperate need that they could actually bring themselves to steal food from a hungry child. Now she bought food at the convenience store each day and carried it with her, packing it into Cassie’s little knapsack every morning.
She scrounged for dinner. There was no other way to describe it. Sometimes she took the food her employers wanted her to throw out. Sometimes she scouted out the marked down section in the grocery aisles. Occasionally she brought Cassie to a soup kitchen, but she hated going there. Her pride took a beating every time she walked through the door.
Boarding the bus, Carolyn took a seat at the back, pulling out her map of the city and folding it carefully so that her destination was clearly in view and then settled back to watch out the window, mindful to check off each major intersection they past. It wouldn’t do to be late to the new house today. Her supervisor was meeting her there at nine.
“Jack!” Sue’s plea held him back from entering the bullpen. He looked at her expectantly and she almost lost her nerve. But this was ridiculous. She knew what Jack had to be thinking. He hadn't bought her “he’s just a friend” explanation back at the park. He hadn’t actually asked her outright if she was seeing someone, but he was suddenly acting like she was. And she couldn’t blame him really. That’s the conclusion she would have come to if the situation were reversed. It didn’t matter that a 6 year old had blurted it out – her mother had certainly conveyed the same message by her actions. And there she was, unable to give the complete explanation and him feeling like she was holding something back, and she was, only not what he was assuming.
He’d acted sweet and funny on the drive to work and kept up a mindless banter in the elevator on the way up, deliberately seeking to create a light-hearted atmosphere between them. He had definitely extinguished the special spark that had been slowly building since he’d picked her up this morning and she wanted it back. Please make this right, Father, she had pled silently in the elevator. You make it right. The impression came strongly as the doors glided open and they stepped into the hall. She’d almost lost her nerve, but with a prayer in her heart she took a leap of faith.
“About what Cassandra said…it’s really not what you think,” she began awkwardly.
He shifted his body slightly, drawing in closer, unconsciously pinning her against the wall, oblivious to the other Hoover employees bustling along the corridor. He looked at her, his eyes alight with interest. “What do I think?”
“I think you two took your sweet time getting in to work this morning.” Myles seemed to materialize out of nowhere, startling them both.
Jack took a step back and Sue could have screamed in frustration.
“You better be careful what you pray for, Thomas – you might just get it and then what would you do?” He gave her a knowing wink before grabbing her arm and hauling her past Jack and into the bullpen. Under the guise of helping her off with her coat, he ducked in close enough to whisper, “I guess we know what’s been foremost in your personal prayers this morning.” He grinned delightedly. “So, is it working?”
“How would I know? I keep getting interrupted,” Sue retorted glaring at him.
“Oh-oh. I did it again, didn’t I?” Myles said in dismay.
Sue’s anger melted with a sigh. The man wasn’t deliberately clueless. Okay. She signed, though they both knew it wasn’t. Opportunities like that with Jack didn’t come along every day.
“It can’t be irreparable,” Myles put in quickly. “I could go talk to him and…”
“No!” Sue’s loud exclamation had heads turning. “Leave my life to me – I’m sure you have enough to concentrate on with your own. How did your morning start, for instance?”
Myles immediately looked dejected. “This is harder than I thought it would be,” he admitted. “I’m not sure if I’m going about it the right way, but it’s very time consuming. Here. I’ve made up a rough draft. Review it for me, will you and we can meet and discuss it at lunch, say? My treat, it’s the least I can do.” Not waiting for a response, he turned from her and addressed the rest of the team who were staring at them curiously. Was that a malevolent glare coming from Hudson? He suddenly felt quite buoyant. “Speaking of treats, I have taken the liberty of procuring a culinary repast from Krispy Cremes for one and all.” He helped himself to a cream-filled, chocolate iced concoction before depositing the box of donuts on the table by the coffee machine.
“Single guys,” Lucy shook her head disparagingly, “thinking that a donut is an adequate breakfast.” But her hand snaked out and snatched the jelly-filled Bobby’d been eyeing.
“Hey – I was about to grab that one,” he objected indignantly.
“I see that your scorn of my nutritional habits haven’t prevented you from delving in,” Myles smirked.
“I had a proper breakfast this morning. Cereal, toast and juice,” Lucy stated smartly.
“Ha! So did I and mine outdid yours nutritionally. Vegetable omelette. And my juice was freshly squeezed,” he retorted piously. “This is simply dessert.”
“Well, since I haven’t eaten anything yet, I get two,” Bobby joked as he wrestled the box away from Jack and closed one hand over two plump donuts.
“Leave some for the rest of us poor starving mortals,” D said dramatically pulling the now battered box away from Bobby.
At the word starving, Lucy immediately sobered. She licked the traces of powder from her mouth and wiped her hand on a tissue. “Hey – speaking of starving…”
Her unnatural hesitancy caught everyone’s attention.
“Grams just called a few minutes ago. She’s coming down with the flu and…”
“Oh no, Luce, is she all right? Does she need anything?” Sue asked with concern.
“You can take the day off if you need to go see her,” Jack offered quickly, earning a grateful smile from both women.
“No. It’s not that bad. It’s just that she’s involved, along with a few other ladies from her retirement home, in volunteering at this school breakfast club. It seems there’s some sort of bug going around the school and all the volunteers are elderly and therfore more susceptible. She sounded really tired when I talked to her. The trouble is, if Grams doesn’t go tomorrow there won’t be anyone to run it. She called asking if I’d take it on until she felt better. She told me it’s the only proper meal some of those kids get in a day. I couldn’t say no, but it would mean I wouldn’t make it to work until nine.”
“No problem, Luce. You know the Bureau encourages community service. You’ll get the hour off without your pay docked. Donna used to help at a Breakfast Club when our kids were little. Take the time and tell your grandmother I wish her a speedy recovery,” D assured the rotor.
“Thanks D, but, well, I know I can’t do it on my own and I was thinking…” Lucy looked at the group hopefully. “You know how we always do some sort of charity work at Christmas together? Well, why not at Easter? What better way to commemorate Christ’s sacrifice then by making a small one of our own?”
“You want us to help you?” Tara asked clearly getting excited by the idea.
“You can count me in,” Sue agreed and looked at Jack expectantly.
“As long as I don’t have to cook anything more complicated than toast,” he agreed, realizing that there was no way he could refuse, not with that look in her eye.
“I can toss some Krispy Cremes to a bunch of ankle biters as well as the next bloke,” Bobby agreed readily though his words were garbled as he spoke with a mouth crammed full of donut.
“Whatever happened to children eating their breakfast at home before they come to school?” Myles asked, contemplating the merits of the blueberry fill over the maple glazed. "Isn't that it parental duty to ensure your offspring are adequately fed? Sounds to me like another scam to milk the taxpayers out of yet another dollar."
“Because, Mr. Sensitivity, some families don’t have as much money as you have. Parents might be unemployed, too sick to work, be on disability…”
“Spent all the grocery money on cigarettes, booze, drugs…”
“Don’t be such a cynic, Myles,” Lucy snapped.
“Whatever the reason,” Sue eyed the pair, “the children shouldn’t have to suffer. I think we’re all in, aren’t we, Myles? Or is there something else you’d like to tell the team?”
Myles sighed irritably. Trust Thomas’ true colours to start showing now. She took her sweet time extracting revenge, but when she did it she was good, he had to give her that. Unless he wanted to explain his whereabouts on Sunday mornings of late; he had to fall in with the rest of the crew. “Fine,” he said irritably, “but I don’t do dishes.”
* * *
Her stomach felt queasy. It was psychosomatic, she knew it, but her discomfort still felt real. She’d taken a donut out of the garbage and eaten it. She’d never done anything like that before. It was a sombre testament to how low she had come; how much control she had let slip away from her.
The donut had been in a variety pack box -- only a single bite taken out of it. Blueberry filled, obviously not someone’s favourite, so they had just thrown it away. She found the box when she was scrounging for a current bus transfer. It had taken her fifteen minutes this morning, examining all the transfers people threw so carelessly onto the sidewalk. She’d almost given up hope of finding one and was resigning herself to having to delve into her scant cash supply to come up with the bus fare herself when she’d been distracted by the tantalizing aroma coming from the donut box. She couldn’t believe her luck when she found it wasn’t empty. Her stomach grumbled, hurt with the emptiness that had become all too familiar to her.
She was grateful for the teacher who suggested that Cassie enrol in the breakfast club at school. A kind woman, who didn’t ask any embarrassing questions, just gently offered to sign the requisition form that would ensure Cassie got one square meal a day for the rest of the school year. She took the charity offered for her daughter’s sake, knowing that she couldn’t bear for Cassie to feel the hollow emptiness that had become her own constant companion.
Lunches were harder, but Alice often gave some of the children leftovers and they always got a piece of fruit to bring for morning snack time. Carolyn spent most of her money on lunch food for Cassie. Packaged crackers and peanut butter, little fruit cups, cheese and yoghurt. She had to buy the more expensive single packaged items because she didn’t have a place to store them safely. Once she’d bought a week’s worth of lunches and kept them in the car. Someone had stolen them all while she was at work and Cassie was at school.
Carolyn had been so upset, she’d cried in front of the child. She couldn’t help it and she didn’t know what she was crying for most – the loss of the food or the fact that there was some one out there with such a desperate need that they could actually bring themselves to steal food from a hungry child. Now she bought food at the convenience store each day and carried it with her, packing it into Cassie’s little knapsack every morning.
She scrounged for dinner. There was no other way to describe it. Sometimes she took the food her employers wanted her to throw out. Sometimes she scouted out the marked down section in the grocery aisles. Occasionally she brought Cassie to a soup kitchen, but she hated going there. Her pride took a beating every time she walked through the door.
Boarding the bus, Carolyn took a seat at the back, pulling out her map of the city and folding it carefully so that her destination was clearly in view and then settled back to watch out the window, mindful to check off each major intersection they past. It wouldn’t do to be late to the new house today. Her supervisor was meeting her there at nine.
I love this story, Kav....I look forward to it every day. Again, you are simply amazing.
This is amazing. The team appears to be primed to help the very breakfast club that little Cassie will be at. What a rough life Carolyn has. This story does me want to express appreciation for the blessings I have.
Oh, Kav... you are weaving this masterfully! I'm not saying another word, except that I'm absolutely loving this!!!
I am seriously hooked, i mean what a way to write.....it really brings home some relaities and remind us of Christ and all He did for us and what we should do for others...
I absolutely LOVE this story! I love the way you are weaving it all together! I'm guessing Carolyn's new house might just be Myles', huh?
This is an amazing story, it was from the outset and it just keeps getting better and better.
Is there anything you can't write? Shopping lists perhaps? Jingles?
Is there anything you can't write? Shopping lists perhaps? Jingles?
“I think we should make pancakes with fruit for a treat,” Lucy decided, scribbling a hasty grocery list. “My dad used to always make us teddy bear pancakes, with the cutest little chocolate chip belly buttons,” she smiled reminiscently.
“I kinda thought we’d slice open those little cornflakes boxes, pour some milk in and give each kid a donut. That ought to hold them until lunch,” Bobby teased. The girls were spending way too much time planning this breakfast. Obviously he wasn’t the only one who thought so.
“You’d think you three were planning a seven course meal for the Queen of England the way you’re carrying on,” Myles scoffed as he studiously moved piles of paperwork around in an attempt to look busy. “How complicated can breakfast for a few kids be?”
“Few? Try twenty,” Lucy exclaimed indignantly. “And it’s not just feeding their bodies – we’re feeding their spirits too. Why shouldn’t they have the kind of fun I used to have with my dad? Most of these kids are from single parent homes and that means fatherless in case you didn’t realize that, Myles. We have four prime examples of positive male role models…” she trailed off as she eyeballed Myles. “All right, three prime examples. The point is; if we’re going to do this, lets do it right. The programme will pay for the groceries. I say we divvy up the extras and add a few nutritional treats for the rest of the day.”
“Fruit,” Tara suggested.
“Raisin boxes, I used to love bringing those for lunch. The raisins always tasted better from the box, did you notice that?”
The women nodded in agreement and Jack caught Sue’s eye and winked. It’s up to me, is it? She asked heavenward. Okay, here it goes. “I’ll volunteer to pick up the extra groceries we need.” Sue kicked Lucy under the table as her friend prepared to offer her assistance. “Jack, would you mind helping me tonight?” Her cheeks flamed at her audacity, particularly under the scrutiny of the rest of the team’s knowing looks.
Jack looked startled but readily agreed. “I seem to remember you drive a mean grocery cart,” he teased, “maybe I should bring my shin guards.”
Funny. You.
“All right, to show that I can get into the spirit of things the same as the next guy – I’ll bring along my blender and make Orange Julius for everyone. My dad used to make those every Sunday morning and bring us breakfast in bed,” Jack remembered with a smile.
“My pops wasn’t much in the kitchen, but I’ll chip in where ever you need me. Just don’t put me in charge of the pancakes. I don’t want to be accused of setting them on fire in front of innocent children.”
“Perish the thought, we’ll keep you well away from the stove. You can be our gofer,” Lucy told Bobby kindly.
“Right oh – and Myles can be the dishwasher, I take it?”
Myles gave Manning a disparaging glare. All this nonsensical talk about the breakfast club was eating away at his devotional time. He’d been having a particularly eloquent strain of thought until Lucy had interrupted it squealing over teddy bear pancakes. “As head chef, I’ll oversee the entire operation, now if you’re all finished wasting Bureau time – some of us have work to do.” He frowned looking at his watch. “Is that the correct time?”
“Late for an appointment, Myles?” Lucy asked hopefully.
“No – I have a new maid starting today. I left a note for her to call me so I could explain the idiosyncrasies of the dishwasher and how to lightly starch my dress shirts. The last one was heavy handed. And I want to make sure she uses the right kind of polish on the antiques.”
“Gee, sounds like you should have left her a housekeeping manual,” Tara joked sarcastically.
Myles looked intrigued by the notion. “That’s not a bad idea, Williams. I’ll start something right after I finish this…if you can all give me a little peace and quiet.”
Since the plans were made anyway, Lucy obligingly put aside her list and resumed her own work for the day.
Myles caught Sue's eye. Meet me in ten, he mouthed nodding his head towards the door. Sue nodded slightly, casting a guilty look around the room, hoping no one noticed. Jack did, and he leant back in his chair eyeing the two of them thoughtfully. Something was up and he was going to get to the bottom of it.
* * *
It was a Jonah kind of day, she decided, the kind where the whale hasn’t spewed you out yet. The donut sat heavy in her belly, penance for the desperate measure she had taken. Cocooned by a curtain of hair that hid her face from view, she watched her fellow passengers as she rode the bus across town. Her eyes automatically sought out every woman’s left hand. So many of them were married, golden wedding bands proclaiming fidelity and love. She studied their faces next and inevitably the comparisons would start. What does she have that I don’t? Why has her husband remained and mine did not? What’s wrong with me? Each question twisted her knot of pain a little tighter until sorrow threatened to spill out onto her cheeks.
She hated to cry – especially in public and she had done too much of that lately. Taking deep, steadying breaths, she tried to create a blank canvas in her mind – something clean and white and untouched by tarnished experiences. Then she tried to construct an imaginary painting on it, deliberately selecting bright colours to depict a serene scene that would keep the haunting memories at bay. Only they always broke through, ripped the canvas before she could finish, spreading their ugly darkness and she found herself stranded in the same stark scene all over again.
She looked out the window and listlessly watched the changing scenery as they left the inner city for the more colourful suburbs. Neat little houses with postage sized lots transformed into bigger houses with acreage. She consulted her map. She was heading for a new development in a prestigious neighbourhood. She’d been cleaning houses since Cassie was born, bundling the baby up and bringing her to each job. She started out working for a Senior’s community center’s outreach program. $5.00 an hour for elderly residents. It was dirt pay, but they didn’t mind the baby coming along and since she was never quite sure what her husband might spend his pay check on next, she liked the freedom the little bit of money gave her.
After he left, closing their joint bank account and pocketing the money, her meagre salary was all that she had to live on. It hadn’t been enough and they lost one luxury item after another in quick succession. She held a giant garage sale and sold everything in the house except for the contents of Cassie’s bedroom. Her neighbours descended like vultures, haggling over dollars and cents as she sold off all that she owned. She kept what no one else wanted, the barren apartment echoing its emptiness furnished only with a door she placed across some cinder blocks for a makeshift day bed. She was floundering in shock and apathy until one day she watched Cassie drag a laundry bin full of her toys to the side of the street, setting up her own little garage sale which netted $5.25. Her daughter had solemnly presented her the cash so that 'Mummy doesn't have to cry anymore' shattering Carolyn's heart into a million little pieces that day and she had never fully recovered.
She got a job in an office. A lowly gofer kind of position, abandoning most of her elderly cleaning clients. The trouble was she and her new boss had different ideas of what “and other duties as outlined by the employer” meant. She quit and hired on with the Maid-for-hire agency, lost her deposit on a cheaper apartment after she’d given notice at her other and had her wallet stolen all in the same week. Things had continued to spiral out of control after that.
She shook her head, trying to clear away the bitter memories that always seemed ready to assault her when she let her guard down. Sadly, she watched a father board the bus with his little girl. The child was lively and chatty, endearingly confident in her father’s love. The agonizingly familiar pain returned as she thought of her own daughter’s desperate desire for a father. When they rode the bus together, Cassie would climb into her mother's lap and pop her thumb into her mouth. Slurring her words around her finger she would ask “Doeth that daddy love hith little girl?” and Carolyn would have to reply “Yes, the forever and always kind of love.”
Exhausted, both in body and spirit, she rested her head against the window and soon the rhythmic rocking of the bus lulled her to sleep.
“I kinda thought we’d slice open those little cornflakes boxes, pour some milk in and give each kid a donut. That ought to hold them until lunch,” Bobby teased. The girls were spending way too much time planning this breakfast. Obviously he wasn’t the only one who thought so.
“You’d think you three were planning a seven course meal for the Queen of England the way you’re carrying on,” Myles scoffed as he studiously moved piles of paperwork around in an attempt to look busy. “How complicated can breakfast for a few kids be?”
“Few? Try twenty,” Lucy exclaimed indignantly. “And it’s not just feeding their bodies – we’re feeding their spirits too. Why shouldn’t they have the kind of fun I used to have with my dad? Most of these kids are from single parent homes and that means fatherless in case you didn’t realize that, Myles. We have four prime examples of positive male role models…” she trailed off as she eyeballed Myles. “All right, three prime examples. The point is; if we’re going to do this, lets do it right. The programme will pay for the groceries. I say we divvy up the extras and add a few nutritional treats for the rest of the day.”
“Fruit,” Tara suggested.
“Raisin boxes, I used to love bringing those for lunch. The raisins always tasted better from the box, did you notice that?”
The women nodded in agreement and Jack caught Sue’s eye and winked. It’s up to me, is it? She asked heavenward. Okay, here it goes. “I’ll volunteer to pick up the extra groceries we need.” Sue kicked Lucy under the table as her friend prepared to offer her assistance. “Jack, would you mind helping me tonight?” Her cheeks flamed at her audacity, particularly under the scrutiny of the rest of the team’s knowing looks.
Jack looked startled but readily agreed. “I seem to remember you drive a mean grocery cart,” he teased, “maybe I should bring my shin guards.”
Funny. You.
“All right, to show that I can get into the spirit of things the same as the next guy – I’ll bring along my blender and make Orange Julius for everyone. My dad used to make those every Sunday morning and bring us breakfast in bed,” Jack remembered with a smile.
“My pops wasn’t much in the kitchen, but I’ll chip in where ever you need me. Just don’t put me in charge of the pancakes. I don’t want to be accused of setting them on fire in front of innocent children.”
“Perish the thought, we’ll keep you well away from the stove. You can be our gofer,” Lucy told Bobby kindly.
“Right oh – and Myles can be the dishwasher, I take it?”
Myles gave Manning a disparaging glare. All this nonsensical talk about the breakfast club was eating away at his devotional time. He’d been having a particularly eloquent strain of thought until Lucy had interrupted it squealing over teddy bear pancakes. “As head chef, I’ll oversee the entire operation, now if you’re all finished wasting Bureau time – some of us have work to do.” He frowned looking at his watch. “Is that the correct time?”
“Late for an appointment, Myles?” Lucy asked hopefully.
“No – I have a new maid starting today. I left a note for her to call me so I could explain the idiosyncrasies of the dishwasher and how to lightly starch my dress shirts. The last one was heavy handed. And I want to make sure she uses the right kind of polish on the antiques.”
“Gee, sounds like you should have left her a housekeeping manual,” Tara joked sarcastically.
Myles looked intrigued by the notion. “That’s not a bad idea, Williams. I’ll start something right after I finish this…if you can all give me a little peace and quiet.”
Since the plans were made anyway, Lucy obligingly put aside her list and resumed her own work for the day.
Myles caught Sue's eye. Meet me in ten, he mouthed nodding his head towards the door. Sue nodded slightly, casting a guilty look around the room, hoping no one noticed. Jack did, and he leant back in his chair eyeing the two of them thoughtfully. Something was up and he was going to get to the bottom of it.
* * *
It was a Jonah kind of day, she decided, the kind where the whale hasn’t spewed you out yet. The donut sat heavy in her belly, penance for the desperate measure she had taken. Cocooned by a curtain of hair that hid her face from view, she watched her fellow passengers as she rode the bus across town. Her eyes automatically sought out every woman’s left hand. So many of them were married, golden wedding bands proclaiming fidelity and love. She studied their faces next and inevitably the comparisons would start. What does she have that I don’t? Why has her husband remained and mine did not? What’s wrong with me? Each question twisted her knot of pain a little tighter until sorrow threatened to spill out onto her cheeks.
She hated to cry – especially in public and she had done too much of that lately. Taking deep, steadying breaths, she tried to create a blank canvas in her mind – something clean and white and untouched by tarnished experiences. Then she tried to construct an imaginary painting on it, deliberately selecting bright colours to depict a serene scene that would keep the haunting memories at bay. Only they always broke through, ripped the canvas before she could finish, spreading their ugly darkness and she found herself stranded in the same stark scene all over again.
She looked out the window and listlessly watched the changing scenery as they left the inner city for the more colourful suburbs. Neat little houses with postage sized lots transformed into bigger houses with acreage. She consulted her map. She was heading for a new development in a prestigious neighbourhood. She’d been cleaning houses since Cassie was born, bundling the baby up and bringing her to each job. She started out working for a Senior’s community center’s outreach program. $5.00 an hour for elderly residents. It was dirt pay, but they didn’t mind the baby coming along and since she was never quite sure what her husband might spend his pay check on next, she liked the freedom the little bit of money gave her.
After he left, closing their joint bank account and pocketing the money, her meagre salary was all that she had to live on. It hadn’t been enough and they lost one luxury item after another in quick succession. She held a giant garage sale and sold everything in the house except for the contents of Cassie’s bedroom. Her neighbours descended like vultures, haggling over dollars and cents as she sold off all that she owned. She kept what no one else wanted, the barren apartment echoing its emptiness furnished only with a door she placed across some cinder blocks for a makeshift day bed. She was floundering in shock and apathy until one day she watched Cassie drag a laundry bin full of her toys to the side of the street, setting up her own little garage sale which netted $5.25. Her daughter had solemnly presented her the cash so that 'Mummy doesn't have to cry anymore' shattering Carolyn's heart into a million little pieces that day and she had never fully recovered.
She got a job in an office. A lowly gofer kind of position, abandoning most of her elderly cleaning clients. The trouble was she and her new boss had different ideas of what “and other duties as outlined by the employer” meant. She quit and hired on with the Maid-for-hire agency, lost her deposit on a cheaper apartment after she’d given notice at her other and had her wallet stolen all in the same week. Things had continued to spiral out of control after that.
She shook her head, trying to clear away the bitter memories that always seemed ready to assault her when she let her guard down. Sadly, she watched a father board the bus with his little girl. The child was lively and chatty, endearingly confident in her father’s love. The agonizingly familiar pain returned as she thought of her own daughter’s desperate desire for a father. When they rode the bus together, Cassie would climb into her mother's lap and pop her thumb into her mouth. Slurring her words around her finger she would ask “Doeth that daddy love hith little girl?” and Carolyn would have to reply “Yes, the forever and always kind of love.”
Exhausted, both in body and spirit, she rested her head against the window and soon the rhythmic rocking of the bus lulled her to sleep.
You aren't going to let her sleep past her stop are you???Send someone to wake her up!!!!
Someone........anyone 
Just don't let her blow it!
Jill
Please don't make her loose the job!
beautifully written, kav, I can't wait for more!
beautifully written, kav, I can't wait for more!
your last post was heart wrenching, i really felt for carolyn and Cassie
cath
cath
Is she going to clean Myles house?
Wow, kav. I can see all the threads weaving toward one another - and know that Cassie and Carolyn are eventually going to be blown away by the help they'll receive from the team.....and then there is the Jack/Sue thread which you know thrills me to no end!
heartbreaking however i see a light at the end of this dark tunnel....
Myles is going to be shocked and hopefully taken down a peg or several dozens. and along the way i hope he finds the true act of prayer.....
Myles is going to be shocked and hopefully taken down a peg or several dozens. and along the way i hope he finds the true act of prayer.....
Carolyn raced up the street, frantically scanning the numbers on the houses. This was going to be the Jonah Day to end all Jonah Days; she could feel it in her bones. She'd slept right to the end of the bus route. She was in such a deep sleep that the bus driver had to shake her awake. Embarrassed, she had bolted out of the bus before her head cleared enough to determine exactly where she was in relationship to her destination. She wasted precious minutes scanning her map and even more trekking back in the direction she had come. A bus didn't even go into this posh neighbourhood so after she retraced her steps she had to hike into the tree-lined crescent. Mrs.Church was just backing out of the driveway.
"You're late," her supervisor glared at her accusingly.
"I - I had car trouble," Carolyn lied brazenly. She had become well-versed in these breeches of truth that had become as necessary for her as breathing. "Please, Mrs. Church I ran all the way here."
"You can't do this job without a car."
"I know ma'am. And it's being towed as we speak. I'll pick it up after I finish work."
Reluctantly her supervisor put her car in park. "We have high standards in this organization, Ms. Stevenson. It's a cut-throat business and we aim high, serving quality customers with precisions and efficiency. Is that understood?"
"Yes ma’am," Carolyn said meekly and tried to concentrate on the extravagant security system the man who lived here had in place.
* * *
Myles slouched dramatically into a chair next to Sue's desk and stared across the room at his annoyingly silent telephone. He'd declined to go downstairs for coffee mid-morning with everyone else because his new 'help' still hadn't called. "I knew I should have stayed until she got there," he muttered to Sue who had handily stayed behind as well. They were alone in the deserted bullpen.
"You trust the agency you signed with, don't you?" Sue remembered very well the exhaustive search he had done on cleaning companies before hiring Maid -for-Rent.
"Yes," he sighed, "and Mrs. Church agreed to meet the girl at my place and walk her through my expectations."
"The girl?" Sue's voice sounded her disapproval. "That sounds so...demeaning. Surely you can come up with something better in this enlightened time."
"Fine, my new Domestic Engineer. However you say she's still going to scrub my toilet and wash my underwear."
"I think it's time to move on to another topic," Sue said briskly, praying that she would not disgrace herself or offend Myles by laughing. "This one, to be exact."
Myles looked proudly at the papers she deposited before him on her desk. "What did you think? The ending's a bit weak, I admit, but I had some thoughts on that, right here..." he patted his jacket pockets until he heard the crinkling of paper. Smiling he produced his latest burst of creativity.
Sue reluctantly accepted the paper, scanning it quickly as she struggled not to laugh. Father, help me here. I know he's sincere, but he's scared so he's hiding behind his pomposity. I need to cut through all that and make an impression so that he'll sit up and take notice. She thought quietly for a moment and then her face wreathed in smiles. Thank you, I think we make a good team too.
"Go on, tell me what you honestly think," Myles said eagerly. He'd always received high marks in English and had been toying with the idea of being an author. He had no qualms about his literary expertise...until Sue picked up the paper shredder from beneath Lucy's desk and shredded his finely crafted prayer.
"That was rather brutal, wasn't it?" he asked in a strangled gasp.
"Not as brutal as hiding your feelings behind meaningless words that look good on paper but sound hollow out loud," Sue said gently but firmly.
"How would you know -- you can't even hea -- Sue I'm sorry," Myles crossed over to her, immediately contrite.
"Myles, praying isn't about how eloquent the words sound to a room full of people. It’s not a speech you’re delivering…It's hard for me to explain because I've been praying all my life. My parents taught me how when I was very small. It shouldn't be scripted, Myles..."
"You want me to adlib?" His appalled reaction was both comical and disturbing.
"God wants you to speak from here," she placed her hand over his chest. "From your heart."
He grabbed at her hand, playfully holding it against him. "Ah, Sue, everyone knows I don't have a heart," he teased. She laughed, leaning into him as he grinned down at her and that's when Jack walked back into the bullpen.
"You're late," her supervisor glared at her accusingly.
"I - I had car trouble," Carolyn lied brazenly. She had become well-versed in these breeches of truth that had become as necessary for her as breathing. "Please, Mrs. Church I ran all the way here."
"You can't do this job without a car."
"I know ma'am. And it's being towed as we speak. I'll pick it up after I finish work."
Reluctantly her supervisor put her car in park. "We have high standards in this organization, Ms. Stevenson. It's a cut-throat business and we aim high, serving quality customers with precisions and efficiency. Is that understood?"
"Yes ma’am," Carolyn said meekly and tried to concentrate on the extravagant security system the man who lived here had in place.
* * *
Myles slouched dramatically into a chair next to Sue's desk and stared across the room at his annoyingly silent telephone. He'd declined to go downstairs for coffee mid-morning with everyone else because his new 'help' still hadn't called. "I knew I should have stayed until she got there," he muttered to Sue who had handily stayed behind as well. They were alone in the deserted bullpen.
"You trust the agency you signed with, don't you?" Sue remembered very well the exhaustive search he had done on cleaning companies before hiring Maid -for-Rent.
"Yes," he sighed, "and Mrs. Church agreed to meet the girl at my place and walk her through my expectations."
"The girl?" Sue's voice sounded her disapproval. "That sounds so...demeaning. Surely you can come up with something better in this enlightened time."
"Fine, my new Domestic Engineer. However you say she's still going to scrub my toilet and wash my underwear."
"I think it's time to move on to another topic," Sue said briskly, praying that she would not disgrace herself or offend Myles by laughing. "This one, to be exact."
Myles looked proudly at the papers she deposited before him on her desk. "What did you think? The ending's a bit weak, I admit, but I had some thoughts on that, right here..." he patted his jacket pockets until he heard the crinkling of paper. Smiling he produced his latest burst of creativity.
Sue reluctantly accepted the paper, scanning it quickly as she struggled not to laugh. Father, help me here. I know he's sincere, but he's scared so he's hiding behind his pomposity. I need to cut through all that and make an impression so that he'll sit up and take notice. She thought quietly for a moment and then her face wreathed in smiles. Thank you, I think we make a good team too.
"Go on, tell me what you honestly think," Myles said eagerly. He'd always received high marks in English and had been toying with the idea of being an author. He had no qualms about his literary expertise...until Sue picked up the paper shredder from beneath Lucy's desk and shredded his finely crafted prayer.
"That was rather brutal, wasn't it?" he asked in a strangled gasp.
"Not as brutal as hiding your feelings behind meaningless words that look good on paper but sound hollow out loud," Sue said gently but firmly.
"How would you know -- you can't even hea -- Sue I'm sorry," Myles crossed over to her, immediately contrite.
"Myles, praying isn't about how eloquent the words sound to a room full of people. It’s not a speech you’re delivering…It's hard for me to explain because I've been praying all my life. My parents taught me how when I was very small. It shouldn't be scripted, Myles..."
"You want me to adlib?" His appalled reaction was both comical and disturbing.
"God wants you to speak from here," she placed her hand over his chest. "From your heart."
He grabbed at her hand, playfully holding it against him. "Ah, Sue, everyone knows I don't have a heart," he teased. She laughed, leaning into him as he grinned down at her and that's when Jack walked back into the bullpen.
This is NOT going to look good to Jack!! Sue I know you are trying to keep your word to Myles but isn't there a way that you can tell him that you're helping out Myles without giving anything away!!and please Kav.....let's find a way to help Caroline and Cassie soon....it's just so heartbreaking!!
1) 
I love all the plans the team (well most of them) are making for the breakfast club. Those kiddos are in for an awesome treat!
2) My heart just continues to break for Carolyn. She works so hard especially for her Cassie.
3) Carolyn is at Myles' place right?! Oh I think I see where this is going...
4)
Uh-oh, what's Jack gonna think now?? Yikes!
I love all the plans the team (well most of them) are making for the breakfast club. Those kiddos are in for an awesome treat!2)
My heart just continues to break for Carolyn. She works so hard especially for her Cassie.3)
Carolyn is at Myles' place right?! Oh I think I see where this is going...4)
Uh-oh, what's Jack gonna think now?? Yikes!
It is exciting to see how these threads are weaving together so beautifully.
QUOTE
"God wants you to speak from here," she placed her hand over his chest. "From your heart."
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