I'm joining the crying section!

I love how Myles is so wrapped up in saving Cassie and Carolyn that he doesn't even realize he's being saved in return...saved from a life of searching, of watching from the outside, or just being a spectator and has turned into a participant....wonderful story, Kav! So fitting with the title!

Tears...Friends...Hope...Future... That's all I can say for now.......

i suspect myles will have a hard job forgiving himself even when he knows God has forgiven him

cath

“I’m glad you came to see me Myles,” Reverend Brambles smiled sympathetically at the broken man seated before her. “First things first. Carolyn is alive and safe and going to get better. And it sounds like you have a plan in motion that’s going to provide Carolyn and Cassie with a place to live. I think that’s quite a lot of good you managed to make happen in a short period of time.”

Myles looked at the reverend incredulously. He didn’t know whether to scoff or laugh derisively. Had the woman not heard a word he had said for the last hour? Listen.

“I’m tired of listening. It hurts to listen.” Appalled when he realized that he’d spoken the words out loud, Myles struggled with feelings of mortification, sure that the pastor would think he was crazy. But she seemed to take his outburst in stride, sitting complacently across from him as she waited patiently for him to compose himself.

“Were you pain free the other way?”

“What?” Myles asked in confusion.

“Was your life so pain free before your began this journey?”

“Of course not. That would be impossible.”

“Exactly. So maybe listening doesn’t hurt as much as you think it does.”

“It’s not listening that hurts. I left her on the side of the road! She wouldn’t be as sick as she is now if I had stopped. Why do you think I was driving aimlessly around a neighbourhood I despise? I had to be out there for a reason and when that reason presented itself I turned tail and ran.” His voice was husky with the unshed tears. He was much too manly to show such a sign of weakness.

“You’re not a coward, Myles.” She said it matter-of-factly, as if she read minds all the time.

“How did you know…” It was his greatest fear. A terror that had haunted him ever since he could remember. That deep down, he was a coward…The worst kind of coward – the kind who was afraid to risk all that was necessary to live and love and care. Today he was afraid he had proved that conclusively.

“If you were a coward you would never have set foot in this church let alone come back week after week. If you were a coward you would never have taken a child under your wing or confided in a friend like Sue. If you were a coward you wouldn’t have accepted my challenge to pray, wouldn’t have opened your heart, exposed your wounds, left yourself vulnerable to the unknown. You my friend, are one of the bravest men I have ever met.”

Myles wept openly as he felt the warmth of something stronger than his fear wash over him, cleansing the secret places he had kept hidden away for years.

“God has forgiven you, even before you went astray. Do justice to the sacrifice He has made on your behalf by forgiving yourself. If we were perfect, Myles, we wouldn’t need Him. Thank God He is there to complete our imperfections.”

An inkling of hope stirred in his breast. “Will you show me how?” he asked humbly.

My eyes just won't stay dry as I read this story...Myles is taking such important steps right now---I love the way you're writing this!!!

So true, so necessary, and so HARD!!! This is sooooo good!!!

<----- That's me right now....be back later when I don't have tears blinding me so I can type.

I'm doing the ditto dance - and going in search of more kleenex!

All I'm going to say is that I agree with all of you, cause it would be pointless to repeat what everyone is saying! LOL! And I'm so glad that Myles has taken the leap to ask for help from Reverend Brambles. He's come so far spiritually and personality wise too!

Crying- no not me- WEEPING MORE LIKE


the Rev words touched my heart and was another reminder of what Jesus did for us on that first Easter... Thank You KAV...

oh and P.S it is monday here....

Ditto to the first half...and when I read the second half of your post, the picture of Jack doing the Singin' In The Rain "rain dance"


Singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain! What a glorious feeling.... "

Now off to read the rest!

Did you buy stock in Kleenex Kav?

You again prove you have the mastery of yet another angle of writing! You have touched every last person who has read this story, I'll wager, and I am one of them!


Ok, so the hankie is pink...it was the closest thing I could find.

This is soooooooo wonderrful and I don't know what else to say!!!!

Jill

I couldn't have expressed my feelings any better.

Kav, I just caught up on your posts!!

It's so hard to pick because everything you write is always so amazing, but I think I'm going to have to say that this is your best ever!!!

I have been on a rollercoaster since I started this story - all emotions have been brought to the front over and over again!! I love Cassie, I love Carolyn, I love Myles and his growth spiritually, I love the wonderful moments between Jack and Sue, I love the team and their huge hearts - this tale is just incredible!!!

Joy

Is there a rule about computers that don't cooperate? It's probably like the infield fly rule which no one really understands or the blue line in hockey (which I don't understand) as long as it isn't sudden death overtime! Maybe just extra innings!

So like, um, if this seems vaguely familiar but not quite, it's because I lost a post that some of you might have read and I'm recreating...but not quite.


Myles arrived late to the Breakfast Club. It wasn’t his fault. Thursday’s challenge was to pray for your friends and he had so many, he didn’t want to shortchange any of them.

Cassie ran straight into his arms, climbing him like she would the monkey bars in the schoolyard. She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a big sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Levi and I got to thleep in the bed all by ourthelveth,” she told him excitedly. “And I got up to go to the bathroom and I thaw Jack kithing Thue in her bed. Now they’re gonna have a baby.”

Jack, who had just taken a generous swig from a milk carton, spewed frothing milk all over Bobby and the fresh plate of French Toast he’d been carrying out of the kitchen.

“Good going, mate,” he groused, dumping the soggy plate into the trashcan.

Jack looked over at Sue whose back was turned as she worked over the stove. “No one is going to mention this. Not one word,” he warned just as Sue turned around.

“What aren’t you going to tell me?” Sue asked suspiciously, looking askance at the smirking faces of her friends.

“Uh – Jack was drinking right out of the milk carton. Nasty habit. You’ll want to break him of that before you…” Tara suddenly became absorbed in slicing a cantaloupe.

Sue sighed, looking at Jack’s endearingly guilty face. It was the eyes, she decided, imploring, beckoning, full of promise and…somehow she’d crossed the room and was standing right in front of him. Her hand was playing with lock of his hair, tugging it forward over his temple as she lost herself in his gaze. Their faces drew closer, their lips barely touching, a tender brush of satiny softness…

“Wow, are they gonna make a baby right here?” Cassie asked with enthusiastic interest.

Myles flipped her over so that she hung from his arm upside down. “When did you become such an expert on baby making?” he wanted to know.

“Why do I have the feeling I’m missing something?” Sue asked warily.

“It’s not important,” Jack told her, “…at least, not yet.” His wink nearly brought her to her knees.

Lucy elaborately fanned herself with a tea towel. “Is it getting hot in here? Or is it just me?” she teased. “Jack, I think maybe you need to do crowd control out there so Sue can get back to food production in here. Now shoo, out you go.” Lucy turned to corral Myles next, tossing him the towel. “KP duty for you because you’re late and you get first crack at babysitting duty after school. Sue and I want to get a head start on our little project.”

Myles expertly flipped Cassie right side up and deposited her on the countertop next to the sink directing a mock salute in Lucy’s direction. “Yes Ms. Foreman…or should I say Forewoman? But I’m a step ahead of you. I have gained permission from our illustrious leader to take a personal day, so my little project is going to be well ahead of yours by this evening.”

“Careful, Myles, your competitive streak is showing,” Lucy teased.

“Can I make a thpethial project too?” Cassie asked eagerly.

Myles considered her request thoughtfully. “I don’t see why not. Here’s your special project,” he handed her the tea towel to and a dripping plate.

Oh my...was Cassie ever on a roll at the breakfast club--that was too funny and priceless!!!! Thank goodness Sue didn't see!!

It's just as funny the second time around!!!!

Jill

Out of the mouth of babes, eh?

The things that come out of the mouth of a child

Cassie's just to precious (and precocious) for words! And Jill's right... it's even better the second time around, not that it wasn't great the first time! Thanks for being so understanding, Kav!!!

Hmmmm...Sue and Jack kissing on the couch.....

Cassie and her comments...sounds like another little one I know -

....to Kav and her wonderful story and great attitude!

Carolyn rose to the surface of wakefulness slowly. She stretched, frowning at the stinging pull on her left arm. Opening her eyes, they widened when she saw the tubes attached to her veins and hazy memories came flooding back. She swallowed experimentally, relieved to discover that her throat was no longer sore. Her body still ached, and her head felt woozy but the tulips on the side table caught her eye...and her interest. Where had they come from? She could see a card peeking out of the foliage but couldn’t quite reach it. Sighing in frustration she tried rolling to one side, wincing at the uncomfortable tug at her arm. She flopped back against the pillows exhausted, barely turning her head when she heard the light rap on her door.

“It’s Myles, can I come in?”

He heart fluttered nervously and she smoothed back her hair as if that simple action would make her look any better. Mocking her own vanity, she tried to make her voice cooperate and beckoned him to enter. It still sounded raspy and worn, but he obviously heard her as he slowly made his way through the doorway balancing an enormous arrangement of daffodils and pussywillows in a gaily painted pot. He sidled to the bedside table, realized there wasn’t room for the bouquet and carefully laid it on the window ledge instead. It balanced precariously there.

“They’re beautiful!” Carolyn sighed rapturously, her eyes alight with excitement. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had brought her flowers – let alone a man. When she thought hard enough she realized that was because no one ever had.

“Cassie decorated the pot,” Myles said proudly. “She needed a special project to work on.”

Tears shimmered in Carolyn’s eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you enough,” she said softly. “You’ve done so much. I keep thinking about what would have happened to Cassie if you hadn’t been there. I think God must have put you in our lives for a purpose and I’m so grateful he did.”

Myles shifted uncomfortably at her praise. In light of everything that had transpired, he felt woefully unworthy. “Carolyn, I think there’s something you need to know about me. It’s difficult for me to say, and I’m sure it will change your opinion of me and I just want you to know that’s okay. I don’t wouldn’t expect anything else.”

He snagged the chair in the corner with his foot and dragged it over, setting it carefully by her bedside. Sinking down, he fussed with its position and then with the blankets on her bed, plucking and the pilled bits nervously until she reached out a hand and closed it over his own.

“Myles, whatever it is, just tell me. It can’t be all that bad,” she encouraged and suddenly he knew she was right and the words tumbled over themselves to get out. He poured out his whole story and she listened quietly without interrupting. He had the feeling she was absorbing not only his words, but his pain as well, soothing the agitation in his soul, cleansing him with her unshakeable understanding. He felt wrung out but at peace when he had finished his tale, no longer ashamed of driving past her in the street the day before. Her silent acceptance had simply washed away any residual aftermath of his spiritual lapse.

“I think that makes us even,” she told him in a husky voice that he found quite attractive, “and I hope you will be able to forgive me. I noticed you the first day you attended church. You looked so awkward an uncomfortable. I knew you needed a friend and I felt impressed to go over and introduce myself. Only you can be…very intimidating…in an aloof kind of way and I was shy so I didn’t. Then you came the next week and again I felt like I should really go and meet you, but I got distracted with Cassie and the opportunity passed. Each week I pushed the feeling away until last Sunday God must have had enough of my procrastination and he sat you down right next to us. I knew Cassie was plaguing the living daylights out of you, but I was too embarrassed to face you, so I pretended not to notice until the service was just about to start. That way I didn't have to say much, but I could pretend like I’d done my part. Only Cassie listens to the Spirit better than I do, I guess, because she wouldn’t let you alone. We both knew you were special, but she’s the only one who was willing to act on that knowledge. I’m not saying anything would have necessarily changed or anything. I guess we’ll never know. I’m not sure if what transpired this week was meant to be or came about because of my refusal to following God’s lead. I’m sorry if my fears placed you in a position to feel more pain than you should have. But I’m glad that we know each other now.”

They shared an awkward moment lost in their own thoughts until Myles broke the silence by pointing out the tulips. “Who sent those?” he asked curiously.

“I don’t know. I can’t quite reach the card and I’m dying of curiosity,” Carolyn confessed.

“We can’t have that,” Myles scolded teasingly. “We’re working too hard to get you better.” He plucked the card out of the foliage and presented it to Carolyn with a flourish.

“Would you open it for me?” She asked shyly.

Myles slit open the envelope and looked at drew out a card with a lamb and a lion lying down together in a meadow. He showed her the picture before opening the card. “It’s from Reverend Brambles,” he said and then read the inscription.

In Christ all things are possible.

Even more beautiful the second time around, Kav. Loved the talk between them, especially the fact that Carolyn felt she should have approached Myles week after week but didn't! Still, they were obviously meant to cross paths---God really does work in mysterious ways! This is simply wonderful!!!

Isaiah 11:6 is one of my favorite scriptures... it offers so much hope and such a wonderful visual picture of what will be. I'm so glad I got to see this before heading off to bed. Thank you, Kav!!!

Absolutely beautiful, Kav!

Jill

I have really enjoyed seeing the growth of the characters in this... we all take steps in the wrong direction and have to turn around quite often...

I have a thought about Rev. Brambles. I like the name. She is aptly named, dealing with thorns and prickly people...

Wow, Kav, wonderful scene between Myles and Carolyn. I think they have the makings of a beautiful friendship!

“We have some…work to do downstairs,” Lucy explained to Carolyn on Friday morning. “So we’re going to have to leave you for a couple of hours, but I’ve left snacks in the fridge and Cassie can fetch and carry for you, can’t you sweetie?”

Cassie nodded her head importantly, snuggled tightly into her mother’s side. She hadn’t left that spot since Carolyn came home from the hospital the night before. The two were ensconced on the sofa bed, plumped full of pillows. Carolyn had an array of magazines at arm’s reach and Cassie had a colouring book and crayons.

Sue slipped in the DVD, turned off the closed captioning and handed the remote to Carolyn. “Cinderella,” she explained, “to be followed by Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast and as many Disney princess movies as you can think of.”

Cassie squealed with delight. “Printheth thtorieth? I love Printheth thtorieth.”

“That’s because you’re a princess,” Sue told her with a smile. “Now be good for Mummy and we’ll be back in time for lunch, okay?”

“’Kay,” Cassie settled herself against the pillows, a newly redeemed Muffy bunny clasped tightly in her hand, her eyes already absorbed in the action on screen.

* * *

“Myles is picking me up and taking me to the church. That’s where we’re meeting Bobby and Tara,” Lucy told Sue as they hurried down the stairs. “Jack’s working on the kitchen cabinets this morning and Grams will be in this afternoon to unpack the crates of dishes. I can’t believe the miracle Reverend Brambles has wrought.”

“That’s what churches are for, Luce. To gather together and be there for one another. I’m learning more about Carolyn every time I meet someone from her congregation. She’s given so much, they’re only too happy to return the favour. See you later. And keep Myles in check!”

Sue waved to Myles from the doorway of their apartment building, knowing he had heard her last remark. Laughing at his exaggerated gestures, she closed the door and hurried down the stairs to the basement, making a mental list of what still needed to be done.

“Jack?” she called as she pushed open the door to the apartment, noting that the doorknob was loose and adding that to her never-ending list. She really needed to start writing it all down. She could see fine sawdust settling on the floor form the power saw in the corner of the room. Damp mop became the latest edition to her now infamous list. Through the haze of sawdust she saw Jack, so absorbed in his work that he didn’t hear her come in. His brow was furrowed in concentration; his tongue pushing against the side of his cheek as he carefully marked out a line on the edge of the cabinetry with pencil and ruler.

Sue gasped when she noticed what he was wearing…or more precisely what he wasn’t. A worn denim shirt hung loosely against a sawhorse and a crumpled white piece of cotton could only be his t-shirt. There was a fine dust powdering his head and shoulders – his torso gleaming with the effort he put into his work. She couldn’t help the thrill of excitement that raced through her at the sight of his muscular torso. Her gaze moved slowly, hotly over his body and she tried calling his name once more. “Jack?” Still he didn’t look up and she moved silently across the room to him, reaching out a hand to prod him gently. She meant to touch his upper arm – but somehow her hand pressed against his warm, damp chest instead and he looked up, recognizing and answering the desire he read in her eyes.

“I didn’t expect you here this morning,” he murmured as he slowly bent his head and skimmed his lips across hers. She protested the fleeting length of the caress, and he nuzzled her neck in consolation. “How am I going to get any work done with you around to distract me all morning?”

Her breath hitched in her throat as she dragged her fingers down his chest, along his sides, zigzagging across his muscled abdomen. “I think you’re the distraction,” she accused absorbing the electrically charged shocks that shot from her fingertips and up her arm at the slightest contact with his flesh. Unable to help herself she pushed into the solid warmth of his body, her tongue darting out to follow a sinewy line across his shoulder. He gripped her waist and held her close even as he said, “I don’t think that is a good idea.”

She lifted wide, dazed eyes to his. “No? Do you have a better one? How about this?” Her tongue flicked across a pectoral muscle, lingered for a hesitant second before her teeth traced the same path.

“Sue,” Jack ground out a warning even as he lifted her bodily and sat her on the counter he was in the act of repairing. He nudged her legs apart with his hips as he fisted her hair with his hands, pulling her closer. She forced her gaze to meet his and saw the hard-edged desire simmering just below the surface. She shifted nervously against him; he groaned and applied an unrelenting pressure to the back of her head. She had no choice but to follow, as he lowered her head towards his, inch by slow inch.

Jack kissed her with closed-lips, rubbing her mouth, teasing the corners with tantalizing promises before his tongue traced the line of her lips with gentle persistence completely at odds with the intense tremors that wracked his body as he pressed into hers.

“Are you two going to make another baby?”

The childish giggle penetrated Jack’s passion hazed brain and he froze, his mouth open, hovering over Sue’s lushly swollen lips. She looked up at him in tousled confusion and he sighed. “Cassie,” he mouthed looking over his shoulder and into a pair of curious hazel eyes.

“We’re not making babies, Cassie. You can’t make a baby from kissing,” he felt compelled to explain.

“Everybody knowth that thilly. But I think you were heading in the right direction!”

I was heading over here to point out the fact that you could always post a flashback scene for when Jack and Sue were kissing on her bed and Cassie saw them, only to discover another new post from you!!!! Thank you for the dose of fuzzies...I suppose that'll do for now, though there seems to be nothing but interruptions for these two all the time! Cassie and her baby making line is just sooooo....

Cassie is adorable...although someone else had another adjective to use...right, Tina? ( I don't think she fully appreciated the interruption Cassie provided!) You would think that the Princess movies would have held her attention just a little while longer!

LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEDDDDD that scene....of course! Who wouldn't?????

And Jack without a shirt...a fine layer of sweat?????

Oh Kaaaaaaavvvvvvvvvv......*walks up to Kav and curtsies* Might I request another rainy day...with Jack playing out in it....in the hopes he will be, um stripped (did I say that???? ) by his beloved?

I'm sure if you wrote it....we'd all read it and then and you might have some peace and quiet....


Flip

I don't normally do this, but to what they said

I'm exhausted, but it isn't from treating everyone to a OUTSTANDING Spring story...

Thanks, Kav! and Happy Easter....still 2 hrs and 45 minutes until midnight in my neck of the woods...and it is still light out.

What..........the Beast scared Cassie off to find Sue???? Someone keep that kid occupied!

Myles stretched wearily, rolling his shoulders forwards and then back trying to free his body of all the kinks that resulted from his hard labor throughout the day. The fatigue in his body matched that of his mind as he staggered to his bed and wavered there for just a fraction of a second before sinking to his knees and bowing his head in prayer.

Flashes of the day chased through his mind. So many people had come to help that it was a miracle Carolyn still didn’t suspect anything. They all alternated trooping up the stairs to keep her company and to check on Little Miss Nosy who seemed to have a sixth sense about secrets…and kissing.

Members of the congregation had gathered at the church with an assortment of household items that they wanted to donate to the cause. A week ago Myles would have turned up a disparaging nose at the motley collection lining the hallways of the church building. But today, he could see past the chipped china and into the giving heart of a 78 year old woman who was parting with her beloved wedding pattern brought over from England during the war. And he looked beyond the frayed edges of the tattered chair, into the fond memories of the mother who had nursed her children there. Every dented pot and mismatched cutlery held a story of love and with his knew eyes, Myles could read them all.

Father thank you for bringing me into this family. For showing me what good people who follow your promptings can accomplish together. Take care of Reverend Brambles who has played such a key part in bringing this all together and bless all of them. Every last member of my church.

Amen

Such growth in Myles since the beginning of this story---it's wonderful to see! I knew he'd get the hang of praying.

Those new eyes are wonderful!

I agree!

The growth in Myles is spectacular, fantastic, wonderful, amazing...

oh, everything good and pure, because it comes from the Lord. I love it, I love it, I love it!!!

Before anyone starts to wonder if Kav hasn't made her deadline...unfortunately there was a bit of a mishap this evening, and one of her posts was accidentally erased. Since this had nothing to do with her, and she ended up having to rewrite the post, we're extending the deadline to make up for the time she lost. Thanks for being such a good sport, Kav!!

Whoo hoo, glad to hear that, Tina! Go, Kav, go!

This is it -- the last post! Thanks to everybody for sticking with me and reading even if it wasn't about J/S. It was just a little story that I needed to tell and am grateful for the great support you give me. And sorry -- no Jack singing in the rain...I'm too pooped

Cassie could sense the excitement in the air and was more rambunctious then ever. Even a romp in the park with Levi and Sue didn’t deter the little girl from trying to sneak downstairs, especially after Lucy warned her she would spoil her surprise. Tara came over in the early afternoon and the women took turns sitting on Cassie while they gave Carolyn a beauty treatment. Feeling decidedly better now that the antibiotics had finally kicked in, Carolyn had lamented her dry skin and lack luster hair.

“Since you’re not well enough to whisk away to a spa, we’re whisking the spa to you,” Lucy declared cheerfully over Carolyn’s protests.

They buffed and scrubbed and brushed and dried until they deemed her ready for the Easter parade.

Exhausted from all the activity, Carolyn felt more like crawling back into bed than going outside, but she didn’t want to disappoint her new friends, and Cassie, of course, who was bouncing up and down with excitement at the thought of seeing a parade.

“Not seeing it, honey, being in it!” Lucy corrected, producing an old hat of her grandmothers that she had played dressup with as a child. It was decorated with sprigs of flowers and a fine net veil fell over the front, covering the wearer’s face. “You’re Easter bonnet, my lady,” she curtsied to tie the yellow ribbon under Cassie’s chin.

The little girl studied herself in the mirror and pronounced herself “Nearly ath pretty ath Mummy.”

Myles thought so too, when he unexpectedly showed up at the doorstep a few minutes later. “You’re stunning,” he told Carolyn gallantly, “but then you always have been in my eyes.”

“What about me?” Cassie tugged at his pant leg impatiently.

“You? You still look like an upside down monkey in an Easter bonnet!” Myles declared, spinning Cassie upside and nearly losing the bonnet in the process. He righted her again, pushed the brim of the felt hat back onto her head and rubbed his hands together with childish glee. “It’s time for the Easter Parade!” he announced and surprised Carolyn by scooping her up in his arms.

“What are you doing?” she squealed clutching onto his shoulders nervously.

“All right, are you ready?” Lucy asked organizing the processional at the front door. “Cassie can lead in her Easter Bonnet. I guess Levi wants to escort her. Then Myles and Carolyn and Sue and I will follow. Oh – but how could I forget? What would an Easter parade be without….ta da,” Lucy opened the front door, “the Easter bunny.”

It had been difficult to find a rabbit costume that fit his 6-foot plus frame, but Tara had come close. The clerk at the theatrical design store had been right: from a distance, the kangaroo pouch was hardly visible and after lopping off the long tail and bandaging the ‘wound’ with cotton balls Bobby made a passable Easter bunny. Cassie crowed with delight and Carolyn laughed until she thought she was going to be sick as a disgruntled kangabunny tried to navigate the apartment stairs.

“Whose idea was that?” Carolyn finally managed to gasp.

“Mine,” Tara said, pleased at the response. “Bobby didn’t want to do it, but I sweet-talked him into it.”

“I can’t believe you went to all that trouble for a little parade around the building, but it was very sweet of you,” Carolyn told them delightedly.

The team exchanged knowing glances as they made their way into the basement and stopped at a closed door across from the laundry room. Jack and D were standing in front of it trying to keep from laughing at Bobby whose ears had gotten tangled in the overhead light fixture in the basement hallway.

Carolyn looked at them all suspiciously. “What’s going on here?”

“We’re delivering you to your new address,” Myles told her softly.

Jack and D stepped aside to reveal a large purple bow stretched across a doorway.

“Cassie, you can do the honours,” Jack announced and gave the little girl an end of the ribbon to pull. Soon the wide satin ribbon lay pooled on the floor and D reached out and turned the doorknob.

“Welcome home, Carolyn,” Myles had to yell to be heard above the cheers as he carried her over the threshold.

* * *

It was late and she looked tired, dark purple bruises shining beneath her eyes. He knew he should go and let her get some sleep. Cassie was already ensconced in her princess bed, dreaming under the starry night sky Myles had painted on her ceiling. She’d gone to bed in a brand new nightie with puffed sleeves, Muffy bunny tucked under her chin -- the picture of cherubic peacefulness.

He had stayed behind, lingered longer than all the rest, reluctant to break the spell of this magical week.

“I’ll see you in church tomorrow,” she said shyly as he made ready to go.

“No, I’ll be by at nine to pick you up,” he corrected her.

“But it’s out of your way, she protested.

“No actually, I’ve a feeling its exactly the direction I need to go,” he assured her mysteriously. “Goodnight, Carolyn. Thank you for letting us help you.”

He closed the door and listened as she clicked the lock in place and then climbed the stairs to the front door. He made his way to his car, turning to glance back at the warm glow coming from the bottom window of the building. The light played through the rustling curtains hanging in the window, flickering in and out, now stronger, now lighter, but always there, warm and welcoming. It was a reflection in a way, of what had happened inside him this week. A steady glow that slowly built in intensity, sometimes flickering, wavering but ever constant and steady – a small replica of a light God sent to the world long ago. It had always been there, hidden deep inside of him, but it had taken a journey through prayer to increase the illumination enough to draw others near for its warmth and light. Tonight he felt the pull more than any other. Redeemed, that’s what he was – a man bent on a new journey, the one prayer would lead him to redemption.

THE END

That last paragraph was just so incredibly beautiful!!! Thought-provoking and soul-stirring---I loved it! You're amazing to have stayed up so late writing--kudos to you! This story was inspiring and heart-wrenching and I'm so glad you shared it with us.

Oh, Kav, what a perfect ending! And it's still so unbelievable that all this happened in one week! So many lives were changed! And all through prayer! That certainly speaks volumes.

I loved every part of it, and am so glad you decided to write and share this. You had some amazing truths in there, girl!!

Can't wait for your next one!

Oh, I always cry at happy endings, and I KNEW that's what you'd give us, Kav! Oh, I also have this for you, Kav..... (((((KAV)))))... that's for taking us on an emotional journey well worth the wait for all of your posts. Your story could be so incredibly gut-wrenchingly painful at times, but that's why there's the saying that "the truth hurts." Yet, throughout it all, you showed us the glimmer of hope....if only one trusted enough to believe in their God or Higher Power or whatever you want to call it. for once again sharing your talent with us to bring us a story from the heart to our hearts. BRAVO, KAV, BRAVO!!!!!!

p.s. Just had to post these snippets as I thought they were hilarious!

andMan, I could just visualize those little scenes!

can't put it better than that

it was a wonderful story

cath

I could feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck as I read your last few posts. So emotional..so beautiful.

I think this has to be your best story yet.


Just had another thought....Jack and that tool belt of his...could this wrangle it self into a new story kinda of quickly....or a sequel....

I mean do Myles and Carolyn get it together?

Does Cassie teach Myles a thing or two more about parenting!

Do Jack and Sue keep making babies?

Does Tara have a thing for guys dressed up as Easter Bunnies?

Can you tell I'm so enthralled I don't want this to end.....I'm going to have to go back to the beginning and read it all over again.