TISSUE WARNING CONTINUED

Jimmy slowly wiped the counter at his diner. As he ran the rag in his hand slowly across the countertop, he reflected on the events of the last week. The assault in the alley had caused him to take a long hard look at his life. He hadn’t always been on his current path in life. He hadn’t always profited from the flesh of women. At one time, what seemed like an eternity ago, he had been a simple businessman; the owner of a diner working hard to pay bills and struggling to earn enough to pay his staff. One day a man made an offer. The customer wanted something more than table service from one of the waitresses. Jimmy turned him down, flat. But the customer came again and again, always with the same request. One day, the customer caught Jimmy in a desperate spot. He needed the money. So, he asked the waitress. She accepted the proposition. Money exchanged hands, a bill was paid and life went on. It had been the first step down a slippery slope; a slope he slide down too easily. He had tried to climb out, but found himself falling farther and farther each time he tried.

It’s hopeless to think I can ever be more than what I am at this minute, he sighed. An aging pimp with a shrinking stable of women. A small smile crossed his face. But I will never regret making Maggie give up this life. He felt a rush of regret as he thought of the kind auburn haired woman. I should have never started her down that path in the first place. He placed his hands on the counter, leaning his head forward as tears threatened to spill down his cheeks. But what’s done is done. I can’t undo the past, only try to make sure I don’t repeat those same mistakes and make sure she doesn’t either.

Jimmy heard the bell ring above the door. He raised his head, expecting to see a member of the usual afternoon crowd. Instead, he found himself face to face with a stranger. The man was dressed in a dark suit. When he gazed into the golden brown eyes, he squinted, trying to figure out where he had seen those eyes before. “Do I know you?”

The man strode across the diner. He stopped at the counter, staring at Jimmy. “No. But you know my daughter. I’m James Parker, Hope’s…I mean Maggie’s father.”

Jimmy felt his mouth go dry. His heart pounded in his chest and his body tensed in preparation for the attack he was certain would occur. He winced as he watched the hand move from Mr. Parker’s side. But instead of seeing a fist, he saw an outstretched hand. “I just came by to say thank you. Thank you for caring for my little girl.”

Jimmy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Has Maggie told you…”

“Hope. Her name is Hope.” James smile was sad, but compassion swirled in the golden brown eyes. “And she has told me everything.”

Jimmy couldn’t believe his ears. He had used this man’s daughter. Sold her body for profit. And this man, this father was thanking him. “Mr. Parker, I don’t think…”

“Jimmy, Hope made a choice. Yes, you made the offer, but the decision was hers.” Jimmy watched as the sad smile faded a little. “You used Hope. But God used you.” Jimmy watched as the man’s chin started to quiver and the eyes brimmed with fresh tears. “I prayed every day for God to protect my little girl. To give her someone in her life to watch out for her. You, even though you profited by your vigilance, were the answer to that prayer.”

Jimmy heard the emotion choked voice telling him he was the answer to a prayer. He had never been the answer to anyone’s prayer before. “Mr. Parker…”

“Please, let me finish. I don’t condone what you did. In fact, I find your line of work deplorable. But somewhere, deep down, there is compassion in your heart. What you did for profit, God used to reclaim a lost soul.” James gazed deeply into the older man’s eyes. “Maybe God’s profit in all of this will be the redemption of another lost soul. The choice is yours, Jimmy.”

Jimmy swallowed the lump in his throat. He reached out and took the hand of the man whose daughter he had used. It was more than a handshake; more than a hand outstretched in thanks. It was a hand to help him back up the slippery slope. He grabbed it and hung on. “Thank you,” he whispered. Those words of thanks were not only mean for the man standing across the lunch counter from him, but also for the Man standing at the gates of the next world, watching and smiling.

After Mr. Parker left, Jimmy reached for the telephone. The offer had been made time and time again. An offer he had sneered at, ridiculing the man who made it. Now, it was an offer he intended to take with joy in his heart. He dialed the number and waited for the ring. “Hello, Bill? It’s Jimmy. Listen Bill, are you still interested in that store front next to the diner for a new church?” A smile entered the heart of the pimp as the redemption was completed. “Then it’s yours. No charge. The price was paid long ago.” He choked back the tears as he finished the conversation. “Would you let a foolish old man with a life filled with regret be the first member?”

More later
Kim

Oh, I was so hoping that her father wouldn't turn her away and I'm glad he didn't. I'm surprised he went to see Jimmy though, and thanked him for taking care of Hope. I never thought about Jimmy's reaction to all of this, but I'm glad that he's heading down the right path, now.

Thank you Kim. Thank you for taking the character I couldn't see my way to forgive, and making him a character that reminded me how to do just that. You did good.

Tina

I am becoming a one-word woman

WOW


FGM

These last few posts were amazing. They are wonderful depiction of God's redemption at work in a heart.

that just about sums up what i was thinking, beautiful

as jack once said we all have it in us to do the wrong thing but this is a reminder that none of us is irredeemable and all can find a way to the Father

cath

Amazing!

Awesome couple of posts, Kim! I all the time but there was a smile on my lips.

Here is already the 20th May so....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ornella

Once again, thank you for sticking with me through this story. I know it got a little preachy in places and perhaps a little sappy, too. You guys are wonderful and the replies were wonderful. So here it is, the last post. Thanks again.

Jack smiled as he watched the children playing with Easter Eggs on the bacteria free lawn of the White House. His arms were around Sue’s waist as she stood with her back against his chest; her soft chuckles at the antics of the children on the lawn warming his heart. The events of the past few days had warmed his heart so often he was afraid at times it just might self combust.

He looked around at his team mates and their guests. The personal invitation by the President had been added icing on the cake. He chuckled as he watched Bobby dangle a captured grasshopper in front of Tara, her squeals nearly drowning out the laughter of the children. He watched as Meredith and Michael sat with Jacey, Mr. and Mrs. Parker watching with delight as their son and future daughter-in-law discussed the finer points of egg rolling with their granddaughter.

Jack gaze drifted to the other side of the lawn. Myles and Hope were talking and laughing. Smiled as he watched them timidly join hands and cross the lawn towards Hope’s family. I wonder just how long…

“Jack, what are you thinking about?” Sue’s soft voice caught his attention.

“Thinking about how many lives this one case changed.” He smiled as he gazed into her hazel eyes. “I’ve got you in my arms and wearing my ring. In three months, you will be my wife.”

“Three long months,” Sue groaned. “I’m kind of sorry the case is over.” Jack raised his eyebrows at her in silent question. She shrugged gently. “I was getting use to cooking your breakfast in the mornings.”

Jack smiled, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “You could always go ahead and move in with me, you know.” He chuckled as she blushed prettily. “I’d hate for you to get out of the habit of cooking breakfast.”

“Sorry, Jack,” Sue whispered, her face coloring further as she smiled shyly. “I think the temptation to cook up more than breakfast might be too great. Besides, I need to give Lucy time to find a new roommate.”

“Well,” Jack replied. He knew that was not the only reason Sue wanted to wait to move in with him. She’s right. The temptation would be too great. Still, he couldn’t resist playing along for a minute. “If that’s all that is standing in the way, let’s start looking right now.” He scanned the lawn. “How about Tara?”

Sue watched as Bobby kissed Tara soundly. She chuckled softly. “I don’t think so. At the rate those two are going, Lucy would be lucky to have a roommate for three months after we are married.”

She scanned the lawn, a soft smile crossing her lips as she watched Hope talking with her parents and Myles. Now there is a relationship that might take a little longer to unfold, she thought. “What about Hope?” she whispered.

“Hope?” Jack asked. “Now there is an idea.” She watched as his brown eyes twinkled. “Did I tell you D offered Hope a job at the Bureau?”

Sue gasped. “No. Did she take it?”

Jack nodded. “Yep. She starts May 1. She’ll be a part of the secretarial pool with flexible hours so she can go back to school.”

Sue stared into his chocolate brown eyes. “And I thought I was the one with a big heart who could see the good in people.”

Jack’s cheeks turned rosy as he shrugged. “Sometimes the good isn’t so hard to see.”

“What did you see in Hope to make you want to help her so much, Jack?” Sue asked.

Jack drew in a deep breath. “Something I saw in her eyes, Sue. Anyone who looked at her could see the strength and dignity the streets had not taken away. But when I looked in her eyes, I saw something more.” He reached up and tenderly caressed her cheek. “I saw a little girl whose father was desperately searching for her.” He smiled softly. “Or maybe I caught a reflection of our little girl, Sue.”

“Our little girl?” Sue questioned.

Jack nodded. “Sue, I’ve known for almost four years that if I ever acted on my feelings for you, it would be a commitment that would last for eternity. And when I looked in Hope’s eyes, I caught a glimpse of our daughter. And, thinking with a father’s heart, I found myself wanting to do for her what I would hope someone would do for our little girl if she got into trouble.”

He reached up and wiped the tears from Sue’s eyes. “Jack Hudson, you are the most compassionate man…” He gasped as she wrapped her arms around his neck and feathered her lips against his. “I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” Jack kissed her gently before turning her in his arms, cradling her back against his chest. He watched as the children ran across the lawn. His fingers played with the diamond ring on her left hand as he wondered how long it would be before their own children would racing after the rolling Easter eggs. And to think it all began with a prostitute named Maggie.

Hope watched as her extended family stood on the lawn of the White House. Her family no longer consisted of just Jacey. The family she had ran from she had been able to run to. The people she had turned to to bring a stop to a terrorist plot she overheard on the streets had in turn turned into an extension of her family. And here she stood, on the right side of the fence, standing on the lawn in front of the White House instead of on the sidewalk looking through the iron fence. Just when she thought Hope had died, it was reborn, both in name, her heart and in the lives she touched. She smiled as she felt Myles slip his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. The journey has been a long one, she thought as she gazed at the members of her family spread across the lawn. But I’ve made it. She squeezed Myles’s hand and gazed into his blue eyes, so filled with the love she thought she would never see again after Jamal’s death. I’m home.

The end...or is it really a new beginning?
Kim

What a gracious and uplifting story, Kim. Thank you for sharing it with us. I enjoyed every word. I'd say this is the beginning in so many wonderful ways for Jack and Sue, for Bobby and Tara, and of course for Hope and Myles. I'd say this story is calling out for a sequel.

Bravo Kim. Truly well done. Made me think, made me cry, made me laugh, made me remember what God really wants us to be like.

and

Do I smell a sequel?...


Tina

Beautifully written all the way to the last word.

FGM (who has her fingers crossed that there might be more to come)

beautiful from start to finish

i sure hope there is a sequel burning in your head, just itching to be put on to computer

cath

I enjoyed this story so much! I hope you will write a sequel...

Absolutely brilliant Kim! I loved every moment of this fantastic story!

Donna

Kim

I'm sorry I have not been able to keep up with your story and make comments. That old excuse of not enough time just seems to fall short. But know that I love your writing and have promised to treat myself to another dose of Kim the week after the challenge deadline.

Why this post, now? I see today is the anniversary of the date of your birth and wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday! May your day be everything you wish it to be!

Lynn

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow, Kim!

You know, adjective just don't do it for me anymore. There is so much I want to say because of this last post, though trying to get the words out is difficult.

I love how you went back to the beginning where we see Hope standing outside the White House gates, looking in and hoping to see what she most wanted in the world. And now we see her on the other side, two wonderful families surrounding her in the love she'd needed the entire time, though never knew it.

Lucy's definately going to need a new roommate and I think that Hope would be the perfect candidate. Along with strengthening their friendship, I'm sure Lucy could tell so many wonderfully embarassing stories about Myles that Hope would just love.

Jack and Sue... and a wedding in three months... Sounds like a plan to me.

And Bobby and Tara... I love how he was torturing her with the captured grasshopper.... but, did he set it free after he was done? -shrugs- Can I help it if I think grasshoppers are cute? Can you tell I'm like a reptile kind of person? Though furry animals are cute too, I've mostly had lizards and frogs lately.... yeah, yeah, I know I'm weird.

Anyway, Kim, this was simply marvelous!

Loved the story! Loved the ending!

And loved this sentence! I'd love to read a sequel of this story...

Ornella

It was a wonderful story from beginning to end. Thank you for sharing this inspirational story with us! Fantastic!

Ah, I'm blubbering like an idiot and now my nose is all red. I don't know what I'm crying the hardest over though...the intricate beauty of the last several posts or the fact that it is over! I can't tell you how much this story has touched me...and I don't think you got too preachy or too sappy. It was perfect. You took such great care with every little detail and I was catching up last night...at the point where Hope finally realizes that the preacher is her brother and wham, my computer up and looses its internet connection. Couldn't get it to stay up until this afternoon. I loved this line...the whole concept of us never being able to stray away from our Father. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

kav

Oh my Kim, I can't believe this is finished alreay. Time is flying to fast for me. I have printed out this story and am trying to catch up. I LOVE this story and still have a ways to go. Great job! I'll comment more when I get through! I'm trying not to peak!

Beautiful job, Kim! This was an amazing story!

Em

Kim,

Thanks for sharing such a great story. It had it all, tears, fears and cheers.

Kim, first of all, a Happy Belated Birthday!! I hope your day was filled with dreams come true!!!

Well, you did it, you kept me crying right up to the last word!! What a beautiful, beautiful story!! I was so afraid that Hope's father was not going to welcome her home, but you proved me wrong, which I am very thankful!!!

The last post was perfect!! Nothing was preachy or sappy about this story!! It has given all of us hope and conviction that straying is forgiven and we are all watched over and loved!!!

I would love to read about everyone's "new beginning"!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent with us!!!

Joy

OK, I'll try this again. Cyberspace ate my post!

I finally finished your story Kim and it was absolutely wonderful. This was such an amazing story of the power of love and the ability to choose to come Home again no matter how far you have fallen from grace. You have so beautifully written the true Christian message that often gets lost by those that judge. We only need look to the grace and forgiveness in our own lives, to see how desparately others need it too. I love how you wove that into the story with Bobby's concern for Myles, and Jack reminded Bobby that Maggie (Hope) needed a chance, just as he had, not to be judged by past mistakes.

Reflecting through the story there is so much I would love to say since I didn't keep up or get to post as you wrote. I will say that the incredible angst and the portrayal of Maggie the Scarlet Woman, and the transformation back into the person she truly was meant to be was outstanding. It was so heartwrenching to read how desperate she had become and choices and consequences she lived with. But also heartwarming as she was befriended by the team and began her return journey back Home again.

I laughed so hard at times as you portrayed the team as well as Maggie/Hope and all their antics. The romance was And I cried as I read the return of the prodigal daughter/sister and the reactions and reunion with the family, as well as the team standing by Hope's side. So well written I could picture the scenes as if it were a movie.

I am hoping there will be a sequel so we see how all the couples are making out! (pun intended)

Anne

Wow! You were right, that was quite a ride. You included lots of vilains in your story. I was not expecting Hope/Myles, though I can see how much Myles changed over the years. The story was filled with nice fuzzies.

Amazing!

Marlene

Kim

I just wanted to let you know that I'm reading your story and find it enthralling. I started putting my comments in Word but they are going to be way too many to post (on the 2nd page in MS Word) after the first 40 pages (in MS Word). But, I did want to say that I am loving the character of Myles. Some of my comments I've written are:

Mar 28 2007, 07:45 PM

Yea! The team believes her and recognizes she could be in danger. And, Myles’ statement. It was almost caressing in tone. I love that Myles has grown immensely since the show began...all due to Sue!

Mar 28 2007, 10:44 PM

Oh, yes; I knew it! Return the favor, Myles, pay it forward; that’s how it works. You’ll have to tread slowly though. She’s not used to trusting anyone except her own instincts. And, yes, it is due to Sue’s influence. This is my kind of Myles, Kim. I’m gonna love where you take him. Oh, I see Tina agrees about “pay it forward”. Yes, an excellent movie!

Mar 29 2007, 08:50 PM

Well, I’m intrigued with your definition of INTENSE! Guess I’m about to find out. Oh, now I understand. Excellent. I could see that action taking place, running thru my mind like a TV show. Now, Myles, I assume, does interrupt and save her! And she will be beholden to him. That should make it easier for him to work on her soul. And, she does believe. God answered her, with Myles, back in the bullpen!

Mar 30 2007, 08:41 PM

Shock drove her into his arms. Nice touch. Oh, I read the rest of the post and it was beautiful! The picture of Myles praying so warms my heart! Tina said it beautifully: Posted by: kmt123 Mar 30 2007, 11:39 PM

It's incredible to think that a soul so damaged can be made whole, but I believe that's what we'll be privileged to witness in this story. I'm so glad Myles could be the instrument God used to save Maggie's physical life. Great job Kim, I'm looking forward to more...

Thanks for gracing us with this incredible story! And I'm glad no one dies, especially Maggie and her Jacey! Going back to reading and I'll be back.

Lynn

Apr 6 2007, 08:23 PM Post

I just have to say, this entire post was wonderful. The agents are so good at their job. They convinced Maggie to relent and agree for her and Jacey to be protected. And Sue, was it just an act? Or, was she really outraged? And re Maggie’s faith…when a few months have past, and she has started to believe in God again, she will be able to see how His hand is guiding her back to His loving arms thru this very special FBI team. Oh, I am so loving this story!

And I must quote Joy: Posted by: suesfan Apr 7 2007, 09:22 AM I think Maggie staying with Sue is going to be very good for her!! Sue will definitely, if given the chance, turn her thoughts around regarding God turning his back on her and not loving her any more, and her not believing in him!! And, if she can get Jack and Sue to look at their feelings for one another, that's a very good thing!!! Yes, Sue and Maggie can help each other.

This chapter is such an inspirational example of God’s masterful plan shining thru.

Lynn

It's her brother! I know it! Jacey's teacher's fiance'! I remember reading where Maggie thought about his Mickey Mouse laugh! So, it has to be her brother!

Ok, I'll have egg on my face if I'm wrong!

Lynn

You have written such an incredible story, Kim.

I have been where Hope was with regard to guilt, although not the same lifestyle

and there is so much I want to say; but, I am exhausted from the myrad of emotions generated. I actually have written my comments as I read each post, which took up 15 pages in a Word document. But, that is way too much to post. It has become my journal, revealing so many emotions, reliving that time in my life when I, too, could not give up anguish and guilt over turning my back on God for around 15 years.

So, I'll just try to sum it up as best I can. It was not preachy or sappy! It was an emotional roller coaster ride, full of romantic love, mystery, suspense, and most of all, God’s redeeming love.

It is not easy to let go of the guilt. It took me two long years of anguish to relinquish my guilt and understand the true meaning of the words I had heard for most of my life; i.e. God surrounds us with His everlasting love, forgives us and sanctifies us and all we have to do is believe and ask for His forgiveness. But then, I didn’t have new friends like the team and Alice to support me through most of my journey back. No, that's not true, I wouldn't let my new friends in because I was too ashamed of turning my back on God for so long and didn’t think I was worthy of being forgiven.

During my journey back, in a Bible study I took, I learned there are two kinds of guilt: guilt for our sins and then a sense of guilt. I had become so unhappy with my life and reached back to my younger days and knew that I must make it right with God. But I could not let go of my sense of guilt. It weighed so heavily on my shoulders I could not pray, could not bear to face God. It overwhelmed me and kept me from Him far longer than the guilt for sin. The way you wove the parable of the Prodigal Son into your story was perfection.

Needless to say, your story touched me so deeply because of what I went through and I cried for joy all the way through. You have given us a most amazingly beautiful, heartfelt, touching lesson woven into an incredibly romantic and suspenseful story! The Hallelujah Chorus comes to mind as a way to celebrate this amazing, beautiful story.

Thank you.

Lynn

This story was amazing!!!! You made me , , , :fanning,

You are extremely talented and I loved every moment of this story!!!!

I agree this one calls for a sequel!!!!