The Break In

It was time for a good nights sleep. My daughter Cindy and I were on our way home from visiting with my husband at his job site this week and were staying in our usual hotel. The manager knew us personally after all our visits here so we always got first rate attention. It was like a home away from home with more hired help.

Cindy was spread out on her bed, long brown hair flowing over the pillow, snoring enthusiastically with our dog Scruffy, it was hard-pressing to determine who was snoring the best. He had his little terrier head on the small of her back and was sawing twigs to her logs.
I was facing the foot of my bed watching a pay for view movie that I’d already seen at the theaters. I wasn’t going to pay for a movie I hadn’t seen yet as I always fell asleep mid way through. I just wasn’t sleepy yet. Could it have something to do with the enormous dinner I scarfed up in the dining room? I couldn’t be rude to the chef who kept placing temptations in front of me. The spirit was willing to resist but the flesh craved nourishment. He always liked to provide me with a sample of all his cuisine and I enjoyed being his guinea pig.

Less than halfway into the movie I began to loose control of my eyelids. If there was a battle to stay awake, I was waving a flag in sublime surrender when I heard the adjoining door unlatch and my lids flew open. A baldhead popped in, craned around the entrance and led a full body into my boudoir. I had to be imagining this. Nope. There he stood, all six feet plus of him. Totally muscled. Totally bald. Totally black. Totally dressed….in a pair of red silk boxer shorts with white hearts splattered over them. Or…they were white silk shorts with a red background. I no longer felt sleepy. Adrenalin was rushing through my vascular system. The fight or flight response had been activated. I lay there, on my stomach facing him, aware that I was propped up on my elbows revealing cleavage. How could I be so immodest in the privacy of my own room! Sometimes I just don’t think.

“Hey,” my visitor greeted me. “Do you come here often?”
‘Uh, yeah.” I answered, wearily, as he walked around the room taking things in, not literally, as he had no pockets. No pockets meant he probably had no concealed weapons. This made me a little calmer. I couldn’t help but observe he had the most developed latisimus dorsi muscles I’d ever seen. (back muscles)

“This room is nicer than mine,” he announced plopping down in the corner chair and crossing his legs. As well developed as his back was, his thigh and calf muscles were undersized.

It appeared he was going to be here for a while. He was getting comfortable. I was getting just the opposite. What should I do? Trying to appear nonchalant, I pulled my pillow to my neck and wrapped my arms about it to conceal my chest. I was wearing more clothes than my visitor was at any rate. This didn’t make me feel any more relieved.

I looked over my shoulder at Cindy and Scruffy. Scruffy had awakened and was dividing his attention between the chair and me. Nothing on his body was twitching or moving, he was motionless except for his eyes. Don’t bother to bark or help me out here old buddy, I mused. He would bark at the flea on a squirrel’s back, but let a stranger into his zone and he just lies there. I’m glad I didn’t buy him as a watchdog; I’d have to ask for a refund. If he would just bark the manager would come to investigate, Scruffy was only allowed if I promised he wouldn’t create a disturbance for the other guests. Come on Scruffy, disturb, I’m willing to break my agreement!

“You know, you should be more careful. You don’t know who could wander in here,” My companion stated the obvious. “They have great room service here; I think I’ll order something up for us, what would you like?”

“Oh, anything!” Great plan I told myself. The receptionist would know I was here with just my daughter, surely, she would send help. I’m glad I thought of that. I hope that young receptionist with the perfect teeth; hair and makeup would have some sense. Please don’t let her assume I was having a clandestine meeting with some strange man. That would be just my luck; my reputation doesn’t need any interceptions.


My guest made the call, ordered some goodies, and hung up. We conversed awkwardly while I waited for the Calvary to come to my rescue. (Awkward for me, he was perfectly serene.)
Scruffy had gone back to sleep. Cindy could sleep through a tornado and land in Oz without breaking a sweat. I was in this alone. Yet…I oddly didn’t feel a sensation of doom. I had started feeling….safe. That was bizarre.

The door to the hallway opened. Another uninvited soul thrust his head in. I gasped, (gasp.)
This person was wearing a ski mask to conceal his face, leather gloves, and was carrying a bag. Were Cindy, Scruffy and I breathing the last of our allotted oxygen supply? Was I the only one scared? This last thought came to me as a series of exceptionally loud snores vibrated from Cindy’s bed stirring the nearby curtains. I guess so.

Ski Mask started towards me then caught sight of Silk Shorts in the corner, stopping in his tracks. They shared a staring contest. Ski Mask hadn’t expected three victims. He hadn’t counted on the third victim being nonplussed by his appearance. Ski Mask started to sweat. I could see moisture penetrating the face covering. Silk Shorts kept his cool, controlling everything with just the look in his eyes. I bet if he had kids they never got out of line, those eyes could hypnotize lions. Scruffy roused and started barking. Ski Mask turned on his heels and ran out of the room. I screamed. Cindy woke up, slowly. Scruffy lunged off the bed chasing Ski Mask out the door. Finally! Wait! He only weighs ten pounds with all his hair; Ski Mask had better not hurt him! I was in hot pursuit. Cindy groggily in bed shaking cobwebs from her brain.

I was going to protect my dog but who was going to protect me! Big strong looking Silk Shorts never came out of the room. Sure, they all look packaged good, but inside they are just wusses, using their physique just for show.

Pandemonium broke loose in the corridor. “My” midnight snack was flung over polished ceramic, it’s delivery man sprawled out on top of chicken sandwiches and hot cocoa. Ski Mask lost his balance after colliding with Deliveryman and slipped on the slippery surface toppling on top of Delivery Man. A struggle ensued. I picked up the serving tray and waited for the correct head to be targeted. Bang! Delivery Man yelped as his shoulder was smacked. Scruffy was prancing around under my feet snipping here and there. Ski Mask oozed blood from tiny puncture marks. Tiny but effective. Good old Scruffy. Doors up and down the hall opened. Security Man, an authentic gun toting off duty police officer, tore around the corner, shouting, “Halt! Police!” Nothing stopped. No one paid any attention to the armed man waving a firearm. We all were caught up in our own agenda. More help arrived. I was bear hugged and pulled aside, presumably for my safety but more likely for Delivery Man’s protection. Ski Mask was hoisted to his feet drenched in hot cocoa and wearing chicken salad on his skull, Delivery Man gripped his injured shoulder and glared at me, muttering that minimum wage wasn’t enough for this. He brushed lettuce off his mayonnaise stained trousers.

“Sorry,” I managed. I was just trying to lend a hand, or rather serving tray.

Security Man frisked Ski Mask for weapons and found a key card that fit our door. Cindy finally joined the gathering and recognized the card as her’s. She thought she had misplaced it in the room but had probably been lax enough with it that Ski Mask had appropriated it from her unawares. This wasn’t the first time she was careless with things, always misplacing keys, money, books…the list goes on. Besides, he was a professional, but since he had been caught by chicken salad and hot cocoa he unmistakably needed some more practice.

I started my story from the beginning, when Silk Shorts, who was now notably absent, came into my room and ordered room service. At the end of my essay Security Man countered, “That room is never used.” and the receptionist backed him up. I blinked. By the set of Ski Mask’s mouth I could tell he wasn’t about to confirm my story.

“Honey,” the receptionist said in her smoothest voice, “Except for the legs, you just described the man of my dreams, I think I would have noticed him! In fact I would have presented him the best room in the house: across from my desk” I knew she was an airhead. What did she get paid for, doing her nails at the counter?

To convince me they unlocked the hallway door next to mine. It was a storage room. No one would be checked into here. Silk Shorts had said my room was nicer than his!?

Cindy, patting my back, explained to everyone present that I went to bed on a tummy full of French fries drenched in chili and onions watching the movie, “The Hills Have Eyes”, it was no wonder my imagination was acting up tonight. This got understanding responses. I was reacting to a piece of undigested food.

“But he called the front desk and ordered these snacks! If he hadn‘t this scum bag would have gotten away” I exclaimed pointing to the fragments of food we were all decorated with. It’s true I realized, if he hadn’t run into delivery man he’d have made a clean break. Coincidence?
“The only call I got from your room was from you,” the receptionist informed me giving Cindy a sympathetic look. How dare she. She was feeling sorry for my daughter having such a delutional mother!
Cindy sighed, “ I knew this day would come, but not so soon.”
“What day?”
“The day I’d have to start being in charge, you know role reversal, where it falls on the kid to raise the parents.”
“Okay, that’s it. We’re going back to bed.” I marched us back to room 301 and slammed the door. Let management figure everything out with out me. I looked under the bed, in the closet, behind the shower curtain, in the desk drawers (why not?) and climbed under the covers, after checking the dead bolt to the adjoining entry and blocking it with a heavy chair. I heard the sirens coming to take Ski Mask into custody.

Scruffy situated himself on the chair to eavesdrop on the two beings in the storage room.
Silk Shorts had been examining his legs. “What’s wrong with my legs?” he asked his compatriot who had arrived after all the excitement.
“Nothing. Any hen would be proud of those sticks!”
“What are you saying?”
“Oh, nothing except ….cluck, cluck, cluck” he answered dissipating rapidly into the air to avoid retaliation.
Silk Shorts shrugged, sprouted wings through his buffed up shoulders and sighed, “Well it’s not like I use my legs for anything anyway,” and he soared off. Scruffy, satisfied his invisible friends had left, curled up, laid his head on his paws and commenced guarding his women.

At check out the next morning I paid the full balance of my night’s stay, a big whopping zero, with a guarantee of tremendous discounts on my future visits. I learned that Ski Mask was a self employed merchant picking up his inventory from hapless guests, either in motels or parking lots. All the more need for increased vigilance on the part of society. I would wager he never filed his inventory with the IRS. There comes another slap on the wrist.

Girls night out!

I’m going out with the girls! Yea! I haven’t had “me” time in a while. My darling hubby is out of town again on business. I just hope it isn’t monkey business! Nah, he doesn’t have the guts, he’s seen me mad before! It’s great having a dependable, phantom husband, who is in town often enough to pay the bills and spoil me. Besides, I call his cell at odd hours to see if there is any heavy breathing or background snoring! Trust, but with follow up!

Cindy invited a friend over, though I don’t know why the invitation was required, Mandy has spent more time here than at home the past few months. I barely know her mother, she just waves in passing. That’s why I don’t let Cindy go to her house often, no supervision. Lorraine is divorced and lives the wild life, I keep Cindy from that type of milieu, she needs to enjoy her youth and naiveté for as long as I can control it, and I’m very controlling!

Cindy looked up from her T.V show long enough to appraise me. “Hey, you look pretty good,” {before I could thank her} “I didn’t know you could do it!” followed the compliment.
“I’m sure there’s a better way you could have phrased that,” I announced, preening in front of the hall mirror. I do look pretty darn good for an old married woman. No. That was wrong. For a young married woman who has an old husband! (He’s my senior by nine weeks and already forty)

“Got a question for you.” Cindy stated approaching me slowly. “Don’t you think I’m old enough to car date?”
“Where’s the question? All I heard was something totally out of the question.”
“But mom, Mandy car dates and she’s just 6 months older than me!” Oh, wonderful peer pressure. Why can’t they pressure each other to do better in school?
“Well, in six months we’ll discuss this again. It’ll give me time to explore the alternatives.”“What alternatives?” Cindy questioned, suspiciously.
“I need to locate the local convents and acquire an application or two.”

Something sounding like harrumph came out of Cindy as she marched back to the couch. Scruffy jumped in her lap to comfort her with wet kisses.

I could see through the glass door Mandy was here. Boy has she put on weight. (I think). She used to wear the popular midriff revealing clothes of teenagers; tight low cut jeans and tight high cut tops. Now she has reverted to the opposite style, baggy everything. She entered with her hands on her back, looking somewhat uncomfortable, claiming she got an injury in gym class. I suspect she’s getting an “F” in the subject; scales would back me up.

Mandy quickly joined Cindy on the sofa before I could give her my customary hug. Well up until a few months ago I gave customary hugs but she has been scrambling just out of reach recently. I think she’s self-conscious about her weight gain.

“Okay, girls, have a good time, the only boys allowed in here tonight are the ones on T.V.”
Cindy rolled her eyes but I detected a slight look of surprise on Mandy (surprise or revulsion?)
followed by a look of extreme discomfort with an explanation of brutal indigestion. I directed Cindy on where to find the Tums for her guest and made my departure.

“Oh, and don’t spill anything on my new couch!” I warned poking my head back in the door.
The evening was blissful, good friends, fine dining, and virgin drinks. (All of us were designated drivers having come in separate vehicles). Some guy looking for a date sent us over a tray of real drinks that we declined after laughing heartedly. We were all spoken for but did enjoy being noticed at our age, especially by some young college kid. (The lighting almost certainly fooled him into thinking we were younger!)As we were studying the desert selections, my cell jingled. I thought I had turned it off. It was Cindy.

“Don’t answer it! We promised no interruptions tonight, just us girls, no cares or worries.”
“You’re right!” I ignored the ringing, once, twice. No! I couldn’t do it. Cindy wouldn’t call for nothing, she would text message.

Answering, I got a frantic, “Mom! Get here quick!” Background screaming with Scruffy barking sent me to my car faster than greased lightening dialing 911 as I went. I ran several red lights, barely avoiding getting t-boned at least three times. I don’t know how I got home, I wasn’t thinking about driving, I was thinking about the panic in Cindy’s voice.

Police cars, an ambulance and a fire truck were all crowded in my driveway forcing me to park two houses down and race home on heels. How I didn’t break an ankle, I’ll never know.

Mandy lay on the couch, writhing and shrieking. Sweat was pouring from her face and blood seemed to be all over. Scruffy was in a corner curled in a ball with his paws crossed over his ears. People were everyway, issuing orders and giving directions. A police officer was talking to a horrified looking Cindy by the kitchen. I rushed to her side.

“What’s going on? What happened?” Fearing someone had broken in and harmed Mandy but left Cindy unmarked.
“Mandy is having a baby!” Cindy cried. Time stopped. How did I miss that one? Mandy wasn’t even sixteen. No hugs. The clothes. That explains the voluminous outfits and weight gain. I’m an idiot.
“Did you call her mother?” I asked
“Mandy didn’t want me too. Lorraine is out on a date and doesn’t like to be bothered. She tells her dates that Mandy is her younger sister.” Since the divorce, Mandy has called her mother Loraine apparently at Lorraine’s request.
“Surely she wants to be here for her daughter and grandchild!”
“Mom, Mandy didn’t even tell her she was pregnant. I just found out and we’re best friends!”

Wow. What a secret keeper. What a performance! What a travesty. Not being able to speak to anyone about something so momentous. What a mother! She didn’t deserve a child like Mandy. Sure, she made a mistake but she was still a sweet kid. I should know, she spends more time here than at her home and now I know why. This is more home for her than her own. Heck, half her clothes were in Cindy’s closet or my laundry hamper.

Mandy, gasping, panting, sweating, was yelling she didn’t want this baby. She didn’t want this baby! She wasn’t prepared for motherhood. She didn’t want to be a mother. She had plans for her future. She was begging for pain relief. She gripped the hand I offered to comfort her, and peace miraculously descended on me. I rubbed her swollen belly during the contractions and talked her down from the ripping exploding sensations, that I remember so well, the best I could. She kept apologizing to me. To me! This girl needed apologies from those around her that had lived completely unaware of her private earthbound hell. Cindy, white as a sheet, couldn’t handle it; one of the EMT’s assisted her to another room and stayed with her. (This had better not be a trick for her to meet a guy or she‘d be the one leaving here on a stretcher! A mother always has to worry!)

When the baby came, paramedics wrapped it up and offered it to Mandy. She turned her head and wept. The paramedics removed the baby and shook their heads sympathetically.
A police officer slowly approached Mandy and me. After a brief discussion we learned that the paramedics could take the baby without questions to a baby safe site, under the Baby Moses law, which allowed anyone to hand new born babies over to qualified professionals, paramedics, hospitals, firemen, or police, with no repercussions. It was a law in Texas to prevent infant deaths and maternal prosecution patterned after the biblical story of Moses.

Mandy didn’t have to keep the baby if she didn’t want to! What would Mandy have done with the baby if she had been home alone when this “blessed event” occurred? No one suspected she was pregnant. Her mother obviously didn’t know, or care. Stories of abandoned babies showered my mind. Babies abandoned in bathrooms, dumpsters, anywhere. Left to the elements.
Sometimes found alive, sometimes not. Mothers hunted down like dogs and prosecuted, as well they should be. Lives changed forever over one bad moment in time, one response to hormones.
Refusing a trip to the hospital, Mandy was checked over, abdomen massaged to expel the remaining uterine contents and given a sedative. (Can I have one too, please?) The medics, after helping me get her to a bed, said she would probably be alright. She would be staying here for a while, I decided. Who would miss her at home? I was instructed to watch for complications, bleeding, fever ect. And contact her doctor for a follow up.

I tried several times that night to contact Mandy‘s mother unsuccessfully. Her cell was off and I hung up on the answering machine ten times, this wasn’t leave a message material except for her to please give me a call.

The first thing in the morning, after five cups of coffee and some ibuprophen, I trooped over to Mandy’s house. Two cars were in the driveway. Mandy didn’t have a car and Mommy dearest only had one. Hmmmm.

A partially dressed man, (if wearing a towel is considered being dressed) answered the door. Not at first however, I had to pound relentlessly for ten minutes. With water dripping from his torso and pooling on the ceramic tiles at his feet, he informed me Lorraine was taking a shower. I noticed a gold band on his left ring finger. Where did you tell your wife you’d be last night, I thought.

“Well, get her out. I need to speak with her.” I wasn’t going to be shy. I don’t even think I was going to bother being polite.

Lorraine entered wearing an identical towel, with water running rivulets down her body.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Lorraine snapped. Good, don’t ask if Mandy is alright.

After a brief, virtually one-sided conversation, arrangements were made for Mandy to stay at my house indefinitely. Lorraine didn’t seem saddened by these measures, unless smiling was a cover up for intense pain. She was being given her freedom for uninterrupted dating. Wow. She was going to have as much fun as her ex husband. So this is what passes for fun now, a new guy every night, no security, no commitments, just exposure to every STD in the book. Russian roulette was safer. I’m glad I’m boring.

I was back home before the girls woke up. One more look at my new couch and I nearly cried. Scruffy, sniffing around his favorite spot, pointed his nose in the air and went in search of another resting place. I only had it for two weeks. Let’s see how good professional cleaners are, I deliberated, going through the yellow pages.

Cindy came downstairs looking glum. She must really feel bad: no makeup and unbrushed hair. The night had taken its toil on her. She needed a tranquilizer as much as Mandy had but instead she had relied on prayer and her snuggle buddy, Scruffy. The two paramount remedies.

“Mom, about car dating.” Cindy said.
“My answer hasn’t changed,” I answered, flipping through the phone book. (car cleaners, carpet cleaners…. Upholstery cleaners!)
“That’s alright; I think I’d rather be a nun!” Cindy stated on her way into the kitchen.
Apparently she was handling things better than I expected. Wait till I tell her they don’t wear makeup and they shave their heads. I think I'll lay a pillow on the floor behind her for safties sake.

In the hall way, eavesdropping, figure number one bent over scratching Scruffy’s ears, “ I hope I never get in a car with that woman again, if I wasn’t immortal I could have been killed at least three times!”
Figure number two, “If you hadn’t been in the car, she would have been killed, but only once!”
“Very funny. Thank heavens (literally) we saved another baby and found a good placement for a lonely teenager. Good thing the mother forgot to turn off her cell phone."
“What makes you think she forgot?”
“Let’s get out of here before the husband comes home and finds out he has another mouth to feed.”
“What ? The Boss didn‘t handle Joseph to your satisfaction? He's good at convincing people to raise other people‘s kids!”
“Let’s go. ” And they were gone leaving Scruffy whimpering for more attention.


Exodus 2:1-4
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 49:15
Rom 8:31-39
I Cor. 7
Eph 3:14-21
Eph 4:22-24

THE BUSINESS VENTURE

We were on a break doing what employees do on break; criticizing management. Well, criticizing is too harsh a description. Mulling over managements decisions might be more accurate. The boss had extensive real estate holdings world wide that he let local managers operate. He sent representatives from the home office frequently to inspect and encourage. Only no one wanted to be a representative. The job was thankless and frankly, dangerous. The first delegates he sent to one of his prize developments always came back worse for the wear. They were beaten, tortured, maimed, and some arrived back in body bags. Those were the luckiest! Over the years the torture methods increased in severity as the community developed nastier approaches to discourage “spies”, input from abroad. We saw nothing of value in the present location; we all thought the boss should cut his losses and explore other territories. The universe was at his disposal so to speak, he was a pioneer in space travel. He started projects from scratch more than once. The citizens of this far off development didn’t want to be overseen by distant supervision. They wanted representation that lived among them, that knew their situation. That could be bought to cut corners. That could lie convincingly and tell them only what they wanted to hear. Those that boss left in charge were ambitious, greedy, conniving men that could sway the townsfolk and turn a good dollar; for their own pockets.

Boss and Son flipped through a wall calendar and pointed to some date in the future, it looked like years ahead. The son bowed his head in resignation. Boy, we’d have given anything to hear that conversation.Time went on and no new delegates were sent out of the country for sometime though updates on the situation arrived daily. Petitions were received regularly from the minority of residents who actually wanted changes made. We just observed the business from a distance. Hopefully Boss had decided to call it quits. That is the way it seemed to us when he cut back his interest.

The day came when we heard a horrible rumor. It was being said that the son was being sent to the outpost to straighten things out. The worst one! He didn’t seem thrilled about it but he never said no to Daddy. He wasn’t capable of this task. We were wiser than the boss on this matter. The son’s privileged life hadn’t prepared him for the destinations ruggedness. He’d never had anything but comfort and servants for as long as we could remember. He hadn’t just been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he’d arrived feet first into a gold mine.

The boss convened a mandatory meeting to inform us of fractions of the upcoming plans. We only worked for him, as in any company we never got the full scoop. We were given orders and shifts to keep and eye out for his son’s welfare but to stay in the background. Anything Son requested or called for was to be doled out, no exceptions. Our only thought was to destroy the sight, wipe out the rebels that assumed they could take over the enterprise, conduct business, and usurp the Boss’ authority. They didn’t like micromanagement but they weren’t handling things well on their own! It was absurd how the men that were hand picked by the boss fell from Boss’s good graces. The benefit package was excellent if they followed orders. They were promised good healthy soil, a land that would yield all sorts of crops. The opposite was true if they disobeyed; famine, drought and insect infestations. Boss was a mastermind at horticulture and agriculture.

The son was to go incognito and inspect things from the sidelines. Living arrangements had been made but were sparse. We silently placed bets he wouldn’t be gone for long, since he knew what he could come home too. He would be deprived of his position here and he’d never had to fend for himself before.

The day came for the start of his assignment. He had two contacts to join up with that would provide him with room and board, easing him into the culture. He was reduced from thousands of servants to just two, beggarly types at that. This wouldn’t last long. We monitored him continuously. Boss sent three care packages in the hands of a caravan who passed by where son and his associates were staying to help him and his two companions, who seemed to have tainted reputations. The woman had almost been executed for some criminal offence but had been given an 11th hour reprieve; the man was scorned for his connection with the woman. People were judged by their actions and associates.

Over time, Son picked up a few friends of all sorts. I use the word friends freely, they were oddities to say the least, no way would they be useful to him in getting inside information and, they would hurt his reputation in the end. We wished he would ask for our advice. You are identified with those you connect with.

The local competitor hunted Son down and tried to coax him over to his side. He made joining up with him sound unbelievable attractive. We were actually surprised Son had the fortitude to withstand the bribes. He and the boss had a fantastic relationship; he really respected his dad and wanted to do the job assigned to him. We began to have some hope. We met up with him to provide encouragment. He had character, you had to say that.

Son stayed in touch with Dad daily. He made no move unless he passed it by dad. We could tell Son was homesick, though. Sometimes he spent hours talking to Dad, late into the night while everyone slept.

His friends proved shockingly loyal and stuck with him to the end. The end being when the CEO’s and shareholders started hearing the buzz that Son was there doing a search and rescue. Searching for loyal followers and rescuing them from the negligence of the wealthy upper class. They heard claims that he was taking over the business again, after all it was his family‘s business. They had trepidations of a huge rebellion and take over. Homeowners were flocking to him, listening to the improvements that could be achieved if they built their houses on solid ground instead of the sand that was being recommended by the unscrupulous usurpers trying to cut overhead. He promised excellent living conditions in housing with warranties that would last for more than a lifetime.

Son spent hours one long night in dialogue with Dad, begging him to let him come home but only if he thought it was the right time. One of Son’s so called friends had informed the contractors and builders where Son could be found. We knew Son had made a bad choice when he picked this person out. Son never saw the bad in anyone but we’ve been around and suspected this person was villainous from the get go.

The CEO’s had tolerated Son’s interference long enough and trumped up charges of embezzlement. Gathering many false witnesses together, they conducted a ridiculous trial and beat Son to death. To death. Slowly and painfully, to death. Alone. This is when his friends deserted him. We all gasped. He could have called on us to yank him out of town, but he suffered the abuse. We were armed and ready. But our orders were to not interfere without his request. He was no rich, spoiled wimp.

Dad locked himself up in a dark room for a long time before he finally came out and sent two of us to collect Son’s body.

We were all sickened. How would the boss handle this? It had been the two of them for eons. They had never been separated. They were so close you couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. We fell into a melancholic silence; waiting for Son’s body. It came. It came under its own power. Up through the clouds, down the streets of gold, right to Boss’s office and he sat down, on Boss’s right side. He didn't look so dead to us! Such cheering erupted the ground shook, even on the far away construction site. Tombs opened, more dead walked. People ran. People ran to the Boss. They accepted Son’s contract. The new contract he had been able to engineer in his brief visit. Things were starting to look up for that distant project on a little piece of land called Earth. Maybe we had been wrong. Annihilating the planet seemed extreme… for now.

Immediately after Son was seated sparks started to fly. The air looked like electrical feather scarves were being tossed up and falling randomly. The tongue shaped embers landed on three thousand men and women gathered at the town square in that distant development and strange languages spread the word; the word that there was a renewed administration in town.

Talk in the break room took on a whole new flavor, for a while, after all something new and scandalous will surely surface to give us something to complain about.

Math 4:1-11
math 26:36-44
Math 27:45-46
Math 27:-51-53
Mark 12:1-12
Luke 6; 46-49
Luke 23:3-7
Act 2:1-4
Gal 4:4-5
Phil. 2:5-11

Feathers

Cuddled up on the couch with Scruffy, my ten pound terrier, and a good book is the best way to spend a stormy afternoon, I thought as I laid cuddled up on the couch with Scruffy, reading a good book while it thundered outside. Scruffy wasn’t so composed. Thunder upsets him. Thunder outside. Thunder on the T.V. Thunder on those nature CD's. Imitation thunder at church plays. Thunder is absolutely not Scruffy's thing.

"Mom, where's my swimsuit?" Cindy asked.

"In the laundry room." I answered, eyes never leaving the intriguing tale of horror on the harmless pages in front of me.

"Thanks."

It wasn't long before the atmosphere I considered relaxing, but Scruffy considered alarming, lulled me to sleep and my book nose-dived to the floor when my arms became spaghetti noodles. Scruffy snuggled closer as a blast of thunder echoed through his head. The back yard door opened and closed and Scruffy started whining and probing me with his cold wet nose. He put it in my face, my ears and back to my face till he aroused me again, though barely. I sleep hard.
"Cindy!" I called. "Scruffy wants out!" Scruffy tensed. The last thing he wanted was out closer to all the noise, but he did want something and I was too drowsy to investigate. Scruffy was getting more agitated by the minute. I swear I felt feathers tickle my nose.

I finally gave up trying to return to my dream and swung my legs to the floor. Slowly something started to jiggle my brain. Somewhere deep a disturbing thought was trying to crawl up into my consciousness.

“Cindy!” I got up in search of my darling ,sometimes, obedient daughter.Scruffy leaped to the floor and raced to the back door making every attempt to get me to pursue him with all sorts of acrobats. He knew something. He knew that I wasn’t going to like the something he knew.
The kitchen windows revealed torrential rain being dispensed from the clouds accompanied by a lightening show worthy of any audience who appreciated God’s beauty and waited for his return on the clouds. The windows also revealed a seal in the pool. A seal with two arms and two legs but with a completely brainless head!

“Cindy, Get in here!” I yelled from the porch with Scruffy between my legs whimpering. “You know better than to swim in a thunderstorm!”“It’s alright mom, I prayed that God wouldn’t let me be hit by lightening.” Cindy responded from the edge of the pool. “Besides, the lightening can’t find me under this tree.” The wonderful rationale of teenagers always missed the mark of reality but had such a fantastic optimism. Trees, water and lightening. A wonderful cocktail for disaster.

Crack, Bang. Splash. Scream. It all happened suddenly. Lightening hit the tree, a branch broke off and plummeted to the pool hitting Cindy on the head. She went under, blood came up, I jumped in, or was I pushed. Scruffy stayed on the porch. Feathers floated on the pool surface.

Thank heavens for survival training. I pulled her to the deck carefully keeping her neck and spine straight,then checked her breathing. Nothing. I gave two quick breaths and felt her carotids for a pulse. Her heart was beating! Scruffy watched from the door, no way he was going to get wet to help me with CPR. I yelled at him to call 911. What the hell was I doing?! Scruffy acted human so often I forgot he couldn’t use the phone! As I breathed for Cindy, Scruffy cocked his head to the side and appeared to be listening to something. Dogs and their selective hearing. I was suppose to breathe for a minute then activate the emergency medical system. There was no way I could leave Cindy! Scruffy turned on his heels (paws) and dashed into the house’s empty interior. Latter on in hindsight it almost seemed like he had been carried inside.

I heard an ambulance screeching somewhere. Oh, God. Someone tell them I’m out here! Please see me back here and send help! Ran washed the tears down my face as I begged Cindy to breathe. Breathe damn it! (sorry, “darn it” seems too inadequate here!) Breathe on your own, Please!
Some one pushed me to the side. A paramedic, followed by his partner pushing a stretcher on wheels. I watched in amazement as unexpected help took over the situation, intubating my daughter ,placing a cervical collar on her neck and hoisting her to the stretcher and into the ambulance. I followed in my car, sopping water all over the cloth upholstery from wet jeans and t-shirt.

At the hospital’s waiting room I called my husband who was out of town as they “worked” on my baby. He was going to catch the first flight home. I hoped he would be in time. The registration lady was asking me to sign papers for permission to treat, blood transfusions and organ donations (if necessary).

People came and went in white lab coats and bright scrub suits with cute-sie designs. How inappropriate for an emergency room. My daughter‘s life was doubtlessly in the hands of someone dressed in Sponge Bob scrubs! This didn‘t inspire confidence!

I hurried to the desk when an orderly called my name.

The “orderly” proceeded to update me on my daughter.“ Ma’am, your daughter is up and talking. I sutured a gash on her head and sent her for some tests to rule out skull, or neck fractures or any lung aspirations. I think we need to keep her over night but based on my initial assessment I think she had the wind knocked out of her and sustained a possible small concussion. She can most likely go home in the morning.” The doctor, aka: orderly, speaking to me had to have taken medical courses in high school! He hadn’t started growing facial hair yet!

How many times a day must this soap opera looking doctor be accosted by grateful mothers, or wives, I wondered as I threw myself into his arms to kiss him gratefully! I blinked, realizing I was fantasizing at the most inappropriate moment and gratefully thanked him: verbally and at a distance. I had to glance down at my left hand to remember I was a married woman….darn it. (damn it!) When things return to normal I’ll try to remember why I married my wonderful husband, who always seemed absent during family crisis’s.

When Cindy returned from her CAT scan, MRI and x-rays I finally got to see her for myself. Now that I knew she was going to live, I was going to kill her!!! I’ll let her recuperate first, I want her to feel the pain! She looked awful, stitched up, pasty faced and groggy. What doctors call up and talking must have a different connotation than the general publics.

“Mom,” Cindy groaned from white sheets that had more color than her complexion right now. “Do you know a Mr. Peepaw?”The question startled me. Peepaw was my gramp’s name, rather what I had called my gramps when I was a little wee bairn. Cindy didn’t know that.

“Why?”

“Because he was on the ambulance with me. He wanted me to remind you of when you went to the pond on his ranch by yourself, against his orders, and nearly drowned after getting caught in some under water vegetation.”

I looked at the paramedics who had brought her in. They looked at each other and shrugged. “She must have been dreaming, there was no one on the ambulance but us. That happens sometimes.” Then they packed their expensive toys up and left. I wasn’t convinced it was a dream.

I stared Cindy down. She wasn’t alert enough to make this story up to save her pretty hide. This was too far-fetched. Peepaw, had died way before Cindy was born. She never met him, never heard this story from any one living, and for sure, not from me,(I keep my mistakes to myself as long as I can!) She must have taken quite an extended trip when her “breath” got knocked out of her! Who said the dead tell no tales? I hope Peepaw had kept his dead mouth shut about the rest of my rebellious days. Cindy is not allowed to know I make mistakes.

“Hey, mom”, Cindy weakly snapped her fingers to retrieve me from my reverie. “Did you see my doctor ? Give me some makeup and comb my hair before he comes back and if you let me start dating now, I can promise you a doctor for a son in law!”

“Only if he’s willing to wait ten years,” I informed her.” That’s how long I intend to ground you.I’ve warned you hundreds of times you could get hit by lightening if you swim in thunderstorms”

“Well, technically I got hit by a tree, so you haven’t quite proved your point yet,” Cindy pouted and slipped into a medicated oblivion. I think she was faking it to avoid confrontation.

I pulled her blanket up around her neck and a feather fell to the floor that I picked up and stuck in her hair.Now that Cindy was thinking of her appearance and men I feared the worst; she’d be back to normal in no time. Oh, the wonderful restorative powers of hormones, they’re wasted on the young!

Stopping at the police station on the way home I asked the 911 operator how she knew to send help. She informed me she’d received a call from my address. That was impossible, I told the dispatcher, there was no one in the house, I was at the pool doing CPR. Kind enough to replay the tape for me she became flabbergasted as we listened to the recording. We heard her advise someone to stay on the phone until help arrived, then she proceeded with routine questions. Pauses followed each question as though someone was responding but all the tape picked up was Scruffy barking in the background. No human voices just lots of static and the resonating sound of thunder.

“How odd.” Declared the dispatcher. A shiver went up my spine. I had told Scruffy to call 911. Naw, he couldn’t have.

At home I inspected the phone and looked intently at Scruffy. “Did you call 911?” No, impossible. I’m going bonkers. Listen to me, talking to a dog. “Well, did you? ‘Fess up!” Scruffy tilted his head to the side and stared at me, then peed on the carpet. I tossed him outside on his fanny. Then I noticed the lone feather on the floor, where did that come from?

Two figures levitating above the house saluted Scruffy who barked zealously as they ascended higher and higher, wings outstretched, tossing heavenly treats into his open mouth. He always looked forward to their continuously timely visits. He would be useless to his owners without the help of his invisible friends. Hey, even dogs can have invisible friends, but theirs are real.
“It’s a shame she won’t remember her visit with Peepaw for long, but he'll sure remember the thrill of meeting his great-granddaughter.”“She’ll be back soon enough. The human brain just can’t hold the glory of our world in their minds. It’s way to magnificent for mortal neurons.”“By the way, that was a good job of deflecting that lightening bolt.”“Thanks, I was just instructed to protect her from lightening, not learning. Now lets get home before we miss dinner.”Zoom. Two streaks of light hit the sound barrier and vanished into the cosmos leaving a trail of glowing feathers floating behind.

Deut 6:16

Psalm 28:6

Psalm 29:3Psalm 30:11

Psalm 40:14psalm 104:4

Psalm 103:21

Jere. 33:3

the break up

The Break Up

Breaking up was hard to do, we had been together for a long time but I decided I wanted my autonomy. I had been young when we met and I felt I deserved to see more of the world. It wasn’t fair to him that he had been my first love without my knowing what else was in reach. Besides, he was so possessive. Always directing my actions, whispering in my ear whenever he sensed I was going to do something that displeased him. Well, I made my decision now and I had to live with it. I wasn’t going to be wishy-washy, my mind was set.

As I walked out of his house he just stood there with a tear rolling down his cheek. I had no empathy for him, he had never rejected or deliberately hurt me as I was doing to him. I was disappointed that he didn’t rush after me, plead with me, beg me to stay. He must have wanted this himself! What a hypocrite, why did he let this relationship go for so long if he was worn out with it himself? If I meant something to him he should have fought for me! What a wuss!
I breathed the air of autonomy as I walked down his driveway to my car. I knew where I wanted to go first. A bar. He never prevented me from going to one but he always went with me, inhibiting my actions. Everyone else always seemed to be having so much fun, switching partners, meeting new people, getting a buzz from alcohol, while we just had a coke and observed fun in action. I only went for going away parties when someone at work left for other pastures. I‘ve never been drunk so that was my first objective. Real mature goals, huh?

The music was loud, the lights were flashing, beverages were a hundred proof, no one seemed unhappy, (and there were tons of “no ones” everyone in the city had to be in this one building). I couldn’t move without brushing against a body from the front, back or side. Fluid spilled on me from several glasses as I made my way back for seconds and thirds, purposely passing by a gentleman who had been observing me from the moment I entered; yes, I noticed. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of me, and I wanted more than his blue orbs embracing me. He was an extremely handsome dude and he was ogling me! Well, stop looking and start touching!

Oops, I tripped as I neared him on my way back to my table and wouldn’t you know it, I practically fell in his lap! Gosh, I’m such a klutz. Hmmm. As it turned out, my little clumsiness was a great ice breaker, we spent the rest of the evening together. He bought all my drinks and things started getting hazy from then on but I had no doubts about where we would end up.
.I woke up the next morning in his room, I left the bar a girl and woke a woman. I just wish I knew whether I had enjoyed it or not. I spent the day with him, then the night, then the morning again. (I’m not going to tell you to get your mind out of the gutter because whatever you’re thinking happened, happened, let your thoughts go feral!) I was smitten. It was hard for me to believe that it had been so easy to find love again, on my first night of liberty. If this was rebound love I don’t know why it got such a bad reputation.

What followed was a whirl wind courtship. Is that still a popular phrase? We spent time together, invented time to be together, cancelled appointments to be together, gave up friends to be together. He taught me how to drink, and explore the world of drugs safely; what an oxymoron! I was getting the life I didn’t have with Mr. Goodie Two Shoes (GTS). I was seeing the world with a personal guide. I had a man that knew how to treat a woman so that she knew she was a woman.

I missed lots of work to be with Tophet. I gave up my friends because they had been part of my life with GTS and kept imploring me to go back. None of my old friends liked Tophet and didn’t mind voicing their unsolicited opinions. I wouldn’t do it. Slowly I became a hermit with just that special some one only in my life, Tophet.


The weeks melted into months. Months with many changes. My employment changed several times do to repeated absenteeism. Where we lived changed several times, due to failure to meet the rent. My bank account changed due to failure to work steadily. My health changed several times due to….never mind. I got a “disease” that Tophet and I argued about. He skillfully convinced me I must have picked it up off a toilet seat at one of the filthy bars we visited recently. It embarrassed me to seek treatment for it since old acquaintances worked at the public health office, the only medical care I could afford now. They were very kind to me but that didn’t hide the “I told you” sign that hung in the air between us in flashing neon lights.

One morning while Tophet went in search of some nourishment, the kind you inhale, pop or shoot up, I drug myself to the medicine cabinet in search of any small pill or grain of cocaine that we might have over looked. I screeched when I found an intruder in the bathroom hiding behind the sink. She stared at me with sunken eyes, (lusterless sunken eyes), bruised cheeks, (sunken bruised cheeks). Eye shadow was smeared to her hair line, lipstick was smeared to her chin, mascara was smeared to her upper lips, however there was no make up whatever on her eyelids, lips or lashes where you would expect to see such things. Her bare shoulders were battered and scratched and her hair looked like it was combed with an egg beater. I reached to toss her out on her ears but she wouldn’t move. She was standing flat against the wall so I tried again, I couldn’t get a good grip. Good grief she was so flat! Following a few efforts to get my hands on her it hit me; this trespasser was my reflection! My heart stopped. My breathing stopped. My brain stopped. A video lit up the mirror and my choreographed life played in slow motion. It had to have been produced by Stephen King.

I was in no condition to walk so grabbing my car keys I stumbled to my car. I didn’t know where I was going. I just had to get away from that person in the mirror but she pursued me to the car, I could see her in the rearview mirror. My car went into auto pilot and took me down old familiar lanes. I passed people who didn’t wave or honk at me. They should know me but no one recognized me.

I found his house. Should I get out? What nerve I had, expecting him to be home waiting for me after months of making fun of his lifestyle? He wouldn’t want to see me now. I had broken my promise to stay pure for him till my wedding night. I had researched drugs, alcohol, theft, sex and things so carnal even I don’t want to list them.I got out of my car and wobbled to the front door. Lights glowed out of the windows. I gently tapped the knocker. Gently because I didn’t want him to hear me. Then I was afraid he wouldn’t answer so I knocked harder. He must have peeked out the window. Of course he wouldn’t let me in. He warranted someone better than me. I wasn’t good enough for myself, why would he want this broken body, filled with broken promises? He was probably calling the police at this very moment.

Tophet pulled up on the curb; literally. The passenger side hit the streetlight making metal to metal racket. He had his special angry face on! The one that preceded teaching me “a lesson I would remember!” I resumed pounding on the door and crumbled to the cement. This would be mortifying. I was going to get a pounding right under GTS’s nose. He would enjoy this, I‘m sure. The girl that jilted him and her “lover” getting carted off to jail for disturbing the peace.

“Oh, God help me!” I moaned, my lips moving with the words sliding silently out onto the air.

Seconds before Tophet reached me the door swung open and GTS stood there, hands at his side slightly angled out, palms up. Blood dripped from old wounds on his wrist onto my head. Tophet braked to a stop inches from me. There was a staring contest between the two men as I wept in a disintegrated heap. Tophet cursed and raged. He spewed all sorts of epithets at me, I covered my ears with shaking hands. GTS crushed Tophet without even raising a arm or uttering a word. Tophet retreated, a hissing looser. I grabbed GTS’s feet to prevent him from leaving me outside. He stooped down and gently hoisting me to my feet steered me into the living area. They were all there. All my friends. My true friends. On their knees. Heads bent. Praying. For me. Behind them stood radiant wispy figures only I could see, applauding. It must have been the residual effect of some drug, at least it was pleasant unlike the nightmarish apparitions I’d caught sight of in the past few weeks.

In nano seconds, I was surrounded. Caressed by loving hands, (in decent places!). Cleaned. Fed. Dressed. My wounds were treated, and covered. I was welcomed back. Similar stories were shared. I wasn’t alone. I never was. To my astonishment they all had comparable tales they were ashamed of. What bombshells they dropped on me! Hard to believe? Believe it. My story isn’t unique. It’s not hopeless. GTS wasn’t ashamed of me. He was willing, ready and able to take me back. He would never mention the past few months to me again. With his wonderfully selective memory he chose to only remember that I called out to him, you see…..GTS, goodie two shoes, is really GTS, the God That Saves. I was back home, in his house.……….Oh, P.S I latter learned that the door had never been locked behind me, all I had had to do was turn the knob, GTS was on the other side just patiently waiting.


Psalm 27:4
Psalm 84:10
Psalm 103:12
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 30:33
Luke 15:10
Luke 15:11-32
John 8:
Rom. 6:15-23
Eph 1:7-12

THE THEFT

The Theft

There he was, walking down the center aisle of the busy mall pushing his purple walker (hence the nickname Mr. P.W) and inhaling supplemental oxygen. It had taken me some time to relocate him, I had briefly gone into a store and he bypassed me. He gets along pretty good for a man in his shape! He was slightly hunched forward with his face tilted to the ground watching where he stepped, he took short steps but they got him to his destinations. He paid no attention to the throngs that passed him so closely they bumped up against him. Not good judgment. Everyone should be alert when in public these days, especially the frail and young. Any number of opportunities presented themselves to swipe his billfold, which was my goal.

When he got to the children’s area, he sat down on his portable seat. He seemed to enjoy watching the kids amuse themselves. I, myself, was amazed the kids never seemed to be injured with all the rough housing they did. Everything was heavily padded and geared for the communities smallest citizens. Adults were restricted from the play area being allowed spectators rights only. I could still see the prominent bulge in his sweat pants pocket (the back pocket! Keep your mind clean!) .

I stayed at a distance to keep him from spotting me, though there was little danger of that, I doubted he would be able to pick me out in a horde this size. He was paying no consideration to the other shoppers. Dumb. Most of the mall’s customers looked more like prison parolees, wearing spiked dog collars about their necks, pants that looked like double duty duffle bags, big enough to tote all their belongings, (or conceal weapons), and shirts displaying glorified demonic images. Kids playing hooky from school, dropouts, unemployed bums, wolves in lambskin vests. This place was crawling with evil looking for prospects and I hoped to be the first hit on this man. I’d be kind to him, a gentle hit and run.

Mr. Purple Walker was the ideal target, unmindful of danger. In addition, a WW2 vet at that, as advertised by his baseball cap. That placed him in his eighties. As much as he must have seen in his life, you think he would have learned vigilance. Doesn’t he read the papers, the elderly are easy marks, and crime against them is on the rise. I was just waiting for my chance to add him to the statistics, prowling after him like a lion in the African savannah. He was old and feeble, easy prey for a hungry lion. Heck, a lone, malnourished rabbit could topple him over!

At a bookstore’s cash register, I spied several large bills in Mr. P.W’s arthritic hand as he paid for his purchases, which had taken some time for him to select. Wow, he had lots of mullah on his body. He placed his wallet casually into his hip pocket, so casually I could see three inches of his chubby money receptacle just pleading to be heisted and I was willing to accommodate its desires. I looked about to be certain no one else detected my objective; however, good criminal minds know how to wear a poker face. There could have been dozens of other “lions” tailing Mr. P.W but I vowed to strike first. He needed to be taught a lesson about safety and I was volunteering to be his tutor.

My opportunity was fast approaching. I recognized the path he was heading down now, a long hallway leading to the rest rooms behind all the stores, practically deserted. It was the closest thing to a dark alley. I psyched myself up for his exploitation, stealthily following him, flabbergasted he never turned to look back. Not the least bit aware of his circumstances or upcoming ordeal. It was only the two of us now. Witnesses were far away in the main section of the mall. No one would hear him cry out. Closer, closer. The wallet was screaming at me. We were yards into the hallway and several feet from the men’s room when I leaned forward with my thumb and forefinger ready to grab Mr. P.W’s identity; a wallet full of personal information, address, credit cards, identification and of course his cashed retirement check’s residual.

I was so focused I didn’t notice the men’s bathroom door open. I got the wallet! Success! Wrong. I was looking into the face of a security guard who caught everything. Mr. P.W turned around, (not very quickly and not very shocked) to stare me down. He looked confused when he spotted his wallet in my hands.

The guard promptly approached me while beckoning for help on his walkie-talkie. A young punk, not even old enough to shave yet was getting ready to seize me and claim victory over crime! It wasn’t long before the exit was blocked with white shirted high school graduates wearing replicated Canadian Mountie hats and badges, looking very self-important. I was their answer to a slow afternoon.

“What are you doing?” Mr. P.W questioned.
“Teaching you a lesson about being careful with your wallet.” I responded displaying my trophy.
“Well, call me when you need a ride home from jail,” Mr. P.W offered serviceably as he headed into the bathroom snickering, pushing his walker ahead of him and puffing on his oxygen cannula.
“Dad come back here and help me explain this!” I yelled as the guards descended on me.
“What! And ruin this lesson! Not on your life!”
The bathroom door closed leaving me alone in the corridor with five excited mall guards and a fast forming crowd of spectators.

Duet. 5:16
Prov. 1:10-19
1 Tim. 5:1
James 1:27
1 Pet 5:5
1 Pet.5:8-9

Don’t Eat On The Run!

Swimming and seafood are my two favorite things. If I had to give either one up, I would just die. I loved swimming so much I was a lifetime member of a synchronized swimming class that met in the ocean. The minute class broke up every day I was off fishing for …fish of course. Some of my classmates that have graduated live in the lap of luxury, being catered to daily. They are so full of themselves we never see them again, unless we buy a ticket to see them perform and not one of us was willing to leave the comfort zone of the ocean to go inland. We knew how to handle the danagers of water sharks, wiley land sharks were another matter all together. We, the non-graduate-life-time members became low life and inaccessible to those that sold themselves out. Being “owned” was not the life I would choose for myself. I love doing my own thing, my time is my time not some big corporation’s that tells me who I can see, when to swim, and delivers food to me. Hell, I’m fat enough with out living the soft life! I’m just in swimming school for the socialization and exercise. Don’t fall for the lie that seafood is slimming. Eat enough of anything and you need a good exercise regimen to burn calories. This is a verifiable fact as most of my classmates weigh in at the same unenviable weight as me. We work out to eat out!!

Mom heavily influenced my lifestyle. She delivered me through water birth. She didn’t have to research it as some prospective parents do, she knew instinctively it was the best way to go, easing her newborn from womb to water and then to air. (Actually, she didn’t have time for research; she was swimming herself when I decided to make my entrance, or exit! She barely had time to get me to the surface! ) Studies seem to confirm that a baby born in warm water won’t drown, it’ll get it’s air from the placenta and won’t even take a breath till it reaches the surface: it’s much kinder than dropping a baby into a cold room from a hot uterus which seems “sooooo” cruel. Honestly, people have no idea what they are doing to their young sometimes. Moreover, the whole time she was carrying me, what did she consume? What else, seafood. So my fate was sealed from conception, swimming and seafood like I mentioned at the beginning, are engraved into my constitution. You might say they’re genetically encoded on my DNA!

In my free time as I float on the waves, catching some rays and waiting for something delectable to be trapped in my net I often ponder life’s big question. Why am I here, what is God’s purpose for me? What’s the big deal? ….are questions that preoccupy me constantly. I’m not pretty. People love to stare and gawk at me. They ask themselves, (don’t think I don’t know this), how someone my size can dare to float on the water in open view, in public no less, with friends that have the same body composition! If they had my fat body, they’d keep it submerged! (They don’t realize my body fat keeps me from submerging! Idiots!) Do they think the obesity challenged have atherosclerotic hearing? Do they think ugly and dumb are synonymous? Maybe they assume I have swimmers ear and am completely deaf. Who knows? I just know I really want to understand what God had in mind for me and me only. I know it’s illogical to question the creator of the universe; but really? What was the big idea producing me, was I meant to be a joke? I have comrades in the same situation as me that don‘t seem to be embarrassed by their outer shells, totally content with their inner package. Totally! They don’t envy the pencil thin beauties that gape at us from the many boats that pass our rehearsals on their way to deep-sea fishing and ocean touring. I notice the men that stare at me then pinch the behinds of their feminine companions, making some threatening remarks about not letting themselves go. I’m big, subcutaneously challenged, and most men are afraid of me. I console myself with the fact I’m too much of a woman for them, but this knowledge doesn’t help my self-esteem when I see the women they prefer to me.

School let out early one day due to the forecast. Unexpected heavy weather was on its way and everyone was anxious to go to his or her personal haunts. The sight seeing boats that circled around our free performances were packing up and placing closed signs at the ticket offices. Every one with a brain was heading for safety. The ocean is not weather friendly. The coast was deserted, except for me. I never pass up an opportunity to get out on the deep, deep seas. Call me a fool, call me reckless, just call me! I love the perilous life of floating on the surface of choppy waters, the white waves splashing over me strong enough to capsize larger vessels; it’s the adventurous red neck in me. After long hours of training and public demonstrations to passing vessels I need to let myself go wild and throw caution to the wind, literally.

I did decided it was time to go home when I observed a huge fishing boat ahead of me being cast about like flotsam. I occasionally do give in to reason! Five sailors were peering over the side as though they lost something overboard while dozens were rushing about securing lines and hoisting sails, and whatever else it is sailors do. I wasn’t having any luck with trawling today, anyway. The fish had all descended to calmer waters so I opted to pick up some Asian food that I swallowed whole on the way to shelter as the storm whipped about me.

Suddenly I was racked with discomfort. Discomfort being a mild term for gut wrenching pain! Apparently, I’ve spent so much time limiting myself to seafood, (why is it called seafood when I get it from the ocean?) that the introduction of something foreign caused me great abdominal discomfort. I missed the next couple of days of school. Thank heavens I am not graded for attendance.

I languished about the beach to the calls of my peers encouraging me to join them. Everything below my esophagus was in spasms, for once I didn’t want to dive or snorkel or … (gasp)… eat! I was miserable. If I’d been exposed to the crime I’d swear I was pregnant with all the kicking and pushing that was taking place in my stomach! Talk about getting to know God, being sick has opened up time in my frenzied schedule for more prayer hours. I made every kind of imaginable promise if only I could get well. I’d go on a diet, I’d not bully smaller beings, I’d give the fish I trapped another chance for survival, I’d become a vegetarian. I wouldn’t question my physical configuration again, I‘d learn to be happy in whatever state I discovered myself in! Lastly, I’d stop questioning God’s authority and judgment. I don’t think I ever chatted with God as much as I did in these last few days when I thought death would be a definite health improvement.

Finally, God seemed to take into account my frail frame and the fact that I was completely at his mercy. As I rolled on the beach encircled by some of my closest friends, trying to oust what ever had troubled my tummy, I experienced a great heaving inner explosion and expelled something foul smelling onto the sand. This “something”, encrusted in fish bones, seaweed and other green vegetation, sprang to its feet and put distance between us on two wobbly appendages. Numerous feet away from the shoreline it collapsed after stumbling a few times, kissed the earth and stared at me in horror after removing a stringy veil from it‘s freshly sanded visage. I get that look enough already, friend, cut it out! So this land lover was the reason for my gastric upset. One lesson I just learned was to chew before swallowing so my food wouldn’t have a chance to disagree with me.

Two surfers approached my discarded dinner and I heard my reluctant Asian take-out-meal ask for directions to someplace called Nineveh as my buddies helped push me back out to sea on the tide. Friends are priceless, I thought to myself, I couldn’t wait to tell them how I’d questioned God and learned the meaning of my existence. God can even use an overweight ugly whale to fulfill his purpose for someone’s life. Nineveh, I’ve heard boaters talk about that evil place, making me glad I’m water bound. Jonah and I had been temporary prayer partners, praying for the same thing, though I had no interest in some land locked town I’d never see I certainly was in full approval of his release from my belly.


Gen 1:20-21
Jonah 1:17
Jonah 2:10
Math 18:20
Rom 9:19-21
1 Cor 6:1
Eph 2:10

THE INVASION

It happened so suddenly no one had time to prepare for it. I know that was true for me. I was watching the coverage on T.V. News reports about the weather. Lightening everywhere, it was being built as the worst storm in global history. Then to add insult to injury the earth itself started to rebel; earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and fires sprang up in the most isolated areas. No place was safe; mountains were collapsing, huge ocean waves cascaded down on villages, lava flowed through metropolises with people running vainly ahead of red steaming goo. The cameras caught the expression on a few hapless faces as the hot molten rock reached them, scorched their bodies and finally absorbed them. Then the local coverage’s went dead as the photographers and their equipment fell to the same fate never to realize their Pulitzer Prize for journalism. The reporters showed people running into the hills looking for safety only to be buried alive under heaps of earth that cascaded down on top of them. Limbs protruded from the dirt grasping for a lifeline for seconds before they succumbed to their doom, their lungs crushed. Then the incredible. One news correspondent aimed his camera upward, at the lightening. Something was happening in outer space; it looked like an army was descending on us! No spacecraft, just mounted warriors! The camera fell to the ground and you could see feet retreating into the distance.

My T.V went dead. Like everything around it. The electric lines must have gone down. Or the broadcasting station was now wiped out. I was left with only my inferences to ponder the events as they unfolded. I did not have to imagine for long. I ran out of the house into the electrical storm when I heard all the commotion, armed forces were riding down the streets gathering survivors, (or prisoners?) in colossal nets. They weren’t local military, their uniforms were non-conventional white robes, were they from the middle east? They sat atop elegant white steeds who galloped breathlessly. Horses had not been used in centuries, not since the invention of ozone destroying gas-guzzlers. Horses were definitely practically at this moment however as the streets had become impassable by even army tanks: rubble from buildings, overturned vehicles, and trees of every kind blocked all the thorough fares. Blocked? I’m not sure that is the best word. There was no hint of a civilized route through the wreckage.

Though I had been frantically packing supplies to bring to an emergency shelter I had run from the house with nothing. Nothing except the money I had stuffed into my pockets; money and all my gold jewelry. The warning sirens that had been blaring had gone silent . Evidently the emergency alarm system had been disarmed. I didn’t get far before I was whisked into the net with people I knew, and people I‘d never met before. Then I heard it, the collapse of my home as it sunk into a sinkhole, followed by my neighbors’ houses. Looking over my shoulders, I saw my life’s hard work crumble to the ground. Nothing would be salvageable. Looters would be disappointed.

Soon, I truly realized how out of town this army was. The horses, riders and captives all climbed into the air. No wings, no propellers; just horses galloping upwards. We ascended on an undetectable path straight up. I clung to the netting for dear live. I’ve always been afraid of heights.

This was an invading nation. They must have come for prisoners, slaves. I never believed in extra terrestrial life before, it doesn’t take much to make a believer out of me: just a ride into space. I began to worry about oxygen depletion, boy would that disappoint our captors if we started dropping like flies from anoxia, they probably hadn't counted on our frail lungs not working in the higher atmospheres. How I was able to keep breathing was beyond me.

The aliens brought all their captives to what appeared to be a transportation station, deposited us and went in search of more humans. There was a court up front where men and women were ushered individually, I didn't notice any kids younger than teenagers. All were cast before some authoritative looking men, one at a time. The central man kept pointing to a young fellow on his right then a person on the left would inspect some gigantic tome. Apparently we were being sorted out for labor on this distant planet. They must not be very fussy. I didn't notice any consistency on who went to the left or right. Those however who went to the left seemed less keen than those that went the opposite direction. Those going right seemed grateful. Relieved. Satisfied. Radiant?

Craning my neck to see further to the right I saw a caravan of trains so golden the light flicking off them sparkled like flames. The trains on the left were baked black, rusty and miserable appearing. Rejects from the civil war?

People around me were crying, shivering in fear, and praying. Even the atheists : especially the atheists. Notice how in a real crisis even atheists start to call on God? Some how they were coming to believe in a higher source. The unbelievable has happened. Life from outer space had abducted us. The world as we knew it was finished. The earths military had combined in unison and it had been like throwing water balloons at whales. We had been vulnerable. Defeated. In fact, there were numerous uniformed men and women waiting their turns to be brought to the forefront.

The crowd was thinning remarkable quickly , like weeds being yanked from a garden, as one by one, individually and alone, we were escorted to the tribunal. Thousands of us. An innumerable group. Yet time seemed to stop, or at least my watch had. Time had no meaning as we waited our fates. I watched as men were dragged screaming to the left and some walked proudly to the right. Thin beggarly types, well built macho types, males and females. Teenagers on up to centurions.

It wasn't long before my name was called. How did they know my name? I walked timidly to my captors. The gentleman in the center , most elaborate chair, asked me one question, "What have you done with my son?" and pointed to the youth at his right who was sitting at a desk that identified him as Mr. J. Christ.

He looked familiar from posters and flyers that had been stuffed in my mailbox over the years. "Nothing sir, but I know he was a great man, a wonderful healer and prophet, he has had my highest respect."

"But did you know him personally?"

 "No sir, I didn't have the time to meet him, I was busy with charity organizations and raising kids, then my parents."

The man behind the other desk, Mr. H. Ghost, spoke up. "Her name isn't in the book sir."

Mr J. Christ responded, "I never was invited into her home though I knocked frequently."

 A hand raised an pointed me to the left. " Go! It would have been better for you if you'd included my son in your plans."

"Wait a minute.Lets talk, I'm more than willing to get to know him better!"

The main figure kept his finger pointing left. Obviously discussion was over, no plea bargaining allowed. Maybe bribery will work.

"Wait, I have money!” I cried, “I can get more!” Please believe my bluff! I pulled green bills and gold rings out of my pockets and tossed them at the feet of those present. Mr. J. Christ looked sadly at me, piercing my soul in two with his wounded eyes, and then turned his back. Wow, he’d received a good whipping from some one! He wasn’t going to accept my money or offer any more help!

I was drug to a prison train with the other cast offs , all trying to reach out through heavy bars. Smudged faces looked out with complete despair. A fatalistic expression was painted on every one present as the trackless train started to roll, taking us to our final home. The engineer was as heinous as his delighted laughter, it was diabolical. We were his prisoners now! Our transportation headed through the stars. Further and further away from any chance of escape. A colossal black hole came into view up ahead at the farthest edge of the galaxies, sucking everything that approached into it’s interior. I could feel our train being pulled in and then start to dissolve under immense heat scattering our bodies about into the darkness. There went our chance to ride out! I heard anguished weeping and screaming but saw nothing despite the unbearable flames surrounding my body. More trains carrying newcomers joined us for hours.

Sweat poured from my every pore and intense light beat against eyelids that I opened cautiously, one at a time. Loud screeching was assaulting my ears and I was inhaling the smell of burning flesh. The hot July sun beat down on me as I slowly woke up in the net hammock I found my hands and feet hopelessly tangled up in (I must have had a very restless nap). I can now personally denounce any rumors about the July sun being hotter 'n hell. The neighbors were fanning the smoke of their burnt burgers and steaks my way as they attempted to extinguish the fire while their teenagers’ obnoxious rap music was blaring music Satan would be proud of from their garage. I shook my head, gratefully. I had been having the worst nightmare of my life!!!

Some annoying buzzing was coming from the front of my home, which I was glad to see wasn't at the bottom of a a sink hole. Running through the house I peeked out the front window in time to see the local religion pushers retreating down the driveway, bibles in hand, they had left their usual bible tract on my door. They wheeled about in absolute surprise when I yanked the door open and invited them in to share their testimonies. This had never happened to them before at this stop, they've only seen me peeking out behind closed curtains! For some reason I felt very receptive to the gospel message today!

Math 7:21-23
Math 24
Mark 8:38
Acts 4:12
Rom. 10:14-21
2 Cor. 5:10
Heb. 9:27-28
2 Pet. 2:9
Rev 20:11-15

MY ANNUAL EASTER TRIP

I surveyed the work ahead of me. It didn’t seem like I had bought this much over the past year, but here was the evidence. My little sister would be coming into town soon to offer her idea of lending a hand. This was her pet project, yet I always did all the toil: shopping for bargains, storing, packaging and delivering. She would stand by and delegate or criticize. Oh, yeah, did I mention I also had the honor of being the cash donor?

She had me big time! I was sorting items out by the age and sex of the recipients when I heard my sister, Babs, enter. She always lightened a room with her energy and she never suffered jet lag from her flights. I get exhausted crossing county lines! Heck, I get tired crossing the street, yet she has made these twenty annual treks, tirelessly and regularly, from abroad to participate in the gift distribution.

Every Easter, (I prefer to call it Resurrection Day as Easter was actually a pagan holiday honoring the goddess Easter.), Babs and I load up my van and pay a social call to the city’s Children’s Hospital. This was where Babs lived for much of her adolescent and teenage days. She had been diagnosed with leukemia at eleven and made her final departure from the institution at sixteen. A full recovery. Completely healed. That gave Resurrection day special meaning for us as a family, knowing that our savior and redeemer lives, as did Babs!

“Wow, you went wild this year didn’t you?” Babs declared, looking underneath the parcels to see if the whole lot was suspended in mid air or if there actually was a bed supporting every thing.

Last year there were so many good bargains I couldn’t resist.” I answered, picking up some plastic toys and books. Hospitalized kids get bored and need diversions to stimulate their growing minds. Babs had been bored to death during her hospitalizations so we were inspired to make this yearly contribution to the patients at her old alma mater, the hospital, where she spent so much restless time.

Cindy, my daughter, trailed Babs into the room. At least I think it was Cindy, she was hidden behind a tower of shoeboxes and would have bumped into Babs if Babs hadn’t winked at me and stepped to the side lowering herself into my boudoir chair. Cindy and I had spent long evenings together decorating the shoe boxes with “Easter” themes; bible verses, crosses, angels etc. Babs had suggested the boxes instead of baskets because of the Easter bunny connection. The boxes symbolized the old ossuaries Jews placed the skeletons in a year after death. Except of course for Jesus’, they couldn’t quite reach his body, besides it never decayed!

Scruffy, Cindy’s ten pound shadow, hurdled himself into Babs’ lap and attacked her repeatedly with his tongue giving her the beating of her life.
“What a good dog,” Babs pronounced.
“He sure is a good dog!” I seconded.
“Of course he’s a good dog mom,” Cindy affirmed scooping him off the chair and out of Babs lap without so much as an “excuse me” to cuddle him affectionately while he squirmed trying to get back to Babs.
“What’s wrong, old boy?” Cindy asked putting him down and watching him rejoin Babs on the chair. Cindy shrugged. “Odd.”

We spent hours sorting things out and boxing them up. We ooohed and awed over everything. The bibles and novels for teenagers that Cindy helped pick, the bible story books for the youngsters, the Veggie Tale movies and books, the Christian coloring and comic books, Carman CDs. (Carman is a wonderful Christian singing artist with lots of pizzazz, great for teens and adults). We had to be careful in what we gave kids; most of them had lowered resistance to infections due to chemotherapy. No one would find a hint of a bunny or egg in the lot. This holy day was all about Jesus, no time-sharing with a fertility symbol. (Does any one ever wonder where that furry creature gets his eggs from? If I ever see a bunny laying an egg, I'll check myself into rehab! Does he enter hen houses at night with a mask and gun and demand them the poor mother‘s to fill his basket?)

Overall we did pretty good I thought as I scrutinized our endeavor. Thirty boxes filled with homage to Jesus. Mood boosters for those moments that visit the sick after chemotherapy, rehab or treatments, or just when their parents have to go home. Cindy and I loaded the van; did I mention Babs just supervised? I wonder why she ever bothered to make the trip. Being the older sister, I should have been bossier and demanded some assistance, but I was just so glad to be doing this for her. The trunk and back seat were crammed to over flowing.

Before we took off, I went to the ladies room to freshen up. I clipped on some long fun earrings that practically brushed my shoulders, and hid my face under foundation, lipstick and eye shadow, (after all those kids were suffering enough without seeing me “a la natural,”, besides they could get their holidays confused and think it was Halloween instead of Easter!) Then I used the “hairspray“.

Babs looked me over, approvingly, “I see you can still be a rebel.” She stated referring to hair that was tinted with blue hair spray, and flipping my dangly earrings, full of spring colors and themes.
“You like it?” I questioned patting my do and shaking my head causing my ear rings to chime. Cindy giggled, “Mom, you got my spray by accident.”
“Nope, I did it deliberately.”Cindy groaned and slumped in her seat so the neighbors wouldn‘t see her accompanying us. “Great, my mom is revisiting her childhood. My friends already have a hard time seeing you as an authority figure.”
“When did I have any authority?” This bit of news surprised me. I could never get Cindy to follow my agendas. I grinned at Babs. We used to hate our mother acting like a kid, there‘s no generation gap here.

At the hospital, we headed to the cancer unit. This was always a somber moment for me. I remember visiting Babs here regularly. Actually, I came to see mom, she was here more that at home. Babs needed the attention, I could fend for myself. I had no curfews, no rules no one to answer too. For years I sometimes forgot I had a mother. At the time, I resented Babes’ illness. I blamed her of being sick on purpose to get all the attention. When she recovered and went home, I abhorred myself.

We passed her old room, her mailing address off an on for almost six years. There was a girl in there by herself looking very sad and in need of ….something I couldn’t give; assurance that everything would okay.

Cindy paused and looked in feeling awkward. It was more than she could handle. She hated this part of the job. The planning, packaging and delivering were emotionally rewarding. Seeing the recipients of her work was not. The baldheads, the disfigurements, the frail bodies that should be doing gymnastics or sports. The wheel chairs, IV‘s. The tears, the smiles, the hope, the despair, the living, barely living. The kids her age. The kids way younger than her. The kids who wouldn’t get older than she would. She preferred staying behind the scenes. If she could wear blinders coming in here, she would.

Babs stopped and stared sympathetically. “I’m going in to sit with her,” she announced, nodding at the young girl. “I think I can cheer her up.”I nodded.
“Sure, stay and cheer her up, I’ll meet you at the nurses station.”
“Oh, no, I’m coming with you!” Cindy declared and accelerated her pace fixing her eyes only on the destination. Babs went into the room ignoring the hand washing station, the cover gowns and masks. She never felt like these rules applied to her.

We transversed hallways plastered with that infamous furry, long eared egg bandit handing out chocolates (really, does the dental society sponsor him?) No posters of an empty cross or vacant tomb. Religious freedom, bah! More like freedom from religion. Pity, pity, pity.

Cindy and I unloaded our cart of boxes at the nurses station where a group of patients gathered to point and laugh at my hair and earrings while Cindy reddened with embarrassment; I just seemed to be a constant thorn in her flesh with my "immature behaviors".

We were well known here, anticipated figures every twelve months. The staff was as excited as the kids would be with our tokens of love Everything passed inspection; after twenty years we ought to have gotten it right by now! Yet every year something new is added to the list of “don‘t brings.” The parents also had to have time to evaluate the appropriateness of our presents. Parents were asked in advance for permission for us to deliver "religious" items so things wouldn't be snatched from disappointed hands. We had to be politically correct, even on a holy day!

I picked Babs up on the way out.“How will she be?” I asked referring to her old room’s present occupant.
“Fantastic, but not in this world I‘m afraid.” Babs responded. I sighed and prayed for her parents. “Her future is quarantined though; she has the seal on her forehead.” Babs had a good eye for these things.
“Thank God.” Thank God for offering salvation, thank heavens the young girl accepted it.

The night before Easter, Babs and I stayed up all night giggling and talking. We went through the photo albums, sang, prayed and cried. It was an exhausting night, it was an exhilarating night. No time was wasted on sleep. It would be another year before she graced me with her presence so we made the most of our time catching up. Her lifestyle surpassed my imagination and I didn’t want her to leave out a single detail. She was a namedropper. She knew people I only heard about. The life she lived was out of this world and would have made me jealous if I wasn’t so happy for her.

The next morning, Cindy complained about me leaving the television on in my room, keeping her awake with all the noise. Babs and I exchanged glances, what T.V? “Really mom, don’t you know you’re not the only one living here?” Cindy huffed. Why does she always use my arguments against me?

We attended sunrise service at the cemetery. The sun rose over the landscape while we sang, “He has risen!”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, covering the topic of death’s defeat in the person of Jesus, the congregation wondered among the tombstones laying flowers on all the graves. Babs and I dawdled over one resting place in particular. The dates etched on the marble stone spanned sixteen years that ended two decades ago. The day of Babs’ death when all pain and suffering ceased, when she left the hospital to go home. Easter time. Her bodily resurrection will occur at this site when the trumpet sounds on that glorious morn, but till then I get to enjoy her presence in my heart by carrying out our pet project in her name and for Jesus’ glorification.

Cindy came up behind me. “I sure wish I could have met aunt Babs.” “You have your chance every year but you don’t say a word to her,” I admonished.
Cindy gave me “the look” and announced, “That’s it, absolutely no more blue hair spray for you. I’ll bet there’s even a warning on the bottle; toxic to people over thirty.”
Babs looked over Cindy’s, blew me a kiss, and shot into the air to head back home. Cindy gasped, “Look mom. A shooting star!”

Duet 7:3-6
Duet 31:17-18
Isiah 53Luke 24
1 Thes 4:13-18
I Cor 15:50-58
Eph 1:13-14

DOG GONE

I was tired. I had been driving for several hours and decided it was time to let my daughter, Cindy, take the wheel, against my better judgment, while it was still light. I needed some rest before our up coming adventure and letting her drive seemed counterproductive to that end but I had to give it a shot, I was going to need steady nerves and quick reflexes in a few hours.

After getting a few winks in, I glanced out the window. The scenery was a blur and cars along side us (they were only alongside us for a brief moment in time) were giving us unpleasant looks.

“Why are you passing all these cars?”
“Because they’re going slow?”
“I think it’s because you’re going fast. What’s the speed limit?” I queried, already knowing the answer.
“For me or them?”
“Pull over.” This is why teenagers shouldn’t drive, or parents shouldn’t take cat naps. Thank heaven’s we had not passed any “smokies.”

We spent the duration of the trip making our plans and bickering about the ethics of the hair brained idea that I hatched after the last visit home to my parents. I had to admit inwardly Cindy was right, there were other ways, but something had to be done. I threw in some driving lessons by showing her what not to do ( intentionally, of course). We stopped occasionally to stretch our legs but we had a dead line to meet. We must complete our job while it was dark and everyone was sleeping.

Signs appeared telling us we were close to my hometown. Nearer and nearer with each gallon of precious gas. In the long haul the gas bill would be the cheapest expense, not to mention well worth it. I turned on to my parent’s street, slowed and turned off the headlights. Every house was black, no lights on anywhere, no sign of life. Things were going as planned so far. I parked at the entrance to the alley and turned off the ignition. We still had time to repent.

“Let’s synchronize our watches.” Cindy suggested, getting into her role. Who wears watches anymore? I use my cell phone and that wasn’t coming with me. I didn’t need that blasted thing going off and jingling my slowly unsteadying nerves. I wouldn’t be accepting any calls at work tonight.

Stepping out we closed the car doors very gently. Pulling our ski masks down over our faces we proceeded up the alley, cautiously. My mom and dad were light sleepers and we didn’t want to be caught. Mother and daughter slinking around in the dark, miles from home, two states from home actually. Great quality time.

We stopped at the back yard gate and tried the handle. Pad locked. Sure, why should this be easy. A small town like this, no crime and the gate is locked. Cindy cupped her hands to lift me over and I snagged my t-shirt on a loose wire scratching my abdomen. Great, I’ll need a tetanus shot when I get home! I feared I’d fall and call attention to us. No lights came on in the bedrooms. Cindy vaulted over effortless. Gymnastic classes were paying off, they obviously are a prerequisite for a life of crime.

We had chosen a moonless night for this escapade, not intentionally, mind you. I don‘t have the best night vision. Proving this, I tripped over some object in the yard jamming my toe into my ankle. Cindy clamped her hands over my mouth at the start of some unlady like verbiage (sorry, can’t print the expletives here, use your imagination, but remember, I’m a Christian.)

There he was. Our reason for being here at one in the morning. The poor dog’s chain was tangled up around a tree giving him limited motion, his water dish spilled over making a mud pit for him to sleep in. He lay listlessly, head on paws, warily observing us approach. No barking, no tail wagging. Just big sad eyes. Probably expecting some abuse. Definitely not expecting anything good to happen to him. Why should he? He’d been mistreated ever since he was abducted from home. His mother had no idea what would become of him when he was snatched from her side at the tender age of eight (weeks).

We advanced at a snail’s pace, not wanting to risk his getting jumpy. No threat there, apparently. I untangled the chain and tried to coax him to the gate. Wouldn’t budge. Cindy offered him a beef jerky we brought to entice him to follow us. It got his consideration. His head went up so suddenly Cindy dropped the beef jerky and our victim, ignoring our presence, sniffed around for it showing the first hints of a pulse. Now that we had him on his feet we couldn’t budge him by pulling on the chain until he found his treat.

Whistling came up the alley. I had a strong suspicion a person was attached to the melody. Jumping behind a hedge we ducked, squatting on our heels, ready to bolt. Dog followed us now, having eaten his tid bit he wanted more. The quiet listless dog was transforming into an excited one, right before our horrified eyes. It wasn’t so quiet in the back yard now. The whistling stopped. A flashlight scanned the yard, the beam passed over us, returning to us with a swift movement. We’d been caught. By who? All we could see were light spots on our retinas.

Before we could dash off a voice warned us, “Halt, police.”

My life was over. It exploded before my eyes. My future. Incarcerated. Working in the steamy laundry, making license plates, learning to smoke, building muscles at recreation time. Group showers. Waiting for Sunday afternoon visitation. In five years I’d have a hard, tattoo-ed body. A record. Cindy would hopefully get off lighter, juvenile hall, out at eighteen, rehabilitated. Taught a career. No permanent record.

“Come out here so I can see you, please.” So courteous. So far no signs of impending police brutality. “Remove your masks, please.” We were commanded by a uniform aiming a revolver and light at us.

Our ski masks came off allowing our identification.
“Cindy? Marcy? Is that you? Your parent’s didn’t say you were coming to town.”
“Well, they didn’t exactly know.” I responded.

The officer put two and two together and came up with four. Pretty good for a man. The dark clothes, the night time visit, Dog sniffing Cindy’s body, where more beef jerky was secreted. We were on a heist. He killed his flashlight and holstered his weapon.

“Well its about time someone rescued this unfortunate beast.” He announced. “You’re not taking us to the slammer?” Relief flooded my soul. Paroled earlier than estimated!
“Hell no, but I’m not going to assist you either. I do have to uphold some professionalism.” He retreated and vanished into the night. He was never there. He’d been just a fabrication of our over worked imagination.

Tugging fiercely on Dog’s shackles we got to the fence, boosted him over, (it took the two of us, getting tail, belly, etc. in our faces) and raced back to our get away vehicle. But not before the downpour. I hadn’t planned on that but it explains why we couldn‘t see the moon! . Muddy, smelly, wet, Dog was placed on the covered back seat next to Scruffy, my furry son, who sniffed at the new comer and edged away under the drivers seat, yapping his disapproval. Snob.

No sooner had I turned on to the main thorough fare an alarm went off. Guilty conscience? You bet. It was okay now, it was only my cell phone. Answering it I discovered it was my sister.
“Hey Marcy, as long as you’re in town come by here and get these clothes I’ve saved for Cindy. Help me save the postage, will ya?”
“Ellen, how did you know I was here?” Crooks don’t usually get calls on the job. The cop. Her husband, my brother in law. He squealed after all. Coppers! I was thinking like a criminal now.

Home at last. Fifteen hours from start to finish. I had some explaining to do with my husband. He knew where the dog belonged, but how he got here, he could only guess from the muddy paw marks covering the back car seat and windows. I had a hard time convincing him the dog was just a look a like, no connection to the one from my parent’s native soil. I don’t think he bought it, but didn’t wish to accept involvement by association so he refused to continue his line of questioning.

A few days latter the land phone went off. My mother was calling to inform me someone had stolen her neighbors dog! The one she knew I always worried about when I came for my infrequent visits. (mom’s idea of a guilt trip, I‘m there for every major holiday counting ground hog day!)Just incase I still didn't know which dog she was referring to she reminded me of the time I reported them to the SPCA. I happened right under their noses at night. My brother in law, the police officer, claimed the dog was there when he had done his rounds. Well, the dog was there when he made his rounds. We just happened to be there also. The papers called it grand larceny because the owners claimed it was a two thousand dollar blood hound ( An insurance scam?) but they were more concerned about loosing a member of the family. Yeah, one they kept in bondage in the back yard and visited occasionally I was looking at the gas, vet and groomers bills. Fleas, ticks, bald patches, mal nourishment, heart worms, intestinal worms, vaccinations, rabies shots, dental work not to mention shampooing the car upholstery. No, they were right. In the long haul, two thousand dollars was an underestimate. I wonder if I should file for reimbursement. I better not get over confident. One thing was for sure. If my parent’s ever visited, the dog would be unrecognizable. Manicured, fattening up, and, for the first time, eager for companionship, he was not the same brute that had lived across the alley from my child hood home. Now I had to work on Scruffy. Snobbery was intolerable in my house. He needed to remember how he came to be a family member!
Cindy came bouncing home from school all excited.“Hey, mom, get your car keys, we have another job to do!”
“What are you babbling about?”
“One of my friend’s at school was talking about some horses near here that are being abused. Let‘s see, we need a horse trailer, pick-up to pull it, bolt cutters for the fence…….”
I grabbed the vet bills for the dog, mentally multiplied the cost for a horse, covered my ears and ran from the room with Cindy in hot pursuit, laughing her young head off and waving a ski mask in the air.

Prov. 12:10
isaiah 43:1-4
Hosea 13:14
John 10:10
Eph. 4:28
Col. 1:12-13