Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 17)

Mac had returned to the house after feeding and
watering his rabbits and headed to the kitchen
to check back on Cornelius and Kato.  Cornelius
was lapping out of his large silver metal water bowl
as Kato strutted over to his own waterbowl.  Mac
knew he would have to take Cornelius out so as
to have his 'nature call.' When Cornelius stopped
drinking Mac walked over and took Cornelius by
his silver-studded black leather collar and lead him
out the back door in the kitchen and to his chain
that was connected to his doghouse. Mac then
patted the dog on the head and said to him, "Okay
big boy, do your thing." Mac then went back inside
and sat down at the kitchen table and chilled for
a bit.  As he sat, he began to think back on events
of recent. The thoughts actually came about after
Karen had phoned him. He began to reminisce
about the time he and Karen came across each
other when he was visiting the burial site of his
parents. It turned out that Karen was also there
visiting the burial site of her older brother.
 It was the meeting at Peaceful View Cemetery
that the relationship between Mac and Karen
began to go a step further.
 He recalled the moment when he was getting
ready to leave the burial site where his parents
were laid to rest and discovered that Karen had
been standing near him the whole time. He had
definitely not been expecting company and it
wasn't as if Karen had been tailing him.  Mac
knew when he suddenly saw Karen standing
there that this was a chance meeting.  Karen
just so happened to be visiting the burial site
of a deceased family member, too.  Mac
thought that she may have caught sight of him
as she was leaving the cemetery and decided
to come over and say hi.
 He began to recall how Karen had offered to
share her umbrella as the rain began to increase
and their conversation of her brother's death and
the date on which her brother, his parents, and
what could have been the date of her father's
death had Mac not intervened;  August 25th.
 Mac then realized the next step in the
relationship when after he and Karen left the
cemetery and headed to the Country Skillet
which Mac realized was an unexpected though
much welcomed, dinner date. And their first
date together, period.  It was there the
relationship began to take off.
 Mac was snapped out of his thoughts by
Cornelius' barking which meant he was
ready to come back in.  Mac then thought
as he headed out to bring the dog back in,
August the Twenty-Fifth was a date to
remember.


As Karen Williams lay on her bed she began
to think about the time she happened to see
Mac at Peaceful View Cemetery as she was
leaving the burial site where her older brother
lay.  Mac's here, too, she had thought when
she saw him standing over a monument which
she soon found out was of Mac's adoptive
parents. 
 Karen turned over and lay on her front and
cupped her chin in both hands and thought
about the chance meeting she had with Mac.
 Seeing him there had brought her comfort
as she had had a brief emotional moment as
she was turning to leave her brother's grave.
 As she had walked away she had brought
her hand to her face and began to sob softly.
As she slowly let her hand back down she
saw out of the corner of her eye a figure
standing maybe sixty feet away to her right.
She turned to glance at the man standing
over the mound and for some reason had
decided to move in for a closer look. She
thought she recognized the full head of
brown hair when the rain began to increase
which caused the man to put the hood of
the sweatshirt he was wearing over his head,
which now hid any recognition of him.
That had only made Karen move closer to
the man and at the same time forgetting
why she was doing it.
 Karen had suddenly thought to herself,  Oh
well, if this isn't who I think it is, I'll just say,
'I'm sorry, I thought you were someone I knew.'
But as Karen finally reached the site where the
man stood, he began to turn in her direction to
leave and then Karen and the man stood face
to face!  Karen thought excitedly, I was right!
It is Mac!
 Though Karen could tell Mac was glad to see
her she could tell he also looked a bit grieved,
much like she was some moments before.
 Karen then thought of the conversation they had
while sharing her umbrella with Mac and as they
both made their way through the pouring rain and
out of the cemetery, Mac invited Karen to have
dinner and that she had insisted they go as they were.
Mac had shown no objection to the idea as Karen's
parents were out on a dinner date of their own and
Mac had not eaten yet either. Karen thought back
on this and realized that that day was their first date
together.  It was so casual yet so unforgettable that
she couldn't get that day, let alone Mac, out of her
mind. The way things went that day that happened
to cause Karen and Mac to meet had to have
happened for a reason. Karen then rolled off her
bed and began praying once again., this time for
her and Mac:


"Lord, I can't help but think that the chance
meeting and my dad's accident was to bring
Mac and I together.  I never really felt this
strongly toward anyone before.  I believe it
was heading this way all along but I feel that
the meeting that Mac and I had at the cemetery
confirmed it. I mean Lord, I like him, I like him
a lot. And I have no doubt he likes me.  I can't
get him out of my mind, but Lord I am turning
our relationship over to you and ask that you
give both Mac and I wisdom and guidance if
you decide to allow us to continue in this 
relationship. I ask this of You in the name of
Jesus, Amen!"



Mac brought Cornelius back into the house and
then retreated to the living room to read the Bible
before heading to bed. Kato strolled in, hopped
into Mac's lap and settled there with Cornelius
following and settling in his place next to Mac's
chair.  Mac thought, animals are such good
company. But Mac then thought about the
relationship between he and Karen and the
meeting at the cemetery and the recent dinner
invitation he attended at the home of Karen
and her parents.  Mac looked up and thought
aloud, "Lord, is Karen the one?"
 Mac had been skeptical of relationships since
the suicidal death of his wife years ago.  His
marriage had been somewhat rocky even
before her death and it was his firefighting
accident and death of his firefighting career
that seemed to sound the death knell of their
marriage.  But everything that happened to
lead Mac and Karen's relationship to what
it has now become had to have happened
for a reason.  He really liked Karen, he had
no doubts there, but the question tormented
him, Was she the one?


Mac, looking down and seeing Kato on his lap,
decided to pray just as he was seeing he looked
so comfortable sleeping on his lap. Mac bowed
his head and prayed:

"Lord, is Karen really the gal you want me to
be with?  The way things have happened these
past few months have me believing that she is.
I mean, I really like this young lady, I really do.
She's made it clear that she likes me even though
she hasn't said it in words.  Lord, I am asking that
you give both Karen and I wisdom and guidance
if it be your will to let our relationship continue.
Not my will nor Karen's, but Your will be done in
Jesus' name, Amen."


This concludes Chapter Seventeen.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 16)

Mac Davenport wheeled his old Ford 4x4 pickup

into the driveway of his home and was enthusiastically

greeted by his mastiff dog Cornelius and his Siamese
cat Kato. Mac immediately knew what they wanted.
 "Yes, lads, I know,"  he said to them as Cornelius
hopped with his forelegs and Kato rubbed against
Mac's calves, "you're hungry. I'm right on it."
 Mac had just returned from the dismantling the track
and getting the fellowship hall back to its original
arrangement with the help of Gary Canfield, Wilfred
Templar and a few other men of the church.  Mac
remained after everyone else left to check the church
and make sure it was secure before heading for home.
 Mac now had one more task to do and that was to
feed Cornelius, Kato and his rabbits.
 Mac undid Cornelius' chain and followed Mac to the
back door with Kato darting ahead and waiting by the
door ahead of Mac and Cornelius.
 "Kato,"  Mac chuckled, "you must learn patience."
   Mac and his 'lads,' as he sometimes calls his two
pets, entered into Mac's small home and Mac began
the task of feeding Cornelius and Kato.
 After he finished with Cornelius and Kato Mac was
getting ready to head back outside to feed the rabbits
when his cellphone rang. He pulled it from the case
he had clipped to his right side, opened it and answered
with, "Hello?"  It was Karen.
 "Yes, Karen?"



Karen Williams was in her room getting ready for bed
when she decided to call Mac.  She wanted to tell him
what a great night it was for everyone including her. It
was also about her concern for Julie Benson and Alex
Hobbs.
 She pressed Mac's cell number which she got from
a church directory which was given to new members
courtesy of Jenny Garrett of the Newberry Community
Church Welcome Ministry of which Mac Davenport
himself was minister.
 "Hi, Mac,"  Karen answered.
 She paused a moment, then answered with,  "I just
wanted to call and tell you what a great night it was
at the pinewood derby. Everyone really had a good
time tonight!"
 Pause.
 "Oh no. Not at all. I love church events like this."

 Pause.

 "Yes, there is. It's about those two kids; Julie and

Alex?"

 Pause.

 "How long will she be there?"

 Pause.
 "Well, anyway, I couldn't help but notice that Julie

seemed a bit preoccupied during the race."

 Pause.
 "I did.  I thought she looked a bit dismayed."

 Pause.

 "Oh, that's great. I'll check my email and I will

definitely pray for them and their mom, too!"

Pause.

"Okay, Mac. I'll see you Sunday! 'Bye!"

 Karen went over to her small desk across her room,

opened her laptop and checked her emails and sure

enough an email prayer request which was sent out

by Gary was on her list. After clicking on it and

reading it, she turned the laptop off, closed it then

went over to her bed, knelt down beside it and

began to pray for Julie, Alex, and their mom.  

Mac closed his cellphone and put it back in its

case and proceeded with the task of feeding the

rabbits.  Cornelius and Kato were still chowing

down on their meals as Mac headed back out.

This concludes Chapter 16.

Shelter From the Storm. (Chapter 15)

At the Canfield home Brian Canfield and Alex Hobbs were in their
room with Alex looking up and admiring his trophy he won at the
Newberry Community Church's pinewood derby. His pinecar
was next to it. They were both getting ready for bed. Brian saw
Alex looking up at the trophy, shook his head and just grinned.
 "Still admiring your trophy and car, Alex?" Brian asked.
 "Ya," Alex turned to look at Brian as he answered him.
 "I did the same thing when I won, too." Brian said as
he patted Alex on his shoulder, "It was a great night for me
as well."

 Over in Dawn and Julie's room Dawn and Julie were talking
about the pinewood derby as well.
 "Alex was so thrilled he won," Julie said of her little half-brother,
"that he clung to his trophy and car like they were his soul
possessions."
 "It was the first time he ever won anything is why."  Dawn
answered.
 "I know it is," Julie answered back, "We both never been to
something like that before."
 Dawn noticed that Julie started to get somewhat uneasy after
she just said what she said. Julie somewhat choked up when
she said the word 'before.' A sniffling sound followed and that
was when Dawn rushed to her side.
"Julie," Dawn exclaimed, "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to leave you ," Julie sobbed, "You've all been
so good to me and Alex and I don't want to leave."
 " You won't," Dawn replied, hugging her, "God has
brought you to us, remember?"
 "I know," Julie sniffled, "I-I thought about how nice it is
being with all of you and then what it was like back home."
 Julie buried her face on Dawn's shoulder and cried some
more.
 Gary and Vera were walking down the hallway to get ready
to turn in when they heard Julie's sobs as they approached
the door to Dawn and Julie's room. Vera was the first to
walk in followed by Gary.
 "Julie," Vera exclaimed as she came to her side, "What's
the trouble, honey?"
 Dawn answered first, "She says she doesn't want to
leave us."
 "You aren't," Vera said.
 "But what when Mommy gets out?"  Julie sobbed,  "She'll
come for us and take us away."
"She can't do that," Vera reassured her, "Children's services
won't allow her to."
 "They won't?" said Julie, looking up at Gary and Vera.
 "No, Julie," Gary put in, "It's a long story, but your mom
is going to be going through a lot, and she won't be able to
take you back, not for awhile, anyway."
 "Oh."
 "Gary," Vera said, looking toward her husband while she
held Julie to comfort her, "We need to all get together and
pray for the kids, their mom, and the outcome of all this
right now."
 "I'll get Brian and Alex,"  Gary replied and walked out of
the room and to Brian and Alex' room.
 Vera went to the dresser nearby and pulled a tissue from
a tissue box that sat atop it and wiped Julie's cheeks with
it and then said, "We're all going to pray for your mom and
this situation she is in and for you and Alex as well. God is
going to work this out, okay, honey?"
"Okay," Julie answered.
 Gary came back in with Brian and Alex and informed them
of the reason for the prayer gathering. Alex looked over to
his half-sister and noticed from the puffiness of her eyes and
the reddened cheeks that she had been crying. Alex then
immediately went over to her and hugged her. "Don't cry,
Julie," Alex said, "It be awright."
 "Yes, it will," Vera added and then everone in the room
held each others hands and Gary lead the family in prayer:


 "Oh heavenly Father, we all come together in Your
precious name and we pray for the situation that
Julie and Alex' mom is in and that you work this
situation according to your will. We also ask that
You protect her and watch over her and also for
your comfort and protection on Julie and Alex
while they are here in our care. We earnestly
pray that you work all this out for your glory.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen."


With the prayer concluded and some brief reassurances
from Gary and Vera, Julie and Alex turned in, followed
by Brian, Dawn, and their parents.  Vera bid the girls
good night before she turned and left the room and
then did the same with Brian and Alex as she and Gary
passed by their room.


 Outside the Canfield home and across the street opposite
their home a lone vehicle, a 1980s vintage Chevrolet S-10
Blazer in a dark brown paint scheme was parked by the
curb, its engine running. It stood there for maybe five minutes
sitting there at the curb as the driver, the sole occupant of
the old SUV, appeared to be looking in the direction of the
Canfield home. The driver's figure was obscurred by the
darkness outside save for a street lamp that was still burning
at the house at the right of the Canfields' which barely
silouetted the head of the driver. The outline suggested a male
with a ball cap. Five minutes had passed and the Blazer pulled
from the curve and drove off into the night.



This concludes Chapter fifteen.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 14)

The day of the Newberry Community Church Pinewood Derby
had come to pass and the fellowship hall was alive with activity
as the children , as well as a few adults, eagerly and anxiously
waited for the race to begin.
Mac Davenport and Gary Canfield checked the track to make
sure all fastenings were tight. Mac used his old pinewood racers
as test cars to test the track. To his relief and satisfaction, it all
checked out.
 Wilfred Templar, a fellow greeter, manned the weigh station
using a scale specifically made for pinewood cars to make sure
they were at the correct weight of six ounces or under.
 At a table near the track the pinecars were lined up on top of it
along with the children participating in the race.
Brian and Dawn Canfield, Julie Benson and her younger half-
-brother Alex Hobbs, the twin boys Toby and D.J. and the
rest of the church children waited anxiously.
 Mac walked to the center of the room to announce the
beginning of the race.  Mac addressed the crowd:

 "May I have your attention please.  First I want to thank all
of you for coming to our tenth annual Pinewood Derby and
to thank those of you who helped in bringing this event about.
Now if we can all please stand as we begin the event by
singing our national anthem."

 And with that those that were sitting immediately stood up
and hands were placed over hearts as everyone present from
adults down to the children began to sing the Star-Spangled
Banner. Everyone turned to the American flag that stood
next to the stage on the far end of the vast room of the
fellowship hall as they sang out the anthem.
When the singing ended, cheers and clapping followed
and then Mac Davenport once again addressed with,
"Racers," then a little louder with, "START YOUR
ENGINES!"
 As if on cue, the children grabbed their cars and lined
up at the starting end of the track, with Mac standing
next to the starting line to release the cars down the track.
 Wilfred stood at the finish line ready to declare the winning
racecar of each heat.
 The first racers at the track were Julie Benson, Alex Hobbs
and Eric Nelson.  Julie with her VW Beetle in Herbie the Love
Bug colors and stripes and those plastic eyes for headlights,
Alex with his red pick-up with its roll bar and black stripes,
and Eric Nelson with a bright yellow Ferrari sports car.
Mac placed the cars on the starting line; the cars held in
place by wooden pins.
 Mac announced the racers of the heat, then with his hand on
the catch-release called out, "Heat number one!" and released
the catch trigger, sending the cars racing down the track and
toward the finish line.
 Wilfred eyed the cars all the way down to the finish line with
Alex's racer the first to reach the finish line with Julie and Eric's
cars following immediately after. It was a close first heat.
Wilfred picked up Alex's car to signify it was the winner in
which Mac then anounced, "Winner of heat number one goes
to Alex Hobbs!"
 Alex shouted and jumped for joy on hearing his name called.
Mac patted the boy on the head and said, "Good job, little guy!"
 Next were were the twin boys, Toby and D. J. Holmes and
Violet Werkman.  Mac placed each of their cars on the starting
line and called out with "Heat Number Two and sent the cars
down the track, Wilfred picking up Violet Werkman's car; a
green open-wheeled roadster.  Violet, like Alex before her,
jumped and shouted for joy also.


 Seated next to each other in metal folding seats placed next to
the track were Vera Canfield, Karen Williams, and Jenny Garrett.
They were conversing with one another between heats.  Karen
observed the children by the race table and noticed how Brian and
Dawn were at the end. She then turned to Vera.
 "Vera," Karen spoke,  "I noticed how Brian and Dawn chose to
be at the end of the line."
"Yes,"  Vera replied,  "They've been at this so long they decided
to let the less experienced go first."
"And they didn't have to be told or reminded of that,"  Jenny put
in,  " Brian mentioned about their decision to me after the last race
we had last year."
"That's correct," said Vera, "In fact, Brian and Dawn have become
so good at building their cars and racing they felt their skills would
be too competitive for the others."
"And they didn't have to be reminded?" Karen wondered, eyebrows
raised slightly.
"No, although Gary and I both agreed with them."
"You and Gary are bringing up two wonderful children."
The conversation stopped briefly as Mac announced Heat
Number Three and attention was turned toward the track as
Mac released the cars of the third heat. The conversation
resumed after the winner was announced.
 Karen had thought about the conversation she had with
Mac after she met him at the cemetery where they both
happened to meet when Mac was visiting the grave of
his deceased parents and she, her deceased older brother.
Mac and Karen got together at the Corner Diner after
they both left the cemetery and she remembered the
part of their conversation when Mac mentioned his
hobby of building wooden model antique cars.
"Vera," Karen asked,  "Did Mac teach them their car
building skills, by any chance?"
"Oh yes," Vera answered,  "He and Gary are both
skilled at woodworking. Gary with the track and Mac
with the cars."
 "I see.  Mac did mention to me one time that he likes
to make wooden antique car models."
"Yes."
"Karen," Jenny spoke up, " Mac even made Wilfred
 a wooden model of an antique double-deck bus as
a welcoming gift when Wilfred first came to our church."
"Really?" Karen then remembered the time when the
Canfields invited Karen and her mother to dine with
them after their first visit with Newberry Community
Church.
 Karen remembered the one topic of their dining
conversation of when Wilfred was a stranded
motorist and Mac happened to come along
and offered assistance to Wilfred.
 "Yes," Jenny went on,  "Wilfred was so moved
by that, too. He said his breakdown on the
highway was a blessing in disguise and that Mac
was a godsend."
"So Wilfred's been here ever since?"
"Yes."
Karen thought, Yes, Mac was indeed a godsend; in
a lot of ways.



As the race was in its final stages as it was coming down
to the top three contenders; Alex Hobbs, Julie Benson
and D.J. Holmes.
 Mac then announced the final heat of the race which
would determine the winner.
Alex, Julie and D.J. approached the racetrack and
Mac placed their cars on the starting line. The room
became suddenly quiet as everyone waited in suspense
to see who the winner of the Newberry Community
Church Pinewood Derby would be.
"The final heat," Mac announced, then released the
final three cars down the track, all eyes locked on
the pinecars as they made their way down the track
for the last time. The three cars seemed to race neck
and neck until at the last section of track the red pickup
belonging to Alex Hobbs gained the lead and reached
the finish line first. Wilfred held up the winning car and
Mac announced, "The winner of the tenth annual
Newberry Community Church Pinewood Derby is
ALEX HOBBS!"
Alex's eyes went as wide as hard-boiled eggs when
the winner was announced and then he jumped up
and down excitedy then ran over and hugged Mac
around the leg.
"Congratulations there, buddy!"  Mac said as he
rubbed Alex's head, "Stay here while I get your
prize."
 Mac went over to a table where the prizes were
kept and picked up three trophies, one for the
winner one for the second and third place
racers.
 Mac walked to the center of the room with
everyone standing as Mac announced the
winners:

"Grand prize goes to Alex Hobbs! " Mac
held up the twelve-inch tall gold trophy
with a pinecar-shaped piece on the top
and called Alex over. Jenny Garrett
came over with her digital camera and
snapped pictures of Mac handing the
trophy to Alex then got one of just Alex
and his trophy. Mac then announced the
second place winner:


"Second place goes to Julie Benson! C'mon
over, Julie!"  Mac then handed a six-inch
silver trophy with the same pinecar shape
on top and Jenny repeated the same photo-
shoots as she did with Alex.
 Mac then announced the third place winner:


"Winner of third place is D.J. Holmes!"  D.J.
went over on hearing his name and Jenny
again repeated the photoshoot process as
she did with Alex and Julie.


There was clapping for all three winners as
each had been announced. Jenny then got
with the three kids and took pictures of the
three of them together holding their trophies.
Jenny then had the kids get with their families
and get their pics taken together.
Mac looked on with great satisfaction as
pictures were being taken and noticed
how Alex Hobbs looked to be in seventh
heaven as he held his trophy and pinecar.
Mac looked toward Alex and thought, That's
what it's all about.
 Karen walked over to Mac as he was
getting ready to dismantle the track and
kindly stated, "Mac, you really made
somebody's day today. Alex looked as
if he was in seventh heaven!"
 Mac thought in amazement, Wow! This
gal can read my mind!  He then said aloud
what he just thought before Karen came over,
"That's what it's all about."
"It really is,"  agreed Karen,  " and it seems
that everyone I talk to that mentions you
always has something nice to say about you."
Mac blushed a little in spite of himself and
thought, Aw, cut it out Karen.
Karen noticed Mac's face got slightly red
and with that knew Mac wasn't being
falsely modest.
 Mac couldn't think of anything to say to
Karen's kind statement, although he did
greatly appreciate it. All he could get out
was, "I'm just a big softie, I guess."
Karen replied with, "You have a heart for
the Lord, that's what."
"Now there is definitely that, too."
  Just then all the children came over to Mac
to thank him for bringing about the race, some
hugging him, and some shaking his hand. The
parents of the kids who participated came over
as well to thank him and added a few kind words.
After all was said and done and everyone was
leaving, Karen turned to Mac and again stated
kindly, "I believe you made everyone's day, Mac!"
"I guess I did,"  Mac humbly replied.



This concludes Chapter Fourteen.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 13)

At the Williams' house Neva was checking the oven to see

how the roast was coming while Karen set up the dining

room table. Richard was seperating the dinner rolls

and putting them in a serving basket.

 Richard looked at his watch and said,  "Mac should be

here any time now."

 "It'll be a few more minutes on the roast, dear," Neva

replied as she closed back the oven door.

 "Table's all set,"  Karen called from the dining room.

 Just then the doorbell rang.  Karen knew that it was Mac

and called back toward the kitchen where her parents were

with, "I'll get it!"

 Karen looked down at her front and realized she was still

wearing her apron that she wore while helping her mother

in the kitchen.

 "OOPS!" Karen gasped, "This isn't presentable!"  She

reached behind to undo the apron strings while heading

toward the kitchen and quickly laid it over a chair by the

kitchen table.  She quickly fluffed her hair as she made her

way back out of the kitchen and toward the front door.

 Richard and Neva watched as Karen quickly went in and

out of the kitchen and noticed how she quickly laid her apron

over the kitchen chair and then fluffed her hair.

 When she had gone Richard and Neva looked at each other

in amusement and smiled.

 "You know something, Richard?"  Neva spoke up first.

  "What, love?"  Richard acknowledged.

 "I think our Pumpkin really likes Mac."

 I think she does, too"

 Mac stood on the front steps of the Williams' house as he

waited for it to open. He looked to the right and saw above

the wall-mounted mailbox the black metal italic-style lettering

that read  The Williamses.  Mac liked the way it was titled.

It has a hospitable, down home charm to it, he thought.

 Mac immediately took his gaze off the lettering and to the

door when he heard it click.  The door swung open and

Mac beheld Karen standing at the door with her trademark

warm and bright smile. Mac noticed she was wearing a rose-

-colored stretch velvet dress.  Seeing that made Mac realize

he made the right choice by wearing his dark blue blazer over a

dark blue and white polo shirt. Of course Mac never had a problem

with formal or even semi-formal. It went with being a church greeter

and the way he was brought up.

 "Good evening, Mac,"  Karen greeted, "Please come in. My mom

and dad will be right out."

"Thanks, Karen,"  Mac replied, "It's a pleasure to be here."

As Mac followed Karen in to the living room, he caught the aroma

of a roast roasting and reminded him of family dinners with his
adoptive parents.

Just then Richard and Neva walked into the living room with

Richard the first to come foreward towards Mac.

 "Mac,"  Richard called out, holding out his right hand, "Glad

you could come this evening. "Welcome!"

"Thanks for having me, Richard,"  Mac answered, taking Richard's

  hand.

 Neva followed right behind and held out her hand as well which Mac

also shook. 
"It's so nice you could come," she said,  "Can we get you

something to drink?  We have coffee, hot cider, and iced tea."

As soon as Neva mentioned hot cider, he began to smell the
sweet aroma of it along with the roast.

 "Hot cider, please."  Mac requested.

 Before Neva could answer, Karen said, "Coming right up, Mac."

Karen headed toward the dining room entrance, turning her head

back and smiling at Mac as she dissappeared into the dining room.

 "Have a seat, Mac," Richard said, extending his hand toward the

sofa  that he was standing in front of.

 "Thank you,"  Mac replied, taking a seat on the plush hunter green

sofa. He noticed that the living room had colors of green and brown,

the same earthy colors he liked as well.

 Just then Karen called from the kitchen.

 "Mom? Dad?" she called out, "Can I get you anything while I'm at it?"

 "I'm good, dear," Neva called back.

  "I am, too,"  added Richard.

  Mac continued looking over the living room decor when Neva said

  to Richard,  "I think the roast should be ready now. You two relax

 while I get things ready, okay?"

 "Anything I can help with?"  Richard offered.

 "No, dear,"  Neva said,  "Keep Mac company until we call you." 

 "Okay, Neva."

 Richard and Mac watched Neva leave for the kitchen with Karen

passing her as she came back into the living room with Mac's hot

cider.  She was holding a dark green insulated coffee mug with

both hands, one under the cup and the other on the handle as she

carefully handed it to Mac.

 "Careful," Karen cautioned Mac, "It's hot."

 "Thank you, Karen,"  Mac answered.

 "You're very welcome, Mac."

 Karen smiled down at Mac as she turned and headed back to

the kitchen and after she had gone Richard opened up the

conversation.

 "Karen told me there was some kind of trouble with the mother

of two kids who attend the church,"  Richard started,  "She got

arrested for drunk driving, wasn't it?"

 "Yes she did,"  Mac answered, "It was her third offense, too."

  "I see.  Aren't the two kids the ones Gary and Vera pick up

on their church bus route?"

"Yes they are," said Mac,  "In fact, they have temporary

custody of the children right now."

 "That's good to know. I take it they have no other close

 relatives?"

"Not that I can tell.  Children's Services was very gracious

in arranging custody with the Canfields."

"I'd say they were."

In the kitchen Neva donned her oven mitts and opened the

oven door of the range and lifted out the roast with Karen

assisting. They placed the roast on the counter

"Karen," Neva addressed,  "Would you please go and tell Mac

and your father dinner is ready?"

"Okay, Mom,"  Karen turned and headed to the living room,

fluffing her hair again as she did before greeting Mac at the

front door.

 Neva watched as Karen left and noticed that she fluffed her

hair again as she exited the kitchen.

 Neva thought, She really likes him.

Mac and Richard were still conversing when Karen came in

through the dining room and announced that dinner was ready.

"Let's eat, Mac," Richard said as he got up from his chair with

Mac doing the same.

"I'm right behind you,"  Mac replied as he followed Richard and

Karen to the dining room.
Richard motioned for Mac to the seat where he would be sitting
which Mac went over and stood behind it. Richard then went in
to the kitchen to bring the roast out as Karen and her mother
came out to take their places at the dinner table.
 Mac looked over the dining room with its brass chandelier that
hung over the dinner table and the dark cherry wood china cabinet
that stood in one corner of the room.  A bay window framed in
dark wood on the opposite end of the dining room entrance
gave a view of the back yard and the bare trees of late fall.
 Beautiful view, Mac thought to himself.



At the Canfield household dinner time was getting underway for
the Canfields and their two temporary additions, Julie Benson and
Alexander Hobbs as Gary and Vera busied themselves in the kitchen
as Brian, Dawn, Julie and Alex helped set up the dining room table.
Brian then called toward the kitchen, "Mom, Dad, we're all set in here."
"Kids, take your places," Gary called back, "here we come."
  Alex was about to take a seat when Brian placed a hand on his
shoulder and said, "No, no Alex. Wait until my Mom and the girls
take their seats first."
"Oh,"  Alex replied, "laydeez seat furz?"
"Right."  Brian answered back.
 We're in their home now, Alex," Julie reminded her half-brother as
 she patted him on the head, "We must follow their rules now."
 "Alex," Brian added,  "my mom and dad had to remind me several
times when I was your age."
 "Mommy ne'er toh me dat,"  Alex said,  "Ma na' homush."
 It's okay, Alex,"  Dawn put in,  "Just watch everthing Brian and I
do. That might make it easier for you, okay?
" 'Kay,"  Alex answered.
 Just then Gary came out with the main dish, which was meat loaf
with Vera following with the side dishes.
With everything set, Vera, Dawn, and Julie took their seats in which
Gary, Brian and Alex followed.
Gary then asked everyone to bow their heads and then prayed a
prayer of thanksgiving which went like this:

"Father, we give thanks for the food we are about to receive and
also for our quaility time together, but also for allowing us to have
Julie and Alex with us and we all pray for their mother while she is
away and that the incident she is involved in would bring her closer
to getting to know you. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus,
Amen."

 Alex, after hearing Gary say 'amen' repeated the word.  Julie patted
Alex' head again and said, "It's gonna be all right, Alex.  I just have
this feelin' that it will."
 "That's right, son,"  Gary put in,  "God has away of turning something
bad into something good."
"I hear 'dat in Sun' schoo.' "
 "I believe something good has come out of it right now,"  Brian said,
You're here with us!"
That brought a smile to Alex' face which spread to the rest of the
group.
 "That is so true, Brian," Vera added, "And I think they needed to
hear that!"
 "There you go, Alex,"  Gary grinned then said, "Okay, let's eat!"




The Williamses and Mac Davenport bowed in a word of thanksgiving
just as the Canfields had just done with Richard leading.
 Richard Williams prayer went like this:

 "Heavenly Father, we thank you for the food we are about to receive
and also for Mac Davenport for allowing him to be our guest this evening
and most of all for bringing him into our lives and using him to bless us by
adding another saved soul to two others who already know you. I thank
you that I am that additional soul.  Thank you for your mercy and grace
in Jesus' name, Amen."

"That was so beautiful, Dad," Karen remarked warmly, "And so true, too!"
 Karen looked over across the table where Mac sat opposite her and
smiled her thanks and Mac blushed a little in spite of himself.
 Mac sensed where this relationship with Karen was going and he started
thinking that this dinner invitation he received was more than a token of
thanks for saving Richard from near death.  Were they trying also to bring
him and Karen closer together? Mac wondered if this invitation was
Karen's idea.
"Mac?" Karen addressed him from across the table, "Are you all right?"
 "Huh?" Mac snapped from his reverie, "Oh yes, I'm great. I was just
thinking back after hearing your father's prayer."
 "I see."
 "We've all been thinking back on that day," Neva put in,  "We wouldn't
be sitting together like we are now if it weren't for that day."
 Mac then began with, "Though my days as firefighter/EMT were long
gone, I believe God still had use for me as far as the skills were concerned."
"I totally agree, Mac," Richard answered as he carved the roast, "Maybe
that's why I ended up across the road from your house."
"Could be,"  said Mac, "But the bigger picture I think was to bring you
to Christ."
"Again, I totally agree."
"So do I," Karen added, "Totally!"
As plates were being passed around and everyone settled in to dine, Mac
reached for his coffee mug and discovered it was empty.
Neva was the first to notice but Karen was the first to offer Mac a refill,
asked to be excused, and came back with the coffee pot and poured it
into Mac's cup as Mac held it up to her.
"Thank you, Karen,"  Mac replied, sensing the reason for this little act
of courtesy.
"You're very welcome, Mac," answered Karen with a smile.
Richard and Neva noticed how quick Karen was to respond to Mac's
empty coffee mug and how she couldn't keep her eyes off of him while
at the dinner table.
 Richard thought, She's never acted this way toward a guy before, she was
always reserved about dating or courtship.
Neva then thought, She really likes him.
Mac and the Williamses settled in to dine with conversations ranging from
the Canfields and Julie and Alex, to the pinewood derby and each other's
past life experiences.



This concludes Chapter 13.  

Shelter from the Storm (Chapter 12.)

Mac Davenport and Gary Canfield brought out Julie Benson and

Alex Hobbs to meet Officer Frank Hunt.  Mac calmly reassured

them they were not in trouble when he and Gary brought the kids 

over to Officer Hunt.

 As Officer Hunt watched Mac and Gary bring the two children 

outside to see him, he knew he would have to get down to the

kids' level so as not to make them feel intimidated.  While they

were not in trouble, he was going to have to tell them that their

mother was.  He felt his stomach go into a knot as the two men

and the kids came over to him.

 Mac actually spoke first by making an introduction.  Hunt was
glad he didn't have to speak first.

 "Julie, Alex," Mac announced, keeping his tone pleasant, "Meet

Officer Hunt."

Officer Hunt immediately stooped down to their height to introduce

himself and also to put them at ease.

"Hello Julie,"  Hunt said jovially while slightly tipping his campaign-style

police hat with his left hand while holding out his right, "Hello, Alex. Nice

to meet you, I'm Officer Hunt."

"Hi, policeman," Alex answered, taking the outstretched hand somewhat shyly.

"Hi, Mr. Hunt," Julie responded, unsure of this meeting with this policeman. 

 As Mac and Gary looked on, Gary leaned toward Mac and whispered, "Let's

pray silently that the Lord puts the words in Officer Hunt's heart and mind so

as to make the news easier for the kids to take, alright?"

"You got it,"  Mac whispered back.  And with that Mac and Gary bowed
their heads and closed their eyes and prayed silently as Officer Hunt talked
with Julie and Alex.

Brian and Dawn Canfield were still busy at the work table with Brian

overseeing the work of the other children doing their pinewood derby

cars. An eight-year-old African-American boy, who was a grandson

of an elderly African-American man Brian's dad picked up on the

church bus route, came over to Brian.

Brian looked in the boy's direction and acknowledged with, "Yes, Eric?"

"I can't get my wheels to turn fast,"  Eric replied.

 Brian took the model Eric handed to Brian and tried the wheels and sure

enough, were a bit tight. He examined the bottom of the pinecar and knew

immediately what the problem was. Improperly installed single metal axles.

"It's your axles," Brian answered, "You have to install these axles just right

or your wheels won't turn freely." Brian then reached into a tool kit next to

him and picked out four nail-type axles and then instructed, "Here's four

nail axles. Remove those other ones and replace them with these."

 Brian then demonstrated to Eric on how to install the nails and wheels

by turning his own car on its side and lightly tapping the wheel's center

hub to show how to hammer the nail and wheel into place.

"Don't hammer it hard,"  Brian reminded Eric, "Or you'll have the same

problem.  Got it?"

"Got it," Eric said, Thanks, Brian."

"No problem, Eric."

 As Brian watched Eric leave he found himself  looking at the main entrance

where his dad, Mac, Julie and Alex went out. He found himself getting uneasy

as his sister did earlier. He quickly turned his attention back to the activities

at hand. But his attention was immediately turned back again when he heard

the door open up. Mac, Julie, and Alex came in but Gary wasn't with them.

 Dawn also noticed this and said to Brian, "Dad's still outside."

 Just then Brian and Dawn saw Mac beckon them over to where he, Julie

and Alex were standing.

"Let's go, Sis," Brian said to Dawn, "Mac wants to see us."

 Brian noticed that Julie and Alex appeared somewhat tense, but as he and

Dawn came up to Mac, Julie and Alex were, Julie and Alex smiled on seeing

Brian and Dawn.   Alex ran over to hug Brian with Julie doing likewise with

Dawn.

 "What's up, Uncle Mac?"  Brian wondered, a little confused as to the

reception he and Dawn received from Julie and Alex.

 Mac stooped to Brian's height much the same way as Officer Hunt did with

Julie and Alex outside the fellowship hall, and replied with,  "Brian, your dad

is outside talking with the police. Their mom is in some kind of trouble and

your dad is trying to fix it so Julie and Alex can stay with you , Dawn and

your parents."

"Cool."

 "I hope so, too.  Now you and Dawn take these two over to the table to

complete their projects, alright?"

"Okay, Uncle Mac."  Brian then took little Alex by the hand and led him

over to the work table with Julie and Dawn right behind them.

 Brian then turned to his sister Dawn and said with a wink, "Told you

they'd be back in."

 "Yes," was all Dawn could say.

 A few minutes later Gary Canfield came back in with a look that

registered relief.

Vera then went over to Gary with Karen doing likewise with Mac.

Brian and the others watched his parents, Mac and Karen gather

together as if in conference.  He turned back to resume the pinecar

projects and saw that Dawn, Julie and Alex were focused on the

conference across the room.  Brian knew this and said, "Don't you

worry about them, just go on and complete your projects." He then

reassured them with,  "I can already see that everything is going to

work out just fine."

 And this time Brian did feel reassured.

This concludes Chapter Twelve.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 11)

Brian Canfield watched as Alex Hobbs painted his pinecar body that Mac

Davenport cut for him not too long ago while Julie Benson was already

putting the decals on hers. She had a new VW Beetle shape not unlike

the old model racer Dawn Canfield had though Julie created her own

template. Julie liked the Beetle shape as well as Dawn.

 Brian also noticed it and said to her, "Julie, I have some spare eyes

which you could use as headlights, just a thought."

"Thanks," Julie replied enthusiastically, "That'd be cool."

 Across the table from Brian, Dawn, Julie, and Alex the

twin boys, Toby and D.J. were attempting to apply the wheels to

their cars when Toby nearly jagged himself using a nail axle when

attempting to put it on.

Brian looked over just in time to stop Toby from poking himself

as he tried to insert the axle into the pre-cut slot on the body block.

"Toby", Brian called out as he quickly walked around the table,

"Don't do that. You'll poke yourself. Let me help you with that."

"I can get it!" Toby insisted when his father stepped in.

"Toby," his father said firmly, "Let Brian help you with that. He's

right, you'll hurt yourself."

"Yes, sir,"  Toby said meekly.

Mac was cleaning sawdust from the scroll and band saws and

saw how Brian was quick to react to save the boy Toby from

hurting himself. It confirmed that he made the right choice of

allowing Brian to supervise the car assembly activity.

 It reminded Mac of his pinewood derby days at the church

when he was Brian's age and he, like Brian, was asked to

supervise the pinecar assembly activity.  He was glad to

have kept two of his old pinecars as keepsakes. They

served as an inspiration to the children in the activity

at present.

 After gathering all the sawdust and depositing it in a

receptacle kept next to the work table, he decided to

step outside for some air.
 As Mac opened the door and stepped out into the
parking lot he saw a black and white Dodge Charger
patrol car bearing the Newberry Police Department
markings pull in to the lot. Mac watched it as it pulled
in and slowed toward where he was standing.
 Mac, on seeing the police car, immediately started
to guess as to why it pulled in.
Let me guess, Mac thought uneasily, Their mom got
arrested.
The Dodge pulled up next to Mac and Mac saw that it
was Officer Frank Hunt getting out of the cruiser.
 Mac started with, "Yes Frank?  What can I do for you?"
 Frank answered with, "Would you happen to have two kids
by the name of Julie Benson and Alexander Hobbs here?"
 "We do, Frank," Mac replied,  "Is their mom in trouble?"
 "I'm afraid so, Mac," Frank answered sadly, but before
Frank could go any further Mac held up a hand.
"Frank,"  Mac said, "I'll go in and get them. It might go
easier on them if me or someone else here tells them about this."
 "I quite understand," said Frank and then he asked, "Would any
one here be able to look after them?"
 "I know of one who might be able to," Mac said, "Please stay there
and I'll tell them."
 "Thanks, Mac."
Mac headed toward the door of the fellowship hall, his stomach almost
in a knott over what he had to do.
 Officer Hunt watched Mac head back inside and as he went in Hunt got
back into his cruiser and looked back up at the picture of his eight-year-old
son clinging to the sun visor as his son seemingly smiled down on him. He
wanted to remind himself that he was a father while getting into any
incident that involved children.


 Mac made his way to the table where Julie and Alex were working
on their kits along with the other children. But first he went over to
tell Gary about what had just transpired, talking low enough so no
one else, especially the children, would here.  He didn't want to
alarm them.
"Oh, no," Gary gasped softly, doing his best to keep it low, "I had
a bad feeling about this!"
"I got Officer Hunt outside now,"  Mac said,  "I thought it best that
I came in and went out there with them. It might make it less stressful
for them."
 "I'll go out there with you, Mac," Gary insisted,  "They know me as
well as they do you."
 "Alright. We both go out with them, then."
 Mac then went over to where Julie and Alex were and spoke with them.
Julie and Alex followed Mac and Gary outside.
 Brian watched as Julie and Alex went outside with Mac and his father
and suddenly got the feeling something was up. Dawn also suspected
a similar feeling and turned to Brian and said, "I think something's wrong,
Brian. Dad and Uncle Mac looked kinda serious."
 "I think so, too, Dawn," Brian said, "But Uncle Mac and Dad will handle
it. And besides," he went on, "We're needed here."
Dawn looked toward the door where Mac, her dad and the kids went out
through, worry in her eyes.  Brian, ever the older brother, firmly but gently
clasped his left hand on top of her head and gently turned her stare back
toward the table.
 "It's going to be all right, Sis,"  Brian reassured her and then reminded her,
"Remember how we've always been praying for them?"
"Yes."
"God is in control of this, too.  Just wait, they'll be back in here."
Brian continued to supervise the other kids' activities while silently praying
about the possible but unseen incident involving Julie and Alex.  He was
also hoping he wasn't being foolish in his reassuring his sister that Julie
and Alex would come back inside.  He became uneasy at the feeling
that he may have just made a liar out of himself by giving his younger
sister a false assurance.
 I hope I don't have to repent of what I said, Brian thought uneasily to
himself, fighting the urge to look back at the door just as Dawn had done.


This concludes Chapter Eleven.