Sugar and Spice, page 13
“That’s fine with me.” Cici took her place, noticing that a mother with four children stood waiting.
Cici smiled at her. “Why don’t you find a table for you and your family? We’ll bring your food over.”
“Thank you kindly.” With a smile of relief, the woman guided her children to a corner table.
Cici started filling bowls then turned her head at a tap on her shoulder.
Nancy stood behind her. “I can carry two at a time while you fill the rest.”
“Oh good.” She handed two filled bowls to the girl, then grabbed two more bowls and spooned the chowder into them. Nancy was back by the time they were filled.
“Here, if you’ll take these, I’ll take the last bowl and some bread.”
A tiny girl with wild blond curls grinned at her as she set a bowl in front of her. “You have hair just like mine.”
“Well, so I do.” Cici wrinkled her nose and grinned back at the child.
“My name’s Sally. What’s yours?”
“Cecilia. But my friends call me Cici.”
“Am I your friend?” The little girl’s round blue eyes waited.
“I would like very much for you to be my friend.” Cici held out her hand and Sally grasped it with her tiny one and gave a hearty shake.
“Whew. You have a strong handshake.” Cici shook her hand, pretending to be in pain.
Sally giggled.
A boy across from her snorted. “Aw, that ain’t strong. Here, feel mine.” He stuck his dirty hand across the table.
Cici forced herself not to cringe, took a deep breath, and reached for his hand. “Now don’t hurt me. I’m not too strong.”
“Okay, I’ll try not to.” He gave her a firm shake.
“I think he’s right, Sally. His handshake is stronger than yours or mine.” She rubbed her hands together.
“Yeah, but he’s not as strong as my friend Jimmy.” She frowned at her brother.
“Aw, Jimmy’s a grown-up. And besides, he ain’t just your friend.”
“Is, too.”
“Is not.”
Maybe she’d better try to break this up. She smiled at the mother who was spooning soup into her toddler’s mouth. The mother shook her head and smiled back. “You kids get to eating and stop bothering Miss Cici.”
Cici laughed. “They aren’t bothering me. But I do need to get back to work.” She waved at the children and went back to the food line.
“The children seem to like you, Cici.” Mrs. Baker placed bread on a plate and handed it across to an old man whose trembling hand tried to steady a bowl of soup.
“Here, let me help.” Cici took the bowl and plate and walked beside him to a chair at one of the tables. He seated himself and began to eat, ignoring her. But after all, she wasn’t doing this for thanks.
Warmth flooded over her as she continued serving the nourishing soup. She wasn’t sure what had changed her, but there was no doubt she was changing. She was able to have contact with the people without falling apart. And she was learning to do what she could and leave the rest in God’s hands. Could it be that He had answered her prayer to help her change? It must be.
But what was she to do about Gail? She was supposed to meet her at the café tomorrow. But she didn’t want to meet her. She sighed. She’d have to see her one more time and let her know. That would be the polite thing to do.
❧
The early summer foliage brightened the park with greens, yellows, and pinks, with an occasional blue or red scattered about. Jimmy smiled as Cici stepped around a patch of wildflowers so she wouldn’t crush them. Her face was radiant today and a burst of hope penetrated the doubt that Jimmy had carried around lately. Maybe the work she’d been doing at the soup kitchen had helped her to see ministering to the people in a different light.
“Oh, here’s a good spot, Jimmy.” She turned toward a wrought iron bench that stood beneath a silver maple. “I love to hear the leaves rustle, don’t you?”
Jimmy would have loved to hear a steamroller today as long as Cici was smiling and happy. “Yes, my favorite tree.” He sat beside her and took her hand.
“Now, Jimmy. Don’t do that. Someone will see.” But her hand remained in his and she smiled up at him. She leaned back and sighed. “I’m so glad we had this Sunday afternoon free. I love our families and friends, but this is better.”
Jimmy inhaled sharply. This was good. All right—this was very, very good. “I feel the same way.” Maybe he should wait until another time to tell her. No, that would be cowardly and unfair. She had a right to know. She had a right to decide what she wanted to do. “Cici.” He rubbed his thumb across her ring, praying she wouldn’t fling it at him. “Honey, I’ve made my decision.”
Only a slight tightening of her hand revealed that she’d heard him. She bit her lip. “All right, Jimmy. It’s good that you know what you’re supposed to do. I know the indecision has been difficult for you.”
“And for you as well.” An almost imperceptible nod of her head answered her agreement.
“There’s something I need to tell you, Cici. Something that might help you to understand. I should have told you before.” But how he hated to speak of the subject.
“All right, Jimmy. I’m listening.” She squeezed his hand.
“When I was four years old, my father died at sea. Mother, having no means of support, went to work cooking and cleaning in a boardinghouse. At least I think that’s what it was. A few months later, she died in childbirth.”
At her gasp, he paused for a moment.
“Danni was ten. The next morning, the woman who owned the place turned us out on the street with nothing but our few articles of clothing.”
“Oh, Jimmy, how awful.” Cici eyes filled and she blinked rapidly and squeezed Jimmy’s arm. “But what did you do?”
“We wandered the streets all morning, in the cold October wind, hungry, as we’d had only a bite or two of bread since the day before.” A shiver ran over his skin at the memory. “We walked to the docks and hid behind a large crate to get out of the wind for a while. We didn’t know what to do, because we’d always had our mother to take care of us. Anyway, due to a series of events, we wound up at the home of a man who ran a child crime ring.”
“No. How terrible.” Her voice trembled.
Jimmy squeezed her hand. “Of course, we didn’t know he was a criminal at the time. All we knew was that the house was warm and he gave us hot soup and bread. And a cot to sleep on.”
He ran his hand over his eyes and took a deep breath. “For some reason, he took a liking to us and didn’t send us out to steal the way the other children did. At that time, my leg was lame. That’s probably why he didn’t send me out. And later, we found he had other things in mind for my sister. Thank God, we were rescued before his plans were fulfilled.”
Cici nodded. “I think I understand now why you have a heart for the poor. Especially the children.”
“Yes, that was it in the beginning. But God has shown me His plan, sweetheart. With my compassion for the people and my connection with people of means, there is much I can do to help.” He tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes. “Cici, I intend to enter seminary in September. I’ve already spoken to your father, and he is making arrangements for me to meet with the dean of his old school.”
She nodded. “How will we live?”
Jimmy inhaled sharply. Had she said we? He gazed at her questioningly.
A smile started in the blue depths of her eyes and then tipped her pink lips. “We do have to live, you know.”
He pulled her close and she gave a contented sigh. “I was so afraid of losing you.”
“I was afraid, too, Jimmy. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I had a dread and a terrible fear. And not only that—I wanted excitement.” Suddenly she grew very still. “Jimmy, where is that terrible man?”
“He was sent to prison, but he’s out now. In fact, you saw him that night we were leaving the theater.” He sighed. “And I’m afraid he’s up to no good again. He may even have plans to harm Danni.”
She took a deep breath. “What happened to the children?”
“Some of the older boys were sentenced to jail. The younger ones were placed in a children’s home. “But what’s wrong? You’re so pale.”
She shook her head. “Was Danni the only girl?”
“No, there were two others. Both about my age.”
Her face crumpled. “Jimmy, there’s something I need to tell you. I don’t want to, but you have a right to know. After you hear, you may not want to marry me.” She pulled away, and once more her eyes filled with tears.
Startled, Jimmy tried to draw her close again but she resisted. “Cici, what is it? There’s nothing you could tell me that would change my mind about marrying you.”
“Not now. There’s one more thing I must do. Then I’ll tell you. If you still want to marry me afterwards, I will joyfully become your wife and share your ministry.”
❧
That swine. That monster. Sutton. Cici nearly gagged at the thought of him. And to think she had thought he was a gentleman. Cici shoved through the door at Tony’s Place. After the bright sunlight, it was dark and almost frightening. Strange, she’d never noticed that before. She stood inside the door for a moment, letting her eyes adjust.
Gail, at her usual table, waved when she saw Cici walking toward her.
Cici seated herself across from Gail and looked at her silently. Her heart thumped so hard her chest hurt.
A startled look crossed Gail’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“You tell me, Gail. What is wrong?” She clenched her fist and narrowed her eyes at the girl she’d thought was her friend.
Gail gave a nervous laugh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Tell me again how you know Sutton. A friend of your family, you say?”
“That’s right.” A guarded shadow filled her eyes.
“Your family being. . . ?”
“What?”
“Tell me about your family, Gail. And tell me exactly what part Sutton plays in it.”
“Cici, listen—”
“No, you listen. I know all about your little family of criminals. Sutton being the father criminal of them all.”
Gail’s eyes darted around the café. “Keep your voice down. All right. I don’t know how you found out, but yeah, it’s true. I was part of his gang from the time I was six. I would have starved to death otherwise. But I couldn’t expect you to understand that. You with your oh-so-prissy upbringing. And look at you now. I didn’t know any better and couldn’t do any better. But you’ve turned your back on a family who loves you. Why do you think you’re any better than me?”
“That’s right. I did turn my back on everything I knew to be right. But as for your not knowing any better, what about now, Gail? You pretended to be my friend to set me up for Sutton. And what was that all about, I’d like to know?”
Gail’s face had tightened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I want to talk to him.” She would find out what he was plotting against Danni and Jimmy. Whatever it was, she’d find out and tell Jimmy so he could stop him.
“But why? I don’t understand what has you so riled up. Sutton’s not breaking the law anymore.”
“Just tell me how to get in touch with him.”
“He’s out of town.”
“Send him a message.”
“I don’t know where he is, Cici. Honest.” A light appeared in her eye. “But I know where he’ll be on Saturday morning.”
“All right, tell me.”
“I’m supposed to meet him on board the Eastland around seven Saturday morning.” A look of cunning crossed her face. “In fact, he asked me to bring you, too. Some big shot invited him to this big company picnic. They’re going to Michigan City, Indiana. There’s supposed to be a talent scout on board.”
“I don’t care anything about a talent scout. But I am going to talk to Sutton one way or the other. Where should I meet you?”
“On board, I guess.”
“So you can talk to Sutton before I get there? No, I’ll meet you first.”
“All right. Meet me on the dock.” She smiled. “I won’t tell him anything, Cici. I promise.”
Without saying good-bye, Cici jumped up and left. Gail was up to something. But what could happen on a ship with a crowd of people around?
Eighteen
Jimmy tapped on the chapel door and waited, the hot July sun boring into the top of his head. Slow footsteps approached the door. That didn’t sound like Paul’s quick step.
The door swung open. The pastor’s wife, Anne, faced him, her eyes weary. “Mr. Grayson, please come in.”
“I don’t wish to intrude. Would it be possible for me to see the pastor?” Something didn’t feel right. She wasn’t her usual friendly self.
“My husband has been ill. He’s still not well. But I’m sure he will see you. If you’ll be seated, I’ll go ask.”
“Perhaps I should come back when he’s fully recovered. I don’t want to intrude if he’s not feeling well.”
“No, no. He is feeling some better today and will probably be happy to have someone besides me to talk to.” She smiled weakly and turned to go.
A twinge of worry bit at Jimmy. If Paul was better, why was his usually cheerful wife so downcast?
In a moment, she was back. “He’s eager to see you, Mr. Grayson. Please come on up.”
Jimmy followed her up the narrow stairs to the small but clean and cozy apartment.
She led him down a short hallway and held a door, motioning him in, then turned and left.
Paul sat beside an open window, his Bible on his lap. “Jimmy, I’m so glad to see you. Please come in and visit awhile.”
Jimmy shook the pastor’s hand and sat in a small overstuffed chair facing him. “I’m sorry to hear you’ve been ill.” Jimmy peered at Paul’s face.
The pastor’s normally tanned skin had faded to a sickly yellow. “But I’m better now.” He smiled. “I’m glad you came over, Jimmy. I wasn’t sure I’d get to see you again before we leave.”
“You’re going away?” He hoped not for long. Jimmy had come to depend on the man’s friendship.
“I’m afraid so.” He took a sip from a glass of water on the table. “You see, I seem to have some sort of lung condition. Nothing fatal or contagious, but it appears to sap my strength. The doctor insists that we take an extended vacation in a dry area.” He sighed.
“For how long?” Surely he’d be back.
Paul shrugged. “He doesn’t seem to think I should return to this area. I’ve informed my headquarters that I’ll be requesting a church in a drier climate when I’m able to perform my duties.”
“I’m so sorry, Paul. I’ll miss you.”
“We’ll keep in touch. After all, there’s always the post.” He smiled. “Now, what’s on your mind, my friend? You must have had a reason for coming out in this heat.”
Jimmy shook his head. “I wanted you to know I’ve decided to enroll in seminary in the fall. Rev. Willow put me in contact with his old administrator there.”
“That is wonderful news. Jimmy, I’m so happy to hear that. And especially glad you’ll be attending the school I graduated from. I’ve been praying for guidance for you since you told me what was in your heart.”
“Yes. If I can be half the spiritual leader you are, I’ll be content.”
“Jimmy, have you ever thought of pastoring a church?”
“The thought has crossed my mind. But of course, you are the—” He stopped and realization dawned as Paul grinned. “Oh no, I could never take your place.”
“Then don’t try. Take your own place. I’m sure with recommendations from Rev. Willow and myself, you could fill the position here.”
“But I haven’t even been to seminary yet.”
Paul laughed. “You wouldn’t be licensed at first, of course. And you would be closely monitored. But you could hold Sunday services for the members of my little church while doing what you do best—charitable work with the people.”
Could it be possible? Was this God’s plan all along?
“Perhaps the Lord has raised you up for just this time, Jimmy. It’s hard to get a pastor willing to take over a ministry such as this. The thought of leaving these dear folks with no one to lead them nearly broke my heart. If I knew you were here, it would be a great weight off my mind.” He smiled. “Of course, you realize there’s not much monetary compensation. A small stipend. And you probably wouldn’t get that at first.”
“That wouldn’t matter. I can work on the docks part-time.”
Paul nodded then sighed. “If you marry, it won’t be easy. A wife has to have the same calling in order for it to work.”
Jimmy jumped up, laughing. “I haven’t told you, but I’m engaged to be married. To the sweetest girl—Cecilia Willow.”
“That is exciting news. Congratulations. Would Miss Willow, by any chance, be Rev. Willow’s daughter?” He rubbed his hands together, grinning. “That’s just like God, isn’t it? He’s brought you the perfect mate.”
❧
Jimmy headed toward the cargo ship where he was working today and reflected on Paul’s remark. The perfect mate. It was true. His heart said so. He hadn’t seen Cici since her strange declaration. She had asked him not to press her just now, promising to tell him everything on Saturday.
He sighed. Two more days. Well, she was worth waiting for, and whatever this mysterious upset in their relationship was, he was determined it could and would be overcome. Now that he knew in his heart that Cici loved him and loved the ministry he was called to, nothing would tear them apart.
“Jimmy.” He turned and saw Patrick and several other boys trailing down the street carrying what looked to be wet cats.
“Hey, what are you boys up to?” Satisfaction swept over him. Most of the children looked better these days. Still dirty and ragged, but their cheeks had color and their ribs weren’t showing. Between the soup kitchen and the food boxes, they’d lost the defiant, angry look a lot of them had carried. It was hard to be happy when you were hungry. Now if they could get enough spiritual food, everything would be fine.
