The whole day has been such an ordeal that I fall asleep on my sofa with my shoes and coat still on. I begin to dream as I often do when I have alot on my mind.
 Someone is talking to me but I can't hear what they're  saying. I only see that Mavice is standing behind the person smiling. I run up to her and hug her and tell her I miss her , just as I'm about to tell her about what has happened, she starts to cry. I don't understand. I try to console her but its no use. She waves her hand for me to look to the right. I see women and children playing in a field. One of the boys has a baseball bat hitting at a tree. Whack Whack Whack. Knock,knock,knock...Knock Knock! I open my eyes someone is knocking on the front door. I sit up realizing it's morning but still pretty early. Sitting up I see Mark waving and calling my name in the door way. "Hang on." I get up, and OUCH, that darn ankle is so sore.  Groggily I drag myself to the door. I turn the bolt and it unlocks. Mark comes in. "Good morning , gosh , did I wake you up? or are you going somewhere?" I look down at my coat and feeling ridiculous say,"Oh no...no, I crashed on the couch as soon as I got home last night. I just woke up." Mark looks embarrassed. " "I 'm sorry, I'll come back later." he turns to the door. "That's alright, what's up?"  I see he has a paper bag and a cup in his hand. "Well, I just got you a coffee and one of those almond things you like from The Daily Grind."  I am surprised and touched. "Thank you, that was so nice of you." he hands me the bag . "It's still warm."I say holding the brown paper. He looks rather pleased with himself and tells me ,"I waited in line to get a fresh one from the first batch this morning. that's why I'm so early." I smile and sip the coffee. "Ahh..splendid." He smiles. "I wasn't exactly sure how you like yours so..." "This is great, do you want to sit down?" "Sure." I begin to wake up and recall the difficult experience of the day before.  The Bronx comes up to my guest and sniffs his hand. "I almost forgot." and hands my dog  half of a cookie.  "Meet your new best friend." I say pointing to Bronx. Mark laughs. " So," he begins, "I've been thinking about yesterday."  I got a text from Pastor Daily this morning saying that Lydia's husband was taken into custody late last night. "Really?" "Yep, caught him heading over the state line." "Wow, what about the stuff?" "Oh he still had it in his possession."  I shake my head, "I am still in shock I guess. Poor Lydia, what's going to happen with her." "I don't know but from the way Pastor Daily talked , I think she'd been carrying the financial load for a while." I nod in agreement. "She just looked so broken yesterday...I guess I've lived a pretty sheltered life and I feel terrible about not knowing what was going on ." " I know what you mean, but if someone keeps something a secret...there's not much you can do about that, Pastor Daily did know about Frank's drinking problem though ,,. I guess She had told only  him. Any way how did it go at Dr. Lee's yesterday?"  I brush a few crumbs off my lap. After the police had asked Lydia a million questions Mrs. Daily and I suggested that she see a Doctor just to be safe. "It was so sad, " I add looking up,"She wore a pair of sunglasses and a long sleeve shirt so people wouldn't see. But of course they were suspicious.  She felt utterly humiliated. But she is a strong woman.  Dr Lee is wonderful, She said to just do the typical ice and stuff for the black eye. I was relieved and thankful that Mrs. Daily asked, more like begged her to stay with them last night. At first she didn't want to, but then she gave in.  "I hope she's going to be alright, I think I'll call her in a while.

This Part

   I kneel on the floor and put my hand on Lydia's shoulder. She assures me again she's fine. As I look into her eyes she begins to cry. Hugging her I ask her again , what happened. With tears running down her bruised cheek she tells me plainly. "Frank, did it. He robbed the church, I wasn't sure if he would really do it but he did, didn't he?" I nod sadly " Well someone did." "She wipes her face with her wrist revealing that it too is bruised. Lydia , the robbery isn't as serious as the state you're in. He beat you like this?" She nods"...Why?"
  She begins to cry even more, I start to tear up too, I can  feel that her spirit is just broken ,crushed." He's always had a drinking problem, and I've always been kind of ashamed...never wanted anybody to know. He's been really down lately, he lost his job six months back and he's just been in a real bad way. Nothing I say helps, I tried to get him to go to counseling but....Last night he got really depressed. He said he was leaving. He's said that before. I didn't want him to go but he wouldn't listen.This morning he came home drunk, he was so drunk he wasn't in his right mind at all, told me he was going to rob the church. At first I didn't believe him, But then he got angry. I didn't know what he would do. I didn't want to, but I was so scared, I  called the police. When he found out he.. smashed my phone and... I guess you saw the place.... he's never been that bad." She looks down, her dark eyes swollen from crying and the blow to her face. " "You mean he's done this before...?" I don't want to press her but I feel it's important. "Not this bad but yes."  I just can't believe it, I feel so ashamed of myself that I never knew, that I live such a pleasant ignorant life.To brush shoulders with someone every week and not see what was really happening. "I am so sorry Lydia, do you know where he might be now?" Suddenly there's a loud knock on the front door. Lydia looks at me like a scared little girl. I  find I too am afraid, wondering if it might be Frank. Then I remember Mark and the Captain. " Everything is going to be o.k, I think it's the police,  I'll be right back."She begins to cry silently. I smile weakly. I can't believe the cruelty...it's horrible.  As I stand to go to the door a sharp pain shoots through my ankle. "Ouch...I scraped that pretty good."

The Detective Part

I go out to my car which is parked in the alley. I feel adventurous yet nervous. Maybe I should bring the Bronx, he does a good guard dog bluff. I check my purse for my cell phone , buckle up and pull onto the street in the direction of Lydia's house. I feel confident until I pull onto her road. Maybe this is crazy, I mean, we could be totally wrong.Turning into the neighborhood, I try and remember which house is hers, most of the homes are small ranchers built during the seventies so they all kind of look the same. I do remember though that Lydia's house had a peculiar olive green trim on brick.'There it is" I say to myself. I see that there is no car in her driveway. But Before I go in I decide to call her one more time. Slowly I dial her number. Still no answer. I gather up my courage and park the car. Keeping my cellphone in my hand I head to the door and ring the bell. One of those awful little ringing dinging noises starts up. I take a deep breath and try again. Still no answer. I look around and since its the middle of the day it seems most people are at work. No one is around so I begin too peek in the windows. Its hard to see through the curtains but I notice there is a light on toward the back of the house. I head around the corner peeking in every window I can reach. I look over my shoulder to see if anyone is watching. I still can't see anyone inside, I notice a cat on the sofa and a purse on the floor. This seems to be a sign that Lydia is home.Then I notice there's one more little window that is too high for me to see in, however there's a cinder block laying nearby and I decide to use it as a step. I push through the bushes and try not to make to much noise as I carefully climb atop my wobbly perch. Its actually a bathroom window, I nearly squeal when I spot Lydia, crumpled on the floor with her hands on her head. I proceed to tap the window and feel the awful sensation that I am loosing my balance. My left foot scrapes down the concrete and I splash into a boxwood.I wrestle my way out of the infernal shrubbery and go around to the back door and find it to be unlocked. My adrenalin is pumping and I hope I'm not mistaken and that she doesn't just have the flu or something.However everything seem to point to trouble. "Lydia, Lydia, its Jenna, are you o.k,can I come in? Hello?"I call out as I walk through the door. Then I hear a voice. I try to make my way to the bathroom. The house is a mess,there's a lamp knocked over and I'm stepping in glass on the kitchen floor, I notice too that a cell phone lies smashed on the table. Then I hear Lydia, "Jenna , I'm in here, I'm alright,its o.k." I turn the corner and my eyes widen to see Lydia sitting up in the bathroom floor with a black eye and a bloody lip. I gasp " Oh my gosh, Lydia you are not o.k, what happened!?"

Intrigue...SUSPENSE! MURDER just kidding :)

The head officer calls Mark back over to the church. I follow along to hear what he has to say. The tall man has a military cut and looks very much like you would expect him to. He introduces himself as Captain Milford. "Your Minister is on his way right?" He asks " Yes Sir, he should be here any minute." Mark says nodding. "O.k, I'm just going to need to ask him some more questions for my report. However I want to ask you too, someone across the street said they saw a small blue pick up truck parked at the back of the church earlier this morning, Do either of you know who might drive that vehicle, if they attend church here or a reason they would have been here?" Mark and I look at each other. I wonder if I should say what i'm thinking, this is like something from a movie.Mark beats me to it, " Our cleaning lady drives a little blue pick -up, but she comes on Saturday." He writes that down and asks for her name. Gee, I hope we didn't just incriminate Lydia...this is weird especially since she wont answer her phone."Uh, her name is Lydia Bradshaw." Mark says looking worried.My mind is whirling. Just then we see Pastor Daily pulling into the parking lot. He walks briskly over. Seeming to be in shock he shakes the captains hand. He reintroduces himself as Captain Milford, and then the questioning. Mark and I decide that we should go. He and I begin to walk to the book shop. As we pass by The Daily Grind we see Mrs. Daily through the window putting on her coat. She rushes out the door hardly noticing us, making her way to the church. Mark and I make a pot of coffee when we get back to the store. We just sit there for a minute and then I break the silence. "Why do you suppose lydia's car was at the church today? I have been trying to call her all morning and she wouldn't answer. You know she missed our meeting this morning, that's never happened." I'm getting ahead of myself so I slow down. Mark shakes his head solemnly."How well do you know her?" he asks after refilling his mug. "I think back to the first time I met her, I was working on some of the flower beds at church and she was coming in to clean. She seemed real friendly and we talked a bit after introducing ourselves. After she got the cleaning job she came to church every Sunday alone, I wouldn't have even known she was married if it weren't for her ring. " Well," I begin after summing up my thoughts," It's been three years or so , and I think I know her pretty well, she's been coming to the book club meetings and she always comes to church... I mean what are we even suggesting here?" I say finally getting frustrated at myself for even considering that Lydia was a possible culprit in the crime."We are not saying she did it. I just think we should look at this thing from all angles." Mark says calmly in response to my tenseness. I apologize. "Sorry for getting worked up." Mark reaches down and scrubs Bronxe's ears. " Have you ever met Lydia's husband?" he asks still looking down at his canine friend. "I think a couple of months back I saw him but he just dropped Lydia off at the store. I've never spoken to him." " Do you think he's a descent guy or...and what's this about someone calling and telling Pastor Daily that the church was going to be broken into? how weird is that?" Mark reminded me, until this moment I had forgotten that. "This is starting to make some sense actually..." I say to Mark. His eyebrows raised " How so?" " You asked me if Lydia's husband was a descent guy, I have always gotten the idea that they were not or rather are not happy. Now she never came out and said that but that was the impression I got.So is he a descent guy? I am beginning to think not." "And you said Lydia didn't answer any of your calls?" "Nope" I think we had better go tell Captain Milford about this." I say"Good idea, but I have an idea too. You go tell the Captain and I am going to go see Lydia." Mark looks worried" Are you sure that's a good idea I mean what if he did do it, what if he's dangerous?" Here's what I'll do. I'll drive by , if the truck is there I'll leave, if its not I'll see if Lydia will talk to me." a bit concerned Mark says "I don't know about this." "Trust me."

The Next Lot

Several cars slow as they pass the church but speed up almost immediately.One of the cars flies past me and soaks my ankles. I see Mr. Clives is talking with Mark and an officer. I clutch the handle of my umbrella as Mark excuses himself and heads towards me. My heart is beating faster now. "Hey Jenna." "Hey, what's going on?" I ask trying to seem calm and collected. " Somebody broke into the church." "Oh my gosh, you're kidding!" "Nope, seems like whoever did it only "broke" into the Pastor's office. They apparently had a key for the main door." "But why? I mean what did they take?" " Well, I cant exactly be sure of everything until Pastor Daily gets here." ' So he's on his way?" "Yeah, he knows what's going on." " I think his new guitar is gone, the rear sound board is definitely gone and a pair of speakers too." "Oh man." I'm in disbelief of the facts just laid before me. Who on earth would do this in Canter Falls? "The weird thing to me though is that they had a key for the front door." "Well, I mean that's as long as no one left the door unlocked." " That's true." " So how did you find out about this?" " Pastor Daily called me and asked me to come over. Seems he got a text from a number he didn't recognize saying that the church was going to be broken into to." I just keep feeling more and more stumped and shocked. " So by the time Pastor daily called the police it was too late?" "Yep." "I just can't believe this." I repeat to myself.

I'm getting really concerned because we never see this kind of action in town. What could have happened?? Susan B., deciding that we need some positive thinking exclaims with deep concern, " Perhaps Pastor Daily has been...murdered! I read about these things all the time. It happens. Pastor preaches a sermon, some nut doesn't like it and bang..." "Good heavens." says Mr. Clives obviously perturbed.I hear Martin beside me say under his breath, " We can only be glad she reads and doesn't write...can you imagine."he chuckles to himself. Mrs. Batinkoff has a terrible look on her face. " I happen to know," began Mr. Clives."That Pastor Daily is away for the afternoon at a meeting in Charlottesville." Mrs. Batkinkoff smiles at him looking relieved. Is that a glimmer in his eye? Oh brother, a moment of romantic reprieve in the midst of a police raid! Our meeting is definitely unable to resume so I dismiss us. Everyone heads back out into the rain. However, I see Mr. Clives is going down the street towards the church. He looks like a type of Lt. Columbo from the back. I decide to follow him but first call Lydia. She cleans the Church so maybe she knows what's going on. Plus I'm a little surprised she didn't make it to our meeting. She's told me before its the highlight of her week. I dial her number, but get no answer. I send her a text but get no reply. One more time... still no answer. Now I'm worried about her. I've gotten the vibe that she isn't very happy at home. I hope she's o.k. Looking out the window my curiosity gets the better of me and I decide to set out for the church. Clad in my raincoat and holding a red umbrella I trek through the pouring rain and puddles to the old brick building.

I wait a while for my last book club member , Lydia. She's really late by now so I proceed figuring the weather may have deterred her.The book club is going smoothly as the rain continues to pour down and the wind begins to pick up even more. I notice that Martin is distracted looking out the window every now and again. "Is something wrong?" I finally ask. Still looking out the window he answers me,"There's a bunch of police cars heading towards the church." Now we're all curious and head to the windows to look out. Sure enough there in front of the church are three police cars. In my mind I begin to think of a million possible reasons for this scene. In this crazy October monsoon we can barely see, but can make out officers in rain coats scampering into the church. Now our whole group is discussing not the last chapter of our book , but rather, what on earth is going on in sleepy Canter Falls?

I decide to put on some music ,the heartbeat of my day. The first to show up for book club is Mr. Clives. This bugs me a little because he's traveled the world and I'm sure nothing I know would interest him.He makes quite the spectacle on the front stoop drenched wearing a Lt. Columbo coat and a fedora befitting Frank Sinatra. I can imagine Mr. Clives at one of those old celebrity roasts with Dean Martin. Trying not laugh I feel as though he might say, "Clives, Inspector Clives, where's the body?" If he were a man of humor, which he is not, I would open the door and say "Mrs White , in the Library with the candlestick..." But instead I find myself saying,"Good morning Mr. Clives, how are you?" He looks at me smugly "Oh fine Miss Richards, this weather is much like that of the weather in Europe where I spent many years." Yes, how could I have forgotten, a pox upon me for being the commoner I am. Never having been out of the country, my company is far less suitable for Mr. Clives than that of Mrs. Batinkoff. The lovely Russian woman immigrated many years ago and is in the words of "Inspector Clives" "most agreeable and charming". I'm convinced he only comes to these primitive little gatherings because of her. He comes in and hands me his coat, "May I take your ...hat ( trying really hard not to giggle). "Thank you." he says heading into the sitting area. As I hang up his detective gear I notice Jackie making a run for it across the street where she parked her brand new minivan. Baby number one and her and her husband already got a minivan...soo cute. The baby carrier is covered with a blanket so little one month old Liam doesn't get wet. The wind must be getting stronger because the Elvis umbrella Jackie has in her free hand seems to keep going up. What a sweet mom. "Hi Jackie let me help you there", I say taking the umbrella and her raincoat. "Thanks, gee what crazy weather huh,maybe I should have put a life jacket on him..." She gestures to the baby and we both laugh.I hang up the wet baby blanket and begin to oooh and ahhh. Let me have a look at the wee Lad" I say with a scottish accent picking up the baby. Jackie's husband Mac is from Scotland and we joke about the way he says certain things. I spent lots of time with Jackie before Liam was born.She is like the sister I never had and since Mac travels a lot for business I kept her company while he was away. We watched Anne of Green Gables three times and Little Women more than that. I also taught her how to knit and make biscuits... Good times. As Jackie and Liam join Mr. Clives I hear laughter outside. Mrs. Batinkoff and Martin are making there way sharing an umbrella. Once again I open the door and welcome my guests,"Come on in out of that rain." "With Pleasure." says the prim old lady as she takes my hand in a squeeze/handshake. Sweet yet formal. She turns to Martin," Tankyou for sharingk your umbrella."

,"Your welcome Evi." Hmph...Evi, I never have known her first name. Apparently Martin is quite the charmer, she squeezes his hand too.

The Part You're Reading

After two years of hosting the book club the same folks still come. There is quite a variety among our group. Mrs.Batinkoff to start, is a seventy year old oil painter who immigrated from Russia in the seventies. Jackie is a modern day nineteen fifties house wife. She always has her nails painted red and brings her new born baby boy, Leo,to our meetings. There's Lydia the cleaning lady from church... Mr. Clives, who I think only comes because of the recently widowed Mrs. Batinkoff.No matter what she says he agrees. Martin , a newcomer joined us in the spring. He graduated from art school and came here, like me, to open a shop. He runs a pottery gallery where he sells and displays his creations. And last but not least there is Susan-b. Her name is actually Susan-b., I still haven't figured that one out. She's a crazy lady, She reads all the time, her husband too. They run an alpaca farm several miles outside of town. Once I went to their house to pickup some alpaca wool yarn I ordered from them. Susan's husband with an equally odd name, "D.T" opened the door and told me to "Come right in." My initial thought was "how?" There were books stacked everywhere,baskets of wool and a giant spinning wheel and loom right in the middle of the living room. Six tiny dogs of various breeds and obnoxious barks nipped at my ankles and tore about the house following us at break neck speed. They ran about with their toenails clickedy clacking the wood floor. As a result of this pandemonium all the throw rugs were flung to the right or left. But was D.T deterred, oh no. He led me down a hallway that smelled like incense to a room painted pumpkin orange with beads hanging over the door. "Sue, the book girl is here." he looked at me and winked oddly. There was Susan b. in a hammock suspended from the rooms corners. She was of course reading and wearing some sort of kimono. On the way out I noticed that one of the alpacas was wearing a string of beads around his neck. My next thought was "far out". Before I know it my work out video is over. I realize that the Bronx has yet to be walked. I look out the window and see that it's still pouring. There's only one thing to do. I find my self standing by the back door with a treat in my hand acting like one of those people who possess a bumper sticker that reads "I love my grand dog." My human-like dog is staring at me. I'm waving the treat, "Come on big boy go potty , go..outside...come on handsome." I wave the treat closer for effect.He's drooling and following the treat with his eyes. I think Iv'e got him and gleefully toss the treat into the tiny back lot. He looks out,looks up and goes back to his doggy bed. I roll my eyes. Closing the door I hear thunder rumble in the distance.

The Coffee Part

My eyes are squinting open. I hear music...the Chi-lites are signing "Oh Girl". I groggily wonder if they are in my room or on the radio. I remember now. I set my alarm clock for radio instead of that sweet buzzing option. I always find I feel harassed every morning by that thing. But the Chi-lites...aaahh. I could just lay here all day and go back to sleep. Downstairs I hear the "ding" of my coffee pot. "Time to make the donuts". I say to Bronx who is obviously dreaming about a giant possum. His eyebrows are twitching and he keeps licking his chops. "It's time to get up," I tell myself. I see it's raining. All of those cutesy Folgers commercials are coming to mind, I imagine a tall handsome man bringing me breakfast in bed... You know the bit with the fresh squeezed orange juice and the scones he just "whipped up". Haha.. not a chance. "Bronx, Bronx...fetch the coffee my love." He looks unmoved,"Bronx?" Yup, I'm on my own this morning. I throw off my covers and find its quite chilly in my room. I cant seem to find my robe so I put on my big woolly sweater.(by the way woolly looks ridiculous with two l's doesn't it.) The house is pretty dark so I turn on all the lamps as I fumble down the stairs. Finally the kitchen and the coffee. "Come to Mama you dark Kona King you." I say of the specialty blend I bought from The Daily Grind. When you live alone you tend to talk to yourself a bit, it doesn't worry me... maybe it should,haha. I fix my coffee,heavy whipping cream and just a bit of sugar, its my daily calorie splurge. Perching atop one of my ladder back chairs I begin to wonder about Dad. It breaks my heart that we feel so differently about the most important things in life. Dad just feels like Jesus is all inclusive, meaning anyone who donates blood or volunteers at the SPCA is His follower. I beg to differ. Believe me I believe Jesus is love because He tells us so Himself, people however aren't. Daddy naively believes man is basically good and that deep down inside we have an inner goodness and light. We have had this conversation many times, " I always say "Daddy, the only good in people is the good that Jesus brings." I have shown him in the Bible where it says that apart from God we have no good thing but He doesn't take those bits literally so... Back upstairs I change into my gym clothes. On these rainy days I walk inside with one of those perky dvd physical fitness people. As I march up and down the sitting area the mail man waves at me through the big front window. He winks as he tosses my mail in the slot on the front door. His umbrella is streaming with rain. Embarrassed I smile. My body is on auto pilot. I'm kicking right and left but thinking about what to discuss during my book club meeting in two hours. I wonder if anyone will come out in this weather.

The More Exciting Part

All night I lie half awake thinking about what Mark said. I also cant help thinking and praying about Tonie and her corageous descion. The mentoring for the young girls would be a great oppurtunity to share what God has done in my life... In a way I've already been mentoring... I know what Mavice would say, "Go for it." My window is cracked to let in some of the cool night air. It is a little chilly but I like it when I'm in my flannel p.j's. My thoughts are tumbling around and I cant sleep when suddenly I hear a clank outside. My ears perk I cant say as much for Bronx who is snoring already. I figure it was nothing and concentrate on sleep. "Clank!" There it is again. I decide I'de better check things out. I sit up and dig around in the night stand drawer for a flashlight. EEEwww something sticky has found my fingers. I cant very well see what it is. Blast! There it is. I switch on the battey operated light . Oh good grief its a cough drop half dissolved. The red dye is all on my hand. I stumble to the window and look out into the street. I figure I better not turn on my lamp lest it be a burgular. At least thats how they always do it in Perry Mason and Poirot. Across the street I can make out a figure, a very large figure. Im squinting to see better but to no avail, by this time of night in our little town everyone is asleep and the lights are all out. "Clank!" It sounds like something is hitting the concrete in front of Mrs. Crandly's shop. Whatever it is its making alot of rackett. Surely I'm not the only one hearing this. The clouds roll along and the moon is shining a little bit brighter, if I did'nt know better I'd say it was a a... Suddenly the shop ;light flashes on. "Great Scott! its a big old black bear eating Hammy's catfood in his metal bowl. The look on Mr. and Mrs. Crandlys faces from behind the shop door are priceless. The bear dashes into the shadows spooked and robbed of a free meal. Mrs. Crandly I can see is wearing some kind of Scottish tartan nightgown frm her ears to her ankles, and ... oh dear how unfortunate, Mr. Crandly is wearing much less. Obviously the Crandly's have never had a bear visit before. And judging by the baseball bat in his hand, Mr. Crandly wasn't at all sure what to exspect. How amazing though I've never seen a bear that close to home!

The Part I Just Wrote

His green eyes look into mine, and he says. " We really need somebody to mentor the girls in our Bible study." I'm sure my eyebrows lifted and my breathing had returned to normal. He had me a little freaked out for a minute there." They could really use some one on one discipleship.It's just something for you to think about and pray about." He looks out the window to see a group of girls laughing and flirting with some guys. Cassie being among them. I notice that he looks a little more concerned than before. "I just think they need some help maturing in the faith. Another thing too, some of the girls think church is like a club and you get in get a pass and then you're set. I wish you could help them see that there's so much more to life with Jesus than that." " I understand exactly what you mean , I'm really glad you and Pastor Daily are thinking about this. But, what about the guys? Not to put the fellas down but a lot of them are pretty immature to." "You're absolutely right and yes I will working with the guys specifically." " That's great Mark, well listen I'll let you know o.k?" I say as we walk back to the front of the shop. Suddenly the door flies open, and Cassie still smiling from her conversation outside comes sweeping in. "Hi Mark." she waves sweetly. Interesting. "Hey Jenna I wanted to tell you... that the blonde out there, the one with the brown t-shirt," she says pointing out the window where several guys and girls are still talking." That's Brice, Tonie's ex-boyfriend." " You mean he broke it off totally?" I know I sound surprised because I am. "No, Tonie did." Mark sensing that he was no longer useful in this setting decided to take his leave. " Well, I 'll leave you all to your ...chitchat. Bye. Thanks Jenna." the bell finalizes his departure. "Oh,Your welcome!" I yell through the door. "Tonie called it off?." I repeat to myself. " Do you know why?" I ask. " Well, I think Mark didn't care enough to change anything. That's what she told me anyway." Cassie shruggs. "How's she handling it?" " I've actually been surprised at how well she's taking it. But anyway as you can see."gesturing to Brice who is outside laughing and talking with some other girls," He is obviously not bothered at all. It's pathetic."Cassie says looking disgusted."I shake my head "Gee... well I'm proud of Tonie anyway. I really thought Brice would come around." " Yeah, but anyway I've been trying to keep her busy. I wanted to know if you'de like to go to a movie and have dinner with us Friday night?" " I'de love to, what movie are you thinking about?" " Well, I thought we could just go to The Falls Cinema and see one of their "black and white" dollar specials. Is that o.k?" " I love those movies, that would be great." Cassie turns to go and says "Isn't Mark adorable?"I laugh and quote Jane Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, " He is everything a young man ought to be." She laughs and says "You and those Public T.V Station Movies." "Ha ha,Bye Cassie."

The Part You Were Waiting For

As the day wears on I begin to wonder about Dad and if the Lord will ever move in his life. I decide to pray about it and tell the Lord that I trust Him but I'm feeling impatient. Mavice would say " Just keep castin' your biscuits on the creek." Which was her version of Ecclesiastes 11:1 that says "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." She used to say that when she was praying about something that seemed hopeless. For instance her youngest son, Dave, who turned from everything his parents had taught him. He rebelled and pursued a life filled with everything they opposed. She told me the whole story as it unfolded. I remember it so clearly. She was crushed but not without hope. She told me she wouldn't give up praying for Dave no matter what. That was the first time I heard her biscuits in the creek theory. Mavice meant that she believed that if she continuously lifted her son up to the Lord in prayer that one day she would reap the results of faithful intercession. Miraculously enough two years later her son got in with the right crowd you might say. He was challenged by peers instead of his parents and it really shook him. He started going to bible groups, then church and he eventually accepted Christ as his Savior. How I remember the day that Mavice and Bernard got a surprise visit from Dave. ( At this point the "Unshackled organ" begins to play..JUST KIDDING!) I was at their house for dinner as I often was and in walked Dave with a beautiful young woman. He introduced us to "Lark" his girlfriend. And then...he told his Mom and Dad all that had happened to him while he was away. We laughed and cried and rejoiced together when he shared that he had come to faith in the Lord. We rejoiced again when he shared that Lark was one of his reasons for going to church and that they were actually engaged! Everyone was hugging and teary. It was one of my most amazing experiences. To this day Dave and Lark are happily married and now have two children. Dave actually leads the children's ministry at our Church. The little bell rings over the shop door and I look up. It's Mark. "Hi Jenna, sorry I didn't make it over here yesterday. I had some stuff come up." he's smiling and looking like he wants to ask a question. "That's o.k, Was there something in particular you were looking for?" "Uhmm... yeah, I need a music book." "Alright, what's the name?" I ask walking to the computer. "It's "The Guitar Chord Bible"." "O.k" I begin to type in the search bar. " Are you learning a new song for for Thursday nights?" "No I'm actually teaching some music lessons." "Oh, cool" "Here it is, I actually have this in the shop,let me grab it for you." He follows me back to the rows of shelves. As I scan the titles he stands a little closer.Then seriously he says "Actually,Jenna, I've been talking to Pastor Daily and there's something else I'd like to ask you about."

The Latter Part

I wake up on the couch. Bronx is beside me sprawled out taking up much of the space. Some weird British show I've never seen before is on t.v. I look around to find what time it is. Two o'clock,I fell asleep before I got to see dear Edward propose(my favorite part). I cant believe it! No wonder I've never seen this show. Who is watching t.v this late anyway! Oh well, I'm too tired to climb the stairs so I grab a blanket and use my dog as a pillow. "Goodnight" I tell him. He blinks in his sleep. I'm dreaming. Edward Ferris is walking towards me with a plate of lasagna. "I'll be back later." He says. Then he runs off. Odd.I'm now in a car I slam the brakes. Somebody has been hit, not by me though, somehow I know that. Mary Ann is standing beside the road crying . I cant see anything. Mark is one of the EMS guys. He puts his arm around my shoulder and says in a British accent. "Sorry I couldn't make it." I wake up with my heart racing. What on earth was that all about. Dreams are so vivid when you first wake up and I feel like I'm still in it. How weird. Obviously falling asleep while watching t.v has a strange affect on one's dreams.It's six o'clock in the morning so I get up and take a shower to clear my head. I remember as I throw a load of laundry in the wash that Mark never came to the shop yesterday like he said he would. That must be why I was thinking about him in my sleep. Later on... Nine thirty, Tuesday morning and a beautiful day again. " Thank you Lord." I say looking out my store window. I see Cassie walking down the sidewalk with a guitar over her shoulder. I didn't know she played guitar, I think to myself. She looks over at me and I wave. She waves back. I wonder at why she didn't tell me she played guitar. No matter. I remark at how pretty Cassie is . She has long blond hair big green eyes and the lightest spray of freckles. I turn around to get started with my work. It's funny how often I wave. Everyone here waves at everyone else. The mailman, the construction worker, the sheriff, the complete stranger , it doesn't matter in Canter Falls we wave to everyone and say howdy do.

The Part Post the Last Part

It's about eight thirty and I'm snuggled on the couch with the Bronx. I have a cup of tea and my water colors out. I intend to paint "Barton Cottage" because I've just tuned in to the latest PBS Jane Austen movie. This is the second half of Sense and Sensibility and even though I've read the book three times I am still in suspense. Will Mary Ann ever really be happy?! Will dear Edward call off his secret engagement to the annoying Lucy Steel?! The theme music begins to play, I always get goose bumps, and then my phone rings. No not now!! I see it's my Dad calling again, oops, I forgot to listen to his message. Blast I'm going to miss part of the show. "Oh well." I pick up,"Hello." "Hey honey,how are you?" His booming voice makes me smile. "I'm fine Daddy, how are you?" "I'm doing well, Rhonda is keeping me busy."I'm glad he cant see me roll my eyes," How is Rhonda?" I ask about my Dad's girlfriend." She's great, she's always great. Working real hard volunteering at the hospital you know." I know, it seems like all Dad does these days is whatever Rhonda wants. "Is she working at a desk or...?" I wonder. "No, she's raisng awareness and funds for the new wing they plan to add on in the next two years or so." " Oh , I see, well that's nice." Rhonda has been my Dad's girlfriend for the past two years and before her it was Debbie. Rhonda is a wealthy, very socially active, community oriented woman. She is attractive and flattering and she has my Dad wrapped around her little finger. It bugs me. I hate to admit it but I guess I'm a little jealous. After my Mom passed away four years ago I thought my Dad would get involved in community stuff. Which he has ,just not in the way I would have thought. I guess it's kind of natural for me to feel this way but I don't like it. " So, how's business?" he asks, very interested having been quite the business man before he retired. " Oh, it's going good , I have a pretty steady clientel and you know I love what I do." " Well that's terrific sweet heart." I always miss him when he calls me that! I look up at the t.v and see that Willabee has totally dissed Mary Ann. My blood boils,"that scoundrel." I say out loud not meaning to." what?" my Dad asks. " Oh nothing, sorry. Are you going to come see me soon?" I ask but know the answer already. "Well, you know I'de love to, but I'm helping Rhonda all this month with these fundraisers."his voice quiets. " oh, ok I understand." I say, hurt again but not showing it. anytime I ask him too come visit its always the same, I'de love to but ___________with Rhonda. It's always because of her. "Hey, but we'll see you for Thanksgiving right?" he tries to change the subject. "Yeah, that'll be great Dad." I'm trying to sound excited. "Rhonda went ahead and made our reservation for "PaigeHouse", you know that beautiful resteraunt on 12th Street?" " Yes, I know what you're talking about." Now I'm really upset. Mom used to always make a home cooked Thanksgiving meal, turkey and all the trimmings, now we'll probably be eating salmon and steak. This is terrible. I miss Mom. I resent Rhonda. "Well, I better let you go,I'll talk to you later sweetie." " "Bye Daddy, love you." "Love you to." Click. My Dad and Rhonda live together which I dont agree with. It makes for lots of really akward situations. It's gotten to the point where I really dont even like to visit them. Sometimes I leave early because it hurts me to see many of my mother's things replaced with Rhonda's. My Dad and I have alot in common but we also disagree about alot. Particularly our faith. It makes things really difficult. I try not to think about it too much but find myself cying right along with Mary Ann on the t.v screen. Bronx puts is head in my lap. Man's best friend.

The Following Part

Suddenly my phone rings, it's my Dad. I cant talk so I let him leave me a message.In a few minutes Marie is back with two plates of steaming lasagna. "Oh my gosh that's gorgeous!" I say licking my lips. I love beautiful food, especially when I know it's going to be delicious. I thank God for the meal and we easily fall into conversation about Marie's family. In between bites she tells me, " Little Nicholas, he is not behaving in school. He gets into trouble and I get notes. Worse than the notes though is the looks from the other parents." I sip my water and think about what she must be going through as a single mother of three children. Raising kids isn't easy even with two parents, so I "figure", having no kids of my own. I wish that I knew what to say. Luckily I don't have to say anything, she goes on. "Ever since my husband left I have not been as strict as I should be I guess, but then its so hard you know, because I don't want to be the bad guy. I don't want them to hate me." I'm surprised."How could they hate you Marie, you're their Mom, you love them." She pauses for a minute thinking to herself. "I think they are angry at me because David left. I think they think it's my fault." The pain in her eyes is quite moving. I can tell that this has been building up for a while. "Oh,... they're too young to really understand then, When they're a little older maybe." Did that help , I don't know,I'm thinking to myself, this is tough. Looking over her soda she says, " Marcus is twelve, Sidney will be nine, and Nicholas is six, I guess I can understand the little ones not understanding, but Marcus, he should." " How are the others doing in school?" I ask hoping to start on a lighter note. "Sidney is doing wonderful, all her teachers love her because she is self motivated.Now Marcus,... not so much. He does the work and he is really smart, but he's lazy." We continue to talk for a while and I tell her about the Autumn Festival coming up at the Church. "If you have the time you should bring the kids , its going to be lots of fun." She smiles,"Well maybe, if I can get away from here."We take our plates back to the kitchen. Standing at the counter I pay for my food and give her a hefty tip. "I better run.See you later." I turn to leave. "Thanks a lot Jenna." she waves her tip."For everything."she smiles "No problem.Thank you." I say pushing the door open to leave.

The NEXT Part ;)

The girls gather themselves up after a few minutes and I'm left to myself. What a fabulous day this has been and it's barely noon... Which means time for a lunch break. I flip the open/closed sign to closed and grab my purse. I'm headed to "Nicks" for a bite to eat. No better pasta or salad can be found on the planet in my opinion.I love this place not only because it has fabulous food but because they have outdoor seating and they always play Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.There is a wonderful breeze and as I walk across the street and down towards Kenton Street I can smell the garlic and onions. My mouth is watering. Frankie is coming in on the outdoor speakers singing "Come Back to Sorrento". I open the front door and wave to Nick who reminds me of Sylvester Stallone."Marie will be right out." he says even sounding like Stallone. I smile feeling like I'm in a "Rocky" movie. Marie, "Nick's" sister hands me a menu after I take a seat by the front window. I smile and say " Hi there Marie." She smiles, but not in her usual way,"Hi Jenna, what can I get you to drink?" I'm a little worried,"Coke with lemon please." "Is Pepsi o.k?" "Yeah." Why do I never remember that. I feel dumb. Something isn't right with Marie, so I ask her."How's your Mom doing?" She sighs,"She's o.k. Dad is still driving her to dialysis but his eyesight is getting so bad...soon Nick or I will have to take her." "I'm sorry to hear that, I'm still praying for her,for all of you. Its hard on everyone I know. When my Mom got sick it was really tough for all of us." Her brown eyes look out into the street. She is really exhausted." Thanks Jenna, I'll be right back with your drink." I wish I could really make a difference in people's lives, people are all around me and I see them struggle everyday. I think I have the gift of perception. It's like I am keenly tuned to the feelings and emotions of others. The wheels of my mind begins to spin thinking of how God might further use this gift. Maria is back with my drink. "Thanks, have you taken your break yet?"I ask her. She shakes her head no. "Why don't you have some lunch with me?" "Well, we're not very busy," she looks around, there are no other customers,"o.k, what would you like?" I hand her my menu and say "Whatever you get is fine with me." She is smiling a little more now. " Alright, Nick just finished a lasagna, it's my favorite, does that sound o.k?" asks Maria. "That sounds great." "I'll be right back." she says as she heads to the kitchen.

Part XIII

The girls all say yes so I excuse myself. I can hear some conversation resume as I leave. I return with a tray of tea and all the fixings. Pouring the tea I say," So I was hearing you tell me that you tried to share your feelings with Brice but he didn't understand." Toni nods," Yeah , he didn't get it at all. Now he's hardly talking to me, I don't even know if we're still "together", as lame as that sounds. I really do love Brice. I don't know what to do." I set my cup down. "Wow, I can see why you're feeling confused. That's a really tough situation." Praying again for wisdom I ponder how to respond to her story. Her eyes are full of questions and concerns and I truly feel for her. "Have you assured Brice that you do love him?" I ask finally. She shakes her head,"I tried, but I don't know if he even heard me." Toni sighs.I wonder and ask " What do you think bothered him the most?" She looks out the window for a minute,"I think it was the fact that I was questioning how we had been living. I think he translated it as me not wanting to continue our relationship." Toni looks back at me again and at her friends. Its obvious too me that this is a smart girl. She isn't dizzy or flighty like a lot of the college girls. I realize that this is probably because the Lord has come into her life in a powerful way. "I don't think he loves me anymore." Toni begins again with a tear in her eye."You don't think he loves you any more." I restate to be sure she really believes this. " No , I mean he doesn't even talk to me." she sighs. " Well, the first thing I would do is pray about this. A very wise lady who had a great impact on my life used to always say ,"Pray, first of all". And don't drop communication. Maybe you should just tell him that you want to continue the relationship if you do. Do you?" I think I already know the answer, but I don't want to speak for her. She thinks for a second looking slightly ashamed,"Yeah, but I would want it to be different." "Well, just be honest with him and tell him that. Even if he doesn't like it at least you'll have done your best to help him understand. And, if he really loves you don't you think he'll respect your feelings?" Toni smiles a little and shrugs,"He should." I smile and say" I know this is really hard, believe me I do, but it might take him a little while to get used to the new Toni.Give him a little time." "Yeah, I guess your'e right. I've just never felt like this before. I have never had this inner turmoil and conflict before. You know, I mean, on one hand I want to just do whatever it takes to make Brice happy, but on the other hand I want to live like Jesus says in the Bible. I guess that makes me a lousy person." She looks around at us as if to receive our judgement.I look her right in the eyes. " Toni, that makes you flesh and blood, just like the rest of us here. That conflict you are feeling is a good thing. It means that the Holy Spirit is moving in your heart. Before you became a Christian would you have ever given your life style choices a second thought?" She looks relieved,"No, I wouldn't. I haven't really made a commitment yet, about being a Christian I mean... I don't know why, but I just haven't said it out loud." I can feel the very presence of God,surrounding the four of us. Cassie smiles at me." What's stopping you? Why not say it right here and now with your friends right beside you." By this time tears are running down Toni's face. I know right now that this has nothing to do with me or Cassie or Julia, but that God has moved her heart to himself. "Can we pray together?" She says glancing around at us. We all nod and say yes. Julia begins, Lord, we just thank you for Toni and we thank you for drawing her to yourself, we just ask that you draw her even closer, and give her wisdom in the difficult situation with Brice. I pray that you would draw him too Lord... Then Cassie begins, Father I thank you so much for my friend Toni and thank you that we have an even stronger bond now in You. Please help her and give her peace in Yourself. Finally, Toni in a quaking voice says, Lord, Thank you for dying in my place and even though I don't understand it all perfectly I know that you love me and that I want to do what You say. I know that I'm a sinner and I want you to save me. Thank You Jesus, Amen." We all look up smiling and teary. A group hug is in order.

Part XII

Julia again comes right to the point. "It's boy trouble." Cassidy breaks in,"Toni here has a boyfriend problem." The quiet girl Toni speaks up."O.k Cassie, I can take it from here." She looks at me earnestly. "It's my boyfriend, Brice.We've been dating for a year. Over the summer I started going to Bible study with Cassie. Brice didn't really mind at first but without realizing it I began to change. I didn't notice it but Brice did. I didn't realize it but my thinking was different. It was like I was seeing through new eyes." I am nodding and praying Jesus will help to say to this girl what He wants her to hear. " I started to see how shallow some of our thinking was. I mean we had been living for the moment. We weren't really thinking about the future or anything important.We were just thinking of our selves. Well, I started to get dissatisfied with this, so I began to share my feelings with Brice. Well he totally freaked out. He thought I was crazy and that I didn't love him anymore. Which was not true at all. I love him so much. I am closer to him than anyone else, so I thought I could share this stuff with him." I can tell she's getting emotional so I say, " Would you ladies like some tea?"

Part XI

I'm on my feet again and decide to put on some classical music. Good for the mind they say. Not long after ten o'clock some college girls that come to the Bible Study file into my shop. Im standing on a step ladder dusting. " Hi there guys." I say trying to make a graceful exit from the stool. The girls are regulars at the shop so they make themselves comfortable. After an assortment of muffled greetings I realize something is wrong. " Is everything o.k?" I say glancing from one girl to the next."Well,uh..." began the first, Cassidy. " We have a question." interjected Julia the second girl, rather known for coming right to the point. The last girl whom I didn't know as well as the others was checking her phone. Cassidy and Julia turned their attention toward her.She looked up rather surprised," Uhh, yeah they thought we should come talk to you because, I have a problem, well actually Cassidy has a problem too." She smirked leaning toward the others.By this time my curiosity is perked. "Well, whats going on?" I ask joining them in the sitting area.