Chapter 4: Magical Blessing
Stepping inside, Gus surveyed the sandwich shop. He was stunned at the trash and damage he saw around him. Gus turned to look at Loretta saying, “My dispatcher friend at the police station called and told me the place just got robbed. Are you okay?”
“Yes. I am okay. Just shook up a bit,” Loretta replied.
Gus took a deep breath. His face was somber as he shook his head. Placing his hand on his hips, he looked at Loretta and sighed.
“This place is a disaster Loretta. This is going to cost thousands of dollars to clean up and repair, not to mention the loss in revenue from the shop being closed,” Gus observed. He took his hand and rubbed his head and fell silent. He observed at the hole in the wall. “Look, I hate to do this to you,” Gus announced, “but I got to break the lease now and evict you.”
Loretta was rendered speechless as she looked into Gus’ eyes, terrified.
“But Gus, it’s not my fault. I didn’t-“
“Loretta, how are you going to come up with the money to pay the back rent and the repairs by next month?”
“Please Gus. Why are you doing this? We go so far back. I am working out a way to pay you back. I promise,” Loretta pleaded desperately.
Gus turned his back away from Loretta. He refused to look at her.
“Don’t make this any harder than it needs to be,” Gus reminded Loretta. “I cannot solve all of the world’s problems. I have my own problems to worry about. It’s nothing personal. It’s just business Loretta.”
“Oh my God,” Loretta quavered. She could feel a lump forming in her throat. Loretta swallowed hard, trying to fight back her tears.
Gus scanned the restaurant once again before he began walking out of the door with his head facing downward, looking at the tiled floor. As he passed the food display counter, he abruptly stopped in his tracks. Gus peered down hard, as though he was hypnotized. He was quiet as Loretta stared at him, confused.
“What’s that under the counter Loretta?” Gus asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“That bag,” Gus replied, pointing to a small blue velvet bag under the food counter.
After a second, Loretta remembered the item Gus was referring to.
“Oh. I forgot to tell the police,” Loretta broke in. “It fell out of one of the men’s pockets when they left the shop.”
Loretta walked behind the counter and retrieved the broom sitting on the side of the drink refrigerator. Loretta swept the bag from underneath the counter. Gus bent down to pick up the bag.
As Loretta went back to the front of the counter, she saw the bag had white initials “G.K.” stitched on it. She noticed the look on Gus’ face as he inspected the bag. The color from his face had all but disappeared as if he had seen a ghost.
With great care, Gus untied the bag. His nervous hands were shaking as he pulled out the item inside. Gus gasped in utter shock as he held an ivory white vintage pearl and silver necklace with a floral brooch encrusted in diamonds in his hand. He then pulled out a pair of matching pearl earrings.
“Sweet mother Mary. I can’t believe this,” Gus choked up as he stared at the jewelry in his hands.
“I’m sorry to ask, but what’s going on?”Loretta asked cautiously.
Gus took a deep breath to calm down as he looked at Loretta.
“Loretta. The earrings, necklace and brooch belonged to my grandmother Genevieve. My mother kept it after she died. But a couple of days ago, her house was broken into while she and her caretaker were out running errands. They were stolen along with several other items,” Gus explained. “This heirloom is priceless to me and my family. We never thought we would see them again.”
“Oh,” Loretta murmured.
Gus put the jewelry back into the bag and tied the strings up. He paused for a few moments before smiling at Loretta.
“Okay, Loretta,” Gus began, “How about this? I will cover the costs for the cleanup and repairs to the restaurant. In addition, your debt for the back rent is forgiven and your lease here is paid for the next year. It is my way of saying thank you.”
Loretta’s jaw dropped in disbelief at Gus’ offer. Her legs felt like jell-o as her legs began to buckle.
“Really?” she asked
“Yes. You have no idea how much these mean to me,” Gus replied.
“Oh my God bless you Gus.”
Loretta opened her arms, giving Gus a long, hard hug. Gus shook her hand afterwards.
“We got to let the police know about your grandmother’s jewelry,” Loretta advised him.
“Yes we do,” Gus agreed. Extending his arm towards the door, Gus said, “After you Loretta.”
The two of them began to walk outside. As she opened the door, she looked back at the picture of her and her husband Jack on the wall. Loretta looked up at the ceiling. A warm, glowing smile swept across her face as she whispered, “Thank you Lord.”
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Sandwich Shop Miracle- Inspirational Stories of Faith Book 1 Page 4
