by Sarah Hualde
The week before, Emily peppered Lydia with inquisitive phone calls. She’d call and check on the baby. Then she’d ring and ask about Ivy. Eventually she rang and spent hours talking to Lydia about Jesus and asking hard questions that every believer has to face one day. Lydia didn’t have a doubt that God was at work in the girl’s heart.
Even as her mother failed her six-month inspection and the odds of their reuniting were slung backward an indefinite amount of time, Emily responded with deep earnest questions about her Heavenly Father. She was angry at Him, which was obvious. But to be angry at anyone, first, she’d have to assume that person was real. Lydia hoped it was a step in the right direction and prayed all the more for her. Upon arrival Emily hugged Lydia and skipped to Ivy.
The ladies of the community, the Bailey Family Fellowship church and the Pottersville Church of Christ, hosted a baby shower of gigantic proportions. Some women attended for the novelty of seeing the Honey Pot Christmas Baby but most came to encourage the young mother and give her hope.
Ms. Jacqui showed up, eyeing up the true thief of her precious handmade quilts. She brought with her two brand new blankets made for the girls. The woman coo-ed and sweet-talked at Scout, draping her in the most precious woodland creature quilt ever seen in Honey Pot. Her hardened, down to business expression loosened and her eyes twinkled while rocking the newborn baby. Ivy gushed over the quilts and apologized for absconding with the previous ones.
“I don’t think I would have survived without your lovely quilts.” She said, meaning it and making Ms. Jacqui blush with pride. Kat loved seeing the gentle side of the B.F.F. pillar.
The community lavished gifts on both girl and baby. Each store offered gift certificates and goods. Each church brought meals and baby supplies. The whole town came together celebrating their newest citizen.
Overwhelmed, Ivy spent most of New Year’s Eve sleeping and nursing Scout. She did, however, make time to read and sign the family contract. The rules were plain and lightweight. No boys and no leaving without notice and explanation. Continuing school was a must. Going to at least one church service a week, no matter what Honey Pot congregation, was a house rule.
Also, Ivy had to attend two counseling sessions a week. The first was a private session with Mr. Mike and the second a group session for kids without parents. Ivy worried over regretting her decision. She had been dreaming of a house that had the possibility of becoming a home. The Everette house was a liberating and surprising option. She prayed and prayed over her choice and signed the paper with a thankful heart. She slipped it on top of Lydia’s pillow, awaiting discovery after all the families left for the night.
Gus not only brought Emily to the party, but he also brought news. While enduring questioning, Ben’s lawyer suggested he turn on his business partner and thus save himself. He took the advice with gusto. He detailed every exchange, gave the names of every girl, and told officers where to find Martin’s account book and contact list.
Martin traveled straight from the hospital to jail. His trial was due in court by February. Ivy volunteered to testify against him and she had convinced two other girls to join her. Tammy, from the restaurant, visited Lydia and met Ivy. She too would give the small amount of information she had to stop other girls from being hurt.
Tammy’s mother was super proud of her. She moved her family in with her sister in Baker. She regretted her sweet girl coming so close to being used, all in the name of helping her mother. Working only one job allowed her to pay more attention to both her growing daughter and son but cost the family their apartment. Giving up her independence for the safety of her children was more than a happy exchange. It thrilled Tammy.
Kat set out the food and treats, walking in her newest blue boot. She staggered and swayed, but that was much preferred than hobbling about on crutches. Sam and Jess played and rushed around the house with Eden and Ever and Eloise, playing with their sacrificed toys, while keeping their joyful secret.
Kevin seemed unable keep his hands away from Flora’s belly. Now, in her fourteenth week, most of the worry over the coming baby had passed. He still asked his wife to take it easy and fed her the best, purest food they could afford. He also took over laundry duty, afraid of making his wife bend and carry things up and down the stairs. Flora tried to help him relax, all the while enjoying his delight and dedication. He wrapped his arms around her belly and kissed her forehead every time he passed her.
At midnight, Honey Pot time, Ethan rang the house. “It’s eight in the morning, tomorrow, there.” Lydia explained. He was calling to say he was coming home early. Joan was doing great and though their visit bonded them together, he was in her way. She needed space to accomplish her goals. Lydia knew, he missed her and wanted to be part of the new happenings in the couple’s home.
Joan came on the line and wished her mother a Happy New Year. “I’m so proud of you, mom. Many girls here are in Ivy’s situation. They would love to have a friend like you. “
“Well, they’ve got you.” Lydia bragged and boasted over her missionary daughter but only between herself and Ethan.
“Yeah, except I thought I had to go half the world away to help someone, and you found someone to help right there at home. You helped a whole group of girls you might never meet but girls you helped set free. I’m proud of you, mom.”
“I’m very proud of you, too” Ethan added as Joan blew her mother a kiss and left her parents to say goodbye.
“She’s such a wonderful kid.” Lydia gushed.
“Yup, and I know where she gets it. I’ll see you in a couple weeks and can’t wait to help you in your mission.”
“I’m no missionary.”
“No? You’re my hot, Honey Pot, hometown missionary.” He winked at her and she reddened with embarrassment. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the surprise in my luggage.”
Africa hadn’t calmed Ethan’s resurfacing teenage spirit. Lydia smiled to herself after closing the laptop. He will need all the energy he can get. She thought, counting on one hand the hours she’d slept in the last two days. But not for the reasons he thinks.
Lydia looked around at her house bursting with friends and family. The baby monitor crackled as Scout woke up startled by the countdown cries and noisemakers.
“I’ll get her.” Lydia announced and Ivy smiled. She trekked up the stairs pleased and privileged to participate in the new adventures God had prepared for her. “Who knows what’s coming up next?”
Acknowledgments
My heart is so full there aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. God is amazing. He uses my little gift and makes it great. All praise to Him and, any good that blooms from this work, the glory is all His.
God, I thank you for this book and the friends I’ve discovered in it and through it. I praise you for my family who have been patient and encouraging. Thanks for E & Z who talked plot points and ideas out with their mama. Thank you, dearly, for my hard-working husband. I pray You will help me to pay back his kindness with interest.
Father, my family is amazing. Those who live near and far. Thank you for designing me to be a part of this blood line and legacy. Help me walk with integrity.
Lord, my spiritual family is ever present and ever uplifting. Thank you for each of them.
God bless my homeschool mama friends and every reader who dares to try out this book. From CHS, CC, Small Group, Blog Life and throughout the world. Bless them each with a tender gift, designed just for them.
Thanks for sending Patti E to me. She rescued my work.
Thanks for my amazing street team members. They offered the audible encouragement as You did the spiritual.
Thank you, Sovereign Lord Almighty. You are too good to me. Thank you with all my heart.
About the Author
Sarah lives in California, in a home that brings her happiness and hay fever. She has a husband who cooks, a son who stop animates, a daughter who loves animals, a dog that follows her everywhere, and a turtle who
scowls at her condescendingly. She enjoys writing new adventures for her imaginary friends and is thrilled when friends in real life enjoy reading her work. She loves God, loves her family, and loves freshly brewed coffee with a side of pastry.
She’s currently trying to learn Latin.
You can check out her blog. She chats about homeschool, hormones, and house wife life.
www.latenightcoffeemoms.com
Also by Sarah Hualde
Diary of a Dyslexic Homeschooler
