“Interesting.”
“So…cab fare? Or I could try to call someone at church and see if they could give you a lift?”
“You would do that?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“The question is, why?”
“Skye, you’ve been coming to our church. I like you. God adores you to pieces and He has some wonderful things in store for you. Why would I want to stand in the way of all that when I possess the means to help?”
“But you won’t drive me yourself.”
“If you were dying and the only way I could get you to the hospital was to drive you, we’d be on our way right now. But this isn’t an emergency and there are other options.”
“You confuse me.”
“I do?”
“Yeah. If you can find someone willing to help me both ways, that would be great. The times are on the sheet there as is my cell phone number.”
“I’ll get back to you. Anything else I might need for my stay at your place?”
“Your pillow and clothes?”
He smiled. He had beautiful teeth. “I think I can manage that. Since you won’t be taking your car will you leave the keys in case I want to take the kids anywhere? Probably easier to use your car with the car seats than to transfer them to mine in this frigid weather.”
“Sure. I’ll leave them hanging on the hook by the door.” She cleared her throat. “Listen, I didn’t even offer to pay you…and I’m not sure—”
“—you don’t have to pay me anything. I offered and don’t want the money. You, however, need this opportunity. So go, take it, and have fun in New York.”
“Oh, OK I guess.”
“Are we done?”
“Yeah. Thanks again, Dan. The kids are really excited to be able to spend time with you.”
He grinned. “I am too.”
She turned away, and he closed the door with a soft click. Skye wandered back to her own apartment and thought about the enigmatic pastor who lived across the hall. Would she ever understand men? Or was this one an alien? He was so far removed from her ex-husband that it was a startling comparison between the two.
~*~
The next morning, an older woman from Orchard Hill Church came to pick her up for a ride to the airport. Skye already kissed the kids goodbye when they left that morning with her mom. She dropped off the key to the apartment with Dan who wished her a great trip. He’d also slipped her an envelope she’d been afraid to open. She’d do that later while waiting for her plane.
“Cora, thank you for being willing to take me to the airport.”
The older woman grinned. “Gives me something to do. I’m retired and my husband is too. This gets me out of the house. I love being able to help others.”
“Well, I’m grateful.”
“Pastor Dan tells me you’re an artist.”
“Yeah. This could be my ‘big break’ as they say.”
“Would you move to New York City if it is?”
“No. I wouldn’t want to live that far from my mom, and while my ex is currently not a suitable person for my children to visit, our divorce agreement restricts how far away I can live with them.”
“Well, Wisconsin is a nice place to raise a family. I’ve lived here all my life.”
“Me too. This is my first time going further than Chicago.”
“Well, you are on quite an adventure then, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“I will pray for your safe travels, dear. I’ll return to pick you up on Saturday afternoon. You have my phone number so you can call if there are any delays. I’ll bring a book though so I can always catch a cup of coffee here and read while waiting for you. Lots warmer inside than waiting in the car.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you.”
“Don’t worry about it. So many people helped me out when I was younger and now it’s my turn to, what do they call it now? Oh, ‘pay it forward.’”
“Yup. I think you’re right. How did someone help you?”
“When my first husband died, neighbors helped with the kids while I worked and one even mowed my lawn and shoveled my walk.”
“That’s sweet.”
“Yes it was. He was single. I ended up marrying him and we had two more kids together.”
“So he was your happily-ever-after?”
“Well, don’t get me wrong. I love my husband, but men are a different animal and sometimes they can get on a woman’s nerves. My first marriage wasn’t as good as my second. This man treats me well and I do adore him even with his quirks.”
Skye laughed. “I agree they can be perplexing.”
“Yes.” Cora grinned. “But the perplexing ones are the ones that make life more interesting, don’t you think?”
“Maybe so.” Skye thought of Dan and how different her life had become since meeting him.
Cora pulled up to the terminal. “Here you are. I’ll see you in a few days, and have a marvelous time.”
Skye removed her bags and thanked the woman again before heading into the ticketing concourse.
Once she checked in and made it through security, she opened the envelope Dan thrust at her that morning. It contained a letter and a VISA gift card.
Skye,
I’m thrilled you get this opportunity to travel and see new places and meet new people. You really are a fabulous artist from the little I’ve seen and I am praying God richly blesses your work on this trip and that you get the affirmation you are looking for as you try to provide for your family.
Thank you for trusting me with your children. That wasn’t an easy thing to do, and you really are a great mother and take such good care of them. So relax and enjoy your time away knowing they are safe and that we will have some fun together (as much as my ribs will allow).
I hope the card will help with any unexpected traveling expenses.
I am praying for you.
Dan
Too good to be true…but maybe that’s because the men she had previously known didn’t know Jesus. Maybe Jesus wasn’t too good to be true if he could make a man this nice.
Definitely something to think about.
ELEVEN
I’m going on an adventure!
J.R.R. Tolkien
Dan wondered if he was ready for this challenge. He’d never had any kids and now he was going to spend three days with these two?
When they arrived at lunchtime, he welcomed them with hugs. Quinn and Meghan headed straight to the kitchen table where he had set out some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup in mugs.
“Thanks for dropping them off, Sandi.” Skye’s mom was heavier set and her once red hair was a soft auburn mixed with gray.
“I appreciate you making it possible for Skye to chase her dream.”
“My pleasure.”
“Enjoy yourself and I’ll see you in the morning.” She gave a wave to the kids and was gone.
Dan turned to the kitchen and sat down to eat his own sandwich. “So kids, after your naps, what do you think about a trip to the Children’s Museum in downtown Milwaukee?”
Meghan squealed for joy, jumped off her chair, and danced around.
Quinn grinned as he shoved his sandwich in his mouth. He nodded vigorously.
Once the kids settled down for their naps, he cleaned up the kitchen. He settled down on the sofa with a book. He couldn’t focus on the text before him. Leadership. Only a few days left of his leave of absence and he was reading a book on leadership? He dug into the bag he brought with him and dug out a novel. Mystery. Hmm. Now that would be relaxing.
~*~
He almost jumped out of his skin when Quinn vaulted over the back of the couch a little over a half an hour later. Dan closed the book and looked at the four-year-old.
“I thought you were taking a nap?”
Quinn shook his head. “Couldn’t sleep.” He yawned.
“Right. Let’s give this another try.” He picked up the wiggly little boy and hauled him back to
the bedroom and half-lay, half-dropped him on the mattress. Dan resisted the urge to tickle him. He put his index finger to his lips and backed out of the room.
He walked past Skye’s bedroom and the door was open. He took a step in and saw a canvas leaning against the wall. He tipped it back to look at a painting that took his breath away with its beauty. Skye painted in such vivid colors and all he could think of was the artist had opened herself up to the truth of the gospel.
It was the woman at the well but not like any other painting he’d ever seen. It was contemporary. It wasn’t a woman from biblical times but from 2014, the United States of America. Broken and lost. Worshipping Jesus.
Dan stared at it for a long time. Why had Skye been drawn to that story? Did she understand the depth of love God showed that woman? Did she realize that He saw everything in her past and still offered her Himself?
He slowly set it back against the wall. If this was what she left behind, what had the work been like that she already sent for the show? He walked back to the living room. Skye had told him he could sleep in her bed, but he wouldn’t. He’d sleep on the couch.
Before long the kids were up, and he bundled them up for the trip to the Children’s museum. They were excited and so was Dan. This was someplace he’d always heard about and never had a chance or reason to explore. Hands-on learning for kids? They’d only have about ninety minutes, but that was more than enough time to help wear them out.
They arrived, and the kids took off running in an enclosed space for younger children. Several moms were there with their little ones, but Dan was the only man. He sighed. He took off after Meghan and started to play with her before taking some time with Quinn. Soon he was sitting on the sidelines, exhausted, as he watched them run around and explore.
At five o’clock they traipsed out to the frigid car and headed for home in the middle of rush hour traffic. About twenty minutes out from the apartment, a little voice yelled from the back seat.
“I need to go potty.”
“Meghan, you’ll have to wait. There’s no place to get off here. I told you to try at the museum before we left.”
“Mr. Dan, I’m hungry,” Quinn whined.
Dan shook his head. Oh, yeah, he’d bitten off more than he could chew big time. How did moms do this every day?
He finally got home and managed to get Meghan into the bathroom in the nick of time. He started water boiling on the stove to make spaghetti noodles while he hung up coats. He threw a glass bowl filled with frozen peas into the microwave to heat them up. He set the table when Quinn chased Meghan around the apartment yelling at her.
“That’s mine!”
Meghan half-squealed, half-laughed and then she tripped over the coffee table.
Dan rushed over. She was bleeding from her mouth. He checked her little teeth, went to grab a washcloth and run cold water over it, and had Meghan hold it against her gums. He held her in his one arm as he stared at Quinn.
“Quinn. You need to apologize to your sister.”
“I sorry,” Quinn said. “But it was my toy and she took it.”
Dan looked at Meghan. “Did you take Quinn’s toy?”
She nodded her head.
“You need to apologize to Quinn.”
“I thorry” came out from the washcloth. Dan heard a sizzle from the kitchen. He ran into the kitchen to find the water boiling over. He turned the burner down, dumped the noodles, and set a timer. Pulling out the peas from the microwave, he set those on the table. Once the noodles were strained, he added the bottled sauce. After everything was ready, he put it all on the table and got the kids to sit down.
He paused and took a deep breath. “Let’s hold hands and pray.”
“I wanna pray,” Quinn said.
Dan nodded. “Go ahead.” He bowed his head and Quinn began.
“God, thank You for Mr. Dan and the fun we had today. I like skettie but hate peas so please don’t make me eat them. Amen.”
Dan fought back a chuckle. “You need to eat a few anyway.”
“No.”
“No peas mean you don’t get dessert.”
Quinn’s eyes grew big, but it was Meghan who asked, “What’s dessert?”
“Ice cream.” Dan wiggled his eyebrows.
Meghan squealed with joy and dug into her peas. Failing to nab them on her fork she started to pick them up with her fingers and pop them in her mouth.
Before long, peas were on the floor, tomato sauce stained their faces and ice cream encircled their mouths. Dan struggled to clean up the kids and then the kitchen. He put the food away and sat with the kids on the sofa. They read a few books.
With one kid tucked under each arm, Dan knew a satisfaction he’d never experienced before. He got them off to change for bed and sat with them in their room.
“I miss Mommy,” Meghan said.
“Me too,” Quinn responded.
“Why don’t we give her a call?” Dan pulled out his phone and dialed the number. There was no answer so he texted her a message.
Kids miss you and wanted to tell you they love you.
A text returned quickly
In a meeting, can’t talk. Tell them I love them too.
Dan read the text to the kids. He listened to their prayers, tucked them in, and turned off the lights. “I’m sleeping on the couch if you need me.”
Dan headed to the bathroom and changed into his favorite T-shirt and sweats for sleeping in the living room. He grabbed his pillow and blanket and tried to stretch out. Another text came in just as he got comfortable. He reached for the phone and almost fell off the sofa.
Did you have a good day?
Took the kids to the museum. They had fun. Got them to eat peas.
Lol. How did you do that?
Threatened to hold ice cream hostage.
Good threat.
How is it going?
So far so good. My agent is OK and should be meeting a publisher or two in the morning. The exhibit is tomorrow evening.
That’s wonderful!
It’s late. Need to sleep.
Me too. Have a good night.
You too.
Dan set the phone down and reclined back on the sofa. Lord, please guide Skye and protect her in New York. More than that, open her eyes to who You are. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
~*~
Someone is watching me. Dan cracked open an eyelid to see Meghan standing in front of him.
“Did you need something?”
“You don’t smell stinky.”
“I think that’s good? Thank you.” Dan propped himself up on one arm.
“Daddy always smelled stinky. He was mean in the morning.”
Dan reached for his phone, it was fifteen minutes before his alarm had been set. Well, so much for that. He turned it off. “I’m not too grumpy first thing in the morning. But I do get better with some coffee.” He pulled back his blanket and Meghan’s eyes grew wide. “What?”
“You wear clothes to bed?”
“Yeah.” Dan was afraid of what was coming next.
“Not Daddy or his girlfriends.”
Oh, boy. “Well, I like to wear clothes most of the time.” He leaned in to whisper to her. “They keep me warm.”
Meghan smiled. “I’m glad.” She rubbed her tummy. “I sick.”
“What’s wrong?” Dan sat up straight.
Her answer was to throw up on him. Dan jumped to his feet. The odor of vomit almost made him want to run to the bathroom and do that himself. He ran to grab a dishtowel to wipe some off. He dug out a plastic bowl and brought it back to Meghan. “Next time, use this.”
She dropped to the middle of the floor, picked up a doll that had been left there, and started to play. Dan folded his blanket and put the pillow on top. He grabbed his bag and headed to the bathroom to shave and change. He’d planned to catch a shower later at the gym while the kids were at their program. With a sick kid, all bets were off.
When he came out of the b
athroom, Meghan had thrown up on her bed and Quinn was moaning. As he rolled over, Dan tried to get the wastebasket to him before the little boy lost it, but it was too late.
Dan picked up the phone to call Sandi.
“How’d it go last night?” she asked. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“Don’t bother coming. I’ve got two kids with the flu. Throwing up.”
“Ouch. Anything I can do?”
“No. You need to get to work. Can you call them in sick?”
“Sure. I’ll take care of it.”
Dan hung up, ran to get some towels, and stretched them over Skye’s bed. He changed the kids’ clothing and had them rest there with their empty ice cream buckets he’d found under the sink. He ran the dirty bedding down to the washing machine. Once he got the load going, he ran back upstairs to check on the kids.
They’d fallen back asleep without any further vomiting. He did a quick search on his smartphone. Toast. He’d try to feed them toast when they woke up.
It was going to be a long day.
~*~
Skye stretched in her soft bed as she awoke. No kids calling for her. Only her phone beeping to tell her it was time to meet the day. She loved her kids, but it was a refreshing change to not deal with their demands.
After her shower, she dressed in the new, more professional and conservative outfit she had managed to find at a thrift shop. She looked at herself in the mirror. She didn’t recognize herself. She wore a dress that ended above her knees and heels. She was a sneakers, flip flops, or fuzzy boots kind of gal. Dresses? The last time she wore one was her wedding day. She left her red hair down, and her black glasses helped her feel more professional, although she wondered again whether contacts would be a better choice…if she could ever have afforded them. Ah, vanity. You are an artist, Skye, and you look like a business woman today. It’s not right.
Skye pulled out leggings and a purple tunic-type dress that went to mid-thigh. She grabbed her pink fuzzy boots that Dan thought were silly. It didn’t matter. She loved them and they were comfortable. New York was colder than she expected. She put on some large hoop earrings and her favorite necklace, which she rarely wore anymore since babies grabbed everything.
Bratwurst and Bridges Page 11
