Chase: A Special Person & The Discovery of Teddy Downing

by Matt Shea

  The compassionate grandson called several of his neighborhood friends. He wanted to coordinate a meeting and asked if they would meet in his playhouse at twelve noon. He specified that this was a secret meeting for boys only and to bring as many as possible.

  Noon time arrived with eight boys sitting inside the clubhouse.

  “What's up, Teddy?” asked Steven Choy.

  “You wouldn't believe what I found out today,” exclaimed Teddy.

  The group of boys gave their attention to Teddy. They knew that it had to be important for him to summon a secret meeting. “What is it?” asked the group.

  “Okay,” said Teddy. “The month of February is special to all girls, even to mothers and old ladies. It is either very happy or very sad for them.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Colin Wells.

  Teddy sat back looking at the others. He paused briefly and said, “Valentine’s Day.”

  The room silenced as the boys looked at one another. Steven Choy spoke out first. “My mother hugs my dad every Valentine’s Day when he gives her a valentine. Last year, my sister was hurt because she didn't get one. I guess that I should have got her one.”

  “That happened at my house last year,” exclaimed Colin. My mom was very happy because she was remembered, but my sister and aunt cried because they weren't!”

  The other boys also had stories about watching relatives cry on Valentine’s Day because they were forgotten. The room was sad with the understanding that they could have prevented this pain.

  “We can do something about it this year,” suggested Teddy.”

  The boys were in tears realizing what this holiday really meant to women. “Let's do it!” they cried out.

  “It's not just at home-it's the whole neighborhood,” said Teddy.

  “Let's do something for everyone that has been left out!” said Jeff Smith.

  “Agreed!” said the boys.

  Teddy served as chairman as the meeting continued. “We need to visit the guys at the retirement home; they will be a great help,” he said.

  The boys left the playhouse and walked to the retirement center. Their visit would not go by undetected. As they approached the center, residents recognized the boys and spread the news of their arrival. The main lobby was immediately filled with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and many smiles.

  “What a pleasant surprise!” stated a senior.

  “Teddy, you and your friends are always welcomed here,” said a ninety-year-old woman.

  “I hope that you boys will join us for lunch today,” said a man leaning on a cane.

  The boys visited with the residences as Teddy found a group of men playing cards. “Can I talk to you guys about something?” asked the boy.

  “Why yes, Teddy, you can talk to us about anything,” stated one of the men.

  Teddy explained to them about the pain Valentine’s Day could cause for women. He wanted to unite with the men in the retirement center and organize a Valentine’s Day that would honor every woman in the center, as well as the whole neighborhood.

  “You are right,” exclaimed one of the men. “It's painful for any woman to be forgotten on that day!”

  “We can help you with this cause,” said another man.

  “We need to include everybody, but it has to be kept a secret until we have a plan,” said Teddy.

  “We need to have a secret meeting here tonight to plan this out right,” said a senior. “Today, a local church is dropping by to give all the women manicures. We can meet in the auditorium while they are being taken care of.”

  “What time will this be?” asked Teddy.

  “Every Sunday evening the church visits our community to donate their time for us. They always arrive here at six o'clock.”

  “I will gather more friends from the neighborhood and bring them to the auditorium at six,” said Teddy. “Remember, it's a secret; guys only!”

  “You don't have to worry about us,” said one of the men. “We'll see you and your friends tonight at six in the auditorium.”

  Teddy smiled at the old men and returned to his friends. They continued their visit in the lobby for another twenty minutes and then left for home.

  “What did they say?” asked Steven.

  “We are to come back tonight at six o'clock and have a secret meeting- for guys only,” said Teddy. “We are to bring as many friends as we can. I will go to the food bank and let them know; get whoever you can.”

  “Okay, Teddy,” said one of the boys. “We'll see you at the retirement center tonight.”

  The band of boys split up, with each going a different direction. They were now on a mission to recruit others for the meeting. Teddy went straight to the food bank and continued his campaign.

  “I have never thought about that before,” exclaimed Tom Prosser. “I didn't realize that working at this food bank could affect Valentine’s Day. I now realize that we have been forgetting the women that we serve and the ones that we work with.”

  Teddy stated, “All of us never realized the pain that they went through. None of us were aware what it meant if they didn't get a valentine on that day. But we can do something about it this year!”

  Teddy then told the “male portion” of the food bank about the secret meeting at the retirement center.

  “Thanks, Teddy,” said Tom. “I will be there tonight!”

  “So will I,” answered another volunteer.

  “We will let the other guys know about this meeting,” said Tom. “Teddy, I need to thank you for bringing this to my attention. I feel bad about this and want to help.”

  “Great,” Teddy replied. “I'll see you tonight at six!”

  The meeting was about to start at the senior center. The women were assembled in another part of the retirement center and would not detect the influx of “male visitors.” The “males” quietly filled the front seats in the auditorium as six o'clock approached. Many would walk by Teddy and tap him on the shoulder as a support for this crusade. When it was time to start the meeting, all eyes turned to Teddy. Like a man, he walked up on the stage and addressed the audience. He gave a professional presentation about the plight women were faced with every year over Valentine’s Day. He then stated that something could be done about it.

  At once, everyone began to participate.

  Benard Choy stood up first and said, “Teddy is right! We are overdue to make Valentine’s Day a more celebrated holiday.”

  Tom Prosser was next. “I never knew why some women were hurt during this time of year- until Teddy explained it to me. We can accomplish a lot if we work together on this!”

  An old man stood up. “My name is Hal Johnson. We can utilize our arts and crafts room to make valentines and paper flowers for all the women we know, including children.”

  Another man stood up and introduced himself. “My name is Milt Freeman. We often have musicians perform here on Sunday evenings. We can coordinate a Valentine’s Day party right here next Sunday, on Valentine’s Day!”

  Benard Choy spoke out again. “My bakery can donate Valentine cookies that are heart-shaped with pink frosting!”

  Teddy pointed out that he recently learned how to bake cookies and offered help to Mr. Choy.

  “I am in charge of the cafeteria,” said a gracious man. “My budget will allow me to cater a dinner on Valentine’s Day. We will be able to provide for many!”

  “I work at the food bank,” injected another. “We can help supply this banquet and will be proud to assist in every way possible!”

  The congregation kept rotating ideas, with everyone volunteering to help.

  The room agreed on what had to be done and divided into small groups. It was soon decided on “who” would help with “what.” The “when and where” was also scheduled. Soon, everyone had an assignment- with a place to perform their task. The retirement center would now send out open invitations to the food bank and community centers. Banners would also be displayed in the neighborhood to further extend th
e announcement. The invitations read as followed:

  Valentine’s Day Party

  For all women, young and old!

  Sunday, February 14th- Valentine's Day 6:00 PM

  At

  The Beacon Hill Retirement Center

  Dinner, Music, Friends, and Valentines for all!

  Teddy's Valentine’s Day movement was now in motion. It was Sunday, the 7th of February. Valentine’s Day was one week away- and there was much to do. He returned home to his grandmother and told her about the secret Valentine’s Day meetings and what he and his friends were going to do.

  The grandmother hugged her grandson and said, “I am so proud of you, Teddy; you always care about others. Make this the most special Valentine’s Day any woman in this neighborhood ever had!” It was agreed that this week after school he would assist anyone that needed help organizing the party. He would first help Mr. Choy bake cookies.

  The banners were hung down the main street of town with invitations passed out at every community service. The news traveled fast about the upcoming Valentine’s Day party. Beauty salons, supermarkets, bus stops, and classrooms were all talking about this party for women, “young and old.” Teddy and his friends would smile at one another every time a schoolgirl would get excited and talk about the party.

  The all-male committee would have a final meeting to assign “who” would cover “what” station serving the party. The guys would show up two hours early to decorate the large cafeteria, set the many extra tables needed, and prepare the food. They were to dress formal to “look the part.”

  It was now Valentine’s Day and getting close to four o'clock. Teddy was getting ready to leave for the retirement home. His grandmother looked at the young man and said, “I am so proud of you!” He then smiled at her and presented her a valentine he made in school. The grandmother accepted the gift as she hugged the boy.

  “This is going to be great, grandma!” exclaimed Teddy. “I want you there so that I can serve you dinner!”

  “I will be there,” she said.

  He then left for the retirement center.

  The cafeteria was full of helpers when Teddy arrived. Mr. Choy brought the heart-shaped valentine cookies with pink frosting that Teddy helped bake. The elder men that worked together with Teddy's friends displayed the many valentines and paper flowers they created. A local florist got involved by providing a red rose for each woman that would attend. The local food bank was able to provide some of the food. All would seat the guests, help in the kitchen, serve, and bus the tables. The band showed up and began to set the stage they would perform on. The last minute preparations worked in harmony. The cafeteria was now ready for the evening!

  The exhausted crew marveled at the festive dining hall. They felt good inside- knowing that “this” Valentine’s Day would be different.

  “Stations everyone,” called out an elder man. The first group of women entered the hall and the party was underway! The servants went to their assigned areas as the room began to fill with the honored guest. The crew took turns opening the lobby doors for the women and escorted them to their tables. Each would be handed a red rose.

  Lavish silk dresses, jewelry, and beautiful hair styles were the theme as lovely ladies arrived in droves. Six o'clock finally came, with the cafeteria almost entirely full. The band began to play classical music as dinner was served. The social brought smiles to every woman and every man.

  Teddy noticed his grandmother and went to the kitchen to serve her dinner. The elated grandmother saw the small set of hands place the plate of food in front of her. She looked at the server and smiled to see him doing a professional job as a waiter. He was handsome and wore a suit, being a young man that day.

  It seemed that every woman in the community was there. Laughter, great food, music, a rose, and valentine made this the most precious Valentine’s Day ever! After dinner, the women then got on the dance floor and danced. They would get together and dance in groups as the fun continued. Any male that was caught standing around was immediately pulled onto the dance floor.

  “Wow,” exclaimed Teddy. “This is fun!” The popular boy was a marked man. He was continuously taken to the dance floor and paraded around.

  The band stopped playing as the manager of the retirement home got on stage to make an announcement. “I would like to welcome everybody to the Beacon Hill Valentine Party.”

  The room cheered in acknowledgment.

  The speaker continued, “I think everyone here knows how this occasion got started. To honor our hero, the band would like to dedicate this next number to the person that cared enough to organize this Valentine’s Day gathering. That person is non-other than Teddy Downing!”

  The entire room stood up and faced Teddy with an ovation. The band started to play as his grandmother approached the young man and asked, “May I have this dance?”

  Teddy was overwhelmed with this honor and said, “Sure.”

  The grandmother and grandson danced alone in front of the large crowd. Everyone watched the couple dance as they admired their most prized valentine: Teddy Downing.

  BROTHERLY LOVE

  Sunshine welcomed the beginning of spring. Flowers covered lavish pastures with fragrances, introducing the new season. Birds sang as colorful butterflies graced fields where children played. The white blanket of winter was now restricted to mountain tops. This God created haven was ideal for a picnic. There was something missing though: a little girl named, “Jody…”

  Families arrived in the parking lot. “Look, children!” pointed Pastor Mills, as he spotted a herd of deer.

  “Spring is here!” exclaimed Emily Downing.

  “Grandma, can we stay here all day?” asked Teddy Downing.

  “I don't see why not,” replied his grandmother.

  Car doors and trunks opened with supplies being issued. Coolers, thermoses, jugs of water, and table cloths needed to be carried. Picnic baskets followed with juice, soda pop, and homemade pies. Teddy brought a duffel bag that carried recreational equipment. Soon, the reserved picnic site was occupied by the church group.

  Benard Choy addressed the pastor as they set the table. “I loved your sermon this morning,” he said.

  “I appreciate that,” responded Pastor Mills.

  “This was a great idea having a picnic,” mentioned Mrs. Choy. The mother then called out to her daughter. “Anna, I have a chore for you.” She handed her daughter a glass vase and asked, “Would you pick some flowers for the table?”

  “I’d love to,” answered the child.

  “Be sure to leave some for next week,” injected the pastor.

  The entire table laughed at the pastor's humor. Next week was the annual Flower Harvest for the Spring Parade. The day before the annual event, girls throughout the community would pick flowers from designated areas to decorate the town’s float. More important, every girl that contributed got a brief ride on the float during the parade. They would rotate from block-to-block until all rode on this majestic platform. They would dress in formal gowns and equally share the title of “beauty queen.” They won first place every year!

  There was a pause of sadness as the moment reminded everyone of a current injustice. “I do hope that Jody Picket is on-board this year,” said Mrs. Choy.

  Jody Picket was the victim of an over-protected brother. Luke Picket was the only male figure in this small household. His mother had several bad relationships in the past, causing the son to step-up at a young age. He watched over his mother and kept his sister on a “short leash.” His job was to protect the family.

  “The sheriff told me that several times they were summoned to their home,” said an elder from church. “That boy even fought grown men that threatened his mother! He watches over the family like a hawk. Someone needs to talk to that boy,” he continued. “Last year, he didn't allow his sister to participate in the Flower Harvest and it broke her heart!”

  Pastor Mills looked at the fellowship. He said, “We have mad
e several attempts, but he has a barrier that won't allow anyone in.”

  Mr. Choy looked at Teddy and said, “If there is anyone that can do it, it's Teddy!”

  “I agree,” said a church deacon. “Teddy brings people together! Will you talk to Luke and let him understand that Jody belongs on that float with the others?”

  Teddy was reluctant. He had several run-ins with Luke at school. Luke even punched him! Teddy didn't want any more trouble. He understood that his classmate didn't want to be close to anyone. “I'll try,” he said quietly.

  “Well good,” said Benard. “At least that girl has a chance now...”

  The festive afternoon continued as Frisbees flew, yard darts were tossed, and an occasional “clang” from a horseshoe would echo. Peaceful butterflies were caught, only to be released. Deer cautiously ate bread placed before them. Lunch was a “Thanksgiving all-in-it's-own,” as the congregation held hands and said grace. The tranquility was like a scene out of “The Sound of Music.”