The Heart

by Iris Bolling

  Martha looked around at the faces of her grandchildren and their little friends and thought it’s wonderful being a grandmother. “Of course you may. Check with your parents and let me know who’s staying.”

  The children ran by Lena and Gwendolyn as they went in search of their parents. Martha turned to the other grandmothers as they watched the children running off.

  “Where are all those kids going to sleep?” Lena asked.

  “There is a combination of twelve bedrooms and four guest houses each with two bedrooms, not to mention the two pool houses with bedrooms on this compound. No one is going to be sleeping on the floor, including you two. Which guest house do you want?” Martha raised an eyebrow daring either of them to say no.

  Lena stood with her hands on her hips, brushing her hair away from her face, “I don’t do the grandmother thing.”

  “Well you are doing it this week.” Martha declared. “Bedroom upstairs or the guest house?”

  “Guest house,” Lena frowned.

  Martha turned to Gwen, who was laughing at the look on Lena’s face, “I’ll be staying in my suite at James’ house.”

  “Ryan,” Martha called over the women’s shoulder. “We are going to need your help. The children will be staying here while JD and Tracy are away.”

  “Yes ma’am I know.” Ryan nodded her head.

  “No.” Lena stopped Ryan. “You don’t understand. She said all,” Lena spread her hands out “the children will be sleeping over her. That means Tracy’s, Ashley’s; Cynthia’s, Caitlyn’s and Jackie’s children will be staying under this roof for a week.”

  “Oh hell,” Ryan yelled as she turned and walked off.

  Martha smiled. “I think this is going to be fun.”

  Lena frowned as Martha walked off, “You would.”

  “Come on Lena. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Gwen laughed as she pulled her along.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Ryan walked through the group of people in the foyer. She noticed the children talking to their parents. Walking up to Al she stopped. “I need to speak with you.”

  JD raised an eyebrow as he watched Al’s reaction. The man had the patience of JOB. After the way Ryan spoke to Al this morning, it’s a wonder he could stand to be in the same room with her. But, as calm as a summer breeze, Al excused himself, placed his hand on the small of her back and stepped away. “Is there a problem?” Al stood with his hands in his pockets giving her his undivided attention.

  Damn, those eyes are dangerous when they are directed at one target. She put her sunshades on. “We have an issue,” was all she managed to say. Al held her glare as he waited for the issue to be revealed. “Mrs. Harrison has agreed to let all the children stay here.”

  “They are all usually on the compound every day away. That shouldn’t be an issue.”

  You don’t understand. All ten of them,” she pointed for emphasis, “under one roof.”

  Nodding with a slight smile, Al replied, “I understand the concept.” He shrugged his shoulders. They’re just children. How much trouble can they be?”

  The statement brought Ryan out of her temporary fantasy of his lips and frowned. “Have you ever been around a lot of small children at one time?”

  “No, but it can’t be that bad.”

  Ryan put her hand on her hips. “Can’t be that bad? Are you serious?” She walked away mumbling. “You’re going to wish you were still dealing with the gangs in the streets before this week is out.”

  “We can handle them.”

  She looked over her shoulder. “You are going to eat those words.”

  Chapter 8

  Magna was working the first shift at the gate while Ryan completed the walk around the compound. She was still laughing at the expression on Al’s face when he found out not only were the children staying on the grounds, but so was his mother. The look was only a moment long, but she caught it and it was priceless. Being around Tracy for the last few years she knew a little about their story. Lena and Tracy did not have a good relationship in the past, but it seemed they were a little more than civil to each other now. But Al apparently still had issues with Mrs. Roth.

  Ryan walked in the back door leading to the kitchen of the house thinking at least Tracy understood the value having a mother, even a bad one. She looked up, “What are you still doing in the kitchen? It’s after nine.”

  Mrs. Gordon laughed, “We have ten children in the house ranging from 4 to 16. Somebody is always needed in the kitchen. It might as well be me.” She looked up at Ryan with that concerned motherly glance. “Are you doing better tonight?”

  “I’m good.” She knew what the woman was asking. She shrugged her shoulder, “He gets to me, alright.” She hesitated. “I don’t know how to handle what he makes me feel.”

  “Don’t fight the feelings.”

  That sounded so simple, but it was not. Ryan thought as she stood to walk up the steps, but stopped. She turned back to Mrs. Gordon with her hands wedged into her back pockets and pleading eyes. “I don’t know how.”

  “You can start with a smile. I’m sure Mr. Al will take it from there.”

  “Just a smile, huh.”

  “That’s all—a smile.”

  She nodded. “I’m going up to check on the children before turning in at the bunk house.” Ryan walked up the back stairs.

  “Have a good night, just in case I don’t see you when you come down.”

  “You too, Mrs. Gordon.”

  Mrs. Gordon watched as the woman walked up the stairs wondering how long it was going to take Al to tame the beast.

  Ryan heard a voice as she turned the corner to the children’s playroom. But it wasn’t a child’s voice; it was Al’s. Strangely, the children were nowhere to be seen, as she approached the room. Walking into the room the children were still nowhere in sight. “Where are they?” She walked further in looking around. Noticing the French doors leading to the balcony were open, she walked quickly across the room. The children were not allowed on the balcony without adult supervision. Realizing Al was on the balcony, she began slowing her pace. Al’s voice was the only thing she could hear and it was mesmerizing her.

  As she got closer to the opening, Mrs. Harrison and Gwendolyn Brooks came into view. They were both sitting in lounge chairs with their feet up and drinks in their hands. As she moved closer to the doorway, she could see all the children sitting on the deck looking to the front. They seemed to be spellbound. As she reached the opening she saw the children were as mesmerized by Al’s voice as she was as he told them a story.

  The top two buttons were open to his white linen shirt and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbow. Sitting on one knee were Gabby and Samantha with Brianna on the other. Sitting at his feet were JC, Jaden, and Jada. Elliott and James Jr. sat behind them all engrossed in his story.

  It appeared Al had his own version of The Wizard of Oz, called The Knights of Oz. Locs hanging around his shoulders, moving along with the motions of his body, as he glanced up at her and smiled. The smile was so seductive, at least to her; she had no choice but to smile back. For a moment she stood in the doorway thinking Mrs. Gordon was right. It wasn’t that hard to smile at Al.

  “What happened to the Knights after they saved the little girl?” JC asked his uncle.

  “Well the knights were given the most precious gift of all. The honor of protecting the little princess forever.”

  “What happened to the princess?” Brianna asked with her thumb still partially in her mouth. “Is she still scared?”

  Al twisted the old id bracelet his then little sister had given him years ago. He kept the bracelet with him wherever he went to remind him there was a God somewhere out there, for he had created his little sister. It reminded him why he did the things in his past and proved that there was good in this world. “The princess,” he said as he looked up at Ryan, “is still afraid sometimes. But just like all princesses, if they really think about it, they know, they will never have a rea
son to be afraid. The Knights of Oz will always be there whenever they need them.”

  The stare from him sent goose bumps up Ryan’s arm. She rubbed the area thinking, any man that could make her feel jittery just from a look could definitely be trouble. But then again, any man that enjoyed being around children couldn’t be all bad.

  A movement near the fireplace at the end of the room caught her attention. It was Al’s mother. She started to speak, but Mrs. Roth put her finger to her lips asking her not to.

  What is that about? Ryan thought, but adhered to the woman’s request as she turned back to the children.

  Al returned his attention to the children. “You know what happened next? The Princess of Oz married the King of the region. They are about to embark on a journey to protect families all over the world.”

  “Will the bad people try to attack them again?” Jada asked.

  “Probably,” Al replied.

  Gabby pulled down on one of Al’s locs. “The Knights of Oz is not going to let them. Ain’t that right, Uncle Turk?”

  Al looked down at the expectant face of his niece and smiled, “That’s right.”

  “I want to be a Knight,” JC said with his head resting in his hands as he sat Indian style on the balcony

  Al looked down at JC. The boy had captured a piece of his heart the first day they met when he just walked to him with his arms open ready to be picked up. The child had no restraints when it came to people. He reminded him so much of Tracy at that age. “You will be so much more JC, you and your friends. You will be a great leader, just like your father.”

  The always attention-seeking Jazzy, stood with hands on hips. “What about me, Uncle Turk?”

  “You,” Al laughed, “Are going to have all the knights dropping at your feet, just like your Grandmother Lena.” Ryan peeked in the room to glance at Mrs. Roth. The woman simply held her head down as a small smile touched her lips. Hmm, Ryan thought. She never expected to see humility on Lena Roth.

  Jazzy turned to Martha. “Grandma, did you have knights?”

  Martha laughed, “I had one good one. I didn’t need anymore.”

  “Well, I’m going to have all the knights.”

  “And I’m going to have your behind. That’s what grandmothers do.”

  The adults laughed, as Al looked up to see Ryan walking onto the deck. She bent over and whispered something into Martha’s ear. That was his cue to leave. It was difficult to be in the same room with the woman and not be affected by her. Rather than having another dose of her bitterness towards him, he sat Gabby and Brianna down.

  “Are you leaving, Uncle Turk?” JC asked.

  “No, but I think Ms. Ryan is here to get the little ones ready for bed.”

  “Do we have to?” Brianna cried.

  Al smiled, then bent down to kiss her cheek, “Yes chubby cheeks, you do.”

  Gwen turned to Martha, “You take this group. I’ll take the next.”

  “Sounds good,” Martha stood, “Okay, Brianna, Samantha, Gabby and Anthony,” Martha called out. Let’s get ready for bed. The rest of you can hang out in the game room a little longer.”

  “Can Uncle Turkey tuck us in tonight, Grandma?” Gabby asked.

  “No. Uncle Turk has to talk to Ms. Ryan. But you can see him tomorrow.” The small children followed their grandmother pouting, as the older children ran into the game room.

  Ryan stood on the balcony giving Al the evening report as Lena watched them from her seat near the fireplace. Gwen walked over and sat next to her. “Have you two talked yet?”

  Lena continued to watch the two on the balcony. “There’s really nothing to talk about. The past cannot be changed.”

  “True. But acceptance and progress can. Believe me, I know—I’ve lived it.”

  “Look at those two,” Lena instructed her friend. “What do you see?”

  Gwen sat back for a moment and watched. She smiled, “I see two people attracted to each other and trying not to show it.”

  Lena nodded, “That’s what I see, too.” She sat back and smiled. “It’s kind of nice to see. Maybe he’s ready to let a woman in.”

  “Maybe.”

  Ryan walked from the balcony, through the room and out the door. Al stood just inside the French doors watching her exit. He turned to see Lena and Gwen watching him. He looked from one to the other. “Mrs. Brooks, Lena.”

  “Al,” Lena and Gwen replied.

  “That was a wonderful story, Al. You are surprisingly good with children.” Gwen complimented.

  “I had a lot of practice with my little sister. Good night, ladies.”

  “Good night, Al.”

  An hour later, Ryan was at the computer when Al walked into the situation security house. “The children weren’t a problem after all,” Al said as he leaned against the door jam.

  Ryan turned and looked up at him. “Don’t call it a victory yet, you still have six more days to go.”

  He tilted his head and gave her the crooked smile. “I can’t believe you’re afraid of a few children.”

  “Those sweet little children can turn into devils at a moment’s notice.”

  “Tomorrow is going to be a breeze, just like today.” Al said over his shoulder as he walked away.

  “We’ll see,” Ryan turned back to the computer.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Day two began and ended with a bang. The small children, Samantha, Brianna, Gabby and Tony decided they were going to help Grandma Martha with the wash. They meant well, they really did. It just turned out all wrong. At the bathroom sink between Gabby and Brianna’s bedrooms was where the innocent brainstorming began.

  Samantha and Brianna were complaining about the small children being put to bed early while the big kids got to stay up late. “Grandma Martha said we wore her out last night when she put us to bed.” Brianna explained. “She said we had to go to bed early so she could get some rest.”

  “Well,” Samantha said as she washed her face, “maybe we can help her with her work and then she won’t be so tired.”

  “But we are little children. What can we do?” Brianna sat down on the stool and propped her elbow on her knee and her chin on her hand.

  Brianna sounded so sad and Samantha wanted to make her friend feel better. She sat down on the stool next to her and sighed. “You know, I help my mommy all the time. We wash clothes, dust the furniture and I even help her cook sometimes. Most of the time my daddy cooks. But sometimes my mommy cooks hot dogs and I help her.”

  “But Grandma Martha don’t cook at our house. Mrs. Gordon does.” Brianna pouted.

  Samantha frowned more. Her friend was still feeling sad. A moment later she turned to her friend, excited. “Your Grandma Martha said she was going to have to wash a heap of clothes. We could help her wash clothes.”

  “Do you know how?” A curious Brianna perked up.

  That encouraged Samantha more. “I sure do. All you need is some washing powder and a lot of water.”

  Brianna sat up. “I know where there’s a lot of water.”

  “You do?”

  “Yep and we can ask Mrs. Gordon for the washing powder.” Brianna stood. “If we wash the clothes for Grandma, she won’t be tired and we can stay up late tonight.”

  “Okay,” Samantha smiled, “Let’s go do it before your grandmother wakes up and we can surprise her.”

  “Okay.” The two little girls ran into the bedroom and began dressing.

  Gabby appeared in the doorway with her thumb in her mouth. “Where you going Brianna?”

  “We’re going to help Grandma Martha.”

  “Can I go?”

  “Sure you can. Go get dressed.”

  The excitement was spreading. “Can Tony come too?” Gabby asked.

  “Yes he can come,” Samantha replied, “But don’t tell the big kids. They will just try to stop us.”

  “Okay.” Gabby ran in her room to get Tony.

  Ten minutes later the children walked into the kitchen. “Good mo
rning, Mrs. Gordon. Where does mommy wash the clothes?” Brianna asked barely reaching the counter top.

  Mrs. Gordon looked over the island to see four children standing there with their arms filled with clothes. None of the girl’s hair was done, and they were dressed haphazardly. “Good morning, my angels. Aren’t you being helpful little bees early this morning? The laundry is right by the bathroom at the back door.” Mrs. Gordon replied smiling brightly at the children as they marched by. “Isn’t that sweet, they’re trying to be helpful.” She smiled and continued preparing breakfast.

  After reaching the laundry room, Brianna climbed up the step stool to reach the detergent. “It’s heavy. How are we going to carry it?”

  Eager to help, Tony put his bundle of clothes on the floor. “I can go get my wagon to carry the ‘tergent to the water.”

  “That’s a good idea. You go get your wagon and we’ll wait here for you. Hurry up so we can surprise grandma before she wakes up.”

  “Okay,” Tony smiled and ran out the door.

  “I’m going with Tony,” Gabby dropped her armload of clothes and ran out behind him.