On A Prayer

by Mary May

  “Who are you? What are you doing with my boy? Matt, I thought I told you not to open the door.”

  Klara stepped quickly between the small boy that had instantly gone back to being scared to look up and his dad. “Hi! My name is Klara and I live just a few doors down from you. Matthew actually helped me out today. I had made a huge pot of soup and couldn’t eat it all, so I was going to my neighbors and asking if they might want some so it wouldn’t be wasted. I gave him some soup then we just played some games in the hallway until you came home. He is a very smart young man.”

  Marcus frowned at her. “We don’t need your charity and if he was so smart he would do as I say and not open the door to strangers.” The man pushed his way past Klara and grabbed Matthew by the arm, pulling him to his feet roughly. Then he started to close the door.

  “Wait!” Klara put her hand on the door to stop it from closing.

  Marcus looked at her with barely veiled hostility.

  “What?” He growled at her.

  “Well, I was just thinking that I’m home the rest of this week and I would be more than happy to watch him for you while you work so you don’t have to worry about him. No charge, of course!”

  He pointed his finger in her face. “Lady, I said we don’t need or want your charity. Now leave us alone, you hear?”

  Klara jumped as he slammed the door in her face, then she turned and walked slowly back to her own apartment deep in thought.

  She opened her door and Scooter met her, winding around her ankles wanting some attention. She picked him up as hot tears fell down her face. “Oh, that poor baby. Scooter you are treated like king compared to that little lost soul. We have to do something, but what?”

  The next morning Klara listened at her door until she heard Marcus leave for work. She waited another thirty minutes in case he forgot something and came back, then she gathered up her bag of goodies and went to Matthew’s door. She tapped gently on it. “Matthew? It’s me, Klara. I have some breakfast for you.” She waited and listened for a couple of minutes but she didn’t hear anything except the TV. She knocked again. “Matthew, are you ok? Please open the door so I can see you’re all right.” Still no answer from inside. Klara could feel herself start to panic. She took a deep breath. “Ok, sweetheart, I’m just going to leave this food right here by your door. Please eat, ok?” She walked down the hall a little ways then she waited. In a few minutes the door slowly opened and she saw a little blonde head poke out and look both ways down the hallway. When he turned to look her direction she could clearly see his black eye and bruised cheek. She hurried toward him but he quickly shut the door and turned the lock.

  “Matthew, please let me take care of you. Open the door, sweetheart!” She repeated this ten times, begging Matthew to open the door, but then she realized that he was most likely too afraid. “Ok, baby, I’m going to help you. I promise!” She whispered against the door. She ran back to her apartment and dialed the number to the only lawyer that she knew…Alec Adams!

  Chapter 8

  Alec was very surprised to hear Klara’s voice when he answered his phone. “Mr. Adams, it’s Klara Martin. I’m so sorry to bother you but I really need your help; it’s a matter of life or death!” He could hear the genuine fear in Klara’s voice.

  “Of course, how can I help?” He listened as she explained the situation to him about Matthew. He could feel his fingers tighten on the phone when she told him about the bruises and the black eye. “Ok, Klara, let me make a few phone calls. You just stay close. I’ll be there in about an hour.”

  Klara hung up the phone with trembling fingers. She was terrified that Marcus might come back before Alec could get there. “He will have to go through me to touch that baby again!” she vowed. She searched her apartment for some kind of weapon, but the best she could come up with was an old heavy rolling pin that belonged to her great grandmother. She folded it in a towel then went and stood guard outside of Matthew’s door and waited for Alec.

  Alec waited impatiently for the elevator door to open. He had called the police and the child welfare authorities. He stopped at the landlord’s office and told him what was going on, getting the father’s full name and any other information the landlord might have. According to what the man told him, Matthew’s mother, Haylie Kelley, had left well over three months ago, or that was the story Marcus told everyone, leaving Marcus and the five year old boy Matthew. No one had seen the little boy, but they would hear cartoons and sometimes hear a child’s voice, so they left it alone. The father worked at a lumber mill on the west side and was known to be a heavy drinker. But again he didn’t seem to bother anyone, so they left it alone. The police officer asked the man if he would please join them and bring the master key to the apartment.

  Klara heard the elevator stop on her floor and then ding as it opened. She held the rolling pin firmly in her hand behind her back and prayed that it was anyone but Matthew’s father! She felt her knees go weak when she saw Alec followed by the landlord and a couple of police officers. Alec walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you ok? You’re white as a ghost.”

  Klara nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. I was just worried Matthew’s father might return before anyone got here!”

  He pointed to the rolling pin. “Were you going to roll out some pie dough while you waited?”

  Klara blushed then looked at the police officer. “Well, if I encountered any hard lumps that was my intention.” The officers just smiled at her.

  “Mr. Nevel, would you please open the door for us?” Alec turned to the officer that had just spoken. “Actually what if Klara opened the door? She already has established a relationship of sorts with the boy and it may not frighten him as much if she enters the apartment first.” The officer nodded then Mr. Nevel handed Klara the key.

  Klara put the key in the door and gently turned it. She opened the door slowly, calling Matthew’s name softly.

  “Matthew? Honey, it’s Klara. Don’t be afraid. I’m here to help you, ok?” She looked around the dim apartment, the only source of light coming from a small TV sitting on the floor in front of a mattress where Matthew was huddled. She turned to the men behind her. “Can you give me just a couple of minutes with him before you come in?”

  The officer in charge nodded. “I will just stand by the door, but I have to document how we find him, ok?”

  Klara agreed then she walked inside and over to the bed. Matthew was watching her with huge terrified eyes. “Please don’t come in. My daddy is going to be real mad at me,” he whimpered.

  She knelt down in front of him. “Matthew, I’m here to help you, ok? I have some friends that are here to help you, too.”

  He just shut his eyes and shook his head. “No! Go away!” He whispered loudly, pulling the blanket over his head.

  Klara looked at the officer by the door. He was taking pictures of the condition of the apartment. He motioned for her to continue to talk to Matthew. “Sweetheart, I promise you won’t get in any more trouble. Please come out from under the covers.” In a few seconds he pulled the blankets away and she could see the streaks his tears had left on his dirty cheeks.

  “Please… please… go away! You’re going to make my daddy real mad!” he begged her.

  Klara finally climbed up on the filthy mattress and gathered the scared little boy in her arms. “No, baby, I can’t go away and leave you like this. I’m sorry, but I can’t.” She held him and rocked him for a few minutes before she motioned for the officer to let the others in.

  After about thirty minutes the officer had all the information he needed to file child neglect and probable child abuse charges. Klara held Matthew in her arms and Alec stood close to her. “Can we go to my apartment now? I really can’t take the smell in here much longer.”

  The officer shook his head. “Actually we are all done except for notifying the father, which we will do on our way downtown. The boy will need to be examined by a doctor then placed until we can find out if
he has any other family that he can stay with.” The female officer reached for Matthew, but he clung to Klara tightly.

  “Can’t I just ride along until we know where you’re going to place him? If nothing else couldn’t he stay with me?”

  The male officer looked at Alec. “I don’t feel this would be a safe place for the boy. It is too close to the father’s place of residence. I’m sorry.”

  Klara looked at Alec in desperation. “But aren’t you going to arrest him in a few minutes anyway? He won’t be home.”

  Alec pulled Klara closer then whispered in her ear. “Just let them do what they need to do, Klara. You want them to take care of this legally; we don’t want to leave Marcus any loopholes to use against us.” He took the boy from Klara’s arms and handed him to the female officer. Matthew started to cry and scream for Klara, but the officer quickly took him out of the apartment.

  Alec hated to see the pained look in Klara’s eyes when he pulled the boy from her arms, but he knew he had to do it. He walked her back to her apartment after they had left with the boy. She walked in and sat down on the couch looking a little too pale for his liking. He went into the kitchen and found the necessary ingredients for coffee. He got a pot going then walked back into the living room. She hadn’t moved that he could tell. “Hey, you did a good thing. You most likely saved that little man’s life. It’s going to be ok.”

  She finally looked at him and nodded. “I just wish I could be with him right now. A familiar face, you know?”

  He smiled at her. “I know, and I know this is hard for you, too.”

  She glanced up at him. “I just wanted to bring him here. To give him a bath and feed him. No child should be treated like that! My cat is treated better! It broke my heart!”

  Alec turned her so she would look at him. “Klara, I want you to listen to me, ok? I know you have connected very strongly with Matthew, but he may have other family and even if he doesn’t the courts still may not let you keep him. I just want you to be prepared for that.”

  She sighed and nodded. “I’m aware of that, and as long as someone is treating him the way he needs to be treated. then I’m ok. Do you think they might let me visit at least?” she asked hopefully.

  Alec smiled at her. “I’ll make sure that happens for you.”

  Klara looked up, her brows knitted together. “I haven’t exactly been nice to you, Alec, but time and again you are here to help me. Why?” she questioned.

  He got to his feet and walked to the window looking outside. He answered her. “I guess it’s just perfect timing, Klara.”

  He heard her get to her feet and walk up beside him.

  “Well, whatever the reason. Thank you for everything.”

  Looking down at the top of her blonde head he felt an unfamiliar feeling…tenderness.

  Clearing his throat he walked back to the door. “Listen, I’ll do what I can about Matthew. I would guard against getting too close until we know where this may go. But if nothing else I should be able to arrange visitation for you.”

  Klara nodded. “What will happen now? Can you explain the steps they will take with him?”

  He shut the door and walked back to the couch, sitting on the edge. “The first thing will be a medical examination. They need to document any injuries and try to establish how old they are. Next they will locate any family members that may be able to take Matthew until this is over.”

  Klara looked up sharply. “They won’t return him to his mother, will they? From what I understood from Matthew, I don’t think she was much better than Marcus.”

  Alec shook his head. “She would have to be found and verify that she could support him. The fact that she just left him behind wouldn’t look good. I would be willing to bet that the judge would look for another family member, perhaps a grandparent.” Alec paused and gave Klara a stern look. “Klara, the odds of the courts awarding you custody, even temporarily, are slim; please tell me you understand that.”

  She got to her feet and stared down at him. “Yes! I do understand that! I do! But I’m just wondering where were all these grandparents and aunts and uncles while Matthew was left alone? Where were they when he was beaten and hungry? Where, Alec?”

  Getting to his own feet, he looked down at her. “Maybe they didn’t know. Maybe they don’t even know that Matthew was ever born. The point is we have to find these things out.”

  Hugging her arms around herself she looked at him with tears filling her eyes. “But I’m right here; I could take care of him and love him…I’m right here,” she whispered.

  Shaking his head he pulled her into his arms. “I know you are, and I know that you would love that little boy with your whole heart, but, Klara, some things are out of my control. Even I can’t go against what the courts order. I promise you I will do whatever I can, ok?”

  Klara nodded her head, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I understand, Alec, and again thank you for everything.”

  After promising to keep her informed Alec left.

  Klara walked to the door and locked it after he left. She paced the room and tried to clean, but there wasn’t anything really to pick up. She tried to read, but she felt too on edge to concentrate on anything, so she went in her room and pulled on her running shoes. She pulled her long hair into a high ponytail. She hadn’t been for a run in so long she probably wouldn’t be able to go very far, but it used to help clear her head. Grabbing her Ipod and her keys, she headed out to the park. Slipping the ear buds in her ears, she started off slowly, pacing herself. She didn’t even notice what the playlist was. When she heard the familiar opening notes to “I Can Only Imagine,” she stopped. This was David’s favorite song. She started to pull out the ear buds but instead she left them in and started jogging. She let the music carry her back to when she found out she was pregnant with Joshua…

  Chapter 9

  They had been married just over two years and Klara was bound and determined to get pregnant by their third anniversary. “Sweetheart, you do realize that babies have a tendency to arrive on their own schedule, not yours, right?” David teased her.

  Lying back on the bed with her legs propped high against the wall she gave him a saucy grin. “I didn’t hear you complaining about my efforts a few minutes ago.” Crawling back across the bed he gave her a long smoldering kiss.

  “Now I’m for all the baby making practice you want; I just don’t want you to be disappointed if it doesn’t happen exactly when you want it to. God knows the perfect time to bless us with a baby.” Stuffing a pillow under her hips to elevate them further, she poked him in the chest.

  “God and I have discussed this at length, and WE believe this is the right time.” David laughed then. Standing on the bed he grabbed her ankles and yanked them higher.

  “Then why are you standing on your head after every effort? If God agrees, then he doesn’t need your help!”

  Giggling as David bounced her up and down, Klara gasped out, “Just figured it would be rude to ask God to do all the work!”

  Pouncing down on top of her, David ran kisses down her neck and collarbones. “Well… let me do my part then; don’t want to be rude!”

  Klara squirmed, trying to get away. “Wait, let me check my temperature!” She reached for the thermometer when he grabbed her hand.

  He growled in her ear. “You let me worry about your temperature…”

  Three weeks later Klara anxiously waited for the two minutes to be up to check the little white stick. She knew she was pushing it; she was barely two days late, but she just knew she was pregnant. She could feel it! Finally the timer went off and she spun around, grabbing the stick. “Yes! Oh, thank you, Jesus!” Two pink lines stared back from the tiny window. She raced from the bathroom and into the bedroom where David was waiting. She didn’t have to answer -- he could see the tears of joy in her eyes. She jumped into his arms, straddling his waist with her legs. “A baby! I told you me and God had this worked out!”

  He laughed then fro
wned at her. “I think I may have had a little part in this process.”

  She kissed his cheek with a loud smack. “Well, maybe just a little!”

  Eight months and two and half weeks later Joshua David Martin came screaming into their world. Klara had never been so exhausted or exhilarated in all her life! She knew she would remember the exact moment when she locked eyes with her son for the first time. Doctors and medical professionals could say what they wanted, but she knew that her baby had focused on her and the bond was instantly formed! When they laid him on her tummy, he turned his head to her and stopped crying; then Klara started crying! They stared at each other for a long moment. “Hey there, Joshua, I’m your mommy,” she whispered then brought him closer and placed a tender kiss on his soft cheek. “Oh, thank you, Jesus, he is truly beautiful, thank you, thank you, thank you,” she prayed softly. As she looked up into her husband’s beaming face, she knew she had just experienced the most profound and soul-changing, moment she would ever experience…she had just become a mother!

  She marked every milestone with precision in his baby book. The first time he smiled, rolled over or sat up was carefully documented and recorded. She went through dozens of memory cards for her digital camera, taking pictures almost every day. It seemed that daily he did something that she wanted to preserve forever. “Are all new mothers this obsessed with their babies?” she finally asked one day.

  Her mother laughed. “Well, now, everyone is different, but don’t you worry about it. You enjoy that baby as much as you want to. He won’t be a baby for very long.”

  True to her word, Joshua seemed to grow from infant to toddler overnight. Before she even had time to really get used to having a baby, she didn’t anymore. At his first birthday she kept going in her bathroom to repair her makeup that was smeared from crying so much.