A Family Reunited

by Jennifer Johnson

  Owen shoved his hands in his coat pockets. “Yeah, but we’re not doing much good by standing here in the cold looking at it.”

  “I know.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Jack spied Steve sauntering up the sidewalk toward the shelter. Jack waved, and Steve picked up the pace.

  “Whatcha got going on here?”

  Jack pointed to the engine. “Looks like we need a new starter.”

  Steve pointed toward the seat. “Get on in there, turn her over and let me hear.”

  Owen lifted his eyebrows, but Jack did as Steve said.

  Steve smacked his lips. “Yup. The starter. I can fix her up for ya if you get me the parts.” He patted the side of the van. “She’s an old girl. Don’t need all that fancy machinery they put on these new cars, so I know how to fix her.”

  Jack chewed the inside of his mouth as Owen slowly shook his head left to right. Jack lifted his hands. “Steve, I don’t have the parts you’d need.”

  Steve spat on the ground. “Ain’t no problem. Take me on over to the auto parts store, and I’ll get us what we need.” He laughed, exposing his rotting teeth. “Course, you’ll have to pay for it.”

  Owen pursed his lips, looking at Jack like he’d be crazy to consider it. And yet something in Jack’s spirit wanted to give Steve a try. Homeless people were homeless for a reason, and they all had a past most people didn’t know about. Exhaling a quick breath, Jack said, “Okay, Steve, let’s go.”

  Steve took a step back. “Really? You gonna trust me to fix it?”

  Jack narrowed his gaze. “You said you could.”

  Steve nodded. “I can. I can.”

  Jack pointed to his car. “Then let’s go get the parts.”

  Owen looked at his watch. “I’d go with you, man, but I gotta get back to work.”

  “No problem,” said Jack.

  He whispered, “I’ll say a prayer this works.”

  Jack grinned. “I’ll be praying with you.”

  Jack opened the car door, and Steve got into the passenger seat. The stench overpowered Jack in the small space, and he wondered if his car would ever be the same.

  Once at the auto parts store, Jack was all too aware of the stares of the customers as he and Steve picked up the parts he’d need. One woman took her young son by the hand and left the store altogether. Jack didn’t blame her. People were often afraid of people who weren’t like them, especially if they looked bad and smelled bad. But there was so much more to the homeless. He knew that firsthand.

  After paying for the parts, Jack drove back to the shelter. He stood outside, his gloved hands shoved into his coat pockets. He couldn’t believe Steve could stand to be tinkering on that van in the cold with no gloves at all. After a while, Steve stood to his full height and smacked dirty hands together. “That should do her.” He motioned to the front. “Try her out.”

  Jack put the keys in the ignition and turned. To his surprise, the van roared to life. Steve chuckled as he smacked the hood shut. “Still got it.”

  Jack hopped out of the van and walked to Steve. “You were a mechanic, weren’t you?”

  Steve lifted his chin and pride lit his eyes. “One of the best in town.”

  “Why are you on the streets?”

  Steve shrugged.

  Jack studied his friend for a moment. “Come on. You deserve a treat.”

  Jack grabbed his arm and guided him into the shelter. He settled Steve into one of the chairs and went back to the kitchen and fixed two cups of hot chocolate. God, show me the words to say. Lead Steve to You.

  He handed Steve a mug, then sat across from him. “Careful. It’s hot.”

  Steve blew on the top. “Smells good. Ain’t had hot chocolate in years.”

  Jack wrapped his hands around the mug, allowing the heat to warm his hands. “You know I was homeless for a while.”

  Steve squinted at him. “You were? How long?”

  “About a year before I became a Christian and started working and living at the shelter.”

  “Hmph. Where at? Ain’t never seen you around here.” He pointed to his chest. “And I reckon I know everybody.”

  “Texas. A man named Jermaine led me to the Lord. I started working for him. Lived in a shelter called God’s Hands.”

  “Hmph.” He pointed to Jack. “Why was you on the streets? Seem like a smart fellow.”

  “I am a smart fellow. My guess is that you are, as well.”

  Steve lowered his gaze and took a long drink of the cocoa. It was still hot, and Jack knew the liquid had to burn going down.

  Jack figured if he wanted to make any headway with his homeless friend, he’d have to lay his own life on the line. “I was stuck on the bottle,” said Jack.

  Steve clicked his tongue. “Yup. That’ll do it.” He pointed to his head. “Stopped taking my crazy meds. Used different drugs instead.”

  Jack nodded. He wasn’t surprised. Sometimes Steve was lucid, like today. Other times his eyes were glazed and confusion dominated his expression. Mental instability, drugs or both.

  “Why’d you stop taking your meds?”

  Steve shuddered. “Side effects were awful.”

  “Maybe you just need to try different kinds or doses.”

  “Got tired of that. None of them worked, and when Janine died, I didn’t care that they didn’t work.”

  “Janine was your wife?”

  Steve clammed up and took another drink of the hot chocolate.

  Jack twirled his fingers around the cup. He had yet to take a drink, but his spirit was so heavy for Steve. He wanted to share, to convince him to accept the Lord, to change his life. He prayed for God to put the right words in his mouth. “You know what really turned my life around?”

  Steve didn’t respond.

  Jack continued. “Jesus. When I accepted Christ as Lord of my life, everything changed. I was able to fight my addiction. My life—”

  Steve slammed the cup on the table and stood to his feet. “Well, Jack, thanks for the cocoa. Glad to help you with the van.”

  Steve wasn’t ready. Not yet. “Thanks again for fixing it.”

  Jack released a long breath as he watched Steve walk out the door. His friend wasn’t ready, but that wouldn’t stop Jack from praying.

  Chapter 15

  Pamela shook hands with Jermaine and Stella. Jack had talked about them many times over the past few months, but they looked nothing like she had imagined. She’d known they were African-American, but she’d envisioned a younger, more haggard-looking couple. They had to be in their late fifties, early sixties, but with their contemporary clothes and hairstyles, they reminded her more of her parents than workers in a homeless shelter. Jermaine’s eyes twinkled with merriment, and she experienced an instant connection with him, but Stella seemed to hold her at arm’s length. She studied her, and Pamela found herself wondering if the woman had doubts that she was good enough for Jack.

  Jack glanced at her and Stella. “Jermaine wants me to go with him to the back. We’ll be back in a couple minutes.”

  Pamela smiled, willing him to read her mind not to leave her alone with the woman. He didn’t get the message, and Pamela clasped her hands together when she and Stella were left alone in the room.

  Stella motioned to some chairs. “We could sit a spell.”

  Pamela nodded and sat across from Stella. She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. She had no idea what to talk with the woman about, and she wanted to choke Jack for leaving them alone.

  They’d had a wonderful dinner as a family on Sunday after church. Even Emma had looked forward to seeing Jack. When he’d asked her to meet the couple from Texas, she hadn’t had the heart to say no.

  “How are things between you and Jack?”

/>   The woman’s voice was stern, leaving no room to argue about responding to her question. “Good.”

  “You’re not back together yet, though?”

  Pamela shifted in the seat. That wasn’t any of this woman’s business. Stella might have a relationship with Jack, but she most certainly didn’t have one with Pamela, and Pamela owed her no explanations. Still propriety required she answer the question. “No.”

  Stella leaned forward in the chair. “He tell you about his time with us?”

  Pamela glanced at the door leading to the back of the building. What was taking them so long? Maybe she should just go check on them. She felt Stella’s intense gaze and sucked in a breath as she responded. “No, he didn’t.”

  “Have you asked?”

  “No.”

  Pamela studied her fingernails. Sometimes she wanted to ask him what he’d done the eight years he was gone. Then she feared his answer. Feared he’d tell her the truth of it, and she’d be devastated. She inwardly chuckled at her thinking. She was such a fool. Claimed she didn’t want him back but feared the truth would cement her desire to never allow him back.

  “You wanna know?”

  She stared into Stella’s eyes. “I honestly don’t know.”

  A slow grin spread over Stella’s face, and, for the first time, Pamela spied kindness in her eyes. “Well, I’m gonna tell you a bit. That husband of yours lived with us at God’s Hands for three years.”

  Surprise swelled in Pamela’s gut, and she lifted her eyebrows. “What? That long?”

  Stella pursed her lips. “Yep. That boy had spent a year before that pretty much on the streets. Living here, there and everywhere. Believe your husband said his parents had kicked him out for good.”

  Pamela crossed her arms in front of her chest, feeling uncomfortable that Stella kept referring to him as her husband. She hadn’t realized he’d actually lived on the streets. The truth of it sent a shiver down her spine, and she stared at a bubble gum wrapper on the floor.

  Stella continued. “He’d wandered into the shelter several times.” She shook her head and clicked her tongue. “Knew that husband of yours was hungover most the time. Then one day this woman comes into the shelter. Has these two little girls.”

  She stopped talking, and Pamela looked up. Stella wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. “Well, I’ll let him tell you the details. But that was the day he grabbed Jermaine and begged him to show him how to straighten up his life.”

  A huge smile spread over the woman’s face and she sat up straighter. “And my Jermaine led that boy to the only one who could cure him, Jesus Christ. After that, your husband cleaned up his act, attended meetings, started back to school, even lived at the shelter and worked for us.”

  Pamela’s brow furrowed. “He kept living at the shelter?”

  “Yep.”

  “But why?”

  “Well, he was in school and trying to save every extra penny for you and the girls.”

  Emotion swelled within Pamela, threatening a display she’d prefer not to have in front of the woman. She jumped to her feet. “Excuse me, Stella. I need to use the restroom.”

  Pamela raced into the bathroom and turned on the faucet. After wetting a paper towel, she dotted her cheeks and forehead. Thoughts pelted her brain from every angle. He’d been sober for years before he’d called. Lived in a shelter to save money. He’d actually lived on the streets. Was kicked out of his parents’ home. Who did he live with? What had he done? What had happened to him?

  She closed her eyes. He told her he loved her every time they saw each other. Part of her wanted to love him again. In the depth of her heart, she knew she loved him. But knowing something and acting on it were different things. Maybe it wasn’t safe to love him again. Her heartbeat sped up. Horrible things happened to homeless people, and drunk people made bad choices.

  Pulling back her hair, she growled into the mirror. It would be easier to simply walk away, to tell him to get out of her life forever. But she knew he wouldn’t. Even if she rejected him, he wouldn’t leave the girls again.

  The truth of that simmered in her heart. He wouldn’t leave the girls. In her spirit, she knew he wouldn’t. Blowing out a breath, she threw the paper towel in the trash can and walked out of the bathroom.

  Stella placed her hand on Pamela’s arm. “You all right?”

  Pamela nodded.

  “Talk to him.”

  “I’m gonna have to.”

  * * *

  Jack gazed at Pamela across the booth. She looked beautiful in the silky green blouse and dark skirt. A thin strand of pearls hugged her long, creamy neck. She’d pulled her red mane up into some kind of knot, but long strands fell against her ears and neck. Though she rarely wore dark makeup, she’d put some dark green shadow on her eyelids that made her blue eyes almost glow in the dim light.

  He still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to go on a date with him. Before they’d left, Stella had encouraged him to ask Pamela to spend some time just the two of them. He’d thought the older woman crazy, but maybe he’d been dragging his feet, trying too hard to prove he’d be a good father. Maybe he needed to focus more on the romance he hoped they’d share again.

  The waitress arrived at the table, and they ordered steaks, baked potatoes and salads. When the woman walked away, Pamela placed her napkin in her lap. “This is very nice, Jack.”

  “I’m glad you agreed to come. I want us to spend time together as a couple.”

  “I know.”

  She averted her gaze, and Jack took a drink of his sweet iced tea. He pondered what he should say to her. Nothing too heavy. They just needed to enjoy spending time together. He cleared his throat. “Have all your grades been posted?”

  “Mmm-hmm. Four As and one C. Exactly what I expected.”

  “That’s terrific. Three semesters to go, right?”

  “That’s right.”

  She reached for her glass and took a drink. Jack clasped his hands on the table. The waitress returned and filled their glasses. Pamela still didn’t look at him as she took another drink.

  He tried again. “Jermaine and Stella bought me a bus ticket to Texas, so I can visit my family.” He wanted to add that he’d love for her and the girls to join him, but he knew better than to ask. Yet.

  “That’s nice.” She traced the rim of the glass with her fingertip. “Is it round-trip?”

  He stared at her until she finally looked him in the eye. “I’m never leaving again.”

  She nodded, and the waitress arrived with their food. He took Pamela’s hands in his and allowed his thumbs to caress her palms as he prayed over their food. With the amen, Pamela pulled back her hands and started eating. He tasted little as he shoved bites into his mouth. What was wrong with her? He never knew from one moment to the next how she would behave. He’d never been a big fan of roller coasters, and this was one he especially wanted off.

  She looked at him and swallowed. She wanted to ask something. Her anxiety was obvious. He wished she’d just spit it out. “Pamela, if there’s something you’d like to—”

  “Stella talked to me about your past.”

  Jack blinked and looked at her. “What about it?”

  “About your living at the shelter. That you were actually homeless.”

  “That’s true.” Jack wiped his mouth with the napkin. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I’ve been waiting for you to ask.”

  Pamela peered at him. “Where did you go when you left?”

  “I moved in with my parents, and when I wouldn’t stop drinking, they kicked me out. I lived with a buddy before he kicked me out, then back with my parents, then I ended up shacking up in a raggedy tent on the outskirts of town.”

  Pamela chewed on her bottom lip. He could imagine eve
rything she’d want to know, but he’d wait and let her ask.

  “How did you end up at Jermaine and Stella’s shelter?”

  He remembered the first time. The temperature had dipped below freezing the night before. He’d almost died in that tent. When he hadn’t, he’d wandered into town and seen God’s Hands. “Got cold. I knew I’d freeze if I didn’t find better shelter.”

  She nodded. “Stella mentioned a woman and two girls?”

  Pain laced through Jack’s veins. When he closed his eyes, he could still see their faces. Forever he’d wonder what had happened to them. He nodded. “The woman.” He motioned to Pamela’s hair. “Her hair was a little lighter than yours. She had two little girls with her.” He shrugged. “So close in age they might have been twins.”

  Pamela interrupted him. “They reminded you of me and the girls?”

  He nodded. “The woman had two black eyes. The girls were too thin. Fear filled their eyes. Their dad had...” He shook his head. “I’ll never forget the look in their eyes.” He took Pamela’s hand in his. “It was that night I realized I was the lowest of sinners, and I needed God. I wanted to change, and I wanted to be a good husband to you and a good dad to the girls. I realized only God could change me.”

  Pamela looked down at the table. “Did anyone ever hurt you? You know, while you were homeless?”

  “No.”

  “Did you ever hurt anyone?”

  “You mean besides you and the girls and my family? No. I never physically hurt anyone.”

  Her voice sounded little louder than a whisper. “Did you...were there other women?”

  “No.”

  She lifted her chin and looked into his eyes, daring him to lie to her. He wished she could read his mind.

  He shook his head. “No.”

  She nodded and excused herself to the restroom. While she was gone, Jack paid for their meal and prayed that God would reunite them as husband and wife. When she returned, she didn’t say anything, and since he was unsure what he should say, he helped her into her coat, then put on his own and guided her to the car.