by Nancy Hopper
“Sam, these people are Christians. At least they’re supposed to be. How can a married person even think about indulging in extramarital activities? Even I know that’s wrong!”
He shook his head. “The close quarters and camp atmosphere give more opportunity than normally exists. Sometimes people let down their guard and get careless.” He explained carefully. “It doesn’t happen often, but I’m always watching for that kind of trouble. Men are still men, and women are still women. Sex is the biggest area where people seem to remain vulnerable.” he laughed. “As I well know.” he admitted, shooting an admiring glance at Callie.
Callie was too preoccupied to notice, for once. She pressed her lips together and sighed. “Well, I hope I’m wrong this time. I don’t think anything has happened yet between them, but I sure felt like I was seeing something far too intimate for comfort.”
Sam smiled at her. “Yeah, well. Sadie has seen me doing some things I shouldn’t have been doing, hasn’t she?”
Callie tensed. “That is a matter of opinion.”
Sam gave her a crooked smile. “Well; granted, we didn’t do anything wrong. But I can assure you that I was on the edge.”
Callie gave him a square look. “Sam, there is nothing wrong with making love.”
He sighed. “Tell me about it. But Callie, it’s meant for a husband and wife. It’s not a first or second date activity. Whether there's a license or not. When you make love to someone, you become one. It’s a very permanent thing that happens. We don’t understand it all, but the human spirit bonds itself to another. It’s not something that one can tamper with. It will mess you up. There is no happiness in having a string of broken relationships behind you, where you’ve given your all and been wounded. It’s a damaging thing. It’s much wiser to wait until you’re sure.”
“How can you be sure?” Callie challenged.
“Marriage. Commitment.” He challenged in response.
“Marriages fail.” Callie pointed out.
“Yes, and that is a tragedy. We take even that kind of commitment too lightly. I’m not suggesting that every marriage is made in heaven, or that anyone should stay in an abusive marriage. Not at all. But many times, marriages end due to selfishness, stubbornness or infidelity. Believe me, I’ve seen the entire spectrum. Callie, when I get married, I want it to be forever. I’ve seen too much heartache to jump into bed without a commitment. I have to be sure. That night, I wanted you, so much. But I wasn’t sure of you, and you were not my wife, in spirit or in deed. I couldn’t. With my history, and my commitment to the Lord, especially. I can’t afford it. If I made a mistake, I don’t know what would happen.”
“I know, Sam. I understand.” She said softly.
“Do you?” he asked quietly.
“Yes. I do now. I didn’t then.” She admitted. “I wanted you, and I didn’t care about anything else. But, I was wrong. Love considers the other person’s needs. I’m very sorry for what I put you through.”
Sam looked at her, but she couldn’t see his eyes behind the dark glasses. “It was as much my fault. It just happened. Callie, don’t beat yourself up about it.”
She shrugged. Sam reached over and took her hand. She looked up at him apprehensively. He kissed the back of her hand, and smiled at her. She looked away, trying to blink back tears.
“Callie.” He urged her softly.
She looked up at him only because he insisted. The pain was suddenly as fresh at that moment as it had been on the night in question.
Sam sighed and put an arm around her neck, drawing her head against his chest and holding her there. Callie couldn’t help it. The tears just began to pour out against his warm shoulder and chest. She seemed to have a fountain of misery inside her that was demanding release.
Whatever Sam was doing, seemed to cause it to flow. And he wouldn’t let it stop. He wouldn’t release her, wouldn’t stop stroking her hair. But he didn’t stop driving, either.
At last, Callie got a grip on herself and pushed away from him. “Oh, my.” She said shakily. “Where did that come from?” she laughed nervously.
Sam smiled. “Doesn’t matter. It’s out, and it can’t hurt you anymore. Now you can start healing.”
“Your shirt is all wet.” She pointed out lightly.
“Yeah. Ask me if I’m concerned.” He challenged with a grin.
They met the other four members of the team at the nursing home. Clyde was working with his wife Suzie. John and Linda Swanson comprised a third team of two.
Sam tried to prepare Callie for the coming experience by telling her a few stories, both good and rough. “You never know what to expect.” He chuckled.
That was true enough. Callie found the old folks to be quite uninhibited, in many cases. Others were extremely reclusive, even hostile. There were a few who really stood out to Callie. She knew she was to act on the prompting, but she wasn’t certain just how.
“Help, Lord.” She breathed to herself.
Then an old man raised a shaky hand, and waved her over. “Girl. You girl, come over here.” He wheezed. Callie put on a smile, and went.
“What’s a tall drink of water like you doing in a place like this?” he demanded, staring up at her with eyes that squinted to focus.
“I came to see you. My name is Callie.” She answered gently.
“Me! You don’t know me.” He shouted.
“I will if you’ll tell me your name.” She teased.
“Buttons! Matthew Buttons! You’re a good looking woman.” He said in a loud voice. He eyed Callie’s virtues wickedly, and reached a hand toward her. Callie blushed and backed up, right into Sam. He put an arm around her, and chuckled.
“Mr. Buttons, are you making a pass at my woman?” he asked, narrowing his eyes teasingly.
“She’s got one hell of a nice little bod.” He told Sam with spirit.
“I can’t argue with you, but trust me -- the lady deserves a little more respect.” He said, matter of factly. “As she happens to be my lady, I will have to insist.”
Matthew Buttons assessed the steely glint in Sam’s eyes, despite the smile. “Well. Young fella, if I was a few years younger, I might just take you on.” He said, a mite more meekly.
“I’ll bet you would. What did you do for a living, Matthew? Tell me about yourself.” Sam urged. He sat down in a chair, keeping Callie close.
“Me? I was just a factory worker in Norwichtown. Started in 1916, worked in textiles all my life.” He answered proudly. “Our factory still stands, city blocks long. Brick, made to last for centuries! Me wife, she worked at the Thermos factory”.
“Really? Where is Norwichtown?”
“Connecticut. Southeast of Hartford.” Matthew shouted on.
Callie felt chastened, her spirit dampened. She had so wanted to be able to show Sam that she could bless this man, and here he’d treated her like a sex object! She blushed, thinking about the man’s leering eyes and bold tongue. Though, she knew it was all for the shock effect. But Sam! Sam had him eating out of his hand.
The men talked for some time, and then Mr. Buttons turned his eyes back to Callie. “You’re sure a pretty thing. Why don’t you throw this young fella over and give an old man a good time?” he asked lightly.
Callie narrowed her eyes. “Mr. Buttons, you’re incorrigible.” She accused.
“Well, you can’t blame an old man for trying! Don’t you think too badly of me for being a bit feisty. It’s not often a young, pretty thing like you comes calling here.”
“I believe you’ve enjoyed trying to shock me.” She chided.
“Yep.” He confirmed. “S’pose you could give me a little peck to get my blood moving again?”
Callie laughed. “I don’t think you’re safe, Mr. Buttons.” She accused. “Tell you what. You turn your cheek up here, and I will kiss it.”
“You’re no fun.” He complained, as she put her soft lips to his wrinkled cheek.
His eyes were dancing as he looked up at her. “Eve
n that wasn’t too darn bad.”
Sam and Callie chuckled at him, and said goodbye. Callie gave Sam a wide-eyed, indignant look as they walked away.
He chuckled and shook his head. “Oh, Callie.” He sighed. “This could be challenging. You brought a ninety-year old man’s hormones to blazing, glorious life, with just a look. No wonder I’m in such a difficult way.” He complained. “I’m going to have to point you toward easier game, I suppose.”
“Sam, he was awful! How did you get him to behave?” she sputtered.
Sam chuckled. “I’m a man, you are definitely all woman. There’s nothing you could have done differently, Callie. You just brought out the worst in him.”
Callie rolled her eyes. She went and sat down on a window seat, next to an old woman who was hugging a stuffed lamb. The lady looked at her; and then stared out the window again with a pout.
“Do you mind if I sit here and visit with you? My name is Callie.”
The woman looked at her again, but didn’t speak.
“I had a lamb just like yours when I was younger. I named him Jericho.” Callie persisted softly.
The woman pursed her lips, and stared past Callie. “What do you want?”
Callie looked, and saw the misery in the woman’s eyes. “I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes.” She assured her.
“Nobody comes to talk to me.” The woman denied. “I got a boy Nicholas in California, but he don’t come.”
“I came.” Callie encouraged. “That’s why I’m here; just to visit you.”
The old woman glared at her suspiciously, and then turned her eyes away again. “Betsy. This is my baby Nicholas.”
“Nicholas. How old is he?”
“Can’t you see he’s just a baby?” Betsy scoffed.
“Yes. I can see. You love him very much.” Callie soothed.
Callie was shocked to see tears well up in Betsy’s eyes. “He raped me, you know. It wasn’t my fault! I was just a girl, you know, only thirteen. But in Alabama, you just couldn’t tell anyone. They’d hurt you! But when my belly started to show, Uncle Gene beat me good and hard. I told him the truth, but he didn’t believe me. When Nicholas was born and they all knew it was a black man done it, they took Nicholas away. They took him from me, and beat me and turned me out.” She finished indignantly. “They killed him, drowned him 'til he was dead. Said he was the seed of the devil! But I got him back again. See, I got him back.” She huffed.
“I see, Betsy. I understand.” Callie soothed.
Sam came to whisper in her ear. “Sing to her, Callie.” He suggested.
She gave him a look that spoke volumes about the nightmare this visit was turning out to be, and nodded. He winked at her.
Callie swallowed nervously, and began to sing softly. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.” Her rich, mellow voice had an amazing effect on Betsy. She quieted and soon she was singing along, a word here and there. Sam stayed with her, and she was grateful to feel his support through the warmth of his hand on her back. She could feel the Holy Spirit flowing through Sam, through her to this little, old woman. She didn’t respond overtly, but she seemed more peaceful when they moved on.
Next, they visited Mrs. Hopkins, who (praise God), was an absolute delight. And Mr. Dahl, who had been a schoolteacher. He was a humble and sweet man, obviously lonely and eager to talk to them. Before the day was over, there were two souls given to Jesus, and one heart re-dedicated.
Sam led a very tired young lady out to the car at three o’clock that afternoon. The rest of the team met them in the parking lot, looking equally drained.
“Let’s go get some pizza.” Clyde suggested tiredly.
“Sounds good.” Sam agreed. “There’s a place on the way out of town that looked pretty good.”
The crew of six crowded around an outdoor table, and dug into the pizza hungrily. Callie felt several speculative looks come her way when Sam sat by her, and made himself cozy.
“So, how did you fare today, Miss Callie?” Suzie asked curiously.
“Fine. But I was very glad that Sam was there to bail me out a couple of times.” She answered with a smile. “I was very glad I came.”
“You and Sam do seem to make a great team.” She answered innocently.
Callie looked at her pizza, knowing that a blush was staining her cheeks. There were a few snickers and chuckles. They were not unkind, but were pointed enough to make their targets definitely uncomfortable.
“You guys.” Sam objected with a chuckle.
“Well,” Suzie defended. “It’s true.”
“How nice that you approve.” Sam chastised dryly.
Suzie bit her lip, and lowered her head to hide her smile. The others just chuckled.
Clyde started talking about expanding their team outreach efforts in the communities they would visit, and saved the moment. By the time they finished pizza, it was time for them to get back to the tent.
They talked on the way back, but not about anything of importance. Callie was glad that Sam seemed pleased with the day, and she kept her conversation light and pleasant. All too soon, they were parking in front of the trailer.
Sam covered her hand and smiled at her conspiratorially. “Do you suppose I could talk you into going for a short walk? I could use a few quiet moments.”
“Oh. Yes, of course. That sounds wonderful.” She agreed shyly.
Sam took her hand with a grateful smile, and they took the path that led into the cool, shady woods. They were immediately immersed in the peace of the deep forest.
“I was extremely proud of you today.” Sam said with deep satisfaction.
Callie laughed and shook her head. “Thanks, but I don’t really share your opinion. I was not ready for Mr. Buttons.”
Sam shook his head, and sighed. “You showed incredible fortitude, patience and compassion. You reached out with love to those people. Believe me, they won’t forget you.”
She smiled up at him uncertainly.
“You can’t always see the change in people overnight, Callie. You have to go in faith, knowing that you are making an impact in peoples’ lives. You go sowing your seed; and you trust that Jesus inside you is reaching out to touch them. Most of the time, you don’t reap your own harvest. But often, you will reap the seed someone else has sown long before.”
“Don’t be discouraged by the Matthew Buttons types. Some of the old people are even too detached from reality to respond to you; like Betsy. But know that their spirits do feel the touch, and respond. Don’t look for the outward signals, Callie. Just keep touching and keep praying. You’ll do far more good than you may realize.”
She smiled. “Sam, you’re really something. You have the patience of Job.” She complimented. She looked up at him, to find him looking very taut and angry. She was shocked. But he was looking beyond her.
“Well, I’m going to need it all, today.” He snapped quietly. Sam pulled her around and held her in his arms, but there was no romance in his touch. His hand held her face to his chest.
“It’s time to turn around, and go back the way we came.” He said against her ear. She nodded with bewildered agreement, and he turned them around. His arm went around her shoulders and propelled her, so that she wasn’t even tempted to look back at whatever had upset him.
“Sam, what’s wrong?” she asked, trying to still her agitation. He looked extremely upset.
He shrugged. “We just walked into a very intimate situation.” He told her when they were exiting the woods. “I’m afraid you were more than right about Sean and Sadie.”
Callie blanched. “No.” she protested. “Oh, God. Sam, how bad is it?”
He shook his head. “Let’s just say it's a good thing we interrupted. Callie, can we just sit in the trailer for a few minutes, and hide? I need a couple of minutes to calm down, and I’d rather talk to Sadie before the service.”
“Sure. Come on.” She urged. She noticed that Sam left the door wide open behind them, when they went insid
e.
Sam sat on her bed, and Callie busied herself getting clothes ready for the evening service. She felt Sam’s eyes on her as she arranged her clothes, and inspected them for need of ironing. She had decided to wear the new, full, layered skirt and peasant top in gleaming white linen and lace that Sadie had insisted upon.
She felt Sam watching as she was laying the clothes out, along with a net and lace petticoat that held Sam’s eyes far longer than necessary.
Just then, Sadie came rushing into the trailer, her cheeks red and her breathing labored. She stopped short and clutched her chest, when she saw Sam sitting there on Callie’s bed.
“Come on in.” Sam invited quietly. There was no welcoming smile.
Sadie shut her mouth, and came inside. Callie gave her a gentle, worried look, and went on doing her hair.
“Sam, I … oh, God! What can I say?” Sadie asked, blushing and avoiding Sam’s eyes.
“Honey, there’s nothing I want to hear, except the absolute truth.” He told her quietly. “Why don’t you close the door first?”
“You don’t understand.” She gasped, shutting the door firmly.
“Oh, I think I might.” He argued, crossing his arms across his chest. “I often wonder what might have happened if you hadn’t looked out Callie’s kitchen window, one night.” He pointed out.
Sadie couldn’t meet his eyes. “Well, it was a lot like that time, I guess. Things just got a little carried away, that’s all. I’m glad you came along.”
“Are you saying that you shouldn’t be alone with Sean? Can’t you keep things at a safe level, or is … he more aggressive than you’d like for him to be?”
“Well, both, I guess. He’s pushy, but I can’t seem to say no. I don’t know what he does to me! I just really like this guy, and he’s very … he’s like sugar. I just can’t seem to resist him when he starts coming on, Sam. I can’t!”
