Lacy's Lane

by Patricia Strefling

“Do you speak English?”

  “Little. Little.” Ting did not meet her eyes.

  Lacy nodded. “Did your flight go all right?”

  “Yes-yes. Much sleep.”

  “Good. I am very glad to meet you.”

  “I glad to meet you. Many months I hope to come to free land.”

  Lacy’s eyes filled with tears as Ting began to fidget.

  “I’m very happy you are here. With me. And Kew.”

  Ting nodded.

  Allison called and Ting stood. “I understand English better than speak.” She shrugged.

  “Yes. Come. You sit here.” She placed Ting in a chair. Kew and Dario had already come back, were washed up and joined them.

  They all bowed their head, Kew, Lacy knew in respect. Ting watched under hooded eyes.

  “Lord thank you that we are all together. Bless Thad and Gannon and this family.”

  * * *

  Lace, we are headed home tonight. We have to get back. Will you be all right?”

  “Yes. Al, Dario, I can’t begin to thank you.”

  “Your turn,” Allison hugged her sister. “Dario is ready to get back to his apartment. He slept on the couch while we girls took over the beds.”

  “Dario. Over and above. Thank you.” Lacy thanked him with her eyes.

  She turned to the girls. Both of them looked the way she felt. Tired. “Let’s go to bed.”

  The girls went upstairs and when Ting pulled out her bag, Lacy asked where her other things were.

  “Here.” She pointed.

  Lacy looked at the overstuffed backpack and wanted to cry. Ting had not unpacked.

  “Good, let’s put some things in your dresser drawer and we will talk tomorrow?” She looked to Ting for permission.

  “Yes-yes.” She nodded.

  Kew felt sad too. Lacy could see it in her eyes.

  Kew left and came back with an oversized shirt. “You have this.” She said and handed it to Ting, who shook her head side to side. “No. Not mine. Yours.”

  “Yours now.” Kew pushed it back at her. “I say so.”

  Ting accepted the shirt with such reverence and nodded her head with respect.

  Lacy was nearly overcome with the wonder of her life. How it had changed in just a few months. She liked her life very much right now.

  After each girl was in bed, lights on or off—their choice—she prayed silently for each as she walked to her room, never so happy to be in her own home.

  Kew and Ting were free to make up their mind about God and who He was, of course. But she could pray that God would show himself to the girls.

  Chapter 32

  When the roosters woke her with their crowing, Lacy smiled sleepily, stretched and yawned. The girls were talking quietly in their room. She loved the sound. It gave her a reason to wake up. After a quick visit to the bathroom, she rushed to the kitchen, gave her hands a good washing and grabbed a skillet. She knew from Mei Le and Kippy that the girls did not eat much when they first arrived. They were so accustomed to small meals that she had to downsize her usual half dozen eggs to just three. She loved the new island and found quickly it made more sense than unused space in the middle of the kitchen.

  Cocoa, toast and eggs were ready about the time she heard two sets of footsteps. Her mind wandered back to the days when she used to run down those same stairs anticipating the breakfasts her mother made. She swiped a tear from her eye. Geesh, it’s the third time this week. I’m such a weepy willow. She grabbed three plates from the cupboard and set them on the table as her thoughts rolled around in her head.

  Was she a mother? Or a guardian? She pondered, but not too long. Kew had come to sit down while Ting held back, waiting to be invited.

  “Come. Sit here. This is your place, Ting. Do you like eggs?”

  She nodded and looked at the floor while taking a seat. Lacy joined them, said a quick prayer and they ate. In silence. Apparently Chinese custom was to eat quietly. It seemed good.

  Within minutes after they finished, both girls took their plates to the sink and rinsed them. Kew announced she was going for a slow run and asked Ting to join her. Ting declined, but Lacy could see uncertainty in her eyes.

  “Come. We’ll go pick beans before the sun comes up too high.”

  Lacy was anxious to learn what Ting loved, what she was like, what her gifts were. She found out soon enough. Ting could pick beans faster than she, a seasoned picker, could. She struggled to keep up.

  “We must work fast.” Ting said.

  “Why?”

  “I get beat, I not get many things done.”

  “You won’t get beat here, Ting.”

  “No?”

  “No. You may work slower okay?”

  “Yes-yes.”

  She watched as Ting tried to slow down but alas, she was still ahead of Lacy by half a row. She would learn.

  Within the hour the beans were boiling in a large pot. Ting loved to work with her hands, so Lacy gave her jobs.

  “We have so many out there. Who will eat?”

  “We will can some.”

  “You put in cans?”

  “Yes. But glass ones.” Lacy brought a jar of beans from the pantry. “Like this.”

  “I like.”

  “Good. I’ll teach you. We’ll start today.”

  “Yes-yes.”

  Kew flew through the house and, in her accented English, informed the bean-picking duo, “I’m back.”

  Lacy laughed aloud.

  “I’m going to study now.” She added as she ran in place for a cool down, then sprinted up the stairs.

  Kew kept a stack of books nearly a foot high on her bedside table. Her English was already excellent; she could read and write it as well. Lacy learned she had been fortunate enough to learn the language as a child. Her mother taught English in the small community they lived in until it closed for lack of funds.

  Lacy and Ting remained in the kitchen, washing jars and leaving them to air dry while she and Ting planned dinner. By late afternoon sixteen jars of snap beans cooled on a towel. Ting’s face sweated from the steam, but her half-smile revealed that she was rather pleased.

  Lacy loved her heart-shaped face, the tiny chin. Ting’s small hands were gentle, just like her spirit, and she loved to keep them busy.

  Sliced turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches made a perfect dinner for the abnormally warm September day. The phone jangled just as she was about to pour iced tea.

  “Who is this?” a man shouted in her ear. He repeated his name, but Lacy knew him better as Producer-Man.

  “Yes, speaking.”

  “You are Miss Lacy Lee Linden?”

  His tone was demanding.

  “I am.”

  “My star actor Thad Gannon is found out. I sent an agent out to see how the surgery went and the idiot left a trail any paparazzi could follow. Now the TV cameras are outside the hospital. I cannot afford to lose a star actor, it’s bad enough we have to write him out of the scenes. And he cannot go to…what is it…his grandfather’s house? He must be taken to your house Miss…uh Linden. No one will look for him there. You can change his bandages per doctor’s orders, I assume?”

  Lacy noticed he didn’t wait for an answer.

  “The thing is, I need him back on the set. Which means he will need rest and recuperation with someone he trusts. He trusts you Miss…Linden. There will be skin treatments and a possible surgery or two if the first one needs tweaking. We had the surgeon flown in from Washington DC and he is the best. I expect our star to be back to work. I am willing to pay for your time.”

  Lacy’s mind raced. Once he stopped talking, she told herself to remain calm and not answer immediately. The man would be sending troops in to guard the house next thing and she had two girls in the house she had to protect.

  “Miss Linden. I take that you are ready to assist in getting my star actor home?”

  “Sir, I am sorry, but I am unable to handle that right now. Thad Gannon is my friend
and he needs care, but my home is not the right place, I assure you.”

  “Miss Linden yours is the only place the paparazzi does not know about. Your house is the one I want for him. I have had you checked out and your location is perfect. The town is small and off the map. It’s just the place. They won’t think to look in…” He paused. ”Marston is it? If, and I’m sure you do, need more money, I can arrange for that.”

  “It’s not about the money.”

  “Come now. Everything’s about money Miss Linden. If you need an assistant I can send a woman out to help you change the bandages. She will follow my every instruction.”

  “No. Don’t send anyone.”

  “Good, then I will count on you…”

  Lacy heard him yelling at someone in the background.

  “I will call back.” He growled.

  And he was gone.

  Lacy was shaking in her sandals. “The nerve of that man. To assume…” she spit out and looked around. The girls had finished eating and hightailed it upstairs. She could hear them talking. It was time she went up and explained things.

  Chapter 33

  Lacy spent the next two days with her girls, undisturbed. She was thankful the phone had not interrupted even once. Perhaps Producer-Man finally found some place for Thad to stay. He would not be comfortable here. Besides, she reminded herself, his employer didn’t mind throwing money around. He could afford to get him in a wonderful facility where Thad would get the best care and not be found out.

  She knew Thad would call and let her know where he was at. Right now, she had plenty of work to do. The last harvest of tomatoes needed picked. The beans were processed and canned. Not as many as planned, but plenty still lined the shelves from last year when she and Allison experienced a banner year.

  Finally life seemed to be settling into a routine. The last two days had been spent doing laundry, not in the sink like Ting was used to, but in a washer and dryer. Ting loved folding clothes and Kew loved Ting for folding hers; Kew would rather read or run.

  Kew’s strong, confident personality and knowledge of the English language gave her a head start. Ting was going to take some convincing. Lacy knew it would take time. She took the girls to their library and helped them choose books. Kew already had a stack with topics including physical health, exercises, and—strangely enough—American history. Ting preferred children’s picture books. She couldn’t read English. They spent Saturday reading and drinking tea while the rain poured on their roof.

  “Ting, tomorrow is Sunday. On Sundays we go to church.” Kew stated.

  “What is church?” Ting’s voice was so soft Lacy wasn’t sure she’d spoken.

  “It’s a place you go to worship God,” Kew placed a hand on Ting’s shoulder. “If you believe that sort of thing.”

  Lacy listened to the conversation.

  “I think there is God, but He sleeps.” Ting said.

  Kew shrugged, tired of the conversation.

  Lacy made plans to take them to Bensen on Monday to shop for new clothes and then to dinner to try more American food. Just the three of them. But for now she savored a large, fluffy bowl of popcorn and turned on a movie.

  “It’s the American way to relax,” She munched on a handful of salty goodness.

  Kew giggled and explained to Ting what Lacy meant.

  The movie, Maid In Manhattan, with Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes had them enthralled, even Ting although she didn’t quite understand everything. As soon as it was over, Kew, stood, stretched and motioned for Ting to come with her. “We’re going to go up and talk for a while, Miss Lacy. Is that okay?”

  “Of course. I’m going to get in bed early tonight. Church tomorrow at nine o’clock.”

  The two went up and Lacy took a deep breath. It had been a crazy week.

  * * *

  Sunday started bright and fresh after the nighttime rain. With one master bath upstairs, the tiny 2-piece off the kitchen had no shower or tub. Lacy got up early to shower so she could make breakfast.

  Church did not go well. Kew sat quietly, mostly because she had brought a book to read. Ting, on the other hand, kept turning around and looking at anyone who came in the back door, with a noticeable frown and a glint of fear in her brown eyes. Suddenly, Ting shot up out of her seat and ran outside.

  Lacy found her at the side of the church, sobbing in her hands, shaking from fright.

  Lacy walked toward her, saying her name, but Ting refused to listen. She cupped her hands over her ears and disappeared somewhere deep within herself.

  With gentle hands, Lacy touched her. Ting’s eyes flew open.

  “It’s me, Ting. It’s me.”

  It took twenty minutes to coax the young girl into following her to her car. Once inside, she sat, hands tightly entwined in her lap, sharply aware of anything that moved.

  “What happened? Can you tell me?” Lacy hoped Ting would talk.

  “Guns, shoot.” Ting sobbed into her hands again.

  Lacy could only imagine what memory she held captive in her head. And had no idea whether she should touch her or just wait. She chose the latter and hummed a hymn while she prayed silently.

  After a time Ting began to whimper and rock. Forward and back over and over.

  “You are safe, Ting. You are safe. You are not there where you were and you do not have to go back.”

  “I not want to go back.”

  “No, you will not go back.” Lacy spoke firmly.

  Kew opened the door and got in the back seat. Then began speaking in Chinese. Ting answered her and nodded.

  “Some men came to a home and took her friend at gunpoint. She never saw her again. Her friend was a Christian.” Kew said in an accusing manner.

  “I’m so sorry, Ting.” She said, but Ting did not look up. She could see that she was still struggling.

  Lacy drove slowly and decided to mention they would be going to Bensen to shop tomorrow, hoping to lighten the girls’ thoughts.

  “Do you want to go?” Lacy studied Ting’s reaction.

  “Yes. I want to,” came Kew’s eager voice from the back seat. “I want a running suit. My shorts are too short for cold coming up. You have snow, yes?”

  “Oh yes, Michigan has snow.”

  “I need to be warm. Too cold.” Then Kew addressed Ting in their native tongue.

  “I don’t need new clothes. I have enough,” Kew translated for Ting.

  “Okay. You don’t have to buy new clothes, Ting.”

  “You need pants long,” Kew warned her. “Cold in Mitchigan.”

  Lacy smiled at her pronunciation. They pulled into the driveway and she could see the relief on Ting’s face. Maybe leaving in a car or going to a strange place meant harm might come to her. Lacy decided to join the families at the church who also had girls from Asia. She hoped to learn more about their culture. There was a speaker coming to give them some help in a few weeks. She intended to be there.

  “Dinner is soup and cornbread today, girls. It’s already in the refrigerator. So help yourself.”

  “I serve,” Ting pulled out bowls, obviously back in her comfort zone.

  Lacy went upstairs and changed into a pair of soft brown stretch pants and a short-sleeved shirt. “Today we rest.” She announced and sat down at the table, which was already set. Her bowl of soup dished up and warm from the microwave.

  “Thank you, Ting.”

  Just as the girls put their dishes in the sink, Lacy heard the crunching of wheels in the drive. Kew followed her to the screen door. She didn’t recognize the vehicle. Two other cars followed right behind. Ting ran for the stairs. Kew followed. The extra-large black SUV had blackened windows. The other two vehicles appeared older and beat up. The driver, a tall man, unfolded himself from the SUV and stood by. One blackened window dropped two inches.

  “This the place?” A deep, faceless voice escaped the crack in the window.

  “Yep.” The tall man said, perusing the area.

  A lady from the
third car joined him and they walked up to her door.

  “Miss Linden?” The lady said, looking over her shoulder now and again. “Is this 55 Lacy’s Lane?”

  “Yes.”

  “We have a patient for you.”

  “Patient?”

  “You are expecting him I understand.”

  Mr. Producer-Man’s name came up.

  “I most certainly am not…I never agreed…to…”

  The black window rolled down all the way and the deep voice told them to come to the car. The man and woman obeyed, then returned to Lacy.

  “Miss Linden, Mr. Gannon wants to talk to you.” The woman looked squarely into Lacy’s eyes. “We had to be sure who you were before we went any further.”

  Lacy followed them out and kept her distance as a safety precaution. And then she heard Thad. “Oh for heaven’s sake, Thad, you scared the wits out of me and the girls.”

  “Thorry, Lathe. Paparazzi found uth. We had to thneak out. Can I thtay here?”

  Lacy choked back a sigh. He was still talking with a lisp. She started to explain why he couldn’t but the next words that came out of her mouth were. “Of course.”

  She clapped her hand over her mouth. “But you’ll have to sleep downstairs.”

  “I don’t care where I thleep as long as no one finds me looking like thith. The cameras would have a hey-day and I’d looth my job.”

  “Looks like an out-of-the-way place.” The woman stood, looking around. “Who lives up there?” She pointed.

  “That used to be Gannon’s place. Thad’s grandfather,” Lacy answered.

  “Anybody live there now?”

  “No, it’s empty.”

  “Good. That means no one will be snooping around. This is an excellent location,” The tall man spoke into his lapel and nodded approvingly. “Let’s get him inside. You guys form a circle around him so anybody that may have followed us can’t get photos.”

  “Don’t forget there’s a car waiting up by the main road. Nobody’s going to get in here without us knowing about it.” One of the men said.

  By the time Thad made it safely into the house, a million thoughts raced through Lacy’s head. She had no warning. Nothing was ready for another person in the house, especially a television soap star; not to mention the girls were here and would certainly not appreciate a strange man in the house. She had to think fast.