Lamp Unto Her Feet

by Paula Mowery

  9

  Trevor listened closely to the details coming across his police radio. The address was nearby. He’d join his fellow officers as requested. Obviously, there was some connection with the young thief they had caught and his new drug detail. Pulling to the curb, Trevor spotted a teen being handcuffed. He hopped from the car and jogged up the sidewalk. His chest tightened when he locked eyes with the perpetrator, Ryan Matthews. The kid and his parents attended Trevor’s church.

  He heaved a sigh and shook his head.

  Ryan’s gaze met Trevor’s. “Mr. Wallen.”

  “Ryan. What’s going on here?”

  Ryan diverted his gaze to the ground. “Well, um...”

  “Look at me, son.” Trevor kept his voice firm.

  Ryan’s head snapped up. “Yes, sir.”

  Trevor gestured toward the house. “You try to steal from these people?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Why? I know your parents. They provide for you.”

  Ryan shrugged.

  “Tell me the truth.”

  “I ran outta money for drugs, OK?” Ryan’s pitch rose.

  “No, it’s not OK. Now I need to go to your mom and dad. What are they going to say?”

  Ryan’s bottom lip quivered. “I’m sorry, man.”

  Trevor raised his palms. “Don’t tell me.” He patted the arresting officer’s back. “Jim, I’m acquainted with his family. I’ll stop by and break the news to them. Let them know where he’s being held.”

  “Thanks man.” The officer nodded.

  Trevor turned and meandered back to his car. He dreaded informing the Matthews about their son, but it needed to be done.

  Pulling into the Matthews’ driveway, he paused and bowed his head. Lord, this is some of that hard stuff about this job.

  He jogged up to the front door and rang the doorbell. Mrs. Matthews opened the door and her eyes widened. “Mr. Wallen.”

  “Mrs. Matthews, is your husband also in?”

  She nodded and swept her arm, motioning inside. “Come in.” She led him into a den where Mr. Matthews sat reclined.

  Mr. Matthews’s head jerked Trevor’s way and he shot up out of his chair. “Mr. Wallen.”

  “Sir.” He motioned to the couch. “Could we sit down?”

  Mrs. Matthews pushed two throw pillows aside. “Of course. Please.”

  Suddenly Trevor’s mouth went dry. He licked at his lips and swallowed. “There’s no easy way to tell you this. Your son, Ryan, was caught stealing this evening.”

  Mrs. Matthews gasped.

  “I’m so sorry. I questioned him a bit myself and he said that he stole to get money for drugs.”

  Mrs. Matthews’ gasp turned to sobs. Her husband draped his arm across her shoulders.

  “I told him that I would personally come to tell you and inform you he is being held at the station.”

  Mrs. Matthews laid her head onto her husband’s chest. Her shoulders shook. Trevor’s stomach cinched.

  “I realized he had gotten in with the wrong crowd.” Mr. Matthews stroked his chin. He sniffed and blinked his eyes.

  Mrs. Matthews’s head popped up. “I thought we could trust him.” She looked Trevor in the eyes. “Do you think he has a real problem?” Tears slid down her cheeks.

  “Ma’am, I’m not sure about that. I would definitely check into it and not just let it go as one incident that will never happen again. If he was willing to steal from someone, he wants it bad enough to go against everything I know you taught him.”

  Mr. Matthews straightened. “You’re right about that.”

  “Talk to our youth minister. He has helped other kids.”

  The Matthews nodded.

  He was drained after the heartbreak and tears of Ryan’s parents. As he headed home, he craved Kenzie’s voice. Bringing up her number, he waited in anticipation.

  “Hello? Trevor?” The sweet tone of her voice saying his name made him smile.

  “Hey, Kenzie. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “No, of course not. Just sitting here in my PJ’s writing a few lesson plans. You sound tired.”

  “A little. Tough night.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It helps to hear your voice.”

  “Good.” She paused. “Oh, I read the next scripture passage, and I’m a bit leery.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s Nehemiah and how he had opposition but kept working to build the city wall.”

  “Uh. What does your nana’s note say about that one?”

  “That’s the scariest part. She says that often when you’re on a mountain, Satan will strike the most.”

  “I hate to agree, but it’s true.”

  “Ugh.”

  Trevor chuckled. “I’ll talk to you soon, OK?”

  “Yeah. Goodnight, Trevor.”

  His heart fluttered. “Goodnight, Kenzie.”

  As he ended the call, he imagined coming home to Kenzie. There was nothing he desired any more than to make her his wife. It was too soon, but one day... Would she say yes?

  ~*~

  Kenzie stuffed her lesson plans into her tote. She couldn’t concentrate now. Trevor’s words repeated in her mind. “It helps to hear your voice.” Did he really mean it? She clicked off the end table lamp and shuffled to her bed. Slipping between the covers, she sighed.

  God, I want to do what You have planned for my life. But, is it OK for me to ask that Trevor Wallen be included in those plans?

  10

  Kenzie arrived at school, setting up the classroom for the day. She glanced at her watch. Her morning assistant should have already been here fifteen minutes ago. Hopefully, Brandy or her family were not ill.

  She rushed down the hall to the Pre-K drop-off door. As the children came in, she directed them to sit against the wall. Kenzie struggled to keep control of the children while greeting parents and having them sign in. Finally, she spotted Brandy strolling toward her.

  Kenzie sighed. “Am I glad to see you.”

  Her assistant shrugged. Without a reply, Brandy lined up the children and led them to the room. Kenzie followed the line into the classroom. Making her way to the large carpet where the children were settled, she paused next to Brandy. “Bad morning?”

  “No, why?” The words blurted out with sarcasm.

  Kenzie took her place in front of the children and began her lesson. When Tony began to punch his neighbor and get rowdy, she glanced at her assistant. “Miss Brandy, could you help Tony?”

  Brandy’s head snapped around and her eyes glared at Kenzie. “I’m busy.” She flipped back around to her small desk at the back of the room.

  Kenzie bristled. She could be understanding about bad morning starts, but she didn’t appreciate an assistant shirking her responsibilities. Taking a deep breath, she remedied the situation the best she could by sending Tony to his assigned seat.

  By the end of the day, the situation hadn’t improved. The Nehemiah passage flashed across her mind.

  “Just keep working despite the opposition, right Lord?” she whispered.

  After an entire week with little help from Brandy, and an abundance of negative attitude, Kenzie was exhausted. Attempts to remedy the problem were met with hostility.

  Friday after school, she drove home in a fog. Trudging through the door, she dropped wearily onto the couch. The ring of her cell phone jolted her awake. She grabbed it and answered, though the greeting emitted with grogginess.

  “Kenzie? Are you all right? You’re not ill, are you?” Trevor’s tone rose.

  “Hey. Sorry. I dozed off.”

  “Sounds like you needed a nap. What’s up?”

  She sighed. “I’m pooped. Trouble with my assistant this week. I’ve needed to be Nehemiah.”

  “Uh oh.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I guess you probably need to rest so…”

  Kenzie sat up. “I’m OK.” She paused, waiting for him to continue.

  “You d
o need to eat, right?”

  “Yeah?” She would never pass up an opportunity to be with Trevor.

  “How about I pick you up, and we’ll go for something quick and simple. Pizza?”

  “Sure.” She bit back an excited squeal.

  “I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

  “Perfect.”

  As the call ended, Kenzie sprinted for her closet for clean clothes and to the bathroom to freshen her hair and makeup. Just as she applied some pink gloss to her lips, a knock sounded.

  An electrical surge raced from her stomach to her chest. She sucked in a breath and hurried to the door, exhaling as she opened it. Her eyes met Trevor’s steel-blue ones and heat flushed her face and neck. He leaned his head near her and brushed her cheek with a kiss.

  “Ready?”

  “Yeah. Let me grab my purse.” And calm my pounding heart.

  After settling at a table at the pizza parlor, Trevor propped his forearms and leaned toward her. “So, what’s your pleasure?”

  “Well, I really like this place’s barbeque chicken pizza, but that’s strange to some people.” She shrugged.

  His eyes widened. “You’re going to think I’m just saying this, but that is my all-time favorite.” He waved the waitress over and gave the order. Concentrating his gaze directly into her eyes, he smiled. “Tell me about this problem with your assistant.”

  She explained her struggle to do her job and her aide’s all week.

  “Kenzie, you can’t go on like that. You’ll completely burn out.”

  “I know. I try to do like Nehemiah and keep going.”

  Trevor reached across the table and took her hand, holding it gently. “Even Nehemiah had help.”

  “You’re right. I’ll go to my principal Monday. I dread it, but I realize I need to.”

  The pizza arrived, and Trevor continued to clutch her hand while he prayed. He not only blessed their food but asked God to strengthen her in her work ordeal. His concern touched her, bringing mist to her eyes.

  The potential tears lasted only a moment. Trevor had her laughing and relaxed with his banter. It was so easy to love this man.

  ~*~

  Monday evening Trevor couldn’t wait to call Kenzie. “Hey, I thought about you all day, wondering how the meeting went.”

  “My assistant quit.”

  “Whoa. I’m sorry about that.”

  “Actually, I think it was meant to be. She ended up apologizing to me, saying I didn’t deserve to be treated that way. There were other issues that had nothing to do with me.”

  “Now what?”

  “The principal will hire another assistant. In the meantime, I’ll have subs.”

  “Way to go, Nehemiah.”

  She giggled. “Thanks for supporting me.” She paused. “You’ll never understand what that meant to me.”

  He wanted more than anything to support her in every way. Would she accept that? Was this the time to begin to tell her how he felt about her? “Kenzie, I want … I mean, supporting you and being with you feels right.”

  “Really?” Her voice broke.

  “Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

  “I like being with you too.”

  Trevor’s pulse sped up. “Do you have plans for Friday night?”

  “No, not yet. Did you have something in mind?” A coyness shaded her tone.

  “Maybe. Do you own a bicycle?”

  “Yeah, but it’s been a little while since I’ve ridden.”

  “I know an easy trail, and I’ll bring supper.”

  She giggled. The sound drove straight to his heart.

  “I’ll pick you and your bike up at five.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  The week wore on, passing in slow motion. Friday finally arrived. The weather was perfect for their bike ride and picnic. He sauntered up to her apartment and knocked. As the door swung open, Kenzie stood with red-rimmed eyes, tears trailing down her cheeks. His chest tightened, and he grasped her shoulder.

  “Are you all right?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Wanna tell me about it?”

  She nodded and gestured him inside. He grabbed her hand and led her to the couch. She sat back, shoulders drooping. He perched on the edge and angled toward her, rubbing her arm. “So, what’s up?”

  She gazed into his eyes. “I’m really not supposed to talk about it, but I need to.” More tears spilled onto her face. “I had to report suspected abuse of one of my kids. One of the parents showed up this morning to bawl me out. But I couldn’t ignore it. I had to do something.”

  Leaning forward, she cradled her face in her hands. Trevor rubbed her back. “Honey, you did the right thing.”

  She lifted her head, propped her chin on her hands. “I thought my Nehemiah troubles were over. I miss the mountain.”

  He brushed her hair back. “Yeah, I understand. Did you read the next passage?”

  She sat up straight, brow wrinkled. “No, I didn’t.” Reaching for the Bible on the end table, she opened it on her lap and read aloud. “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall their enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” She glanced up, eyes bulging.

  Trevor’s neck hairs stood at attention. “What does your nana say?”

  “Some situations call for speaking up even if it’s hard. God may put you in the exact place needed to save another.” She turned back, looking Trevor in the eyes with her mouth hanging open.

  Both flinched when Kenzie’s cell phone rang. She answered, pronounced a few yes ma’am’s, a thanks, and ended the call. Clutching the phone, she shook her head, sighed, and smiled. “That was Department of Child Services. The women were appreciative of my report. In her words, ‘You probably saved that poor child’s life.’”

  Trevor wrapped his arms around her. “I’m proud of you.”

  She pushed back. “I think I’m ready for that bike ride now.”

  He clapped his hands. “Well, all righty then.”

  Trevor loaded Kenzie’s bike into the truck and they hopped into the cab. “Panther Creek Park has a couple of bike trails and up top there are picnic tables and a view of the lake.” Would she enjoy the outdoors as much as he did?

  “There was this little park my dad took me to quite a bit when I was younger. It had a lake, playground, and picnic tables. The lake was full of fish.” Kenzie giggled.

  “What? What’s so funny?”

  “I remember one time we took my fishing rod and a couple of pieces of bread. I squeezed the bread into little balls on my hook and caught a few. Every time I pulled in a fish, this little boy scooted closer. Finally, he asked what I was fishing with since his fancy lure was yielding nothing. I handed him a piece of bread. My dad got the biggest kick out of that.”

  Trevor chuckled. “Showing up the boys. Is that what I have to look forward to today?”

  “No. Not even close. It’s been some time since I’ve been on a bicycle. I’m wondering if it really does come back to you.”

  Trevor turned into the small parking lot and looked at Kenzie. “I’m sure it will. Let’s go.”

  “All right. I’m game.” Kenzie slid out of the truck and met Trevor at the tailgate. She secured her helmet. “I think I’ll try a couple of rounds here in the parking lot.”

  Trevor nodded.

  She mounted her bike and pushed off. As she rolled across the pavement, the handle bars wobbled and a couple of squeals pealed out. Trevor stifled a laugh.

  Kenzie pedaled a wide circle and headed back in his direction, much steadier. She rolled up next to him and planted her feet.

  “I think it came back.”

  She grinned. “More or less.”

  “Ready to try the trail?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  He led her along the easier tra
il. “Doing OK back there?” he called over his shoulder.

  “Yeah.” Her reply came out breathy.

  “Let’s pull over for a short rest.”

  Kenzie stretched her arms and legs, pulled off her helmet, and planted her hands on her hips. “The technique part comes back but I’m gonna be sore from lack of riding.”

  Trevor shook his legs. “It’s been a little while for me as well so I think I’ll be sore too.”

  She narrowed her eyes and cocked her head to one side. “Seriously? I doubt that. But I appreciate you trying to make me feel better.” She swatted his arm, snagged her water bottle, and gulped down a couple of swallows.

  Trevor bent and reached for his water. As he straightened and popped the lid, cool liquid showered his face and chest. His gaze met Kenzie’s.

  She grinned. “That’s for patronizing me.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He poured a handful of his water into his hand and flung it at her.

  She yelped and jumped back. He rushed her and held his bottle over her head, threatening to drench her. Her giggling was irresistibly attractive and penetrated him deeply.

  She suddenly looked him in the eyes and quieted. Their gazes locked. He inched forward. Though his breathing had slowed from riding, his pulse pounded again. He leaned down and brushed a kiss on her lips and planted a peck on her forehead.

  Voices echoed from behind them, breaking the spell of the moment. Kenzie stepped back. A smile lit her face. Was that a good sign? The voices got closer.

  “Ready…” Trevor cleared his throat. “Ready for a picnic?”

  She nodded.

  They pedaled back to the truck and drove up to the picnic area. He toted the cooler to a concrete table overlooking the lake.

  “Wow. This is really pretty.” She whirled around and reached for the cooler. “Here, let me help.”

  “Nothing fancy. Just ham sandwiches, baked chips, and a snack cake.”

  “Sounds like a perfect picnic to me.” She set the table with the two of them sitting side by side and a view out over the lake.

  He motioned to the bench. “After you.”

  She eased down and he slid in beside her.

  After eating, Kenzie pivoted on the bench to face him. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

  The sun streamed through the leaves in the tree’s canopy above them. The rays danced on her cheeks. He stroked her face with his fingertips. Time froze and the surroundings disappeared. He studied her lips and pressed his to their softness. His arms encircled her as if they had a mind of their own. She leaned into his embrace and the kiss deepened.