Officer Warren glanced at each of them and then he settled on Ezekiel’s father. “Pastor Gaines.” He nodded. “Someone called nine-one-one?”
“I did.” Ezekiel took a step forward. “And it looks like the issue is bigger than we thought.”
The man raised one eyebrow at Ezekiel and then pressed him to continue.
Ezekiel told the story of finding the kids home alone and taking them back to his place. He explained that they were planning to call the authorities first thing this morning, but Mr. Wilford had shown up drunk before they had gotten the chance.
Officer Warren gave him the third degree about why they hadn’t called when they first found the children. Being that they hadn’t, he didn’t expect the officer to believe that they had really intended to call that morning. Even though it had been the truth, it seemed like an excuse.
“It was late, officer,” Bekah interrupted. “They had no electricity in the house, and they were scared.”
“And what were the two of you doing at their house to begin with?” He directed the question to Bekah.
“Sir,” Ezekiel said. “We are both teachers at Jack and Ruby’s school. When Ms. Prescott informed me that Jack had signed his sister’s permission slip to enter the drama class, I thought we should pay a visit to their home.”
“And the kids hadn’t brought their lunches for the entire week,” Bekah added.
Officer Warren shook his head. “So, he returned this morning, and you refused him his children?”
“He was drunk, sir, and threatened to bring out a gun from his vehicle,” Ezekiel said. “He was in no condition to take care of them.”
“This is precisely why you should have called us to begin with.”
“It was my idea, sir.” His father stepped forward.
“Now, Pastor Gaines.” Officer Warren directed his attention to Ezekiel’s father. “I know the good book says that we should take in the orphans, but you have to abide by the laws too. We have a system for that kind of thing.”
“Yes.” His father’s face reddened at the reprimand. “I know. But these kids go to my school. They just lost their mother last year and ... they needed familiar faces until we could sort this all out.”
“Officer Warren, the children are gone,” Bekah said as if everyone was missing the obvious concern. “Shouldn’t someone be out looking for them?”
“Are you sure they didn’t go home?” Officer Warren asked. “If they’ve run off on their own, that would be the first place we’d check.”
Bekah explained to him that they had all just woken up when Mr. Wilford had driven up, and there hadn’t been time to search for them. “Sir, I’m worried about them. We told them last night that we were going to have to call uh ... you, and they were terrified.”
Bekah’s body visibly trembled as if she were standing in an Alaskan tundra instead of the hot morning Arizona sun. Ezekiel pulled her closer and placed his arm around her waist. His own fears weighed heavy on his heart.
Officer Warren called in the missing children and then continued to ask more questions.
His mother invited everyone inside, and they all sat around the living room, waiting for some news on the children. Finally, Bekah stood.
“I’m going to look for them.”
“Now, I’d advise you to stay out of this, young lady. I’m sure they will be—”
“Are you holding us for some reason?” Ezekiel asked. “Are we under arrest?”
“No. You are not under arrest until this matter can be further investigated.”
“Then I’m going to look for the children.” Bekah rushed out of the room.
“I’m going with her.” Ezekiel stood and waited for Bekah to return back into the living room. “I’m sure my parents can give you any other information you need.”
Before Officer Warren could object further, they were out the door.
“Did you hear him?” Bekah said as they walked to Ezekiel’s car. “He said we’re not under arrest until they ... can they really arrest us for taking in abandoned children?”
“I don’t know. I doubt there will be charges.” Ezekiel turned on the engine. “Where do we start?”
“The Wilford house?” she asked.
A chill ran through Ezekiel at the thought of the drunk and disorderly man pulling a gun on him. “Maybe we better let the police check the house. I’m sure they are already there.”
“I don’t think they would go home anyway,” Bekah said. “Jack may be young, but he’s smart. He would know that would be the first place we would look.”
Ezekiel agreed. “Where would they go?”
“If they left in the night, they would need a place to sleep at least until morning. Ruby would be scared, wandering around in the middle of the —”
“The school!” Ezekiel said. “They have to be at the school.”
Bekah agreed. It was close and being that it was Saturday, no one would be there.
Chapter 29 — Bekah
“Where could they be?” Bekah asked. “I was sure they would be here.”
They had checked the entire school, inside and out. The doors were locked, and no windows were broken. Still, Ezekiel had opened it up as they searched, calling out the kids’ names.
“What about the back buildings?” Bekah asked. “Were they locked last night?”
“I’m sure my father locked them up but let’s check anyway.” Ezekiel took the lead, and Bekah followed. As they walked back, Bekah prayed they would be there. She wasn’t so sure God was hearing her, though. She had yet to commit her life to Christ. Did God hear the prayers of those who hadn’t confessed with their mouths? Could she do that now just to save the children? If God would listen to her, she’d scream out his name on top of the highest mountain. But for some reason, Bekah didn’t think confessing her faith just to get what she wanted was a valid plea. God was no dummy. If Pastor Gaines was right, He was all-knowing.
“Ezekiel?” she called, her voice coming out stilted through her heavy breathing.
“Yes?” He slowed his steps and fell in line with her.
“Ezekiel, I need you to pray.”
“I am praying, Bekah. I’ve been praying since ... are you praying?”
“I don’t know if ... What if he’s not listening for my voice? Can he hear me, Ezekiel?”
“What do you mean?” Ezekiel pulled on the door to the building, and it opened. “It wasn’t locked last night.”
“Oh, good. Let’s check inside.”
“Jack!” Ezekiel called out. “Ruby!”
Bekah was glad that the subject had changed. She wanted to know the answer to her question, but saying it out loud sounded stupid.
They continued to search through each room, but the kids were nowhere in sight, and it didn’t seem they had ever been there. “Where are they?” Bekah asked.
“I don’t know. Let’s check the last building. They ... I was so sure they would come here.”
“Me too.” The idea that someone had possibly picked them up on the streets made Bekah tremble. Sunshine was a small town, and the people were friendly. If someone had seen them, surely, they would have reported it. Then again, even small towns were sure to have their fair share of criminals. Had someone taken them?
They roamed through the last building, finding no sign of the kids. With each step, a dread crept deeper into Bekah’s soul. They had been so wrong to not call the police from the very start. As much as she loved both of them, wanted to protect them, wanted to care for them, she’d been wrong, and it had been her fault, not Ezekiel, not Pastor Gaines or even Mrs. Gaines. Once again, she’d pushed herself onto them, needing to get her way. They had all wanted to call the authorities. She had convinced them not to. If something happened to those kids, Bekah would never forgive herself.
Taking the chance that God was listening to her, she cried out deep within her soul, begging God to keep them safe, asking Him to forgive her for ever setting foot into the town. She was destructio
n wherever she went. Why she thought she could come here and change was stupid. If God kept them safe, she would leave and never return. The thought of leaving Ezekiel seared holes into her heart. Finally, she had found love. She had fallen for a man who was good for her, a man who looked at her with respect and loved her even after trying to swindle his family out of money. But none of that mattered. Only Jack and Ruby.
“Let’s check one more place,” Ezekiel said once they searched the entire back building.
Unable to speak, Bekah nodded and followed Ezekiel behind the building. At the very back was what had once clearly been a football field. The grass was now choked out by weeds, and the stands that surrounded the area looked weak and rundown.
“You think they would come back here?” Bekah asked. The thought of them being anywhere near the dilapidated area scared her.
“I don’t know, but we have to check.”
Ezekiel’s phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket. “It’s my dad.”
He answered quickly. “Hey, Dad. Is everything okay? ... you did? ... oh, thank God. Where were they?” Ezekiel paused and listened. “Okay, we’re heading back now.” Ezekiel hung up the phone and took in a deep, cleansing breath. “They found them. They were walking toward town.”
“Where are they now? Are they taking them to the police station? They must be so scared!”
“They’re bringing them back to the house. I don’t know what they will do from there.”
“We have to get back.” Bekah grabbed his hand, and they rushed back to the car. “Please, God. Don’t let them take them away. Not now. Not yet.”
Ezekiel squeezed her hand.
When they arrived back at the house, the same police car was parked out in front of the street. Bekah opened her door before Ezekiel could get the car in park and rushed into the house, Ezekiel following behind.
Bekah entered inside to see the kids sitting on the couch, their heads lowered, their faces dirty with tears. She ran to them and pulled them into her arms. “You scared me!” she cried. “Are you okay?” She brought their faces up to hers. “Why would you do that?” The thought occurred to her that she sounded just like her mother.
Ruby grabbed onto Bekah, holding her tight. “Please don’t let them take us away.”
Bekah held them close for a long time before turning to sit down next to them.
“I’ve called Child Protective Services, and they’re on their way out to the Wilford home to assess the situation. I don’t think the kids will be allowed to go back to their father’s house.”
“He’s home?” Jack perked up. “My dad is back?”
Ezekiel nodded sadly. “He came by this morning, but he was in no condition to take care of you.”
“We can take care of ourselves!” Jack cried. “Take me home!”
“Now, young man, we can’t do that. Your father left you two home alone, and that is —”
“He didn’t mean to!” Jack cried. “He won’t do it again!”
“Jack, honey.” Bekah placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not safe there.”
“Then, where? If you let them put us in jail —”
“You are not going to jail, Jack.” Pastor Gaines stepped forward. “You did nothing wrong.”
“But they are going to take Ruby away. You said so. You said we won’t be able to stay together. Ruby needs me. She’s just a kid!”
Jack was only a kid, too, and that he cared so much for his little sister proved he was more adult than anyone else in the room. Love was what mattered, and Jack loved his sister. Why couldn’t all of these educated people see the destruction they were creating in these kids’ lives. But who was Bekah to say anything? She didn’t have a place to live. She couldn’t fight to keep them in a home that was not hers.
“They will stay here.” Pastor Gaines stood and stared firmly at Officer Warren. “Jack is right, and I will not allow them to be separated. I don’t care what you have to do, Officer Warren, but you make that happen.”
Bekah stared in awe at the man who had been so passive from the time she arrived into his office.
Ezekiel stood. “I suggest you go on over to Mr. Wilford’s home and give him an ultimatum.”
“What do you mean?” Officer Warren asked but never took his eyes off of Pastor Gaines.
“You tell him that we can make this all go away. There will be no charges pressed if he grants us permission to keep the children. At least until he gets himself together.”
Officer Warren opened his mouth to speak. “I ... this is not a civil matter. Mr. Wilford broke the law. And you —”
“We what?” Bekah tried to contain her emotions. “We cared for these kids? We took them in and kept them safe? We fed them and loved them? Don’t you dare tell anyone here that these kids would be better in some kind of foster home, separated from each other like they are the ones who did wrong.”
“We ... Uh, I’m going to have to run this by the chief.”
“You do that.” Ezekiel took a step closer. “In the meantime, the children will stay here.”
“Please?” Bekah added. She knew from personal experience that no one liked to be backed into a corner, and if Officer Warren wanted to, he could rip the kids right out of their living room and they could possibly never see them again.
“We will be praying for a favorable outcome.” Pastor Gaines held out a hand. “I trust you will make the right decision.”
Officer Warren looked back at the kids once more and then took Pastor Gaines hand. “I think Chief Oliver will be sympathetic to your cause. No matter what you may think, no one wants to separate these children from each other. Our only job is to keep them safe.”
“They are safe here.” Bekah’s voice choked out in a whisper.
Officer Warren nodded and then went to Jack. “Are you okay with staying here while we sort this all out?”
Jack nodded.
“And you promise not to run away again?”
“Do you promise to not take me to jail?” Jack retorted, making Bekah smile.
“Of course. You are not —”
“And you won’t take us away from each other?”
Officer Warren’s face softened. “I promise, buddy. Whatever I have to do, I will.”
Tears fled Bekah’s eyes and streamed down her face. In all her contact with the police, she’d never met a more compassionate officer. “Thank you, Officer Warren.”
Officer Warren stood. “Can I speak to you out on the porch?” His words were directed at Pastor Gaines.
“You all go on out,” Mrs. Gaines said. “I’ll get these two cleaned up and fed.”
Bekah followed the men out onto the porch.
Officer Warren shuffled for a moment before speaking. “What I just did in there could get me in trouble.”
“Officer Warren—” Pastor Gaines started.
The man held up a hand. “Let me finish.”
Pastor Gaines nodded.
“Now, I’m going to go on over to the Wilford home and speak to Mr. Wilford. If he agrees to your request, I can take that to the chief, and he will be happy that we do not have to get involved in the situation. My question to you —” He looked at Pastor Gaines. “This is your home, am I correct?”
“Yes, sir. The house belongs to my wife and me.”
“Then you will be responsible for the children. Now I understand that emotions were high in there. What that boy said stabbed through my heart like a spear. I know what it’s like to be shoved around from home to home, and sometimes it’s not so good. But this is a huge undertaking. Are you sure you are ready to take in two young children?”
Pastor Gaines nodded. “I have Ezekiel and Bekah here to —”
“No. I am not asking them. I’m asking you. If I do this, these children will be your responsibility.” He looked at Ezekiel and then Bekah. “No offense to either of you, and I’m sure you will do your share in helping with the kids, but the chief will want assurances that they are in a safe home
equipped to care for them. Do either of you own homes?”
“We live here.” Ezekiel took Bekah’s hand. “Both of us.”
“And you have sufficient space to care for the children?”
Before anyone else could speak, Bekah remembered her promise. “I no longer live here, sir. There are two extra rooms in the house where the children can stay.”
Ezekiel turned to her but did not speak.
“That is acceptable. I’ll take a ride out to speak to Mr. Wilford. I’m quite sure he will agree to the arrangement if only to keep himself out of jail for abandonment. If I can get him to sign a written order stating that the children will be in your care until child services deems him suitable to reacquire the children, the chief will agree to it, will that be acceptable to you?”
“Yes, sir. More than acceptable.” Pastor Gaines shook his hand again. “Thank you, sir.”
“I will have to call CPS into the matter. They will more than likely want to inspect your home to be sure it is suitable for children, but as long as we have an order in place, they will not go against it.”
Chapter 30 — Ezekiel
Ezekiel watched Bekah. Her face has taken on a stern, unmoving look. She was leaving? What did that mean? Leaving town? Leaving the house? They had too much going on for her to just up and leave. What about the kids? What about the school? What about him? Them?
Officer Warren left, and Bekah went into the house. Ezekiel followed her inside.
“Where are you going?” he asked before she could close the door to her room.
Bekah swiveled on her heels and stared at him. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, her cheeks red. “I have to go. There’s no way they will allow the kids to stay if you don’t have room for them.”
“We have room. We’ll make room.”
“Do you really think an air mattress on the floor of a garage apartment will suffice? CPS is going to come, and they are going to want to see that each child has a room of their own.”
“But Bekah, you can’t —” She was right. They needed that room, but his heart warred with him to beg her to stay. “You can’t go.”
The Act of Falling Page 15
