“Oh, Caleb, can you believe it?” she exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement. “Can you really believe it?”
Dazed, he shook his head like a bobble-head doll. “What just happened in there?”
Ellie laughed. “Don’t you know? I’ll tell you what happened in there, mister!” She took his face in her two hands and gazed intently into his eyes. “God answered your prayers, Caleb Sawyer. That’s what!”
He stared back into her brimming, beautiful brown eyes, and felt the warmth of her palms on his cheeks. He wanted to kiss her. Instead, he took her hands in his.
“You’re right, Ellie. This is definitely an answer to prayer,” he agreed emphatically. “Isn’t God good?”
Her smile assured him. “Yes, I can see that, now.” Then she added, “But so are you, Caleb. I’m so lucky to have you in my life!”
“No, Ellie,” Caleb protested, “I’m lucky to have you in my life.”
“Well, I say I’m the lucky one,” she insisted playfully.
He broke into a grin. “Nope, I’m the lucky one.”
They stared at each other for a moment, and then, as if on cue, replied in unison, “Well, aren’t we the lucky ones!” before cracking up.
Glancing at the wall clock, Ellie blurted out, “Hey, guess what? I’ve got a job to go to. I’ll see you later, okay?” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and started toward the break room at the end of the short hallway. But then she stopped, and came back to him. “Thank you for everything, Caleb. You’re amazing!”
Ellie put her hands on the back of his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him. Embarrassed, she blushed deeply and took a step back. “See you soon!”
Then she rushed off to clock in for work, leaving Caleb stunned, but happy as he stood frozen in the middle of the back hallway of the Baxter Pet Palace.
CHAPTER SEVEN
A PLACE FOR ELLIE
“YOU MEAN SHE KISSED YOU? She actually kissed you?” B.J.’s eyes grew wide as he stared at Caleb.
One of the broadest grins ever threatened to overtake Caleb’s face.
“Pipe down, Einstein!” he hissed, glancing up and down the hallway to be sure nobody had caught the outburst from his flabbergasted friend. “I don’t want it to get around, okay?”
B.J. barely lowered his voice. “Sure, bro, sure.” He leaned in closer. “I mean, what guy in his right mind would ever want it to get around that he was kissed . . . by only the most beautiful girl in the entire southern half of the United States.”
“Hey, careful, pal,” Caleb fired back. “If I told Allison what you just said, she’d sink your battleship before you even knew you were hit.”
The momentary look of panic on his friend’s face was repayment enough for all the torment he’d taken from B.J. over his relationship with Ellie.
“No fair. That’s not fair!” B.J. grabbed Caleb around the neck.
They scuffled until they banged into the row of lockers with such force that the noise drew the attention of nearby students.
Laughing, Caleb grabbed his books, slammed shut his locker, and headed off to first period class, but not before ruffling his friend’s hair one last time.
Caleb had always looked forward to Saturdays, but he now had a new reason for anticipating the start of each weekend. He would be spending eight hours with the girl who had so thoroughly captured his attention, and whose attention he enjoyed.
Ellie had been relegated to the role of cashier at the front of the pet store, and while he spent most of his time between the back store room and stocking the shelves, it was still a thrill to see her behind the checkout counter, and occasionally catch her smiling at him. And the small raise Mr. Pruitt had given him certainly didn’t hurt things either.
Caleb finished arranging the end cap display he’d been working on most of the morning and glanced at his watch. It was almost lunch time. That meant a half hour with Ellie in the break room.
As they sat facing each other across the worn and scuffed tabletop, Ellie told him that her troubles at home had not improved.
“They’re really making life unbearable for me,” she confided. “Things seem to be getting worse every day. I’m really grateful for the hours here. Not just for the income, but for the escape.”
“Still no idea where you’ll go when you turn eighteen?”
“No, not yet.” She sighed and stared at her food.
“Well, don’t give up. I’m praying about that for you. In fact, the entire youth group is.”
Ellie glanced up quickly at him and frowned. “I’m not sure I like the idea of everyone knowing all about my home situation.”
“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “They don’t know the details. Just that you need a place to live.”
“Well, I guess that’s alright. I do appreciate their concern.”
Following work, in order for Ellie to spend as much time away from home as possible, Caleb took her to Edwards to meet up with the other Saturday night regulars. After a couple of hours at the diner, he drove her home.
“Hey, what are you doing tomorrow morning?” he asked as he turned onto her street. “If you’re not busy, would you like to come to church with me? That would give you a few more hours away from home.”
She thought about it for a minute, and then politely declined. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’m quite ready for that. But don’t give up on me just yet, okay?” she pleaded.
Caleb borrowed a line which he had memorized and grinned, “Well, to quote someone who wrote a note I once found stuck in my locker, ‘If you’re not there, then I’ll just have to keep after you until you show up!’”
After she stopped laughing, Ellie turned to him. “All right, I promise to come next week. How’s that?”
During the teen Bible study hour Sunday morning, Caleb shared how God had been answering the group’s prayers for Ellie. The kids were eager to hear how He had spared Ellie’s job and restored Caleb’s at the same time, and they renewed their commitment to pray for a home for her. During the main worship service, Caleb couldn’t help but wish it was next week.
He pictured Ellie meeting some of the kids for the first time, and imagined what it would be like having her sitting next to him in the pew. Did she have anything nice to wear? While most kids dressed casually, some chose to dress up, and hopefully she wouldn’t feel out of place. His church family would welcome her no matter what she wore.
After all, he reminded himself, God doesn’t judge people by their appearance, but by their heart.
When the service was over, Caleb felt a bit remorseful that he hadn’t been able to focus on Pastor Murphy’s message. He was an interesting preacher who was usually able to hold Caleb’s attention.
As the congregation filed out of the sanctuary, Caleb rejoined his parents in the foyer. They were talking to one of the elderly widows in the church, Cora Williams. “Miss Cora,” as she liked to be called, was nearly eighty-years old, and lived alone. Yet here she was, one of the most faithful members of the church, still driving herself to services each Sunday morning in her big, old Buick, rain or shine.
He caught the tail end of their conversation.
“Now you be sure and let me know if you hear of someone,” she insisted, kindly poking her cane at his father.
Caleb saw the twinkle in her eyes, and wondered how a person with that many years and that many wrinkles could have such lively, energetic eyes.
His father laughed. “You can count on it, Miss Cora. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.”
“What was that you were talking to Miss Cora about?” Caleb wanted to know as they drove home.
His mother turned around to face him in the back seat. “Miss Cora is looking for a boarder,” she replied.
“A boarder? You mean, like a renter?”
“Yes, something like that. She said it gets lonely in that big old house, and she could use someone to help out a bit. It’s getting hard for her to keep up such a big place. But she made i
t clear, as only she can, that she’s not ready to move out just yet.”
Cassie eyed her big brother and piped up in her usual obnoxious way. “I know someone who would be perfect for that place. Caleb!” She broke into annoying giggles. “Then me and my friends could have lots of sleepovers in his old room.”
Caleb made a grab for his younger sibling and came away with her hair bow. Keeping it away from her, he stuck the frilly pink thing in his hair and looked in the rear view mirror. “Do you think this looks better on me or her?”
“Mo-o-om!” Cassie tattled, “Make Caleb give back my bow.”
He tossed it back at her before either parent could respond. “Here, Squirt, you can have it. I don’t look good in pink anyway.”
Cassie stuck out her tongue at him and pinned it back into her hair.
Caleb looked at his father, “Dad, what kind of person is Miss Cora looking for? Someone in our church?”
“Not necessarily,” he replied, glancing at his son in the mirror. “Just someone who’s a little younger and has the energy to help her keep up the place. Nothing major, like maintenance or mowing. Just light housework, that sort of thing.”
“Caleb knows how to vacuum and dust real good,” Cassie volunteered.
He squinted at the pest sharing the back seat with him. “And if I move out, just who do you think will be stuck with all those chores at our house?”
As Cassie silently contemplated his question, Caleb looked out the side window and chuckled to himself. It wasn’t much of a challenge engaging in a battle of wits with an impulsive ten year old.
That afternoon, after doing some homework, Caleb lay on his bed and stared absentmindedly at the crack in the ceiling. Later on, he would go to B.J.’s for some three-on-three basketball and homemade cookies. But right now, he was thinking of Miss Cora and her big house.
It was a lovely old house, the kind that has seen lots of good living over the years. Set back on a large corner lot, it had great curb appeal. The wrap-around porch with the gingerbread trim and white porch swing. The dark green shutters against the white lapboard siding covered with innumerable coats of paint. The well-manicured flower beds and large shade trees in the yard. It was the kind of house he would have loved to grow up in. The kind of house that makes for great childhood memories.
Not that his family’s modest Cape Cod was a bad place to live or anything. It was very comfortable, and just as well kept as the old Victorian. Only it was a smaller house on a considerably smaller lot.
Later as he drove to B.J.’s, a thought kept nagging at him. But for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what it was. He’d had that unsettled feeling before, like he was supposed to do something.
When he arrived at B.J.’s, he pushed it to the side and got out of his car. If it really were that important, he’d eventually remember what it was. After two hours of friendly half-court hoops, and a half-dozen cookies, Caleb returned home and packed his things for school in the morning. He was preparing for bed when the feeling returned.
It wasn’t until he crawled into bed and turned out the light that the thought escaped from the shadowy recesses of his mind.
That was it! Miss Cora was looking for a renter. Ellie was looking for a room. Could it be that simple? When he had prayed about a job for Ellie, the answer had been right under his nose. Now he’d been praying about a place for her to live. Was this the answer he and the youth group had been looking for?
He remembered Tony’s encouragement to step aside and let God work it out. He’d been doing that. Praying, and waiting on the answer.
But was this it? The timing seemed to be perfect. What should he do?
The questions spun around in his mind like a Midwestern tornado. The more he thought about the idea of Ellie moving in with Miss Cora, the more excited he got. Knowing it would be nearly impossible to fall asleep, he got up and went downstairs.
His father was still up, reading in his living room recliner.
“Dad?” Caleb stepped through the doorway. “Can I talk to you?”
“Sure, Caleb.” He closed his book and placed it on the end table. “What’s on your mind?”
Caleb sat down on the end of the sofa closest to his father. “It’s what Miss Cora said this morning about wanting someone to live with her. And about Ellie.” He told his father how desperate Ellie was to get away from her foster parents, and how Miss Cora’s need of a boarder might be the solution.
The conversation seemed very similar to the one they’d had when he wanted to quit his job.
After hearing him out, his father agreed. “The timing of Miss Cora’s announcement might well be an opportunity for Ellie to look into.”
“That’s what I was thinking. But what should I do?”
“Well, perhaps you could call Miss Cora after school tomorrow and see what she has to say about it,” his father suggested.
The following morning, Caleb waited at Ellie’s locker. Soon she entered the building along with the other bus arrivals. She hadn’t finished dialing the combination before he gave her the news about Miss Cora’s available room.
Ellie hung up her jacket and organized her books for the coming school day. “What kind of person is this Miss Cora?”
“She’s one of the nicest people I know,” he told her. “She’s a widow in our church. Close to eighty, I think. But I’m sure you’d really like her.”
“Do you think she’d mind having someone my age living with her?”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind at all once she gets to know you.” Caleb paused. “The truth is, I haven’t talked to her about it yet. I plan to after school today.”
“What about the rent? I’m not sure I can afford anything right now.”
“I don’t know what she’s asking. But why not see if she’s at least willing to meet with you first?” Caleb urged. “You’ve got nothing to lose. Besides, if this is the answer, that will all work out.”
Ellie smiled. “Alright. I’ll talk to her. Let me know what she says, okay?”
As soon as he got home from school that afternoon, Caleb called Miss Cora and explained Ellie’s situation. The elderly woman had a number of questions herself.
“What kind of a person is this young lady, Caleb? Is she responsible? Trustworthy?”
“Yes, I can vouch for that,” Caleb assured her. “She works with me at the Pet Palace. Our boss said she’s one of his most conscientious employees. And she’s very honest.”
“That’s good to know. But is she neat and tidy? And what about noise? Is she loud like most teenagers?”
Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ve never seen her room at home, but she’s very organized at school. And she’s on the quiet side. She keeps to herself much of the time.”
“Well, I do have some concerns about her age. Seventeen is mighty young. I don’t know.” Miss Cora hesitated.
“She’ll be eighteen in a few weeks,” he added, hoping that detail might influence her decision.
“Well now, that changes everything doesn’t it?” He caught her light-hearted tone. “Alright, Caleb, I don’t know this Ellie friend of yours, but based on your recommendation, I’ll agree to meet with her. Can you bring her by on Wednesday? Say around four-thirty?”
“Yes, that’s perfect, Miss Cora.” Caleb could barely contain his enthusiasm. “We’ll see you then.”
The bell-like tones of the door chime brought back pleasant memories to Caleb. As a child, barely able to reach the lighted button beside the old dark-stained mahogany front door, it had been a thrill to activate the Big Ben-sounding peals that echoed deep within the cavernous old Victorian home at 401 East Pine Street. Time had not diminished the doorbell’s appeal, and he felt the familiar twinge of expectation as he announced their arrival.
Through the leaded glass panes he could see the blurred image of Miss Cora approaching. Even the metallic turn of the deadbolt, and the squeak of the brass knob were invitations to his ears.
“Come in, co
me in!” Beaming with all the Southern charm and hospitality for which she was known, the diminutive white-haired old woman motioned them inside.
He and Ellie stepped across the threshold. The scent of old wood and fresh ginger assaulted their senses. Although it had been a while since he had been in the house, Miss Cora had apparently not lost her touch as a gracious hostess, and Caleb found himself salivating for the warm gingersnaps he was sure were awaiting on a tray in the kitchen.
Miss Cora closed the door. “So this must be the young lady you told me about.”
“Yes. Miss Cora, I’d like you to meet Ellie Thompson. Ellie, this is Miss Cora Williams.”
“How do you do?” Ellie politely shook hands with the widow.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Miss Cora responded. She motioned toward the next room. “Please, won’t you both come in and sit a spell?”
She led the pair into the front parlor where she offered them a seat on the large sofa with the chintz fabric. Then she seated herself in the high-backed wing chair set at an angle to the coffee table in front of them. As the elder and younger females exchanged introductory pleasantries, Caleb allowed himself a look around the room.
Not much had changed over the years. The large pieces of furniture were perfect for the old house, serving as reminders of a bygone era. The large front windows were framed by heavy, swag draperies with antique-white sheers underneath. The original fireplace with its smoke-stained brick was the ideal setting for the old German mantel clock, which was still operational and keeping good time.
Family portraits, all neatly framed and lined up side-by-side, flanked the timepiece. The old varnished wood floor with the heavy wool area rug completed the step back in time. The only thing that had changed, he noticed, was the color of the walls. The faded rose-print wallpaper had been stripped and replaced by a relatively fresh coat or two of a neutral paint.
When Miss Cora excused herself to fetch some refreshments, Caleb turned to Ellie. “So, what do you think of Miss Cora?”
A Future and a Hope Page 12