To Love, Honor and Cherish

by Timothy Paterson

  Chapter 4

  Over the next couple of weeks, Joe visited the Rogers family often. He helped the kids with homework, played games with them and talked with them. They became very close.

  Joe saw how hard Mrs. Rogers worked and how little money she had after paying her bills. Betty worked the night shift at the hospital and had to hire a sitter to watch them while she worked. When she could not afford a sitter, Mary was left in charge of the rest of the kids.

  Joe tried to help by giving Betty money to help with the bills, but he knew it was hard for her to accept the financial help from him.

  One Saturday morning, Joe arrived at the apartment and told Mrs. Rogers that he would stay with the kids for the entire day, while she spent the entire day by herself. He told her that he had made her an appointment at a day spa and that it was already paid for, where she could pamper herself for a change. Joe also gave her five hundred dollars to go on a shopping spree, but only for her, not the kids. Betty resisted at first, but finally she gave in and Joe told her not to be back before dinner.

  Betty went to the day spa, had a facial, a haircut, manicure, and pedicure, and even had a massage. She ate lunch at a fancy café and then bought some things that she had wanted for a long time, but could not afford. By five o’clock, she felt like a new woman, completely rejuvenated.

  When Betty returned home, she found that Joe and her children had cleaned her house, done all the laundry, and had dinner on the table. The kids were laughing and were happier than Betty had seen them in a very long time. Betty said a silent prayer, thanking God for bringing Joe into their lives.

  After dinner, Joe invited the entire Rogers family to his house for Thanksgiving dinner the following week. Betty and her children quickly accepted his offer.