The Gift of Empathy (The Gifts Book 3)

by Jen Gentry

  Jewel started to cry and then squared her shoulders. “Fine, Sam. I lived on the streets before you came along and I can still live there without you now.”

  “No, Jewel. You’ve been tagged. Your friend Jake was nearly killed. He got beat up pretty bad. The word is that he was supposed to deliver you to a gang that deals in human trafficking. They’re still looking for you. You can never return to these streets again, Jewel. You best go with your sister. That is if you want to live.”

  Jewel shrugged her shoulders in defeat. She’d worked so hard to keep herself going alone. She wasn’t sure she was ready to be taken off the streets yet. She’d fought so hard for her own independence and now it seemed like everything was being taken away from her. But Sam was surely telling the truth. He always knew everything that was going on with everybody who lived on the streets. If he said she was in danger then she was in danger.

  “Fine, I give up. Where will you go, Sam? How can I find you again?”

  “There, there, Kiddo. I’ll get your address to where you’re going and I’ll drop you a line when I get situated.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” With that Samuel turned and left as Jewel’s tears slid down her cheeks.

  ****

  The next day Jewel was released from the hospital to Emily’s custody. Robert had come through for Emily once again, but the DNA test was the real clincher in the case. Emily would have to send Robert a huge thank you for all his hard work in the form of pistachio nuts. They were his favorite.

  Jewel agreed to go with Emily, but she wasn’t happy about it. Sure she was getting off the streets and that was the ultimate goal for Jewel, but it wasn’t on Jewel’s terms. Emily was nice and there was no doubt they were sisters. However, Jewel still didn’t fully trust Emily or her fiancé, Ethan. Even the fancy limo that picked her up from the hospital failed to impress Jewel. If anything it made her more suspicious. She really knew nothing about her sister or where she was going. Jewel remained quiet in the car on the way to the airport. Emily tried to lift Jewel’s spirits by telling her about Perry House, but all Jewel could think of was the life she was leaving behind. What about Ms. Stella her favorite teacher? What would her teacher think about all this?

  “Emily, do you think we could stop by my school? There’s someone I want to say goodbye to.”

  “Sure, Jewel, whatever you want. We should probably pick up your school records anyway. Driver, change of plans we need to stop by the Bakersfield High School.”

  Jewel actually did cry saying goodbye to Ms. Stella, while Emily worked on getting copies of her records. But her old teacher reassured her that this was the best thing that ever could’ve happened to her.

  Jewel knew she was right and resigned herself to the new life she was headed for. Maybe everyone was right and this was going to be a new start for her, hopefully a good one.

  As the limo pulled away from the school those riding in it didn’t notice the young man watching them from across the street. Jake could barely see out of one black eye that was still swollen shut, but he would never forget the girl who’d put him in this very painful condition. As the limo drove away he vowed to find Jewel again and this time he would get the money he’d been promised for her, one way or another.

  ****

  Try as she might Jewel could not help but be a little impressed by the jet that was taking her to her new home. She’d had an inkling her sister had money but this just confirmed it.

  “So, Jewel, I was thinking maybe we could do some shopping for clothes after you get settled in. Then we can talk about how you’d like to finish high school. With your grades I’m sure you can go to any school you want and even to any university. What do you think about that?” Emily sat across from Jewel as the jet took off.

  Jewel held back a smart remark she wanted to make about there being nothing wrong with her own clothes, but held her tongue. If her rich sister wanted to spend some money on her why should she argue?

  “Fine, I guess that would be OK. I want to get back into school as soon as I can.” The way Jewel felt the best thing about her new situation was the promising prospect of getting a good education. If she could get into a really good college then the better chances she would have of becoming entirely independent. That was the ultimate goal as far as she was concerned. Anything else just didn’t matter.

  “So what kind of school will I be able to attend? Is there a high school near where we’re going?”

  “Yes, Hook Pond High is not far from Perry House. I just wanted you to think about all your options and choose what’s best for you, Jewel.

  You can go to public schools or private schools or you could even do a virtual school program online if you want. It’s entirely up to you. We can look at all the different options when we get to Perry House, OK?”

  For the first time since the two of them had met Jewel really smiled. Her whole face lit up. Really, Emily? I can choose where I want to go to school?”

  “Well if it’s a public school you want then it’ll have to be the one in Hook Pond. But other than that the sky is the limit.”

  Jewel didn’t care so much about staying in a public school. She just wanted the best education she could get. The one thing that always kept her going day after day on the streets was school. Getting an education had been the only way out of the life she’d grown up in and it was hard to think of never having that one mainstay in her life now.

  “You know, Jewel, you should smile more often. It really lights up the room.” Ethan sat down beside Emily and took his fiancés hand in his. Jewel immediately stopped smiling and turned her head to look out the window.

  There was no telling about Ethan just yet. Jewel would never trust anyone she just met. As far as she was concerned Ethan was a stranger to her and therefore a person she distrusted. Emily noticed that Jewel had suddenly clammed up.

  Dear Father, Please help Jewel to understand that we are now her family and that she can trust us and help us to be patient with her and let her come to us in her own time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Emily prayed silently for her newfound sister. She hoped that over the next few weeks Jewel would bond with her, Ethan and Aunt Gemma. Oh! She’d forgotten to let Aunt Gemma know she was bringing Jewel home and Jewel knew nothing about Aunt Gemma either.

  “Oh, Jewel, excuse me, but I need to call my Aunt Gemma, she is going to be so thrilled to meet you.”

  “Umm, I have an aunt?”

  “Well, yes, you have an aunt. Her name is Gemma Bell. She was my father’s sister. But trust me—she is your aunt, no matter what.”

  “You knew your father?” Jewel was starting to open up a little and Emily didn’t want to lose the moment so she put her cell phone down and gave Jewel her full attention.

  “My father’s name was Harold Bell. He was a plumber. He and his sister, Aunt Gemma, grew up in a Catholic orphanage in Queens, and yes I knew him and loved him very much. He had a heart attack when I was thirteen. Aunt Gemma raised me after that.”

  “My mom grew up in a Catholic orphanage in Queens.” Jewel’s voice trailed off. She was beginning to make the connections between her and Emily. It was strange to think she was not alone in this world, but that she had a real live sister.

  Emily wanted to press for more information, but as before the Holy Spirit told her, just give the girl time. Jewel will talk when she is ready.

  “Well, I bet that’s where our mother and my father met then.” Emily made a mental note to speak to Aunt Gemma about Lydia. One thing she’d never really done was to talk to Aunt Gemma about her mother. It just never really occurred to her to do so. But surely Aunt Gemma would know at least some things about Lydia Bell if they grew up in the same orphanage together.

  Jewel put her seat in the reclining position and closed her eyes. She wasn’t ready to share things about her mother with anyone just yet. Her mother’s death had been a secret locked inside of her for so long it was going to take a while before she could let go enough to talk
about it.

  Emily curled up in her own seat and rested her head on Ethan’s shoulder as he read a field magazine. Before long, both Emily and Jewel slept and Ethan contented himself to just watch over them. He didn’t know what to think of Jewel just yet, but, as Emily did, he trusted the Lord would reveal all in his own good time.

  The Gift of Empathy

  Chapter Six

  Joel 2:25-26

  I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

  Jewel could not contain her curiosity about Perry House any longer and she broke her silence long enough to ask Emily about it as Ethan drove them there from the small airport. “So how did you come to live at Perry House, Emily? You said you went to live with your Aunt Gemma. Did she live there, too?”

  “Yes, Aunt Gemma worked for Miles Perry as a housekeeper until he passed away a few years ago now. Aunt Gemma and I inherited Perry House from Mr. Perry. I think you’ll love it there. You can have your pick of several rooms and when you decide we can decorate it any way you want.

  This was feeling more and more like a surreal dream to Jewel. All her life she’d dreamed of having her own room. One with her own bed and clean soft sheets and pillows to sleep on. Again, against her wishes excitement flooded her. She had to remind herself that this was only temporary. Jewel knew first hand that she would never be able to depend on anyone other than herself, but she resigned herself to living in the here and now for as long as she could and to use this opportunity to get as far as she could with school. Jewel refused to let Emily and Ethan or even the unknown Aunt Gemma get too close to her. The end results of those kinds of relationships were always bad for her.

  Jewel’s first sight of Perry House took her breath away. The estate was massive and the grounds were gorgeous. The fall colors burst out from all directions. And in the middle of it all sat Perry House itself. The mansion was unlike any house Jewel had ever seen much less set foot in. The white washed French Style Villa with cobalt blue shudders was huge yet very homey and inviting with the full front porch covered in an array of fall flowers in pots hanging around the wicker furniture. This must be what it felt like to come home. Jewel savored the feeling. Surely there would be no harm in just enjoying the moment.

  Aunt Gemma was waiting on the steps with open arms. Emily had explained that Gemma was deaf and communicated using sign language, but until Jewel could learn to use sign language, she could text Gemma using a cell phone. One thing on Emily’s shopping list already was a cell phone for Jewel.

  Jewel loved Gemma at first sight. A light of goodness flowed from the woman. There was no way to not like her or trust that Aunt Gemma was exactly what she appeared to be. Jewel didn’t flinch when Gemma wrapped her in a warm embrace. This really was like coming home. Maybe I could stay for a little while.

  A few hours later, after being given a full tour of the mansion by Emily, Jewel picked her room. She was given the room with its own bathroom and a huge walk in closet that was big enough to fit her new bed and bathroom in all by itself. Emily explained that the room had once belonged to Mr. Perry’s brother, who’d also been deaf. Jewel was grateful. Emily left her alone to get settled and to explore her new surroundings alone.

  Jewel sat on the bed with her backpack next to her. Only for one brief time in her life had she ever had her own bed and that was yanked away from her when Lydia took her out of foster care. So many emotions stabbed at Jewel. How could she trust that all this wouldn’t be taken from her as soon as she came to depend on it? She made up her mind to just take this one day at time and to find a way to get herself back into school so she could get away from any potentially emotional entanglements here at Perry House as quickly as possible. Jewel believed her only chance of surviving was on her own.

  ****

  In Emily’s private office Aunt Gemma, Ethan, and Emily sat discussing Jewel. All of them wondered the same thing. Will she stay? None of them knew, but they did pray together.

  “She looks like she’s ready to bolt. I pray she gives us all a chance.” Ethan was the first to state the obvious out loud.

  “She’s lost and hurt. This poor girl has been left all alone in the world. What could Lydia have been thinking to leave this precious child all alone? Where is Lydia anyway? Does the girl know?” Gemma was signing so fast only Emily could keep up with her.

  “I haven’t pressed Jewel yet. It’s obvious that Lydia is either dead or long gone. My guess is that Lydia is dead, but until Jewel is ready to open up about it, I’m not going to push her. I’m afraid if I put any kind of pressure or stress on Jewel right now, she’ll do what we all think she will and run. I just want her to know she is loved and safe here at Perry House.”

  “She will find love, and Jesus, at Perry House, no doubt about that. Now let’s go get a good meal on the table and make our girl feel as welcome as possible.” Gemma signed as Emily and Ethan readily agreed with her.

  Later that evening, Jewel ventured downstairs. Her stomach was rumbling and she followed her nose to the kitchen where the most wonderful smells of cooking food came from. This was a meal like Jewel had never smelled before. The aroma was by far better than the best Thanksgiving meal she’d ever eaten at the shelters and those were her favorites.

  “What’s that wonderful smell?” Jewel asked Emily, who was helping her aunt pull a pot roast with all the trimmings out of the oven.

  “It’s a pot roast and Aunt Gemma seemed to think that this would be just what you wanted.”

  “Well judging by the smell, I have to say Aunt Gemma is right. So when do we eat?” The smile on Jewel’s face lit up the room. Emily felt a small glimmer of hope that maybe Jewel would stay at Perry House and let Emily help her.

  After dinner, Emily helped Aunt Gemma clear the table. Gemma clearly had something on her mind. Emily had no doubt that Gemma would want to talk without anyone else around. When the dishes were done and the dishwasher hummed quietly in the background, Emily fixed tea for both of them and sat down at the kitchen table with Gemma. Hands flew as they always did when the two women talked together. The conversation was fast and hard hitting, though in the silence no one else would know it.

  “Emily, I am very concerned about this girl. She is lost. We need to pray hard for her that she may come to know the Lord. It is the only way to keep her safe. Otherwise she will return to her old life. The Holy Spirit tells me if she leaves it may well be for good. She has a bounty on her head with the evil ones. We can’t let the devil have her. The Lord has a plan for her and she has her own gifts. We can’t know for sure what those gifts are yet, but I am sure the Lord will reveal them in good time.”

  “Yes, I’ve had that revelation from the Holy Spirit myself. She has an unusual gift and the devil wants to use that gift for evil. I fear for Jewel’s life should the enemy get ahold of her. The enemy wants her bad enough to try and kill her to keep her from coming to the Lord. Whatever her gift is,it,s strong.”

  Later, Emily went up to Jewel’s room to check on how she was settling in. The door was cracked open just a little and Emily heard sobs coming from inside. She gently stuck her head inside. “Jewel, are you OK?”

  “No…” More sobs came from the darkened room.

  Emily couldn’t see where Jewel was exactly in the room from the door so she let herself in. “Where are you?”

  “Over here.” Emily followed the sound of Jewel’s voice to find her on the floor in a dark corner of the room. Jewel was hugging her knees to her face and rocking back and forth. Emily knelt down beside her as she placed her hand on top of Jewel’s.

  “Whatever is wrong, I hope you’ll let me help.” This was the first intimate close contact that Emily had been able to make with Jewel. Emily hoped that this time Jewel would stay near and op
en up.

  “Emily, I’m not sure how to say this. You’ve been so good to me and I am so thankful. I’ve been holding back from you on purpose. I guess I wanted to keep our mother to myself. I’ve known all along that you wanted to know about her and I was just being mean by keeping it to myself. Please forgive me.”

  ‘There is nothing to forgive, Jewel. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me when you were ready. I can wait for as long as you need. The only thing of real importance to me right now is you. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel loved and safe.”

  At that, Jewel cried harder. “No, I’m ready. I want to tell you everything. I’m just so afraid that if I tell you everything you’ll never forgive me. Please don’t send me away, Emily, promise that if I tell you everything you won’t send me away.”

  “Jewel, I give you my word that there is nothing you can say that will make me send you away. I promise you will always have a home at Perry House, no matter what.” Emily pulled a tissue from a small table and wiped at Jewel’s eyes. “There now, Jewel, honey, let’s go sit in front of the fireplace downstairs and I’ll get you something to drink. What would you like?”

  “I like black coffee. Would that be OK?”

  “Sure, come with me.” Emily thought, how funny, a sixteen-year-old who drinks black coffee. At least Jewel would be easy to please.

  A few minutes later Emily had the gas fireplace roaring and she and Jewel were curled up side by side in comfy chairs sipping on their coffee.

  Emily fell silent and gave Jewel the time she needed to prepare herself.

  “You know our mother never told me about you. I always knew there was somebody else. Someone Lydia was running away from. I couldn’t put my finger on who exactly just that there was someone. She always used to say that there were ‘people’ looking for her. I spent the first several years of my life looking over my shoulder for these imaginary monster people who would take my mom away if they caught us. That was why we never stayed in one place for long. The only time I ever stayed in a real home for longer than a month or two was when Lydia got put in a mental hospital.