Again, Babette clapped her hands. “This is fun. I never cooked before.”
“Well, I can always use help in the kitchen. You’re more than welcome to join me anytime. In fact, if you like, you can be our table captain.”
Babette puckered up her face. “What’s a table captain?”
“Oh, being a table captain is a very important job. No one is allowed to set the placemats, dishes, and silverware on the table except the table captain.”
“I want to be the table captain.”
Tassie wrinkled her forehead and took on a serious expression. “Are you sure? Like I said, it’s a very important job. You’ll have to do it every night. That’s a lot of responsibility for a little girl.”
“I can do it. Please let me, please, please, please.”
“All right, if you insist. I’ll expect you to be here in the kitchen with me while I’m putting the final touches on our meals. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, oh yes.” Babette leaped from her chair and began marching around the kitchen, singing, “I am a table captain; I am a table captain,” over and over, making up the tune as she skipped and jumped along.
❧
As promised, Mitch arrived home in time for dinner and was ecstatic when Babette rushed into his arms as he opened the door. He had never seen her so happy. She kept muttering something about being a table captain, which he didn’t understand at all, but as long as she was happy, he was happy.
The wonderful aroma of roast beef drifted in from the kitchen. To a man used to eating in restaurants or having nothing more than frozen TV dinners or an occasional frozen lasagna served on paper plate, the thought of another home-cooked meal was almost more than he could handle. “Is that roast beef I smell?” he called out.
“Yes,” came a voice from the kitchen. “I hope you’re hungry!”
“I’m famished!” he called back in reply as he lifted his daughter and hurried into the room.
“We’re having mashed potatoes. Tassie said we could. I get to put the butter on top,” Babette said proudly, using her little hands to turn his face in her direction. “I set the table. I’m the table captain!”
“That’s wonderful, honey.” Then turning to Tassie he asked, “Want me to tell Tony and Delana supper is ready?”
“Yes, good idea. Everything is on the table.”
Still cradling Babette in his arms, with a smile of contentment he headed toward the stairs.
❧
To Tassie’s surprise, neither Tony nor Delana mentioned anything about the rule list or the run-ins they’d had with her. Instead they both sat quietly through supper, even bowing their heads when she prayed. Both even nodded their agreement when Mitch complimented her on the great roast and how he loved the way she had cooked the vegetables along with it.
“I’m the table captain,” Babette stated proudly around her mouth full of potatoes.
Her sister leaned back in her chair and rolled her eyes. “Table captain, huh? Is that the way Tassie is getting you to do her job for her? By giving you a fancy title?”
Mitch let out a deep sigh. “Delana, why can’t you be civil? That remark was uncalled for. I think you should apologize to Tassie.”
Delana jutted her chin out defiantly. “Apologize? No way. Forget it!”
His eyes narrowed. “Now, Delana. I mean it.”
“And what will you do if I don’t?” she shot back, meeting his intense gaze with one of her own.
Mitch looked quickly to Tassie, as if he needed guidance for an answer, but she held her peace. As far as she was concerned, it was about time he began to take a stand and now was as good a time as any.
“Or—or—I’ll cut your allowance in half this week.”
Again, the girl huffed. “Sure. As if you’d actually do it. That’s what you told me last week but you gave it all to me anyway.”
“I might have done that last week but things around here have changed. From now on—”
Her eyes flashing, Delana leaped to her feet. “They’ve changed all right. You don’t care anything about us kids, your own flesh and blood.” She paused long enough to fling her finger toward Tassie. “All you can think about is that woman. What is it, Dad? Are you so hungry for a woman to take to bed, you’ll let her get by with anything?”
That comment was the last straw. Tassie jumped to her feet, grabbed Delana by both shoulders, and stood toe to toe with her. “You have no business talking about me that way, Delana, and I refuse to sit here and let you talk disrespectfully to your father. It’s about time you learned the world doesn’t revolve around you and your wants.”
Mitch tugged at Tassie’s hand then stepped between them, his full attention focused on his daughter. “Tassie is right, Delana. You and your siblings have become spoiled little tyrants and it’s my fault. I’ve been so concerned about giving you kids the material things in life I’ve forgotten what you need most—a parent who loves you unconditionally and loves you enough to discipline you and train you in the way you should go. You may not like Tassie, but having her here has shown me what the four of us are missing in life is a good stable home, where each of us loves and respects the other and where each contributes to our everyday life. Even though your mother isn’t here, we’re still a family and we need to act like one.”
“But you’re never home,” Tony inserted.
“You’re right, son, but I’m changing that. I’ve already let it be known at the station that I’m cutting down on my hours. I want and need to be home with you children.” He lovingly slipped an arm around his daughter as he nodded toward Tassie. “Like we are tonight, all sitting around the table, having dinner together.”
“And arguing!” Delana yanked away from his grasp. “How exciting. Maybe tomorrow evening we can all wear boxing gloves and duke it out.”
Mitch’s jaw dropped. “Delana! What in the world is the matter with you?”
Delana headed for the stairs. “What’s the matter with you, Dad? Why all this sudden interest in your family? You’ve never cared about us before. Is this all her idea?”
He started after her but Tassie grabbed onto his arm. “I’m the cause of this. Let me go.”
“But. . .”
Before he could stop her, she turned and ran up the stairs, sticking her foot in Delana’s door before she had a chance to close it.
“Look, Delana, I don’t know if it’s me you don’t like or if it would be any woman who intruded on this household, but I want to assure you of one thing. If I didn’t personally care about you and Tony and Babette, I would have been out of here long ago. I can only imagine how hard it was to see your mother walk out on you and then lose her in that accident, but life goes on. Your father suffered a loss, too, a loss as great, or even greater, than yours, but being your father he’s had to go on and try to make the best of things.”
Delana plunked herself onto her bed, kicked off her shoes, and crossed her arms. “So what are you saying? That you want to marry my dad and be our mother? ’Cause if that’s what you have in mind, forget it. I can assure you it’s not going to happen.”
“No, that’s not what I have in mind at all. You know I’m going back to college in the fall.”
“Unless you can snag him!”
Tassie had to work hard at controlling her anger. “To be real honest with you, Delana, no sane woman would want to marry your father and come into this home with the kind of attitudes you children have.”
“Yeah? And we’re going to continue to have that attitude, as you call it. We don’t need a woman coming in here, making ridiculous rules and telling us what to do. You’ll be here for a while and then you’ll leave us, too, just like my mother did, my grandmother did, and even Mrs. Cramer!”
Was that a tear Tassie saw in Delana’s eye? “Oh, honey, is that what you think? That those women have all abandoned you? No wonder you feel like you do.” She tried to slip her arm around the girl’s shoulders but Delana shied away. “Is that why you’re so ups
et about me being here with you? Because I’ll only be here for three months? But don’t you see? I’m not abandoning you like you feel the others did. I’m going back to college.”
“But you’re leaving!”
“Yes, you’re right, I am. But we all knew that up front. I’ve never deceived you.”
“My dad should never have hired you! I don’t want you here.”
Tassie realized she wasn’t getting anywhere. Their conversation was going in circles. “Look, Delana, you’re right. We’re only going to be together three months but I have no intention of leaving until my time is up. I want you to know I’m here for you. You can come to me at any time, for any reason. I want to be your friend.”
“I have all the friends I need,” the girl spat out.
“Just remember what I said. The time may come when you need help from someone you can trust. I’m that person.” Tassie turned and, even though tumultuous emotions were raging inside her, walked calmly out the door, closing it securely behind her. I’ve done all I can, God. I’m out of ideas. I just don’t seem to be able to reach her. The rest is up to You.
As she moved back downstairs she could hear voices coming from the living room.
❧
“Tassie!” Mitch called out. “Come here. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
She smoothed her hair as she hurried into the living room.
“Tassie, this is my coworker and my best friend, Chaplain Dale Lewis. The two of us started out as beat officers and then we were both promoted to detective. Dale left the force about four years ago to attend Bible college. Now he’s the police chaplain.”
Chaplain Lewis, a pleasant-looking man with an oversized sincere smile, held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss. . .”
“Tassie Springer. Please call me Tassie, Chaplain Lewis.”
“Only if you’ll call me Dale.”
She smiled her agreement. “So you’re a chaplain with the police department?”
“Sure am and I love it.”
Mitch chuckled. “But he still carries his gun. Show it to her, Dale.”
Tassie reared back. “That’s okay. I’m not really interested in guns.”
Dale smiled as he reached into the shoulder holster under his jacket. “You might be in this one. It belonged to my great-grandfather who was a sheriff over in Missouri in the late 1880s.”
Mitch gestured toward the gun. “Look at the pearl set into the handle, Tassie. It even has his great-grandfather’s initials and the year he got the gun etched into it.”
She moved closer for a better look. “It’s beautiful. I didn’t know they made guns like that.”
Dale smiled proudly. “There aren’t many like this around anymore. It’s a real keepsake and one of the most dependable guns I’ve ever used.”
“And he needs that gun. As a chaplain, Dale deals with a number of seedy characters,” Mitch explained as Dale slipped the gun back into its holster.
Dale gave his jacket a pat. “Mitch is right. This gun goes with me everywhere I go. I’m never without it. I also respond to a number of domestic violence calls. Those are the worst kind. I pray I’ll never have to use it, but it’s wise to be prepared.” As if wanting to change the subject, he turned to Tassie. “Mitch tells me you’re a believer.”
“Yes, I am.”
He nodded toward the stairs. “Sounded like you and Delana were having a difference of opinion when I arrived.”
“Tassie is trying so hard to reach my daughter,” Mitch explained. “That girl shuts everyone out. Even me. I have no idea what to do with her. It’s like she’s mad at the world and everyone in it.”
“She’s had a rough time of it, but I don’t have to remind you of what she’s gone through. You’ve gone through it, too.”
“And I wouldn’t have made it if it weren’t for you and your wonderful counseling. The many times we prayed together helped, too.”
“You are praying for Delana, aren’t you? Prayer is a powerful tool.”
Mitch bobbed his head. “Yes, both Tassie and I are praying for her, but sometimes it seems as if God isn’t listening.”
The chaplain chuckled. “Oh, He’s listening all right, but never forget: God does things in His own way, in His own time—but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t use people to accomplish His will. That’s why He made parents. Just hang in there, pray, and show her your love even when she seems not to want it. Prayer is powerful and so is love. Team those two together and you can’t miss.” He sent a smile Tassie’s way. “Maybe the three of us can get together soon and talk about it.”
She nodded. “I’d like that. I really want to help Mitch win his children to our Lord.”
“Good. I wish I could stay longer but, if you’ll both excuse me, I really need to be going.” Then, turning to Mitch he added, “I knew you’d want that report about Jeff Clarkson’s family. They’re going through a rough time right now with their son in custody.”
Mitch followed him to the door. “Thanks, Dale. I’ll give them a call. By the way, plan on having dinner with us sometime soon. Tassie is a great cook.”
“You name the night and I’ll be here.”
Mitch told him good-bye then turned to Tassie with a look of concern. “So how did you make out with Delana?”
Her shoulders rose in a shrug. “I have no idea. At least she listened to most of what I had to say. I guess that’s progress.”
He moved close to her. “You’re not leaving us, are you?”
She mustered up a smile. “No, I couldn’t leave if I wanted to. I told Delana I was staying. Leaving would admit defeat.”
Mitch reached for her hand, then cradling it in his, brought it to his lips. “Delana didn’t mean what she said. She was only spouting off. I’m with you on this. You do know that, don’t you?”
She nodded. “Yes, I know, and I’m counting on it.”
❧
“I’m still amazed at how sweet and loving Babette is,” he told Tassie one evening as they sat on the sofa, watching the evening news on TV. How did you ever get her to do such a turnaround?”
“I guess by just giving her the attention every little girl craves. I wish the attention I try to give Delana would work that well.”
He shamefully hung his head. “That attention should have come from me. How could I have been so blind? I put my baby girl’s material needs above her emotional needs.”
The pitiful look on his face broke Tassie’s heart. She turned and laid her hand on his shoulder. “You were hurting, too, Mitch. When your wife left you, you had to have felt rejection. Then—even though the two of you were no longer together—you lost her in such a horrible way. Granted, those children lost their mother, but you lost your wife.”
“But I was adult. I should have. . .”
She met his gaze. “Don’t do that to yourself. What is past is past. You can’t change any of it. All you can do is move forward.”
“What would I have done if you hadn’t come along?”
“Me? All I’ve done is alienate your older children and cause an even bigger rift between you and them.”
“No! That’s not what you’ve done at all. I don’t want my kids to be juvenile delinquents and I’m afraid that’s the way they are headed. What you’ve done is given me the courage to take charge and let them know who is in control around here. To stand up and become the father they deserve.”
“It‘s not going to happen overnight,” she said honestly.
“I know.”
When he scooted closer and put his arm around her shoulders, she didn’t resist. She loved being near him. In fact, the time they had begun to spend together each evening, cleaning the kitchen after dinner, had become her favorite time of day. She loved the way they could laugh and talk together about the things that happened to him on his shift as a detective.
“I can’t do it alone. I need you by my side in this, Tassie.”
“I am with you, Mitch, but what you really need is to rededic
ate yourself to God. I can help, but as the spiritual leader and head of this household, it’s your responsibility to make sure your family attends church and is taught the Word of God.”
“I know, but sometimes my job. . .”
She frowned at him. “Come on, be honest. Did you really have to work all those Sundays in the past or was it because you were so dedicated to getting the bad guys off the street you let your job take over your life? Mitch, what you do is admirable. The streets of Grand Island are safer because of you, but your children are a gift from God. If He didn’t expect you to be there for them He would never have given them to you. You owe them your time.”
He gazed at her for a moment as if thinking over her words.
“I don’t mean to offend you by speaking so bluntly, but no one else can take your place.”
“Okay, message received. If I’m to be the good daddy I want to be I’d better go up and read that story to Babette before she goes to sleep.”
“Good idea. I think I’ll go to my room, call Mom and Dad, read awhile after I take my shower, then get to bed early. See you in the morning. Did you remind Tony and Delana that since tomorrow is Sunday, they’ll need to set their alarms?”
“I’ll remind them after I read that story to Babette.” He leaned toward her and gently planted a kiss on her forehead. “Good night, Tassie.”
“Good night, Mitch.”
❧
The next morning, much to her surprise, all four members of the Drummond family were dressed and ready for church when she called them to breakfast. Even the ride to church was pleasant. Mitch looked good sitting behind the steering wheel, smiling and joking with her and his family. And rather than make their usual disturbance during the service, both Delana and Tony sat quietly beside their father and listened, or at least gave the appearance of listening.
“I really admire the way you openly worship the Lord,” Mitch told Tassie when they arrived home after the family had enjoyed lunch at an Italian restaurant. “You know, it feels good being back in church again. I’ve always felt guilty for not taking my kids and making sure they knew the Bible, but not guilty enough to do anything about it—until you came along.”
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