The Little Sparrows

by Al Lacy

  Sam and Emma, and Ed and Sarah positioned themselves a few feet from where the dark-haired girl stood and watched as the men and women filed by, talking to the boys and girls. The Stanfields and the Conlans waited close by, clipboards in hand.

  Sam noticed Emma’s hand go to her chin. “Honey, this girl has to be very close to the same age as Jody, and I can hardly believe how much she resembles her.”

  Sam nodded. “Her hair is exactly the same color as Jody’s, and her facial features are remarkably similar. Like I said, she could be Jody’s sister.”

  “That’s for sure,” put in Ed. “The resemblance is striking.”

  Emma shook her head in wonderment. “And she’s exactly the same height. She probably weighs what Jody did before she fell off of Queenie and went into the coma.”

  Ed and Sarah looked at each other, held the gaze for a few seconds, then put their attention back on the dark-haired girl.

  At the Cheyenne Clinic, nurse Joyce Adams looked up from the desk in the office to see Pastor Dan Forbes and Clara enter. “Good morning, folks. You’re here to see Jody Claiborne again, I imagine.”

  “Yes,” said the pastor. “Any change at all?”

  “No, sir. She’s still deep in the coma. I’ll have to ask you to wait a few minutes. Mike and Natalie Houston and their daughter, Betty, are in there with her at the moment. They’re members of your church, aren’t they?”

  “Yes. I know they come quite often to see Jody. Betty even comes by herself sometimes, doesn’t she?”

  “Quite often. Betty is a true friend if I’ve ever seen one.”

  Suddenly the door to the rear of the building burst open, and Mike Houston appeared, his face sheet white. “Joyce, Dr. Traynor needs you right now! I’m afraid Jody’s dying!”

  Natalie and Betty appeared behind him as the nurse jumped up and headed for the door.

  Dan Forbes moved that direction. “Anything I can do to help?”

  The nurse paused and shook her head. “Dr. Traynor wouldn’t want you in the room right now, Pastor.”

  Mike stepped aside and held the door open so Joyce could pass through. She headed down the hall at a run.

  Natalie moved past her husband, followed by Betty, whose hands were clamped over her mouth. She, too, was pasty white. Mike closed the door and followed his wife and daughter as they headed for the spot where the Forbeses were standing.

  “What happened?” asked Clara.

  Natalie was first to find her voice. “W-we were s-standing beside Jody’s bed, looking down at her as Dr. Traynor was checking her heartbeat with his stethoscope, and suddenly she stopped breathing.”

  “Oh no!” said the pastor. “What did the doctor say?”

  “He just told us to leave the room, and asked that we send Joyce back there as fast as possible.”

  Dan Forbes rubbed the back of his neck. “Then Dr. Traynor must have known that Jody was still alive, or he wouldn’t have needed his nurse to help him.”

  “I would say so,” said Mike.

  The pastor gestured toward the waiting area. “Let’s sit down and go to prayer.”

  They had been praying for some fifteen or twenty minutes when they heard the door at the rear of the office come open. Every head came up, and they saw the doctor step into the office.

  Clara Forbes murmured, “Oh no.”

  At the railroad station, while the prospective foster parents interviewed the orphans all along the line, Lance Adams again stood near the spot where Jimmy Kirkland was.

  He saw and heard the same thing as in Kearney, Nebraska. People showed interest in Jimmy until they heard the stuttering lisp, then lost interest immediately.

  The fourth couple had just drawn up. The man smiled as he bent down and said, “Hello there, young man. What’s your name?”

  Jimmy was fearful of giving a reply, which was evident to Lance Adams.

  The woman bent down. “What’s the matter, honey? Cat got your tongue?”

  Jimmy’s head was tilted down. He shook his head.

  “Well then tell us what your name is.”

  The boy nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other and finally raised his head. “M-my n-name ith J-Jimmy Kirkland.”

  The man and woman looked at each other, frowning, then the man said, “How old are you, Jimmy?”

  “F-five y-yearth old, th-thir.” Jimmy’s hand went to his mouth to wipe away the excess saliva on his lower lip.

  The man looked at his wife. “Let’s move on, Shirley.”

  As the couple stepped away from Jimmy, he began to cry.

  Lanced rushed to him, picked him up, and held him close. “It’s all right, Jimmy. Don’t cry.”

  The couple paused in front of a teenage boy and the man looked back. When he saw Jimmy in the arms of Lance, he shrugged and began talking to the boy.

  Patting Jimmy’s back tenderly, Lance said, “Don’t you worry about it, Jimmy. Some nice people will take you home with them at one of these stops.”

  Jimmy threw his arms around Lance’s neck and sobbed, “I w-wanna g-go home with y-you, M-Mithter Adamth. Pleathe t-take me h-home with y-you.”

  People who were passing along the line looked on as Lance held the sobbing boy.

  With Jimmy’s plea burning his ears, Lance said in his heart, Dear Lord, I can’t make a move to take this precious child until You show me that it’s what You want for sure. Please help me. I have no way of knowing if You have done a work in Carol’s heart. You can do a miracle; I know it. You did it for Abraham and Sarah and gave them a son when it looked impossible. Is anything too hard for the Lord?

  With the boy’s arms locked tight around his neck, Lance said, “Jimmy, I told you before that I would love to take you home with me, but I can’t.”

  Jimmy sniffled and eased back in Lance’s arms so he could look into his eyes. “B-but you d-didn’t tell m-me why.”

  “Jimmy, you simply wouldn’t understand. You’re just too young.” I’m going to put him back in the line, Lord. If You let someone else choose him, I’ll know my thinking on this was wrong.

  As he placed Jimmy’s feet back on the platform floor, he said, “Maybe one of these couples yet in line will take you.”

  Jimmy looked up at him with pleading eyes. Lance felt like his heart was going to break in two. As he stepped back to his previous spot, he said in his heart, Please, Lord. Do Your miracle. Lead me so I’ll know Your will.

  Farther up the line, Emma Claiborne had her eyes riveted on the dark-haired girl who so strongly resembled the daughter she feared was soon going to die.

  Sam, Ed, and Sarah saw clearly that Emma was totally fascinated by the girl. They looked at each other questioningly, then Sam silently mouthed, Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

  Ed and Sarah exchanged glances and smiled at each other, Sarah leaned close and whispered in his ear, “We think Emma wants to take that girl home. Probably because she is about to lose Jody and she feels the need to have a foster daughter who resembles her. You know … to keep Jody alive in a sense.”

  Sam nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”

  He turned back to Emma. She still held her eyes on the girl, who at the moment had a couple talking to her. He leaned close and spoke in a whisper. “Honey, you seem to be mesmerized by that girl.”

  Emma looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I am, darling. I was just thinking that she could be a real strength to us when—when Jody goes to heaven. Not that she could ever take Jody’s place, of course, but the house wouldn’t seem so empty if we had her living with us. Especially since she looks so much like our Jody.”

  As those words came out of her mouth, Emma noticed that the couple talking to the dark-haired girl was moving on.

  Sam wiped a hand over his face. “Honey, this is all so sudden. Are you sure you wouldn’t regret it later? You know—feeling guilty that you would take a girl who strongly resembles Jody, then wondering if you really weren’t trying to put her in Jody’s place
.”

  Emma shook her head. “No. That would never happen because I know how much I love Jody, and that I would never let anybody take her place. Sam, that girl needs a home. Who knows what terrible grief and heartaches she has gone through, losing her parents and her home.”

  “Well, I—”

  “Sam, that girl has so captured my heart that even if Jody was in perfect health, I would still want to take her home. These poor orphans are so pitiful. All of them have had such sadness in their young lives. I wish we could take them all home, but that’s impossible. And even if it were possible, I still wouldn’t do it because I wouldn’t want to rob others of the blessing of having these children in their homes. I just hope they will all be loved and treated well.”

  Sam smiled. “Your soft heart is showing, sweetie, and I love you for it. I … well, I—”

  “What?” Her eyes were twinkling.

  “I sense something happening in my heart. Like the Lord is speaking to me about this.”

  She touched his hand. “Really?”

  “Mm-hmm. I don’t think our seeing this girl was merely coincidence. With Christians there is no such thing as coincidence. We’ve talked about that before.”

  “Yes, we have.”

  “Honey, the Lord has a plan for each life of those who belong to Him, and He has His own way of fulfilling that plan. I … I think we should go talk to her.”

  Emma’s eyes filmed with tears. “Sam, we must make a quick decision I know, but I have to tell you … I have such a peace about this girl. We could be such a blessing to her. She needs a home. A few people have passed her by. That couple who were talking to her a moment ago have moved on.”

  Ed and Sarah had been silent while listening to Sam and Emma’s conversation. They looked at each other, nodding. Ed ran his gaze over their faces. “Sam, Emma, if our opinion means anything in this matter, we both believe you should take that girl home with you.”

  Emma smiled. “Really?”

  “Really,” said Sarah.

  Emma looked up at her husband. “I feel so positive about this. Let’s go talk to her.”

  Ed and Sarah clasped hands and watched with keen interest as Sam and Emma headed toward the dark-haired girl.

  Josie Holden smiled at them. “Hello!”

  Both Sam and Emma were smiling as Sam said, “What’s your name, little lady?”

  “Josie Holden.”

  Sam and Emma looked at each other in amazement.

  Sam swallowed hard. “Honey, can you believe it? Her name is so close to Jody’s.”

  Emma nodded, her eyes wide. “It … it’s unbelievable.”

  “How old are you, honey?” queried Sam.

  “Twelve, sir. I’ll turn thirteen on October 2.”

  “Just two days difference,” said Emma. “Can you believe this?”

  “I think I’m dreaming,” said Sam, shaking his head.

  Emma looked at Josie, then back at Sam. “She even sounds a little like Jody.”

  “She sure does. I can’t believe it. Honey, this absolutely can’t be just coincidence.”

  Josie’s eyelids fluttered and her brow puckered. “Who’s Jody?”

  Tears misted the eyes of both Sam and Emma.

  Sam cleared his throat gently. “She’s … she’s our daughter, Josie. Our only child. My name is Sam Claiborne, and my wife’s name is Emma. We own the Circle C ranch a few miles north of town.”

  Josie’s eyes brightened. “A ranch! That sounds interesting.”

  Emma smiled at the girl. “Josie, were you raised in the country?”

  “No, ma’am. I was raised in New York City on Manhattan Island. I’m a city girl. But I’ve read about ranch life here in the West and it has very much interested me. My papa always called me a tomboy. I think I’d really like ranch life.”

  Sam and Emma looked at each other. The word tomboy rang a bell with both of them. Their Jody and this girl from New York City were amazingly alike. They were both thinking that this had to be God’s seal of approval on their taking Josie Holden home with them.

  At that moment, Josie noticed that the couple who had interviewed her just before the Claibornes had returned and were looking at her. By the look on both of their faces, she knew they had decided she was their choice.

  Sam and Emma also noticed that the couple had returned and were waiting for them to move on so they could approach Josie once again.

  Emma moved closer to Josie and whispered, “I think these folks want to talk to you again.”

  Josie whispered so both Sam and Emma could hear her. “They weren’t sure they wanted a girl quite as old as I am. They were going to talk to a girl down the line who is nine years old. It looks like maybe they have decided to take me.”

  Sam noted Emma’s body stiffen. “Josie, do you want us to move on so these people can talk to you again?”

  Josie spoke in a normal voice. “No, sir. I want to talk to you some more.”

  Sam noted that Emma relaxed at Josie’s words.

  “Please tell me about Jody,” said Josie. “Would she feel all right about me living in your home?”

  Sam pulled at an ear. “Well, honey, let me explain about Jody. She fell off her horse a month ago yesterday and struck her head on a rock that was sticking up out of the ground. It wasn’t her fault. She and her best friend were racing their horses, which they often do, and her horse was frightened by a rattlesnake. The mare tried to avoid the snake and lost her footing. As she was going down, Jody flew out of the saddle and struck her head on the rock.”

  Josie’s face pinched. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is she all right?”

  “No, she’s not. Jody has been in a coma ever since. We have her in the Cheyenne Clinic, and our doctor isn’t giving us any hope that she will ever come out of the coma. He’s expecting her to die soon.”

  The girl saw the tears in Emma’s eyes. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Claiborne. This must be terrible for both of you.”

  “It is,” said Emma, “but we have the Lord and He is helping us in this most difficult time.”

  Sam looked down at Emma. “Honey, I am as sure as you are that the Lord wants us to take Josie as our foster daughter.”

  Emma nodded. “I have no doubt of it, sweetheart.”

  Both of them saw Josie’s eyes brighten. “Could I ask you something?”

  “Of course, dear,” said Emma.

  “Both of you have just mentioned the Lord. Are … are you Christians?”

  Sam’s face beamed. “We sure are, honey; born again and washed in the blood of the Lamb. We have a Christian home and are regular in Sunday school and church right here in Cheyenne.”

  Emma smiled. “You must be a Christian too.”

  “Yes, ma’am! Just last night, the nurse who travels with the orphans on the train led me to Jesus. I received Him into my heart as my Saviour.”

  Sam took hold of Emma’s hand. “Honey, can you believe this? Could it be more perfect?”

  “Absolutely not. This is God’s hand. There’s no other way to explain it.”

  Sam bent down close to the dark-haired girl. “Josie, would you like to come and live with us?”

  A smile spread over the girl’s face, but they could see that she was a bit nervous.

  Emma laid a hand on her arm. “Josie, is something wrong?”

  Josie bent her head down a little. “Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne, I … I wouldn’t try to take your daughter’s place. I know I couldn’t do that. But since Jody and I seem to look and sound so much alike, and we’re the same age, could you just think of me as her sister?”

  Tears were filling Emma’s eyes. She wrapped her arms around Josie and held her close. “That’s it! We’ll think of you as Jody’s sister! Will you come and live with us?”

  “Oh yes! I want to with all my heart!”

  “Good!” said Sam. “And Josie?”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “You asked if Jody would feel all right about you living in our home. Honey, if God should decid
e to perform a miracle and let her live, I can tell you for sure that Jody would love to have you for her sister.”

  Josie smiled. “I hope the Lord will perform that miracle, Mr. Claiborne.”

  “Josie,” said Sam, “which of these officials should we talk to? Let’s make this official.”

  Josie ran her gaze to Tabitha Conlan, who happened to be free at the moment and was in conversation with Rachel Wolford.

  “That lady there with the clipboard, Mr. Claiborne. Her name is Tabitha Conlan. And the lady with Mrs. Conlan in the nurse’s uniform is Miss Rachel Wolford, the one who led me to the Lord last night.”

  Sam glanced at Emma. “I’ll be right back.”

  As Sam headed for the spot where Tabitha and Rachel were standing, the couple who had returned to talk to Josie looked at each other with disappointment obvious on their faces, turned, and walked away.

  Both Emma and Josie had their attention on Sam. Emma put an arm around the girl. “Oh, Josie, this makes me so happy. We’ll do everything possible to make you glad you decided to become our foster daughter.”

  “I’m sure you will,” replied Josie, “and I’ll do everything possible to make you and Mr. Claiborne glad that you took me in.”

  Sam drew up to Tabitha and Rachel. “My name is Sam Claiborne, ladies. My wife and I own the Circle C ranch a few miles north of Cheyenne. We have been talking to Josie Holden, and we want to become her foster parents.”

  Tabitha looked at a sheet of paper on her clipboard. “I don’t have your names here, Mr. Claiborne, as prospective foster parents. Did you talk to one of the other sponsors?”

  “Uh … no, ma’am. I didn’t realize we had to do that first. We … well, we actually came to the station to meet my brother and sister-in-law who came on the train from Omaha. It wasn’t until we happened to see Josie that we decided to take her home with us.”

  Tabitha smiled. “Well, it’ll only take a moment for me to ask some questions and see if you and Mrs. Claiborne qualify to take one of our orphans. Could you have Mrs. Claiborne come over here?”

  “Of course.” Sam motioned for Emma, and she headed that way.

  While they were waiting for Emma, Sam looked at the nurse. “Miss Wolford, Josie told us that you led her to Jesus last night.”