"It's not okay, Zeke." Her voice trembled. "Ruby lost her mother, and she's so scared. And now her father? How could he do that to that precious little girl? And now ... now ... she's gotten attached to us, and if you call the police, she will be pulled away from here too. It's too much, Ezekiel."
Ezekiel pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. "I don't know what else to do." His voice trembled too. "I just don't know what's right anymore."
Bekah sobbed in his arms. It all hurt too much to speak about. All her life, Bekah had done what made Bekah happy. She'd never been responsible for anyone but herself. She'd never cared about anyone else enough to sacrifice her own wellbeing, and at that moment she was willing to risk going to jail to keep Jack and Ruby together and safe.
They sat for a long time, together. Ezekiel held her hand, his head on hers as he prayed for God to intervene in the situation. As Ezekiel spoke out loud, Bekah pleaded in her heart the same words he spoke — give these siblings hope.
When he finally lifted his head, she looked up at him, and he smiled. He brought his hand to her face and drew her close, kissing away her tears. "It's going to be okay. We have to believe that. We have to have faith that God is bigger than our circumstances."
Bekah nodded.
"Let's concentrate on the play right now. Keep them busy and try to stay upbeat."
Bekah's thoughts turned to her own life. "Ruby said something today that really got me thinking."
"Yeah? What did she say?"
"She was telling me that she couldn't remember her mother much anymore and so I was asking her questions, trying to get her to remember the important things about her mother."
"Yeah? I bet she remembers more than she realized."
"She does. But then she asked me about my own mother. She wanted to know about my childhood."
"Oh. Was that hard for you?"
"Actually, it wasn't. So many good memories came to mind. Things I hadn't thought about in years. It just makes me wonder what made it all fall apart. When did things become so tense between us? Zeke, I think it was my fault." Bekah turned to him. "I think I pushed my mother away."
Ezekiel stared at her for a moment. "Bekah, I don't think —"
"No, really. I'm not trying to make excuses for my mother. I mean, I really and truly think I ... I was so ... I was kind of a brat. Once I turned about twelve, I treated her like I didn't need her. That's when she started working double shifts and closing herself off. Zeke, I did that. I fought her at every turn. I pushed my mother away."
"Bekah, you can't take the blame. You were a kid and you —"
"I pushed her away. I really did. And that sweet girl in there, she would do anything to have her mother back. My mother is alive and well, and I've placed a wedge so deep between us that she may never forgive me. I've been so selfish."
Ezekiel chuckled.
"You find this funny?"
"No. It's just that you haven't heard a word I've been trying to tell you. Bekah, your mother loves you. She may not know how to relate to you, and she might even think you’re immature and stubborn, but I'm sure she wishes things were different."
"You think?"
"Of course I do. It's just a thing. I bet she's just waiting for you to call her and tell her exactly what you told me. And Bekah, I bet she has an entirely different perspective than you do."
"Do you think I'm immature and stubborn, Zeke?"
Ezekiel let out a hearty laugh. "No way you’re trapping me with that one!" He held his hands in the air. "Don't even go there. I'm not falling for that trick."
Bekah giggled, enjoying the mood change. "Okay, Mr. Responsibility. Go ahead and laugh."
"Seriously, though. You should call her. It's never too late to reconcile."
"Yeah. You're right. Maybe I will."
Ezekiel pulled her back into his arms and kissed her. "I think I'm falling for you, Miss Immature and stubborn."
"I think I've already fallen."
Chapter 26 — Ezekiel
Ezekiel stood at the back of the church sanctuary and watched the kids practicing their lines. Bekah had them paired by scenes as they studied diligently to become the best at their parts. She was a fantastic drama teacher and somehow paid attention to everything that was going on around her.
“Don’t worry about the sound of your voice yet, Jack. Just practice getting the words embedded in your brain.”
“Aye Aye, Capt’n!” Jack flashed a quirky salute, making many kids lose their composure.
Bekah let out a breathy sigh, but there was no doubt she was enjoying every single one of them. The younger kids, who didn’t really have any speaking parts were playacting on their own. The mermaids sat in a circle flopping their legs, flipping their hair as the young pirates swabbed the stage floor. The entire thing was so perfect. Bekah had them all going all at once, and Ezekiel couldn’t take his eyes away from it.
Garrett walked up and leaned up against the wall next to him. “Amazing, isn’t she?”
“She has so much talent.” Ezekiel kept his eyes on Bekah.
“So, I see.” Garrett elbowed him. “Hey, I want you to come and take a look at some of the props we got finished.”
With extreme effort, Ezekiel pulled his attention to Garrett. “Sure. Let’s take a look.”
School had been out for over an hour, and everyone was still busy working on all aspects of the play. As Ezekiel followed Garrett to the shop room in the back building, he peeked in to see his mother with several kids, practicing their stitches on scrap material. He waved as she looked up and smiled. “How’s it going?”
“We’ll be ready to start the costumes in no time.” It was amazing how much life Bekah had brought back into his family. His mother had always been a busy one, cleaning around the house, cooking, or visiting an ailing neighbor, but this was something she loved, and she was so good with the kids.
“I sure hope we don’t end up with any three-armed costumes.” Garrett chuckled as he continued down to the shop room.
“Not if my mother has anything to say about it. She may be sweet, but she’s a perfectionist.”
Garrett laughed as he opened the room to the shop. As soon as he did, the sound of saws buzzing pierced his ears. Kids of all ages were inside, working diligently with two other teachers that had volunteered to help Garrett with the props.
Kindergarteners all the way up to fifth graders were painting, delivering wood, and sanding down smaller pieces. The older kids worked diligently on cutting and nailing things together.
“What are you making?” Ezekiel couldn’t make heads or tails of their work.
“Right now, we are working on the ship. We’re doing the basics in parts. You know like a prefab home. There’s no way we will get it out of the door if we assemble it all right here.”
As soon as he knew what they were doing, it all came together in his head. “This is really awesome!” Ezekiel said. “How big will it be?”
“Not too big. We are going to put it on wheels so it can be rolled on and off the stage easily. I have no idea what we will do with it when the play is over, though.” Garrett stepped outside of the room, and Ezekiel followed. As soon as the door closed, the sounds diminished.
“Maybe we could set it out front to bring in students.” Ezekiel shoved his hands in his pockets. “You know, like an advertisement for our new drama program.”
“Yeah, maybe. I can’t believe how well this is going. We even got some high schoolers to pitch in with some of the harder stuff. All of them are asking about next year's curriculum. They are interested in coming to the school.”
“Dad hasn’t decided if we are ready to extend to a high school so quickly, but if there’s enough interest, he might consider it.”
“You know, I was thinking. A lot of the schools now have computer-based learning. If we could come up with the funding for new computers, who knows, maybe we could pull it off.”
“It’s something to look into. We would still need to hir
e more teachers.”
“A few, but not many. We have plenty of the junior high teachers now who have way too much time on their hands.”
It was true. The elementary teachers kept the same class throughout the day, but the junior high teachers taught only two to three classes each as kids rotated to each subject. It could be done, and if the interest were there, it would bring in the needed funds to pay more teachers.
“Tomorrow is the day. Are you worried?”
Ezekiel looked away. “I think it will be the hardest day of my life. Those kids ... I just don’t know what to do.” Ezekiel took in a deep breath to stave off the emotions.
“Did you find anyone in town who is certified to take them and can keep them together?”
“Nope. The best we came up with is the Spencer’s and the Cord’s. They can each take one more child. The kids would be separated, but they would be able to stay in the same town. They’d see each other at school, and of course, they’d be able to visit each other on weekends, but Jack ... I can’t bear to separate them. He thinks —”
“He’s a big brother. He’s protective of Ruby. I get it. He wants to be there to make sure she’s okay.”
“He’s too young to have that responsibility. He’s not supposed to have all of this stress on him.”
“Look, Ezekiel. I get it. At eleven years old he should be out riding bikes and shooting hoops, but that’s not the life he has. He loves his sister and wants to make sure she’s taken care of. If he didn’t, I’d be worried.”
“I just don’t understand what happened. Why would their father just up and leave? There has to be a reason.”
“I’d be lying if I told you I understood anything about this life. It’s rough on occasion, and I don’t have to tell you that sometimes we’re dealt a hand that seems unbearable, but they will get through it. Somehow, someway, this situation will shape them into the adults they are going to be.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Look at you. You walk around all glum. When are you ever going to get over —”
“That’s not true.” Garrett refused to meet Ezekiel’s eyes. “Okay. Occasionally I get a little upset. I’ve even screamed at God a time or two, but all and all, I’m okay. And the more I see you and Bekah together, the more I realize that life is too short to hold onto the past. Jaden would want me to move on. It’s just hard sometimes.”
“With Gloria?”
Garrett burst into laughter. “No! Not Gloria!”
“Then, who? You got someone else in mind?”
“Not at the moment. But I have been seriously thinking of making a career change. Something that will get me out more. You know, hanging out with kids all day is not exactly conducive to finding romance.”
“Like what?” Ezekiel raised his eyebrows at his friend.
“Been looking into the police academy.”
“A police officer?” Ezekiel’s mouth dropped open. “You’ll be surrounded by criminals.”
“Not just criminals. Other law enforcement officers, people in need, adults in general. I hear there are some pretty hot women police officers.”
Ezekiel rolled his eyes. “You take the cake, man.”
“No, but seriously. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. You know teaching wasn’t my first choice of occupation. I only enrolled in classes because you did and my father told me if I didn’t do something besides sitting around on the couch brooding, he was going to kick me out.”
“Yeah. That’s true. But I thought you kind of grew to enjoy it.”
“Grew to enjoy what?” Bekah came strolling down the hall.
“Garrett here has decided he wants to become a police officer.”
“What!” Bekah’s eyes glimmered with laughter. “That’s awesome, Garrett! I’ve always loved a man in uniform!”
“Okay, now.” Ezekiel pulled her closer. “That’ll be enough of that.”
Bekah leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ve been in plenty of trouble with the police in my day. I’m not about to date a cop.”
Ezekiel raised his eyebrows. He’d known she’d had a rough past, but she’d never gone into detail. “Been thrown in the slammer before. Huh?”
“Nah. Just minor stuff. Don’t worry. I learned my lesson. I’m a responsible citizen now.”
“Hm.” Ezekiel grunted. “We’ll see about that.”
Garrett stared down the hallway. “It’s just a thought. I wouldn’t go and leave you guys stranded or anything, but I’ve been looking into it.”
“I think it’s a great idea, Garrett. A change of scenery. Get to arrest some bad guys. Could be fun.”
“We’ll see. No huge decisions right now, though. Hey, I better get back in there before someone saws off their fingers.”
Garrett left Ezekiel and Bekah alone in the hallway. As soon as the door closed behind him, the mood seemed to switch to one of dread. Both of them knew that the days to come were going to be some of the hardest.
“Did you tell them?”
Ezekiel dropped his head and shuffled his feet. “I can’t bring myself to do it. Dad says we’re going to call first thing tomorrow. We can’t avoid it any longer. As it is, we might be in big trouble for keeping them an entire week before reporting it.”
“I’m not worried about the trouble we might be in. I’m worried about Jack and Ruby. Zeke, I can’t bear to make them leave. It’s just not fair.”
Ezekiel pulled her into his arms. “I know. I get it.”
“Maybe we can adopt them.”
“We? Bekah, I’m quite sure you have to be married to adopt kids. We can’t just—”
“No. I know. I just —”
“Besides, even if we ran out right now and got married, Jack and Ruby would still be placed in foster care until the paperwork went through. And on top of that, we could get turned down, and they’d be sent somewhere else anyway. I can’t imagine we’d get approved to care for two kids in a garage apartment. Would you want to be tied down to me for the rest of your life if you didn’t have to?”
“It wouldn’t be so bad.” Bekah studied his face, caressing it with her eyes. “I’d survive.”
“You think?” Ezekiel drew her closer. “My snoring alone might send you running back to Long Beach.”
Ezekiel had no doubt that he loved Bekah, and he could see them someday tying the knot, but that day was not going to be done in haste. There were so many more things they needed to learn about each other. As much as he wanted to keep the children together, he wouldn’t make a life-altering decision to do it.
“Fat chance. If I never step foot back in that town, it will be too soon.”
“What about your mom? Doesn’t she still live there?”
Bekah rested her head against his chest. “She does. There are just so many memories there that I’d rather not revisit. I like Sunshine. It’s grown on me.”
The door to the shop opened, and Bekah quickly pulled away. Ezekiel backed up as kids passed between them, heading out. For a moment he’d forgotten they were standing in the school hallway folded together like love-sick teenagers. His face heated with the thought of being caught by the students with a woman in his arms.
Looking over to Bekah, he noticed that her face was just as red as his. Amusement held in her eyes as she waved innocently at the passing kids.
Once they were alone again, Ezekiel came closer. “Okay, no more snuggling in the halls. We are respectable adults, Miss Bekah.”
“Yes, Mr. Gaines. Let’s be professional. Jack and Ruby are waiting in the sanctuary to walk home with us.”
Home. As much as he wanted his home to be a home for them, he couldn’t see a way to make it happen. Today would most assuredly be the last night they would sleep there. Tomorrow held no promises and tonight, they would have to sit them down and speak to them. It would be the hardest conversation he’d ever have to have.
Chapter 27 — Bekah
“It’s time.” Ezekiel came into the kitchen as B
ekah and Mrs. Gaines were finishing up the dishes. “We better get it over with.”
“Would you like your father and me to sit in with you?” Mrs. Gaines asked.
The entire week, Bekah and Ezekiel had stepped up to take care of the kids, leaving Pastor and Mrs. Gaines to play nothing more than the grandparent role. “No. We better do it.”
“Okay. We’ll be here if you need us.” Mrs. Gaines gave Bekah a quick hug. “That was a beautiful meal, Bekah. You’re catching on so quickly.”
“Bekah cooked?” Ezekiel stuttered and stared at Bekah. “You cooked that meal?”
“It was just lemon pepper chicken, Ezekiel. I’m not a gourmet chef yet.”
“The best lemon pepper chicken I’ve ever tasted!” Ezekiel winked at his mother as if to say her cooking was better.
“Okay, Zeke.” Bekah swatted him. “That will be enough of that.”
The mood suddenly became serious as Bekah realized what they were about to do. She understood that playing house with two children, no matter how much she loved them, was not the right thing to do and that she’d have to learn to trust in God to make things work out. Being new at all of this higher power thing, she was having a hard time letting go and letting God take care of things. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe. She’d listened to Pastor Gaines’ preaching, and many of his words had hit Bekah in a place she didn’t know existed. She wanted to trust Him, but she’d spent her entire life doing things her way. Admittedly, her approach was not even close to working. Still the fear of letting her life go and entrusting it to God was scary.
“You okay?”
Bekah realized she had zoned off there for a minute. Painting a smile on her face, she nodded. “Let’s get it over with.”
Ezekiel took her hand, and they went into the living room where Jack and Ruby sat on the couch with Pastor Gaines, discussing the upcoming play. Pastor Gaines looked up as soon as they walked in and stood. “Well, kids. I’d better get to bed. Mr. Gaines and Miss Bekah want to have a talk with you.” He hugged each of them and walked past Bekah and Ezekiel. “I’ll be praying,” he whispered as he passed.
The Act of Falling Page 13