by Maggie Ryan
A nice looking middle-aged lady brought in a steaming cup of coffee. Sharon accepted it with a smile. It was delicious. The lady looked over her bright pink readers. “Cream and sugar are in the break room. I’d be happy to get you some.”
Sharon sat back, and took a deep breath. “No, thanks. This is just fine. It’s really good.”
Maxine smiled. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
Sharon looked around the office. It was a bit messy. A big comfortable leather chair sat behind the desk. That looks softer than this thing I’m sitting in. She got up and looked both ways down the hallway. She didn’t see anyone. Guess the chief is out. Sharon walked around the desk and sat down. A picture of two black labs sat next to a pile of paperwork on the right. She noticed a pen set with a chief of police seal. Sharon read the inscription. “To Tom Sydney, Chief of Police.” Sharon nearly spewed coffee out her nose. Tom was the dang chief of police! Why didn’t he say anything?
About that time, he came sauntering into his office. “Nice to see you’ve made yourself comfortable.” Sharon moved to stand. “No, no, keep your seat.” He sat in the chair she had vacated. “We sprayed the engine. It hadn’t caught fire, but it’s definitely not going anywhere under its own power. I called Auto Care garage three blocks over. They’re coming to get it. You’ll have to call and give them your phone number.” She sipped on her coffee. He leaned on one elbow as he scratched his chin. “Just what is your phone number, Sharon?” His wide-opened, innocent gaze, made her feel lightheaded.
She heard herself answer. “555-2063.”
He pulled out his phone and typed it in. Turning the phone back off, he put it in his pocket. “You look cold. How about we go by the diner and get something warm?” He looked at his watch. “It’s too early for dinner, and you’ve got a good hour before the school bus comes. The coffee’s great there. What do you say?”
She had to hand it to him. He didn’t seem unnerved by her behavior at all. After everything she had done, she wondered why he was being nice to her at all. “All right.” She might as well admit, where Tom Sydney was concerned, she was made of Jell-O.
They walked the half block together. The diner smelled of comfort food and coffee as the warmth of the place wrapped itself around Sharon. They sat at a booth, and ordered coffee. Tom took off his hat and lay it on the table. He hung his jacket on the silver coat rack by their seats.
Sharon looked around. “This place looks exactly the way it did twenty years ago. I guess that’s comforting in a way.”
Tom leaned back against the corner. He wrapped his hand around a fat, white cup the waitress was filling with coffee. The other arm rested against the back of the seat. “It might look the same around here, Sharon, but time waits for no man. I think Flat Rock has made a lot of progress over the years. People grow up, they change, but I’d say the heart of things stays the same.” He looked her straight in the eye. “That’s a good thing by the way.” He took a sip of coffee.
She warmed her hands on her cup and looked at the thick black liquid inside. “The heart of things.” She sighed. “I’ve been so busy moving, getting a new job, trying to keep things together for Bobby and Megan, I haven’t had time to think about the heart of things.” I don’t think I even have a heart anymore.
“You’ve been through a really tough time. The worst is over. You’re home now. Be patient with yourself.”
“You must think I’m totally crazy. Seems like every time I see you, I do or say something nutty. I’m still at loose ends.”
“I think you’re doing great. Especially considering all you’ve been through. You’re obviously a great mom.”
He’s such a great guy. “Thanks, that means a lot. I try. I worry about the kids though. Moving is hard enough, but maybe, once we’ve had a little time, they’ll get used to everything.” I absolutely cannot get involved with you, Tom Sydney. I’ll fall head over heels immediately. Now, you just take your handsome, competent self on out of here. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me with the car. Seems like every time I get in trouble, you’ve been there to help out. I really appreciate it.” Sharon looked across the booth into his face. He was listening with his whole heart. Relaxed, his entire attention was on her. It was absolutely disarming. “I really need to be going. I hate to ask this but…”
“Of course, I’ll take you home. I planned to when I asked you over here.” He put on his hat and took his jacket off the coat rack. “You don’t mind riding in my patrol car do you?”
She laughed. “That’ll be fun.”
They walked back to the station in silence. It wouldn’t hurt just to talk to him. She squeezed her hands into fists, inside her coat pockets. No, absolutely not. Talking leads to other things. Keep your mouth shut, Sharon.
He dropped her off at her front door. “Thanks, Tom, for everything.”
“You’re welcome, Sharon.”
She got out of the car, slammed the door, and quickly walked through the crunchy snow to the front door. Getting out her keys, she went inside without looking back.
Chapter 5
She was a tough fish to catch. Tom watched as Sharon opened her front door. She walked like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough. Let her run. He’d let her tire herself out, and then, when the time was right, he’d reel her in, nice and gentle like.
This wasn’t over. It hadn’t been over since she had tucked tail and run from him after high school. She was probably right at the time. They’d been too young to be so serious, and they’d both needed to get an education. He had never stopped thinking about her though. He couldn’t believe it when he saw her kneeling beside her little girl in the snow. The two looked like a matched pair. She was just as beautiful as he remembered. It didn’t seem like a single year had gone by. Her behind had filled out a little. That was good. She had been too skinny in high school.
Her kids were great. Very respectful, and sweet. Megan was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. He watched the way Bobby treated his little sister. What a nice young man. Sharon had done a good job, especially considering the circumstances. They had been through so much. He had run into Sharon’s mother in town, and she had told him Sharon was moving back to Flat Rock. Then, he found out her ex had a drug and alcohol problem. Mrs. Standford said Sharon had been the only steady influence on the kids and had stuck it out for ten years, but when the man put his hands on her, Sharon left. Good girl; she’d done the right thing.
Now she was back home and safe, but the wariness in her eyes let him know she was nowhere near ready to trust him. That was all right. He wasn’t in a hurry, and he wasn’t going anywhere. The words she had spoken at the winter festival nearly broke his heart. She blamed herself. It might take a little time, but he had plenty of that. He drove back to the station and went into his office. Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed the number of Flat Rock Baptist Church.
“Hi, Susan, this is Tom Sydney.”
“Oh, hi, Tom, how are you today?”
“Fine, and yourself?”
“Just fine, how can I help you?”
“Well, you know that car ministry you all have?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve got a single mom whose only car just blew up. I doubt it can be fixed. She’d would be a good candidate if you have any cars available.”
“It just so happens we do. Someone just donated a really nice one. Since it’s you calling, we won’t need to do the usual background check. Just a second, let me double check.” He could hear Susan talking to someone in the background. She came back on the line. “I’m so glad you called today. Cars this good never last very long, especially one as nice as this. If you don’t want someone else to get it, you’d better come right away.”
“Oh, I want it all right.” He thought a minute. “I don’t really want the recipient to know I had anything to do with this. Do you think I could come down and check out the car first? Then, if this works out, you all could deliver it, a
nd we’ll just say it’s from the church.”
“We’d love to do that. You come on over, and we’ll work out all the details.”
There’s a lot of love in this little town, Miss Sharon Stanford Blake. Let’s just see how you do when a little of it comes your way.
“Bobby, where is the broom? I just dropped a glass in the kitchen.”
“You had it last, Mom. I think you put it in the garage.”
Another aggravation. She rested her head on the cabinet for a few seconds. The Auto Care shop had told her the car was only good for the scrap heap. She hadn’t paid much for it anyway, but there was no money to buy a new car. Her mother had agreed to let Sharon borrow her car for work. She was thankful, but this was just what she didn’t want to have happen.
“Mom, I’m so sorry to put you out.”
“Listen, Sharon, this is what parents are for. It will just be until you get your first paycheck. You’ll be able to get a small loan, and get you something else. I’ll ask around town. Maybe you can get something safer and more reliable than that thing was.”
It was hard not to feel sorry for herself and overwhelmed. She looked down at the shattered glass. Better get moving and get it up before Megan and Bobby came strolling in. She gingerly stepped over the glass and walked out the back door. I hope that stupid broom is in there. I do not want to have to mount a search party for it.
Sharon opened the garage door and stood in shock. A silver Toyota Camry was sitting in her garage. She took a step closer. It was a late model too. She touched it. It was really there. A note was attached to the windshield wiper, along with a set of keys. She walked around to read it.
“From your friends at Flat Rock Baptist Church.”
Flat Rock Baptist Church! She used to go there when she was little. How did they know? Tom Sydney! I think he goes there. I bet you a hundred dollars this is his doing. I’m just going to call him up right now, and tell him to come get this car. I… wait a minute. Sharon ran her hand along the car’s side. She opened the door and looked it. The interior was beautiful, and in great condition. She could never have afforded a car as nice as this. It would last a long time. She couldn’t let Tom give her a car. She sat in the seat. It was so comfortable. But it wasn’t Tom giving her the car, it was the church.
She lay her head back on the headrest. It seemed that just in the nick of time, someone, or something kept coming to her rescue. Perhaps moving back to Flat Rock had been the right thing to do. She heaved a sigh and brushed a tear from her cheek.
Bobby and Megan entered the garage. “Mom, where’d you go? Awww man, where did this come from?” Bobby leaned over and ran his hands over the hood.
“Mama, what iz dis? Iz dis our new cah?” Megan was standing with her hands clasped together, and her big blue eyes shining bright.
She didn’t know what to say. Looking at the joy in their faces, she just didn’t have the heart to disappoint them. “Yep, kids. It looks like we just got a new car.”
They jumped up and down and screamed. Bobby climbed into the front seat, and Megan hopped around in the back. Sharon let out a big sigh. A huge load of melting snow fell off the garage, and landed on the sidewalk with a thud.
“Look, Mom, the sun’s come out.”
“It sure looks like it,” Sharon replied
Chapter 6
Bobby simply wasn’t going to give up. A house was being demolished a block down the street. Any ten-year-old boy would give his right arm to see such a thing. He was standing at the back door. “I can see it, Mom. They are going to knock the whole thing over. Look at that big excavator. See the scoop? They’re going to use it for demolition.”
“How did you know all that, Bobby?” Sharon looked out the kitchen window. “I didn’t know that thing was called an excavator.”
“Everyone knows that. Come on, Mom. It’s Saturday. I want to go down the street and watch that thing tear that house to pieces.”
“Me too, Mama. Me too.” Megan wasn’t about to let Bobby have any fun if she wasn’t included.
Sharon looked at the giant mess inside her own house. She could work eight hours a day for a month, and she still wasn’t going to be finished unpacking. What would putting it off another hour matter? “All right. We’ll watch for a little while, then, I need to go grocery shopping for the week. I still have laundry to do, and you two haven’t done your Saturday chores.”
All the kids heard was, “all right.” They eagerly threw on their coats and gloves, and called for Sharon to hurry as she closed the back door behind them.
There must not be a whole lot to do in Flat Rock on a Saturday morning because Sharon was stunned when she saw the size of the crowd that had gathered to watch the demolition. A large group of men leaned against the big equipment trailer parked on the street. Every single one was dressed in the redneck uniform of jeans and work shirt. The demolition was drawing such attention you’d think they were calling for the president to arrive instead of simply knocking down a house.
Bobby was in his element. “Look, Mom, it’s Tom!”
“I wanna see.” Megan struggled to look.
Sharon held onto Megan’s hand. “Wait a minute. The last thing I need is for you two to get hurt. Stay right here with me.”
“Hey, Tom!” Bobby cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled. Tom turned around. He was in uniform. He gave a cheery wave and began to walk towards them. The crowd parted a bit as he came their way. Sharon couldn’t help but notice the respect everyone seemed to give him.
The sunglasses he was wearing hid his eyes. He adjusted his hat and gave them a broad smile. “Hey, kids, Sharon. What are you guys doing here?”
Bobby’s answer was filled with excitement. “We want to see them tear down the house!”
“Me too!” shouted Megan.
“Me too,” laughed Sharon. “Nothing must do, but we had to come see this. Bobby just couldn’t stand it.”
“Can you blame him? This is a mighty big deal. It’s not every day you get to see an old house torn down. Would you like to have a closer look?”
Sharon wrinkled her nose. “This is plenty close for me.”
“Aww, Mom. Please?”
“Me too!” said Megan.
Tom reached down, and swung Megan up into his arms. He looked down at Bobby. “Stay right beside me, okay?”
“Okay!”
What else could Sharon say? The chief of police was giving them a personal escort. She groaned. “All right, let’s get a closer look.”
“Yay,” Megan cheered.
They went to stand beside the equipment trailer. Bang went the excavator as the long arm swung out to knock off a portion of roof. Dust flew up and a fire truck squirted water to keep the debris to a minimum. Sharon watched as the porch posts sagged and groaned. They wouldn’t last through another hit. Wham went the excavator and down went the porch. The old house was fast becoming nothing but a pile of rubble.
Tom looked over at her. “Sometimes, you just have to start over. That house served its purpose and now it’s time something new took its place.” Sharon watched as a window shattered. She looked back at Tom. He sent her a knowing glance. “Yep, come spring, there will be a whole new house in the place of this old one. A new family will grow up here and new life will come.”
“Oh boy, look at that!” Bobby pointed as the bucket of the excavator went crashing dead center through the house. Megan covered her ears at the noise. Finally, the whole thing came crashing down, falling in on itself as a puff of dirt and debris rose from under the water of the fire hose.
Even Sharon was a little fascinated. She watched as the one-hundred-year old house came to an end. She remembered trick or treating on its front porch as a little girl. The couple who had lived there were very old, even when she was small. The house had been abandoned for years.
Sharon wondered aloud. “What took them so long to knock it down? Do you remember Mr. and Mrs. Dodson? They must have died ages ago.”
“
They did,” Tom answered. “They had no children, and the house went into probate. No one wanted it and time finally took its toll. See that couple over there?” Tom pointed over to the right. A thirty-something couple was standing beside a baby stroller. Sharon could just see the dangling legs of a toddler in pink pants. “They bought the lot and are going to be building a house as soon as the demolition is done.”
Sharon agreed. “Pretty amazing, huh? The cycle of how things go around I mean.” Tom nodded. The demolition was drawing to a close. The excavator began loading the debris into a huge dump truck. “I guess we should be getting home. There’s a lot of Saturday chores to do, kids.”
Tom set Megan on the ground and tousled her hair. “It was nice to see you all.”
“Tanks, Tom,” said Megan, as she looked up at him with wide blue eyes.
He smiled down at her. “You’re welcome, little lady.” Tom looked over at Bobby. “It’s pretty cool to watch what that excavator can do isn’t it?”
“Man is it ever. I’d like to drive one of those things someday.”
“Hey, I’ve got a friend who works construction. I could take you down to one of the sites sometime. He’d be glad to give you a ride in one of those.”
“Really?” Bobby turned to Sharon. “Can I, Mom?”
“We’ll see. Right now, we need to get home.”
Tom leaned over toward Megan and rested his hands on his knees. “Can you walk all the way home by yourself, little lady? I thought you might like a lift on my shoulders.”
Megan began to clap her hands and dance in a circle. “Yay, yay, yay, yay!”
“I take that as a yes.” He picked her up and in one swoop she was over his head and perched on his shoulders.