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Chapter One
Kate gently applied some blush to her cheeks as she watched her face in the mirror wince in pain. Last night’s bruises still showed through her makeup so she gingerly applied more blush and bronzer. After she finished putting on her make-up, Kate grabbed her blue messenger bag and went to the kitchen.
She found her mom’s purse and took two hundred dollars out of it. Grabbing the car keys, she headed out the door. Thank God her parents were still asleep.
The sun was just showing his brow above the bleak horizon when Kate went outside, and the stars and the moon’s light were just beginning to fade. Little clouds of dust were elevating off the ground and would eventually form clouds. A light mist covered the green grass. Kate unlocked the red pick-up truck and climbed inside. Her white strapless prom dress that she bought with her parent’s money hung in the back seat because not only was tonight the last day of school, but it was also senior prom night.
She put the truck in reverse and drove down the dirt road. After driving for about twenty minutes she pulled into a parking lot with only one other car in it. Kate grabbed her green and black stripped bleach bag and walked towards the lake. Once she was at the shore, she stripped and waded into the blue water with her towel in hand. Vigorously she washed her privates until it was numb just like she did to the rest of her body then she walked back to shore.
Quickly she redressed and climbed back into the car. Once she was back on the road, she turned on the radio to the oldies station where they were playing a summer music marathon. The time was 6:57 or so the red lights of the clock glared. Kate pulled into the parking lot of the Speed O Burger restaurant up the street.
“Morning Mel,” Kate said as the doorbells tinkled as the door closed behind her.
A squat lady with fizzy brown hair came out of the “Staff Only” door tying the belt of her apron around her waist. Her hair was covered partially by a knitted cap. ”G’ morning Kate, what can I do for you?”
“I’ll have the chocolate pancake special with a cup of decaf coffee if it’s not too much trouble,” Kate said as she sat down on a stool in front of the counter.
Mel shook her head and smiled. “You need to change your breakfast diet sometimes. There are other items on the menu you know.”
Kate returned the smile as Mel turned on the news. Patrick Myers was giving the weather report: fifty-eight degrees, T-storm at about six p.m., and very cloudy through out the day.
“I was accepted into Texas State University,” Kate told Mel who was busy in the kitchen.
“Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. I remember that you always wanted to go there, even when you were a child,” Mel said as a pot clattered to the floor. “You know, that was my old school, but are you sure you want to go so far away from Indiana?”
“Yes ma’am,” Kate answered. “I want—need—to get as far away for home as possible.”
Mel came out of the kitchen with a somber look on her face. “It happened again, didn’t it, Kate.”
“Every night, or at least three times a week since I was fifteen.”
Mel sighed. “Kate, you know that my door is always open, even at all times of the night.”
“I know, and I appreciate the offer, believe me, I do, but I won’t put you in harms way,” Kate’s eyes became shiny with tears but she quickly wiped them away. “You know how violent my parents are when they are under the influence and I do need to finish school.”
Mel stared at the young teen before her. When will she learn that she can still finish school in a much better environment? “Have you tried calling social services?”
“I have but my parents are on their best behavior whenever they come around and they don’t believe me when I tell them . . . what really goes on,” Kate put her head in her hand as she ran the other hand through her hair. “I tried looking at places that I could rent out, but they refuse to rent places to an eighteen year old girl.”
“Kate, ah, never mind,” Mel’s heart ached for the girl as she shook her head sadly. “Just be safe, ya hear? I’m always here for you, and be safe in Texas o.k.? Don’t want nothing happening to you.”
Kate chuckled quietly. “Your southern drawl is coming back.”
Well,” Mel cleared her throat, “I guess it was. I’m gonna check on your food. I’ll be right back.”
Kate watched the news until Mel came back. The news anchors were talking about the teenage bonfire by the lake last night. Spectacular. Mel came back with a plate of pancakes, eggs, and four sausages, and a glass of chocolate milk along side a white mug filled to the brim with coffee.
“Anything else?” Mel asked.
Kate shook her head. “I have to whomph this down and get to school.”
“Alright then,” Mel said. “I’m going to get ready for other customers. Kate, don’t ever leave with out telling me goodbye,”
Kate looked up with a fork full of pancakes next to her mouth. “I won’t.”
Within fifteen minutes Kate was done with her breakfast. Not a crumb was left on the plate nor was a drop left in the cups. “See you later, Mel. I’m headed to school.”
Mel waved to Kate as she watched her leave. It took Kate ten minutes to reach school at 8:00 a.m., just enough time for her to stop at her locker before going to her first hour class. She grabbed her history and biology textbooks and notebooks, put them in her messenger bag, and headed to class.
First through fifth hour went quickly and Kate was ready for lunch. She went to her seat by the window with her lunch of nachos and chocolate milk and as usual, Crenshaw’s most popular boys were sitting at her table. Kate pulled her blue jean mini skirt a little lower before she sat down.
“What can I do for you guys?” Kate asked sarcastically.
“You could be my date for the prom,” Phillip Marks said as he brushed a strand of brown hair out of his clear blue eyes.
“But that wouldn’t be fair to the other boys, would it, fellas?” Kate asked.
Bret and Silas, Phil’s two friends, just blinked at her.
“How about this, I promise each of you guys a dance, deal?” Kate proposed.
“Cool with me,” Bret smiled
“Whatever works,” Silas agreed.
“But I want more than just one dance with you,” Phil admitted.
“What would your buddies say?” Kate shrugged.
“Oh they wouldn’t mind,” Phil said as Bret and Silas left the table to find their girlfriends. Phil took this opportunity to slide across from Kate. He watched her flick her long silky black hair over her shoulder, put her feet on top of the other bench, pull out her sketching pad, and eat and sketch at the same time. “What do you sketch in there, Kate?”
“Stuff,” Kate took a bite of her nachos.
“Come on Kay, there has to be more than just ‘stuff’ in there.”
Kate un-tucked John’s white collar from under his green sweater. “It’s just stuff, John. No more; no less.”
“Alright but if you won’t let me see what you’re drawing,” he pulled out a tiny red box. “You can’t have this.”
“Fine,” Kate pouted as she showed him the drawing she was working on.
In the sketch a naked woman was in a box hugging her knees to her chest as tears streamed from her face. Her hair covered her breast and the box was filled to the waist with her own tears. Words were on the opposite side and the drawing was called The Box Lady.
“This is awesome, Kate,” Phil said as he handed the drawing back to her. “I didn’t know you took art.”
“I don’t,” Kate said as she continued her drawing. Her eyes left the pad and wandered to the box on the table. “What’s in the box?”
“Open it.”
Slowly, Kate opened the little box to find two diamond ear rings in it. She stared agape at it as she traced her fingers on the outline of their shape: a diamond hoop with little strands of diamonds dangling of them. “They are beautiful,” Kate whispered as she closed the box with a small snap.
“Like you?” Phil whispered back. “These earrings are a gift to you, but will you please be my date tonight?”
“Why don’t you just go with Jessi or Taylor? They’re cute too you know,” Kate responded.
“I won’t go with them because Jessi and Taylor aren’t you,” Phil stroked Kate’s hand with his thumb.
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
“I’m serious Kay,” Phil said. “You wouldn’t go out with me all four years of high
school so at least let me know that you think I’m o.k. by being my date to the prom.”
Kate gave Phil her sweetest lopsided grin. “Alright, I’ll be your date, but only for tonight and only if it’s o.k. with your buds.”
“I talked them into going with Taylor and Jessi,” Phil smirked.
“Alrighty then,” Kate sighed.
“Should I pick you up at five-thirty? You know, give your folks enough time to ask me questions and stuff?”
“NO!” Kate tried to replace her outburst with a low chuckle. “I mean ‘no’. I have to stay after school to help decorate and such.”
“Oh, alright,” Phil couldn’t tell whether she was lying or what and he didn’t have time to ask her because the bell rang. “See you in PE then.”
The rest of the day went by in a wiz for Kate. She found herself in the girls’ locker room changing into her evening dress. The floor length black dress made Kate’s skin look especially white despite her tan. She applied black eyeliner and mascara to her eyes and baby lotion to her skin. Next, Kate slipped on her white three-inch heel shoes and her elbow length white gloves. A lot of joy is going to happen on prom night, Kate thought as she looked in the mirror.
At six thirty, the time the dance started, Kate satin the bleachers starring at the gymnasium walls. It took her no longer than fifteen minutes to finish decorating. The walls had pink and blue streamers (the school’s colors) on them and matching balloons covered the ceiling. A disco ball twirled in the middle of the ceiling flashing different color lights around the room. The Class of ’07 Senior Prom banner hung on the wall opposite the doors. D.J. Sparkles was playing the music even though no one was there to dance. In all the history of Crenshaw High there has never been a single student to show up on time for any dance. There were tables of food near the north and south walls.
Thirteen minutes later Phil walked through the doors looking a little lost. He was wearing a white tux with a yellow undershirt which helped set off his baby blue eyes and dusty brown hair. His eyes found Kate sitting alone on the bleachers and stared at her for a minute.
Kate was breathtaking. Her dress made her hair look even blacker and very soft to touch and in turn her emerald green eyes stood out. Fore some strange reason Phil felt a strong urge to run up the bleachers and kiss Kate’s soft pink lips, but he resisted. Instead, he climbed up the bleachers and sat by Kate and gathered his wits about him.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“No prob,” Kate smiled. “It’s part of this school’s history.”
He returned her smile. “I love what you’ve done with the place.”
“You sound as If this is my apartment that we’re sitting in. What’s next, the bed?”
His face began to turn deathly pink. “That’s not what I meant!”
Kate laughed. “I’m just kidding.”
Being dramatic, Phil loosened the yellow and white stripped tie he was wearing. “Well, while we’re on the topic. . .”
Kate slapped his arm and laughed. “Oh my God! Let’s dance.”
For some strange reason D.J. Sparkles started to play a slow jam just as the other seniors started arriving. In less than two minutes the dance floor was packed and the other seniors were either raiding the food stands, sitting on the bleachers talking, being a wallflower, or in some dark area making out. But for tonight all was perfect for Kate.
Kate’s parents were partying again as she walked in the door so she quietly snuck up stairs but just before she started going up the stairs, one of the guest spotted her and watched her go up the stairs. Finally, within the safety of her four walls, Kate put on her pajamas and went to bed.
Being the naturally light sleeper she is Kate awoke with a start. No body ever knocked on her door before. Oh God, Kate thought with the utmost horror. Please don’t let that be my parents. Kate quietly went to stand behind the door but it burst open before she could reach it. Her parents stood in front with their entire party guest behind them grinning wickedly.
“Mom, please,” Kate whimpered. “Not again.”
Her father’s hand came across her face in a hard slap. Kate stumbled backwards as her parents grabbed her and shoved her onto her bed. Her scream was muffled by her father’s hot kiss as his tong wiggled in her mouth. Kate’s mother ripped off her night gown as her father lay on top of her.
Kate didn’t know how many had their turn after her father, but by the fifth one she was knocked out. When she did awake she was numb from her thighs down. She looked at the white sheet between her legs and was surprised to find no red blood stain on it. Carefully she dressed in the same jeans and a polo sweater. She walked over to the window and saw her pick-up truck outside whit the back uncovered. Kate started throwing all of her belongings out of her window into the back of the truck.
Kate stared out her window as she took deep, shaky breaths. It’s over, Kate. It’s over, She reminded herself as the picture of her parents and all of their friends crazed faces reappeared in her mind. With one last deep breath Kate stepped out of the car, walked to Mel’s front door, and fang the doorbell. A few seconds later the porch light turned on and Mel stood in the doorway with pink slippers and a bath robe on. Her brown hair was under a pink night cap.
“Kate!” Mel said in surprise. “Come on in.”
Kate did as she was instructed and followed Mel to a furnished kitchen with maple wood walls and black and white marble floor. She sat at the wood table in the middle of the kitchen and watched as Mel took out a stainless steal pot, poured milk in it, and put it on the stove. After drying her hands on a towel, Mel went and sat across from Kate.
“What can I do for you?” Mel asked quietly fearing the worst from the distraught look on Kate’s face.
It took Kate a while to answer as she fiddled with her fingers. “It-it happened again Mel.”
Mel gasped as she enfolded Kate’s hand in her own. So it has come to this, Mel thought with bitterness. How I would like to strangle Kate’s parents!
“It wasn’t just my parents this time either,” Kate confessed softy in an almost un-audible way as a sob escaped her lips and the dam of tears she was trying to hold back broke. “It was my parents and their entire party guest.”
“Oh, my,” Mel wiped some of Kate’s and her own tears away with her hand, “oh, my.”
“It had to be over twenty; half were female.” Kate couldn’t hold back her pain anymore and she collapsed in sobs. “I can’t live like this!”
Mel went over and slowly embraced Kate. Surprisingly Kate let her do so. Mel whispered soothing words to the sobbing Kate as she rocked her back and forth. Once Kate’s tears were reduced to periodical sniffles Mel stood up.
“You know what always makes people feel even a little better?” Mel asked as Kate shook her head, “Hot chocolate with whip cream and toppings. Want some?”
It warmed Mel’s heart to see Kate really smile. “Yes, please.”
Mel reached in her cabinets and took out two mugs. Slowly she poured the hot milk in the cups then she brought them back to the table. After fishing around in the cabinet once more, Mel brought out the whip cream—in the can, hot cocoa mix, sugar, and cinnamon, and brought it to the table along with a pair of spoons.
“Dig in!” Mel smiled.
They had a contest over who made the biggest whip cream tower—Kate won—then who decorated it the fastest—Mel won. After the giggles left them a tone of seriousness filled the room, but the blanket of depressed sorrow was removed.
“So,” Mel said as she stirred her cocoa, “what do you plan to do now?”
Kate adjusted herself in her chair. “I’m going to Texas in the morning after I stop at the bank.”
“You decided where you are going to live?”
“In my car until I can rent an apartment or until the dorms are available to incoming freshmen students. I have a full ride, you know.”
“Now you know I can’t let you live in the car! You’re staying here tonight. Now don’t give me that look! You’re going to stay here even if you don’t want to. Tonight, or rather this morning, I’m going to call my sister and ask if you could stay with her or if she could open the dorms a little earlier, if that’s o.k. with you, but you are going to stay here tonight.”
Despite herself Kate smiled. “Alright, I’ll stay but only if it’s alright with both you and John.”
“Oh hogposh! John wouldn’t mind. He’s still asleep anyhoo,” Mel laughed. “But seriously, whatever is o.k. with me is o.k. with him and visa versa. We found that out at my mother’s funeral.”
Kate was speechless. She knew that Mel cared for her but she didn’t know how much until tonight. At least for now her loneliness and pain is gone and everything is how it should be for the moment. “Thanks so much Mel. I really appreciate all of this.”
Mel sniffed. “Let me take you to your room before we start crying again.”
Kate awoke to the smell of pancakes, eggs, and bacon being cooked. She hurried to dress and to clean up the guest room before breakfast. Once she was done, Kate went in the kitchen in her white T-shirt and snickers and a pair of denim blue jeans. John, Mel’s husband of fifteen years, was reading the newspaper in his Sunday clothes at the table. Mel was bringing three cups of coffee to the table.
“Good morning!” Mel said as she signed the words. John was deaf so he stopped reading when she signed.
“Good morning,” Kate and John signed in reply.
“I talked to Maya, my twin, yesterday to ask her what you can do for housing,” Mel explained as she signed her words so John will know he’s invited to join the conversation. “She works at the college you are going to attend and will let you stay in your dorm so long as you behave, which I know you will.”
“Thank you both so much,” Kate responded. “This means a lot to me.”
John arose and went into the next room as Mel stood smiling at Kate as if she knew something Kate did not. A few minutes later John came walking in with two practically bursting envelopes with her name on both of them. Gingerly, he placed them on the table and turned to face her.
“Kate, we have always thought of you as our long lost daughter that we would meet sometime in the dear future, and now hear you are! As you pretend parents, we wanted to act as if we were your real parents.” Mel handed him an envelop.
“In this envelop is a bunch of letters that we have written but not sent off to you. I do hope you’ll read them someday,” John smiled as he took the other envelop in his hand. He hoped that his words didn’t sound too weird. The spoken American language is so hard to communicate sometimes. “In this envelop is your college fund of a hundred-thousand dollars and since you already have a full scholarship, we pray that you will use it wisely.
“Darling, in our hearts you are our daughter; not our pretend one. We just had to wait for you to come to us like kids do in the movies, and even in this short time that we have, had we have come to love you as if you had been with us all of our lives. We love you, Kate, just like God loves his children and our love will never fade for you. Oh, do not forget to visit us during the holidays!”
Kate could not take it any longer. “Thanks . . . mom and dad!” She said as she ran into their arms. “I’ll never forget you, or this! Thank you both so much.”
Both Mel and John smiled as they slowly walked to the door with Kate. The trio stood in the open doorway hugging and exchanging goodbyes as if they were never going to see each other again.
“I promised Mel yesterday that I would never leave without telling you guys goodbye, and I just realized that I’m not leaving forever, only for a short time,” Kate said as she wiped tears off her face. “Look at it as if I am going on an extended vacation so I’ll be back before the year is out. I promise.”
“Promise?” John asked as his eyes twinkled.
“Promise,” Kate agreed. “See you soon.”
Kate continued to wave and look back at Mel and John until she could no longer see them. She drove down Zada drive and took a right at Best street until she arrived at
Prospect Bank. She waited in the car until she could pull up to the teller’s window which did not take long.
“Hi, I’m Joan. How may I help you?” Joan the teller asked with a false cheeriness in her voice.
“Um, may I withdraw all of my account?” Kelly asked.
“Sure what’s your account number?”
“27605813”
Joan typed in the number as a bottle full of cash shot down the tube in front of Kate. She took out the money and began to count it.
“May I see your ID?” Joan asked
Kate showed her ID to Joan and continued to count out her cash.
“It should total out to about three hundred thousand dollars and ninety five cents.”
Kate finished counting and pushed the empty bottle back up the tube. “I’m missing a penny.”
Joan handed Kate the missing penny. “Have a nice day.”
“Likewise.”
Back on the road again Kate quickly went on the interstate that would take her to Texas. At one-hundred miles per hour, she was making good time. Kate was pulled over once but she used her expert flirting skill to end around the ticket and ended giving Officer Nick the classic fake number (555) 555-5555. Kate only stopped for gas when she was a gallon above empty and ate fast food for her meals. In two days time she zoomed across the Texas state boarder. Windows down and sunglasses on, she pulled over and stared at the scenery.
It had to be at least ninety-two degrees outside but an occasional cold breeze would pass by to cool someone or something. For the first time, Kate saw a tumble weed roll down the steep highway. Brown spotted cows grazed in the lush green pastures with tiny bushes, trees, and cactuses to shade them. No birds were flying about and most insects were in hiding as well. A brown scorpion was making its way across the highway until a bread delivery truck ran the poor thing over. Kate gazed over the vast desert as the feelings of freedom and fright washed over her. After the feelings disappeared for the moment, Kate continued to drive until she reached Austin.
At about eleven o’clock Kate pulled into a gas station and gassed her truck up. She waited patiently in line until it was her turn to pay for her gas. A man about her age with sandy blond hair and blue eyes gave her the signal for one moment ash he finished putting the money in the cash register. He closed it with a slight bang and heaved a sigh of relief before he turned his attention to her.
“What can I do for you today, ma’am?” he asked.
“I have thirty-six dollars worth of gas in my truck at pump six and this food here,” Kate replied as she pushed bags of chips, cookies, doughnuts, and sodas in front of him.
The man eyed her items wearily as he printed out her receipt. “You know, there is a Chinese buffet across the street. It’s all you can eat for five bucks.”
She took the receipt and bag he gave her and put her food in it. “Thanks, but no thanks. Could you tell me where the nearest pay phone is? That would be helpful.”
He appeared to be taken aback by her swift change of subject, but he recovered quickly. “Um, yeah, there is one right down the street about four blocks or so.”
“Thanks.”
By the time he could say “You’re welcome” she was out the door and headed to her car. He shook his head in disbelief as he helped the next customer in line.
Kate wondered why that guy referred her to that restaurant across the street. Maybe it was because of her . . . diet, if you will. She left the gas station and traveled four blocks down to the pay phone standing in solitude. There was not a building to be seen for another block and the playground behind it was empty. Kate sat in the car staring at Maya’s, Mel’s sister, number for a while trying to work up the nerve to call her. For almost fifteen minutes Kate sat staring at the number until she decided to call.
Maya picked up the phone on the fourth ring. “Hello?”
“Hello, Mrs. Wilkson, this is Kate Jenson, Mel Hattches friend.”
“Oh, hi Kate! I’ve been dying to hear from you and to finally meet you. Mel said you are a wonderful person and a blessing from God. She’s usually right about these things you know.”
Kate didn’t know how to respond to that so she kept silent.
“Well,” Maya went on, “your dorm is ready for use. Its number fourteen, on the second floor, and your room is the first door on the right. You can settle in at any time and if you don’t mind, I’ll probably drop by around two o’clock to meet you.”
“Not a problem,” Kate smiled into the receiver. “Thanks again for letting move in early. I really do appreciate it.”
“To tell you the truth, I like to ask myself WWJD?—What Would Jesus DO?—and try and make the best decision based on that question.”
“Well, thanks,” Kate repeated.
“No prob; no prob,” Maya laughed. “See you later.”
“Bye,” Kate hung up the phone. Mel’s whole family are Jesus freaks, but nevertheless, they are all cool Jesus freaks, Kate thought.
It was a quarter to noon and Kate was hungry and hot. She made a U-turn and headed to the Chinese buffet. Amazing how junk food seems so old after you have been living off it for two and a half days. Kate paid the cashier and grabbed a plate so she could go eat. She placed five pieces of deep fried chicken, steamed broccoli, and corn, two egg rolls, sweet and sour pork, and three fortune cookies on her plate and sat at the nearest table. In less than two minutes, Kate was already starting her second piece of chicken.
“Well somebody’s awfully hungry today,” said the cashier at the gas station. He was holding a plate of his own that was half as full as Kate’s.
“Suppose so,” Kate smiled with a mouth full of half-chewed chicken. “You get tired of junk food after a while.”
“No, really?” he said sarcastically. “Mind if I join you?”
“Sure,” Kate shrugged.
The cashier sat down and they ate in silence for a while. Then he broke the silence. “My name’s Matthew. Matt for short.”
“Nice to meet you, Kate answered as she shook Matt’s hand.
“What brings you to Texas?”
“Who said I haven’t been living here in already?”
“The facts that you didn’t know where the nearest pay phone was, that you bought more junk food than any person I’ve ever encountered, and your accent is not from here.”
“I’m here for college.”
“Oh really?” Matt asked. “Where do you go?”
“I’m going to Texas State come September. Only one month to go!”
Matt chuckled. “In Austin?” Kate nodded. “Good college, or so I hear. My mother works there.”
“Neat. Where do you go?”
“I’m going to Texas State come September. Only one month to go!”
Kate smiled. He used her words. She took several bites of rice covered with sweet and sour sauce.
“So did your boyfriend move with you?”
“Who said I had a boyfriend?” Kate watched him shrug. “Well I don’t have one. What about you. Who’s your girlfriend?”
“I’m single.”
Kate almost chocked on her food. “No girlfriend with all those body builder-like muscles? Come on, you have got to be kidding me.”
It was mat’s turn to smile now. “Why would I lie about not having a girlfriend to a woman who is a complete stranger and does not have any interest in me?”
Good point, Kate thought as she shrugged. Good point. “Curiosity killed this cat.”
“Aye, but generosity brought her back.”
She smiled. “I’m going to grab another plate.”
An hour and a half later after asking countless directions from people, she was able to find Texas University. So many buildings were scattered all around and a beautiful white building next to the tower stood near the middle of the main campus. There were no flags of any kind that Kate could see, but the lush green leaves of the trees guarded the entrance to the main building. The only people she saw were the gardeners tending to the grass and beautiful flower bed. Kate walked to the tower and saw a pond with a statue at the head. She couldn’t tell what the statue was because she was looking at the back of it. Kate could feel the twinge of excitement but she quickly pushed it away. She drove a little further until she came to a sign post. Main Building was pointing north, parking lot, pointed south. There were of course many other signs because there were so many buildings scattered around, but Kate followed the one that pointed back to the Main Building.
Kate walked past the main building front doors to the information desk. Her sneakers made no sound o the artificial marble floor. She rang the bell on the desk and waited for someone to come to her aid. Three minutes passed and no one showed up, so Kate decided to walk around the building. Everything except the food court was closed in the building. On the first floor were the bookstore, food courts, main office, and attendance office. The second floor hosted all the offices of the important officials that run the University. Every light was turned off in the building so she quickly went back down stairs.
She rang the bell a second time and as if on cue, a lady dressed in kaki shorts and a pink tank top with a beige open button-down shirt walked in the building.
“May I help you?” the lady asked.
“Um, yeah. My name is Kate Jenson and-“
“Kate! It’s so good to finally meet you. I’m Maya Wilkson, Mel’s sister.”
Maya couldn’t be a day over thirty five, or at least it appeared so to Kate. Her auburn hair was shoulder length and her brown eyes sparkled like her smile. Her southern drawl made her seem so much like Mel would be if she lived in Texas. After all, they are twins.
“Hi,” Kate smiled meekly.
“Well you must be famished. Mel told me you drove all the way here,” Maya shook her head in disbelief. “Did you eat yet?”
“Um, yes, I did.”
“Great. Well I’ll show you to your dorm and help you move in if that’s alright with you.”
“I’ll take all the help I can get!” Kate laughed.”
“Well then, let’s hop to it!”
Maya followed Kate to her truck and climbed in the driver’s seat. Once Kate was situated she cranked up the truck and headed towards a group of small navy blue with baby blue trim apartment houses. These houses were in two separate clusters obviously to separate the guy dorms from the girl dorms. Maya pulled into the back parking lot and parked the car. Kate went to the back of the truck to organize things. She already had her clothes placed in three boxes. All she had left to pack up were her electronics, books, and things like that. With Maya’s help, everything was organized in boxes and ready to be taken to her room in about a quarter of an hour.
In a short time, Kate and Maya had all the boxes in Kate’s room. The room Kate was staying in was meek but meant the world to her. It had working locks for all the doors and windows that were operated from inside. A twin sized bed stood in the corner of the room accompanied by a small night stand with a lamp on it. An oak chest lay at the foot of the bed. The cherry-colored wardrobe stood near the silver framed mirror and a desk stood opposite the bed. Kate suspected the other three rooms were like that but didn’t feel free to explore them. A living room with two sofas, a coffee table, and a 36” flat screen TV separates the four dorm rooms—two rooms on either side of the living room. The bathrooms and kitchen were down the hall.
“Thanks again Mrs. Wilkins,” Kate handed Maya a glass of ice water as she sat on the sofa across from her.
“Ahh, that’s much better,” Maya said as she placed her glass on the coffee table. “You can call me Maya.”
“Alright, then thanks again, Maya.” Kate repeated.
“No problem. I like helping people,” Maya adjusted herself to see Kate better. “So Kate, tell me about your self.”
“W-what do you want to know?”
“Well, things like where you’re from, how you enjoyed your life there, how you came to find out about Texas University, stuff like that.”
“I was born and raised in Prospect, Indiana, and I’m an only child like my guardians are. Um, I heard about Texas University from Mel, because she graduated from here and I want to do the same.”
Maya stared at Kate for a while without blinking. That was vague, she thought, but then again she doesn’t know me very well yet. Then, with several blinks, Maya said, “Interesting.”
Kate forced a small smile to her lips as she looked down at her hands. She knew se was very vague and evasive, but what could she tell her, that she was a victim of rape and beatings? She glanced over at Maya who was waiting patiently for her to say more so Kate let her eyes fall back to her hands.
Maya looked at her watch, gasped softly, and gave Kate an apologetic smile. “I have to go so I can start dinner for my family. Perhaps we can talk some more another time.”
“That would be cool,” Kate smiled as she rose and walked Maya to the door. “Bye.”
“Until next time.”
Kate went back to her room to tidy it up and give her something to do in the silent apartment.
There were many things Maya hated about being a mother, like the insurance, medical, school bills, and the like, but the pros always out weighed the cons. She adores the sense of purpose and the joy of being there for her children among other things. Maya fixed their snack with joy in her heart and a song of praise to God on her lips. Just as expected, Mark came in with his shirt wet with sweat and his shorts sagging a little too much for her comfort.
“Mark, pull your shorts up,” Maya instructed as she placed the pizza rolls in the oven.
Mark pulled his shorts up, placed his backpack and equipment near the couch, went into the kitchen and gave his mom a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Whatever you say, mother.”
Maya smiled back at her tall six feet four inches tall son. “Remember I Samuel 15:22, Mark.”
“’But Samuel answered, “What pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep,”” Mark responded. “Shall I go on to verse twenty-three?”
“Only if you like,” Maya told her son as she washed the carrots and celery.
Mark took a seat behind the counter and placed his elbows on it. “Great! Samuel goes on to say: “Disobedience is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Pride is as bad as the sin of worshiping idols.” See mom, I know my stuff.”
Maya chuckled and ruffled his auburn hair. “I guess you do.”
Mark shook his hair back into place as Luke and John practically fell through the door as they lead Paul, the family golden retriever, in. They, like Mark, dropped their backpacks and their gear by the couch and each gave their mom a hug and kiss on the cheek just as the oven went off.
“What’s up, Mark?” they echoed one another as they sat down on either side of their older brother.
“Nothin’ much, my friends,” Mark smiled as he gave each of them a nookie. “What’s been up with you guys?”
“Ugh! I don’t even want to talk about it!” Luke groaned as he let his head flop onto his folded arms.
“You guys remember Ann? The one at school who adores us?” John tried in vain to describe her but his mom and Mark looked utterly clueless. “The girl with the red, white, and blue sparkly braces?”
Both Luke and John shuddered as Mark laughed.
“Yes, I remember her now, but you boys shouldn’t shudder like that every time you mention her.” Maya reprimanded them. “Mark, don’t encourage it by laughing.”
John broke the deathly silence. “Anyhow, she keeps hunting us down or following us around so she can stare at us and when we turn towards us she runs away like a little kid.”
“And when we both aren’t I sight, she’ll follow the one she sees until she sees the one she wasn’t following, then she’ll turn around and follow him,” Luke added.
“Mom, she’s like the annoying lamb in “Mary Had A Little Lamb”!” John complained.
The twins exchanged puzzled looks as they watched their brother and mom laugh and almost as soon as they started laughing the last of the Wilkson boys came in.
“What’s so funny?” Matthew (Matt) asked as he chuckled.
When Mark calmed down he answered, “John and Luke are having girl problems.”
“At the age of thirteen?” Matt asked as the twin’s met his gaze.
“What can I say?” Maya smiled. “All of my sons are hunks.”
“Aww, Mom!” they all groaned.
Maya placed the pizza roles in a bowl next to the plate of celery, carrots, and dip and watched her boys eat their snack like starved people. Silently she thanked God for her little, and big, blessings and for her kids who were like four bundles of blessings sent from heaven just for her and her husband. She admired how fast time went by. Matt is already nineteen, Mark is sixteen, and John and Luke are thirteen. Life has taught her to enjoy and appreciate every moment she is given. As soon as her prayer of thanks was over, her husband James walked in. He placed his brief case and messenger bag next to the kids’ stuff and waltzed into the kitchen with a hand behind his back.
James leaned his wife backwards and pulled a handful of red, yellow, and white roses from behind his back. “For you, my dear.”
Maya waited till her husband stood her back up to smell the roses. “Mhhhm, they smell wonderful.”
“Like you, I suppose,” James said hoarsely as he nuzzled her nose as they giggled and shared a passionate kiss.”
“Ewwww! John said as he closed his eyes. “Your room is upstairs you know.”
His parents laugh as they broke apart. James’s hand still remained on Maya’s waist.
“This is what started the making of you guys,” their dad answered.
“What did,” Luke asked, “the flowers, the giggles, or the kissing?”
“All of the above, sir,” their mother smiled, “all of the above.”
“Look, it didn’t say that in my health book,” Mark said.
“Well that book of yours must have left out some parts for those with weak stomachs,” James teased as everyone laughed.
“You’re awful quiet Matt,” Mark said. “What’s up?”
“Well, I met this gorgeous girl at the gas station today,” Matt answered.
“Looks like me and John aren’t the only ones having girl problems,” Luke muttered.
“Shhh!” John told Luke. “Let him finish.”
Matt smiled at John. “She had the most beautiful black hair an enchanting emerald eyes . . . Guys she was perfect! I had lunch with her completely on accident because she went to the same Chinese restaurant—I recommended it to her because she was eating junk food—and the only available seat was at her table.”
“Awesome,” Mark smiled.
“Problem is,” Matt continued, “I don’t know her name and she’ll probably be taken before I see her again.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” John said as he patted Matt’s arm.
“Man, and we thought we had girl problems,” Luke grinned.
“I encountered a mysterious girl today as well,” Maya shared. “The girl Mel asked me to let her stay in the dorm is here.”
“Wow, that was quick,” James said.
“I know. She drove all the way from Prospect, Indiana. I helped her move in and tried talking to her about her life in Prospect and how she heard about the University. Well she said absolutely nothing about her childhood, unless you count that she was an only child just like her guardians and she was born and raised in Prospect, and that she wants to attend the University because Mel graduated there.”
“Wow that was unusual. I wonder why she skipped that HUGE detail,” Mark commented.
“Yeah, me too, especially since mom can get anyone to talk,” Matt added.
“Maybe I was too forward or maybe she wasn’t comfortable with me,” Maya offered.
“Nevertheless I’m slightly concerned about her for some reason.”
“We should pray for her,” Luke suggested.
“Yea we should,” Mark agreed.
“Alright, then, let’s pray” James said as he watched his family bow their head and close their eyes. He did the same. “Heavenly Father, we your children, the Wilksons, come to you with a burdened heart for the lost, hurting souls, and for the people everywhere, but we come more so for the young lady at the dorm. Lord she needs you and we pray that you will touch her soul. Help her to open up to Maya and rid her of her burdens. We ask this in Your Holy Name. Amen.”