Sophie shrank back in terror as he came forward with the rag to mop her up, and her look stopped him. There was no softening
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To his features, however, so Sophie was more frightened then ever. She scrambled from the chair and held her hands out as if to protect herself.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Papa. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Come here, Sophie," he finally said, but she was too panicked to hear.
"I'm sorry, Papa, please, I'm sorry. Oh, Mama, please help me."
Something happened in her father at that moment. At the time she was too young to recognize, but many years later she saw it was a turning point. Vladamir came forward and gently cleaned the milk from his trembling daughter and just as gently put her back on her chair. Pulling his own plate close, he sat next to her then and began to speak in a normal voice-a voice she had not heard in weeks.
"Have a little more cheese, Sophie. Here is a piece just your size. We don't want to leave any for the mice, so you must eat this up. Would you like some more milk, or maybe water?"
"Water, please," she said softly.
"We'll find you a clean glass. Are you going to help me with the dishes tonight?"
Sophie nodded and took a large drink. She hadn't realized until that moment just how thirsty she had become. She drank it all, and her father moved quietly to refill the cup. He didn't say much as the meal progressed, but his manner with her was kind.
An hour later the dishes were washed and dried and Sophie was in her nightgown. Vladamir lifted her into his arms then and bore her to the large overstuffed chair in the living room. Sophie had expected to be sent to bed, so this was a surprise.
"What story shall we read tonight, my Sophie?"
"Cheery, Cheery Baker Man"she said without a moment's thought. "It was Mama's favorite, and maybe if we read it she will hear."
"Yes, my Sophie, maybe she will."
It had been a turning point for them. Vladamir still struggled with his anger toward the system in which they lived and the death of his young wife, but it was never again directed at Sophie and rarely displayed while he was in her presence. In just a few short weeks the love and trust she had for her father was renewed. He was there for her as much as his work schedule would allow.
Mr. Riley did not display her father's wrath, but the long hours he worked were a very real concern, clearly not a pattern
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that was healthy for any of them. Sophie wondered how long itwould take for him to realize this. After studying Craig's angryface, she wondered if he would be in time. '"Sophie."
She heard the calling of her name and realized that someone|hadspoken several times.
"Yes, Tory."
"You looked so far away."
"I was," she admitted quietly. "Across an ocean and many'yearspast."
Sophie's cryptic answer and contemplative face, full of peace Iandfondness, did not invite questions. Rita, seeing it as such, suggested that they skate again. The others joined her, and the four of them were in the park for quite some time. However, itWasn't long enough. When they returned to the house, there was no sign of the young widower.
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Gladys was right on time the next morning when she picked Sophie up, but the church parking lot was already crowded, and they were a few minutes late getting into the service. They slipped quietly into the back in time to hear the end of the announcements.
An hour and 15 minutes later it was time to break for Sunday school. Gladys explained the process to Sophie.
"You see," Gladys turned Sophie's bulletin over, "listed here are the classes being offered right now. I'm in the class taught by our assistant pastor-The Fruit of the Spirit-but there are five others."
Sophie read the list to herself.
"If you know where you want to go, I'll give you directions before I go to class." Gladys said this half expecting Sophie to simply attend class with her, but she was to be surprised.
"I think I will go to Life-style Evangelism. Is this a good class, Gladys?"
"I'm sure it is, Sophie. It's taught by one of our elders, and he has a wonderful way with people."
"I will do this. Life-style Evangelism."
Gladys smiled at her careful pronunciation, and they both stood. It was a large church, and the older woman led Sophie through the foyer and downstairs to a carpeted room in the basement. They parted with plans to meet at the car, and Sophie slipped into the room and took a chair in the back. She noticed a man standing behind a small podium at the front and knew this would be the teacher. Sophie was reading her bulletin when he approached.
"Welcome to class."
"Thank you," Sophie said.
"I'm Jim Parman."
"My name is Sophie."
"It's nice to meet you, Sophie."
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The two shook hands and then Jim introduced his wife, Marlyce,who was sitting in front of Sophie. The two women spoke for a moment, and then Marlyce introduced a couple on Sophie's left. Jeff and Susan Crowe smiled their welcome, and Sophie was warmed by their kind interest in her.
"I knew Vanessa Riley," Susan told Sophie after she found out where she worked. "We were in the same Bible-study class."
"This was long ago?" Sophie asked.
"No," Susan told her. "In fact she'd been to class that very morning. We were all pretty upset, as you can imagine. She told us that she hadn't been in a Bible study class in years and was really looking forward to the whole year."
"And now she is gone," Sophie said quietly.
"Yes. Sometimes it's hard not to know the reasons why."
"Let's review from last week," Mr. Parman spoke from the front of the class, and Sophie had no time to reply. She didn't share during the next hour, but listened intently. In no time at all she saw how many mistakes she had made while working at Tony's.
"Paul was willing to be whatever he had to be in order to reach others for Christ," Mr. Parman said. "Now, don't think this didn't bring criticism, but Christ was all that mattered. This is what he says in 1 Corinthians 9. I'll just read some of this, starting at verse 19:
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law.... To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
"This is what we've been talking about now for all these weeks. If we wait for unbelievers to come to us, we won't reach anyone. We have to be willing to join them in their world, to show unbelievers love and acceptance before we talk to them about Christ. This was certainly Jesus' method. Look at Luke 19. Jesusmeets Zaccheus and wants to go and share a meal with him. The townspeople were scandalized. Look at verse 7. 'And when they
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saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.'" But if we keep reading, we see that Zaccheus gave his life to Christ in the next verse.
"We can't think that anyone is a lost cause or below our regard. We have a tendency to make judgments.He smokes and works too much and she's so angry all the time; they won't want to know about Christ.We can't make that call. We need to be willing to be the light for these who are in darkness."
The hour was over before Sophie was ready. What she had heard was so exciting to her. She had let some wonderful opportunities pass while in Chicago, but today was a new day, and tomorrow as well.
When the class was dismissed, she walked swiftly to the car, excited to tell Gladys of what she had learned. She had only a few minutes' wait before she saw Gladys coming toward her.
"How did it go?" was Gladys' first question.
"Oh, Gladys, I learn so much. I have been make mistakes, but I learn so much."
"Well, good. I feel that same way about my own class."
The women continued to talk as they go
t in the car and drove away, but Sophie was momentarily distracted by the sight of Alec driving their van in, the kids in tow. It meant that they hadn't come to Sunday school this week.
I'm ready to go forth and save the world, Lord, but those closest to me need me more. Help me to help them.
"I've got lunch in the oven for us," Gladys was saying, "so we can eat right away."
"All right," Sophie answered readily enough, but she was still praying in her heart for the Rileys.
***
"What did you do yesterday?" Gladys asked after the women had made themselves comfortable in the living room.
"I baked bread and went to the park with the children."
"Oh, you worked yesterday."
"Yes."
"Well, it must be nice to have a day off after working for six days."
"I did not work full week," Sophie admitted. "Children's grandparents were here, and Mrs. Frazier did work."
Something in Sophie's face made Gladys question her. "Was that your choice or hers?"
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"It was hers. She was upset to see me, I think. I waited until they leave, then I go back and work."
"Were you afraid you'd lost your job?"
"Yes, I am still afraid."
"Why?"
"Because this is trial time. This is deciding time for Mr. Riley. You see, I am first they have, and they not sure if I work." The idea of leaving was so upsetting to her that her English failed.
Gladys looked at her with compassion for several seconds before saying, "Will you come with me for a moment, Sophie?"
"Of course, Gladys."
Gladys led the way back to the front hall and opened the door that led to the basement. Turning on the lights as she went, she walked down the stairs, Sophie close behind her. When she stopped at the bottom of the stairs, Sophie found herself in another house.
"There are three bedrooms and a full bath down here. The kitchen is not really separate from the dining room, but it's all so spacious that it doesn't seem to matter. In the back are two storerooms. Oh, and this is the furnace room, and, of course, the living area. As you can see, it has its own entrance."
Sophie stared around her and then at her hostess.
"What I'm trying to say, Sophie, is that if you ever need a place, come here. I am a person who has to have time alone every day, but this setup allows someone to live down here and still give me complete privacy. There is even a lock on the basement door so I don't have to worry about someone walking in on me. This outside entrance would let you come and go as you please. I hope your job works out for you, Sophie, but if not, please come and see me."
"Thank you, Gladys. I will not forget this."
"I'd like a cup of coffee. Will you join me?"
"Yes, please."
Sophie stayed until the middle of the afternoon and then took a leisurely walk home. It was good to know that Gladys was there. Sophie had given much thought to what she would do if the job didn't work. She didn't think she could stay with Gladys permanently, but it was a comfort to know that if the need arose,
she had a place to go.
***
Monday was fairly routine for Sophie with the exception of a planned trip to Woodman's. They would be going as soon as the
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kids came home from school. Sophie was fairly certain that Tory would want to go and that Craig would decline. For this reason, she made him chocolate chip cookies. She was encouraged by the fact that he had joined them at the park on Saturday, but she still felt that he spent entirely too much time alone. Sophie yearned to show him that she cared and wanted to do this small gesture of kindness so that he would know she had thought of him during the day.
She timed the baked goods so that they would come out of the oven just as the kids were coming in the door. The kitchen- indeed, the whole downstairs-smelled of chocolate, and even Sophie's mouth watered. Her other work was complete and her grocery list ready to go. She need only wait until the gang arrived.
***
"Are you going to ask Craig to your party on Friday?"
"No," Tyler said. "He's been in a bad mood for weeks. Nobody wants him around."
"I think you should ask him," Rick Bennett spoke up.
"You would, Bennett, since your mom forces you to do things with him."
"You just shut your mouth, Tyler. She does not!"
"As if you would admit it."
"Forget it, Tyler. I wouldn't come to your party if you begged me," Rick then told him.
"Well, trust me, Bennett, I won't."
Tyler and the three other boys filed out then, so Rick was alone when he turned to see Craig standing by the gym lockers. His face was furious, but behind the anger Rick could see the hurt.
"It doesn't matter, Craig."
"I know."
Rick didn't know what else to say. "I better go. My mom's probably waiting."
Craig nodded and, after a moment, walked out behind his friend. Tory was already in the van and had taken the front seat. Craig slammed the van door so hard that it didn't shut properly and he was forced to do it again. This did little for his humor, and his sisters wisely stayed quiet. The ride home was made in tense silence and seemed to take longer because of it. Craig was the first person out of the van, go his sisters came behind him to witness the scene with Sophie in the kitchen.
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"I made chocolate chip cookies, Craig. Your favorite. Would you like some milk to go with them?"
"No. I don't want any."
Hearing the anger in his voice, Sophie stepped back with the plate.
"I thought you would enjoy-"
"Well, I don't! And you can stop trying to be nice to me. You're not my mother! You're not ever going to take her place, so stop trying."
Angry tears filling his eyes, Craig turned and rushed back outside. He bumped into Tory in the process and sent her books flying. His own had been thrown onto the kitchen table.
"Oh, no," Sophie spoke, a trembling hand going to her mouth. "Go after him, Rita."
"No, Sophie, not when he's like this. He was mad when he got in the van. It's best to leave him alone."
Sophie was so shaken that she needed to put the plate down before she dropped it. She went to the sink and washed her hands. They weren't dirty, but she needed a moment to think, and the cool water felt good on her skin. She turned back to see the girls waiting on her.
"Are you all right, Tory?" Sophie asked.
"Yeah. Craig's been upset before."
Sophie was not comforted, but Rita gave her little time to think.
"I don't think Tory and I really want a snack right now, Sophie, so let's just get to Woodman's."
"No, Rita," Sophie protested. "We cannot leave Craig alone. We must stay."
"I think he just needs his space, Sophie." She spoke like a sister, not a mother. "He'll probably be here when we get back."
Sophie looked so upset that Rita offered to go to the market alone.
"No," Sophie declined. your father wants me to do this. Maybe Tory-" Sophie, not thinking, began, but Rita shook her head.
"Dad doesn't want her here alone."
"Of course, I did not thought. We will go then. We will go quickly and come back fast."
They did go, but in many ways it was a wasted trip. Sophie was so agitated that she kept crossing things off her list before they had found them. They left early and barely remembered to get the items Rita requested for her birthday supper.
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Back at the house, Sophie's worst fears were confirmed. There was still no sign of Craig. Rita searched the upstairs, and Sophie went to the basement. His books were still scattered across the kitchen table, giving testimony to the fact that he had not been back at all.
"Call someone, Rita." Sophie fought panic. "Call his friends."
"Sophie," Rita said patiently, "he's done this before. I know he'll be back."
"Please, Rita," she begged. "Please call."
"All right,"
she agreed with poor humor and went to the phone to make two calls. The friends she contacted had not seen him, and Rita turned to Sophie with a shrug.
"It's like I said, Sophie, he's done this before. Craig is always hungry. He'll be back before supper."
Sophie was given little choice but to take Rita at her word. The girls went off to do their homework at that point, and Sophie did her best to work on supper. She also prayed. She begged God to send Craig home, or at the very least to send his father. She wandered to the door often to peek out the window, but it was growing dark before Craig made an appearance. Sophie was still alone in the kitchen and she rushed to him, stopping just short of embracing him.
"Craig." Her voice was breathless, her eyes searching his face. "You are home."
"Yeah." He looked embarrassed by her display, but he didn't move away.
"Are you all right, Craig?"
"Yeah."
"I was worry for you."
Tears filled Sophie's eyes, and the shame Craig felt now showed on his vulnerable face. Sophie's hands reached to touch him repeatedly, but she made herself pull away. She did this several times before she gently placed her hands on his upper arms. The contact was broken just moments later, and Sophie's hands were clasped tightly in front of her.
"Your mother," she whispered in an attempt to explain her emotions, "she has only just left, and I did not know how I would tell your father if you were to go also."
It was time for Craig's eyes to fill with tears. Up to this moment he hadn't thought about anyone except himself. He swiped at the tears with his hand, but Sophie still saw them
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"Please, Craig, please do not run again." Her voice was still breathless with fright. "I am all right with your anger, but please do not leave home again."
He nodded and mumbled something about his homework.Sophiemoved to let him pass. The episode was not mentioned atsupper,but things were subdued. Sophie would have been glad tohave Mr.Riley home so that she couldgoto her apartment andhave agood cry. But he was late as usual.
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"Happy birthday, Rita," Sophie spoke as the teen came into the kitchen that morning. "You look so pretty."
"Thank you, Sophie. Aunt Janet sent me these," Rita told her and gestured to the beautiful rose-colored sweater and a pair of dark denim jeans she was wearing. Rita had pulled her hair back in a ponytail, and the whole effect was lovely. In truth, it was still too warm for the outfit, but Rita could not resist wearing it.