This is
COMBINED CHAPTER SHEET
CHAPTER ONE
Melvin Peters was a man who could repair a variety of appliances. It seemed since he was born, working with his hands came natural to him. Nobody in town would allow him to do any sort of repair work for them. Melvin was a black man who had been sent to jail at an early age due to some racial conflicts in the town. He had been branded a thief when some things had come up missing from the general store he worked for as teen. When his father died he became the owner of a old rundown farm house. The land surrounding the cabin was a total of 16 acres of deeded property. Trying to keep the place up he learned about plumbing, electrical work, carpentry. He did not attend any trade school, so no one trusted his abilities. Selling small crops each year he was able to support himself. His small farm grew to be a major source of produce for the county.
If anyone had taken the time to notice, they would have been amazed at how a two room shack became a four bedroom house. He had built a generator for electricity. He had built and modernized his kitchen and bathrooms with running water. Melvin had a self-sufficient place about two miles outside the Melborne County limits. As the years passed, the town grew pushing the poor families out toward his propertly.
The local churches did not have room for a colored man in their congregation. So he read his bible and trusted in the Lord. Praying helped him to be satisfied with what he had. God was very good to him and he knew it. Being the only black person in the town did not allow him to have a family. He did not find any kindness in the young women of the town. Their prejudice made it hard for him to get to know any women. I made his heart ache when he saw the way some men treated their children. But he prayed that God would allow him the gift of being a father.
CHAPTER TWO
Beatrice stood out in the yard of her little two room cabin. She started to pray.
“Lord, I am not going to complain. You have been very good to us over the years. I feel the need for some help. Do you have anyone who could be of assistance to a poor woman and her children? I don’t want the children to know, but I feel lost. If I had someone to watch over the kids I could get a job. They are too young to be left home all day while I work. Please point out the direction I need to take.”
She turned and walked to the back of the house. She liked the grove of trees that made up the back yard of the house. As she walked around the corner from the back, she noticed that two windows were broken. The paneling on the house was coming loose. She could not afford to make the repairs before cold weather came again. It was going to be another cold winter. Thank God for the large fireplace in the kitchen. Broken branches off the trees in the back would supply the firewood. She heard a rumbling noise followed by a screeching of brakes. Cautiously she moved to the front of the house. There sat a truck with a black man in the cab. He was drinking a cup of coffee and eating part of a foot long sandwich. The coffee smelled good. She wondered if she could get a cup.
“Okay, Lord, why did you want me to stop here? I am happy with the house where I live now. I can see this could be a nice home. Do you want me to fix it up a bit?. Why? I don’t think anybody lives here, now.” Melvin was speaking to God out loud.
“I live here! What are you doing here? This is my property.” Beatrice spoke up.
Turning to look at Beatrice with a smile. Melvin spoke.
“My truck seemed to be over heating, so I pulled into the first roadway I found. If you think I stayed too long, it is because I decided to have lunch while I waited for the truck to cool down.,” Melvin answered. Looking at your house, I see you could use some repairs. I happen to be handy with a hammer and saw. Maybe you could give me a call if you decide to get something done. I give good rates to all my neighbors.” He added.
Melvin closed up his thermos and wrapped up the remainder of his sandwich. Climbing into the cab of the truck, he started up the truck. “God bless you and may you have a great day.” he said as he backed his truck and turned around.
As Melvin drove home, he couldn’t help but think about the lady he had encountered. She had been so strong and pushy. He thought she might have been afraid of him for some reason. What is she doing in that cabin. It has been abandoned for years. I hope she is not trying to live there alone.
The children had been looking out of window as Beatrice and Melvin talked in the yard.
“Mother why did that man stop here? Is he a friend of yours?” Tommy asked.
Jenny said, “I thought he was going to hurt you when you yelled at him! Then I saw him smile and I knew he wasn’t mad at you.”
“I don’t know him. That’s the first time I saw him. He was eating a sandwich and drinking coffee. When I came around the side of the house, he startled me because of his size. He gave some excuse about his truck suddenly stopping. It seemed like he didn’t know we lived here. But it started right up when he turned it on to leave,” Beatrice told the kids.
“I’d forgotten how good coffee smells. Beatrice thought as she turned to go into the house.
Beatrice woke up and remembered that the school was taking applications for new students. The children must be sent to school this year. They would need to be registered or the county would charge her with child neglect.
“Okay BEE, you got to get on the ball. Nobody is going to give you anything. The children need to be taken care of. I hope the car can get us to town and back again.” Beatrice often said these things aloud to help motivate herself to keep going.
“Mommy do we get to go to school today?” Jenny asked from the bathroom. It was her turn to be first in the bathroom.
Yes, my little one you get to go to school today. I hope you will not be disappointed when you meet your new teacher. You are going to the second grade this year. They will ask you to do more work and to be quiet during class. I home schooled you before we moved. But I did not request it in time for this county. So you will be in a classroom with other kids.”Beatrice explained.
“Jenny hurry up will you please!! I’ve got to use the bathroom.” Tommy shouted.
“Tommy I have laid out your new clothes on the chair in the front room. You can take them into your room. After you wash up please get dressed quickly. Your food will be on the table. Jenny hurry up so your brother can get ready. I need to brush your hair when you are dressed.” Beatrice reminded the children.
While they were getting dressed, she ran around making sure she had everything ready. A sandwich and juice for lunch. Two book bags in case they got books to bring home. Pencil and paper were in each bag. Despite the rushing this morning, everything went well.
Beatrice was worried about getting the children to school in time. They remembered to put their lunches in the bags. The car started up and traffic was smooth. The school was easy to find.
She stopped to put some gas in the car. Although it was only $2.50 per gallon this was an extra $10.00 she had not expected. Trying to juggle these little things extra food for lunches,travel to and from school made her realize that the stipend she received was not going to be enough. When she got home, Beatrice took her phone and started checking the Indeed listings. Most of the listing would double her stipend monthly. She was happy to find some many jobs at hourly rates of above $15.75.
Looking up from her phone she was surprised to see how much time had passed. It was 2:45 p.m.. She was supposed to get to the school before 3 PM. Bee grabbed her shirt and the after school snacks she had made. It was only a couple of sandwiches and an apple for each of them. The car started right up and she pulled out of the yard. Then realizing that she might not make it in time. She called the pizza shop.
“Can you allow my kids, Tommy and Jenny to stay in your shop until I can get there? I had advised my children in the event I can’t make it to pick them up right after school, to stay at your shop until I get there. I am in route right now!! my name is Bee Thomas. I should be there by 4:00 o’clock.”
Yeah They can stay as long as they don’t cause any problems. I close at 5:00 you know! “ the owner said.
Thanks!! I should be there long before that,” Bee replied.
Suddenly Beatrice’s phone went dead. She pulled to the side of the road so she could check it out. As she turned her car, the tire hit a rock and there was a loud cracking sound.. Then the car slid into a ditch. Beatrice’s phone was dead because she had neglected to charge it before she left home. The load cracking noise was her tie rod snapping. There was nothing she could do but hope someone would stop to give her a ride.
Looking at her watch it read 3:45p.m No cars had slowed down to help her. She was praying when a car of 3 men stopped to ask her if they could help. Stepping close to the driver’s window she could see they had been drinking. She could see the man in the back seat as he tried to hide the bottle under the seat. The grin on his face told her that this was not in answer to her hasty prayer.
“That is very nice of you to stop , But I just put in a call for assistance. I have been advised to stay close to the vehicle and wait for them to arrive.” Beatrice told them. It wasn’t a lie, just a way of saying she knew God wanted her to wait.
Beatrice watched the only persons to stop pull away. “What is going to happen to my children, Lord.? I can’t reach them by phone to be sure they are safe. I truly could use your assistance now, Heavenly Father. I leave me and my children in your hands. You have always been our guide and protector. What else can I do, but trust in you.”
An hour later, having eaten the after school snacks, Beatrice awoke from the doze she had fallen into. Something had changed, her children were safe and she knew it. She sat quietly in the car knowing she would be reunited with them shortly. She whispered,”Thank You ,Lord.
CHAPTER 4 COLOR HIM FATHER
Melvin was dead tired. Two trips to the market left him worn out. The last leg of his trip was to the Pizza Hut on the northern edge of town. The owner had finally started ordering vegetables from Melvin’s Garden. .Pulling out his cell phone Melvin called the owner of the Pizza Hut.
“Hello, Howie I am going to need two large pizzas to go. I will be stopping by at 7:30 to make a delivery and pickup the pizzas. Do you have anyone in the place to help me unload your order?” said in his phone as he was driving.
“No Melvin all my help has left for the day. The only reason I am still here is because I am cleaning up by myself and waiting for a lady to pick up her kids. I got a call from her about 3:00 P.M asking me to let them stay here until she could make it. I haven’t heard from her since.”
“Howie can you add two liter bottles of coke to that order. Whose kids are they?” Melvin asked.
“Some lady who lives out south of town. Do you know her? She said that her house is out on route 44. You told me your farm is located out that way, right? Could you take them home for me?” Howie asked Melvin.
“If they haven’t been picked up by the time I get finished with you, yes I will drop them off. See you when I get there. Oh yeah add another pizza to that order!” Melvin shouted into his phone as he hung up.
When Melvin pulled up to the restaurant, Howie had just pulled the last pizza out of the oven. He opened the door and directed Melvin to the refrigerated unit. “You can put the vegetables in the bins here. “ Howie said.
Looking around the restaurant, Melvin saw the two children sitting a table. “ Hey young man can you give me a hand with these packages? There are two crates of green peppers in the back of the truck. Pull them and the celery stalks out of the truck and bring them in here. Howie did you feed the kids while they were waiting?”
Howie said “I ain’t no baby sitter. I don’t supply no free lunches. They didn’t have any money, so they just sat here.
Both the children went out to the truck and picked up the vegetables. They brought them in and put them in the cold storage. Then went back and sat at the table, again.
Melvin was amazed to see they did not have any fear of a little work.
Thank you very much. What are your names? Melvin asked
“ My name is Tommy and this is my sister Jenny. What is your name, sir?”
My name is Melvin Johnson. Nice to meet you.”
Tommy spoke up. “Are you the man who is going to give us a ride home?” We couldn’t reach my mother by phone. We need to find out what happened to our mother. She was going to pick us up from school after registration was over. That was supposed to be at 3:30
Jenny said “You know where we live. You stopped by our house and talked to Mommy. Do you remember?” I saw the two of you talking. She said something and you started smiling. Then you got into your truck and drove away! “
Tommy can you carry these three pizzas? Could you grab the two bottles of soda, Jenny? Melvin said as they went to his truck.
When all three of them were in the truck, Melvin turned to the children.
“Let’s take a moment to ask God for his help. We will need His help to find your mother. “Dear Lord, we are asking that you have been holding the mother of these children in your hands. May we quickly find her. We pray that you have guided her to a safe place. I know she must be worried about Tommy and Jenny. Calm her fears and let her know in her heart that You have kept them safe. Amen!”
Melvin started up the truck. He told the children to buckle up and advised them to help themselves to some of the pizza and pop. I can’t drive and eat, but I know that you are probably hungry.
Jenny said, “I will say grace!! God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. For by his hand are we fed . Give us Lord our daily bread.
“Why were you children in town, today? Did your mother have an appointment in town?” Melvin asked.
“No, today was the first day of school. Mom said she wasn’t able to get a permit to home school us in this county.” Tommy said.
“ I had never been to a regular school before, so I was looking forward to seeing the other kids., Jenny added. It was a little loud at first, but I got used to it by lunch time.
Chapter 6
“Now let us find out what happened to your mother that she couldn’t pick you up. Melvin said. Do know the song about God having everyone in his hands? Let’s sing that nice and loud. I am sure God will guide us to your mother.”
It was getting dark and he wanted to keep the thought of their mother being lost or hurt off their minds. About ten minutes after leaving the lights of the town, he saw a vehicle sitting on the other side of the road. It was headed toward town, but it seemed to be in a ditch. Well he couldn’t leave someone stranded if he could help them. Making a quick U-turn he proceeded to pull up behind the car.
“I going to see if I can help this person, then I will take you guys home.” Melvin said as he climbed out of the truck. The kids were still singing and eating pizza.
There was someone in the vehicle. As he approached the drivers side, Beatrice got out of the car. He could see she was a little frazzled but okay.
“Oh it’s you again, why do I keep running into you?, Beatrice said with dismay in her voice.
“I thought the person in this car might need some help. It turned out to be you. Do you want some help?” Melvin said with a sort of smirk.
“I don’t want to disturb you and your friends. Sounds like you are having a party. But, I could use some help finding my children.” Beatrice replied.
“Let me introduce you to my friends, then I can take you home to your children. We are only having some pizza and soda to finish off our day. God has been very good to us, today and we are celebrating his saving grace. Opening the side door of his van, Melvin pointed to his passengers. This is Tommy and his sister Jenny, we are looking for their mother who seems to be lost. Do you know them? For some reason they got very happy when I pulled up behind your car.”
Beatrice wrapped her arms around Melvin giving him a big hug. She almost kissed his cheek, then catching herself, turned to the children.
“ I am so glad to see you! Come here you two and give me a hug! I was so worried about you. I can see you’ve gotten something to eat and are in good spirits. How did you wind up asking him to help you find me?”
“We remember Mr. Johnson, he stopped by the house and talked with you last month. We saw the two of you talking before he drove away”, Tommy spoke up.
Jenny said, “He knows you because of the way he smiled when you and he were talking. Anyway, when he showed up at the pizza hut, we hoped he had been sent by you.”
“Let’s get going, I have had a long day. This running around in the middle of the night is too much for me.” Melvin growled to get them back on track. “I’ve got to start moving at six in the morning. After I drop you off at your house, let me see if I can get someone to pull your car.” He ushered them back into the truck and headed for their house.
“Here Mom, this pizza is pretty good. Mr. Johnson bought it for us to have. We tried to save some for you but we were really hungry.” Jenny explained.
“What happened that you didn’t come to pick us up? Were you scared being all alone in the car?”, Tommy wanted to know.
They had so many questions Beatrice couldn’t answer them fast enough. Answering their questions took up most of the time as they rode home. Beatrice did not have time to talk to Melvin. She was beginning to wonder about who he was. Could he be the someone God sent to help?
As they pulled up to the gate of Beatrice’s house, Jenny called out “Mr. Johnson, can we have some more pizza for my mommy? She didn’t get much of the pizza we had.”
“Sure, Jenny your mother can take the cheese and sausage and the pops, too! Just don’t take the Pepperoni. It’s my favorite.”, Melvin shouted.
Thanks for all your help, Mr. Johnson.”, Beatrice said as she hustled the children into the house. Melvin turned the van around and headed for home.
Chapter 7
The next day Melvin was up at 5:00 o’clock. He loaded his van with his deliveries for the day, then hitched a vehicle from his garage to the back of the van. She lives too far out of town not to have a vehicle at the house, he thought.
He dropped the car off at her house and proceeded to make his early morning deliveries.
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