FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY

by

CQB

CHAPTER 4

THE CHAPTERS

INTRO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

“Mama said You were like we are, You were poor as poor can be;

And Mary made Your bed of hay like Mama does for me.

You lived among the beggars and for forty days went hungry;

Folks would call You names or just pretend they didn’t see.*

* * *

Rachel and Faith did their best to stay in the shadows as the walked through the park.  Snow had just begun falling afresh and a few people were walking through the park, enjoying the winter wonderland.

Most of them ignored the woman and child as they passed, but a few moved farther away or made comments under their breath.

One well-dressed man walking an over-fed poodle stopped and stared. “What this park needs is a law against such filthy white trash taking up our space!”

Faith wondered who the man was talking to, but then glanced up at her mother.  Rachel had lowered her head, feeling her cheeks grow warm. She quickly brushed a stray tear away, hoping Faith didn’t notice.

“Mama, are we trash?”

“No baby,” Rachel assured her daughter.  “We are having a hard time now since Daddy left, but things will get better.”

“I know Mama,” the child grinned.

Soon they reached the place they called “home”; a cluster of three pine trees and two small birch.  Rachel had collected a few pieces of cardboard that were braced between the trees, offering them extra protection from the elements.

Rachel laid a sheet of dry newspaper over a bed of twigs and leaves for Faith.  In minutes, the child drifted off to sleep as Rachel softly hummed ‘Away in the Manger’.  Rachel lay down beside her daughter, placing a protective arm around Faith.

“God,” she softly prayed, “Please don’t let it get too cold.”

* * *

Laura Hardy smoothed the surface of the rose colored comforter and placed a lacy pillow at the head of the bed.  She smiled and moved to the door.  ‘The guest room is fit for a princess,’ she thought.

Her husband greeted her by the stairs. “Everything ready, Laura?”

“Just about,” the petite blond replied.  “I have to check with my other conspirators,” she added with a wink.

* * *

Carolyn Shaw, along with her daughter Callie and Callie’s best friend, Vanessa Bender, were busily working also.  Carolyn had received a call from Laura just a few hours ago and she had been thrilled at the prospect of helping the Hardy family with their Christmas “project”.

“She looks brand new,” Callie commented as she and Vanessa began wrapping the gift with shiny red paper. 

Vanessa smiled.  “My grandfather bought it for me, long after I’d stopped playing with dolls.  I’ve never had her out of the box.”

“I found it,” Carolyn announced a few minutes later.  She held up a beautiful knitted sweater set for the girls to see.  “I bought it impulsively a year ago on sale, but never wore it.  I guess I couldn’t pass up such a good buy.” 

“Well I’m glad you bought it,” Callie chuckled.  “I just hope it fits.”

“From what Laura told me, I believe it will,” Carolyn answered. 

“This will be a wonderful Christmas,” Vanessa enthused.  The Shaws totally agreed.

* * *

At the mansion on the outskirts of Bayport that had been restored into a charming bed and breakfast inn, Tigh Cassidy and Gertrude Hardy sat quietly holding hands in front of the fireplace.  Tigh had just gotten off the phone.

“That was Laura,” he told his bride-to-be.

“Really? Is something wrong?”

“No,” he explained.  “But she needs a favor and I believe I can help.”

* * *

“Here!” Joe could hardly contain his excitement.  He led the others out to the alley.  “Frank and I looked everywhere and never saw this.”  He quickly pointed out the bright green thread.

“From ‘Mary’s’ stocking hat,” Father Minnetti cried, examining the thread caught in the fence.

“So what exactly does this mean?” Blake asked, scratching his head. 

Frank grinned. “It would have blown away if it had been here a while.  My guess is that it was recently caught.”

“My thoughts exactly!” Joe chimed in.  “There is a city park about three blocks away in that direction,” Joe indicated with a wave of his hand.

“And you think that might be where Martha and Mary are living,” Tony guessed.  Joe nodded.

“Well, I don’t think we all need to go,” Father Minnetti stated.  “It might overwhelm them.”

“Maybe just Frank and I could go?” Joe suggested.

“Yes,” the priest smiled encouragingly.  “Do your best and may God bless your efforts.”

* * *

The Hardy boys made their way through the fence and beyond the abandoned building.  In no time they were in the back side of the small park.

“They could be anywhere,” Frank said as they made their way through the moonlit trees.  “But I think they’ll try to stay secluded from the public areas.”

“Over there,” Joe pointed to a cluster of trees.  There were pieces of cardboard between some smaller birch trees.  “I’d bet on it!”

The two teenagers made their way to the trees.  They approached stealthily, not wanting to alarm the woman and child.  Joe and Frank could make out two forms huddled close together near the pine trees. 

“Let me go,” Joe said softly.  Frank nodded.  The younger boy tip-toed to the shelter and rapped his knuckles against the nearest birch.  Rachel sat up quickly and instinctively shielded her daughter.

Rachel recognized the young man that stood nearby smiling.  “You were at the mission earlier,” the young mother said, relaxing slightly.

“Yes, my name is Joe Hardy,” the teenager explained.  “Look, I know I’m a stranger to you and you have no reason to trust me, but I…well, my family and I want to give you and your daughter a nice Christmas.”

“What? Christmas? I don’t understand.”

“We,” Joe glanced out at Frank waiting nearby, “My brother Frank and I, want to take you and your daughter home with us tonight.”

Frank moved closer and added, “Our mom has a room all ready for you and Mary.”

“Mary?”

Frank blushed. “That’s the name Father Minnetti gave your daughter.  He, ah, calls you ‘Martha’.”

Rachel couldn’t help but smile.  She looked down at her sleeping daughter. Faith deserved this opportunity, despite her own fears.

“Why would you do this?  You don’t know us,” Rachel queried.

Joe gazed down at the sleeping little girl.  “It’s her fault,” he stated.  “Your daughter stole my heart the very first time we met.”

“Her name is Faith,” Rachel responded.  She extended a hand to Joe. “I’m Rachel Woods.”  She then shook Frank’s hand, too.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked, standing and brushing off her worn coat.

“Mom is anxiously waiting for us,” Frank replied.  “Let me get your things.” Frank picked up a plastic grocery bag full of their meager possessions.

Rachel started to wake Faith, but Joe put a hand on her shoulder.  “If it’s okay with you, I’ll carry her.”  Rachel hesitated a moment.  She looked into Joe’s dark blue eyes and somehow she knew everything was going to be all right.  “Okay, Joe.”

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