A Little New Year's Romance (4 page)

“Hello! I’m Maggie. Are you here to help?” The woman’s voice was pleasant.

Allison gave her hand a polite shake. “I’m not entirely sure.” That was true. She had no idea why she was here, except that she’d been invited. “I bumped into Daniel Trotter yesterday afternoon—literally—and he suggested I come here today.”

“Oh, that Daniel!” Maggie laughed, eyes twinkling. “He’s always recruiting. Come. Follow me.”

She turned, walked to a side door, pulled it open, and Allison followed her down a flight of stairs. Voices—and other sounds—came up to greet her ears. What was going on in the basement? And what did it have to do with Daniel?

Her questions were mostly answered as soon as she was at the bottom, then turned to her left. Men, women, and teenagers were standing around tables, packing things into boxes. A pile of empty boxes as tall as Allison took up one entire end of the massive room. Along another wall were more, but those appeared to be full of something, and unopened.

As if sensing Allison’s search for Daniel, Maggie pointed him out. “Right over there, dear.” She smiled, turned, and ascended the stairs to the main floor.

Making her way across the room, Allison noticed that Daniel was paying particular attention to a young boy in a wheelchair. The man’s eyes were lit up with the glitter that only delight could bring, and the child seemed to be enjoying himself.

“Hi there. What’s all this?” She tried to sound upbeat, and was glad to hear she’d succeeded.

He looked up, and his smile seemed to stretch even wider than it already was.

“Allison! I’m so glad you came!”

“Well, you were so mysterious yesterday, I couldn’t help being intrigued.”

He chuckled. “To answer your question, this is a food drive that we do twice a month for inner city families.”

“So… you only asked me here because you need more help?” she asked with a chuckle, glancing around at what seemed to be thirty or so volunteers.

“We can always use more help.” His smile never faltered. “Here. I saved you a spot, so let’s get you started.”

He stepped over to the empty boxes, grabbed one, brought it back, and placed it in front of her.

“Here you go.” He indicated a box near the center of the table. “Just grab a few items from there, and put them in your box.”

She complied, though there wasn’t a lot to choose from.

“Okay. Now what? There’s nothing left.” She’d no sooner spoken the last word when a burly man plopped another box on the table. Allison jumped back a few inches. “Oh!” Lifting her head, the first thought she had was that the man looked like a human ox. But then, oxen didn’t smile like he did.

“Thanks, Jerry,” Daniel said, obviously pleased.

Jerry nodded his head toward Daniel, then left, apparently to deliver a box to another table.

A few of the other people at the table opened the box, each removing a couple cans of green beans. Daniel followed suit, with Allison right behind him. The box was then moved to the opposite end of the table, and another box filled with cartons of oatmeal cereal was set before them.

This process continued until each person’s box was filled with an assortment of non-perishable food items. Every kind of canned vegetable she could imagine was represented, along with instant mashed potatoes, stuffing mixes, drink mixes, and several other items that needed minimal preparation.

Allison watched as Daniel moved his full box to an area where dozens of similar ones were neatly stacked, and followed behind him. Once he set his load down, he took hers, placing it on the mound.

“So this is what you do? Fill food boxes for the poor?”

He chuckled. “Well, this is my charity work.”

“Ah! I see.” It was a noble cause, and one she thought she could learn to enjoy. But something else was on her mind at the moment.

“I couldn’t help noticing that you seem to be very attentive to the boy in the wheelchair. Will his family be getting one of these boxes?”

This time, Daniel let out a hearty laugh. “Nope. That’s my son.”

~~*~~

His son? Did she hear him correctly? If so, then that meant Daniel was probably married, though she hadn’t noticed a ring on his finger. Not that she was presently on the hunt for a man. Far from it. But there was a vivid memory in her mind of their handshake the previous day. And the fact that he embodied her idea of the perfect mate.

“Oh.” She was glad to note that her disappointment hadn’t come through. “So, does that mean your wife is here, also?”

His attention momentarily went to the floor between his feet. When he brought his head up, she was sure he’d barely been able to keep the tears from spilling.

“Jenny paid the ultimate price so that I could have Dylan.” His voice, barely above a whisper, had a noticeable catch in it. He swiped at his eyes. “She bled out and went home to Heaven only five minutes after he was born.”

Allison stepped closer and stroked his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to bring up such a painful memory.”

He smiled, and held her eyes with his. “Everything happens for a reason, Allison. I have to believe and trust in that. Otherwise nothing in this world makes any sense.”

She’d heard those words so many times before—mostly from Mom—but they’d never seemed to be more than just words. However, this time a part of her was listening. Truly listening.

A few of the bricks in the wall around her heart came loose. She felt it happen, and didn’t bother to shore them up. Maybe it was time to let that barrier crumble. Yes, it protected her from harm, but she realized now that it was also denying her the freedom to live a full and happy life.

“I think you might be right about that.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.

The smile on his face held. “I’ve only told Dylan that his mother died after he was born, so I didn’t lie to him. But I never said how soon afterward.”

“Why not?”

“It was bad enough that he never knew his mother. I didn’t want him to think he was responsible for her death.”

“I guess that makes sense.” She stroked his arm once more, then let her hand fall to her side. “So, why is he in a wheelchair?”

“He has a bone disease. I’ve tried to find specialists, but apparently his is an extremely rare type. I even looked into experimental treatments, but none of them showed any promise for him.”

“That’s so sad. I don’t know what I’d do if I had a child in the same situation.”

“Well, I’m just glad that God gave me a son to love and take care of. I cherish every moment I have to spend with him, and I’m thankful for every one of them.”

Interesting. This man had so much heartache, so many things to be bitter about, yet he was thankful. How could that be? Why was it that he didn’t feel cheated?

“I don’t know if I’d be strong enough to feel that way.”

He chuckled. “All it takes is a strong faith. Then you can learn to trust.”

She simply smiled in reply, hoping it looked genuine. Why did those words cut so deeply? Yes, she knew about having faith and trust, but hers had been shattered years ago. Then again, if anyone had good reason to be mad at God and lose all hope of a happy life, it was Daniel. So, how was it that he not only didn’t feel that way, but had a stronger faith because of it? It just didn’t make sense.

Allison decided to change the subject. “Well, we’re not getting boxes filled while standing here gabbing.” She turned and headed back to their table, Daniel only a step or two behind, each grabbing an empty box on the way.

Dylan smiled at her as she approached, and for a moment she thought she’d never seen a more handsome boy. It was no wonder Daniel loved the child so deeply.

~~*~~

He hadn’t been prepared to reveal what happened to Jenny, or why Dylan was in a wheelchair, but he was glad that Allison knew. Although he wasn’t sure why, he felt better about having done it. A liberating sensation washed over him like a tidal wave of warm, healing water.

Was this a signal that Allison was in his life for a reason other than to help her? Did it mean that she was meant to heal his wounds? The way Dylan smiled at her solidified the idea in his mind. It wouldn’t be the first time that God had given him an answer through the boy’s reaction. However, this time it wasn’t as clear, but the thought intrigued him.

Setting his box on the table, he grabbed a few items to begin filling it. Then he had an idea.

He addressed the people at the table. “Everyone.” When they all turned toward him, he continued. “This is Allison on my left. I thought it might interest her if we introduce ourselves, and tell her about some of the people we help. We’ll go around the table, starting with Debra.” He indicated the woman on Allison’s left.

“I’m not sure what to say. I’ve been doing this so long that I’ve met hundreds of them.”

Daniel considered this for a moment. “Okay. Let’s each tell her about one family that made a lasting impression on you. Something you’ll never forget.”

Debra chuckled. “I have plenty of those, too. But I guess the one that stands out the most was when I delivered a box to a young woman and had to walk up five flights because the elevator was broken. I must have looked exhausted when she answered the door, because she insisted I come in, sit down, and have a glass of water.” She smiled. “That was three years ago, and now Cheri helps us here.”

Allison appeared to have been listening intently. He could see her beautiful mouth curve upward as Debra finished her story.

A man spoke up. “Hi. I’m Craig. I’ll never forget the woman who couldn’t wait for me to put the box on the table. I turned around, and she hugged me so tight I could barely breathe. Then she kissed me on the cheek.” His face reddened. “Some people are very thankful.”

Amused chuckles erupted around the table.

The next man spoke up. “I’m Tom, and I guess the most memorable one for me was when I brought a box to a man with two kids. He shook my hand, and I could tell he was trying not to cry. The boy put his arms around my waist and just hugged me. But the little girl took my hand, looked up at me, and said, ‘God loves you, sir.’ I’ll never forget those little blue eyes as long as I live.”

Daniel glanced at Allison. She’d procured a tissue from somewhere—most likely her purse—and was dabbing at her eyes and nose. He wasn’t sure why, but he sensed that she needed this.

“I’m Cheri, the one who gave Debra a glass of water. By the way, the elevator in my building has been working for over two years now.” A few chuckles. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ll never forget the first box I delivered. It was for an older couple who could barely pay their bills with the little bit of income they had. They’d shared the last bowl of oatmeal for supper the night before, and had no money to buy more food. The lady told me they were prepared to die of hunger, because they’d had a good, long life, and if this was God’s will, then so be it. But when I came with a box of food, they realized that He still wanted them alive and they weren’t meant to die of hunger.” Her voice hitched as she spoke the last sentence. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that if this program hadn’t helped me.”

Three more people introduced themselves and told their most memorable moments. Daniel told his memory last.

“The one I remember most was a woman with four children. My son was with me.” He glanced at Dylan. “Do you remember that?” The boy nodded, smiling. “When she opened the door and saw us with two boxes for her, she let us in, then dropped to her knees in the middle of the living room. I saw tears of joy fall from her eyes as she thanked God.” He paused, rubbing his own eyes with the palms of his hands. “After we set the boxes on the kitchen counter, she looked straight at Dylan and said, ‘God has a special plan for you, young man.’ Then she stood up and told me that she’d just been sitting on the couch holding her children, and praying for a miracle.”

Dylan piped in. “That was almost two years ago. Right, Dad?”

“Yes. It was.”

CHAPTER FIVE

She wasn’t sure what was happening or why, but something about the stories Allison had just heard made the wall around her heart weaker and weaker. By the time Daniel and Dylan had told theirs, the bricks and mortar had been reduced to a pile of dust.

Each account played out in her mind over and over for the next half hour as she finished the box in front of her, then filled three more. She remained silent as everyone else resumed their usual banter, not knowing what to say, yet feeling accepted by them all the same.

Daniel suggested they take a break for a few minutes, and Allison retreated up the stairs without the slightest delay. The air in the church basement seemed to be closing in on her, and she needed to catch her breath. Why did she feel that way? Everyone else seemed perfectly fine. Maybe she just needed to think for a couple minutes. That must be it.

Stepping out the front door, she sat on the top step, placed her elbows on her knees, and lowered her chin to her hands. The cold, crisp air seemed to revive her lungs—and her mind. What was happening to her? It had been too long since she’d felt this way, and wasn’t sure she wanted to let it in and rid herself of who she’d become. The better question was why she stood there so long, allowing the stories to change her.

“Dad,” she whispered. “I wish you were here so I could talk to you.”

A tear raced to her chin. Funny. This time it wasn’t the anger that brought it out. She realized it was loneliness. Sorrow was present, as well.

Without warning, the dam burst, washing away the wreckage that had been her wall of protection. A hot torrent of rain slipped and slid down her face, dripping from her chin.

“Oh Dad! I miss you so much.”

The downpour continued. She was powerless to stop it. Letting it happen was the only thing she was capable of at the moment. There was no other choice.

Five minutes went by before she realized someone was sitting next to her. She wiped her face as best she could with her hands, and turned to see Maggie there.

“Better now?” She detected a warm concern in the older woman’s voice.