Always Tried and Proven (36 page)

     “Sam, he was
awful
!  How did you get him to behave?” she sputtered.

     Sam chuckled.  “I’m a man, you are definitely all woman.  There’s nothing you could have done differently, Callie.  You just brought out the worst in him.”

     Callie rolled her eyes.  She went and sat down on a window seat, next to an old woman who was hugging a stuffed lamb.  The lady looked at her; and then stared out the window again with a pout.

     “Do you mind if I sit here and visit with you?  My name is Callie.”

      The woman looked at her again, but didn’t speak.

    “I had a lamb just like yours when I was younger.  I named him Jericho.”  Callie persisted softly.

     The woman pursed her lips, and stared past Callie.  “What do you
want
?”

     Callie looked, and saw the misery in the woman’s eyes.  “I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes.”  She assured her.

     “Nobody comes to talk to me.” The woman denied.  “I got a boy Nicholas in California, but he don’t come.”

      “I came.”  Callie encouraged.  “That’s why I’m here; just to visit you.”

    The old woman glared at her suspiciously, and then turned her eyes away again.  “Betsy.  This is my baby Nicholas.”

     “Nicholas.  How old is he?”

     “Can’t you see he’s just a baby?” Betsy scoffed.

     “Yes.  I can see.  You love him very much.”  Callie soothed.

     Callie was shocked to see tears well up in Betsy’s eyes.  “He raped me, you know.  It wasn’t my fault!  I was just a girl, you know, only thirteen. But in Alabama, you just couldn’t tell anyone.  They’d hurt you!  But when my belly started to show, Uncle Gene beat me good and hard.  I told him the truth, but he didn’t believe me.  When Nicholas was born and they all knew it was a black man done it, they took Nicholas away.  They took him from me, and beat me and turned me out.”  She finished indignantly.  “They killed him, drowned him 'til he was dead.  Said he was the seed of the devil!  But I got him back again.  See, I got him back.”  She huffed.

     “I see, Betsy.  I understand.”  Callie soothed.

     Sam came to whisper in her ear.  “Sing to her, Callie.”  He suggested.

    She gave him a look that spoke volumes about the nightmare this visit was turning out to be, and nodded.  He winked at her.

    Callie swallowed nervously, and began to sing softly.  “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.”  Her rich, mellow voice had an amazing effect on Betsy.  She quieted and soon she was singing along, a word here and there.  Sam stayed with her, and she was grateful to feel his support through the warmth of his hand on her back.  She could feel the Holy Spirit flowing through Sam, through her to this little, old woman.  She didn’t respond overtly, but she seemed more peaceful when they moved on.

     Next, they visited Mrs. Hopkins, who (
praise God
), was an absolute delight.  And Mr. Dahl, who had been a schoolteacher.  He was a humble and sweet man, obviously lonely and eager to talk to them.  Before the day was over, there were two souls given to Jesus, and one heart re-dedicated.

     Sam led a very tired young lady out to the car at three o’clock that afternoon.  The rest of the team met them in the parking lot, looking equally drained.

     “Let’s go get some pizza.”  Clyde suggested tiredly.

    “Sounds good.”  Sam agreed.  “There’s a place on the way out of town that looked pretty good.”

    The crew of six crowded around an outdoor table, and dug into the pizza hungrily.  Callie felt several speculative looks come her way when Sam sat by her, and made himself cozy.

      “So, how did you fare today, Miss Callie?”  Suzie asked curiously.

    “Fine.  But I was very glad that Sam was there to bail me out a couple of times.”  She answered with a smile.  “I was very glad I came.”

     “You and Sam do seem to make a great team.” She answered innocently.

    Callie looked at her pizza, knowing that a blush was staining her cheeks.  There were a few snickers and chuckles.  They were not unkind, but were pointed enough to make their targets definitely uncomfortable.

     “You guys.”  Sam objected with a chuckle.

     “Well,” Suzie defended.  “It’s true.”

     “How nice that you approve.”  Sam chastised dryly.

    Suzie bit her lip, and lowered her head to hide her smile.  The others just  chuckled.

   Clyde started talking about expanding their team outreach efforts in the communities they would visit, and saved the moment.  By the time they finished pizza, it was time for them to get back to the tent.

    They talked on the way back, but not about anything of importance.  Callie was glad that Sam seemed pleased with the day, and she kept her conversation light and pleasant.  All too soon, they were parking in front of the trailer.

     Sam covered her hand and smiled at her conspiratorially.  “Do you suppose I could talk you into going for a short walk?  I could use a few quiet moments.”

     “Oh.  Yes, of course.  That sounds wonderful.”  She agreed shyly.

    Sam took her hand with a grateful smile, and they took the path that led into the cool, shady woods.  They were immediately immersed in the peace of the deep forest.

     “I was extremely proud of you today.”  Sam said with deep satisfaction.

    Callie laughed and shook her head.  “Thanks, but I don’t really share your opinion.  I was
not ready
for Mr. Buttons.”

     Sam shook his head, and sighed.  “You showed incredible fortitude, patience and compassion.  You reached out with love to those people. Believe me, they won’t forget you.”

     She smiled up at him uncertainly.

    “You can’t always see the change in people overnight, Callie.  You have to go in faith, knowing that you are making an impact in peoples’ lives.  You go sowing your seed; and you trust that Jesus inside you is reaching out to touch them.  Most of the time, you don’t reap your own harvest.  But often, you will reap the seed someone else has sown long before.”

     “Don’t be discouraged by the Matthew Buttons types.  Some of the old people are even too detached from reality to respond to you; like Betsy.  But know that their spirits do feel the touch, and respond.  Don’t look for the outward signals, Callie.  Just keep touching and keep praying.  You’ll do far more good than you may realize.”

     She smiled.  “Sam, you’re really something.  You have the patience of Job.”  She complimented.  She looked up at him, to find him looking very taut and angry.  She was shocked.  But he was looking beyond her.

    “Well, I’m going to need it
all,
today.”  He snapped quietly.  Sam pulled her around and held her in his arms, but there was no romance in his touch.  His hand held her face to his chest. 

     “It’s time to turn around, and go back the way we came.”  He said against her ear.  She nodded with bewildered agreement, and he turned them around.  His arm went around her shoulders and propelled her, so that she wasn’t even tempted to look back at whatever had upset him.

    “Sam, what’s wrong?” she asked, trying to still her agitation.  He looked extremely upset.

     He shrugged.  “We just walked into a very intimate situation.”  He told her when they were exiting the woods.  “I’m afraid you were more than right about Sean and Sadie.”

      Callie blanched.  “No.”  she protested.  “Oh, God.  Sam, how bad is it?”

     He shook his head.  “Let’s just say it's a good thing we interrupted.  Callie, can we just sit in the trailer for a few minutes, and hide?  I need a couple of minutes to calm down, and I’d rather talk to Sadie before the service.”

     “Sure.  Come on.”  She urged.  She noticed that Sam left the door wide open behind them, when they went inside.

     Sam sat on her bed, and Callie busied herself getting clothes ready for the evening service.  She felt Sam’s eyes on her as she arranged her clothes, and inspected them for need of ironing.  She had decided to wear the new, full, layered skirt and peasant top in gleaming white linen and lace that Sadie had insisted upon. 

      She felt Sam watching as she was laying the clothes out, along with a net and lace petticoat that held Sam’s eyes far longer than necessary.

   Just then, Sadie came rushing into the trailer, her cheeks red and her breathing labored.  She stopped short and clutched her chest, when she saw Sam sitting there on Callie’s bed.

      “Come on in.”  Sam invited quietly.  There was no welcoming smile.

     Sadie shut her mouth, and came inside.  Callie gave her a gentle, worried look, and went on doing her hair.

     “Sam, I … oh, God!  What can I say?”  Sadie asked, blushing and avoiding Sam’s eyes.

     “Honey, there’s nothing I want to hear, except the absolute truth.”  He told her quietly.  “Why don’t you close the door first?”

      “You don’t understand.”  She gasped, shutting the door firmly.

     “Oh, I think I might.”  He argued, crossing his arms across his chest.  “I often wonder what might have happened if you hadn’t looked out Callie’s kitchen window, one night.”  He pointed out.

     Sadie couldn’t meet his eyes.  “Well, it was a lot like that time, I guess.  Things just got a little carried away, that’s all.  I’m glad you came along.”

     “Are you saying that you shouldn’t be alone with Sean?  Can’t you keep things at a safe level, or is … he more aggressive than you’d like for him to be?”

      “Well, both, I guess.  He’s pushy, but I can’t seem to say no.  I don’t know what he does to me!  I just really like this guy, and he’s very … he’s like sugar.  I just can’t seem to resist him when he starts coming on, Sam.  I can’t!”

      “Sadie, tell me honestly. How far has this gone?”

      “No further.  I’m not sleeping with him.”  She answered quickly.

      “You were a short step away from it, just now.”  He said almost angrily.

      “I know.  I know, I know.  I don’t know what to do!”  She lamented.

    “Sadie, listen to me.”  Sam calmed her gently.   “We have got a number of unmarried people working this tent.  Help me with this, will you?  I don’t want to expose you in any way, but I can’t have it going on, any more.  I need to understand Sean’s intentions toward you.”

      “Huh?”  Sadie sobbed pitifully.

      Sam sighed.  “Has Sean asked you to marry him?”

      Sadie blushed.  “No.  No, nothing like that.”  She denied.

     “Why not, if he feels he has the right to take your clothes off?  Shouldn’t the question of commitment come up?”

     “Sam, no.  Please!  He’s just … just a guy with the hots, you know?  I don’t think he’s that serious about me.”

     “Then I’m very seriously concerned about having him on staff.  If he doesn’t feel inclined to marry you but he doesn’t mind taking off your clothes, he doesn’t belong in this camp.”

     Sadie ran a hand through her hair.  “Sam, I’m sorry.  Somehow, it’s just very hard for me to say no to him.  I don’t think he meant for anything to happen, you know?”

      “And how do you feel?” he asked her carefully.

      “I don’t know.  I’m attracted to him, but … I don’t know.”

   Sam sighed, and looked at his hands.  Then he turned eyes full of disappointment and concern toward Sadie.  “Sadie, I’m placing you on probation.  We’ll talk again after I’ve had a chance to hear from Sean.”  He said tiredly.

     Sadie hung her head and cried miserably into her hands.  She nodded her acknowledgment, and turned to leave.

     “Sadie, will you let me pray for you, before you go?” he asked gently.  At her nod, Sam stood up and faced her.  He drew her head against his shoulder, and she wept there.   He just held her.  When the sobbing finally stopped, he began to speak.

     “Jesus.  Lord, I ask you to come.”  He said brokenly.  “Holy Spirit, cover Sadie, now.  Fill her again, Lord.  Bring understanding and conviction, Lord, for repentance and for healing.  Not condemnation and not shame, Lord.  You know that I’m not any different from Sadie in this circumstance.  I know how great temptation and need can be.  Lord, I ask you to show her how to walk, how not to stumble and fall.  How to know if this love is the best You have for her.  Show her Sean’s heart.  And bring conviction to him, Lord, that he will tell her the truth.  Bless her, Lord, and keep her safe.”

     “Thank you for Sadie, Jesus.  I ask you to bring healing to her mind, her heart, her soul and her spirit, Lord.  Cover her with love, forgiveness and comfort.  And, give her the wisdom to deal with this situation, Lord.  Help her sort through it, and bring Sean back into a clearer walk with you, again.  Holy Spirit, I ask you also to intervene and not allow any progression of this situation.  Bring correction, Lord, in Jesus’ name.”

     Sadie cried against Sam’s shoulder.  “Sam, I‘m so sorry I brought all this on you.  Sometimes it’s just so hard, being alone – and Sean is here and he wants me, and …”

     “I know, Sadie.  I know all about loneliness and temptation.  But you have the right to ask Sean for commitment.  You deserve his commitment and his love, if he wants you.  If Sean wants to give you his heart and marry you, and he’s ready to leave other women alone, then that’s another matter.”