The Scarlet Thread (20 page)

“We’ll talk it over later,” he said flatly. She heard the doors to

the walk-in closet open and knew he was getting dressed to go to

work.

Sierra sat down on the commode lid and wept silently.

“I’ll call you later,” Alex said.

It sounded like another empty promise.

When she had no more tears, she took a long shower and decided what to wear for her job interview with Ronal Peirozo.

Suddenly, getting that job mattered more than anything.

Clanton and Carolyn said little over breakfast. Sierra knew

they were aware something was wrong, and they didn’t want to

know what it was. She tried to be reassuring, but tears were too

close to the surface, anger just beneath it.

She pulled into the gates of the private school, kissed each of

them good-bye, and said she’d see them later.

Half an hour later, she walked through the front door of L.A.

Outreach. It was precisely nine o’clock by her watch. A middleaged lady in a flowered dress sat at the reception desk. Still

speaking on the telephone, she glanced up and smiled warmly.

As she put the phone back in its cradle, she said brightly, “Good

morning! My, what a lovely suit.”

“Thank you,” Sierra said, put somewhat at ease by the lady’s

warmth. She had chosen an expensive golden brown suit and

cream silk blouse. On the lapel, she’d pinned a gold brooch of

three children holding hands. “My name is Sierra Madrid. I have

an appointment with Mr. Peirozo.”

“Yes. We’ve been expecting you.” She rose and extended her

hand. “My name is Arlene Whiting. I’ll show you the way, Mrs.

Madrid.” She led Sierra down a corridor and tapped on a door.

As she opened it, Sierra saw a much younger woman, obviously

pregnant, rise from the chair in front of Ron Peirozo’s desk. She

smiled warmly.

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Ron was wearing Levi’s, a lightweight pale pullover sweater,

and a navy blue sport coat.

“Ron, this is Sierra Madrid,” Arlene said, ushering her in.

“Sierra, this is Ron Peirozo and his secretary, Judy Franklin.”

Brief pleasantries were exchanged, and the two women went

out, leaving her alone with Ron.

“Right on time,” he said, grinning. “I like that. Please sit

down.”

“Thank you,” she said and took the seat Judy had just vacated.

She crossed her legs carefully and folded her hands in her lap,

hoping she didn’t look as nervous as she felt.

“Let me tell you a little about Outreach to start off,” Ron said.

He spent the next half hour explaining the mission of the organization he had founded less than five years before. The primary

goal of Outreach was to place homeless children in safe housing

and encourage them to become responsible, productive citizens

in the community. Ron raised money and dispensed it to shelters

and foster families. Equally important, he maintained a list of

professional counselors who volunteered a portion of their time

as arbitrators between parents and runaways.

“We want to restore these children to their families whenever

possible. Sometimes that takes time. Sometimes they need protection.”

He also maintained an extensive list of agencies and services

available to families in trouble. Many of the children who came

in contact with L.A. Outreach were referred to drug rehabilitation programs, medical treatment, and counseling for incest,

physical and emotional abuse, and any number of other serious

problems.

Several major denominational churches were involved in the

program, supplying volunteer tutors.

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“We’ve had good luck. Twenty children passed high school

equivalency exams last year. Four times that many have returned to grade schools and high schools throughout the county.

Six started college in September. Twelve are in trade schools.

Twenty-seven got jobs this year. The numbers aren’t big, I know,

but every case is important.”

Each child who entered the Outreach program was required

to spend two hours a day, Monday through Friday, in community service. “They groan about it in the beginning, but they

cooperate. After a while, they learn that helping others makes

them feel better about themselves. That’s when the incentive

changes and things get exciting.”

His eyes glowed as he spoke. There was no doubt about his

love for his work or for the children he hoped to help.

“The churches are instrumental in helping us with this part of

the program. These kids aren’t picking up trash along a road

somewhere. They’re mowing lawns for the elderly, helping at

day-care centers, serving meals to shut-ins, assisting at convalescent hospitals, any number of things that bring them into contact

with people in the community.” He grinned. “You’ll hear people

talking about ‘going AWOL.’ Don’t let it throw you. It means

they’re going on ‘a work of love.’”

_

“Do the children come here in order to get into the program?”

“Not very often. Unfortunately. Frankly, finding these kids was

one of our main problems in the beginning. I used to go downtown

with a friend of mine and talk to the kids we found living on the

streets. Some of them didn’t have any reason to trust an adult, let

alone listen to one. It’s getting easier the longer we’re around.

We’ve employed six kids who’ve come through the program to go

back on the streets and spread the word we’re here and ready to

offer help to those who want it. Kids listen better to kids.”

Ron leaned forward, his blue eyes filled with warm intensity

and passion for what he was doing.

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community people involved with these children as possible,” he

said. “At the same time, we try to keep a low profile. I want people sincere in their concern, not people out to get plaudits. It’s

one-on-one. Personal. We don’t send out mass mailers asking for

donations. We don’t do radio or television spots. We don’t have

celebrities heading up committees or movie stars acting as

spokesmen. We don’t give out plaques or public congratulations.

And we don’t go door-to-door asking for donations.”

“How do you raise money to fund all this?”

“Fund-raisers. Word of mouth mostly. Some of my friends

helped me in the beginning. I speak to different congregations

and community groups. People spread the word. We don’t always meet our budget, but God always sees we have enough

money to meet our needs.”

Ron Peirozo mentioned God as easily as her mother did, as

though the Almighty was personally involved in his life and

work. She felt herself relaxing even more.

He leaned back slowly and smiled at her. “You finally unclenched your hands.”

Sierra blushed. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”

“I notice a lot of things,” he said cryptically, studying her.

“You haven’t said what the job I’m applying for would entail.”

“Simple,” he said, all business again. “You’d assist me in everything I do.”

“I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than that, Mr. Peirozo.”

“Call me Ron. I intend to call you Sierra. We’re not formal

around here.”

She could feel herself growing excited as he talked. He had

important work to do, and he wanted her to help. She couldn’t

remember the last time she had felt so good. She knew she

would like working for Ron Peirozo. If he hired her.

“I haven’t much in the way of qualifications,” she said frankly,

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wanting to get to the bottom line. Maybe it would hurt less if she

got the whole thing over.

He smiled, his eyes warming. “I thought we already settled

that. You can type.”

“Ninety words a minute.”

“And take shorthand.”

“Yes, but it’s been ten years since I used it.”

“Don’t worry about it. I tape most of my letters while I’m

trapped in five o’clock traffic. You’ll find a tape on your desk

each morning.”

He talked as though he’d already given her the job.

Ron picked up a pencil and tapped it lightly. He had strong,

nicely shaped hands. Sierra noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.

“The pay isn’t great. You’ll start at fourteen hundred a month.”

Enough to pay last month’s country club bill, she thought,

though she doubted Alex would appreciate the gesture. “Then I

have the job?”

“If you want it.”

She laughed. “When can I start?”

He grinned. “How about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow will be fine,” she said, relieved and elated. “Nine?”

“Nine it is.” Ron stood as she did.

“Thank you,” she said, extending her hand as Ron came

around his desk. He enclosed her hand firmly but didn’t linger as

he had the first time they’d met at the club. “I appreciate the opportunity you’re giving me, Ron. I hope I won’t disappoint you.”

“You won’t,” he said with such certainty, she felt bolstered.

She spent a few minutes talking with Judy and Arlene. Both

seemed genuinely delighted that she was coming to work for

Outreach. “Ron is a terrific boss,” Judy said.

As Sierra walked out to her BMW, she realized what it was

she liked so much about Ron Peirozo. He made her feel like an

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intelligent, and capable.

She hadn’t felt that way in a long, long time.

James Farr is in Galena.

I saw him in the mercantile today and almost

fainted. Aunt Martha had sent me for some white

ribbon. Thomas accompanied me and Joshua. He

likes to stroll through town with me on his arm.

Or so he says. We went into Coopers and he took

Joshua to the counter to buy a stick of candy.

I was looking at some new bolts of cloth.

And then there was James, standing in the

doorway. My heart beat so fast. He must have felt

me staring at him, for he looked around and saw

me. He smiled. He has never smiled at me like

that before. He came to say hello. I could not

draw breath when he did. Thomas saw him and

came over to stand beside me. When he picked up

Joshua and handed him to me, James tipped his

hat to both of us and left the store.

I dont think he even knows who I was.

James came by the house today. Aunt Martha was

not home. She had gone to market with Betsy.

Clovis drove them. So it was I who opened the door

to him. Joshua went right out to him as if James

were an old friend of the family. James laughed and

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picked him up. I didn’t know you the other day in

the mercantile, he said. Little Mary Kathryn

McMurray all grown up and pretty as a princess.

I said I could not invite him in as no one was home

and it would not look proper with me betrothed and

all. He is too old for you, Mary Kathryn, he said. It

is all decided, I said. Who decided, he wanted to

know. I took Joshua back from him and said it

would be better if he called when Aunt Martha was

home. He said he would do that.

Thomas left for his homestead today. He must

take care of his business. He kissed me before he

left. It was a first kiss and chaste. I feel guilty for

my lack of feeling. I care for Thomas, but wonder

how we will fare together as man and wife. He

told Aunt Martha to watch out for me. I told him

not to worry. I can watch out for myself. It is a

wonder why he wants me as a wife when he treats

me like a child.

James came today. I introduced him to Aunt Martha. He stayed for a full hour talking about home

and Matthew and Mama and Papa. He asked so

many questions. I could not answer many. I gave

him the facts. Mama died of consumption. Papa

still grieves. Sally Mae and Matthew married.

Sally Mae died in childbirth and Matthew went

away. I have not seen my brother since. James did

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