Who Let That Killer In The House? (34 page)

When Smitty got out, Joe Riddley asked the probation officer to let him come work for us. He told me, “Little Bit, this is a test of our faith. If we really believe all things are possible for God, we’ll believe God can make something of Smitty, and we’ll work to help that happen. And relax, honey. After all we’ve been through together, we can survive this.”

Ridd has started taking Smitty out to the fields with him, and Joe Riddley has him working with him around the nursery. They claim he’s turning into a right good little horticulturist. I confess that some days—like the one when Smitty mowed down the little forsythias I’d just planted in our new yard—I’m not sure if we aren’t expecting too much of both God and Smitty. But there was also a day when Smitty came toward me brandishing hedge clippers and asked politely, “Judge, would you show me how to prune a rose?”

According to Tyrone, Smitty’s talking about joining the Future Farmers of America next year, and he plans to raise prizewinning vegetables in their yard. So, as Ridd says,

“Who knows? If Isaac is right, and Smitty has the intelligence to become a CEO, maybe someday we’ll buy a tomato with a little sticker on it:
Smitty Smith Fine Produce.
”

A Personal Word

Nothing would be more rewarding for me as the author of this story than for readers to put it down with a stronger commitment to make a difference for children.

While writing this book, I was also being trained as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA), a volunteer assigned to one child or family of children who have entered the court system for neglect, deprivation, or abuse. While caseworkers and foster homes come and go, the CASA remains a constant in that child’s life, providing the child with a “voice in court.” Lawyers, parents, even the system designed to protect children may have various agendas. A CASA has one only: to advocate for the best interests of the child in order to quickly move that child into a safe and permanent home. In years of volunteer service, I have found no program with more potential to make a lasting, positive difference in a child’s life.

This is a federal program that operates at the local level. You can learn about the CASA program in your county juvenile court system by contacting the National CASA Association, 100 W. Harrison St., North Tower, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119. 1-800-628-3233. Or check their Web site:
www.nationalcasa.org
.