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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FRESH START (01/05/17)
Ringing interrupted my deep slumber. In the darkness, I searched the bedside table for my phone. The name, ‘Janie’ flashed on the screen.

With a trembling hand, I placed the phone to my ear and blurted, “where are you?”

Silence followed, and my breath caught.

“Janie, is that you?” I choked out loudly.

“Mom,” her soft voice trembled.

I swallowed. “Where are you?” I waited. “What is it Janie?” I held the phone tightly, biting my lip.

“I’m scared,” her breath caught. “I can’t do this anymore. Can I come home?” She whimpered into the phone, “will you help me start over?”

A tear slipped down my cheek and I nodded. “Give me your address. I’ll be right there.” I quickly threw on sweats, a jacket, and grabbed my keys.

The phone shook as I punched in the unknown location my daughter had given me. As I turned the key in the ignition, I pleaded silently; Lord, please protect her. Bring her back to me . . . to you.

The streets were vacant and dark as I drove through the unfamiliar neighborhood. Piles of dirty snow were pushed to the side of the road. Broken cars and discarded beer cans lay in muddy front yards. A lone man caught my eye as he walked down the middle of the street.

The directions led me to a small darkened house. I pulled into the driveway, and turned off the ignition. Lord, help me.

My heart pounded as I walked to the front door. I took a deep breath, and then rapped on it.

Only silence.

Taking my fist, I pounded.

“Somebody let me in,” I yelled. “My daughter’s in there.” My voice caught and I rubbed my arms as the cold penetrated.

Then I heard it; a faint voice crying.

Immediately, I pressed my weight against the door, and shoved it open. Slowly, I entered.

“Janie, are you here?” I called.

The darkened room engulfed me with a stench of mold and stale cigarettes. I attempted to suppress a cough, but the smell overwhelmed me.

“Mommy.” Her voice was faint. As my eyes adjusted to the dimness, I made my way down a hall.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“I’m here.”

I followed her voice into a small room. Putrid smells blasted me in the face, and my stomach heaved. A faint light glowed in the corner, and I stumbled toward it, and to my daughter.

She was lying in a small bed. As she looked up at me, the light revealed her young face, and I gasped. A tear rolled down her cheek while I examined the puffiness and swollen eye.

“Mom, I’m so sorry,” she cried.

My arms wrapped around her and I whispered, “I’m taking you home.”

I pulled her limp body up and wrapped a thin blanket around her shoulders. Gently, I helped her scoot to the edge of the bed and pulled her to her feet. Then I saw it. Her rounded belly. A moan escaped my lips and she peered up at me. My head hung and I struggled to swallow. Lord, help me.

As I took a deep breath, I slid my arm around her waist and led her out of the filthy bedroom and toward the front door.

Suddenly, a car engine sounded in the driveway. Headlights glowed through the small front window.

We froze in place when the engine stopped.

“Oh, no,” she groaned. “He’s here.”

I gripped her firmly. “I don’t care. You’re going home.”

A man pushed through the door, stepped in, and shut it behind him.

“What’s going on?” He glanced at me, and then stared at Janie.

“I’m her mother. She’s leaving with me.” My temples pounded and my legs shook, but I attempted to push past him with my arms firmly around my daughter. The man positioned himself in front of us.

Our eyes locked, but I held onto Janie. After several seconds, he moved aside, and I led Janie out of the rankness and into the clean air. My arms squeezed her tightly as fresh white snow fell around us.

My body shook while I covered my daughter with the blanket and buckled her securely into the passenger seat.

“Mom, you’re cold,” she noticed wearily.

I whispered in her ear as her eyelids closed, “That’s okay Janie. We’re going home. God had given us a fresh start.”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
01/15/17
A wonderful commentary of a "mother's love" and the power of what you can do with God in your corner!

Well done,

God bless~
Hannah Gaudette
01/19/17
Congratulations, Karen! This is a well-written piece.
Bea Edwards 
02/23/17
Another wonderful entry where a soon to be three make a hopeful fresh start.