Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BLESSED (03/07/19)
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TITLE: Chats and Cheeseburgers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
03/12/19 -
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To my relief the table was empty. I pulled out a chair and plopped down, resting my head in my hands. I forced myself to breathe evenly. The morning had been hectic with my toddler. A brief nap sounded more appealing than a women’s church function.
“Hello dear, may I join you?”
Startled, I looked up to see an elderly toothless woman smiling at me.
“Yes, of course,” I mumbled.
She pushed her walker, complete with daisy basket, aside. With difficulty, she lowered herself into a chair.
“I ain’t as young as I used to be.” Her eyes crinkled behind her thick glasses.
I nodded then glanced toward the kitchen. Where’s the coffee? The next two hours are going to drag!
“I guess your birthday is in June since you’re sitting at the June table?” Her voice was raspy. “It’s such a creative way to get women to meet.”
I nodded and looked around. Are we the only June people?
“What day is your birthday?” She leaned forward as if she was hard of hearing.
I stared at her, took a breath and shouted, “The twentieth.”
She sat back and laughed. “I am old my dear, but the Lord has gifted me with good hearing.”
My face burned and I forced a smile.
“Well, how ‘bout that. Mine’s the twentieth too. I guess we’re birthday buddies.” Her smile broadened. “My name’s Harriet, what’s yours?”
“I’m Carol.” My hands clenched together. The same birthday? What are the odds of that?
Soon, the woman was asking me a million questions; where I was born, when I was born, what was my maiden name. Finally, the coffee came, and the interrogation paused.
I took a sip and sighed.
“Carol, do you have children?”
My respite was over. I set down my cup. “Yes, I have a two-year-old daughter.”
“What a blessing!” She threw up her hands and laughed.
“Well, not today. She was throwing tantrums about everything. The juice wasn’t right, she didn’t want shoes on, and she certainly didn’t want me to leave. My husband held her kicking and screaming when I left the house.”
She paused then shook her head. “I remember those days with my son; such a long time ago.” She became subdued and stared off into space.
With hesitation, I asked, “Where’s your son now?”
Harriet smiled. “He’s with Jesus.”
“Oh.” I exhaled. “I’m sorry.” My heart melted a little.
“That’s okay; I’ve had many years to grieve. He was two at the time. It’s nice to know that he and my husband are together.” She grinned then slurped some coffee.
“What happened?” I clenched my cup.
“I was taking care of my mother in a different town, and there was a fire.” She shook her head and stared into her cup.
Several moments passed when Harriet looked up and waved vigorously at a friend across the room. “Hey, Gloria. How are ya?” She chuckled then brought her attention back to me.
“There was a fire?” I stared at her, silently urging her to finish her story.
“Our mobile home burned, and they both went home to Jesus.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of my baby at home. “I’m so sorry, Harriet.”
“Oh my dear, I am blessed beyond belief.” She answered joyfully.
“I don’t know how you can say that,” I dabbed at my eyes with a paper napkin.
“Because of all that happened, Jesus has been my closest friend. He’s my rock and he has given me hope. You can’t beat that.”
At that moment, a plate of crustless tea sandwiches was placed in the center of the table. The scent of tuna drifted up and I wrinkled my nose. Harriet snickered and I laughed.
“Not too fond of tuna, Carol?”
“Not my favorite.” I grinned.
She leaned toward me. “What do you say we split this joint?” She winked. “We’ll go get cheeseburgers.”
I laughed and nodded. “That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”
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You could write an entire book about Harriet for sure.
Thank you.
Blessings~