Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ACT (05/05/22)
-
TITLE: Turning Point | Previous Challenge Entry
By Holly Westefeld
05/12/22 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
A kid? A woman? Wouldn't everybody have something better to do on a snowy New Year's Eve than trespass on a construction site? He almost followed them inside, but stopped himself, since that would violate regulations. Before heading toward his post to call the police, he paused and scanned the front of the building. Several stories up, he could just make out a bundled figure framed in one of the window apertures.
He didn't want to startle the person, so modulated his voice to try and balance being heard without startling them. "Please be careful. It is probably very slippery up there. Please come down."
A feminine voice wafted down. "That was part of the point, but it seems that I can't even succeed at ridding the world of me."
"I have some hot chocolate in the guard shack. If you come right down, I won't have to have you charged with trespassing."
Seconds ticked by. Slowly, the woman turned and disappeared. Ray hoped that she wasn't just heading for another side of the building, and sighed in relief when she exited. He gestured toward the guard shack, and she followed.
He indicated the lone chair and poured hot chocolate from his insulated jug in to two foam cups. She sat and took the proffered cup. Ray leaned against the wall. "I'm Ray."
"Hi, Ray. Thanks for the hot chocolate. I'm ... oh, I guess it doesn't matter ... I'm Jade."
"Hello, Jade. Would you like a brownie to go with that? My wife just made them this evening."
Jade nodded.
Ray tried not to look regretful as he placed the lone brownie on a napkin and handed it to Jade. "Is there someone you can call to talk through what's troubling you? If not, I can look up a crisis hotline on my phone..."
Jade finished her mouthful of brownie and sipped her hot chocolate. "I don't know. I've failed everybody I know, including myself. No matter what I do, someone will be angry with me, perhaps never speak to me again."
"Jade, no matter what has happened, there is always a path forward. What you were considering was a permanent solution to a temporary problem."
"Yeah, my mom would call it temporary, right after calling me a pathetic hypocrite. My friends would say that I should not compound one sinful act with another worse one. I guess this was a worse one, too, but I wouldn't have had to face everyone's condemnation and conflicting advice."
"My wife an I have four grown children, and two grandchildren. I could ask her to come, take you to the diner for a snack and a listening ear, perhaps even take the guest room for a day or few while you regroup."
"Would she do that for a stranger at this time of night?"
"Absolutely! She has a heart of gold. Sometimes I tell her I think I see a halo, but she just laughs and says I know better than that."
Jade took another large bite of brownie. Ray guessed that she wasn't sure how to respond to this offer from a complete stranger, so he pulled his phone out and opened to his photos. As Jade chewed, he scrolled through pictures of a recent day trip to the zoo with their grandkids. A hint of a smile softened Jade's distressed face.
"It might be easier to sort things out with a woman who will not be affected by my decisions. Yes, if you're sure she won't mind..."
With a couple of taps, Ray placed the call. A somewhat groggy voice answered. "Hey, honey, what's up?"
Ray explained briefly.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"Thanks Angel!"
"Is her name actually Angel, or is that a pet name?"
"Actually it's Angela. Most people call her Angie, but she's my angel."
"Thank you so much, ray. Your act of kindness tonight has saved a life, or two."
"You're welcome, Jade. I would hope that someone else would do the same were one of our kids or grandkids in crisis."
*****
Fiction
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
