레이블이 Tiger Rags Auburn인 게시물을 표시합니다. 모든 게시물 표시
레이블이 Tiger Rags Auburn인 게시물을 표시합니다. 모든 게시물 표시

2013년 11월 25일 월요일

About 'auburn university book store'|Authors with Alabama connections write children's book that adults can appreciate







About 'auburn university book store'|Authors with Alabama connections write children's book that adults can appreciate








               Salem               heard               the               crackling               of               the               orange               and               auburn               leaves               floating               across               the               school               grounds,               as               she               waited               for               the               familiar               bell               ring               she'd               been               accustomed               to               for               years.

Her               focus               changed               to               the               shiny               object               in               the               dash               cubby;               an               antique               brass               lantern,               she               had               received               at               a               parent-teacher               conference,               from               a               father               of               one               of               her               students.

It               was               the               same               week               she               had               learned               that               she               wouldn't               be               returning               for               the               new               school               year,               due               to               the               most               recent               budget               cuts.

She               had               been               in               a               worried               daze               much               like               today,               when               he               walked               in               and               introduced               himself               as               Sargent               Gomez.

He               told               her               that               the               lantern               and               prayer               had               helped               him               immensely               when               he               returned               to               civilian               status               in               a               less               than               perfect               economic               condition.

He               told               her               that               it               had               brought               him               a               consulting               position,               which               opened               him               up               to               new               and               promising               opportunities.

He               told               her               that               he               had               received               the               lantern               from               an               Iraqi               civilian               on               his               last               deployment.
               There               were               simple               but               necessary               instructions               that               Sargent               Gomez               explained               had               to               be               followed.

She               would               only               get               three               wishes.

They               must               be               done               one               at               a               time,               with               great               thought               of               repercussions.

When               she               was               ready,               she               would               write               down               her               first               wish               and               place               it               inside               the               lantern.

Then               she               would               rub               the               side               and               ask               the               universe               to               please               grant               her               wish.

She               could               not               do               the               second               wish               until               the               first               wish               came               true.

Once               all               three               wishes               were               realized,               the               Sargent               said               she               must               pass               this               gift               on               to               a               stranger               she               felt               was               in               need               of               luck               and               assistance.

At               the               time               she               wasn't               sure               she               believed               in               luck,               or               even               felt               that               she               and               her               children               could               experience               such               a               hardship,               but               when               she               was               packing               up               the               house               after               the               foreclosure               notice,               the               lantern               was               one               of               the               few               trinkets               she               grabbed               off               of               the               mantle,               and               placed               in               the               van.

She               thought               she               could               use               all               of               the               luck               she               could               get.

It               seemed               to               her               that               Sargent               Gomez               had               a               unique               foresight               she               had               lacked.
               The               sudden               shrill               of               the               bell               startled               her               from               her               thoughts               as               she               watched               her               children               and               others               file               down               past               the               cleverly,               carved               pumpkins               lining               the               steps.
               "Mommy,               this               is               for               you,"               Kaylynn               said,               handing               her               mom               a               colorful               drawing               of               a               jack-o-lantern               and               a               bushy-tailed,               black               cat               who               was               sitting               in               an               oddly               shaped               tree.
               "That's               very               scary,               but               sweet               Kaylynn,               thank               you,"               Salem               kissed               her               little               girl               on               the               cheek.
               "You're               welcome,               that's               Tobias!"               Kaylynn               exclaimed,               pointing               at               the               cat.
               Salem's               smile               saddened               for               a               moment               at               the               mention               of               Tobias.

She               wondered               how               he               was               doing.

They               had               two               pets               at               the               time               of               their               move.

A               cockatiel               named               Burt,               which               they               only               had               for               less               than               a               year,               and               Tobias,               their               cat               who               had               been               with               them               for               six               years.

Burt               was               returned               to               the               pet               store               during               the               move,               and               their               neighbor,               Mr.

Stein,               said               he               would               look               after               Tobias               for               a               while,               until               they               got               back               on               their               feet.

Tobias               spent               most               of               his               time               outside               controlling               the               mice               population.

They               occasionally               would               pop               over               to               check               on               him,               but               it               was               so               hard               on               the               children               each               time               they               had               to               leave               him               behind.

Salem               stared               at               her               quiet               son               through               the               rear-view               mirror.

"Don't               you               have               a               kiss               for               your               mother,               Mason?"               she               coaxed,               with               a               silly               frown.
               Mason               begrudgingly               blew               her               a               kiss               the               way               he               had               for               a               few               years               now,               so               he               didn't               have               to               face               the               embarrassment               in               front               of               his               classmates.

"Can               we               please               get               a               room               with               a               T.V.?"               Mason               whined.
               "Not               tonight               Mason,               but               in               a               couple               of               days               when               I               cash               my               check,"               Salem               replied.
               She               saw               the               disappointment               and               disgust               in               his               eyes,               which               wanted               to               bring               her               to               tears,               but               she               was               determined               to               stay               strong               for               all               of               them.

She               cried               a               lot               at               night               when               she               could               get               a               few               moments               to               herself,               when               the               kids               were               asleep,               and               she               hoped               they               were               dreaming               of               only               happy               things.

When               they               lost               the               house,               they               moved               to               a               budget               apartment,               but               with               first               and               last               months'               rent,               plus               all               the               other               expenses,               the               last               of               the               little               bit               of               savings               went               quickly.

The               unemployment               check               alone               was               not               enough               for               rent,               so               they               were               forced               to               rely               on               an               occasional               shelter,               when               beds               were               available.

When               cashing               her               checks,               she               would               splurge               on               a               motel               room               for               a               night               or               two,               so               the               kids               could               have               television,               a               hot               bath,               and               most               of               all               privacy               and               security.

More               and               more               though,               as               shelters               filled               up,               they               were               pushed               to               the               last               resort               of               sleeping               in               the               van,               wherever               they               could               safely               park.

She               was               prideful               and               found               it               difficult               to               impose               on               her               friends,               because               of               the               cramped               situation,               or               the               strained               arguments               it               caused               with               spouses.

She               knew               all               too               well               of               the               need               for               privacy.

She               and               the               kids               had               a               quick               snack               and               a               walk               through               the               mall               before               heading               to               the               library               to               complete               their               homework               assignments.

It               was               Friday,               but               Salem               insisted               homework               was               first               before               their               weekend.

Salem               had               spent               all               of               her               monthly               grocery               assistance               money,               and               only               had               a               few               dollars               left               for               their               dinner.

They               shared               a               couple               value               meals               at               a               drive-thru,               and               then               drove               around               a               bit,               stopping               to               use               public               restrooms               before               continuing               over               to               the               park.

They               had               scouted               a               private               place               to               park               there               a               couple               of               weeks               prior.

Once               the               kids               were               asleep,               Salem               was               exhausted               herself,               but               rarely               slept               but               a               few               winks               when               they               resorted               to               the               'van               hotel',               as               she               called               it.

Thoughts               raced               through               her,               struggling               for               answers               to               her               dilemma.

She               was               about               to               lose               the               storage,               she               could               no               longer               afford,               holding               what               was               left               of               their               belongings               after               the               garage               sale.

She               could               barely               afford               the               cell               service               she               had,               which               was               her               only               connection               to               possible               job               offers               or               networking.

She               only               had               one               living               estranged               Uncle               living               hundreds               of               miles               away,               so               that               was               out               of               the               equation.

She               remembered               her               kids               ogling               over               the               new               and               popular               Halloween               costumes               they               begged               her               for               earlier               at               the               mall,               but               most               of               all,               she               remembered               the               fact               that               the               money               was               gone,               and               with               two               days               until               payday.

She               had               no               idea               where               she               would               find               breakfast               for               her               kids.

This               was               when               she               started               to               cry.

She               suddenly               saw               a               flicker               of               light               from               a               passing               auto               reflecting               on               the               lantern.

She               quietly               opened               the               door               while               grabbing               the               lantern               and               her               purse.

Salem               knew               she               had               to               try               anything               she               could               to               get               help.

In               her               desperation,               she               searched               by               moonlight               for               the               tablet               and               pen               in               her               purse.

She               managed               to               scribble               the               words:               I               wish               that               my               children               and               I               could               have               one               month               of               warm,               clean               accommodations,               with               three               healthy               meals               a               day.

She               thought               to               herself,               humble               and               not               to               greedy               may               come               true               more               easily               somehow,               as               she               rolled               and               placed               the               wish               inside.

She               rubbed               vigorously               the               fat               side               of               the               lantern               and               exclaimed,               "Dear               Universe,               please               grant               me               this               wish."               Staring               back               to               make               sure               she               had               not               waken               her               kids,               she               cried               "Please               God,"               and               quietly               said               a               prayer.
               Salem               stirred               to               the               sound               of               birds               chirping,               and               the               hint               of               sunlight.

It               seemed               she               had               managed               to               fall               asleep               for               a               few               hours,               and               she               was               grateful               for               the               rest.

She               stirred               the               kids               and               told               them               she               was               driving               them               to               Quick-Shopper               to               use               the               restrooms,               and               then               they               would               have               to               visit               a               food               donation               pantry               for               something               to               eat.

She               had               been               to               the               pantry               before,               but               preferred               not               to               go               since               she               did               not               have               cooking               facilities               or               cold               storage,               so               the               practical               items               would               be               limited.

The               only               other               option               was               the               soup               kitchen,               but               it               was               pretty               far               away,               and               she               needed               to               conserve               the               little               gasoline               that               she               had               left.

She               thought               of               the               wish               she               had               made               the               night               before,               and               she               rolled               her               eyes               thinking               'okay,               you               can               grant               it               anytime               now!'               As               they               started               off               to               the               pantry,               they               got               caught               in               a               construction               zone               that               hadn't               been               there               days               before.

She               needed               to               turn               right,               but               was               detoured               left.

She               knew               she               would               have               to               go               for               miles               out               of               her               way               to               get               back               around               to               the               pantry.

She               wasn't               familiar               with               the               area               she               was               driving               through,               and               felt               a               little               panic               as               to               where               she               should               go               next.

Suddenly               she               pulled               over               to               the               nearest               business               parking               lot,               and               placed               her               forehead               on               the               steering               wheel               to               think               of               a               plan.
               "Something               smells               really               good,               I'm               hungry!"               Mason               said               in               anticipation.
               "Look               at               the               scarecrow!"               Kaylynn               screamed               in               excitement.
               "We               can't               afford               it!"               Salem               snapped               back,               as               she               too               smelled               something               wonderful               circling               the               van.

"I'm               trying               to…"               Salem               stopped               in               midsentence               as               she               followed               her               children's               intently               focused               eyes.

Kitty               corner               from               them               was               a               great               big,               old,               white               two               story               house               with               a               wrap-around               porch.

On               a               quite               large               yard               sat               a               scarecrow,               complete               with               a               carrot               nose,               flannel               shirt,               overalls,               and               straw               limbs.

It               was               accompanied               by               a               big               plastic               smiley               faced               pumpkin,               and               you               could               see               ghost               sheets               swaying               with               the               breeze               hanging               on               the               porch.

There               was               a               big               banner               posted               on               the               side               of               the               corner               house--it               read               'Loves               Labor               Shelter'.

Salem               immediately               thought               to               herself,               what               are               the               possibilities               there               would               be               room               or               a               meal               available.

She               knew               she               would               have               to               suck               it               up,               and               find               out.

She               pulled               across               the               road               to               the               small               side               parking               lot               in               front               of               the               sign.

There               was               an               open               door               with               a               screen,               where               obviously               the               aromas               were               drifting               outside.

Salem               instructed               the               kids               to               stay               put               while               she               inquired               about               a               meal.

She               heard               someone               humming,               and               sounds               of               a               radio               or               TV               through               the               doorway.

She               knocked               lightly               on               the               screen               door.

A               woman               wearing               a               dress               and               slippers,               with               a               flour-covered               apron               opened               the               door.
               "May               I               help               you?"               the               woman               said.
               "Hello,               I               uh,               I               was               lost               and               f-f-found               this,               your               place               by               chance,"               Salem               stuttered               awkwardly.
               The               woman               studied               Salem's               words,               expressions               and               movements               for               a               few               seconds.

"Yes,               what               were               you               looking               for?

Oh               wait--you               must               be               the               new               cook!"               the               woman               said               smiling.

"My               name               is               Lovey,               come               on               in               out               of               the               chill,               we               have               a               lot               to               do,"               the               woman               pushed.
               "What?

I'm               not               the…,"               Salem               tried               to               correct.
               "You               can               cook,               can't               you?"               The               woman               interrupted.
               "Yes,               but               I'm               here               for               my               kids,"               Salem               pointed               toward               the               van.
               "Well,               of               course               you               are               honey.

Get               them               in               here               with               the               others,               we               have               to               get               breakfast.

Times               a               wasting,"               Lovey               exclaimed.
               "Well,               okay",               Salem               responded,               thinking               it               was               useless               to               argue.

She               would               help               with               a               meal,               get               her               kids               fed,               while               she               tried               to               make               it               clear               she               wasn't               an               imposter.

She               asked               Mason               and               Kaylynn               to               be               on               their               best               behavior,               and               explained               she               was               going               to               help               cook               a               meal               for               them               and               other               guests.

They               entered               through               a               small               porch,               which               led               to               a               large               country               kitchen.

There               was               a               very               large               island               in               the               middle.
               "You               can               grab               your               kids               a               couple               cookies               from               that               jar,"               Lovey               pointed.

"That               ought               to               hold               them               until               we               finish.

They               can               sit               in               the               lounge               area               with               the               other               children.

The               cartoons               are               on,"               Lovey               motioned.
               Mason               and               Kaylynn               were               wide-eyed               with               smiles               and               thanks               as               they               accepted               the               treats.

"Please               behave,               watch               TV,               and               don't               go               anywhere               else               without               asking,"               Salem               firmly               stated               as               they               were               halfway               to               joining               the               new               curious               boys               and               girls.
               "After               you               wash               your               hands,               you               can               roll               that               dough               and               cut               out               the               biscuits,               while               I               get               the               potato               hash               going.

Make               sure               you               grease               that               pan               real               good,"               Lovey               instructed.

"I'm               sorry,               forgive               my               impatience,               I               didn't               get               your               name,"               Lovey               Inquired.
               "It's               Salem,               and               I               really               appreciate               your               kindness.

I               am               really               glad               to               help,               but               I               have               to               clarify               that               I               am               not               the               cook,               I               mean,               I               wasn't               sent               here               to               fill               a               position,"               Salem               explained.
               Lovey               patted               the               top               of               Salem's               hand,               and               in               a               comforting               quieter               voice               said,               "I               know               honey,               but               I               have               seen               many               just               like               you,               tongue-tied,               desperate               to               help               your               kids,               but               a               little               too               prideful               to               ask               outright.

I               just               wanted               to               make               the               situation               a               little               easier               for               all.

Besides,               you               look               like               a               cook               now!"               Lovey               said               smartly.
               Salem               turned               a               little               red               being               analyzed               by               the               obviously               older,               wiser               woman.

She               embarrassedly               cracked               a               smile               and               thanked               her               again.

Except               for               the               sound               of               Lovey               humming,               they               quietly               and               contently               made               breakfast               for               over               90               people               that               morning.
               Salem               finally               sat               down               with               Lovey,               after               serving               and               cleaning               up               some               of               the               dishes.

They               had               two               dishwashers               running               pretty               much               constantly.

It               was               time               to               take               advantage               of               a               few               minutes               between               loads               to               enjoy               a               meal               and               a               chat.

While               serving               earlier,               Salem               had               shared               with               Lovey               that               she               had               recognized               a               couple               of               the               students               from               Beekum               Elementary,               where               she               had               taught               for               seven               years.

She               knew,               or               had               suspected               that               many               children               who               attended,               and               their               families,               were               harshly               affected               by               the               slow               economy               and               housing               crash.

It               was               a               real               awakening               to               see               their               faces               in               a               shelter,               and               to               also               share               in               their               plight.

Lovey               shared               that               she               always               had               a               full               house               with               twenty-six               beds               and               three               cribs;               that               many               of               the               people               fed               this               morning               were               homeless               whom               found               shelter               in               parks,               tents,               cars               or               friends'               houses               when               they               could.

Some               showed               up               for               just               a               hot               shower               and               a               cup               of               coffee.

They               had               two               shower               stalls               in               one               of               the               three               bathrooms               and               had               moved               the               laundry               to               the               garage               so               that               they               could               convert               the               utility               room               to               another               four-stall               shower               room.
               "Keeping               up               on               the               plumbing               here               must               be               a               big               chore?"               Salem               asked.
               "Oh,               you               better               believe               it!

Wendell,               my               husband,               you               will               meet               him               later,               well               Wendell,               he               takes               care               of               all               that.

It               really               keeps               him               busy.

He               works               part-time               driving               a               bus               for               activities               at               Arrowbrook,               and               works               as               a               handyman               around               here               in               the               evenings,"               Lovey               informed.
               "Arrowbrook?"               Salem               asked.
               "Yes,               it               is               one               of               those               assisted               living,               retirement               communities,               just               a               couple               of               miles               down               the               road.

Hey!

You               should               come               with               us               there               for               Halloween.

Wendell               buses               all               the               kids               there.

Local               businesses               set               up               game               rooms               for               the               kids,               and               they               trick-or-treat               on               the               first               floor.

The               Residents               sit               outside               their               apartments               and               pass               out               the               candy.

They               get               a               real               kick               out               of               seeing               all               the               kids               in               their               colorful               costumes.

Especially               the               seniors               who               rarely               have               visiting               family.

I               think               it               really               brightens               their               day!"               Lovey               exclaimed.
               "That               sounds               really               fun.

My               kids               have               been               bugging               me               about               costumes,               but               I               can't               think               that               far               ahead,               and               I               certainly               can't               make               any               promises,"               Salem               explained.
               "If               you               don't               mind               my               prying               a               bit,               where               are               you               and               your               children               staying?"               Lovey               asked.
               Salem               was               taken               a               little               off               guard,               but               felt               comfortable               talking               with               this               truly               unique,               caring               woman.

She               explained               her               situation               and               lack               of               money               until               Monday's               check               arrived,               that               she               would               cash               it,               and               try               to               get               a               motel               for               at               least               a               couple               nights.
               "Save               your               money               dear,               I               have               just               the               answer.

I               have               a               small               apartment               above               the               garage               where               my               daughter,               Lilly,               lives               when               she's               home               from               college.

Lilly               won't               be               home               until               Thanksgiving,               so               you               and               your               kids               will               stay               there,"               Lovey               insisted.
               "Oh,               no,               I               couldn't               intrude--take               your               daughters               apartment.

We,               the               kids               and               I,               will               be               okay,"               Salem               said               unsure               of               herself.
               "Nonsense!

You               obviously               can               cook.

I               can               really               use               the               help               in               the               mornings               and               afternoons,               until               I               can               train               a               reliable               volunteer.

I               often               loan               out               Lilly's               room               for               special               situations.

Lilly               is               happy               to               help               out               those               in               need,               and               she               completely               trusts               my               decisions.

So               what               do               you               say,               please               help               out               an               old               woman               for               a               few               weeks?"               Lovey               begged               with               a               grin.
               Salem               was               quietly               tossing               around               the               idea               in               her               head               wondering               if               this               could               be               the               fulfillment               of               her               first               wish.

She               felt               she               better               not               stare               a               gift               horse               in               the               mouth.

After               all,               what               better               offers               had               she               been               given?

"Okay,               if               you               are               positive               your               daughter               won't               have               any               issues,               then               I               am               grateful               for               the               offer,               and               I               will               help               you               out               anyway               I               can               to               pay               for               our               boarding.

Please               let               me               know               the               minute               we               become               a               problem,"               Salem               answered.
               "It's               settled               then,               I               have               a               really               good               feeling               about               you!

Let's               finish               cleaning               up               and               get               dinner               going,"               Lovey               said               satisfied.
               "Just               one               thing               though,               I               will               need               to               take               my               kids               to               school               in               the               mornings,"               Salem               stated.
               "No               problem               Salem,               don't               you               worry               dear.

I               take               Monday's               off.

I               have               two               volunteers               who               give               me               a               break,               and               the               other               days,               we               will               work               around               you               being               gone               to               do               what               you               need               to               do,"               Lovey               said               assuredly.
               Salem               nodded               in               acceptance               of               another               problem               solved,               and               she               felt               an               unexpected               relief               she               hadn't               experienced               in               weeks.

Mason               and               Kaylynn               seemingly               enjoyed               the               company               of               other               children,               and               having               TV               and               games               to               play.

Salem               checked               on               them               periodically               while               Lovey               showed               her               the               rest               of               the               routine.

Lovey               had               started               a               chicken               soup               and               dumpling               dinner               in               crockpots.

She               introduced               Salem               to               the               afternoon               kitchen               volunteers.

They               usually               made               sandwiches               or               something               easy               for               lunch               and               stayed               on               to               serve               the               dinners               Lovey               had               started               preparing               in               the               mornings.

Afternoons               for               Lovey               were               filled               with               bathroom               cleanings,               sheet               and               blanket               changes,               donation               acceptance               and               sorting,               plus               office               work.

Her               day               was               full               of               hard               work,               but               inspiring.

She               had               many               worries,               as               the               needy               population               grew,               but               the               donations               declined.

Somehow,               when               she               needed               it               the               most               though,               people               always               stepped               up               for               the               cause.
               "There               truly               still               are               good,               kind               people               in               this               crazy               world               we               live               in!"               Lovey               beamed.
               After               dinner,               Salem               could               see               her               kids               were               growing               tired,               and               she               surprised               them               with               a               new               place               to               live               for               a               few               weeks               as               Lovey               escorted               them               to               the               apartment.

"Watch               your               step.

Wendell               still               has               a               couple               repairs               to               get               to               on               these               stairs               and               railing.

Well,               this               is               it,"               Lovey               said               swinging               the               door               open.

"There               are               clean               sheets,               blankets,               and               plenty               of               towels               in               that               cupboard.

The               TV               works,               but               only               local               channels.

Oh,               and               here               is               the               thermostat--I'll               turn               up               the               heat               for               you.

It               ought               to               be               nice               and               warm               in               about               an               hour.

I               have               coffee               on               about               6:30               in               the               morning,"               Lovey               reminded.
               "I'll               be               there               bright               and               early,               and               Lovey,               thanks               again               for               everything,"               Salem               humbly               replied.

Lovey               waved               as               if               it               was               no               bother               and               suggested               Salem               lock               up               behind               her               as               she               departed.

Salem               and               the               kids               took               in               the               surroundings.

On               the               backside               wall               was               a               large               window               with               yellow               and               blue               plaid               curtains.

A               full               size               bed               with               puffy,               frilly               pillows               and               a               checkerboard               bedspread               sat               against               the               same               wall.

A               comfy               couch,               TV,               and               a               mini-fridge               lined               the               walls.

In               one               corner               sat               a               rustic               roll-top               desk               with               shelves               full               of               books,               and               University               knick-knacks               along               with               pictures               of               Lilly               and               friends,               they               assumed.

They               all               reminisced               with               excitement,               about               their               unusual               day,               until               Salem               insisted               they               each               took               a               shower.

Once               the               kids               fell               to               sleep               with               smiles               she               hadn't               witnessed               for               quite               a               while,               she               savored               a               hot               shower               herself,               thinking               yeah,               no               more               gas               station               wash-ups               for               a               while.

She               sighed               in               relief.

She               set               the               alarm               for               6:00a.m.,               and               she               was               too               tired               to               dwell               on               her               normal               nightly               worries               as               she               blissfully               drifted               off               to               dreamland.
               "I               decided               to               let               my               kids               sleep               a               while.

I'll               check               on               them               in               a               few               minutes,"               Salem               said               to               Lovey               as               she               grabbed               a               cup               of               coffee               the               next               morning.
               "They'll               be               alright.

We               can               see               the               apartment               steps               from               this               window,"               Lovey               said               as               she               pulled               back               the               rooster               printed               curtains.
               "What               can               I               do               to               help?"               Salem               eagerly               asked.
               "Please               just               work               on               getting               all               of               the               coffee               and               juice               stations               ready               and               kept               full.

Once               you               get               your               kids               up,               you               can               help               me               fry               up               the               bacon               and               sausage,               while               I               start               flipping               stacks               and               stacks               of               hotcakes.

It's               so               good               to               have               your               help.

You               should               see               me               try               to               do               this               all               on               my               own,"               Lovey               frantically               gestured.
               "Do               you               always               cook               a               large               breakfast               like               this               and               yesterday's               meal?"               Salem               asked.
               "No,               just               on               the               weekends.

During               the               week,               when               everyone               is               rushing               to               get               kids               to               school,               we               prepare               mostly               hot               or               cold               cereal,               fruit,               toast,               and               an               occasional               scrambled               egg.

When               donations               are               running               thin,               we               keep               it               simple               on               the               weekends               too,"               Lovey               said.
               The               morning               flew               by.

Salem               got               to               talk               to               and               greet               more               of               the               visitors               as               she               was               filling               the               coffee.

She               heard               more               and               more               stories               similar               to               her               current               homeless               circumstance.

Later               Lovey               informed               her               that               it               would               be               a               shorter               work               day               because               she               attends               late               afternoon               church               services               on               Sundays.

She               was               about               to               invite               Salem,               but               just               then               Mason               tugged               on               his               mothers'               blouse.
               "Mom,               Mom,               Dylan               and               Drake               and               their               mom               go               to               the               park               on               Sundays               to               play               football.

Can               we               go               please,               please?"               Mason               pleaded.
               "Mason,               I               was               in               the               middle               of               a               conversation.

Lovey,               what               were               you               going               to               say?"               she               turned               back               to               Lovey.
               "You               go               on               ahead               and               take               your               kids               to               the               park.

It's               a               pretty,               sunny               day.

You               might               not               see               too               many               more               of               them,"               Lovey               waved               her               on.
               Salem               nodded               in               agreement               and               went               to               meet               up               with               Dylan               and               Drakes               mother               Beth.

Salem               insisted               she               drive               them               all,               so               Kaylynn               had               a               chance               to               play               at               the               park               as               well.

She               had               only               spoken               briefly               with               Beth               once               before,               but               looked               forward               to               an               outing               and               a               change               of               conversation.

Beth               was               a               very               outgoing,               vivacious               character.

She               had               an               easy               way               of               communicating               with               kids.

She               helped               Salem               twirl               Kaylynn               on               the               merry-go-round,               and               coaxed               her               up               the               steps               and               through               the               curvy               tubular               slide               several               times               while               Salem               caught               her               at               the               end.

Salem               and               Beth               sat               down               at               a               picnic               table               when               Kaylynn               insisted               she               swing               by               herself.

They               cheered               as               Dylan               caught               a               long               pass               that               Mason               had               thrown.

There               was               a               strong               chill               in               the               air,               and               the               trees               were               almost               emptied               of               their               leaves.

Salem               gave               a               shiver.
               "Won't               be               long               before               winter,"               Salem               said.
               "No,               I               always               look               forward               to               the               holidays,               but               wish               we               had               our               own               home               to               celebrate               in.

I               am               so               grateful               for               the               shelter               when               beds               are               available,"               Beth               replied.
               Salem               wanted               to               talk               about               something               cheerier               then               living               conditions,               so               she               tried               to               change               the               subject.

"Speaking               of               celebrations,               have               you               been               to               Arrowbrook               for               Halloween               before?

Lovey               mentioned               it,"               Salem               segued.
               "Oh               yeah,               you               have               to               bring               your               kids,               it's               all               kinds               of               fun!"               Beth               exclaimed.

Beth               went               on               to               tell               Salem               about               the               room               of               mirrors               with               spooky               sounds.

There               were               many               games               along               the               trick-or-treat               path.

She               loved               to               see               the               smiles               on               the               seniors'               faces.

She               licked               her               lips               describing               the               caramel               apples               and               witches               brew.
               "Speaking               of               witches,               Salem,               how               did               you               get               your               name?

Were               your               parent's               fans               of               Salem,               Massachusetts,               Bewitched               fans,               or               something?"               Beth               asked.
               "No,               it's               not               what               you               think.

It's               kind               of               silly               really."               She               delayed,               "Okay,               so               my               mother               and               father               were               smokers.

She               smoked               Salem's,               and               he               smoked               Winston's.

If               I               turned               out               to               be               a               girl,               I               was               to               be               Salem,               if               a               boy,               then               Winston."               Salem               giggled               a               little,               and               Beth               gave               out               a               big               roaring               laugh.

Salem               continued,               "Either               way,               I               was               named               after               cigarettes.

It               was               such               a               different               generation               back               then."
               "Your               parents               sound               like               a               hoot!"               Beth               giggled.
               "Oh               they               were               pretty               out               there.

That's               not               even               the               worst               part               of               the               story,"               Beth               Replied.
               "Tell               me,"               Beth               pushed.
               "Our               last               name               is               Stoker,"               Salem               grinned.
               "Oh               my               god!"               Beth               screamed               and               laughed,               and               laughed               some               more.

"You               have               got               to               let               me               tell               this               story               back               at               Lovey's,"               Beth               yelled               as               Salem               got               up               and               answered               Kaylynn's               request               to               be               pushed               on               the               swings.
               They               stayed               a               few               minutes               longer               before               Salem               signaled               it               was               time               to               get               back               for               dinner               and               an               early               evening               since               the               kids               had               school               in               the               morning.

Beth               couldn't               wait               to               tell               the               funny               Salem/Winston               story               when               they               returned,               and               she               went               and               grabbed               Lovey               out               of               the               kitchen.

"Lovey,               come               on,               you've               got               to               hear               this,"               Beth               pulled               at               her               hand.

In               the               lounge,               Beth               proceeded               to               repeat               the               story               and               the               curious               faced               crowd               all               got               a               big               laugh.

"And               that's               not               even               the               best               part,               their               last               name               is               Stoker!"               Everybody               roared               again               staring               at               Salem.

Then               Wendell               piped               up,               "Careful               now,               don't               embarrass               the               girl,               you               wouldn't               want               her               to               get               all               fired               up!"               he               emphasized.

Everybody               broke               out               in               laughter               again.

Salem               just               grinned,               rolled               her               eyes               and               said,               "Lovey,               save               me."
               "Oh,               stop               you               guys,               that's               enough               at               Salem's               expense,"               she               grabbed               Salem's               hand,               "Come               on,               it's               time               to               eat.

Don't               you               see               you're               just               part               of               this               great               big               family               now?

It's               a               great               story               Salem!"
               "So               Lovey,               tell               me,               how               did               you               get               your               name?"               Salem               asked,               filling               her               plate.
               "Oh,               it's               a               nick-name.

Wendell               always               used               to               joke               to               everyone               that               I               provided               all               the               love,               and               he               provided               all               the               labor,               although               I               will               argue               that               one.

Anyway,               from               there               he               just               started               calling               me               Lovey,               and               it               just               caught               on.

That               was               years               ago,"               She               reminisced,               "My               real               name               is               Mary,               after               my               mother."
               "So               how               did               you               end               up               starting               this               shelter?"               Salem               asked.
               "Actually               I               grew               up               here.

My               mother               founded               this               shelter               in               the               late               30's.

It               was               her               life,               and               now               it's               mine.

There               have               always               been               people               in               need,               and               always               will               be,               I'm               afraid,"               Lovey               sadly               concluded.
               "That               is               quite               a               story.

So               will               Lilly               follow               in               your               footsteps?"               Salem               questioned.
               "I               think               so,               but               now               she               is               focused               on               solving               the               world's               economic               problems.

She               is               going               for               a               double               degree               in               Economics               and               Social               Services.

She               has               a               great               big               heart,               my               Lilly,"               Lovey               proudly               stated.
               "A               lot               like               her               mother,               I               think,"               Salem               winked.
               In               the               other               room               suddenly               sprung               a               big               ruckus               about               something               on               the               TV.

People               were               yelling,               'Lucky               Ducks',               'Son               of               a               gun',               'Can               you               believe               it'.

They               rushed               to               see               what               the               commotion               was               about.

It               seemed               some               couple               from               Ohio               had               won               the               $534               million               dollar               Dream               Lotto.

Salem               exclaimed,               "Oh               my               god!"               She               didn't               let               on               that               she               knew               the               couple,               but               was               in               total               disbelief               seeing               Janie               Tempo               and               her               husband,               Thom.

Janie               was               a               good               friend               and               fellow               teacher,               still               working               at               Beekum               Elementary.

Shortly               after               this               surprise,               Salem               called               it               an               early               evening,               dragging               her               kids               away               from               game               playing               because               of               their               early               morning               routine.

Salem               asked               her               kids               to               wash               up               and               get               ready               for               bed.

She               had               seen               a               book               of               fables               on               Lilly's               bookshelf               and               decided               to               read               them               to               sleep.

About               two-thirds               through               the               story,               she               could               see               her               kids               had               reached               their               slumber.

She               would               finish               the               story               another               night.

She               was               happy               for               the               quiet               time               to               herself               and               her               thoughts.

She               couldn't               help               but               question               how               this               world               worked.

She               admitted               the               little               bit               of               envy               she               felt               for               a               friend               who               had               a               home               and               still               teaching               to               have               won               a               large               lottery,               when               she               considered               her               own               fate.

Still,               she               was               very               happy               for               her               friend               and               thought               she               must               reach               out               to               congratulate               Janie               and               Thom.

She               hadn't               talked               with               her               for               a               long               time               because               she               was,               well               frankly,               embarrassed               by               her               homeless               state,               and               didn't               want               Janie               to               take               pity               on               her.

She               knew               Janie               would               go               overboard               trying               to               help.

Somehow               to               Salem,               it               was               easier               taking               help               from               strangers,               than               to               impose               on               her               closest               friend               from               her               profession.

Salem               grabbed               her               coat               and               her               cell               phone.

She               stepped               out               into               the               cold               autumn               air.

She               locked               the               door               behind               her               deciding               to               sit               in               her               car               to               make               the               call.

She               fumbled               nervously               the               familiar               numbers               she               used               to               call               so               often.

It               rang               a               few               times,               but               went               straight               to               voicemail.

At               the               tone,               Salem               summoned               up               the               courage               to               leave               a               message               conveying               her               happiness               and               excitement               for               both               of               them,               that               she               had               seen               the               news               and               was               in               shock.

She               expressed               that               once               the               big               celebrating               was               over,               that               they               should               meet               to               hear               all               about               their               future               plans               as               millionaires.

Once               she               left               the               message               she               felt               better,               but               was               staring               at               the               lantern,               knowing               it               was               time               to               make               her               second               wish.

After               all,               her               first               wish               had               come               true.

She               kind               of               laughed               at               herself,               thinking               she               should               have               wished               for               the               dream               lotto.

Salem               still               didn't               want               to               seem               greedy               with               her               wish               though,               so               she               scribbled               on               her               tablet:               I               wish               I               could               have               my               teaching               job               and               my               home,               on               Teeter               Drive,               back               again               until               I               decide               to               retire.

She               placed               the               scroll               inside               the               lantern,               rubbing               the               side               fiercely.

She               once               again               asked               the               Universe               to               please               grant               her               wish.

She               didn't               have               anything               to               lose,               but               she               sealed               the               deal               with               another               prayer               before               returning               to               the               apartment.
               "T-I-Grr-Grr-Rrr!"               Kaylynn               repeatedly               growled               as               she               hopped               up               the               steps               and               into               the               shelters'               kitchen               entrance               with               Mason               and               Salem.
               "What               is               that               little               girl               going               on               about?"               asked               one               of               the               kitchen               volunteers,               Lacey.
               "Oh,               evidently               she               dreamed               she               met               Tigger               at               Disneyland,               and               she               has               been               playing               the               character               ever               since               she               woke               up.

It               was               a               major               chore               getting               her               dressed               while               she               was               intent               on               bouncing               around,"               Salem               said.
               "You've               got               your               hands               full               with               that               little               one,"               Lacey               replied.
               "It               seems               so.

We're               going               to               eat               breakfast,               then               off               to               school.

Is               Lovey               up?"               Salem               asked.
               "No,               she               sleeps               in               on               Mondays,"               Lacey               answered.
               "She               deserves               it!

I'll               be               gone               most               of               the               day,               so               I'll               see               her               tonight,"               Salem               waved.
               After               Salem               dropped               the               kids               at               school               with               special               instructions               to               Kaylynn               to               behave               and               cool               it               on               the               Tigger               for               a               while,               Salem               headed               to               the               library               for               a               few               hours               to               research               current               job               openings.

Surely               she               would               get               a               break               soon,               she               thought,               but               so               far               the               responses               were               far               and               few               between.

After               filling               out               a               few               online               applications,               she               went               to               her               post               office               box               to               pick               up               her               unemployment               check.

Afterwards,               when               she               was               parked               at               the               gas               station               to               replenish               the               badly               needed               fuel,               she               received               a               phone               call.

It               was               a               request               for               an               interview               with               Choncies               Fine               Jewelry               for               a               sales               position.

She               repeated               back               the               gentleman's               Wednesday               date               and               afternoon               meet               time,               politely               stressing               she               was               looking               forward               to               their               meeting.

It               was               not               a               teaching               position,               but               it               sort               of               lifted               her               spirits               for               a               minute.

Looking               at               her               hands               while               pumping               the               gasoline,               she               decided               to               go               to               the               drug               store               for               a               nail               file,               polish               and               lotion.

Her               nails               were               looking               shabby               these               days,               and               she               wanted               them               groomed               for               her               interview.

She               had               left               out               one               pantsuit,               and               one               dress               plus               boots               when               she               packed,               but               they               would               need               ironed.

She               noted               to               herself               to               work               on               laundry               later.

Salem               had               decided               that               she               would               take               her               kids               to               Arrowbrook               for               trick-or-treating               with               the               others,               so               next               she               headed               to               a               used               clothing               store               to               search               for               possible               Halloween               costumes               for               the               kids.

She               knew               it               was               meant               to               be,               when               combing               through               the               rack,               she               saw               a               curious               orange               and               black               striped               outfit               poking               out               from               all               of               the               others.

The               Tigger               costume               had               a               couple               scuffs               on               the               face,               and               a               tear               in               one               of               the               seams,               but               she               knew               with               a               black               marker               and               sewing               needle,               she               could               make               it               good               as               new.

Won't               Kaylynn               be               thrilled,               she               thought.

Finding               something               for               Mason               proved               to               be               a               problem,               so               she               decided               to               give               in               and               visit               the               mall               to               splurge               on               the               Transformers               costume               he               pleaded               for.

Since               she               didn't               have               to               fork               out               for               a               motel               this               check,               she               knew               it               would               be               worth               seeing               the               happy               smiles               on               her               kids'               faces.

She               also               picked               up               a               couple               trick-or-treating               jack-o-lantern               baskets               for               a               bargain               price.

Halloween               was               a               week               away,               but               she               would               surprise               them               this               evening.

She               treated               herself               to               a               Latte.

She               was               in               a               good               mood               today.

She               dreaded               driving               over               to               her               house,               but               she               really               wanted               to               check               on               Tobias,               so               that               was               next               on               her               agenda.

When               she               pulled               up               to               see               the               dead               grass,               unraked               leaves,               and               overgrown               weeds,               her               mood               turned               melancholy.

She               sat               there               remembering               past               Halloweens;               the               neighborhood               parties               she               threw               for               Adults               and               Children               with               elaborate               decorations,               and               the               games               like               musical               tombstones,               she               laughed.

Out               of               the               corner               of               her               eye,               she               saw               Tobias               jump               up               on               the               porch               railing.

She               got               out               and               called               to               him.

He               jumped               down               and               trotted               towards               her               with               tail               straight               up.

She               picked               him               up,               loved               him,               felt               his               purr               against               her               cheek.

She               wished               she               had               a               treat               for               him,               but               it               was               an               afterthought.

She               would               make               sure               she               had               one               next               time.

She               saw               no               sign               of               Mr.

Stein.

She               knocked               on               his               door,               but               no               answer.

She               gave               Tobias               a               long               hug,               sending               him               an               ESP               message               that               someday               they               would               all               be               together               again.

She               put               him               down               with               a               couple               love               pats,               and               turned               away               with               eyes               welled               up.

She               took               one               longer               look,               and               drove               away.

What               she               didn't               know,               is               after               she               pulled               off               down               the               street,               someone               else               had               pulled               up               in               front               of               her               house.

The               woman               was               bewildered               by               the               'for               sale               by               bank'               sign.

She               went               to               the               door               appalled               by               the               foreclosure               notice.

Her               hand               went               to               her               forehead               as               she               took               in               the               unkempt               surroundings.

She               walked               back               to               her               car.

She               knew               exactly               what               she               had               to               do.

Salem               decided               to               go               back               to               the               apartment               and               hide               the               surprises               for               Mason               and               Kaylynn.

She               ran               a               load               of               laundry,               repaired               the               Tigger,               and               prepped               herself               on               possible               interview               questions,               before               she               returned               to               Beekum               to               pick               up               the               kids.

Once               they               were               back               to               the               garage               apartment,               she               handed               them               each               a               cookie,               but               insisted               on               homework               first               before               play.

When               she               was               satisfied               with               their               assignment               completion,               she               informed               them               of               their               plans               for               Halloween.

She               told               them               to               look               under               the               bed,               and               they               screamed               in               excitement               pulling               out               their               costumes.

They               thanked               and               hugged               their               mom               with               glee.

"Can               we               wear               them               now?"               Mason               asked.
               "You               can               try               them               on,               but               they               will               stay               here               only,               until               we               leave               for               Aarowbrook               on               Monday.

I               don't               want               them               ruined,"               Salem               insisted.

Mason               and               Kaylynn               were               bummed               they               could               not               show               the               other               kids,               but               they               did               not               waste               any               time               dressing               and               entertaining               Salem.
               Tuesday               was               uneventful               for               Salem               helping               Lovey               with               her               daily               routine.

Wednesday               was               different               because               of               the               interview               at               Choncies.

The               gentleman,               Mr.

Peachwood,               was               nice               enough,               but               Salem               would               have               thought               she               was               being               interviewed               for               upper               management               from               the               detailed               questions               and               examples               he               requested.

She               guessed               that               was               the               way               it               was               these               days,               with               such               high               unemployment               and               huge               competition.

Later               she               decided               to               go               to               the               storage               to               see               if               she               could               find               anything               to               wear               herself               for               Halloween.

She               wasn't               sure               she               would               be               able               to               make               the               next               storage               payment,               so               just               in               case,               she               decided               to               grab               some               of               the               boxes               she               wanted               most.

She               stored               them               in               the               van,               since               they               had               acquired               new               sleeping               quarters               for               a               while.

She               drove               off               wondering               if               she               would               ever               see               the               items               she               left               behind               ever               again.
               "How               was               your               interview,               Salem?"               Lovey               asked               at               dinner.
               "Oh,               okay               I               guess,               It's               hard               to               convince               someone               you'll               make               a               really               great               Salesperson,               when               you               know               you               are               just               a               really               great               Teacher,               or               NOT,               I               did               get               laid               off               after               all,"               Salem's               cynical               side               showed.
               "A               great               teacher               I'm               sure,               it's               their               loss!

They               will               ask               you               back               soon               enough,               and               if               the               sales               position               is               meant               to               be,               it               will               happen.

Now               have               some               tortellini               salad               dear,"               Lovey               assured.
               Salem               was               starting               to               really               enjoy               life               with               this               new               family               she               discovered.

She               really               missed               her               old               life,               but               somehow               couldn't               imagine               a               future               without               Lovey               and               Wendell               around.

She               had               even               answered               the               phone               one               day               when               Lilly               called.

They               had               a               short               conversation               while               waiting               for               Lovey               to               pick               up               the               extension,               and               she               couldn't               wait               to               meet               her               in               person               someday               as               well.

On               Friday,               Beth's               sons               were               struggling               with               their               math,               and               Salem               assured               her               she               could               help               tutor               them.

Salem               was               becoming               a               valuable               asset               in               an               environment               she               never               envisioned               just               two               weeks               prior.

She               had               noticed               a               difference               in               Mason               and               Kaylynn               too;               a               relaxed               happier               difference.

At               Sunday               morning               breakfast               Salem               and               Lovey               decided               to               cut               out               spooky               shapes               in               the               pancakes,               and               for               an               evening               dessert               they               crafted               vampire               cupcakes               with               candycorn               fangs.

Everyone               was               excited               about               the               upcoming               Aarowbrook               Halloween               festivities,               and               couldn't               wait               for               Salem,               Mason               and               Kaylynn               to               take               part               in               the               fun               this               year.

Salem               and               Lovey               were               changing               sheets               when               she               told               her               she               failed               to               find               a               costume               from               her               storage.

Lovey               assured               her               that               she               had               collected               a               whole               chest               of               costumes.

They               would               go               through               it               when               Lovey               returned               from               church.

Lovey               was               certain               she               could               find               just               the               perfect               get-up               for               Salem.

Everything               was               working               out,               things               were               calmer               and               happy,               yet               Salem               wondered               about               her               last               wish--would               it               materialize?

She               wondered               why               she               hadn't               heard               back               from               Janie               Tempo.

She               decided               she               probably               was               just               caught               up               in               bombardment               of               media               and               family.

She               was               sure               her               good               friend               would               contact               her               eventually.

Monday               morning               at               breakfast,               Lacey               asked               Mason               if               he               wanted               scrambled               eggs.

When               she               lifted               the               silver               hot               tray               lid,               and               revealed               tarantula               spiders,               they               both               screamed,               then               she               screamed               pointing               behind               him,               and               Mason               turned               around               to               a               frightening               roar               from               Wendell               wearing               a               gorilla               mask.

Mason               jumped               and               squealed.

He               was               a               little               embarrassed               when               he               realized               the               trick               on               him,               but               was               elated               when               they               made               him               part               of               the               joke,               giving               him               the               task               of               opening               the               lid               to               scare               others               as               they               walked               in.

He               got               a               real               kick               out               of               it,               and               had               a               frightening               story               to               share               with               his               friends               at               school.

Of               course,               he               didn't               share               the               part               where               he               got               a               scare               too.

It               was               the               evening               of               the               great               Holiday,               and               everyone               was               busy               with               dress               and               makeup               while               Wendell               went               to               Aarowbrook.

He               returned               with               the               bus               to               pick               up               the               first               load               of               strange               and               ghouling               passengers.

Kaylynn               was               thrilled               with               her               mother               dressed               in               a               toga               with               crimped               hair,               black               outlined               eyes,               and               a               jeweled               band               lying               on               her               forehead.

Lovey,               the               good               witch,               was               in               tow               to               help               with               some               kids               as               well,               leaving               Lacey               to               watch               the               shelter.

Lacey               would               go               a               little               later               when               Lovey               returned.

They               watched               a               short               puppet               show,               visited               the               spooky               mirrored               room,               played               ring               toss,               musical               chairs               and               other               games.

The               Residents               were               all               smiles               with               each               new               little               princess,               robot,               or               cowboy               holding               out               their               pumpkins               for               candy.

Kaylynn               was               a               big               hit               when               she               sprang               into               action,               and               she               would               only               say               T-I-Grr-Grr-Rrr,               instead               of               trick-or-treat.

The               caramel               apples               and               cinnamon               chocolate               witches               brew               was               some               of               the               best               Salem               had               tasted.

It               was               a               truly               unique               event,               and               they               were               all               pleasantly               worn               out               on               the               ride               back               to               the               shelter.

However,               there               was               one               more               thing               Salem               had               to               do.

She               loaded               her               kids               in               the               van,               and               drove               them               to               the               old               house.

She               grabbed               the               flashlight               and               went               to               Mr.

Stein's               house.

Before               they               could               knock,               they               heard               a               creaking               sound               by               the               porch               swing.

They               looked               over               with               the               flashlight               which               caught               the               face               of               a               green,               zipper-faced               monster,               and               they               screamed               just               as               a               black               cat               suddenly               jumped               down               by               their               feet.

They               jumped,               yelled,               and               the               kids               ran               down               the               stairs.

Salem               placed               her               palm               over               her               heart               and               said,               "Kids,               it's               Tobias,               comeback!"               The               kids               unsure,               slowly               crept               back.

Mr.

Stein               went               to               go               grab               Tobias,               who               had               ran               behind               the               swing               from               the               screams.

"Kids,               it               wouldn't               be               Halloween               without               a               visit               to               Frank               Stein,               and               a               black               scaredy               cat",               Salem               winked.
               "Hi               kids,               I'm               not               soooo               scary,               would               you               like               a               treat?"               Mr.

Stein               asked.
               They               both               said               hello               in               unison,               finally               smiling,               and               held               out               their               hands.

They               each               got               some               gummy               bears               and               chocolate               crispy               bars.

"Thank               you,"               they               replied.
               "We've               had               quite               a               night,               but               have               never               had               a               Halloween               without               stopping               here,               so               I               didn't               want               to               break               with               tradition,"               Salem               said.
               "I'm               glad               you               stopped               here,               Tobias               is               too,"               Frank               replied.
               They               told               him               all               about               their               evening               and               exchanged               a               little               small               talk.

He               assured               them               Tobias               would               be               fine,               but               missed               them.

Salem               made               her               excuses               of               an               early               morning,               to               get               the               kids               to               school,               so               they               would               have               to               get               back.

It               was               too               dark               for               Salem               to               see               her               house,               but               she               was               sure               the               yard               sign               was               gone,               and               she               really               had               a               big               lump               in               her               stomach               at               the               thought               of               her               home               being               sold.

It               was               such               a               wonderful               evening               though,               so               she               did               everything               possible               to               put               that               thought               out               of               her               mind.
               Time               seemed               to               pass               by               quickly               the               next               couple               of               weeks               for               Salem.

She               kept               busy               with               daily               chores               between               assisting               Lovey               and               parenting.

She               continued               to               help               with               tutoring               some               of               the               children               to               get               them               up               to               speed.

Many               had               been               pushed               back               a               grade               because               of               missing               so               many               days               of               school.

This               was               a               common               problem               when               families               were               displaced,               seeking               shelter               wherever               possible,               and               not               always               having               the               means               to               get               their               children               to               classes.

At               least               Salem               was               feeling               useful,               but               she               had               not               had               any               job               offers               outside               the               shelter.

When               Salem               was               helping               Lovey               take               down               the               Halloween               décor               to               prepare               for               the               Thanksgiving               holiday,               she               became               really               stressed               about               her               next               move,               especially               with               Lilly               coming               home               soon.

She               was               sure               she               could               get               a               bed               here               and               there               for               her               kids               in               the               shelter,               but               hated               the               thought               of               readdressing               this               situation               with               Mason               and               Kaylynn.

One               Thursday               morning               the               third               week               of               November,               Salem               had               just               dropped               the               Kids               at               Beekum,               and               her               cell               rang.

The               caller               ID               read               T&J               Properties.

The               number               was               not               familiar,               and               she               hated               marketing               calls,               but               she               thought               maybe               it               was               another               interview               request               from               a               past               application.

She               barely               caught               it               on               the               last               ring.

"Hello",               Salem               answered.
               "Salem,               this               is               Janie               -               Janie               Tempo.

Have               I               caught               you               at               a               bad               time?"               Janie               inquired.
               "No,               no,               I               am               so               pleased               to               hear               your               voice;               I               thought               maybe               you               were               in               Europe               or               something.

I               just               didn't               recognize               the               number,"               Salem               replied.
               "I               am               so               sorry               I               haven't               called               you               sooner.

Thank               you               for               your               congratulatory               call.

We               were               immensely               surprised               about               the               whole               ordeal,               as               you               can               imagine,"               Janie               said.
               "Yes,               I               am               sure!

Now               I               can               actually               say               I               knew               someone               who               won               the               big               lotto.

What               are               the               chances               someone               gets               to               say               that?"               Salem               questioned.
               "We               have               been               so               busy,               but               listen,               Thom               and               I               would               like               to               take               you               and               the               kids               for               a               celebration               dinner,               and               share               our               plans               with               you.

Are               you               free               tonight?"               Janie               asked.
               "Uh,               yes,               I               can               always               make               the               time               for               you,               Janie.

I               wondered               what               happened.

I               haven't               seen               your               car               at               the               school               for               a               while.

Are               you               on               extended               vacation               with               your               new               riches?"               Salem               tried               fishing               for               news.
               "Oh,               we'll               tell               you               everything               tonight.

Can               you               meet               us               at               Lorenzo's,               say               6:00?"               Janie               waited.
               "Lorenzo's               at               6:00,"               she               repeated               "I               can't               wait               to               hear               your               plans.

The               kids               and               I               will               be               there,"               Salem               confirmed.
               "Good,               see               you               tonight               then,               Goodbye",               Janie               countered.
               "Goodbye",               Salem               ended.

Salem               hoped               Thom               and               Janie               would               carry               the               conversation               with               all               of               their               plans,               as               she               didn't               want               to               share               the               details               of               her               life.
               Lorenzo's               had               the               best               Italian               cuisine               in               town,               and               Salem               hadn't               been               there               for               a               couple               years,               it               seemed.

The               kids               were               excited,               and               they               all               dressed               up               a               little               even               though               the               place               was               fairly               casual.

After               all,               how               often               do               you               get               to               have               dinner               with               millionaires,               Salem               giggled               to               herself.

In               the               restaurant               they               all               greeted               with               hugs               and               kisses,               until               the               hostess               seated               them               in               a               somewhat               private               table               they               had               reserved.

"I               am               so               happy               to               finally               get               to               see               my               best               friend               again.

I'm               sorry               Salem,               I               got               so               busy               with               the               school               year,               and               then               winning               the               lottery,"               she               whispered               "Time               has               gotten               away               from               us.

With               you               not               at               the               school,               it               is               so               different               not               seeing               you               every               day,"               Janie               said               sadly.
               "Yes,               our               lives               have               been               very               different,               and               time               does               slip               by               quickly               for               us               all",               Salem               agreed.

After               they               ordered,               Janie               and               Thom               told               them               all               about               how               they               discovered               they               had               won;               how               she               chose               the               numbers               based               on               birthdays               and               anniversaries,               and               the               media               frenzy               they               had               been               through.

Salem               listened               to               the               exciting               stories               intently               trying               to               imagine               it               live,               when               the               waiter               brought               their               plates.

They               asked               Salem               what               she               had               been               up               to               the               last               few               months.

Salem               tried               hard               not               to               divulge               too               much,               but               told               them               she               could               not               afford               the               house               since               losing               her               job,               so               they               were               forced               to               move               to               cheaper               accommodations;               that               she               was               working               days               at               a               shelter               for               a               wonderful               family.

The               kids               piped               up               about               the               Halloween               celebration               and               talked               about               their               friends.

Salem               never               came               outright               and               told               them               they               were               living               there,               but               between               the               holes               in               her               stories               and               from               the               mouths               of               babes,               she               knew               they               were               probably               drawing               those               conclusions.
               "Salem,               I               know               things               have               been               very               difficult               for               you,               but               I               do               have               a               great               surprise               to               share,"               Janie               continued               on               seeing               Salem's               curious               expression               "Thom               and               I               have               acquired               several               properties,               and               have               started               our               own               little               property               management/broker               business,               so               I               am               retiring               from               my               teaching               job.

We               will               be               traveling               a               lot               more               often."               Janie               paused.
               "That's               wonderful               for               you!"               Salem               exclaimed.
               "It's               wonderful               for               you               too,               because               after               I               gave               notice,               I               spoke               with               the               Principal               and               Superintendent.

It               wasn't               hard               to               convince               them               you               should               be               my               replacement,               because               you               were               first               on               the               list               of               rehires               anyway!"               Janie               exclaimed.

Salem               was               wide               eyed               with               disbelief.

"Oh,               I               know               it's               4th               grade               instead               of               5th,               but               I               think               you               can               handle               it,               don't               you?"               Janie               kidded.
               On               impulse,               Salem               jumped               out               of               her               seat.

She               ran               over               and               hugged               her               dear               friend               bringing               tears               of               joy               to               both               of               them.

"Thank               you               for               this               news,               Janie,               but               are               you               sure               about               your               retirement               from               teaching?"               Salem               asked.
               "Yes,               this               lotto               winning               has               changed               our               lives,               and               there               are               so               many               good               things               we               have               decided               to               do               with               the               money."               Janie               said.
               Thom               couldn't               hold               back               his               excitement,               "She               told               Principal               Johnson               that               she               wanted               to               break               the               news               to               you               first,               but               you               should               expect               their               call               probably               tomorrow.

You               have               a               lot               of               planning               to               do,               because               you               will               be               taking               over               her               classes               after               New               Year's               break."
               "Do               you               hear               that               kids,               your               mom               is               going               to               be               teaching               again,"               Salem               explained.
               "Really,               do               we               get               to               go               back               home               to               Tobias?"               Mason               asked.
               "I               don't               think               I               can               make               that               happen,               Mason,               but               maybe               we               can               eventually               move               back               somewhere               in               the               neighborhood,"               Salem               answered.

Mason               looked               a               little               disappointed,               but               the               thought               of               being               closer               to               his               classmates               made               him               happier.
               "When               we               finish               dinner,               Salem,               we               would               like               you               to               ride               with               us               to               show               you               another               surprise.

Please               tell               me               you               have               the               time,"               Janie               inquired.
               "Of               course,               it               sounds               intriguing.

Oh               Janie,               you               don't               know               how               happy               this               news               makes               me!"               Salem               beamed               through               starry               eyes.

The               rest               of               the               meal               they               told               Salem               about               all               their               plans               to               travel               eventually.

They               all               loaded               into               the               brand               new               luxury               sedan.

The               drive               wasn't               a               long               one,               and               Salem               recognized               that               they               were               headed               straight               to               her               old               neighborhood,               but               when               they               pulled               up               in               front               of               her               house,               she               curiously               stared               at               them.
               "What               are               we               doing               here?"               Salem               asked,               as               she               noticed               her               house               had               a               brand               new               paint               job,               and               the               landscaping               had               been               cleaned               up.
               "This               is               our               next               surprise,"               Janie               answered.
               "I               don't               understand,"               Salem               said               confused.
               "Salem,               when               you               called               to               congratulate               me               on               our               lottery               win,               I               came               here               the               next               day               to               tell               you               all               about               it.

My               heart               stopped               when               I               saw               you               were               gone,               and               the               house               was               in               foreclosure.

I               am               so               sorry--I               wish               you               had               told               me.

We               would               have               helped               anyway               we               could.

Why               didn't               you               call               me?"               Janie               asked.
               "I               guess               my               pride               got               in               the               way.

I               was               intent               on               doing               things               on               my               own.

Stupid               I               guess,               but               I               still               don't               understand.

Why               would               you               bring               me               back               here?"               Salem               insisted.
               "I'm               trying               to               tell               you.

After               I               came               here,               I               got               an               idea               and               discussed               it               with               Thom.

We               had               the               means               and               the               opportunity               to               help               a               lot               of               people.

We               decided               to               place               a               bid               on               several               foreclosures               and               spruce               them               up,               not               to               turn               them,               but               to               locate               the               previous               owners,               and               then               offer               them               a               chance               to               move               back,               and               to               rent,               or               lease/option               or               buy.

We               will               carry               the               papers,               but               the               houses               are               at               today's               fair               market               value,               and               not               the               over-inflated               prices               they               were               before               the               bail-out               and               bubble               burst.

They               are               so               low,               that               the               loans               can               be               written               on               a               15yr.

instead               of               30yr.

basis               in               most               cases.

We               make               a               little               back,               the               previous               owners               have               a               chance               to               get               their               life               back,               and               if               they               still               default,               which               most               won't,               then               we               own               a               good               rental               property               at               worst,"               Janie               explained.
               "That               is               incredible,               what               you               are               doing,               but               are               you               telling               me               you               bought               my               house?"               Salem               asked.

They               both               nodded.
               "We               know               money               issues               are               hard               between               friends,               but               if               you               are               ever               uncomfortable               at               any               time,               you               can               always               refinance               eventually.

Please               tell               us               you'll               accept,               but               before               you               do,               we               have               to               show               you               something               inside,"               Janie               coaxed.
               Salem               was               dizzy               with               the               information               she               was               taking               in.

She               followed               them               into               her               house,               but               a               quite               different               house               with               all               new               wood               floors,               and               a               remodeled               kitchen.

"Oh               my               god!"               Salem's               hand               covered               her               mouth               as               she               gasped.
               "I               remembered               the               changes               you               eventually               wanted               to               get               to               in               this               kitchen.

I               hope               I               did               alright.

Did               I               get               the               colors               right?"               Janie               anxiously               waited.
               "More               than               alright,               Janie,               it's               just               beautiful.

I               hardly               recognize               it!"               Salem               cried               out.
               "Salem,               the               keys               are               yours               today,               we               have               the               loan               papers               here               for               you               to               review.

Please               tell               us               you'll               accept,               that               you'll               let               us               help               you               get               your               life               back,"               Thom               added.
               Salem's               wish               she               made               on               her               lantern               flashed               before               her               eyes.

"Yes,               thank               you,               I               love               you               guys.

It's               a               dream               come               true,"               she               sobbed               and               hugged               them               both.
               The               kids               came               in.

Kaylynn               was               holding               and               petting               Tobias.

"Wow!"               They               both               exclaimed.
               "Is               this               our               house?"               Kaylynn               looked               confused.
               "It               is               now,               we're               moving               back               in!"               Salem               ran               and               hugged               her               kids               and               Tobias.
               "You               mean               it?"               Mason               asked.
               "Absolutely!"               Salem               exclaimed.
               They               took               them               back               to               Salem's               car               and               handed               her               the               house               keys               and               loan               papers               to               review.

They               told               her               to               have               them               reviewed               by               a               real               estate               attorney               and               to               bring               them               over               next               week.

She               told               them               she               was               sure               there               was               no               problem,               but               if               it               made               everyone               more               comfortable,               then               she               would.

"Just               one               more               thing;               how               did               you               guys               do               all               this               so               fast?"               Salem               asked.
               "It               turns               out,               money               talks.

People               stumble               all               over               themselves               to               push               things               through.

They               say               money               can't               buy               happiness,               but               it               sure               buys               a               lot               of               stress               relief,"               Janie               joked.
               "Thank               you               so               much               again               for               all               you               have               done               here.

I               seriously               don't               know               how               to               repay               you,"               Salem               said.
               "Your               happiness               and               friendship               is               all               the               payment               we               need.

We               know               God               blessed               us               in               a               very               big               way,               so               we               are               trying               to               pay               it               forward               the               best               way               we               know               how,"               Janie               explained.
               "I               hope               to               do               the               same               someday.

Love               you               guys,"               Salem               blew               them               a               kiss               "See               you               next               week."               Salem               sat               for               a               few               minutes               stunned               at               what               had               just               taken               place,               before               she               put               the               car               in               gear               for               the               ride               home.

Salem               couldn't               wait               to               get               back               home               to               tell               Lovey               the               news.

Home,               she               thought,               this               really               had               become               her               home,               and               she               intended               to               keep               it               that               way,               her               second               home,               anyway.

Lovey               was               out               collecting               donations,               so               they               just               stayed               in               the               apartment               the               rest               of               the               night.

Salem               would               share               her               story               in               the               morning.
               Mason               couldn't               wait               as               they               entered               the               kitchen               the               next               morning.

"Guess               what,"               he               said               to               Lovey               with               excitement               "We're               moving               back               home.

Mom               is               going               to               be               a               teacher               again!"               Mason               exclaimed               before               Lovey               could               speak.
               "Is               that               true?"               Lovey               quizzed               Salem.
               "It's               true,               believe               it               or               not.

I               still               can't               wrap               my               head               around               it,"               Salem               answered.

She               went               on               to               tell               her               unbelievable               story,               as               if               it               were               a               dream,               while               she               and               Lovey               built               colorful               cornucopia               displays,               on               the               sideboard               cupboards               in               the               serving               room.
               "See               Salem,               I               told               you               it               would               all               work               out.

Miracles               do               happen,"               Lovey               said.

"I               will               miss               having               you               and               your               kids               here.

You               have               been               such               a               help,               and               you               liven               up               the               joint.

When               will               you               be               moving?"               Lovey               asked.
               "Middle               of               next               week,               I               suppose.

Lovey,               I               will               miss               it               here.

I               can't               come               on               the               weekdays,               but               I               have               every               intention               of               being               here               Sunday               mornings,               and               some               Saturdays               too.

After               all,               we               do               serve               the               best               breakfast               in               town!"               Salem               exclaimed.
               "I               will               be               more               than               overjoyed               to               see               you,               and               to               have               the               extra               help,"               Lovey               replied.
               Salem               met               with               Principal               Johnson               the               following               Monday               to               confirm               her               return,               and               make               all               necessary               arrangements.

She               met               with               her               neighbor               Frank               Stein               later               that               day,               who               was               a               retired               attorney.

He               reviewed               her               loan               papers,               and               admitted               he               was               aware               of               some               of               the               surprises,               but               had               agreed               to               keep               it               that               way.

He               was               extremely               happy               to               be               neighbors               again.

She               spent               a               long               day               with               Janie               on               Tuesday.

She               signed               papers,               and               shared               her               heartfelt               story               over               tea.

She               might               have               spared               herself               some               heartache               if               she               had               only               come               clean               earlier,               she               thought,               but               lesson               learned.

Anyway,               she               may               not               have               found               Loves               Labor               and               met               Lovey               if               she               had.

When               she               shared               the               story               of               Lovey,               how               she               helped               her,               and               had               helped               so               many               in               the               community               for               years,               Janie               made               a               mental               note.

She               would               make               sure               Loves               Labor               got               a               sizable               yearly               donation.

Salem               unloaded               her               van               on               Wednesday,               and               just               in               the               nick               of               time               she               got               the               rest               of               her               items               out               of               storage.

Frank               helped               her.

He               also               loaned               her               a               spare               couch.

Thom               and               Janie               had               a               couple               beds               sent               over,               as               if               they               hadn't               done               enough.

She               planned               to               pay               them               back               for               these,               she               assured               as               well.

Before               picking               the               kids               up               that               Wednesday               for               the               long               holiday               weekend,               she               knew               it               was               time               to               make               her               final               wish.

She               drove               over               to               the               park               where               they               had               parked               several               nights.

She               loved               being               around               nature,               and               she               wanted               to               carry               out               the               ritual               in               the               same               place               she               had               made               the               first               wish.

She               was               alone               by               a               clear               water               stream,               gurgling               over               pebbles               of               multiple               shapes               and               colors.

She               had               given               this               a               lot               of               thought.

She               didn't               want               for               anything               herself.

She               once               again               wrote               on               her               tablet:               I               wish               for               my               children,               Mason               and               Kaylynn               to               each               have               a               warm               home               and               plentiful               food               throughout               the               rest               of               their               lives.

Placing               the               scroll               into               the               lantern,               she               rubbed               for               the               third               time,               and               asked               the               Universe               to               grant               her               wish.

She               thanked               God               for               all               that               she               had               already               received.

She               returned               to               the               shelter               that               night               to               help               prepare               for               the               Thanksgiving               feast.

She               celebrated               the               Holiday               there,               and               helped               Lovey               with               her               routine               the               whole               of               the               Thanksgiving               weekend.

She               had               a               new               sense               of               what               was               most               important               in               life.

She               assured               Lovey               again               that               she               would               be               a               weekly               visitor.

Lilly               had               come               home.

She               was               a               lovely               girl,               Salem               thought;               warm,               easy               going               and               accepting.

They               talked               and               shared               as               if               they               were               sisters.
               Salem               and               the               kids               were               truly               getting               settled               back               into               their               house.

Money               was               still               tight,               but               they               were               making               it               work.

They               were               together               with               Tobias;               they               were               warm,               they               were               happy               with               many               years               to               look               forward               to               fulfilling               more               dreams.

One               cold               early               December               morning,               on               the               way               to               Beekum,               they               were               passing               the               park.

Salem               witnessed               a               familiar               scene               that               upset               her.

There               was               a               car               parked,               with               back               hatch               opened               and               a               woman               crawling               out.

It               was               still               pretty               dark,               but               Salem               thought               she               saw               a               child               sit               up               too.

The               woman               got               out,               got               in               the               driver's               seat,               started               the               engine,               and               ran               back               around               to               the               back               crawling               in,               shutting               the               hatch               behind               her.

Salem               knew               all               too               well               about               running               the               heater,               but               trying               to               conserve               gasoline               as               well.

However,               these               were               even               colder               conditions               than               she               and               the               children               had               dealt               with.

She               pulled               over               and               told               the               kids               she               would               be               right               back.

She               walked               up               to               the               running               vehicle               with               her               purse               and               one               lucky,               shiny               lantern.

She               opened               the               lantern               to               try               to               fish               out               the               wishes,               but               they               seemed               to               have               vanished.

She               could               only               conclude               that               it               meant               all               of               her               wishes               had               indeed               been               granted.

She               knocked               on               the               car               window.

The               woman               slightly               opened               the               hatch.
               "We're               not               causing               any               trouble,               we're               leaving               soon,               please               leave               us               alone,"               the               woman               said.
               "Can               I               just               please               speak               with               you               a               minute?

Please,               I               mean               no               harm,"               Salem               assured.
               "What               is               it?"               The               shivering               woman               crawled               out               shutting               the               hatch.
               "You               don't               know               me,               but               I               have               been               in               your               shoes               before,"               Salem               stated.
               "I               am               sure               I               don't               know               what               you               are               talking               about,"               the               woman               said.
               "Please,               I               have               been               in               a               position               where               my               kids               and               I               have               slept               in               our               car,               struggled               many               a               night,               in               this               park               even.

I               can               help               you,"               Salem               insisted.
               "I'm               listening,"               the               woman               replied               with               little               enthusiasm.
               The               kids               from               both               cars               were               watching               as               Lacey               handed               her               a               fast               food               gift               card               she               had               picked               up               for               a               stocking               stuffer.

She               also               handed               her               a               business               card               that               read               'Loves               Labor               Shelter',               and               she               stressed               to               the               woman               she               should               visit               there               for               warmth,               food,               and               company.

She               handed               her               the               shiny               lantern               with               a               short               story               about               how               the               lantern               and               prayer               had               helped               her               immensely               with               making               her               dreams               come               true,               when               she               had               hit               bottom.

She               shared               the               detailed               instructions               that               Sargent               Gomez               had               shared               with               her.

She               asked               the               woman               to               repeat               back               what               she               had               instructed               her.

"Trust               me,               I               was               in               disbelief               as               well               when               I               received               this,               but               I               now               am               completely               convinced,               and               life               for               me               and               my               children               has               changed               in               monumental               ways.

Please               accept               it,"               Salem               pushed.
               "Okay,               thank               you,"               the               woman               was               unsure.
               "Good               luck               to               you,"               Salem               said               as               she               walked               off.

The               woman               stood               there               a               little               stunned               before               she               crawled               back               into               the               warmth.
               "What               were               you               doing,               mom,               what               did               you               say               to               that               lady?"               Mason               asked.
               "I               was               just               trying               to               give               her               some               faith,               and               let               her               know               that               dreams               do               come               true,"               Salem               said               driving               off.

She               knew               the               kids               would               be               late               for               school,               but               she               felt               in               her               heart               it               was               well               worth               it.
               She               never               did               see               that               woman               again,               though               she               looked               for               her               when               at               the               shelter.

She               did               not               have               any               idea               what               became               of               her,               but               she               thought               her               wishes               may               have               been               much               different               from               her               own.

She               liked               to               picture               them               living               on               a               warm               beach               in               the               Bahamas               or               some               tropical               location.

Salem               could               only               hope               they               would               be               as               blessed               as               she               was.
               It               was               the               first               day               back               to               school               to               a               new               classroom,               but               a               familiar               part               of               her               life               she               cherished               more               now               than               ever.

Salem               was               unpacking               a               box               of               personals               onto               her               desk.

She               reflected               on               all               she               had               been               through               the               past               year,               and               just               how               far               she               had               come.

She               pulled               out               a               very               special,               orange,               framed               picture.

It               held               a               picture               of               Lovey,               the               good               witch,               Beth               the               linebacker,               Dylan               and               Drake               the               pirates,               Mason               the               Transformer,               and               her               silly               little               Tigger.

She               gazed               with               such               awe               at               what               she               knew,               without               question,               was               absolutely               the               greatest               Halloween               ever.










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