Sugar and Spice by Frances Devine

Author:Frances Devine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-04-25T04:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Jimmy and Cobb stared after the family struggling down the street. The man’s brow was still furrowed with anger as he pushed a wheelbarrow piled high with boxes and bags. Pots and pans stuck out, in danger of falling to the street. The man’s exhausted-looking wife carried several crammed-full pillowcases, and the three boys each had a corner of a bulging tied-up sheet that threatened to spill its contents. Other pedestrians avoided the family’s eyes as they hurried past, probably thankful it wasn’t them.

Jimmy followed, determined to try one more time. “Hawkins, if you won’t allow me to give you the money, at least accept a loan.”

“Get away from me.” He dropped the handles of the wheelbarrow and turned a face filled with fury upon Jimmy. “I don’t need your help. It’s my family, and I’ll take care of them. A man has to take care of his own.”

Jimmy stepped back. What could he do? As soon as he’d heard the Hawkinses were being evicted, he’d gone to their home and offered his assistance with the rent. An offer that was promptly refused with a counteroffer to kick Jimmy out the door.

Cobb clapped his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Let them go, Jimbo. There ain’t nothing you can do.”

“But where will they go?” Confusion clouded his mind and grief cut into his heart. Where could they possibly go?

Cobb inhaled a breath and blew it out with a loud whoosh. “Don’t worry yourself sick over it. They’ll find some place.”

“How will they do that? They have no money. God, show me what to do.” The words came out with a groan. A groan that seemed to come from the depths of his being. “Those little boys, Lord.”

“Okay, Jimbo”—Cobb faced him and grabbed his shoulders—“listen to me. There ain’t nothin’ you can do. Nothin’ at all. Don’t take it so hard. You can’t help everyone.”

The harshness of Cobb’s voice penetrated Jimmy’s mind. Realization hit like a sledgehammer against a concrete wall. There was nothing he could do. “I’m going home.” Home where no one was cold or hungry or homeless.

“Now you’re talking. Get some hot food in your stomach and a good night’s rest. You’ll feel better in the morning. Just wait and see if you don’t.”

Jimmy sighed. “Yeah, you should be a preacher, Cobb.”

“Who, me?” A horrified, trapped expression crossed his face. “Why would I want to do that?”

“Don’t look so scared. I was only teasing.” He narrowed his eyes and peered at Cobb. “Wouldn’t hurt you to go to church though.”

“Yeah, that’s what you keep telling me.” Cobb grinned. “Maybe I will, one of these days. Who knows?”

Jimmy waved and headed for the streetcar line. He rode in silence, hardly noticing the other passengers. Had he only imagined the call of God on his life? He’d stood helpless and watched a family trudge down the street with nowhere to go. Maybe if he’d handled it differently. . .”

He groaned. He’d broken the first rule. Never intrude. Always protect a man’s self-respect.

❧

Jimmy moved his fork around his plate, his mind wandering over the events of the afternoon.

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