The church picnic was boring and poorly attended for a church of two hundred. Not even the pastor had attended. After lunch, there were no games for the kids, no horseshoes or table games for the adults. Church members just sat around tables in the shade. Being a newcomer, Stevie was on the outside of the conversation. And being alone, she felt like a fifth wheel among so many couples and longtime friends. It was not that anyone was overtly standoffish, but Stevie could not help imagining that the words newcomer and divorcee were tattooed across her forehead. It would take some time to break into this "loving" group of Christians, she assessed.
Stevie drifted away from the picnic to the small amphitheater where preparations for the rally were almost complete. Finally, Bellardi's large entourage arrived on the platform, the band played on to the delight of the audience, which was now on its feet. Stevie's eyes flitted between the smiling candidate and his wife, standing front and center, and Wes, the young volunteer, buried three rows back in the platform crowd. She eagerly awaited the senator's address.
Suddenly Jeremiah 29:11 flashed through her mind: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Yes, thought Stevie, a future and a hope. . . .
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Helping or Enabling
Following through with her surprising decision to move north and radically change her lifestyle assured Jon that his ex-wife thought Bellardi was on the right track. Jon had not studied the issues thoroughly enough to make a decision about Senator Bellardi since he was not a resident of North California.
Jon's breakfast was placed in front of him and from the corner of his eye, he saw Mac adoring the feast. Jon made it a practice not to give money to panhandlers, but he rarely turned down an opportunity to provide food or clothing to someone in obvious need. "If you haven't eaten yet, Mac, I'd be happy to treat you to breakfast." Mac gladly accepted.
Mac probably worked the summer crowd on motel row for at least one hot meal a day. But from the vagrant's appearance, it still did not look like enough. Early on as a Christian, Jon had internalized a truth: Each disadvantaged individual is a person for whom Christ died, someone to whom the love of Christ must be displayed in practical ways. In most circumstances, Jon had little trouble buying a meal for, or simply taking a few minutes to be friendly to, someone like Mac.
Jon's eyebrows raised only slightly when Mac ordered steak and eggs with a short stack on the side and a large glass of orange juice.
Jon's breakfast was placed in front of him and from the corner of his eye, he saw Mac adoring the feast. Jon made it a practice not to give money to panhandlers, but he rarely turned down an opportunity to provide food or clothing to someone in obvious need. "If you haven't eaten yet, Mac, I'd be happy to treat you to breakfast." Mac gladly accepted.
Mac probably worked the summer crowd on motel row for at least one hot meal a day. But from the vagrant's appearance, it still did not look like enough. Early on as a Christian, Jon had internalized a truth: Each disadvantaged individual is a person for whom Christ died, someone to whom the love of Christ must be displayed in practical ways. In most circumstances, Jon had little trouble buying a meal for, or simply taking a few minutes to be friendly to, someone like Mac.
Jon's eyebrows raised only slightly when Mac ordered steak and eggs with a short stack on the side and a large glass of orange juice.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Rules on Meddling
"We got us a real horse race goin' here, ain't we?" Jon turned to appraise his neighbor, who was unashamedly reading over his shoulder at Denny's restaurant where he went for breakfast while the kids were at church. The man's odor, matted hair, beard, leathery skin, and threadbare clothes gave no doubt he had been a vagrant for many years.
"I'm just visiting North Cal this weekend but it looks interesting, So who's going to win this horse race?" Jon replied. Mac stirred his coffee, and said, "I know it don't look like it now, but I think that folksinger lady is gonna catch that politician and whup him by a whisker. Serves him right, too—tryin' to take over and make his own rules like he was the king of right and wrong. "You gotta have rules, but there's a difference between rules and meddlin." "What's the difference, as you see it?" Jon asked. "Well, rules is like tellin' a kid he's got to brush his teeth. Meddlin' is saying he can't do it with a red toothbrush, because a red toothbrush is evil or somethin'." Jon stifled a laugh at the man's surprising analogy.
Mac continued, "And them homosexuals, they shouldn't be foolin' around and gettin' married and the like. Men should be with women, everybody knows that. That's the rules of nature. But tellin' a homosexual, 'You can't live in our state because you're too weird, that there is meddlin'." Jon acknowledged that the man had a point. There were rules and there was meddling. Jon admired Daniel Bellardi for taking a stand on the moral issues plaguing both ends of the former state of California. But in his attempt to establish a morally sound environment in North California, had he crossed the line between enforcing rules and meddling?
"I'm just visiting North Cal this weekend but it looks interesting, So who's going to win this horse race?" Jon replied. Mac stirred his coffee, and said, "I know it don't look like it now, but I think that folksinger lady is gonna catch that politician and whup him by a whisker. Serves him right, too—tryin' to take over and make his own rules like he was the king of right and wrong. "You gotta have rules, but there's a difference between rules and meddlin." "What's the difference, as you see it?" Jon asked. "Well, rules is like tellin' a kid he's got to brush his teeth. Meddlin' is saying he can't do it with a red toothbrush, because a red toothbrush is evil or somethin'." Jon stifled a laugh at the man's surprising analogy.
Mac continued, "And them homosexuals, they shouldn't be foolin' around and gettin' married and the like. Men should be with women, everybody knows that. That's the rules of nature. But tellin' a homosexual, 'You can't live in our state because you're too weird, that there is meddlin'." Jon acknowledged that the man had a point. There were rules and there was meddling. Jon admired Daniel Bellardi for taking a stand on the moral issues plaguing both ends of the former state of California. But in his attempt to establish a morally sound environment in North California, had he crossed the line between enforcing rules and meddling?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Concerns about Wes
The ambiance on the houseboat was so pleasant and the accommodations so near perfection that even the perpetually task-focused Daniel Bellardi took notice. Yet nothing was more pleasantly conspicuous to him than the appearance and behavior of his son. During the evening's entertainment Daniel whispered to his wife, “Wes has been marvelous this evening. Did you notice how pleasantly he greeted everyone as we introduced him, and how easily he made conversation? The haircut and the clothes made the difference," Daniel insisted. "I knew they would. Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp.”
"He looks as if he just stepped out of Esquire," Patricia breathed with admiration. Daniel nodded. "I think even he was surprised at the change." Daniel leaned close to Patricia , "To be honest, I've been worried about Wes, how he would fit in, if he would even be interested in working with us." Patricia patted her husband's hand reassuringly. "Wes is an individual—his own person, just the way we raised him to be. But first and last, he is a Bellardi. Next to me, no one will be more proud of your victory in this campaign than Wes. And I'm certain that your son will make you just as proud of him."
"He looks as if he just stepped out of Esquire," Patricia breathed with admiration. Daniel nodded. "I think even he was surprised at the change." Daniel leaned close to Patricia , "To be honest, I've been worried about Wes, how he would fit in, if he would even be interested in working with us." Patricia patted her husband's hand reassuringly. "Wes is an individual—his own person, just the way we raised him to be. But first and last, he is a Bellardi. Next to me, no one will be more proud of your victory in this campaign than Wes. And I'm certain that your son will make you just as proud of him."
Monday, November 14, 2011
Disneyland Father
Apart from the delightful free time she gained from "Daddy weekend," Stevie was of two minds about Jon's surprise visit. The kids were obviously pleased to see him, and they needed to be with him. But Stevie felt Jon should have given her more time to plan and prepare—at least a few days. She would kindly but firmly insist that he avoid last-minute drop-ins in the future.
She also found herself a little uncomfortable with the greeting Jon received. Did the kids have to be so excited to see him, so eager to leave her at home alone? They acted as if they had received a weekend pass from the Redding jail. Stevie did not enjoy feeling like a jailer.
Most disturbing of all was the subtle, nagging fear that Shawna and Collin might prefer their father to her. This was the pitfall of the "Disneyland father" syndrome. Daddy breezes in, spends wads of money on the children, lets them eat anything they want, never says no, never lifts a hand of discipline. Then he disappears, and Mom is left to restore order.
She also found herself a little uncomfortable with the greeting Jon received. Did the kids have to be so excited to see him, so eager to leave her at home alone? They acted as if they had received a weekend pass from the Redding jail. Stevie did not enjoy feeling like a jailer.
Most disturbing of all was the subtle, nagging fear that Shawna and Collin might prefer their father to her. This was the pitfall of the "Disneyland father" syndrome. Daddy breezes in, spends wads of money on the children, lets them eat anything they want, never says no, never lifts a hand of discipline. Then he disappears, and Mom is left to restore order.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Candidate Bellardi
Jon's surprise visit to the children had resulted in a delightfully quiet day for Stevie. During the day, she turned on TV only once, to watch a "docu-mercial" on the gubernatorial campaign of Senator Daniel Bellardi. The one-hour presentation offered a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the candidate—devoted husband and father, successful businessman, respected and effective former state legislator, aspirant to the governor's seat in the state he helped create. The program clearly outlined Bellardi's platform of moral responsibility and traditional family values. Stevie was greatly impressed by what she saw, in both the content and quality of the presentation. She was even more eager to see and hear Senator Bellardi at Caldwell Park the next day. She hoped she would have the opportunity after the rally to shake his hand and encourage him in his endeavors.
Before Jon and the kids left for the day, Stevie and her ex-husband had compromised on the Sunday schedule. Stevie wanted the kids to attend church with her. Jon conceded, admitting that he would probably sleep in Sunday morning to recover from the all-night drive. Stevie agreed to let Shawna and Collin spend the rest of the day with Jon. The plan allowed Stevie the freedom to talk to Senator Bellardi's people at the park if she had the opportunity.
Before Jon and the kids left for the day, Stevie and her ex-husband had compromised on the Sunday schedule. Stevie wanted the kids to attend church with her. Jon conceded, admitting that he would probably sleep in Sunday morning to recover from the all-night drive. Stevie agreed to let Shawna and Collin spend the rest of the day with Jon. The plan allowed Stevie the freedom to talk to Senator Bellardi's people at the park if she had the opportunity.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Dad Is Here
Shawna had just awakened when the phone rang. "Hello?" "Good morning, Sunshine. You're up early for a Saturday." Shawna smiled at the voice and sat up in bed. "Hi, Dad," she responded. "Actually I'm not up yet. The phone woke me." "I'm sorry, honey.”
Shawna did not regret moving to North California with her mother, but she missed her father. She found it easy to talk to him. He was always so upbeat and positive. Sometimes Mom seemed more interested in what Shawna did—or did not do— than in who she was. Dad made her feel like a real person, not just a kid.
"So is it hot in the Valley this morning?" she asked. "It's already eighty degrees here, maybe ninety by now." There was a hint of mischief in her dad's voice as he answered, "I don't know. I'm at a gas station in Willows. I'll be in Redding in about an hour and a half. Where would you and Collin like to go for lunch?"
Shawna bolted upright in bed again. "Daddy! You're in North California?" "Just down the freeway honey," Jon said, chuckling at her excited response. "I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to come see you guys." Then he asked Shawna to put her mother on so he could clear the visit with her.
Shawna did not regret moving to North California with her mother, but she missed her father. She found it easy to talk to him. He was always so upbeat and positive. Sometimes Mom seemed more interested in what Shawna did—or did not do— than in who she was. Dad made her feel like a real person, not just a kid.
"So is it hot in the Valley this morning?" she asked. "It's already eighty degrees here, maybe ninety by now." There was a hint of mischief in her dad's voice as he answered, "I don't know. I'm at a gas station in Willows. I'll be in Redding in about an hour and a half. Where would you and Collin like to go for lunch?"
Shawna bolted upright in bed again. "Daddy! You're in North California?" "Just down the freeway honey," Jon said, chuckling at her excited response. "I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to come see you guys." Then he asked Shawna to put her mother on so he could clear the visit with her.
Monday, November 7, 2011
New Friends
Shawna had met Terilyn Spradlin and her two friends, Josie and Alexis, at the Commons pool. They were all fifteen or sixteen, soon to be juniors in high school. But they had taken in the lowly sophomore like she was family. These girls were obviously not Lindley Belle material—no cheerleaders, class leaders, guy chasers. They were kind of plain, the way Shawna had expected farm girls around Redding to be. But Terilyn, Josie, and Alexis were smart and witty, and they really knew how to laugh and have a good time. Shawna found them to be uncomplicated and fun.
Most important of all, Terilyn, Josie, and Alexis were not anything like Destiny. The longer Shawna was away from L.A., the more she realized she was better off without Destiny around. Even though her new friends were not overtly religious, in that they and their families did not seem to be involved with church regularly, there did seem to be a spiritual element about them, and they certainly were not trouble magnets like Destiny. Thanks to her three new friends, Shawna's life in North California was off to a good start.
Most important of all, Terilyn, Josie, and Alexis were not anything like Destiny. The longer Shawna was away from L.A., the more she realized she was better off without Destiny around. Even though her new friends were not overtly religious, in that they and their families did not seem to be involved with church regularly, there did seem to be a spiritual element about them, and they certainly were not trouble magnets like Destiny. Thanks to her three new friends, Shawna's life in North California was off to a good start.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Road Trip
A sudden thought froze Jon at the window. Without taking a breath, he processed it. Sunday is the Fourth, and I get Monday off. Why didn't I think of this before? After only seconds he released a breath and glanced at his watch: 11:49 P.M. "I won't be there in time for breakfast with the kids, but if I leave right now I can make it for lunch," he said aloud. "And I don't have to head home until Monday afternoon." Jon slapped his hands together triumphantly. "Yes!"
Fifteen minutes later Jon threw a small bag behind the seat of his blue Ranger pickup and drove to the all-night Chevron station on Devonshire. After filling the tank and washing the windshield, he bought a twenty-ounce cup of hot coffee and headed for Interstate 5. Reaching the freeway, he turned north for the ten-hour trek to Redding. As he gunned the Ranger up the on-ramp, Jon turned on the radio and started singing country-and-western songs at the top of his lungs.
Fifteen minutes later Jon threw a small bag behind the seat of his blue Ranger pickup and drove to the all-night Chevron station on Devonshire. After filling the tank and washing the windshield, he bought a twenty-ounce cup of hot coffee and headed for Interstate 5. Reaching the freeway, he turned north for the ten-hour trek to Redding. As he gunned the Ranger up the on-ramp, Jon turned on the radio and started singing country-and-western songs at the top of his lungs.
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