6

 

The next morning, Lizzie pulled into her drive with the boy.

As Maven hurried out to meet them, the screaming told her all she needed to know.

Lizzie opened her car door, clearly distressed. “He won’t stop screaming. I am so sorry for doing this to you. I think he may be too much for one person to handle. I hope you won’t hate me after this.”

“I won’t hate you. It was my decision, not yours.” Maven opened the back door farthest from the boy.

The screaming continued.

Maven sat down, but didn’t touch or even look at him. Whatever connection they’d had yesterday seemed to be gone. Fighting back her own tears, she wondered what she’d gotten herself into—again. I need a little help here, God. This was Your idea not mine.

Perhaps the screaming was triggered by memories of being abandoned in the park. Chances were he’d arrived there in a car.

Not knowing what else to do, Maven sang. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”

He still muttered sounds and tears trickled down his cheeks, but he was no longer screaming.

She took a deep breath and sang it again.

He was watching her. His eyes were wary, as if waiting for the next bad thing to happen.

“Hi, sweetie. I know it’s all so scary. But the ride is finished, do you want to come in the house now? You’ll be staying with me for a while. I think we’ll have a lot of fun together.” She made no move to unbuckle him. Instead, she sat quietly with her hands in her lap.

Lizzie sat on Maven’s front steps and watched. “There’s a bag of toys for him in the trunk. His favorite ones from the shelter. Do you want them?”

“Just one. Pick his most favorite if you know what that is.”

A moment later, Lizzie handed Maven the little brown teddy bear from the play room. “He always wants this one near him.”

Maven held it up to the boy. “Hey, sweetie. Do you want this?”

His gaze moved to the teddy bear, but he didn’t answer her question.

Maven sat with the bear extended.

Tentatively he reached for the bear as if he thought it might be snatched away.

She handed him the brown teddy bear. “Now, I want you to hold this while I unsnap your buckle, then we’ll go into the house. OK?”

His body tensed as she touched the buckle, but he didn’t scream or start thrashing about. After unbuckling him, she walked to the other side of the car and opened the door. She held out her hand, but he ignored it.

He slid down out of the car.

The two of them walked side by side towards Lizzie who was back on the porch. She shook her head as she smiled at Maven. “I can’t believe how much patience you have.”

“It’s one of my gifts, I suppose. You can’t be a teacher without it.” Maven opened the door and held it open.

The boy stood on the small porch staring at them.

“It’s OK, sweetie. I promise, you’ll be safe here.”

After several moments of staring at Maven, he apparently decided it would be safe. He walked inside.

She shut the door. Maybe she should lock it? The boy looked as if he might bolt from the house at any moment. She decided to double check the windows, as well. She’d heard of kids leaving their house in the middle of the night while their parents slept. It was hard to know what he might do. Or did it mean something? Poor little boy, how scary this must be for him.

“Come on, let me show you your room.” Maven made her voice sound cheerful and excited. In truth, she was terrified with her decision to bring this boy into her home. What had she been thinking? How would she be able to take care of him twenty-four hours a day?

“Sounds great.” Lizzie followed behind Maven.

The boy walked behind them.

Maven opened the door to his room. “Ta-da! Here it is. Your new room.”

The room had been transformed from a stuffy, old antique-filled guest room to simplicity. The space was bare except for a small child’s bed, the carpet, and a red and yellow toy box with a matching desk.

She walked in, praying the boy would follow.

Lizzie took the bag of toys and gently dumped them in the middle of the room. “I can’t believe what you did with the room. It’s so different.”

“And truthfully, I think it’s a lot better. I’m done with those stuffy old antiques. They made me feel as old as them.”

“You aren’t old at all. I’m older than you. And I’m not old! We’re just getting started.”

“Amen to that, sister.”

“Of course, if you ask me, your wardrobe could use an update. Not just the room.”

“When I lose another ten pounds, I’ll let you take me shopping.”

“Speaking of that, will you be able to run now?”

Maven looked at the little boy, now her foster son.

He’d gone to the toys in the center of the room and was making his circle. Why was the circle so important to him? Was it just a habit?

She took Lizzie’s arm and went out of the room so the boy couldn’t overhear. “We shall see. Only time will tell.”

“Well, I’ll leave the two of you to get settled in. I’ll be in deep prayer, Maven. You are an amazing woman to do this, but if it becomes too much don’t hesitate to tell me. We’ll put him back in the shelter, if necessary.”

“Thanks, Lizzie.”

“I’ll see you both tomorrow at the park, right?”

“Mmm. I’m not sure about that, Lizzie. That’s the park where he was found. It might not be the best idea to take him there.”

“I see your point, but we can stay away from the area he was found in.”

“Let me think about it. I’ll call you later or you can call me to see if I’m still alive and sane.”

Lizzie hugged her. “You will be just fine, Maven. God bless you for helping him.” Her friend left the room.

And then it was just the two of them.