With the holidays over, the winter of 2001 set in with a vengeance. No sooner would they dig out from one storm than the next would hit.
If it had not been for Mr. Jennings, a kind man who had been friends with Susan for many years, Sandi’s car would have stayed buried until mid-June. He called it his hobby, getting out in the early-morning hours and using his big snow blower to clear drives in the neighborhood. Sandi did not even know who he was the first time she found him digging out her driveway, and he totally refused to let her give him money. She was very grateful because she had little to give. He had already cleared the path for them a half-dozen times, and it did not appear that the storms were going to let up any time soon.
It was not even mid-February, and it felt like winter had been in full force for months on end instead of only weeks. Each time they bundled up to go out the door, it seemed like Spring would never arrive!
On Friday, Sandi went in for her appointment with Mr. Benning, leaving the girls with Susan. It was very cold and the weather was worsening. After only a short visit, he suggested she needed to head home. She left the office and walked the half block in the biting wind to her icy vehicle. Putting the key in the ignition, she turned it with no results. The car refused to start no matter how many times she took the key out and repeated the exercise.
Her teeth were chattering and her hands in her thin gloves were numb. Almost in tears, she started to step out of the car and begin the long cold walk back to the office in hopes of finding someone who would help. With her hand on the door handle, Jim Benning himself knocked on the frozen window.
“Need a jump?” he asked.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with it. It started ok this morning.”
“Let me see if we can get it going for you.” Soon it became evident that, at least for now, the old car was going nowhere.
Sandi hesitantly accepted his offer for a ride home. He insisted it would be no trouble since his day was officially over. It was still early, but because of the weather, his last appointment had been canceled. “The weather most likely,” he said. “I was really surprised when you made it in.”
After getting into his black and silver pickup, Jim reached behind the seat and pulled out a plaid stadium blanket. “Here, wrap this around you, you are half frozen!” Sandi gratefully accepted the blanket and wrapped it tightly around her shoulders. By now, she was shaking uncontrollably, and she could not blink back the tears.
He spoke gently. “The truck doesn’t take long to warm up. Maybe we should stop and get you a cup of something hot to drink before I take you on home.”
“Oh, no. Please.” She said through her chattering teeth. “You have done more than enough already, and my family will be worried if I don’t get home soon.”
“Well, if you are sure you’re all right.”
Sandi nodded, and for the next several minutes, they were both quiet. Their hands had touched when she took the blanket, and though she was indeed very cold, warmth had sparked within her, and for only a moment their eyes locked. The relationship between the two had been slowly changing over the past months. Because of his obvious good intentions, Sandi’s initial resentment had slowly disappeared. Today was different though. She felt confused and a little shaken.
He interrupted her thoughts. “How would it be if I pick you up tomorrow around 11:00? We can go get you a new battery then. That should get you back on the road.”
“Oh, I can’t thank you enough, but I’m sure I can get it taken care of without you wasting your Saturday on me!”
“Tell you what,” he smiled. “You let me help out, and you can repay me by going into the city with me afterward! Tomorrow, they are predicting sunshine and much more pleasant weather, if you can believe that.” Glancing at her, he laughed, “I know what you are thinking. You think I’m crazy, to even consider spending the day outside, aren’t you?” Not giving her a chance to answer, he continued.
“The girls can come along, and we’ll make a day of it. Winter Carnival is taking place over at Greenbrier Park this weekend. It would be a great afternoon! Please say you’ll go.
There are plenty of warming stations, and if it is too cold, we will leave. I promise.”
Jim knew he was crossing a line here. He understood the rules concerning caseworker-client relationships, but for weeks Sandi and her two little girls had been constantly on his mind. At first, he tried to stay professional, brushing his feelings aside, but as time went on, they were becoming harder and harder to ignore.
Joletta was looking out of the window when the black pickup drove up in front of Susan’s house. Her mom opened the door and got out.
“Look, Annie, Momma’s with Mr. B.” “Mommy, Mommy,” chimed the baby, clapping her hands.
Sandi walked toward the house, turning to wave good-bye to Jim, a grateful smile on her face. As she stepped through the door, Joletta immediately started to question her mother.
“Mom, what were you doing with Mr. B.? Where is our car? Where have you been? We were worried about you.”
“Joletta,” Susan spoke softly but firmly from the overstuffed chair in the corner of the room. “You might try to give your mother a chance to take off her coat and warm up a bit before she starts answering so many questions.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mom. I’m glad you’re home.”
Sandi smiled and kissed her elder daughter on the cheek as she scooped little Annie into her arms and hugged her close, breathing in the sweet fragrance of her soft baby skin. Later in the evening, after the baby was in her bed, Joletta sat curled up on the couch next to Sandi.
“Mom, I just think it’s so weird that you’re going out on a date with our social worker!”
“Joletta, I already told you this is not a date. He’s just trying to be nice to us.” Strangely, she did feel this was different. Perhaps it was more, but she wasn’t ready to go there yet. There were just too many complications.