Chapter 62

 

 

“Why don’t we just go?” Gracie muttered. “It’s been hours.”

“I feel rotten, leaving him alone.” Sandy looked at the sad figure on the bed.

Ron had been in and out of consciousness, moaning when he did rouse but mostly just lying there. The doctor had come in once, assessed that the injured foot would need surgery. The nurse came in every half hour or so, usually cranking up the amount of morphine feeding through the IV line into Ron’s arm.

“Look,” said Gracie. “We got what we came for.”

She nodded toward Sandy’s tote, which now held the zipper bag of stolen treasures. “When they get finished with the life-and-death emergencies, they’ll come get him. He’ll be in surgery a while and then put into a room somewhere. We really can’t do anything for him, but I’ve got a husband and kids at home who’ll be wanting some dinner pretty soon.”

“You’re right. You go ahead. I want to run out to the shelter and return these things. I have a feeling that’s going to be the only happy ending about this story.”

“That’s the right thing to do,” Gracie agreed. “The police would have to enter them into evidence or some such thing, and the value is so little I doubt Ron would ever get prosecuted for taking the things. At least we can get them back to their real owners.”

“Exactly.” Sandy stood and looked down at Ron. “What was he thinking, I wonder.”

She arrived at Heaven Sent just as the evening meal was being served, a meaty chicken soup that smelled wonderful. Trini’s eyes became moist when she saw the recovered bag of items.

“You got them back.”

Sandy nodded. “Maybe you can help me identify each piece and make sure we’re handing them over to the rightful owners.”

“Sure. Come on back to the dining hall. We’ve got something special planned and I want to see what you think.” Trini led the way.

When they arrived she pointed toward the new addition where a huge WELCOME banner was stretched across the doorway.

“New Year’s Day, we’re officially open for occupancy,” she announced. “Of course we did fudge it a little when that cold snap came through and I allowed people to fit in there. What a few bureaucrats don’t know won’t hurt them.”

Sandy squeezed her arm. “That’s great news, Trini. You do so much for this community.”

Trini smiled. “Everyone pitches in, including you and Mary. And that reminds me, you are both invited to our ribbon-cutting ceremony and a special dinner we’re hosting that day. Turner Farms donated several really nice hams, so we’re doing the whole tradition with black-eyed peas and the works.”

“It sounds really nice. I’ll let Mary know.” She held up the plastic bag she’d taken from Ron’s possessions. “Shall we?”

Trini studied the contents and pulled out a tin Altoids box. Inside was a thin gold chain with a broken clasp. “I felt so guilty about this one. I’m really relieved it turned up.”

She carried the tin over to Lizzie, who sat at one end of a table, alone. Her cart full of possessions sat against the west wall, and the old woman wasn’t letting it out of her sight. Sandy hung back, watching the woman’s reaction as she recognized the box. Eyes full of wonder, she opened it and lifted the chain out. And she actually beamed when she realized all her shiny foil papers and other bits were still inside. Trini patted her shoulder and they walked on to find the little girl who had wept over her missing locket with the pink stone.

“I think that’s everyone who is here right now,” Trini said, with a grateful smile. “Oh—did I tell you the news about Micah? He got a job. He told me this morning. He doesn’t start until January third, but he’s so thrilled. He’ll be here tonight and I will see to it he gets his grandfather’s watch.”

Sandy told Trini to pass along her good wishes. She hoped Micah’s luck truly was changing for him. She left the rest of the items with Trini and headed home.

Later that evening she called Gracie to report. “It was such a thrill to see them get their things back. Remind me never again to underestimate the sentimental value of a small item.”

“Or the power of a kind deed,” Gracie said. “It’s just too bad that guy Ron didn’t have to do some jail time for stealing those things. What a creep, taking advantage of the homeless like that.”

Sandy sighed. “I know. I’ve thought about all this, and I wonder who beat him up. Maybe he ultimately did pay a price.”

“Maybe. I really want to ask him. What do you think of paying him another visit at the hospital tomorrow?”