Twenty

We Take Care of Our Own

Now that her backpack was lighter, Sharleen was able to move quicker. This liberation was especially evident when she stepped off the bus later that day, anxious to get to the school and receive an update on the damage. Also, a new rehearsal space for her students had to be found, and fast.

I need to see Joyce. She’ll have some ideas on where we can rehearse.

After Sharleen exited the bus through the rear door, she began her brief two-block journey, carrying one bookbag, instead of the usual two. The temperature had dropped even more since she’d spent the morning with Jake. The stinging air felt like ice against her skin. Still, she soldiered on.

At the next intersection, she crossed the street with purpose. There was something she needed to do.

Seconds later, she reached the front gate of her old house. There, she stopped. She stood in silence, staring at her past. A range of mixed emotions filled her heart, a bittersweet combination of sorrow and relief.

It’s just a house now. Nothing more. I’m taking all of the memories with me.

For a brief moment, Sharleen imagined her parents standing on the porch. They looked happy. Her father was waving at her. Her mother was smiling.

“I love you both,” she said to the vision. “Always.”

Behind her parents, Alma suddenly appeared. She joined her daughter and son-in-law, standing in the middle and locking arms with them momentarily.

“Lita?” Sharleen said. “I miss you so much.” She was aware that she was crying then.

I look like an insane person, standing on the sidewalk bawling my eyes out and talking to ghosts.

In response, Alma blew her granddaughter a kiss.

“We love you, m’ija,” Alma said.

And then, they were gone.

Sharleen remained still for a moment, both shaken by the imagined moment, but grateful for it at the same time.

They were saying goodbye to me. They were giving me permission to move on. I know they were.

Sharleen turned away from the house, and took a few steps before stopping to glance back.

This is where the sadness belongs. Behind me.

Sharleen counted the cracks in the sidewalk as she continued down the street. Up ahead, the smell of coffee brewing emanated from the Cuban coffee shop. Somewhere in the distance, a church bell chimed. An old woman stepped out of the corner market, carrying grocery sacks in her hands. Mothers and fathers were walking to the park, pushing strollers as they passed by.

This is home. This is where I belong.

As Sharleen reached the outer edges of the playground and the first post in the chain-link fence, she squinted to make sure her eyes weren’t playing a trick on her.

What is he doing here?

Standing in the exact spot that her father used to stand when he would greet her each day and marvel at her new chalk art creation was Jake. He smiled when he saw her. She quickened her step, picking up her pace, anxious.

Please don’t let whatever he’s about to tell me be more bad news. My heart can’t take it. Not today.

“Fancy running into you here,” she greeted. “This is a pleasant surprise, seeing you twice in one day.”

“Three if you count dinner tonight,” he said with a wink.

“I’m counting. I’m counting,” she joked. “I’ve been looking forward to it since we said goodbye this morning.”

Sharleen extended her hand. The book bag was dangling from her wrist. “Here,” she said. “It’s all I could get, so I hope it’s enough.”

He took the bag from her with some reluctance in the way he moved. “What is this?”

“It’s what you said we need to make the impossible possible,” she explained, being cryptic on purpose.

Jake let out an audible gasp once peering inside the book bag. “I’m afraid to ask this, but did you rob a bank? Are you a fugitive right now?”

“I didn’t rob a bank,” she said, lightly slapping his arm in jest. “Although the thought did cross my mind, but only for a second.”

“What did you do?” Jake asked, sounding shocked. “Where did you get this cash?”

“You said we needed money to rebuild, so I got some.”

“But this is a lot of money, Sharleen.”

“If there’s anything left over, I would love some dance shoes for my kids and a piano tuner.”

“I think we can make that happen,” he said, “But first, I want you to meet a few of our closest friends.”

“What are you talking about?”

Jake started to walk again. Curious, Sharleen quickly followed.

“Come on,” he urged. “There are some people who want to see you.”

They stepped into the first section of the school parking lot. Sharleen glanced up, catching a few waves from the rippling American flag snapping in the wintry air.

Then she saw them. There was a large crowd gathered near the main entrance of the building. Immediately, at the sight of so many familiar faces, Sharleen collided with Jake, bursting into tears. He reached out and steadied her.

As they reached their friends, Sharleen stared at their faces, taking each one in and letting their presence fill a space in her heart.

Betty was standing front and center, with the beautiful crowd behind her, which included Maisy, Willie, Sylvia, Lola, Cristina, Joyce, Victor, Ivy, Raquel, Camilla, and the other students who were in the show. Beyond that, people from the community had joined the cause, many of them strangers to Sharleen. In all, there were more than a hundred people there to greet her and Jake.

“Jake called me this morning and told me your idea about rebuilding,” Betty said. “He also told me you have a fondness for pancakes, as do I.”

“Guilty on both counts,” Sharleen said, wiping her eyes with the back of her gloved hand. “All of you are here to help?”

“Yes, we are,” Sylvia said. “Because we take care of our own.”

“Thank you, everyone,” said Sharleen, still overwhelmed by the show of solidarity. “It means so much that you’re here.”

“Where else would we be?” Lola said. “Nowhere else but right by your side, girl.”

Ivy ran to her father and wrapped her arms around him. “Daddy, are we really going to rebuild the stage?”

“We’re certainly going to try,” he promised.

“That’s all we can do,” Betty said. “Each and every day.”

“Amen,” added Sylvia.

“Through tragedy can come a blessing,” Betty concluded. “Now, enough conversation, we have a lot of work to do and a show to put on.”

The crowd responded to Betty with a loud, beautiful cheer.

Victor broke through the crowd and rushed to Sharleen’s side. He took her hand into his. “Miss Sharleen, my mom said you’re going to help me find a dance class to go to. Thank you.”

“Does this mean you’re coming back to the show?” she asked. “Finally?”

“Yes,” he said. “I can’t wait.” His smile lifted her spirits even more.

Jake reached out and pulled Sharleen aside. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “It just dawned on me … the money … I know how you got it.”

“Do you?”

He nodded. “Your grandmother’s ring…”

She held his inquisitive stare, unable to look away. “You are correct,” she said. “Right now my grandmother’s ring is sitting in a pawn shop downtown. It was a sacrifice worth making. I mean, look at how many people are here.”

From the corner of her eye, Sharleen saw two more people approaching the crowd.

Holly was dressed more casually than usual, and her dark hair was down, whipping across her face in the chilly wind. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold. Obedient George was trailing behind her, dressed in a pair of overalls and a flannel shirt. He was carrying a shovel, for what purpose, Sharleen didn’t know. He was like a scarecrow that had magically come to life, ready to be put to work.

There was a humble expression in Holly’s eyes when she came face-to-face with Sharleen. “Is there room for two more?” she asked.

Sharleen nodded, offered Holly a genuine smile, and said, “Always.”