11

Angie pulled her car into the parking lot of Crescent Bluff Community Church and followed the signs pointing the way to Clinton’s Closet. A line of people waiting for the facility to open snaked across the front of the building and around the side. She parked in one of the spaces labeled “Volunteer” and walked to the front entrance. She tapped on the door.

Josh waved and let her inside. “Morning, Angie. Glad you could make it. Head on over to Isabel, and she’ll brief you.”

Clothing racks and tables occupied the right side of the old gym. New toys filled shelves along the right-hand wall. The other side, which had a kitchen and cafeteria line, held tables and chairs. Isabel and Adam stood behind the sales counter. When they looked up, Angie waved. She walked over and gave both of them a hug. “How’s everyone this morning?”

Isabel squeezed her hand. “We’re fine, dear. I’m so glad you and Will joined us yesterday. And we’re equally glad you’re here with us today. Adam will brief you while I check on the food.” She made her way to the kitchen area.

Angie inspected Adam. He looked better than he had in days. She grasped his hand. “And how are you feeling today?”

“Great.” He grinned. “Maybe a little too good. I took pain pills and muscle relaxers last night. First time I’ve slept through the night in a couple of weeks. I hate to take the stuff, but sometimes I gotta.”

“Glad you’re doing better.” She squeezed his hand. “So what’s my job?”

“You look like a math-whiz to me. How about handling the finances?”

She patted her pocket. “As long as I have my phone with my trusty calculator, I can do it.”

“This is how it works. Each person can get items valued up to a total of twenty dollars for free. Just add the amounts on the tags. If they want more than that, they pay for the rest.”

“Got it.” She saluted.

“And if anyone needs more than they can pay for, let me know. I might be able to give them a special discount.” He made air quotes when he spoke the last word.

She grinned. “You bet.”

He sat on one of the stools behind the counter. “So, where’s Will? I thought he might come with you.”

“He went home last night. I imagine he’s resting up today.”

Josh motioned to Adam. “Be right back.” He walked toward the front door.

Angie sat on one of the barstools behind the counter. She was glad she’d come today. She loved the community feel of this small town, something that had been missing in Fort Worth. She and Will had attended a local church, but it was so large, they’d never really gotten involved. They’d go to church pretty much every Sunday and then out to lunch. And that was it.

Even though Angie hadn’t attended CBCC yet, she felt more a part of the church family than she ever had in Fort Worth. This Sunday, she’d attend.

She checked all her supplies and straightened the counter. And then she saw the same picture that had been on Adam’s dresser.

Adam walked back behind the counter. “That’s me and my dad.”

She nodded.

“His name was Clinton. After he died, Mom decided to start this charity in his memory.”

“I saw this picture yesterday when I put my coat in your bedroom.” She reached out and took his hand. “I’m sure he’d be proud of what you all have done.”

A soft smile brightened Adam’s face.

“All right, everybody,” Josh spoke up. “Let’s circle up and pray before we open the doors.”

The volunteers did as he asked.

Angie wove the fingers of one hand with Adam’s and then grasped the hand of another volunteer.

As Josh prayed, the image of the picture on the dresser and the card that stood beside it filled her mind. She squeezed Adam’s hand.

~*~

Five o’clock arrived in world-record time. Adam grabbed a couple of bowls of chili and carried them over to the sales counter. They’d been so busy, he and Angie hadn’t even stopped for lunch. She sat on a barstool tabulating the sales figures. The tables, shelves, and clothing racks were empty.

He set the bowls on the counter and pulled a couple of bottles of water off the shelf behind them. “How about some chili for linner?”

She wrinkled her forehead. “Linner?”

“Yeah, lunch at dinnertime. Linner.”

She smiled at him, and he winked in response. “Sounds great.” She held up her phone and showed today’s total income. “Not bad.”

“We’ll take that and buy socks, gloves, hats, and food cards. Then Josh and I’ll go downtown next weekend and hand them out. You’re welcome to come. But it can be a little rough.” He took a bite of his chili.

“I think I’d like that.” Her gaze found his, and her eyes shimmered. “I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never done any mission work up close and personal like this. I’ve always donated money or stuff, and marked it off the list. But this…” A tear slipped down her cheek.

Adam set his bowl down and gave her a hug. “Yeah.” He reached under the counter, grabbed a tissue, and gently wiped away the evidence of her kind heart. “I’m glad you came today.” He handed her the tissue.

“I saw it.” Another tear followed the track of the first.

“Saw what?”

“The card…on your dresser. I wasn’t snooping. When I put my coat in your room on Thanksgiving, I saw the picture…and the card.”

He nodded. This was bound to come up one time or another. “Mom insisted I keep all the cards. I wanted to throw them away. I mean, they were reminders of the worst months of my life. And then you mentioned you’d sent one… Angie, that card sat on the bedside table in the hospital for weeks. When things got so hard that I couldn’t fight anymore…” A lump formed in his throat. He would not lose it. He took a deep breath. “I realized I didn’t have to. God would. And He did. Thank you.”

They ate their chili in silence, her dabbing her tears away, him fighting his off.

He pushed the bowl aside. “Got a Christmas tree yet?”

She shook her head.

“I’m going tomorrow. Wanna come? Maybe they’ll give us a two-for-one deal.”

“Sure.”

“Say about ten?”

“Sounds good.”