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Mark wasn't sure if he should follow the men as they turned toward the front of the mission or join his daughter Jaira. He stood, suddenly feeling awkward.
"So Jaira, how long have you been here? Adelaide never told us."
Jaira didn't hear him, still standing in the door, her arms around her children.
"Can we help with anything?" Arlana offered, stepping towards Jaira as she watched Josiah disappear from view, entering the main doors.
"I think we have everything covered, but thanks for offering. Will you stay for supper? We are having chicken pot pie. I made it from scratch."
"I wouldn't pass up your cooking if you are sure there will be enough for everyone. Do you normally have a lot of folks come for dinner?"
Mark followed her through the kitchen, picking out a seat at a nearby table...a long table that easily fit twelve people.
Terrell returned carrying a second crate on his shoulder before Jaira unloaded the contents, putting them in their place.
"Rivkah made the bread this morning," Rose smiled, "I'm Rose by-the-way. I'm not sure if Arlana mentioned me before. I'm your distant cousin."
Jaira frowned. Arlana was still going on about that? As far as she was concerned, her only family was immediate family. Rose was no different. Just another mouth to feed.
"Have a seat," her voice was unnecessarily cool.
The homeless began to trickle in as if the scent of a warm meal led the way.
Terrell stood in the archway and called out, "I want to thank you all for joining us. If I could just ask you to bow your heads as we bless the meal, we will begin serving."
And with that, he bowed his head, "Lord we thank you for these guests who have joined us today. I pray that you will meet their needs, both physical but most importantly, spiritual. May they come to know you, the Bread of Life, our only Savior and Redeemer. Bless this food, may it nourish us. Bless this time of fellowship, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
"Amen," a few echoed before forming a straight line, holding a plate in their hands.
Jaira smiled as she scooped a large heaping of food on each plate, "God bless you."
"Mamma, can we line up too?" Aziel tugged on Arlana's dress.
"No son, we are not destitute. I brought sandwiches."
Aziel wrinkled his nose; his auntie's pot pie smelled heavenly.
They sat beside David at the head of the one side of the table, Mark at the other. The others found seats in between. Arlana feared her cousin was angry with how she had turned out since their last visit. Right now, it was her mother sitting across from her that sent cold chills down her spine. One wrong word was all it took to upset her mother and cause a scene. Arlana seemed as though standing on a thousand eggs, afraid of moving. Rose raised her eyebrow when she saw Aralana, the men not yet joining them.
The boys sat together on the opposite side of Rivkah, between Rivkah and Rose, Amber pressed up against her aunt. Beneath the table cloth, she slid her hand into Arlana's. David poured water from a pitcher left on the table into each of their glasses.
The line had begun to thin when Jaira looked up, glancing at the tables to be sure everyone had been served. Her family hadn't joined the line, in fact, none from that table had.
"We still have some left over," Jaira announced as she walked over to the table with a pot of coffee, "Would you like some coffee at least?"
"Sure," David looked over at the side door wondering if Josiah and Lachlan would be joining them before the service.
"No, I just drink water now," Mark sat back in his seat looking around. "So what is this place anyway? You just give out food?"
"Oh no, they have counselling here, some classes as well I believe. And just above us is a small church," Jaira still stood, coffee pot in one hand, "Have you guys had anything to eat?"
"No," Aziel answered honestly, his little stomach rumbling.
"I was just about to pass out sandwiches," Arlana shot her son "the look."
"Honestly, don't worry. There's plenty to go around. Terrell!" Jaira called back to the kitchen "I'll be right back."
"I can't believe my family is here! Especially my kids!" she gushed to a surprised Terrell. "I feel like I'm dreaming!"Jaira continued, her voice was breathless, "I have to call Adelaide! Can you grab a couple of plates of food for my family? We'll join them..."
Terrell was happy to comply.
Adelaide answered on the second ring.
"Hello?" she spoke into the phone, the number on her call display unfamiliar.
"They're here!" Jaira squealed into the phone, "You've gotta come."
"We are coming tonight," Adelaide held her hand over the receiver, "I'm on the phone, can you please settle down! Agh, okay, so tell me again, who's where?"
"Arlana and her friends and our parents and my kids! Right here! At the mission. Can you get here sooner? I'm guessing they will stay until after the service tonight, but just in case, I didn't want you to miss seeing her."
Jaira watched as Terrell brought out the steaming plates and didn't return. She really needed to make this call short.
"I don't know if Gavin will go for it...Gavin! Do you want to go to the mission early? No...I mean now. Jaira is on the phone. She says that my parent's and Arlana are there right now...."
Adelaide huffed into the phone, clearly exasperated.
"Ya okay then..." she answered her husband who was in another room, "Okay so I'm coming with the kids and Gavin will come later tonight. I'll be there in ten minutes depending on the traffic. Kids get ready to go out! Okay, sorry about yelling in your ear. See you soon."
Jaira hung up the dead phone, joining Terrell at the table, sitting next to Amber.
Soft chatter floated through the room from their table.
Aziel sat beside Peter, swinging his legs under the table, "Are my other cousins going to come too?"
Jaira nodded, "I just called Adelaide, she said she should be here in a few minutes," she glanced toward the main entrance.
"Have you seen my folks yet?" Terrell directed his question at Mark.
"No, we just got here."
Mark wasn't sure who Terrell's folks were anyway.
"The Mosely," Terrell answered, looking at Mark.
Yes, over ten years had passed, but he didn't think Mark Gallen would have forgotten his parents. At one point they'd been best friends. He shifted closer to Jaira, looking down at her flushed cheeks, her eyes radiating happiness.
Only the children had eaten, the adults politely refusing the food that was meant for the needy.
"Have you eaten?" Rivkah's voice was low as she placed her hand on Arlana's.
"Yes, I had breakfast and brought sandwiches," Arlana assured the older woman.
Sheila watched the exchange. This woman was cooing over her daughter. She may have to share her grandchild, but she wouldn't be one-upped.
"So when is your exact due date?" Sheila leaned forward.
"I don't know...."
"You haven't been to a doctor? Rivkah, surely you should know to make her get one. She needs to be seen!"
Sheila's voice was laced with condescension, pointing out Rivkah's glaring flaw as a mother-in-law and grandmother.
Sheila watched in smug satisfaction as a blush rushed over Rivkah's features. She would have had no way of knowing.
Arlana squeezed Rivkah's hand. "It's my own fault. I was so preoccupied."
Sheila's mind automatically went to the worst explanation. Was that really how her daughter spent her days? Josiah was tall with Viking good looks and hadn't told them what he did for a living. Sheila's thoughts lingered on her assumption for a moment longer, her face flushing, before turning back to her daughter.
"That is just one more reason you need to come to Victoria Island. At least there I can be close by and make sure you get to your doctor appointments. Those little ones should be near their grandmother."
Rivkah looked away, not wanting to give Sheila the satisfaction of knowing her words had inflicted great pain.
Sheila sized up her competition. The Gallen’s had always been poor, but now she had a job and things were different. Rivkah's pale blue dress looked handmade. She must be too poor to shop at Value Village.
Rivkah looked back at Arlana, "We will get you in to see a doctor tomorrow. I had no idea."
Arlana wished someone would change the topic.