Simple Wishes | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Simple Wishes | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amy Smith
05/18/06
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Caroline smelled the overheated engine as soon as she cut the motor. It brought tears to her eyes, but she brushed them away before the children could see. There was no money for car repairs.

“Hey, Caroline.” Willie pulled his battered pick-up beside the van. “I owe you from last week, kiddo.” He wriggled in his seat, edging his head higher out the window as he pulled bills from his pocket. “Ah-ha!” He poked wadded dollar bills at Caroline.

“Thanks, Willie, but I told you there’s no need.” Caroline reached out her hand to take the money.

“Take it. Take it.” Willie pushed it at her, and jerked his head back in the window. “Gotta run.” Two quick waves of his hand and he was off.

Lunch money for the kids. Caroline sighed as she wondered if she could make the money stretch and perhaps get the hot fudge sauce that Jacob need for his preschool party tomorrow. She bounced from the truck, pulling the sliding door handle. “One little chicken.” She pulled Rachel from the van. “Two little chickens.” She reached in, lifted Jacob out and perched him on her left hip. “Come on guys, let’s go do our civic duty and vote.”

“I want to vote.” Jacob tried out the new word. “Vote. I like to vote.” Caroline tried to block his toddler chatter. She needed a new roof. “I want to vote.” The van was smoking and something in the engine was burning. “I like to vote.” Maybe dinner could come from mom’s tonight. She had no cash and six days until payday. “Vote. Vote. Vote.” She needed to put a hold on her cell account since her phone was either lost or stolen from the break room yesterday. That phone was her security, alone with the kids in a less than dependable van. “Mommy, what’s vote?” Jacob’s question made Caroline grin.

Jerking open the church door, she held it open with a foot as Rachel hopped through the opening. “I want to push the buttons for you, Momma.” Rachel was excited. She’d helped Caroline vote for the last six years. The curtains, the lights and sensitive buttons all intrigued Rachel.

“Mornin’ guys. You all come to vote today?” Paige flashed Caroline a quick smile and pulled two stickers from her roll, holding them out for Rachel and Jacob. Paige bent down and dug around in a handbag. “Found your cell last night at women’s prayer circle.” She popped the phone onto the table.

“Oh, Paige, you are a doll.” Caroline grinned, grabbed for the phone, and reached over to sign her name.

“Can we vote.” Rachel was hopping from one foot to the other. “Is it our turn, Miss Paige? Now?” Caroline’s head was pounding, but she smiled at Rachel’s excitement. Caroline pulled Rachel with her into the curtained area and they took turns poking the buttons and watching the red and green lights. Then, Caroline let Jacob push the big green button, signaling their official vote.

Stepping out, she ran smack into Billy Simms. “Billy, good to see you. How’s your momma doin’?” She hiked Jacob a little higher on her hip.

“Good. Real good. We’ve enjoyed every bit of that chicken casserole you sent last week. It was good.” He looked as if he’d add more, then, dropped his head. “Them rolls you made, too, they were the best.” He rubbed his work-roughened hands over the stretched plaid shirt covering his belly. “Caroline, your momma said you could use some help with the roof. I’d sure be glad to come take a look.” He looked her in the eyes and added a nod of his head. Caroline’s eyes teared up for a second time.

“Billy Simms. I’d appreciate that. The kids and I would appreciate that.” Caroline rubbed her face in Jacob’s hair to brush off the tears. “We’ll be home all week.”

“All right, then.” Billy nodded and knocked his blue ball cap against his knee. “Tomorrow after church, then. I’ll drop on by. Take a look.” He popped the cap on his head and nodded again, then turned and left.

Caroline closed her teary eyes and thought about how rich she really was. She knew. Her morning had made her forget. But, she knew. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." Caroline had simple wishes. Simple wishes and a rich, rich life.

NIV John 15:7

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