Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: RELATIVES (02/15/18)
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TITLE: Whose First? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Michelle Gretz
02/20/18 -
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Meanwhile, seven-year-old Kyle quietly slipped out of his camper to greet another day. His fresh bruises were tender, but he knew nothing was broken. His Dad would sleep most of the day, and his mom would hide. She didn’t like people to see her after a night like last night. That meant he was free to roam for the day. Feeling a surge of happiness, he set off in search of earthly critters. It amazed him how many of them lived underground. Scattered within the multi-acred park existed holes of all sizes. There were the sandy ant hills, tarantula holes, mice holes, ground squirrel holes and there used to be a huge hole for a rabbit or coyote maybe. No one else seemed to be outside yet, except the widow, Miss Eloise, who just turned into clubhouse library.
While he sat on the ground intently watching the ants, he began thinking about his family. He wondered if all the ants were related. They seemed to get along pretty well, and there were hundreds of them. He wondered why it wasn’t so in his family of three. Maybe something was wrong with his family. He also thought about some things he had seen on TV and heard about in school. He understood from them both drugs and domestic violence were bad. He wondered if it was right or wrong for him to call somebody. If the police came, they would arrest both his mom and dad. He knew his parents and the other relatives were using and selling drugs. When he listened to them, they always said: “family first.” Now, he wasn’t so sure they were right. He began to wish for a life without drugs, fights, beatings, and tears.
Hearing a noise behind him, he turned to see Miss Eloise coming towards him and smiling. She said, “Good Morning Kyle. What do you see there on the ground?”
Kyle grinned, “Just some ole ants comin and goin.”
She slowed her pace and stopped to look too. She quietly stood there beside him watching not only the ants but Kyle also. He was very thin, and his sad eyes troubled her heart. She could see bruises as his oversized t-shirt shifted about his frame. Kyle relaxed in her calming presence.
Suddenly, he asked her a question. “Do you think all these ants are one family?
She hardly had time to think, before he asked another question.
“Is it always true that family comes first?”
Eloise’s recognized the importance of his second question. She thought for a moment and then said, “Actually, I believe God always comes first. Don’t you?” The young boy looked up into her thoughtful face with an expression of astonishment and relief. He had never heard anyone say that! Those words were beautiful and perfect. They settled his heart and mind all at once.
“Why, yes He does. Miss Eloise. Can you help me call a hot-line of some kind?”
His question settled her suspicions of child abuse. Eloise straightened herself up and said, “Of course, I can and right you are to call. How about we walk over to my RV?”
Kyle arose from the ground standing straight and tall. He spoke more like a young man than a little boy and said, “Actually, we better call the police.”
“That bad is it?” Asked Eloise.
Kyle nodded and motioned for Eloise to come closer. She bent down and moved her ear to his cupped hand to hear him whisper, “My whole family is dealing drugs.”
Eloise closed her eyes knowing his life was about to change forever. She put her arm about his sturdy shoulders and said, “I see. Come along then; we’ll do this together.”
He looked up and saw the wise grandmother he needed. Eloise looked at Kyle and saw a lost and found grandson. Park residents looked out their camper windows and saw a little boy walking with an old woman. Heavenly residents looked down and saw two souls newly related for all eternity.
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It is sad to think how many children have suffered through abuse. I am glad this pair found each other.