There's Always Hope | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: There's Always Hope | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gina Fifo
10/31/20
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I volunteered at a charity back-to-school event providing haircuts and a pizza lunch for kids whose families were facing financial hardship. It appeared most parents knew one another, often nudging their eyes toward someone and whispering about their problems – alcohol, drugs, illness, laziness. I focused on the children, ignored the gossip.

Most of the kids wore the affects of their difficult life – ill-fitting clothes, quiet and withdrawn. But one little girl caught my eye. Impeccably dressed, she seemed out of place among the others as she smiled and chatted enthusiastically with everyone.
“Sad story,” Sylvia, the event organizer confided quietly when I remarked on her exuberance. “Her dad lost a long battle with cancer just last year. Three months ago, her mother lost her job and she’s struggling big time. That’s her mom, Katie, at the corner table.”

I glanced over. Katie’s clothes betrayed a too-thin body. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. The weariness and stress carried on her pale face touched my heart.

The vivacious little girl was just settling into the chair for her turn with the scissors. She was grinning from ear-to-ear. Her mom listened to her daughter’s animated explanation of how she wanted her hair cut, and then nodded her approval.

On break, I grabbed an extra plate of pizza and two sodas and headed over to Katie’s table “Mind if I join you,” I asked, offering a friendly smile.

“No,” she said softly, “not at all.”

I introduced myself and said, “I took the liberty of bringing you some lunch.” I smiled and she did, too.

“Oh, thank you. But, I’m not very hungry; I’ll save it for my daughter to enjoy.”

“Please – eat! There’s plenty for everyone. I heard it came from the best pizza place in town!” I opened the sodas and handed her one. “Your daughter is an absolute delight!”

Her smile stretched. “Thank you! Hope is the joy of my life.”

“Hope? What a pretty name! It fits her charming ways.”

Katie’s voice quivered, “Her daddy named her Hope.” She was silent; lost in thought. “He found out he had cancer when I was pregnant.” She fought to blink back the threatening tears. “We knew he was terminal by the time she was born. He. . . he said he wanted me to have something to hang on to when he was gone, so he named her Hope.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I can’t even imagine your heartache.”

Katie nibbled on pizza as she confessed to being anxious and depressed. “Right now, it’s all I can do to pay my utilities, keep gas in the car and feed Hope. What little savings we had will soon be gone. I’m trying to keep the faith,” she said. “I know we will be okay eventually. I’m praying God will lead me to a job. That’s all I need . . . a job.” She sipped her soda, and then sighed. “I had a great job. I was an office manager at FST until the company folded.” Aaaah, now I understand your nudge toward Katie, Lord.

I didn’t elaborate, but I told Katie I might have a lead on a job, if it’s still available. As she and Hope prepared to leave, we exchanged phone numbers and hugs. She gave me a weary smile, “Thanks for listening.”

I was ecstatic to learn that my brother hadn’t found an assistant for his real estate office yet. I could hardly contain my excitement as I told him about Katie. Taking her number, he promised to call her and schedule an interview. I was shocked when he called me back a couple hours later. He had done a phone interview and hired her!

Six months later, I ran into Katie at a local store and I almost didn’t recognize her. She was no longer bone thin; the shroud of despair gone. She was smiling as brightly as the daughter at her side. She threw her arms around me and gave me the biggest hug. “I can’t thank you enough,” she beamed. “I love my job!” She stepped back and with an ear-to-ear grin, and an obvious blush, proclaimed, “And your brother is the best boss ever!” Hmmm, Lord, is that you working on the future?

We chatted for a few minutes as Katie shared the many blessings God had provided. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her walk away . . . definitely clinging to Hope.

-Fiction-

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