A Storybook Finish (13 page)

113

“Hey, you weren’t supposed to see the tag.”

He grabbed some scissors from a stand and snipped it off.

The humorous moment eased his frustration. They headed

out to her sleek white compact. Jeff threw one more mournful

gaze in the direction of his car before walking to the passenger’s

side.

Them.”

He looked at her as she came to him with her arms folded.

“I give you wholehearted permission to drive my car. Besides

I can’t stand city driving.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. I trust you.”

“Thanks.” His self-esteem restored, Jeff opened the passenger

door for her. “After you, m’lady. I decided our topic of

conversation on this trip would be eighteenth-century colonial

customs, or perhaps you’d rather I relate the facts surrounding

this Rumpelstiltskin?”

“Or how about the frog prince?” She laughed. “As a matter

of fact, I plan to bore you with my fundraising stories. That

will surely put you to sleep.”

“Not a wise suggestion, since I’m driving. Better make the

conversation riveting. Perhaps you can share with me more

about musicals, maybe even sing a song or two.” He began

whistling the theme from the Sound of Music as he went to the

driver’s side.

Soon they were heading out of town and toward the highway

that would lead them to Baltimore. He conversed a little

about his car, avoiding any speculation regarding the car’s

sudden ills. He didn’t want to stir up rumors. He had no

proof Robbie had done anything malicious, but the anxiety of

it all still teased him.

114 “Penny for your thoughts.”

“Better make it ten bucks,” he said with a wink.

“Those are pretty expensive thoughts, mister.”

“Yeah, just thinking. Overreacting most likely.”

“About the car?”

He shrugged. “There’s little I can do about that. It’s just

that everything seems different. Take Western High. The students

seem disinterested, the teachers aloof. Maybe it’s my

imagination. I don’t know what to think anymore. I’ve tried to

give this teaching job everything I had, but I feel as if it’s not

working out.”

“Jeff, don’t give up. You’re a caring person who loves what

he does and wants the students to learn everything they can

about this country we live in. That school should be thankful

to have someone like you on staff. Whether they will admit

it or not, they need you there. Just remember—if God is for

you, no one can stand against you. As long as you’re doing

His work, you can’t be a failure.”

The words strengthened him at a time when he felt whittled

away to nothing. Lindsay had a confidence about life that he

lacked. He wondered if disappointment, persecution, anxiety,

or any of the trials people suffered ever shook her.

He fell silent for a time, concentrating on the drive and the

feel of the car under his command. He liked the way the

sporty vehicle drove and the power it gave. In no time they

were making their way around the Washington Beltway. Jeff

gave this section of road his undivided attention. Cars

whizzed in and out in brash moves that unnerved him. His

hands began to hurt from clenching the steering wheel.

Lindsay stayed quiet during this time, no doubt sensing his

apprehension. At last he finished the treacherous section of

115 roadway and headed north toward Baltimore. He relaxed in

his seat and glanced at Lindsay who appeared steadfast and

sure, like the mast of a ship in the midst of a storm. “Doesn’t

anything upset you, Lindsay?” he asked suddenly.

She jerked around in her seat. Her brown eyes grew

enormous.

“I mean, you seem so sure of yourself.”

“Ha. Looks can be deceiving. My Life isn’t all peaches and

primroses, you know. I have my trials in life like everyone else.”

“Tell me about some of them,” he urged. “I mean, you

don’t have to, but I’m just curious. I need to know I’m not

the only one.”

She chuckled. “I would, except you’re completing a fundraiser

and I don’t want to hurt the rest of the program.”

“What does that have to do with it?”

“Most of my trials happen on the job. You aren’t the only

one who’s come up against obstinate people. I’ve seen it many

times—teachers who shout when orders don’t come in or get

messed up in-house, students who steal my prizes or pocket

the money for themselves. Once a student stole my purse

after I had finished an assembly. He wrote checks on my

account and used my credit card. That was probably the

toughest time for me emotionally and spiritually. It was so

unjust. Here I was, the innocent victim, and the bank came

after me for bounced checks. I was doing something good,

helping teachers raise money and an unruly student marches

offwith my handbag.”

Jeff swallowed hard, realizing once again that he had

underestimated her. “I guess you have had it rough. Maybe

you’ve discovered the art of overcoming trials and tribulations.

All I ever see in you is confidence and a happy face.”

116

“Sometimes I feel I should handle things on my own, but I

know it’s not right. Jesus Himself knew what it was like to go

against hateful and hurtful people. He understands. It put a

whole new perspective on my Christianity when I discovered

that God understands trials because He also suffered. And He

doesn’t want us to bear them alone by firing up our pride,

claiming we don’t need Him. I heard a famous preacher say

one time that we must need God every single day of our lives.”

Jeff sighed. Not only was Lindsay beautiful, but she was

wise. He thought of her as a pure white dove, resting quietly

on a branch, even as it swayed violently in the wind. God, this

is a great woman sitting here beside me. She’s a prize … a jewel.

Please don’t let her slip away from me.

He continued to marvel over Lindsay’s characteristics as he

drove through the city of Baltimore, toward the harbor and

the edge of the Patapsco River. When they arrived at the fort,

his focus on Lindsay was replaced by patriotism and awe.

They waded through the sea of vehicles to the walkway that

led to Fort McHenry, home of the Star-Spangled Banner.

The fort, in the shape of a star and surrounded by a moat,

stood on the bank overlooking the waters that once brought

in the enemy from the Atlantic Ocean. Jeff immediately

found himself immersed in history. He imagined that fateful

day so many years ago–of men hurrying to their posts to arm

the cannon when British frigates were sighted on the far horizon.

In the air, the huge Star-Spangled Banner, Old Glory,

waved defiantly above the roar of mortars and the shriek of

exploding rockets.

Inside the museum, Lindsay pointed out a display explaining

the weapons of war. “So that’s where the phrase ‘and the

rockets’ red glare’ comes from in the national anthem. The

117

British ships actually did fire off rockets, much like the bottle

rockets people fire off on the Fourth of July, only a hundred

times more powerful.”

Jeff brought her over to a scale model of the fort. “And see

this? Remember the part ‘O’er the ramparts we watched, were

so gallantly streaming’? The ramparts were part of the fort’s

construction. Above the men flew Old Glory. Can you just see

the flag, like a stream of color in the wind? Major Armistead,

the commander of the fort, said he wanted a flag so large the

British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance.”

“But why? Wouldn’t that send the enemy sailing right for

them?”

Jeff smiled at her large, questioning eyes that sought

knowledge, like so many of his students. He was eager to

oblige. “Of course, but they were proud to be Americans.

They wanted the enemy to know they would defend their

country. It’s the same patriotism we have seen in all our wars

when the colors are brought out in battle. Men believed it was

a great honor to be a flag bearer in the midst of battle. The

flag is a symbol of unity, freedom, and a spirit that will never

surrender.”

He inhaled a sharp breath, allowing the words to infuse him

with strength. Heroes like Major Armistead should not be lost

in a history text, but could be models of character and virtue for

today. Bravery and courage could transcend time, giving a future

generation the ability to endure whatever trials lay ahead. Jeff

vowed at that moment to pursue the goals he believed God had

given to him. He would teach history, share about God, and

help others realize their dreams. He would stand strong and not

waver, despite the obstacles thrust before him.

Inside the auditorium, he and Lindsay watched a movie

118 about the battle. At the end of the feature, the curtains at

the right of the auditorium parted to reveal a wide bank of windows

and the huge American flag flying high over the fort. A

rousing rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” made his hair

stand on end.

When they exited a door and walked along a path

the stone fortress that once withstood a mighty

Lindsay’s sweet voice serenaded them.

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous

fight,

O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Lindsay paused in the walk. She cupped her eyes to

the landscape and the waters that shimmered in the

sun. Moving forward to an earthen rampart from the

grounds, she again paused before the placid waters that

brought the invading enemy. “Can you imagine how

they must have felt?” she asked Jeff. “The rockets

the bombs bursting the way Francis Scott Key wrote? Yet

stood their ground. They would not give up, no matter what.”

“It’s a sobering thought,” he agreed. “It makes us seem

weak when we give up so easily after facing small trials here

and there.”

Lindsay turned. The sunlight glinted in her dark brown

119 eyes. Her eyebrows narrowed in a look of determination.

“We can’t give up either, Jeff. We have to see this through

with Troy, Jewel, and Robbie, and also with our work. I have

to face irate teachers. You have to face your students. Even if

there are people ready to set off emotional bombs, we have to

stand our ground and not give up the fort.”

The fire in her eyes ignited one in his heart. His arms came

around her, his fingers feeling the power and yet femininity of

her curved shoulders. He expected her to pull away, but she

didn’t. With the flag flying high and the walls of the fort

framing them, he lowered his face and kissed her. Her lips

were smoother and softer than he could have imagined. She

returned the kiss, and he hoped she wanted him in her life as

much as he wanted her in his.

120 Lindsay could not believe what was happening. Just a

short time ago she and Jeff had been like two warring factions,

trying to outwit the other, with their own goals and

in mind. Now they had come together, hoping to

lives and, in turn, affecting each other. The kiss they

sealed something in her heart—a commitment of

Lindsay never dreamed would come her way so soon.

long ago she entertained thoughts of marriage, but

Ron. In the company of a Christian man who loved the

Lord as she did, it gave an added depth to the relationship she

had never experienced before. Their relationship was not based

on physical attraction. She did not kiss Jeff for his blue

eyes though they were mesmerizing at times. She felt God

had drawn them together to serve some special purpose.

Of what she wasn’t sure. She would take it step by step.

All of this left her feeling a bit lightheaded. While

going up the stairs, she nearly keeled over, were it not for Jeff’s

protective arm steadying her. When he asked what was

wrong, she only waved it away, too embarrassed to tell him he

had swept her offher feet. Instead, she suggested they find a

pleasant place to have their picnic.

They found a spot beneath the arms of a large oak tree

which may have been around at the time of the original

Star Spangled Banner.” Lindsay watched in amazement when

Jeff produced a checkered cloth to spread on the ground and

began unloading the picnic basket. They enjoyed a bountiful meal

121

amid the beauty of God’s creation. Since the kiss, they had said

little to each other. Lindsay wondered if the encounter had left

him tongue-tied as it did her. What thoughts circulated in his

mind, hidden beneath the crown of sandy brown hair that

reflected the autumn sunlight? Did he have the same feelings

for her as she did for him? Did he kiss her because he wanted

her in his future?

When Jeff produced the rich brownie cake he had purchased

in a bakery, Lindsay couldn’t help but laugh. “That

looks absolutely delicious. Did you know I gave the brownies

I made the other day to a starving teacher? Got me a contract

for a fundraiser, too, though that’s not why I did it.”

Jeff cut her a hearty wedge. “So why did you decide to go

into fundraising?”

“I was a geology major in college,” Lindsay explained

between each delectable mouthful, far better than anything she

could have whipped up at home. “I learned some interesting

things, but geology wasn’t for me. Then I got involved in selling

books to families during summer breaks. I traveled around

the United States, met some fascinating people, and developed

a love for sales. One thing led to another, and I wound up in

the parent company that helps schools raise money.”

Jeff eyed her in concern. “That can be dangerous, waltzing

around the country by yourself, doing door-to-door sales.

Who knows what kooks are lurking in the shadows?”

“I traveled with a group. We girls kind of hung out

together. We had one family that insisted they feed us a full

Sunday dinner, complete with roast beef, mashed potatoes,

carrots, the works. After living off macaroni and cheese, it

was a little rough on the system.”

“Macaroni and cheese!” he echoed, rolling his eyes. “Reminds

me of my starving college days. I lived off that boxed

122 stuff while waiting for the folks to mail a check for food or

when I could get home to raid the pantry.”

“We did it so we didn’t spend the money we earned in sales.

Most of us were working to pay our college tuition. In fact, we

had a contest in the company. The one who could live off the

least amount of money per week won the Tightwad Award.”

“Huh?”

“One guy lived on macaroni and cheese dinners every

night. He spent ten dollars a week for food and lodging.”

“That’s impossible. You can’t live off ten dollars a week for

food and lodging unless you stay at Aunt Edna’s.”

“Somehow he managed to do it. He found people who gave

him food. He must have given them that doggy-eyed, ‘please

help me—I’m starving’ look when they opened the door. He

did have sad eyes, come to think of it. He slept in church

pews or college auditoriums. Sometimes at the frat houses on

college campuses he offered to cook breakfast for the guys in

exchange for lodging. He got free meals that way, too.”

“That’s insane.”

Lindsay nodded in remembrance. “It was something else.

We all had to watch our budgets. During the two months I

spent one summer in Los Angeles, we found a restaurant that

had just been opened by Spanish Americans. They ran a special:

chili cheese omelets, two for one. Six of us would march

in there. Three would buy, and we’d all split the cost. We did

it for six weeks.”

Jeff gulped. “SIX weeks!”

“Can you imagine? They never changed the special, either.

We found out later it was because they thought we loved their

omelets. One time,” Lindsay began laughing, “I tried cutting

my fork through the omelet and found out the cook hadn’t

removed the cellophane wrapper on the cheese before cooking

123 it. Guess we had them flustered after a while, coming in there

week after week.”

“You’ve led an interesting life. I can’t imagine eating chili

cheese omelets for six weeks straight. I thought I was doing

poorly by microwaving frozen dinners most nights.”

“Those were the good ol’ days,” she remarked. She remembered

all too well being out in L.A. and wishing she could get

together with Ron who lived several hundred miles to the

north. Now, in reflection, she was glad she hadn’t stayed in

contact with him. Life would have turned out differently.

For one thing, she wouldn’t be eating a scrumptious fudge

brownie with an intelligent and thoughtful man on a crisp,

fall day in the most patriotic of settings.

“So what about you? Did you go to college? I’m assuming

you did, since you’re a high school teacher.”

Jeff nodded. “Sure. Went to college and got my teaching

degree. I can’t say anything exciting happened. I had a fairly

uneventful life. I worked odd jobs in the summer. Once I

obtained a teacher’s assistant position with a history professor

who taught in a community college. When I found out how

difficult certain college students could be, especially when it

came to their grades, it opened my eyes. I suppose it readied

me for the challenges I’m facing now.”

“We should invite Troy and Jewel on some outing,” Lindsay

suggested. “Get them away from their friends and other influences

and spend some time with them. I think it would do

them good.”

“I would do it in an instant, except I’m already painted as

someone who dishes out favors. Many students are in open

rebellion because of all the gossip. I have no intention of fueling

the ruckus.”

“Then we should plan to bring them all here,” Lindsay

124 mused, observing the American flag fluttering in the breeze.

“Patriotism can be infectious. If we can show them this

place, get them to understand the dangers Americans faced

and how they overcame the odds—maybe they will be determined

to face the future and do something great for our

nation and for themselves.”

“Careful, Lindsay,” Jeff said with a wink. “You’re becoming

a history buff. Once you contract the disease, it’s for life.”

She sighed, amazed by her own reaction to the historical

sites she had seen these last few weeks. She would never have

believed that visiting historical places would do something

deep within her. She had always glossed over historical facts

and figures in her youth, thinking they meant little to everyday

life. Yet history had much to offer. The heroes and heroines

of the past taught her that the challenges of life were not.

so great that they couldn’t be overcome. “Jeff, this has been

life-changing. I’ve learned so much. I take back everything I

ever said about you.”

“Uh-oh. Like what?”

“You remember, those awful things during the fundraising

presentation, like putting a mug shot of you on a T-shirt and

telling everyone your favorite food is a can of Spam.”

To her relief he chuckled at the memory. “I’m glad you used

it to get the students’ undivided attention. A few weeks ago

they would have sold anything. Now I don’t think they would

even sell a gumdrop. I’m just glad the sale is over. The products

will be here, and soon we’ll have the money. Maybe once

the money starts rolling in, they’ll get excited and start learning

again.”

“Why didn’t I think of this? Jeff, I can figure out your

results right now.” Lindsay opened her purse to locate her

calculator.

“You wanted to raise three thousand dollars, right?

125 How many products did you end up selling?”

“I think around fifteen hundred or so.”

Lindsay punched in the numbers. “Jeff, you’re looking at

close to a five-thousand-dollar profit.” She glanced up to see

his blue eyes, like shiny marbles, ready to pop out of his head.

He stood frozen, with a hunk of cheese in one hand and

bread in the other.

“Are you serious? Wow, I don’t believe it. Five thousand dollars!

It’s a miracle. Do you know what this means?” Jeff stuffed

the cheese and bread back into the basket. He took up her

hands and held them tight. “It means we can take the classes

to places like this. Sure, three thousand will still go toward the

junior prom. I’m going to see if the extra money can be earmarked

for special events like fieldd trips. This is great.”

“Let the classes know how much they raised. And when

the products arrive, make sure the students have the money

back to you in a week. Be firm with them. If you end up with

stragglers, then you could lose money.”

“No problem. Wow, I feel great.” His hands tugged her,

gently leading her around in a circle. The harbor waters

swirled before her eyes, replaced as quickly by a view of the

fort and then the parking lot. Around and around they went,

with their laughter echoing on the wind. When they stopped,

Lindsay could barely walk from the dizziness that had overtaken

her.

“Everything is spinning,” she said with a giggle.

“All I see is the one who has changed my life, for the better.

Come on—I want to show you a few sites in Baltimore.”

She followed him back to the car, wondering what he had

planned. They arrived in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to the

screech of sea gulls and large glass buildings housing the

shopping and eating establishments.

126 “I thought you might like to shop a little.”

“Actually, I’ve always wanted to try one of those.” She

pointed to the pedal boats for rent. Jeff eagerly pounced on

the idea. The two of them were soon pedaling away across the

smooth waters of the harbor, serenaded by the sea gulls, the

lapping of water against the boat, and the short toots of a

horn from a faraway tugboat. Their feet moved in unison,

propelling them around in a large circle from one end of the

harbor to the other before arriving back at the launch site.

“I haven’t had this much fun since I was a kid,” Jeff confessed.

He took up Lindsay’s hand. Together, they investigated

the many eateries inside the food pavilion. Still full

from the gourmet lunch, Lindsay shook her head at his offer

of food until they came to an ice cream stand. He ordered

two small cones.

“A perfect ending to a perfect day,” he said, handing her

one. His hand shook slightly, leaving a small dot of ice cream

on the tip of her nose.

“Jeff.”

He laughed and took up a napkin to wipe off the smear.

Ignoring the people around them, he lowered his head and

kissed her. As he did, his cone tipped sideways, sending the

ice cream sailing to the ground with a splat.

“Jeff.” Lindsay said with a laugh. “Look what you did.”

“That’s okay.”

“You can help me eat mine.” Together they feasted on the

sweet confection that tickled her throat with cold, while they

headed back to the car. Lindsay sighed in contentment. If

dreams could come true, this day definitely topped any she

could have conceived. History combined with a romantic picnic,

topped off by the Inner Harbor. And Jeff was a unique

person with a giving heart. In the short time they had spent