Looking for Cassandra Jane (The Second Chances Novels) (43 page)

But after about ten years in New York, both Joey and I became seriously homesick. And while we had maintained close contact with our parents, we knew they weren’t getting any younger, and so we decided that our first child should be born back in our hometown of Brookdale.

Our first child turned out to be twins, of all things! And so these days our time is mainly divided between two very active daughters, Joey’s thriving law practice, our church, my counseling center, our extended family, and our small farm (complete with horses, chickens, and a trout pond). And, of course, I still make time for my own artwork and a women’s Bible study that I’ve led for the past several years. But I honestly think one of life’s greatest thrills occurred for me just this week when one of my clients (a troubled adolescent boy named Shawn) found real help in the creation of a mural painting.

Shawn’s parents’ hostile divorce, along with a few other stress factors, had triggered a fierce rebellion and subsequent depression in him that had culminated itself in a very real suicide attempt that was narrowly averted by the Brookdale police. After his release from the state hospital, Shawn was sent to me for counseling and treatment. Subsequently, Shawn and I spent six very intense weeks painting an enormous mural that I had previously promised to the city library more than a year ago. It was to be of a stately looking Cherokee Indian chief (that I secretly imagine resembles my dearly departed grandfather whom I never knew). And at the end of our time together (a long, grueling stint of creation mixed with counseling) Shawn finally arrived at the place where he feels in control again. And even better than that, he actually believes that God has a plan for him, and wants to pursue a career in art!

But here’s what really sets this case apart. You see, his mother came to visit me at the center today. And I could see she was pretty uncomfortable in here. Up until today, she’d never set foot in the place. She’d simply drop Shawn at the door and then zip away in her faded, old, red Corvette. For Shawn’s mama is none other than old Sally Roberts! But today she just walked right into my center and stood there right in front of a group of “mentally challenged” kids who just stared at her hot pink miniskirt and watched with wide-eyed fascination as she apologized for the way she’d treated me back when we were kids, growing up. And then she graciously thanked me (with real tears in her eyes) for helping her son Shawn. Because the fact is, and I can see it now, she really loves that boy! Of course, I realize now that I still need to apologize to her for that time when I informed her that her daddy was cheating on her mama, but since she just signed up for my Beat the Blues Pottery Class, I’m pretty sure I’ll get the opportunity before too long.

I think it was Sally’s little visit to my center that finally convinced me that Joey’s and my dream has really and truly come true. We’re no longer just the ex-members of the Misfit Club who’ve taken up residence in Brookdale again, but now I really believe we’re a vital part of this community. And despite our crooked and seemingly small and insignificant beginnings (and because of the mighty grace of God) we have ultimately grown up straight and strong. And nowadays when the good folks of our fair town look upon us as we’re walking down the street, they might actually say what we’d always hoped to hear: “Yep, I remember when I knew them two, way back when.”

About the Author

Melody Carlson is one of the most prolific novelists of our time. With around 200 books published and sales topping 5 million, Melody writes primarily for women and teens.

She's won numerous honors and awards, including The Rita and Gold Medallion, and some of her books are being considered for TV movies.

Melody says, “My life is very full and I stay pretty busy with a packed writing schedule. But I'm grateful for the work I get to do everyday and it never seems to get old as I sit in front of my computer and tell the stories in my heart.”

Melody has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. When not writing, Melody likes to travel, bike, camp, garden, and walk her yellow Labrador in the great outdoors.

Visit her website at:
melodycarlson.com

Copyright

Looking for Cassandra Jane

Copyright
©
2002, 2012 by Melody Carlson. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Greenbrier Book Company

P.O. Box 12721

New Bern, NC 28561

Visit our Web site at
www.greenbrierbooks.com

First eBook Edition: July 2012

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Kindle eBook eISBN: 978-1-938684-10-4

ePub eBook eISBN: 978-1-938684-11-1

Apple iBook eISBN: 978-1-938684-12-8

Cover by Ken Raney