Chapter Twenty Two

Tyler and Sarah exited the plane, then stood awkwardly next to the row of people walking up the gang plank, watching for Tyler’s dad. When he appeared, he was smiling. They all walked down to the lobby near the baggage return. Mr. Williams motioned for them to come closer.

“Come. Let’s have prayer before we part ways, alright?” He offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the friendship God had formed between them, safety of their travel, then asked a special blessing for Sarah on her birthday.

“You sure you have a ride? We’ll be happy to take you home.” Tyler said when the prayer was finished.

“It’s fine. Mrs. Lepley should be here any minute.” Sarah quickly scanned the lobby. “There she is.” She said and pointed. She turned back to Tyler and asked “What time on Saturday?”

“Four o’clock sharp, ok? I’ll see you then. Hey, let me give you my number.” He scrawled it on the back of the card his dad had given her. “We can work out details later, alright? Can you give me your number?” Sarah stalled and assured him she would call the first chance she got the next evening. No need for him to know she didn’t have a phone.

“Ok. Don’t forget.” Tyler squeezed her shoulder with his hand, and walked away just as Mrs. Lepley caught sight of Sarah.

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Sarah recounted the events of the weekend, and Mrs. Lepley said things like ‘Praise the Lord!’ and ‘Well, I’ll be’ and ‘Isn’t that just like the Lord.’

Sarah just smiled. After she shared her experience with Christ, Mrs. Lepley cried so hard she couldn’t speak. She didn’t say anything for a full ten minutes. She just grabbed Sarah’s hand and squeezed every once in a while as she shook her head. “Wonderful, just wonderful!” she finally managed to say.

After getting control of herself she said, “Now, someone’s birthday is today if I’m not mistaken, so we must go and celebrate. Are you hungry?” Mrs. Lepley’s eyes implored, not taking no for an answer.

The snacks from the plane had long since worn off, and Sarah was ready for dinner. “Yes, I’m starved.” She replied.

“Well, I want you to pick your favorite place to eat, but not Mexican. I had that for lunch and to tell you the truth, Mr. Lepley had enough beans for the both of us!”

Sarah laughed and looked over at her friend. Her heart swelled with thanksgiving and love. Mrs. Lepley had been so wonderfully kind to her. Sarah’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she did not cry. She just shared a quiet moment with the Lord, enjoying her new-found relationship with Him as they traveled down highway 71 South.

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Sarah wanted pasta for dinner, as she planned on a nice long run before bed. She chose Olive Garden. She had never been to this restaurant before, but heard the food was nice. Mrs. Lepley seemed relieved not to be going somewhere that would further threaten her already precarious digestive situation.

They were seated at a corner table for two in the non-smoking section. After deferring wine and instead ordering soft drinks, they settled into the padded seats and looked over the menu.

Sarah didn’t know what to get. Her eyes got big as she noticed the prices. She had never paid over five dollars for a meal she purchased herself. The prices here were almost double that.

Mrs. Lepley must have noticed her discomfort, for she said “Don’t you worry, Dear. This is your birthday. Your eighteenth birthday. You get anything and everything you want. I mean it. No skimping tonight. I have strict orders from Mr. Lepley not to come home without stuffing you to the gills. Do you like toasted ravioli? Want to share that as an appetizer?”

Sarah just nodded. She had never had that before, but didn’t want to say no. She still couldn’t believe that people wanted to spend money on her. Did this happen to other people so often?

She looked over the menu a few moments longer, then decided on the garlic chicken and broccoli pasta, though she couldn’t begin to pronounce the Italian name it was given.

After their orders had been taken, the waiter came back with a large bowl of salad and a basket of bread sticks.

“Let me say a birthday blessing for you while I bless the food, alright?” Mrs. Lepley asked. Sarah nodded again.

“Lord, we come before you tonight as your children. Thank you for giving Sarah new life through your Son Christ, that’s an answer to my prayers. Thank you for showing her the truth, and letting her know you love her. She is special to me, God.

“I pray Father that you would guide her steps. Help her to be a bold witness of your truth so that many may come to know you because of her testimony. I pray for her to be a virtuous woman that would seek you with her whole heart.

“I pray for her new friend Tyler, that they could support and help each other while they’re so far away from home and family. Help them be strong. Bring them other friends that know and love you.

“I pray this would be a wonderful birthday for Sarah. Please bless our meal and our conversation, that you would be glorified. Thank You for Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Sarah’s tears were falling softly down her cheeks, but she was smiling. God was so good to her. How had she gone so long not knowing? Mrs. Lepley’s prayer of blessing was just another way He whispered his love for her.

Sarah wiped her eyes as she laughed. “I have cried and laughed so much today that if someone had watched me from afar they would probably think I’ve lost my mind.”

Mrs. Lepley took a sip of her Coke before answering. “Yes, and you will continue to do so. The love of the Lord will just overwhelm you sometimes and you’ll find yourself crying for no apparent reason, other than you feel so loved and happy. Salad?”

Mrs. Lepley dished out salad and bread sticks. The meal was one of the best Sarah had eaten. She felt that way about most of the food she’d eaten this weekend. She had even forced down a thick slice of velvety cheesecake which arrived with a candle and the staff singing happy birthday.

Mrs. Lepley received a phone call shortly before they were ready to go. She said yes into the phone a lot and uh-huh, ok sounds good. Sarah had no idea who she was talking to, and did not make it her business to find out.

As they walked to the parking lot, Sarah stretched, trying to encourage her food to move it’s way down and give her organs some breathing room. She had eaten way too much.

Once in the car Mrs. Lepley pulled a little gift bag from the back seat and handed it to Sarah. “Just a little something from Mr. Lepley and me so we can keep in touch.”

Sarah was truly surprised. What more could they possibly give her? She reached down into the bag and pulled out a new cell phone. She gasped. How could they afford such an expensive gift?

“I cannot accept this. It is too much. Do you know how much cell phones cost?” Sarah said in disbelief.

“Yes, dear. I bought that one. I do know how much they cost, and I also know that a young woman whom I care a great deal about will not be leaving the state without a way to contact her ‘Grandma’ should she need something.

“I meant what I said tonight Sarah. You are special to me. I’ve known you since you were in elementary school and used to hide out in the library ‘til closing time. I’ve watched you grow and blossom. I think of you as one of my own.”

Her voice became stern. “And I will not have you leaving me without a way for me to get in touch with you. So, you will keep this phone and you will call me at least once a week and let me know how you are. Alright?” She patted Sarah’s knee. “Now let’s get you home.”

Sarah smiled to herself and thanked the Lord again for His goodness.

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The trip had caught up with her, and Sarah was just waking when the engine stopped. She looked around, confused. They weren't at the library. They were in a residential neighborhood, one Sarah had never seen before.

“Well Sweetie, here we are. I’ll help you with your bag. Don’t worry, you’ll be settled into bed soon enough.” Mrs. Lepley walked around to the trunk and pulled out Sarah’s carry on, then disappeared behind the garage.

Sarah stretched, then left the car and hurried to catch up. She walked around the back of the house and found Mrs. Lepley standing outside a door on the back of the house. Mrs. Lepley fumbled in her purse and finally located her keys. It was a quiet, star-filled night. Mrs. Lepley giggled and broke the silence.

“You know now that you’re eighteen you really need a place of your own that you can be an adult in. No more of this hiding out and living in a storage closet." She handed the keys to Sarah. "Maybe you’d like to give me a tour of your new place?”

Sarah didn't know what to say. What was Mrs. Lepley talking about? Sarah had never been here before, let alone called it home. She opened her mouth to protest, but Mrs. Lepley urged her on. "Go ahead, open the door already."

Sarah turned the key in the lock and walked in. She found herself in an obviously renovated apartment. The colors were fresh, but neutral enough to accommodate any color scheme. Directly in front of her was a living area with two comfy couches, an entertainment center housing a TV and VCR, a lamp in the corner, and a desk with a filing cabinet.

To her left was an arched entryway leading to a dining room and full kitchen. Sarah could hardly believe it. What a wonderful little home! But where would she sleep? Did the couch fold out into a bed? She walked back through to the living area, and noticed a door she missed the first time. She opened it entered a moderately sized bedroom. Beyond that was an en-suite bathroom. A door on the other side of the bathroom led her back into the dining room. The setup was perfect.

Mrs. Lepley still stood in the doorway, watching Sarah's face. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Mr. Lepley's Mama used to live here with us before she passed on. We had always talked about cleaning it out and renting it to one of the young people from church, but never got around to it. A few months ago I had the idea that you would need a place to stay when you came home on holidays, and I thought what better place than my home?

"I don't want you to pay rent. Not until you've graduated college and have a job that earns enough. Think of this as God's way of making sure you are cared for and get a fair shot at being a success. We are more than happy to have you. Please make an old woman happy and say you'll stay."

Sarah had never known people could care for others this way. All weekend God had shown her time and again how He was caring for her through His people. She was crying again, though she had sternly told herself not to. Love was new to her. It made her heart swell and tears fall.

She grabbed Mrs. Lepley in a fierce embrace. She had many questions, including when she would collect her things from the Library. Right now she shook off her coat, hung it up on one of the hooks next to the door and invited Mrs. Lepley inside.

“Won’t you come in? Please take off your coat and sit down.” Sarah then narrowed her eyes. “You’ve got some ‘splainin' to do Lucy.” She said in her best Desi impression.

Mrs. Lepley laughed and shook out of her coat as well. “I guess you have the right to ask away. Though I may not reveal my sources for everything. Let’s just say there were a lot of people at church willing to donate to our little project. A few helped move your things from the Library this afternoon. You should come to church sometime and meet them.”

Sarah wanted that. She wanted somewhere she could go to church and find people like this, especially if they were anything like the Lepleys. Or the Williamses. Her thoughts drifted to Tyler. She would visit his church first.

“Sorry, I’m already booked this Sunday.” she said.

Mrs. Lepley smiled knowingly. “Let me guess, Tyler?”