A Golden Opportunity

He didn’t look anything like she expected.  The ad in the paper had been short and to the point, but they always are.

Wanted:  A good hearted woman.  Three children in need of a loving caregiver.  Unable to pay much.  Please respond quickly.

 She had read the ad on Monday morning and by Monday night she knew that ad had been put in there for her to answer.  She had called the number attached Tuesday morning shortly after seven.  A gruff voice had answered the phone and in the background, she could hear the noisy clatter of young children. 

His responses to her few questions had been brief and she had felt awkward.  They had arranged to meet at the local library.  Celia had done her best with her unruly curls.  Whenever the weather was damp, they paid no mind to her attempts to tame them.  She pulled her coat tight to her body as she dashed from the bus station through the pouring rain into the library.  A glance in the window confirmed her fears… she looked a little like the scared, drowned rat she was feeling like. 

She did her best to straighten herself out when her eyes fell upon the forlorn form in a well-worn coat.  She felt a thrill of excitement. 

When she had finished her training as a seamstress, she had decided that being stuck in a small little dress shop catering to the fancies of the rich and famous was the last thing she wanted.   She needed to be free.  She had so much love to give and no one to give it to.  When her elderly parents had passed away last year, they had left her all alone and practically penniless.  She knew she would have to work and while she hated the thought of working in a dress shop, she was not at all afraid of doing a full day’s work.  This could be the answer to many desperate prayers. 

Celia cleared her throat as she approached the form before her.  At his feet a baby cooed contentedly in his carrier.  Two red-headed, high-spirited boys tore past her almost knocking her off her feet.  The tired looking man paid them little mind.  He turned slightly in his seat as she cleared her throat again.  “Umm, excuse me.  You must be Mr. Patterson.”  Celia hesitantly stretched out her hand. 

Mr. Patterson lifted his head and met her eyes.  He stood and grasped her hand.  He was taller than she first thought.  His eyes were tired but kind.  Laugh lines creased his face speaking of happier days.   He looked exhausted.  His blond hair was wet from the rain and his coat hung limply on his large frame.  His handshake was firm and gentle.  “And you, Miss Walters.  Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. 

“I am afraid I look like quite a fright.”  Celia awkwardly patted her hair.  “It sure is raining hard out there …”She wondered if Mr Patterson had even noticed the rain.  He seemed preoccupied, and not with the children. Two flashes of red flew past her again.  She could see the librarians shaking their heads in disapproval. 

Mr Patterson gave his head a shake.  “Excuse me, ma’am.  Just not myself I suppose.  Usually my wife has the care of the children but with her so sick …I just can’t think of what I am to do … I can’t keep this up on my own.”  This time as the energetic boys raced around him he firmly grabbed one in each hand.  Their freckled faces registered surprise at the abrupt end to their spirited game of tag. 

Mr. Patterson gathered himself together and almost looked like a different man.  Keeping a firm grasp on each boy he introduced the boys to Celia.  “Miss Walters, I would like you to meet my sons, Ethan and Joshua.  Here in the baby carrier, happy as a lark, is baby Willie.”  At the sound of his father’s voice baby Willie smiled and cooed. 

Ethan and Joshua shyly looked Celia over as she winked at them.  She crouched down to their eye level and solemnly offered to shake their hands.  She dug into her purse and pulled out two red lollipops for them.  Their eyes widened in delight.  Celia looked up at Mr. Patterson and blushed.  “I’m sorry; I should have asked you first . . .  may they?”

“Hmm … oh yes, yes that would be fine.”  Mr. Patterson responded.  “You see, my wife was stricken with a sickness … I told you that over the phone.  The doctors seem baffled.  They don’t know what it is or how to help her.  Just this morning the doctor told me that her only hope is to go somewhere with a warmer climate.  I don’t know how we are going to do this but I really have no choice.  You did bring along the letter of reference from your minister?”  He inquired.

Celia dug into her purse again and pulled out a slightly damp envelope.  She blushed again.  The things Reverend Porter had written about her were very kind but she was afraid he was a little too generous in his praise.  She wasn’t quite as perfect as he made her out to be.  And then there was the small matter of her lack of experience.  She loved children; she just didn’t have much experience dealing with them on a regular basis.  How hard could it be, really, she consoled herself.  She looked again at the two impish figures making an art out of consuming the treat.  “I have done a lot of reading, and I do… I do love children.”

Mr. Patterson looked up from his letter with an interesting look on his face, as though he questioned whether her reading would be enough for her to cope with all the challenges these three little characters would throw her way.  “Well, Reverend Porter speaks very highly of you.” He sighed as he raked his fingers through his hair.  “I really have no choice.  You were the only response to my ad and I must leave with my wife tomorrow.  You can come by the house later today?  This is your address?  I will send a cab to pick up you and your things.”  He began to gather his paraphernalia up.  He called the boys and in a flurry of chaos the family had left. 

Celia stood for a moment.  She shook her head a little.  She could barely believe it.  Just like that she had a new place to live, and little ones who were going to be dependent upon her for everything.  She shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets and took a deep breathe.  She was so excited she could sing.  A moment of doubt clouded her features as she reflected for a moment on the facts…three boys, four and under.  But they were adorable ….really, how hard could it be? 

And so began Celia’s journey with the Patterson family.