A Life Worth Fighting (20 page)

The next morning while reading the morning paper, I see a picture of and an article about James and Raelynn in the local paper. It says: “Children Find Loaded Gun in Alley While Walking to Park with Their Parents.” 

This is the short article:  

Nine-year-old Raelynn Collins and her step-brother, seven-year-old James Greyson, were walking to the park with their parents when the kids saw a gun along the side of the alley last Saturday. The parents, Alec and Emma Collins, called the police and waited for them to arrive with their children. The police arrived, inspected the gun, and realized it was loaded. The police asked the children what they would have done if they saw a gun along the side of the road and their parents hadn’t been there. The kids both answered to never touch it, tell your parents, and to call 911 right away. The kids are both being recognized tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m
.
at City Hall with plaques from the Mayor for a job well done. 
 

I think about those young kids and how no one is safe these days. You can’t even walk to the park without being in danger. I hate to think what might have happened if another child had found that gun. The outcome might have been grim for another family. I don’t know that I would have ever had a talk with Jamie about what to do if she ever found a gun while walking to a park or to school.  

Another article says the gun that was found was tested and is the same gun that was used in a robbery at a local gas station last month. The gun has probably been lying there ever since. The robber was probably scared and threw the gun out the car window or dropped it after he committed the crime.  

I call Alec and we talk about the kids and the gun, and about the children being recognized at City Hall tomorrow. He is still upset that there was a gun for the kids to find. I can understand his anger. You want your children to be safe and when you least expect it, they are in danger. Who would have imagined that a day at the park would have ended that way?  

After I drop Leah off at the shop, I run to Upper Cut for my workout. Gus and Dad are already there. Gus wastes no time in getting me gloved up and in the ring. After 12 grueling rounds with a new boxer, we have lunch before I hit the punching bags. 

When I’m done, I ask, “Did you guys read the paper this morning?”  

Gus says, “Yeah, I read it every morning. Why?” 

“Did you read the article about the kids finding the gun?” 

“I knew about it before today. Dove interviewed the family and wrote the article.” 

My dad says, “It’s crazy, isn’t it?” 

“That your kids aren’t safe anywhere? Pretty sad if you ask me,” I say, looking from Dad to Gus.  

“Dove did say that a lot of people are mailing cards, letters, and gifts addressed to the kids to the newspaper. They aren’t just being recognized from the Mayor, but from the citizens as well.” 

I admit, “That’s a good idea. I didn’t think about doing something like that for them.” 

“Dove gave them a card each with a one-day pass to Jump-N-Fun.” 

I look at Gus and smile before looking at my dad. “We need to do something for them, too.” 

“I’m texting your mom, now.” 

Alec

We received a formal letter from the Mayor, congratulating the kids on doing the right thing when they found a loaded gun in the alley. Emma has been upset, and rightfully so. The kids finding a loaded gun in an alley could have turned deadly. I hate to think of what would have happened if someone else had found it. 

I hold our son, Jackson, while Emma brushes Raelynn’s hair. James is sitting on the floor putting his dress shoes on. Everyone is dressed up; it’s a big day today. James and I are wearing a suit and tie while Emma and Raelynn are wearing dresses. Our baby, Jackson, is wearing a sleeper.
I wish I could say it’s a formal sleeper, but it’s just a sleeper. I am tempted to add a bow tie to it. 

“Emma, I think Raelynn looks beautiful,” I say.  

Emma stands back and looks at Raelynn with a smile. “Yes, I have to agree.” 

“Can we go now, momma?” James pleads. We have been ready for an hour, but Emma always fusses over everyone and the kids soon become impatient.  

“I’m ready — just let me get the diaper bag.” 

I clear my throat and hold up the baby
and
the diaper bag so Emma can see we all are ready to go.  

“Looks like we’re ready,” Emma says, smiling as she looks at each of the kids.  

On the drive to City Hall, Emma tells the kids what to do and what not to do in front of the Mayor. The kids are talking to each other and not listening to her. I just smile as I drive, looking in my rearview mirror at the kids.
Still, Emma, who thinks ahead, gives some good advice to the kids: “Do NOT scratch, no matter where it itches.” 

We pull up at City Hall and right away I see several cars that belong to our friends, including Molly, Raelynn’s mother. I didn’t expect to see our friends here. I did expect to see our parents. As soon as we unfasten the kids from their seatbelts and walk to the front entrance, I see just how many friends have come for the small recognition ceremony for the kids: Angel and her husband, my business partner, Mason; Molly and her husband, Adam; Bobby and Leah Grether; Emma’s ex-co-workers, Sara and Brea; and Emma’s and my, and Molly’s and Adam’s parents. Emma walks over and starts hugging everyone. I follow behind with Jackson and greet everyone. James and Raelynn are already standing with Molly and Adam. Once all the pleasantries are over, a woman comes and says the Mayor would like to see us.  

“These are our family and friends; is there any way you can accommodate room for everyone? We would like for everyone to be a part of the kids receiving their plaque,” I say. Emma squeezes my hand in hopes that she says yes.  

“Sure, it won’t be a problem. Please follow me.” 

“Thank you, we appreciate it.” 

We all follow the older woman into a vast, elegant office. The kids, Molly, Adam, Emma and I are introduced to the Mayor, the Chief of Police, and the Sheriff. During the small formal ceremony, the kids are very well behaved. Jackson sleeps through the entire ceremony.  

The Mayor stands in front of Raelynn and James and says, “On behalf of the city, we would like to thank you for doing the right thing. When you found the gun in the alley last week, your decision to tell your parents so they
could call 911 showed maturity and responsibility. We want to thank you both for making the right decision and we hope that more kids are as responsible as the both of you are.” The Mayor then shakes James’ and Raelynn’s hands. I can hear Emma sniffle and I hold her close. This is a proud moment for all of us. A photographer takes several pictures before we leave. A reporter is standing near the Mayor; at least, I think it’s a reporter. The kids are awarded a plaque and shake the hands of the Mayor, the Chief of Police, and the Sheriff. Our friends and family applaud and we all leave.  

Before we are out the door, the older woman hands me a stack of letters.  

“Here, these are addressed to the kids,” she smiles.  

“We received some last week from the newspaper,” I say in confusion.  

“These are what came here. People are calling your kids heroes. The Mayor also received letters from some of the parents whose kids frequent
that
park on foot. Some parents aren’t sure that their kids wouldn’t have picked up the gun and maybe even assumed it was a play gun. This gun incident has started awareness and every parent out there is now talking to their kids about what to do if this ever happens again.” 

I take the stack of letters and say, “Thank you. We are just glad it all worked out. Maybe whoever owned the gun can be punished for tossing it carelessly out the window.” 

“That would be ideal. However, the gun’s serial numbers were scratched off and more than likely the gun was stolen.” 

“I see, that’s very unfortunate. Thank you for the letters.” 

“You’re welcome, if we receive any more, we’ll forward them to you.” 

Leah

Robert and I wait outside of City Hall for Emma and Alec, along with all of their other friends and their family members. We bought their kids a small gift to thank them for a job well done. I still shudder just thinking about what could have happened if the gun had been found by someone else, anyone else. I should be at work, but Bethany is covering the shop until I get back. I shouldn’t be surprised by the number of people here, but I am. Emma and Alec have a mixed or divided family, so that means a very extended family.
The bigger the family, the more people to love. I saw Dove in there tape-recording the ceremony. It will make a good article in the paper in the morning.  

Molly walks over and hugs Robert and then me. Molly and Robert have known each other longer than Molly and I have known each other. I should be jealous of their friendship, but I’m not. They helped each other through a very tough time in their life.  

Emma and Alec walk out of the building, smiling. Emma is carrying the baby and Alec is holding James’ and Raelynn’s hands. When they walk over to us, Robert and I give each of the kids a wrapped gift.  

Emma smiles and says, “You didn’t have to do that.” 

“We know, we wanted to,” I smile. 

We watch the kids open their gifts and they seem to be happy with them. “Thank you, I love trains,” James says, hugging me and then Robert. 

“You’re welcome, Buddy,” Robert says. 

“Look, Mommy and Emma, a Barbie,” Raelynn says, holding up the Barbie doll for them to see. “Thank you, Leah and Bobby.” 

“You’re welcome, Raelynn,” Robert and I say in unison. 

I hand Emma a card from Jo and Bethany before I hold the baby. He is adorable and I inhale his scent before I hand him back to Emma. There’s just something about a clean baby’s scent. Robert drops me off at work and he heads out to meet with Gus, my dad, and his dad for a short workout.  

Emma

Alec and I take the kids out for a late celebratory lunch after the ceremony. I was so proud of them. After lunch, while the kids eat their dessert, I feed the baby, and Alec opens the cards and letters and read them to the kids. Some are thank-you cards and some of the cards contain small amounts of money, movie tickets, and gift cards for putt-putt golf, Jump-N-Fun, bowling, and even roller skating. I am amazed at the show of support the kids are receiving from the community. One of the letters reads: 

Raelynn and James,
 

We just read the article in the paper and we can not tell you how happy we were to see two bright and smart children making the right decision. We are sending you both a small gift to show our gratitude. Our grandchildren visit that park and we are so grateful the outcome was what it was. You are both outstanding citizens and we thank you. 
 

Love, Dutch and Carol 
 

As soon as we are home and the baby is asleep, Alec and I sit at the table so the kids can write thank-you cards to everyone who provided a return address.  

“Daddy, do we have to write thank-you cards?” Raelynn pouts. 

“Rae, you don’t want to thank these nice people for the gifts they sent you?” 

“No, it’ll take too long.” 

“James, do you want to write the thank-you cards?” 

“No, there’s too many,” James also pouts.  

Alec looks at me before saying, “If you don’t want to thank them, you don’t have to.” 

I look at him and I can’t believe he said that. Obviously we have very different parenting styles. When I start to open my mouth to say something, he shakes his head at me and winks.
Good, he has a plan. 
 

“Yay, Sissy, we don’t have to write any cards,” James says as he takes his money and gifts off the table.  

“Good, Bubby, let’s go play with our presents.” 

“Not so fast,” Alec says. 

The kids stop and look at him. “What? Did we forget something?” Rae asks. 

I think I know where he’s going with this and he’s a genius.
  

“Leave the gifts on the table so we can return them tomorrow,” Alec says thoughtfully as he stands up from the table. 

“Why?” James asks. “These are for us.” 

“They are for you, but if you can’t thank the person who took the time to go out and do something nice for you, you don’t deserve to keep them.” 

“Why do we have to thank them?” 

Alec ponders the question as he searches for the perfect example. He says, “What if you did something special for your mom, like make her breakfast in bed for Mothers Day?” 

“Like we did last year?” James asks, excitedly as he remembers the toast and milk he and Raelynn made me.  

“Yes, just like last year.” 

“That was fun. Momma liked that,” James says. 

“And what if your Momma ate it and didn’t tell you thank you?”  

“Oh,” Raelynn says sadly. 

“What if she got up out of bed and didn’t tell you how much she loved it? How would you feel?” 

“Sad,” they say in unison. 

“It’s the same thing. Anytime someone does something nice for you or gives you a gift, it’s important to thank them. Otherwise, they’re sad and hurt. They don’t know if you got it or if you liked it.”