Pink Flamingoed (26 page)

It was time to share the pictures with someone else,
so Amy picked up her phone and dialed.

“Hello.”

“I picked up the pictures of the picnic. How would you
like to come over for dinner tonight and look over the evidence, Mr. Holmes?”

“My dear Dr. Watson, I’ll bring my magnifying glass to
look over the clues.”

“I’ve got a good picture of you. I’m thinking about
having it blown up, so you won’t have to use your magnifying glass to see it.”

“Sounds good to me. Would you like for me to bring the
dynamite?”

“Writers!”

“Photographers!”

+++

Summer was almost over, not officially, but in the way
most people look at it. In a little over a month, Chuck would return to school
for in-service days that were required prior to the students returning to
school.

Brad had an idea of a fun double date, but he was not
sure what Allison would think of it. He eased over to his true love’s house to
see if she knew Allison well enough to read her mind.

“Amy, dear, how well do you know Allison?”

“Pretty well. Why?”

“I was wondering something. She seems to handle her
condition pretty well, but I didn’t know if she’d be willing to tackle
something that might be a little tough on her.”

“Well, I’m not too sure how she’d react to an
invitation to climb walls or mountains, but I think she’d try anything she’d
think she could handle. What did you have in mind?”

“Do you think she’d tackle a   visit to King’s Island?”

“I don’t think she’d tackle one, but I think she’d be
willing to go. Do you want me to ask?”

“If you don’t mind. I just thought it might be nice to
do something like that before Chuck gets busy with school again.”

Later that day, Amy walked over to Allison’s and
popped the question. Allison thought it sounded great. Chuck was coming over
for dinner, and if he was interested, they’d set a date.

All were in favor of a day at King’s Island. In order
to make things a little easier for Allison, they decided to visit during the
week when the park would not be so crowded. A week from the following
Wednesday, the quartet agreed to get up early and be on their way. It was a two
hour drive each way to the amusement park. Chuck had been there before and told
the others that there were shorter lines for the most popular rides just after
the park opened. On the way, Allison informed the others that she was willing
to try anything the park allowed her to do, and she was able to do with help
from her friends. That included the roller coasters and some attractions in the
water park. Amy had packed her swim suit and the guys brought their trunks just
in case, but they were not going to force Allison to try anything that she did
not want to attempt.

By noon, the four had conquered two of the park’s
roller coasters. Only the stand-up coasters were off limits. The girls screamed
and held on tightly, but thoroughly enjoyed the rides. Amy suggested trying
some slower moving rides leading up to lunch. Even the guys were in favor of
that. After a glorified fast-food lunch at inflated prices, the foursome
proceeded to the water park. They needed help combating the heat of the day.
After changing into their swimwear, the group began with the tamest the water
park had to offer. Allison lifted a inner tube over her head, and Amy and Chuck
eased her into the water for a slow float down the lazy river. Not sure how
comfortable Allison was with water, Amy agreed to stay next to her as they
floated along. This attraction proved so popular with the four of them that
they returned to it every hour or so. Amy and the guys realized that Allison
had conquered her fears when she suggested each of them go down a curving water
slide and land in a pool of water below. After the others realized Allison was
serious, they agreed as long as Amy and Brad could go down before her, and
Chuck could remain with her in case she changed her mind.

“How did she do?” Chuck whispered to Amy after he
completed the harried experience.

“Better than I did,” Amy replied. “I was tempted to
dive in after her when she went under the water at the bottom, but she soon
popped up to the surface and used her arms to make her way to the side of the
pool.”

Around 4:30, the foursome, sure their heads were
waterlogged, migrated to the changing rooms. A question of what to do next
brought a suggestion of taking in a couple of shows. Afterwards, the girls gave
the guys a chance to win something for them at the arcade. Several dollars
later, both young women cradled a stuffed animal. Each of the guys treated his
favorite girl to a nice dinner at the best sit-down restaurant in the park. After
they sat and talked for a while, everyone agreed that the second best time to
ride the rides was after dark. A few rides later, the park ended the day’s
festivities with a fireworks display, which exemplified the hearts of these
four young people. Amy and Allison rested on the way home, and everyone parted
with the comment, “Don’t call me too early in the morning.”

+++

Many times good intentions do not lead to anything
further, but Scott Armbruster and Lionel Johnson got together and planned their
pulpit exchange. Pastor Johnson talked it over with his congregation, and
everyone agreed that one-half the choir would remain at Main Street Community Church while the other half would accompany Pastor Johnson when he preached
at The Church on Aylesford Place.

The last Sunday in July, Scott, Nancy and their
children were welcomed at the Main Street Community Church, and Pastor Johnson,
his wife, and one-half of the Main Street Community Church choir felt equally
at home at the Church on Aylesford Place.   The   Main   Street   congregation
made over Scott and Nancy’s three children and inquired as to the due date of
the fourth. As the service progressed, Pastor Scott noticed how much his
children were enjoying the livelier music. When the service concluded, no one
from Main Street’s congregation made a reference to the sermon being shorter
than usual. Over on Aylesford Place, the congregation were swept up in the
music and the sermon delivered by one of their visitors. No one complained that
the service did not end until a little after 1:30.

Both churches unofficially designated this Sunday as
an “excuse” Sunday. This meant each church concluded the day’s festivities with
a potluck. As was the custom, visitors filled their plates first. The only
difference in the two churches was that the Aylesford Place church included
enough visitors that there was a mixture of color at each table. Late Sunday
afternoon, Scott called Lionel Johnson to compare notes. Both pastors made it a
point to talk to some of their church members prior to the phone call. The two
men agreed that this should not be a one-time event. After a pleasant
conversation, Scott hung up the phone and hummed
They Will Know We Are
Christians By Our Love

For most people, August is a transition time. Time to
enjoy whatever must be done before the children start back to school and the
adults begin to settle down and rake the fall leaves. In most communities,
school seems to start a little earlier each year, but none of those things affect
the people on Aylesford Place. The only children live in the parsonage, and
those children are home-schooled. The Armbruster children are never affected by
winter weather. A severe snowstorm never keeps them from school. Because of
this, there is no reason to start school before Labor Day.

The rest of Aylesford Place stays outdoors as long as
the weather permits. Everyone merely hopes that all the leaves fall before the
snow does. The lack of trees in the front yards means everyone is able to put
up a good front. Anyone who chooses can be a little lax in raking the backyard.

The first of the falling leaves serves as a reminder
to everyone. To Kenny, it means his days in his tree house are numbered. To
Harry, it means less time spent on the front porch and more time spent in front
of the TV and the computer. For Frank, it serves as a reminder that he only has
a few weeks to finish the woodworking projects he planned for the year. And for
Scott, it means that the neighborhood and church activities will not end. They
will merely move indoors.

To the older people of Aylesford Place, the end of
summer and the advent of fall mean a chance to rest old bones and tired
muscles, but it does not mean to cement oneself to a couch or a recliner for
three months or more. Neighbors will not let neighbors rust away. They care too
much about each other to do that. Winter is long enough as it is. It would
become a lot longer if people headed indoors too soon before the end of the
year.

Because the next holiday celebrated by the church and
the neighborhood was Thanksgiving, which was still several weeks away, Pastor
Scott came up with an idea for a sermon to bring his people together and to
keep them active. He just did not know how active.

+++

But one person on Aylesford Place was already active.
The one person on Aylesford Place no one had ever seen. No, not that one. The
one who was “resting comfortably” in his or her mother’s stomach.

“How’s it going, Hon?” Scott asked his wife.

“Depends on the day. One day I think I’m giving birth
to a decathlete. Another day, it seems like a wrestler, and then every now and
then, but not often enough, I think I’m about to give birth to a teenager.”

“A teenager? You’re not that big!”

“That’s not what I mean. It seems like he or she sleeps
until after noon.”

Scott and Nancy laughed at her remark. Soon, but not
soon enough for Nancy, they would know. Would Kenny pack his bags? Or would the
odds be even? Only time would tell.

+++

Mallory listened intently to her dad’s sermon. Jill,
Kenny, and Mallory always listened to their dad’s sermons because they knew
that they would be quizzed about them over Sunday dinner.

“The priest passed by. The Levite passed by. Only the
despised Samaritan took time to help this wounded man. Jews despised Samaritans
and the wounded man was a Jew, but still the Samaritan stopped and rescued the
helpless man. He was compassionate, and he went above the call of duty and gave
of his time and money to help this man who was in great need of help.

“There are many in the world today who are in great
need of help. There are many in the world today who are despised as much as
Samaritans were during this time in history. Look around you. Who do you know
who is despised? Who do you know who is neglected? Who do you know who could
use a friend? To whom would the giving of your time or your money mean so much?

“My challenge to each of you this week is to find
someone who seems to be alone. Find someone who seems to be struggling. Find
someone who is underappreciated. Find someone who could use a friend like you,
and then reach out to them. Turn this story around. In the scripture we read
today, it was the despised person who was willing to help. Now it is your turn
to do something for someone who is despised and has no one, or is
underappreciated. And if you’re willing, invite this person or these people to
come to church with you next week. Next Sunday, let’s celebrate as each of
God’s people in The Church On Aylesford Place reaches out and becomes Christ to
someone.

“That reminds me of something. Remember Lou, the
homeless man who visited each of you back during the winter? Well, I got a
letter from him this week. He’s gone back to where he came from. He’s gotten a
job and has a place to stay. He wanted me to tell each of you ‘hi’ and to thank
you for all that you did for him.”

+++

Kenny could see the wheels turning in Mallory’s head
and he was not about to resist an opportunity. Kenny contorted his face and
turned to his younger sister.

“So, Mal. What despised person are you going to reach
out and touch? I know, Mal. I know. Reach out to that most despised witch of Aylesford Place. Reach out to Witch Peabody. Don’t wait for the sermon to end, Mal! Go now!
Go and invite Witch Peabody to come to church with you next week. She can sit
right between you and me. But before you go, make sure you take time to pray.
After all, Witch Peabody has a gun, and Witch Peabody eats little children. She
puts them in her cauldron and boils them until they are done, and little Hansel
and little Gretel are no more. Goodbye, little one. It was nice knowing you.”

“The witch didn’t boil Hansel and Gretel.”

“You’re right, little one. Witches shove little
children into the fiery furnace.”

“That was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and they
didn’t die, for God was with them.”

“And I hope God is with you, little girl.”

+++

After church, Mallory went to her room and prayed
while her mother fixed Sunday dinner.

“Dear God, it’s Mallory. Dear God, I want to be just
like Jesus. Please let me know which despised Samaritan is mine. Thank you,
God. Amen.”

Unlike most adults who take time to pray and then go
on to something else without waiting for God to answer their prayers, Mallory
lay down on her bed and waited for God to let her know which despised Samaritan
was hers. By the time her mother called everyone to dinner, Mallory knew.

+++

“Okay, Kenny. It’s your turn to pray today,” his
father announced.

“Dear God, thank you for the food and for Dad’s
sermon. Amen.”

Everyone knew the ritual. The food was to be passed
clockwise. No one was to grab for anything until it was passed to him or her,
and no one was to be in any hurry, because no one was to leave the table until
the sermon discussion was over.

“Okay, children, who wants to be the first to comment
on Dad’s sermon today?” their mother asked.

Mallory waved her arm wildly.

“Yes, Mallory?”

“I think it was wonderful, and God already told me who
I’m to do something for and ask to church next Sunday.”

“That’s great, Mallory. Who is it?”

“I’ve decided not to tell until Sunday.”

“What’s the matter, Mal. Haven’t made up this
imaginary friend’s name yet?” her brother asked.

“That’s enough, Son,” his father said.

“No, really this time it’s a real person,” Mallory
pleaded.

“Oh, a real person,” Kenny said, contorting his face
as he spoke in an other-worldly voice.

“I said, ‘that’s enough, Son.’ Let’s see if you know
as much as your sister does about whom you will share Jesus’ love with this
coming week.”

Mallory remained silent, but turned and smiled at her
brother, knowing that he did not have a clue with whom he would share God’s
love.

“Uh, I don’t know, Dad. Everybody I know goes to
church.”

“Does Mrs. Peabody go to church, Son? Does Norman go to church?”

“I don’t know either of them.”

“But you know where they live, don’t you? And didn’t
you meet Norman at the picnic?”

“No, Dad. He looked a little on the creepy side to me.
Besides, Norman’s nineteen and I’m ten. I know what. How about if we let Jill
ask him? Who knows? You might get a son-in-law out of the deal. I can see it
now.
The Wedding March
by The Grateful Dead. My sister comes slithering
down the aisle dressed in black. I look and see Stephen King, the best man,
smiling a sinister smile. Soon, the bride and groom will be off on their
honeymoon at the Crumbling Tombstone Cemetery.”

Scott tried hard not to laugh, then raised his hand
and interrupted just as Jill opened her mouth to protest.

“Son, I think it’d be best to let Jill choose her own
Samaritan. Now, we were talking about yours. What about Mrs. Peabody?”

“Kenny says Witch Peabody eats people,” Mallory
interjected.

“Blabbermouth.”

“Son, I think it best if we all referred to her as
Mrs. Peabody, and I’ve never heard anything about her eating people, only
shooting people, and I think it’s safe to say she hasn’t done that either,” his
dad said.

“What about Mr. Conklin, Dad?”

“Well, Mr. Conklin was trespassing and she shot him
with a paintball gun. I wouldn’t exactly call that shooting people.”

“So, it’s okay if I buy a paintball gun and shoot the
neighbors? How about my sisters? They’ve been trespassing in my life ever since
I can remember.”

Scott did not have time to address his son. Mallory
had a question concerning her Samaritan.

“Dad, I know it’s Sunday and I know we’re supposed to
rest on Sunday, but would it be okay if I went ahead and did something for my
despised Samaritan?”

“Well, I don’t know, Mallory. What does the Bible say
about that?”

“You mean you don’t know, Dad?”

Everyone laughed at Mallory’s comment, but then, like
her brother, nothing she said would surprise anyone.

“Yes, I know, Mallory,” her dad said once he had
regained his composure.  “I just want to know if you know.”

“Well, up to this point I have been relying on you for
my information, and I don’t remember a sermon about this.”

“Yes, you do, Mallory. Remember, even Jesus did good
things for people on the Sabbath, and Sunday is to us like the Sabbath is to
the Jewish people.”

“So, I guess that means I can go ahead and get
started.”

“Well, not until everyone has had time to share what
the sermon meant to them.” Scott turned again to Kenny. “So, Son, what would
you like to share?”

“Don’t you remember? I shared already.”

“Is that what you call it, Son?”

“Mom, would you help me make some cookies?” Mallory
asked. “I think my despised Samaritan could use some cookies.”

“Yeah, mine, too, Mom,” Kenny added, eager to change
the subject and eager to get his hands on as many cookies as possible.

“Kenny, are you telling us that you are your own
despised Samaritan?” his mother asked.

“Well, if Mallory can share her cookies with her
imaginary friend and then eat all the cookies that her imaginary friend doesn’t
eat, can’t I do the same?”

“But my friend is
not
imaginary,” Mallory
pleaded.

+++

Mallory carefully put each cookie on a paper plate,
and her mother covered them with plastic wrap exactly as her young daughter
asked. Kenny watched as Mallory went out the front door. He gave her a minute
and then looked through the blind. Mallory was sitting on the front steps.

“See, Mom and Dad. I told you Mallory didn’t have a
real friend. She’s just sitting on the porch. Come and see.”

When his parents did not heed to his request, Kenny
went looking for them. He found his dad leaning back in the recliner and his
mom lying on the couch.

“Did you hear what I said?” Kenny asked when he went
into the room.

“No, Kenny. What did you say?” his mother asked.

“I said, ‘Mallory is just sitting on the porch.’”

“Maybe she’s just working up her courage, Kenny. I
think you need to be more concerned about what you’re going to do,” his mother
replied.

Kenny shrugged, left, and went back and looked out the
window. His sister was gone.

+++

Mallory stood in front of the house of her intended
recipient. Scared, Mallory needed strength to go on, and she knew how to get
it.

“God, I think we can pull this off together. Do you
mind sharing some of your courage with me?”

Mallory peeked through the wrought-iron gate. She saw
no woman and no gun. She eased the gate open and held the cookies in front of
her, like a white flag. Slowly, she walked toward the house, stepped up onto
the porch, and tiptoed to the door. As she neared the door, she gave a sigh of
relief and reached up to ring the doorbell. Just as Mallory was about to ring
the bell, she heard the porch swing creak. Mallory had no idea if she dropped
the plate of cookies before or after the old lady spoke.