Good Deeds And All

The wind was howling louder then I cared for and I looked around the kitchen one last time to see if there was anything left to clean up or put away. Dinner was surprisingly delicious considering it has being a long time since I have had to cook for just me. I wonder what my husband and children are doing right now. When he mentioned taking the kids on a camping trip, I was relieved to have time to myself for once. A teenager and toddler can be exhausting and I looked and felt way older than I actually am.

Pouring my second glass of Merlot, I debate watching a movie or filling the tub and grabbing a book. Definitely tub! Before reaching the second step on the staircase the door bell rings. Odd. I don't remember anyone planning to stop by. I glance at the time and its 9. Did the kids rebel enough to cut the trip short? Rolling my eyes I open the front door with a smile on my face at the expectation of failed camping trip. It was a good thought but almost impossible with those two drama queens.

Standing on the front porch was a woman with a little girl, about the age of my youngest, looking weary and tired. I looked past them to see if they were having car trouble perhaps but saw nothing that stood out. " Can I help you?" I ask. The lady timidly smiles and the child tucks herself into her mothers side. " Can I please use your phone, we seem to be lost and I have left without my bag," she replies quietly. That's odd to be out and about with a child and not bag, lord knows I have to travel with a load of unnecessary stuff anytime I leave the house. Usually cautious and still unsure what to do, I cant help but feel sorry for them and step aside to welcome them in. "Of course, please come in."

I close the door and offer to grab their coats and realize neither has one on. It was definitely chilly out. "My phone is charging in the kitchen, please follow me, I'll get some hot coffee or tea if you prefer and maybe some hot chocolate for the little one?"

"Thank you, we appreciate it..." says the woman she looks around in awe. Still weary I try to be as hospitable as possible. As I grab my phone I realize I have no idea what her name is. I'm Angela, by the way..." I say hoping she will offer me her introduction. "Mary, and this is Amanda," she smiles. I definitely see less anxiety and more hope in her face. As she starts making her call I bend down to Amanda's level and ask the little girl how old she is. She looks at her mother who has stepped away and speaking quietly into the phone. I cant help but hear the urgency in her voice, but try really hard to mind my own business. The little girl very slowly says four, I almost miss it. I tell her my little one is three. I ask her if she would like to play with some toys and at her eager nod I direct her to he living room corner where there is a basket of random toys. She sits and starts exploring the basket as I return to the kitchen to get the coffee started. Mary is off the phone and says, "Thank you, my sister is on her way to pick us up"

"Of course, I'm glad you were able to reach someone," I say, when really a million questions are reeling in my mind as to why and how she came to be at my door step this late in the evening. Not to mention the other million things that run thru my mind of how this could go wrong. I need to stop watching too much T.V.

"Did you have some car trouble?" I ask trying to make conversation without prying too much. Mary hesitates as I hand her a cup if coffee replies with " You have a beautiful home." I thank her and even though she doesn't answer my question, I start making small talk about the weather. Less tense, Mary seems to open up and enjoy conversing about anything other then herself. Not long after the coffee and hot chocolate has been drunk and we have cleaned up the door bell rings. I cant help but notice that Mary and Amanda huddle n fear and apprehension. Mary catches herself and pretends to sooth Amanda. I go to the door and peek through the window. I see a woman standing there with a worried look on her face. I look to Amanda and as her if she is expecting a woman.

With a relieved face she nods yes and I open the door. The woman runs in and embraces Mary and the child.

I look out and notice nothing out of the ordinary so I close the door and turn the lock. I'm definitely on high alert. These are the things I see in movies and shows and suddenly I'm living an episode of lord knows what. The ladies are talking quietly and I notice Amanda had retreated back to the toys. I smile at the idea that she feel comfortable and less scared then when she stepped through the door the first time.

Mary turns to me and introduces me to her sister Karen. "I cant thank you enough helping my sister, " Karen grabs me into a hug and squeezes. I smile and say, " Of course, I'm sure anyone else would have done the same." I have so many questions but pride myself in not being a nosy person so I keep my mouth shut as Mary gathers Amanda and Karen leads them out the door to her car parked in the driveway. Amanda turns and runs to me giving me a huge hug and I am filled with joy and sadness.

"Take care," I say and I wave them goodbye and step back into the house and lock the door. Glancing at the time, its well passed 11 and I am exhausted. As I ascend the staircase I cant help but running multiple scenarios in which tonight could offer. I will never know how and why Mary and Amanda came to be at my front door, but I am grateful to have been home to help them in their time of need.