Mortal Mistakes

  “God wanted to have a eternal loving relationship with every person to whom he gave life, including each of us. But, starting with the first two people, Adam and Eve, we humans rejected God. In effect, we've told Him, ‘We don‘t need you, God. We‘re going to do things our way.‘ The Bible tells us, in Psalm 14, that God looked down from heaven to see if anyone wanted Him, but no one did. Everyone went his or her own way. Everyone disobeyed God, and not one person was good."

  The choir sang another Christmas hymn. Karen directed a puzzled look at Stan.

  The narrator continued, “We have all separated ourselves from God by disobedience of his commandments. That disobedience is called sin. From the beginning, God warned that the punishment for sin would be loss of fellowship with him and eternal spiritual death. There are no exceptions! None of us can undo our own personal sin, either by remorse or by good behavior."

  Another hymn was sung by the choir.

  The reader continued, “Each of us is eternally separated from God, because we have chosen self-will over God‘s will for us. So, how could anyone, including any of us in this room, ever have a restored relationship with God, and avoid the sentence of eternal death?" He paused as he slowly looked over the audience again.

  Another hymn, Nothing But The Blood, was sung.

  “Bluuhh?” Jenny questioned her mother with a puzzled look.

  Stan and Karen, as well as a number of others in the room looked at each other with disconcerted expressions. As the pastor promised, this was indeed a different Christmas program than the audience expected.

  “Only God could fix the mess that we humans created by our disobedience. But it was his plan to fix the problem, before time ever began. He sent his own son, Jesus, to teach us how to live, and to ultimately take upon himself the punishment for our sins. Jesus, came to earth as a little baby in humble circumstances and after living a life of perfect obedience to God, submitted himself to a horrible death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. The Gospel of Luke in the Bible tells us this: ‘And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And you shall conceive, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.’”

  A Christmas carol, Away in the Manger, was sung by the choir. Some people in the audience hummed or mouthed the words of the song along with the choir.

  In front of the choir, in concert with readings and songs, small children acted out the manger scene and the visit by wise men, as described in Bible verses that were read. When a blanket wrapped doll representing Jesus was lifted from the straw filled manger, scattered applause broke out among the audience.

  All were invited to sing the final song along with the choir. The words of the song, Joy To The World, were printed on the last page of the program. Stan held Jenny with his left arm and circled the back of Karen's waist with his other arm as they stood and tepidly joined their voices with those of the choir.

  Pastor Weecham spoke briefly after the last song ended. He told the audience that the joy of Christmas was only possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Then he prayed that all who were present, and their families, would be blessed with the peace of Jesus the Christ during the Christmas season. Several eyes were moist when the service was concluded and the audience filed out of the church.

  "That was a really nice program," Karen said to Stan as they walked away from the church. "We should go to church more often. It would be good for Jenny." Her statement was followed by silence except for the sound of crunching snow beneath their feet.

  "You're probably right," Stan thoughtfully broke the silence. "I suppose it would." But their next church visit would not be until Easter Sunday.

  *****

  On the last morning of December, Karen’s mother, Alice Dorhman, came to visit and to watch Jenny later in the evening, so that Karen and Stan could go out to celebrate the event.

  Snow was falling and the city’s snow moving equipment had been busy all day, clearing streets and roads. Stan labored outside the Bronsky home to shovel snow from their driveway and sidewalks. He allowed Jenny, bundled in a bright red snow suit, to play in the snow, while he shoveled.

  As he pitched a shovel of snow, a sudden jolt of pain shot through his head. His knees buckled and he would have collapsed were it not for leaning on the handle of his shovel.

  “God almighty!" Stan muffled the exclamation for Jenny‘s sake.

  Jenny continued to play in the snow, unaware of Stan’s pain or utterance.

  Ed Johnston, a neighbor, was shoveling snow from his driveway. He noticed Stan leaning on his shovel but assumed that he was just taking a breather while watching his child play in the snow.

  After a couple of minutes Stan's pain began to ease. What the devil was that, he wondered?

  The worst of the pain was gone and Stan hesitantly continued his work. When he finished with shoveling, he helped Jenny build a snowman. He found a couple of orange golf balls in the garage for the snowman’s eyes, and a green tennis ball for its nose. He formed a smiling mouth with a piece of old garden hose. Then he plopped a golf cap on top of the four foot creature.

  Ed Johnston walked over to examine the creation.

  “What do you think, Ed?" Stan asked, “Looks just like you, doesn’t he?" Stan and Ed both laughed.

  “You know what Stan? I think, with that big nose, the dang thing looks more like Susan than me!" Ed laughed. He was referring to his wife.

  “Hang on a minute,“ he said. He hurried to his garage and brought back a string mop. He removed the baseball cap from the snowman and jammed the mop handle down behind the snowman. He spread the mop’s strings over its head.

  “Now that’s more like her!" Ed bellowed. Both men laughed at the improvement.

  “Ed, this has to be a first around here. A snow woman! I don't think I’ve ever heard of a snow woman!"

  They continued to laugh. Then the two men and Jenny started playfully throwing snowballs at the snow woman and at each other, until Karen called for Stan and Jenny to come inside for lunch.

  “See ya later Ed. Take Sue with you, if you like." Stan laughed.

  “No thanks Stan. You can keep her,” he offered. “Happy New Year!” Ed laughed again.

  “Same to you, Ed.”

  Alice and Karen had just finished making a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. The aroma of onions, sage and chicken, filled the kitchen.

  “Mm mm! That smells great," Stan said, as Karen placed a bowl of steaming soup in front of him.

  “Mm mm!" Jenny mocked.

  After they had their fill of soup and hot chocolate, Stan and Jenny retired to the family room and played with Jenny’s new doll house. It was a Christmas gift from Alice and Papaw Fred.

  “He really loves that child," Alice remarked as she and Karen washed and dried dishes. “I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a man so in love with his child." She smiled at Karen.

  “I know, Mother. We both worship her. She’s the greatest.”

  “What did you and Stan get each other for Christmas?" Alice asked.

  “Not much really. Our Christmas is Jenny. Oh, I got Stan a sweater and he gave me a nice necklace. But making sure Jenny has fun and good memories is all that’s important to us," Karen explained.

  “Where are you two going tonight, honey?”

  “We’re going to a place called Selly’s. It’s not too far from here. We’ve heard that they have good food and I think they have a small dance floor and band.”

  “So, you’re going with friends?”

  “No. We really haven’t made any close friends in the neighborhood, even though we‘ve been here, gosh let‘s see, seven months. We all work. Everyone around here works. So there’s not much time for socializing. An
yhow, we’re not much for partying. So we’ll just go have a nice dinner and enjoy some music, maybe dance a time or two. We won’t be out too late.”

  “Listen Karen, you two are still young. You need to get out and have all the fun you can. Life slips by too fast. Before you know it, the years slip by and you’re too old to enjoy doing things together."

  Alice was fifty two and her husband, Fred, was seven years older. Both of them always enjoyed dancing and partying until the last few years. Alice was still healthy and still effervescent and free spirited. But because of arthritis, Fred no longer enjoyed physical activity. He entertained himself with sedentary hobbies and interests like books, television and computer.

  “I know Mom, but things are different today. Jobs are more demanding. Both husbands and wives have to work just to keep up with expenses. And those of us with children just don’t have the time and energy to work and lead active social lives too. But Stan and I enjoy our lives together, especially since we have Jenny.”

  Alice shook her head, and formed a disapproving frown. This was not a new subject. She brought it up with Karen several times before.

  Stan nodded off on the couch with Jenny asleep in his lap.

  “Listen Karen, children don’t hold a marriage together, no matter how much you love them. Good marriages are held together by love, by working together, and by playing together." Alice punctuated her conclusion with a firm nod.

  “Mother, I hope you’re not saying that you think we don’t have a good marriage. You’re wrong about that. Why would you even think such a thing?”

  “You’ve heard the old saying, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. Well, it’s true. Your father and I spent as much time dancing and bowling and going to movies with each other and our friends, as we did raising you and your brother.”

  Karen walked to the doorway and looked in at Stan and Jenny. They looked so content and peaceful on the couch. She realized that she and Stan didn’t do much together, without Jenny. But she was content with their lifestyle and believed that Stan was too. Neither of them were the least bit interested in bowling. And movies weren't much better. She resented her mother’s implications. Still, she had to admit that her parents had always enjoyed a great marriage relationship.

  “Mother, I really wish you wouldn’t bring this up every time we’re together."

  She didn’t sound convincing.

  “Honey, I’m only interested in what’s best for you, and you know that. I‘ll hush now."

  “Good. Now how about you helping me make a cheesecake. Stan and Jenny will like that, and you can take some home to Daddy." Karen was glad to change the subject and move on. But she did find herself trying to remember the last time that she and Stan did anything together without Jenny. Was it last New Year‘s eve? No. I think it was a company dinner. I wonder if it ever bothers Stan that we don't do more together. Oh well.

  Chapter 3

  The fifth day of February, Stan‘s birthday, was the coldest day of the year. Karen, finished her work at the Chantley Gallery, got into her car and shivered from the bitter chill as she started the engine. The cars seat was cold as ice and stiff as wood, and the steering wheel was even hard to turn. She drove the short distance to Mrs. Obenhauer’s nursery to pick up Jenny while the car achieved a measure of warmth.

  After retrieving Jenny, Karen drove to Moore's Supermarket in the Parke Plaza shopping center. She picked up a birthday cake for Stan, which she had ordered by phone the day before. Then she selected a pound of fresh ground beef from the meat counter and some garlic bread from the frozen food section. In the checkout lane, she allowed Jenny to have a candy sucker to silence her determined pleading.

  Karen hurried home and began preparing spaghetti sauce and meatballs for supper. She followed an old family recipe which was a favorite of Stan’s. Soon a delicious bouquet of Italian spices filled the kitchen of their home. When the cooking was complete, she set the stove’s controls to keep the food warm while she finished other chores.

  She gave Jenny an early bath and dressed her in pink flannel pajamas. Then she settled the child on the family room couch and started a video to entertain her. Karen hurried to shower and dress herself in a black knee length dress. It was sleeveless with narrow straps and low cut. It was out of place for a cold winter evening, but she knew that Stan liked it. He bought the dress for her before she became pregnant with Jenny. The dress still fit her perfectly and accentuated her near perfect figure. After the birth of her only child, her shape soon returned to petite size four. She put on black heels that complimented the dress and used a perfume that Stan gave her for Christmas a year ago. She checked herself in a full length mirror and then returned to the kitchen, where she prepared a plate of spaghetti and meatballs for Jenny.

  “Jen, you ready for some good sketti?" she called.

  “Skehhie!" Jenny said excitedly, and hurried into the kitchen. Her face beamed with anticipation. She loved spaghetti as much as Stan did.

  Karen lifted her darling child up and sat her on a stool at the breakfast bar.

  “Let’s put a bib on you, Jen. We don’t want to get sketti on your nice clean PJ’s, now do we?

  While Jenny was eating, Karen set two plates, wine glasses, linen napkins and silverware on their dining room table. Then she took two candle holders and candles from a cabinet and placed them on the table and lit the candles. She glanced at a wall clock. It was seven-fifteen.

  Where is he? Is he going to be late again? This is the third time this week. Her face clouded with the disappointment she felt.

  By eight, Jenny was tucked in bed where Karen read to her from a little book about bunnies until Jenny fell asleep. Karen slipped quietly out of the child’s bedroom and sat on the couch in the family room adjacent to the kitchen and paged through a magazine. How much longer? she wondered glancing at a wall clock. How could he forget his own birthday? He's never done that before. By eight-thirty she was asleep on the couch.

  The kitchen door bell chimed at eight-forty. Karen woke and shook off the sleep. She wondered why Stan would come to the back door, rather than entering through the side door from the garage as he usually did. Although she was disappointed that he was late, she hurried to the door and eagerly opened it, anxious to welcome him.

  “Happy birth—” she started to say.

  *****

  Officers Milo Terley and Jeffrey Mason finished issuing a speeding citation and resumed their evening patrol on Highway 85.

  “373,” their radio squawked.

  “373,” Mason replied.

  “Where are you?” the dispatcher asked.

  “We're rolling on 85-W.”

  “We have a 1033 in Eagle Brook. Possible intruder on site,” the dispatcher reported. She read the address.

  “We're on it. ETA is three minutes,” Mason replied.

  “319 can you backup 373?”

  “10-4.”

  It sounded like a typical call to officers Mason and Terley.

  “1033. Probably a neighbor's cat ran across someone's roof, Mason mocked. He flipped on the bubble lights as Terley gunned the patrol car around a tractor-trailer.

  A frightened woman in her twenties met them at the front door.

  “Are you the lady who called 911?” Mason asked.

  “Yes I am,” she blurted. She was holding a toddler on her hip. The little girl stared with wide eyed interest at the two officers and the patrol car's flashing lights.

  “What's the problem mam?”

  “I was in the kitchen and just walked into the front room to check on my little girl and that's when I saw him.”

  “Saw who mam?” Terley asked.

  “I don't know who he was. He was right against the front window there.” She pointed. “His face was right up against it and he was staring at my baby.”

  “Had you ever seen this person before mam?” Mason shined his flashlight around
the front porch and adjacent lawn.

  “No. I told you I don't know him. I've never seen him before.”

  “What did he do? Where did he go?”

  “I have no idea. When I saw him, he took off.”

  “Did he say anything? Threaten you in any way? Did he do anything, except look in your window?”

  “No. I told you. He just took off over that way.” She pointed.

  “So he didn't actually do anything that threatened you? Did he have anything in his hands, a weapon of any kind?”

  “No. He just took off when he saw me.”

  “This is 319. We're with 383,” Terley's shoulder radio squawked.

  “Mam would you give officer Mason your full name please.” Terley walked out to the street to speak to the arriving officers in unit 319. Neighbors began to gawk at the two patrol cars with their flashing lights.

  “Is there anyone else in the house mam?” Mason asked.

  “No. Just us two. My husband is working late.”

  “Can you describe what the man looked like?”

  “Well, let me see. He was about your height. He was wearing a dark overcoat and a baseball cap. Red I think it was; or maybe orange. He was probably in his late twenties, or early thirties.”

  The second patrol car doused it's flashing lights and quietly drove away.

  “Did you see the color of his hair? Any facial hair, beard, mustache?”

  “No. I don't think so. It was so fast. I mainly noticed his eyes. Piercing eyes. Looking right at my baby.” She hugged the child closer and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  “383 to base,” Mason spoke into his two way.

  “Go ahead 383.”

  “Notify any units in this area to watch for a suspicious acting white male about 5-8, late twenties, dark overcoat, red or orange baseball cap, wanted for questioning. We're through here.”

  “10-4, 383.”

  Officer Mason pocketed his pad and pen. “Ms. Graham, we'll look around the neighborhood for anyone matching your description. It's very unlikely that he'll return but we'll patrol the neighborhood for a while just in case. Lock your doors and don't hesitate to call again if you see him or see anything suspicious. Okay?”