by Mary Wingfield Bell
Chapter Five -
Wink's aunt took him to the airport and waited until he
climbed aboard the plane. He waved from the door that led to the
plane and then he was out of sight.
A tear slipped down Aunt Gracie's face. "I'll miss him," she
murmured and she hurried to her automobile for the ride home.
Wink felt big taking the plane ride by himself. He found the
seat that was assigned to him and sat down, making himself
comfortable. He had a window seat and looked out at the men
readying the plane for flight. They put baggage on a wide belt
that brought it into the plane. A flight attendant came by to tell
him if he needed anything, to push the button on the panel over
his head and she would be there to take care of it. Wink heard the
roar of the engines and knew he would soon be high in the sky,
flying to see his mother.
I wonder if my mother is skinny or fat. Has she changed much?
Will my little half-sister be a brat or a nice kid? Is my
stepfather still bossy and hard to please? Will my mother remember
what I like to eat? Many questions piled up in Wink's mind.
The airplane was on it's way and he was going up, up, above
the clouds. He couldn't see the ground anymore. A new excitement
flooded him - he was going to see his mother. Thoughts of the gang
and Mr. Winterfresh were pushed back in his mind for the time
being. Why think of them now? He could not be with them. There was
his friend Jesus. Jesus was flying with him. He was sure of
that.
When Wink arrived at the airport in Dallas, his mother and
Regala Jean were there to meet him. Four-year-old Regala Jean
smiled while his mother hugged and kissed him. Well, it's a good
beginning, he thought.
"Where is Leon?" Wink asked.
"He is at work," his mother explained. "You'll see him tonight
at supper."
The three of them rode in the car to a suburb of Dallas.
Wink's mother stopped the automobile in front of a very nice him
with a chain link fence all around it. Behind the fence a very
nice dog was wagging his tail.
"What's the dog's name?" asked Wink.
"Why that is Skissy," replied Regala Jean.
"I never heard of a dog being called Skissy," returned
Wink.
"We think it is a nice name and she is a very nice dog," was
his mother's response.
Wink's mother lifted the car trunk top and Wink took out the
luggage. He carried it into the house.
"You can have the room next to Regala Jean," his mother said
as she led the way. "Leon and I sleep on the other side of the
house."
"My, it is nice," Wink said. He noticed the furniture was more
beautiful than what he shared at Aunt Gracie's house.
"There is a good breeze through here," she said. "When we need
it, we will turn on the air conditioner. I forgot to ask about
Gracie. How is she doing?"
"Fine," Wink replied.
"I'll fix a snack," his mother said as she went to the
kitchen.
It was good seeing his real mother, but somehow Aunt Gracie
seemed more like his mother and his mother seemed more like an
aunt.
After they snacked, Wink's mother said, "Why don't you and
your sister go for a walk? There is a nice park not far from here.
There are monkey bars and swings. It was a little hard for her to
know what to talk about with Wink.
Wink and Regala Jean spent a good while playing on the bars.
He was getting acquainted with her and decided she was a good kid
- not just a brat.
When they arrived back at the house, his stepfather was home
from work. He gave Wink one of his firm business-like handshakes
and said, "Wink, you are getting tall." That is nothing new, the
lad thought.
"That's what Aunt Gracie says," Wink commented. "You know I am
11 1/2 years old. I'm in sixth grade when school starts."
"You like school?" his stepfather asked. He was friendly.
"Not too much," replied Wink. Then he and Regala Jean went
into the family room to watch television until supper time.
Everyone was mostly quiet while they ate a delicious supper of
pork chops, brown rice, gravy and peas. There was cherry gelatin
with ice cream for dessert.
Wink complimented his mother on being a good cook. Regala Jean
talked about the children they had played with in the park. His
mother smiled a lot. She was glad for him to be there. His
stepfather soon excused himself and went into the living room to
read the paper.
"Wink, tell me what you have been doing this summer," his
mother said.
"Oh, I've played baseball," replied Wink. "Aunt Gracie takes
me to the swimming pool twice a week. I have friends."
It was suddenly turning dark. His mother turned on the light.
The wind began to blow. There were rolls of thunder and streaks of
lightning. A storm was whipping up and it came nearer every
minute. The doors slammed throughout the house. The kitchen window
banged shut.
"Let's go into the family room," said his mother. She did not
like storms; she would do dishes later. Regala Jean sat by her
mother on the sofa and buried her face in her mother's lap. Wink
found a magazine and began reading. The storm did not bother him
one bit. He felt safe in the nice comfortable house. Besides he
knew that Jesus was with him. He remembered that Mr. Winterfresh
had said Jesus would be with him always.
"Why, Wink, you don't seem to mind storms at all," his mother
said, noticing how calm and contented he was.
"No, it's okay. Jesus is with me and I am not afraid.
"Wonderful I guess I shouldn't be afraid. I remember a story
about Jesus calming a storm. I heard it in Sunday School when I
was a little girl. Where did you learn about Jesus?"
"Mr. Winterfresh, my old friend, told me about Jesus. Now I
know Him."
"I'm happy for you," was his mother's response. Now she was
forgetting her fears. Regala Jean lifted her head from her
mother's lap and talked through the rest of the storm. When the
storm ended, Wink's mother went to clean the kitchen.
Wink spent an enjoyable week with his mother. She took him
swimming, to the movies and shopping for school clothes to be worn
in the fall.
While Wink was on vacation his aunt had gone with Knuckles and
some of the other children to see his old friend. She took a
home-baked pie.
"Thank you very much," Mr. Winterfresh said. He was glad to
get it and happy to make her acquaintance. The two became good
friends. Wink's Aunt Gracie could see why the children were so
fond of him.
She told Mr. Winterfresh she was taking notes to give to Wink
when he came home. She listened to the old man's Bible stories and
learned much.
Moon, Little Cube, Marcia and Isabel had gone to the LITTLE
CHURCH with Wink's Aunt Gracie. "That's a nice name for the garage
that is all fixed up. It does look like a church," she said.
Moon brought out a chair for Wink's aunt because she was too
tall to be comfortable sitting on a flower pot.
That day the old man told the children about the fishermen who
fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus came in the morning and
said, "Cast your nets on the other side of the boat." They did as
Jesus said and caught 153 fishes. Then he told the young ones and
Aunt Gracie about a paralyzed man who was carried on a stretcher
bed, and taken to the housetop and let down through the ceiling so
Jesus could heal him because the crowd was so thick that his
friends couldn't get him through the door.
Wink's aunt had gone with five of the children two times to
the LITTLE CHURCH while he was still in Texas. She invited Big
Squirt and Jeff to go along when they came by the house but Big
Squirt laughed, saying it was silly to go see an old man and
listen to his tales. He did not know the stories were not the old
man's but were from the Bible.
When Big Squirt and his friends were where Wink's aunt could
not hear them, he said to Jeff and Willie, "Let's go on a swiping
spree today. We ain't stolen a thing since Little Cube got
caught."
Just then two girls stopped their bicycles. It was Rainbow and
Daisy. "Guys, we heard you. Want us to come along? We ain't never
been caught. We got lots of goodies," Daisy bragged.
"Is that how you got the paint on your face?" laughed Jeff.
"Sure, why not," Daisy said laughing through her lipstick and
mascara.
"Where's the cute Hispanic?" asked Rainbow.
"Oh, he has gone to a club or something like that," replied
Willie.
Rainbow stretched her neck and said haughtily, "He's my dream;
lead me to him."
"Get lost, gals," Big Squirt told the girls. "We are on our
own today."
"It's your loss, big one," Rainbow shouted as she and Daisy
pedaled away.
The following day Rainbow and Daisy found Little Cube at
Wink's house and told him they were going wherever he went that
day.
Rainbow and Daisy crowded into Aunt Gracie's car with the
other children to go to the LITTLE CHURCH.
"Heavens! I'm a bus driver today," Wink's aunt remarked when
the car was full. But she felt good about what she was doing.
Where else would these children learn so much? They might not go
elsewhere - no, not these kids!
Mr. Winterfresh beamed with joy when he saw the lady and seven
children. God had given him a ministry to youngsters in his old
age. What a pleasure for him.
"Welcome! Welcome!" he said as they came out of the
automobile.
"It's a dumpy place," mumbled Rainbow as she went into the
garage.
"Lock your lips," Little Cube ordered as he nudged her. "We
fixed up the garage and like it just fine.
"You know I was only teasing," Rainbow hurriedly said and sat
down on a flower pot.
"What's so hot about an old gander like him?" Daisy whispered
to Rainbow.
"Shush! We're here," Rainbow reminded her. "If we can't take
it, we will leave."
Then the old gentleman said, "My, what a great bunch of kids!
We're glad to have two new girls. How about telling me your
names. "
"I am Rainbow Markham," the red-haired girl offered.
The blond-haired girl said, "I'm Daisy Lance."
"Are we happy today?" asked Mr. Winterfresh.
"Yes," some of the group answered.
"Why?" he continued.
"Because of Jesus," Isabel quickly replied.
The kind man said, "Before we have a story, let's sing. I know
a little song that goes like this. Listen." Then he sang:
I'm happy today.
He has come to stay,
Washed my sins away,
Taught me how to pray,
Saved by his blood;
Jesus is my Lord.
"Now, all together. Clap if you like." Everyone sang including
Wink's aunt. They clapped hands, also. The group sang it a second
time.
Aunt Gracie wrote the words of the song down for Wink. Next
time the group met, he would be there.
"Anyone know the Lord's prayer?" asked their leader.
"I think I can remember," Wink's aunt said. Then she and Mr.
Winterfresh prayed the Lord's prayer together while the boys and
girls listened. It was time for a Bible story.
Rainbow slipped off her flower pot and hit the hard cement.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed and got up again.
"That reminds me about a story about St. Paul," Mr.
Winterfresh continued.
"It was on the first day of the week that many of Jesus'
helpers came together to eat. While they were in the house Paul
talked to them about God. Because there were so many people, a boy
named Eutychus sat in the window. It was on the third floor. Paul
preached a long time. The boy went to sleep and fell from the
third loft and was taken up dead.
"Paul went down and took him in his arms. He told the people
to be not troubled. There was still life in the boy. Paul could do
mighty things like this because of the power of Jesus."
The children were continually amazed as they learned more and
more about this great person, Jesus. Not only did Jesus have
power, but also those who believed in Him.
Mr. Winterfresh again asked if anyone wanted to know Jesus.
Rainbow and Daisy sat silently. Wink's aunt spoke up, "I know
about Jesus but I do not know Him. I would like to have Him inside
my heart just the way Wink knows Him."
The old story-teller prayed with Aunt Gracie. "I believe you,
Jesus, died on the cross to pay for my sins and were buried and
rose again that I might have eternal life. No forgive my sins and
come into my heart. I will live for You on earth and with You
forever in Heaven."
Wink's aunt was smiling and crying, too. My! This was a
wonderful experience.
After the prayer Mr. Winterfresh served donuts and
grapeade.
"It's an okay club," Daisy remarked to Rainbow.
"Yeah, I guess so," Rainbow agreed. "Anyway the old guy knows
where to find good donuts."
Then Rainbow went up to Little Cube and said, "Hi, Babe, let's
walk home; it'll be more fun."
"Goin' home the way I came," Little Cube responded.
The gang piled into Aunt Gracie's car and all rode back to her
house. Then each one went to his or her own home.
Wink's aunt had plans for some changes in her life. She would
buy a Bible for herself and one for Wink. "Maybe I'll go back to
the church on Vinely Street," she said to herself. "Some of my
neighbors go there." She was sure that she would help Mr.
Winterfresh at the LITTLE CHURCH because she loved all the
children and believed Jesus wanted her to help there.
The day arrived to pick up Wink at the airport. Knuckles went
with Aunt Gracie. Wink came down the corridor that led from the
plane, smiling. He had enjoyed the vacation with his mother, Leon
and Regala Jean but he said, "Aunt Gracie, I'm glad to be coming
home. Your house is the best home for me."
This statement made his aunt happy. When Wink learned that she
had accepted Jesus he was jubilant. Knuckles and Aunt Gracie sang
the song Mr. Winterfresh had taught them. Soon Wink joined the
singing. Next thing they knew they were turning into the drive to
their very own place.
"I had fun with Skissy," Wink told his aunt.
"Who in the world is Skissy?" she asked.
"Skissy is Regala Jean's dog."
"Oh!" his aunt returned and unlocked the door.
"Home, sweet home!" Wink shouted.