Alone by David M. Cope (new reading .txt) 📖

strangers. But your mom probably told you to trust the police, didn't she?”
“Yes, but you are not a cop.”
“Well, I kind of am. Like a school cop.” Delbert couldn't help but smile. Here were two young children who must be starving and still they were listening to their mothers' words about strangers. Very smart.
“Oh. I didn't know the school had cops.”
“Well, we don't wear uniforms and we can't arrest anyone, but we are something like a cop. It's kind of hard to explain. But I have my badge and ID if you want to see them.”
“You have a badge?”
Handing them the badge Delbert said, “I sure do. See?” They took the badge and looked at it for several minutes before handing it back. “Now that you know who I am and that I won't hurt you, would you like to get something to eat?”
“I guess so. I still don't know you very good.”
“I understand. I'll tell you what, I'll walk on one side of the street and you walk on the other side. When we get to my car, you can sit in the back. How would that be?” He didn't want to frighten them.
“I guess that will be okay.”
“By the way, I told you my name but you haven't told me yours.”
“I'm Emily and this is my brother Mark.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you both. What is your last name?”
Mark spoke for the first time. “Jenkins.”
“Emily and Mark Jenkins? It has a nice ring to it. May I call you Emily and Mark?”
“That's our names. Ain't nothing else to call us,” said Mark. ” What do we call you?”
“Well, since we're getting to know each other, and we are going out to eat, you can call me Delbert. How's that?”
“Okay, I guess.”
Delbert smiled. He liked these kids. Their mother had obviously tried to raise them with good manners, and they seemed well behaved. But how in the world had they survived out here on their own? They couldn't have been eating very much. They were both very thin. He had to give them credit though. They both were clean. Six months on their own. He couldn't even imagine what they must have endured, being alone, sleeping under a bridge and going hungry most of the time.
They got in the car and he drove them to a nice restaurant where they could go in, sit down and order a good meal. Once seated he ordered a salad for each of them, followed by a roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, carrots, chocolate milk and a piece of chocolate cake for dessert. As hungry as they must have been, they took their time eating, finishing everything on their plates. When the waitress refilled their glasses with more cold chocolate milk, both kids grinned and drank half the milk before putting the glass down. No child should have to go without milk for as long as these two must have suffered.
Delbert was doing a lot of thinking while they ate. And he was making some decisions he hoped would appeal to Emily and Mark. The first thing he would have to do is talk to his wife. For that he had a plan. After ten years of marriage, he knew his wife. After Delbert paid for the meal, they got back in the car and he made sure they were buckled in. On the way home Emily remarked they were going the wrong way.
“I thought you and Mark might want to meet my wife Jennifer. She loves children and I know she would want to meet both of you. She would never forgive me if I didn't take you to visit with her. Do you mind?”
“No, I guess not. I wouldn't want her to be mad at you, especially after you bought us dinner.”
Delbert smiled. She was going to love these kids. He could hardly wait to see her reaction when he told her his idea. Delbert and Jennifer Grey had met in junior high school. They began dating during their freshman year and had been inseparable ever since. They married right after graduation and attended the same college. Both had scholarships, he in football, she in track. After graduating from college Delbert enlisted in the Army. Jennifer went on to get her Masters Degree in Psychology. She wanted to work with underprivileged children. She was now a Supervisor of nursing at a local hospital. Delbert was head truant officer for the Phoenix school district.
Six years ago they decided to have a child. After three miscarriages they were ready to give up. They had discussed adoption but had not followed through with it. Jennifer had always hoped to have a little girl so she could dress her up in beautiful clothes. Pink was her favorite color. Delbert was sure she would fall in love with Emily. He had always wanted a son to take fishing and play ball with. Mark was quiet but Delbert was sure with time and love he would open up. He was excited about the possibilities of his plan.
“What about our clothes and everything? Somebody might get them,” said Emily.
“They will probably be alright. If anything happens I'll buy you some more clothes. Will that be alright?”
“But my favorite dress my mom gave me is there. I don't want to lose it.”
Delbert didn't want to upset them so he turned the car around and drove to the bridge where he found them. “Alright, I don't want you to lose that dress. We'll get it and anything else you want.” That seemed to make her feel better.
As they started under the bridge Juan stepped out and he had a switch blade knife. “What are you doing with the kids?”
Delbert put the kids behind him. “I am here to help them. Who are you?”
“I am a friend of theirs and I don't like people bothering them. How do I know you won't hurt them?”
“We just finished eating and I was taking them to meet my wife. She likes children. She's a nurse who helps children. Would you like to come with us to see for yourself that they will be safe?”
“Maybe. Let's talk, you and me. Little seniorita, you and your brother wait here.”
They walked up to the road and Delbert told him who he was and showed him his badge and ID. Juan immediately knew who had called the school. He was glad the little ones would get some help, but he had to make sure they would not be put away in some lousy foster home and forgotten.
“How do I know you will not put them away and leave them?” asked Juan.
“Listen, my wife and I cannot have children. These two need a mother and father. Do you agree?”
“Si. How do I know you will be a good father?”
“Well, I guess you don't know. But you can come with us and see where the children will live. We want to adopt them. How about it?”
“Si. I will come with you.”
They walked back to the kids and Delbert helped them with their belongings. The two children got in the back and Juan and Delbert in the front. They finally pulled into the driveway and he honked the horn to let Jennifer know he was home. Jennifer looked out the window and saw the kids in the back seat. She came out and hugged her husband and turned her attention to the children.
“And who do we have here?” she asked as she helped them out. Then she saw Juan.
“This is Emily and Mark Jenkins. They will be spending the night with us. Emily, Mark, this is my wife Jennifer. She is a nurse. She works with children. And this is Juan. He's a friend of Emily and Mark who just wanted to make sure they would be safe.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you Juan,” said Jennifer as she held out her hand to shake his.
Juan took her hand firmly and said, “Nice to meet you, ma'am.”
“And it's a pleasure to meet you, Emily and Mark.”
Marks eyes got big as he looked up at Jennifer and asked, ”Do you really have kids working with you?”
Jennifer laughed. “No Mark, my job is to work with children who are having problems and to help them.”
“How do you help them?” asked Mark.
“Well, in different ways. It all depends on what problems they are having. We can talk about that later. Are you four hungry?”
“No honey. These two and I stopped and ate on the way here. Juan may be, though. Are you hungry, Juan?”
“No, thank you.” Juan was good at reading people and he could tell these people were decent. He believed the children would be okay.
“I thought since we have the weekend off, we might go to a hotel with a pool and do some swimming. Would you kids like that?” asked Delbert.
“We don't know how to swim. We have never been swimming,” said Emily.
Jennifer feigned shock and said, “You have never been swimming? Oh my, we'll have to fix that. Let's go inside and pack a few clothes.”
“I think I will go home, now,” said Juan.
“I'll take Juan home, honey. I'll be right back.” Delbert and Juan left. On the way, Juan told Delbert he would keep tabs on the kids. And if he decided the kids were being hurt in any way, Delbert would not like what would happen then.
“Juan. I can appreciate you watching out for the kids, but don't threaten me. I don't scare. Besides, I was telling you the truth about wanting to adopt them. My wife cannot have children and we love kids. We will give them everything they need and want. You have my word on that.”
“That is good. I hope they will be happy.”
“I will do everything in my power to make sure they are happy.”
“Good enough. Take care of them. Bye.”
“Juan?”
“Si?”
“Would you like to visit them once in a while? Just to make sure they're happy?”
“I may do that. Thank you.”
“You're welcome. Take care.”
Delbert got back quickly and they all piled into the car. Mark sat up front with him and the girls in the back.
“We don't have nothing to wear to swim,” said Mark.
“Well, we'll just have to fix that, too. Honey, let's stop at the mall to buy a few things before going to the hotel,” said Jennifer.
“Alright, we can manage