Chapter Seventeen: The Sparrow
By Jason Goldtrap
The bright sunbeam cut through Sarah’s room and heated up her chin. Her eyes popped open. She yawned. This movement was enough to awaken Sarafina and the kittens.
Hope popped up her head which had been resting on Sarah’s left shoulder. She licked the giant’s face which meant,
“Good morning.”
Charity and Faith had been sleeping on Sarah’s belly. They both yawned and stretched.
Hope meowed, “I’m hungry.”
Charity replied, “I have to go.”
Faith tried to climb down the bed; she made it half way before losing her grip and tumbling to the floor. She meowed, “I’m all right. Mother, can we climb a tree today?”
Sarafina stretched and replied, “After business and feeding we’ll go climb a tree.”
The kittens meowed in unison, “Hurray” and then scrambled out the door.
Paula was in the kitchen preparing a sandwich. Hope volunteered to command her to open the door for the feline family. Paula happily complied and they left for another adventurous, fun filled day.
Sarah went downstairs. She kissed her mother good morning.
Paula was curious.
“Sleep well dearest?”
Sarah shook her head and sighed.
"Did last night not go as planned?"
Sarah's face fell.
"It went exactly as planned."
“I know that must've been difficult. But, take comfort in this, God is watching; always. It’s just like that new song you young people sing. What was it? God is looking out for Blue Jays?”
Sarah laughed.
“His Eye Is on the Sparrow, mother.”
“Some kind of bird, anyway, the Lord's watching sparrows and young ladies desperate for male affection. He wants to see if they'll use good judgment. Last night, you put yourself through sheer agony in order to bring someone else happiness. That is a sure sign of character.”
"Thank you, ma'am."
"I'll have these pancakes ready in another minute. Why don't you run out back and feed the animals."
Sarah walked out the back door and checked on the horses. As she brought them around she could see Sarafina supervising the kittens as they wrestled with a bird on the ground. It was, ironically, a sparrow.
Sarah looked to the sky. She laughed to herself.
"Missed one."
She went back and sat down at the table. Paula brought over a plate with a couple of pancakes and three strips of bacon.
"Mother? Why does love have to be so… stupid sometimes?"
"Meaning, why can't everything be cut and dry? Why can't you and Kevin just fall in love and live happily ever after?"
Sarah nodded.
"I don't know, dear. When I was your age I thought I was in love. I did something incredibly dumb. Do you remember me telling you when you interviewed me for that school project?"
"I remember. Does everybody do dumb things?"
Paula swished her mouth.
"Pretty much. However, as far as I can tell, you haven't done anything too awful. You fell in love with Kevin. That's fine. You had fun at the carnival. Good. You kissed him on the Splash Down ride."
Sarah's eyes bulged.
Paula snickered,
"Peggy Watson is lousy at keeping secrets. Speaking of which, did Emily actually kiss Tommy, Lynn's date, twice and in front of her?"
"Mmm hmm."
"Poor Lynn."
"Emily is her own carnival. Lynn was no worse for the wear."
"Are you beginning to think that last night was a mistake?"
"In a way, yes, but in another way, no. I am glad that Carmen Tallard was home for the weekend. I'm glad Kevin and Carmen renewed a connection, I mean, they do have a longer history together. She's probably good for him. And all of that goodness and happiness and, la-tee-da, true love is enough to make me ill."
Paula sighed.
"I understand. You gave up the man of your dreams."
"I did."
"But, if it's any consolation, your sacrifice will pay off. All of the heartaches in my life; all of the disappointments; all of the mistakes, lead me, prepared me to meet your father. At just the right time, under the right circumstance my knight in shinning armor came on the scene."
"And that's the way life works?"
"In a way. You just have to always be ready to receive the good things that God has in store for you."
Sarah took a bite of bacon.
"So when will I meet the actual man of my dreams?"
Paula leaned in.
"Next Monday at 4:23 on the corner of Main and Summit Drive."
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
"You'll recognize him right away. He'll be wearing a sandwich board which says, 'I am a handsome millionaire who owns a mansion and a yacht. I am here to marry Sarah Conrad."
Sarah was dubious.
Paula shrugged.
"That's the way it always works!" She started laughing.
Sarah guffawed,
"You… little minx!"
Paula reached out, they shared a hug.
Sarah drank a sip of orange juice.
"In other words: you never know where or when?"
Paula pouted and shook her head.
"Or even if. God's plans are His prerogative; not yours."
Sarah bobbed her head.
"I just have to have enough oil so I can trim my lamp and be ready for the bridegroom?"
Paula nodded.
"That's not fair."
"Compared to what? Life isn't supposed to be fair. But it is good, if you remain true to your convictions: if you stand fast against the torrent then, you, Sarah Conrad, will have a splendid life."
"Promise?"
"I'll stake my reputation on it."
Sarah smiled. They hugged once more.
"I love you, mother."
"And I love you."
Sarah felt something on her feet: it was the kittens; they were hanging on to her ankles.
Sarafina jumped in her lap and purred. The women shared a tender moment of unimaginable warmth.
