Sarah Rowson was her name.

     And she was beautiful.  Her hair was long, soft, and fire red in color.  Her skin was of a milk-white color, save for the spots of freckles.  He handed the note back to her once the school day was over after deciding not to turn and run home as fast as his nervous legs could take him.  She blushed even more than before when the note was given back to her.  He smiled at her and politely asked if she would allow him to walk her home, turning away from her eyes midway through the question.  She agreed.  The two children quickly became inseparable and their parents came to be fast friends as well.  Both families spent much time together: picnics, games, dinners, church.  And even with a multitude of other children around, Joshua and Sarah chose to run and play with each other consistently.  Their parents knew in their hearts that one day their children would wed.

     Joshua and Sarah were saddened that her parents did not live to see that happy day.  The fire at their farm left only Sarah as its survivor.  Joshua’s parents were quick to take the broken-hearted child in and raise her as if she were their own.  They knew that Sarah’s parents would have it no other way.  It took Sarah years to get over her great loss but with the help of Joshua and his parents, she was able to find happiness once more.

     Joshua dropped a tear at the flood of memories.

     “When do we leave?” he asked.

     “As soon as you’re packed,” said Deborah.

     “The other side of your family,” explained Theresa, “has a couple of corporate jets.  I’ve never had it so easy going to meet with the person or persons I’ve just tracked down.  I wish I had a family like this!”

     “Don’t let her fool you,” Deborah joked, “she is family!”

     “Not to mean any offense to you and yours, my cousin, but I think Theresa should be careful what she wishes for,” warned Joshua.

     “I know, I know…you just may get it,” replied Theresa.

     “Sometimes more than you bargained for,” he finished.

     Theresa and Joshua looked each other in the eyes as these words were spoken.  Both spoke their words as jokes but seemed to have a serious undertow about them.  Each wondered what the other was thinking but did not ask.  Were each of them speaking in context about being happy with what you have and not asking for more than you can handle?  Or was it meant to just be grateful for what God, or life, has handed you?  Or was there something else in their meanings?  Could they both, or just one of them, be speaking of a crucial warning?  Be careful what you wish for or you just may get it.  Theresa sized up the man in front of her and wondered what made his life was so horrible that he wound up a poor soul, wasting away as a drunken beach bum.  He had obviously lost a lot but why had he let the past keep him down?  There was so much life to be experienced in this world and even without blood relatives one can always make friends.  She hoped bringing Joshua to Las Vegas, to his family, could lead him to a newfound happiness.  Suffering all alone was unacceptable in her eyes and she wanted to make sure Joshua got the help that he needed.  She wanted to be a part of those that would help him as well.  Besides, somewhere beneath Joshua’s exterior was a man that Theresa truly wanted to get to know much better.

Robert Ford is the author of Christlike and The World of Hek, Book One: Forever.  Both are available wherever books are sold.  Also available on Nook and Kindle.